Blood, Sweat, Tears & Love

June: June stretched slowly. Inhaling deeply. The muggy warm air of the dojo filling her lungs. The smell of Clorox and sweat from the freshly cleaned mats filling her nose. God how she missed this. She couldn’t help randomly smiling. She knew she looked dumb. Other students trickled in. Class would start in 15 minutes. High fives rang out in the air. Laughter and smack talk similar to a frat house filled the room. Regardless of age and gender, June was finally back with her family. This odd motley crew. They could go from trying to kill each other to shouting encouragement and giving hugs in a matter of moments. June threw a kick. The loud thump gave her a smile of satisfaction as the bag swung back and forth. “I still got it..” she remarked to her self. “EVERYONE LINE UP!” The professor yelled. June lightly jogged to her place in line. Right next to Octavia. Octavia was just 15. They constantly joked that she was June’s little sister. Professor started going over some new moves for everyone to learn. Drilling it over and over making sure we knew how to make it work. “1,2,3 Break!” Everyone clapped in unison and proceeded to break off into pairs. “Come on Doc Oct.” June said to Octavia. Using the nickname she gave her. Octavia was extremely good as using all 4 limbs making it seem like you were wrestling an Octopus. “Alright you first chica,” Octavia said stomping her foot on the mat. “You just want to throw me, because I tapped you out last night don’t you?” June laughed. “Oh no of course not whatever do you mean?” Octavia giggled. June didn’t have any younger siblings so she loved the dynamic she had with Doc Oct. “Alright be gentle, my old back can barely take it anymore.” “Lies!” Octavia laughed. “You’re barely 8 years older than me silly.” “Fair point,” June laughed. “Alright, let’s go. Get your hip in position and hoist away.” Octavia grabbed June’s shoulder. Stepped through, tucked her hip down and WHAM! June smacked the mat. “Heck yea! That was your best throw yet.” June said breathlessly. She stood up to switch places when she heard the little bell on the front door jingle as it opened. “Someone’s really showing up late to class? Must be a newcomer or someone wanting to check the school out” Her and Octavia paused and watch him walk in. June felt a flutter in her stomach. “What the heck is wrong with me?” She thought. The stranger waiting patiently up front for the professor. As the professor and he talked, her eyes ran over every inch of him. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. There was something about him she just couldn’t figure out what. He was about 5’9. Well built. Ruffled brown hair. A full well groomed beard and a beaming smile. Her and Octavia stood there gawking at the man while he signed the waiver and put his spats on. “EVERYONE LINE UP!” The professor yelled. They all hurried to line up against the wall. The newest student stood shyly next to the professor. “Good job on the throws everyone, we’ll pick it back up tomorrow. We’re going to break off and do live matches so get ready to partner up. Before we start, everyone give a warm welcome to Benjamin.” “Hi Benjamin.” Everyone yelled. Sounding like a intense AA meeting. “He’s our newest student,” the professor continued. “He’s transferring from another gym and has joined our jiujitsu family.” “Alright, quick water break and then we start live rolling so partner up.” Everyone clapped in unison. Everyone scattered for water and to introduce themselves to Benjamin. Julia (Octavia’s mom) nudged June. “I see you staring at the new eye candy” she chuckled. June turned bright red and Benjamin’s eyes met hers. She looked away and gulped down the ice cold water hoping it would cool her off. “What’s wrong with me? I don’t even know this guy and yet I feel a connection? I’ve been watching too many K Dramas.” “On the bell let’s go partner up.” Professor called out. June had been lost in her thoughts for a moment and looked up and realized the only partner left was Benjamin. She blushed hotly and walked over. “Hi I’m June nice to meet you,” she said barely looking at him. “Im Benjamin, it’s really nice to meet you June,” She hated that she loved how he said her name. “Shall we?” She said gesturing to the mats. “Let’s get to it.”