Api At The Mall
Api soon found the store he was looking for, the bike shop. Like any young man with a decent bank account her started with what could break the bank E-bikes priced at 7,000 + but then he pictured his mother’s face as he presented any of them to her. Sure they had all the bells and whistles, could go really fast and for miles and miles but he had a trick other biker’s didn’t; Aip could power the bike himself. The thought made him smile.
So practically and logic winning the day he found one of the lower priced machines and purchased it then decided he’d explore the Food Court while they assembled his purchase.
Exiting the bike shop Api soon found the Food Court where the scene was like nothing he’d ever seen himself. He estimated that there were at least 800 people eating and chatting in an open atrium under a greenhouse roof to keep out the weather; American astounded him at times. As he walked the left side of the court looking at what was offered he was aware of being appraised by others of his age. It was as common in his country but not the emotional content. Some of them wore what he called curiosity a natural position when seeing someone new but then there were the looks of suspicion, distrust and even hatred the later most shocking because he knew none here.
He hadn’t decided quite what he might like when he was aware of the approach of 3 girls perhap 15 to 16 years of age and very American; was it something in the water?
”Excuse me but are you Gunnar Grimsson 2nd place Alberta conference 2016?” asked the girl with raven hair cut in a shoulder style to emphasize her cute face.
”Ja that would be I” said Api with a gentle laugh to express his surprise she knew his name.
”I’m Janet and this is Lacy and this is Carla and we’re members of the Alameda Gymnastic team” said Janet the raven haired cutie.
”Very nice to meet you Janet, Lacy, Carla” said Api with a slight bow to each girl which caused a blush to pass through each in turn like some wave.
”You were ripped off” said Janet her expression slightly angry.
”Your executions were flawless and when you held the cross not a tremble between set, stance or recovery and they gave you a 9.78; it was perfect but they gave that to the guy from Quebec.””It was a questionable call I admit, I was sure I at the least tied him. May I ask how…. That’s when he remembered her
”You were there to support Cortney Sparks….You are her sister” Api laughed which caused a giggle to issue from the girls.
Api stood with his coach listening to the judges scores being called out and how disappointed she seemed; he was certain if it were not for the rules she might have confronted those judges that gave him such poor scores. He accepted it as he did many things in his life knowing to fight somethings was wasted energy; besides the world of gymnastic was known to harbor such partisan displays.
So after his coach gave him the old “You fought the good fight” he ducked over where he saw Mai Qen a Taiwanese Gymnast he admired stretching he was suddenly stopped by a girl with her Black hair in a bun and eyes of amber and before he could say her recognized her she introduced herself.
”Hi I’m Cortney Sparks and I want to be the first to say they robbed you Gunnar; I’m with the US team said the very assertive girl adding at the end her team though Gunnar had that pegged by her uniform.
”Nice to be meeting you Courtney and I am happy to count you a friend of my performance.” he answered
”They gave the points to Trembling Thomas, he dipped his recovery too. I really thought he was about to fall and they gave him a 9.86 either it was a cheat or they have never seen a near perfect ring performance; numbers should have been reversed. Growled Cortney before Janet ran up telling her the coach was looking for her.
He didn’t know her name having seen Janet as a dark haired cute girl from the American team but now he had a name to go with the face.
”I remember your sister gave a grand performance 9.17 if I remember; those judges were brutal” he said with a chuckle.
Then he noticed Carla looking behind him her expression unwelcoming so he turned to see 3 very large boys perhaps as old as he maybe even older and they sported matching T-shirts announcing that they were the Lions, a football team.
”Hey Janet baby” said the one with tight curly blonde hair and green eyes that were spotted with brown flecks.
”Why don’t you join me for lunch and discuss whatever pops up”Unfamiliar with the idioms it wasn’t hard for Api realise the Blonde had said something offensive for Janet appeared ready to boil then she confirmed it.
”You’re an ass Brett and I’d rather be dipped in raw sewage than have to smell your breath” she snapped
Then a battle of wills occured and sensing an early loss to the sharp tongue of Janet Brett tried to get physical and grabbed her wrist to shake her.
Api could not permit the mishandling of any woman and the fact he counted Janet a possible friend cenched the deal so he grabbed Brett’s wrist at the top of the long bones and applied a vise like pressure which forced the big bully to release Janet. Api released the boy’s wrist and glared at the idiot marking his weak points.
Then they advanced on Api like a wall of meat the three boys who now acted as if this was normal for them; to assault a single foe as a team. Api couldn’t help but smile as he pictured all three flying away with a push weightless into the structures surrounding them but knew he couldn’t do that.
Spotting an opening Api went into a sliding split made pushing off with his back foot and through the wide stance of the biggest Gorilla. He stood as smoothly behind the big leaning back and causing him to stumble off balance and block his two friends.
Then one of them swung such a wide fist that Api thought of drinking a cup of coffee as he waited for it to near but instead ducked under it while lifting his hands to catch it so he could use the momentum and arm to throw his body high in the air and into a double flip. When he landed Api laughed at the confused bullies which urged them on and the fight might have gone on except for the appearance of two police officers appearing.
All those near were made to listen to a lecture by the older officer then told to disperse which Api did only to have Janet, Carla and Lacy catch up to him. They talked about how cool he was as he made the bullies look like idiots but adding a warning that the privileged putzs (A word he was sure compared them to the male organ) wouldn’t let this go so he should watch his back.
Janet told him her number saying she’d love to get together with him and get some coaching on working the bars. Lacy shyly told him it had been nice but Carla a caramel beauty had just kissed him calling him “My Hero Man” in Spanish then handing him a piece of paper with her number.
They giggled likely for his stunned expression as they walked away telling Carla she was priceless>
A few minutes later he was picking up his bike which was not charged but they said was still a good pedal bike and he thanked them for their hard work and pushed it out of the mall.
No battery power meant extra work for him but it would be a fun exercise so he carefully mounted the bike while controlling his balance and ground pressure with his gravitic control. It was easy to make himself so light he just touched the pedals and was propelled forward with ease except that the wheels seemed less authoritative so he settled down his weight to about 45 kilos and flew towards the Institute.
Al was going well till he became aware that a Dodge Charger was squeezing him to the steep shoulder; it was Brett.
Not enjoying being bullied by a fool Api formulated a plan then executed it. He allowed Brett to get very close and when he did Api punched the car hard letting him know he’s dented his machine and the hrekkjusvin took the bait and jerked his wheel towards Api no longer being subtle. Api slammed on the brakes actual and gravitic stopping behind the dodge just as he altered its weight balance towards the shoulder concentrating on the front passenger quarter making the steering drag the big yellow car off the road and into the ditch.
So it was a happy and Whistling Api road through the Institute gates.