CHAPTER 8
BELT DISASTER
The Tobot V theme song blasted from the TV. It was the day before the demonstration, and I knew that if anything was going to calm my nerves, it would be my favorite show.
Mom came into the room with a plate of sliced apples. “No Emilio?” she asked.
My stomach twisted. Mom had encouraged me to invite Emilio, but I still didn’t have the courage to talk to him.
“No,” I replied. “It’s still kind of awkward between us.”
Mom put the plate of apples on the coffee table and sat next to me. “Dad told me you two had a fight.” She paused. “Do you know why I signed you up for tae kwon do?”
I thought back to when Mom had convinced me to go to camp. “So I could try something new?”
“Yes,” she said. “But tae kwon do isn’t just about learning punches and kicks. It’s also about working on things like confidence, perseverance, and self-control. I know you want to do well, but don’t let a little competition ruin a good friendship.”
I bit and chewed on an apple slice. The Tobot V episode was playing in the background, but for once, I couldn’t concentrate. Mom was right. I’d been so focused on being the best that I had hurt my best friend.
“I don’t know what to say to make things right,” I finally said.
“Maybe you can start by apologizing,” Mom said.
I gulped. That was harder than it sounded. But I didn’t want to lose Emilio as a friend. I would talk to him… after I won the mock sparring match.
“Ben, hurry up!” Mom called up the stairs.
I quickly grabbed my things and shoved them into my tae kwon do bag, then looked around my room. Do I have everything?
“Ben, we have to go now!” Mom shouted.
I grabbed my bag and raced down the stairs. I couldn’t be late for the demonstration.
“Got everything?” Dad asked.
“I think so,” I said.
Mom, Dad, and I all piled into the car. Since they were also coming to the demonstration, Emilio’s parents were driving him separately.
The demonstration was being held in a gymnasium close to the tae kwon do studio. The whole thing felt very official. There were bleachers for family members and other visitors to sit and watch. I spotted Mr. Wiz sitting in the audience with some of the other adult tae kwon do students. He waved, and I waved back.
“We’re going to find a spot,” Mom said. “Good luck!” She kissed me on the forehead before leaving with Dad.
I searched the room for Emilio and spotted him in the corner, practicing with a few other kids. I put my bag away and moved to another mat to practice.
“Hai-ya!” I shouted, doing a side kick. I frowned. Something felt different. This kick didn’t feel as strong as I remembered. I tried again. “Hai-ya!”
Something was definitely wrong. I patted my sides. Suddenly, I realized what was missing—my magic black belt! I’d been in such a rush to leave that I’d forgotten to put it on.
I hurried back to my tae kwon do bag and started searching frantically. Where is it? Where is it? I turned the bag upside down and shook everything out. The belt wasn’t there.
“No, no, no,” I said. My hands were shaking. I rummaged through all my things again. “It has to be here somewhere.”
But no matter how many times I looked, the belt wasn’t there. To add to my alarm, an announcement rang out from the speakers.
“Our demonstration will be starting soon!” a voice said. “Families, please take your seats. Students, please get into position for the group sequence.”
Hot panic washed over my body. What was I going to do? I retraced my steps, hoping I’d just accidentally dropped the belt. I checked the main door, under the benches, outside of the gym. I looked everywhere, but the belt was nowhere to be seen.
I was about to go find Mom and Dad and ask them to check the car when the announcer’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “Last call. Students, please get into position!”
I was out of time. I forced myself to take some deep breaths. Maybe I could just follow along with the other students for the group sequence. Maybe no one would notice if I made a small mistake.
As long as I find the belt before the sparring match with Emilio, I’ll be okay, I told myself.
I joined my classmates at the front of the gym. My parents waved from the crowd. I tried to smile, but it felt like a lopsided grimace.
“Everyone ready?” Master Kim asked.
“Ready,” the rest of the kids said.
We started with the three punches we’d learned: the jab, the uppercut, and the cross punch. I struggled a bit in the beginning, but luckily, I was able to follow along with the rest of the class. The audience clapped loudly when we were finished.
Then we moved onto a mix of side kicks and roundhouse kicks. The crowd oohed and aahed. I was surprised that l was able to do them all, even without my magic black belt.
I guess I picked up some skills during camp after all, I thought. When we finished, the audience clapped again. We all bowed. Master Kim smiled proudly as he faced us.
“Great job, everyone,” he said. “Emilio and Ben, meet me up front for your sparring match. Everyone else can sit down.”
Emilio and I exchanged a quick glance. Somehow, I’d managed to follow along with the routine. But during the sparring match, all eyes would be on Emilio and me. If I made a mistake, everyone would see.
I gulped. I didn’t know how Emilio was feeling, but I was panicking. I tried to come up with an exit plan.
Can I sneak out and run away? No, everyone would notice. Could I fake being sick? I wondered. No, Mom will see right through me.
Before I could think of a better excuse, the announcer spoke again. “Our sparring match will start soon. Please remain in your seats.”
Master Kim walked toward Emilio and me, gear in hand. “Let’s get this match started,” he said.
