Chapter 1
Vindication
Chapter 1
Hollywood Arts High School. 4pm. 15 year old Tori Vega was looking for her older sister so they could go home.
-Hey Cat, have you seen Trina?
-Oh she left before last period. -the red haired girl replied
-WHAT!
-Don't get mad at me, I heard she had a free period or something. -she replied almost terrified
-Great now how am I going to get home?
-I can ask my mom to give you ride -Cat replied
-No it's okay I'll walk. -Tori replied
Unfortunately for Tori the way home was longer than she expected, passing by an empty park she thought she could save some time crossing it instead of going around it, at first, the idea seemed to work as her way through was peaceful, suddenly she found herself surrounded by a group of not so good looking teenage boys.
-Well, what do we have here... what are you doing in our park? -the one seemed to be the leader asked
-Just... just on my way home... -Tori replied.
They laughed and the one that spoke walked around her.
-You see, if you go through our park you have to pay a fee, right guys?
The group cheered in approval. Nervously Tori opened her purse and got her last twenty dollars out.
-All I have is twenty dollars, here you can have them.
After taking the money he glared at her passing his tongue over his lips as he looked at the miniskirt Tori was wearing.
-And you expect us to share twenty dollars? Between all of us? No, you don't understand, you have to give us something we all can... let's say... enjoy...
-But I don't have any more money, look you can have my cell phone if you want... here... it's almost new...
Tori was trembling from head to toe was he got close to her and forced her to kiss him.
-STOP IT!
She tried to slap him but another of them held her hands to her back.
-Now, let's see what's under that beautiful little skirt of yours... maybe you have there something you can... share with us...
-NO! STOP IT! PLEASE!
Suddenly Tori felt the cold of a blade in her throat.
-Shut up... enjoy it... or die... understand?
Tori closed her tearful eyes as he felt his hands going up her legs until...
-I think she said no. -a voice said.
Just when she was about to open her eyes to see who it was, a punch in the face sent her to the ground. Dizzy all Tori could see was a woman in her mid 20s using martial arts to beat all of them. Then darkness and peace overwhelmed her mind and body. Tori woke when she felt something wet and warm on her forehead.
-What... what happened...
-Calm down... you're OK...
-Who are you?
-Pierce, Julie Pierce...
Slowly and feeling dizzy Tori sat in the bed.
-You know, you shouldn't wander in that park alone, you were lucky I was around... want me to take you home?
-Yeah... what time is it?
-It's going to be about 9pm I think.
-OH MY GOD! My mom is going to kill me!
-Calm down, I'll take you home.
-So... how did you learn to fight like that? - Tori asked
-Fight like what?
-You know... like you did early... when you saved me...
-Oh that, I had a teacher a few years ago... so, come on, I'll take you home.
Minutes later there were in front of the Vega residence.
-Thank you... really... -Tori said hugging her.
As she got to the door Trina came to greet her.
-WHERE WERE YOU?
-I...
-You're lucky Mom and Dad haven't came back yet or you'll be in trouble. -Trina interrupted
-Yeah... I guess...
The following day the students were summoned to the gym were the Principal was to introduce them to the new gym teacher.
-Students, allow me to introduce Julie Pierce, your new gym teacher.
Tori's jaw dropped when she saw the same woman that helped her walk in and greet her new students. Cat noticed.
-You know her?
-I... no...
After the first class Tori approached her.
-Hi.
-Hi there! What a small world, so you go here huh? -Julie said
-Yeah, say... I wanted to ask you something...
-Sure, go ahead.
-Can you please not mention what happen to anyone here? Specially to my sister Trina? - Tori asked
-Sure, don't worry, anything else?
-Can... can you teach me?
-I am ain't I?
-No no, to fight like you do. Who taught you by the way?
-His name was Miyagi, Kesuke Miyagi.
-Wait a minute... as in Daniel LaRusso's sensei Miyagi? -Tori said in amazment.
-You know him?
-Yeah, he's a friend of my Dad... how's Mr. Miyagi?
-He passed away a couple of years ago. -Julie replied
-Oh... sorry to hear that... so... can you teach me?
-Why do you want to learn Karate for?
-So I can defend myself, I mean, I don't want to hurt other people... but if someone wants to hurt me... I just want to be able to take care of myself.
Julie glared at her.
-Very well, meet me at the beach after school everyday. All right?
-Sure! -Tori replied happily.
For the next two weeks Julie found herself in the position Mr. Miyagi was years before, and found in Tori an eager and agile student that just like her, learned at a very fast pace. Both sat in the beach letting the water touch their feet.
-You're a really fast learner, you're just like me when I was your age. -Julie said
-Thank you... I just want to be as good as I can get to be. -Tori replied
The next day Tori saw Jade wearing a black jacket with yellow cobra embroidered in it.
-Nice jacket - Tori said.
-Get lost - Jade coldly replied.
-All right...
But things were going to take a very different turn that afternoon, Tori was taking the books and notes she would need for her homework out of her locker while returning that which she wouldn't need when Robbie came back in running.
-Jade is beating up Cat in the parking lot! -he yelled
-WHAT?
-GO HURRY!- Robbie said through his ventriloquist doll Rex.
Tori ran out as fast as she could, and just as Robbie said, surrounded by a small crowd, Jade was attacking a terrified Cat who could only ask from her to stop.
-YOU HAVE TO LEARN NOT TO GET CLOSE TO BECK! - Jade yelled
-I... I didn't mean to... it was... STOP IT!
But Jade was out of her mind and after pulling her up kicked her against a car, the red haired girl fell to her knees crying and gasping for air.
-Jade leave her alone already! - Beck yelled
-YOU SHUT UP! We'll talk later, GET UP! I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!
-...please... no more...
-Get up you freak... or I'll kick you back to your feet...
But at that moment Tori got between them.
-Stop it already, you're hurting her!- she yelled
Jade glared at her with fury in her eyes.
-Better her than you Vega, step aside or I'll hurt you too. NOW.
-No, it's over Jade, come on Cat, I'll take you to the nurse.
But as soon as Tori turned her back to help Cat, Jade pulled her arm and to her surprise Tori assumed her defense pose.
-what... you don't really mean... or do you? -Jade said chuckling in a mix of amazement and shock
-I won't let you hurt Cat anymore...
Jade took off her jacket and threw it aside and to everyone's surprise assumed a defensive pose as well.
-Well, come on Vega, let's see what you got... COME ON!
-"Well Tori, it's time to prove what you have learned from Julie"
To be continued...