A couple of the football players were impressed enough to line up with the other students. One or two looked like they wanted more trouble but none could persuade the others to actually start. So, Rot lined up the students, had them bow in, then worked with Colleen to have them begin learning to fall and some basic taiji movements to help with the concepts of flexibility and leveraging around the body core.
When he saw her inching away, Rot held out a finger at Taylor. "You, stay. I'm not finished with you."
During a break, Barry sidled up to Rot. "Don't be mean to Taylor. She's really..."
"Really what? A bitch?"
"Well, she's really pretty."
Which was part of the problem. In high school even more than in adult life, the beautiful people ruled, could get away with anything at all just because they were beautiful and, therefore, entitled. But Rot couldn't really blame Taylor... she'd simply fit into an established environment--one that made her privileged but also limited her experiences and chances for growth. "I'm really looking to help everyone here, Barry."
"You've gotten really weird, Rot. Almost like you're... some sort of guru or something."
"Nope. I'm just Rot."
He wasn't altogether pleased with how the first practice went, but some of the students showed promise and some of the female students seemed surprised at the idea that they could fight back... that they weren't set up as permanent victims of whatever male **** was coming their way.
After scheduling a follow-up class the next week, Rot dismissed the group and called Taylor over.
Comments