stop. Jarett jumped to his feet. Grinning Skull stood in the aisle, facing him.
Tammy opened the exit door in the middle of the bus.
“Next time,” Grinning Skull said, waggling boney fingers at Jarett. In a blink, he was gone.
“I told you that guy was on drugs,” Tammy said. “Did you see how fast he moved?”
Jarett relaxed into his seat as the bus drove away.
“A friend of yours?” Ava asked.
“No. He’s a troublemaker in my neighborhood. When I saw him on your bus, I just wanted to make sure he didn’t bother you.”
Conflicting emotions fought in her chest. She was pleased at his concern but annoyed he thought she couldn’t defend herself.“Don’t you have other things to do? It’s Friday night. Won’t your girlfriend be mad?” So lame!
By his sly smile, Ava knew he saw right through her.
“No worries, my harem will wait for me,” he teased. Then he sobered. “I wish. Between training, classes and work, there’s no time for fun. I’m guessing it’s the same with you. Although I’m sure the guys at your school must be lined up three-deep trying to get your attention.”
“Of course.” She flicked her long ponytail dramatically. “There’s a daily fight over me in the hallways.”
He laughed. The rich sound buzzed through her. She decided it didn’t matter why he was here, she would just enjoy his company. For Ava, the ride home flew by.
Ava used the access code Mr. Clipboard had given her to enter the now-empty Academy. Her mother followed, exclaiming over the equipment. Ava had two hours until her lesson with Salvatori, but a ride downtown from her mother was worth the wait. Plus her mother wanted a tour of the school.
“I’ll pick you up after my economics class.” Her mom left.
The silent studio gave Ava the creeps. She should warm up and practice before the others arrived, but she hesitated outside the dark locker rooms. Instead of changing, she explored the Academy. A few of the coaches’ offices lined the far left wall. Bulletin boards with flyers decorated the space between them.
Ava discovered a hallway in the far left corner of the building. Here the modern renovations ended and the original wood floor and arched windows remained. Half-moon-shaped stained glass transoms sat atop thick ornate doors. Curious to see what lurked behind this double wide entrance, Ava found Sandro Bossemi’s private studio and office.
She entered. The office held the typical furniture and clutter. Foils, épées and sabers rested in the corners. A large, almost life-sized crucifix hung on the far wall with a realistic Jesus nailed to it. The poor guy was frozen with his face creased in agony and wounds bleeding. Yikes.
None of Bossemi’s gold medals were on display. Disappointed, she returned to the corridor. Two other doors remained. One connected to Jarrett’s office, which explained how he’d magically appeared in the studio. The room led to his dojo.
Through the open office door, she watched him teach a few adults. They failed to look as impressive in their white uniforms as Jarett did. His flexibility and speed was striking compared to their awkward attempts. How could she have thought he was a perverted jerk?
She returned to the Academy. The last door had Vietato L’ingresso written on it. More Italian words I don’t know. Probably an equipment room. Ava turned the knob. Despite the strong smell of garlic, her guess seemed right, but the row of swords didn’t glint in the weak light. She picked one up. The heavy weapon was made of wood and the tip had been sharpened to a nasty point. I could stab someone with this.
Bottles of water lined the shelves, matching the one Jaretthad used when he threw water on her. Crossbows with wooden bolts hung on the wall. Even the points of the arrows were made of wood. Her queasiness turned into apprehension when she found crosses and wooden stakes. This is beyond weird. It’s bordering on serious mental illness. Did Bossemi believe in
Tammy opened the exit door in the middle of the bus.
“Next time,” Grinning Skull said, waggling boney fingers at Jarett. In a blink, he was gone.
“I told you that guy was on drugs,” Tammy said. “Did you see how fast he moved?”
Jarett relaxed into his seat as the bus drove away.
“A friend of yours?” Ava asked.
“No. He’s a troublemaker in my neighborhood. When I saw him on your bus, I just wanted to make sure he didn’t bother you.”
Conflicting emotions fought in her chest. She was pleased at his concern but annoyed he thought she couldn’t defend herself.“Don’t you have other things to do? It’s Friday night. Won’t your girlfriend be mad?” So lame!
By his sly smile, Ava knew he saw right through her.
“No worries, my harem will wait for me,” he teased. Then he sobered. “I wish. Between training, classes and work, there’s no time for fun. I’m guessing it’s the same with you. Although I’m sure the guys at your school must be lined up three-deep trying to get your attention.”
“Of course.” She flicked her long ponytail dramatically. “There’s a daily fight over me in the hallways.”
He laughed. The rich sound buzzed through her. She decided it didn’t matter why he was here, she would just enjoy his company. For Ava, the ride home flew by.
Ava used the access code Mr. Clipboard had given her to enter the now-empty Academy. Her mother followed, exclaiming over the equipment. Ava had two hours until her lesson with Salvatori, but a ride downtown from her mother was worth the wait. Plus her mother wanted a tour of the school.
“I’ll pick you up after my economics class.” Her mom left.
The silent studio gave Ava the creeps. She should warm up and practice before the others arrived, but she hesitated outside the dark locker rooms. Instead of changing, she explored the Academy. A few of the coaches’ offices lined the far left wall. Bulletin boards with flyers decorated the space between them.
Ava discovered a hallway in the far left corner of the building. Here the modern renovations ended and the original wood floor and arched windows remained. Half-moon-shaped stained glass transoms sat atop thick ornate doors. Curious to see what lurked behind this double wide entrance, Ava found Sandro Bossemi’s private studio and office.
She entered. The office held the typical furniture and clutter. Foils, épées and sabers rested in the corners. A large, almost life-sized crucifix hung on the far wall with a realistic Jesus nailed to it. The poor guy was frozen with his face creased in agony and wounds bleeding. Yikes.
None of Bossemi’s gold medals were on display. Disappointed, she returned to the corridor. Two other doors remained. One connected to Jarrett’s office, which explained how he’d magically appeared in the studio. The room led to his dojo.
Through the open office door, she watched him teach a few adults. They failed to look as impressive in their white uniforms as Jarett did. His flexibility and speed was striking compared to their awkward attempts. How could she have thought he was a perverted jerk?
She returned to the Academy. The last door had Vietato L’ingresso written on it. More Italian words I don’t know. Probably an equipment room. Ava turned the knob. Despite the strong smell of garlic, her guess seemed right, but the row of swords didn’t glint in the weak light. She picked one up. The heavy weapon was made of wood and the tip had been sharpened to a nasty point. I could stab someone with this.
Bottles of water lined the shelves, matching the one Jaretthad used when he threw water on her. Crossbows with wooden bolts hung on the wall. Even the points of the arrows were made of wood. Her queasiness turned into apprehension when she found crosses and wooden stakes. This is beyond weird. It’s bordering on serious mental illness. Did Bossemi believe in
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