Humble lessons: 12 To learn

(At the end of the school day Jasmine is walking next to Alison and Bethony hunched over as they make there way towards the school exit)

Alison: A whole week of school, I can't believe you missed a whole week of school!

Jasmine: Why is this school so brutal, how do you girls manage to keep up with this place?!

Bethony: You make it sound like your on deaths door.

Jasmine: Its only thanks to the cram session I had with Alison that I even manage to get through the rest of the day, barely, I've got to juggle all of this on top of the training with sensei Yoake, I'm dying here.

(As they reach the exit of the school Jasmine suddenly grabs Bethony by the collar dragging herself close her)

Jasmine: How, how did you do it while being at this crazy place.

Bethony: Oh, I didn't, I wasn't very academically motivated so I kinda just let it all slip by, to be honest I'm not even sure how I got as far as I did when I think about it, guess I was just lucky, (Under breath) up till know that is.

(Jasmine slumps over to Alison)

Jasmine: Alison, please no more cram sessions, (faint dramatic crying) I don't think my brain can take any more.

Alison: Oh I'm sorry, are you asking for mercy, did you want to take a break, well you had a whole weeks worth of it so I think not.

(Alison then grabs Jasmine by the back of her collar dragging her off, as she's dragged away Jasmine holds out her arms and towards Bethony)

Jasmine: (Loud whisper) Help, Meeee.

(Bethony can only respond with a sympathetic expression while mouthing the words "I'm sorry", later that day in Shannon's room as he finishes packing his things principle Lewis walks in)

Principle Lewis: Ah, Mr. Alderman I was hoping to run into to you, I wanted ask for your help with the upcoming school fair.

Shannon: Right, Jasmine told me you wanted my help, sorry that I was absent, I'd be happy to.

Principle Lewis: (Tone of relief) Thank-you, so much.

Shannon: (Lite chuckle) No problem.

Principle Lewis: One more thing.

Shannon: Hmm?

Principle Lewis: Do you know a man by the name of Ralph.

Shannon: (Hesitant) Yes, he's a friend of mine, is there something wrong?

Principle Lewis: No, no, just wanted to know, that's all.

Shannon: O-kay?

Principle Lewis: Have a nice day, Mr. Alderman.

(A puzzled look comes across Shannon's face but as principle Lewis leaves Shannon shrugs it off, finishes packing his things and heads out the door, as he steps off school grounds he's suddenly pushed from behind by Bethony)

Shannon: B-Bethony, what are you doing?!

Bethony: Come on we're going to be late for your rematch, that guy needs to get whats coming to him.

(Letting out an annoyed sigh, Shannon suddenly flips over Bethony landing behind her)

Bethony: Hey, what are you doing?!

Shannon: Before we go, I need to clear this up.

Bethony: Clear up what?

Shannon: I am going to fight Ralph.

Bethony: Yeah I know.

Shannon: No, I am going to fight Ralph, my reason for fighting him is for fun, for practice, and to reinforce my friendship with him.

Bethony: I-

Shannon: Going off to fight Ralph on Yoake's behalf would be a personal waste of time and more importantly a level of disrespect to both men.

Bethony: Why?

Shannon: ….Bethony, if some random stranger challenged you to a fightm you accepted it and lost, would it be alright for me to then go after them?

Bethony: ….Oh, bu-

Shannon: You know your sensei, better then me and you can trust I know Ralph better then you, so what do you think happened?

Bethony: ….(Sigh) I'm sorry.

Shannon: Its alright, now lets get going.

(Later that day just as Shannon reaches the park he suddenly catches a blue bottle of soda)

Ralph: Your late.

Shannon: Well you where late last time, honestly I got held up at work, did you have a run in with Principle Lewis?

Ralph: Huh….ohhh, yeah you don't worry about that.

Shannon: Alright?

(Shannon hands his drink to Bethony)

Shannon: Hold on to that for me, if you get thirsty you can take a sip.

(Shannon walks towards his place on the open field)

Bethony: ….Good luck.

(Shannon looks back and gives Bethony a reassuring smile, reaching his position the two take there stances, just before they start Ralph looks over towards Bethony)

Ralph: Hey, girly.

(Bethony annoyingly towards Ralph)

Bethony: (Annoyed) My names Bethony.

Ralph: Right, not exactly good with membering those sorta things, anyway could ya take a couple more steps back.

(Bethony does as she's asked and Ralph re-takes his stance, as the two stare each other down the tension in the air begins to rise, suddenly the two charge at each other as they draw near Shannon leaps into the air, coming down he slides on to the ground kicking at Ralph's feet, seeing this Ralph leaps over the attack redirects himself and lunges at Shannon now exposed back, Shannon quickly re-positions himself and kicks Ralph away then leaps on to his feet and begins charging at him, just as Ralph lands he preforms his Roaring Fang, Shannon sees this just in time to mimic Ralph's motions calling out his attack)

Shannon: Howling fang!

(The two blasts collide canceling each other out, but as they dissipate Ralph leaps out from the residual energy and lands over several consecutive blows forcing Shannon back, Shannon manages to stay on his feet long enough to regain his composure and begins blocking Ralph's strikes, soon standing his ground Shannon begins countering his attacks, in the heat of there exchange Shannon forces an opening and with an open knuckle palm, punches Ralph in his shoulder which creates another opening allowing Shannon to take Ralph by the collar opposite of his freshly attacked shoulder and throw him over his head as Ralph rolls out from the landing he turns in time to see a larger Howling Fang launched at him, quickly leaping high into the air he comes down with a kick towards Shannon, flipping out of the way just as Ralph lands Shannon lunges at Ralph, just as he recovers from the landing Ralph launches his Roaring Fang at Shannon knocking him several feet away, a moment as Shannon lays on the ground but soon he sits up as Ralph walks towards him)

Ralph: (Heavy breathing) Like I said, sloppy.

Shannon: (Cough, heavy breathing) Yeah, yeah, looks like I could do with a bit of a brush up on my skills.

(As Ralph helps Shannon to his feet, Bethony rushes over to his side)

Bethony: Are you okay?

Shannon: I'm fine, I could do with that drink now.

(Bethony hands the drink over to Shannon then looks towards Ralph)

Ralph: Yeah?

Bethony: (Deep breath) Good match.

Ralph: I do believe she's warming up to me.

Bethony: Don't push it.

Ralph: And I will take that as my queue to skedaddle, I'm a crash on your couch, see ya later.

Shannon: Later.

(As Ralph leaves Shannon heads to the nearby bench as he opens his drink with Bethony following behind, the two take there seat with Bethony leaning against his shoulder)

Bethony: How many times have you two fought?

Shannon: This makes the four-hundred and seventeenth time, and now he's up by two.

(As Shannon leans back in the bench he hands Bethony the bottle of soda, taking it she drinks her fill)

Shannon: Ralph's always had a better sense for fighting.

Bethony: You didn't look so bad out there.

Shannon: Well there's a difference between being smart and being talented.

Bethony: (Lite chuckle) Do I hear a hint of jealousy.

Shannon: A little.

(Bethony gets up walks behind the bench and leans over Shannon's head)

Bethony: Well if you want I can be your sparring partner till next time, but all and all....

(Bethony leans in and the two share a kiss)

Bethony: I'll pay you back next time.

(Bethony suddenly runs off, with a puzzled expression on his face Shannon reaches for his drink and bringing the soda bottle into his line of sight, discovers that its empty)

Shannon: And the day drags on.

(Elsewhere at Jasmine's house, Jasmine is slumped over on her desk)

Jasmine: N-no more, I can barely keep my eyes open.

(Just as Jasmine begins to close her eyes, three thick books are dropped infront of her)

Alison: And as soon as we study up on these I'll be to get out of your hair.

Jasmine: NooOO!!!

Dismissed