Master Kim got up from behind the table and picked up a kicking shield. He went down the line, giving each student a command in Korean. Even though we had just gone through all of the basic motions, my brain started flipping through channels. And all I could land on was a signal from the Emergency Broadcasting System.
I was the fourth person. When Master Kim got to me, he said, “Yup chagi.”
“Yup chagi,” I repeated.
Relax. You can do this. I mentally went through my flash cards.
Oh, right. Yup chagi was a side kick.
I got in my ready stance, pivoted on my front foot, brought my back leg up and around, and shot my heel out and—“Hee-yah-owww!”
There was a sharp pain in my tailbone. Up until then, we’d been kicking in the air. But kicking the shield was different. I returned to ready position—carefully.
Master Kim leaned in closer. “Are you all right, Eliza?”
I blinked my eyes quickly to keep the tears in check. “Yes sir.”
Master Kim gave me a quick nod and went to the next student.
I sucked in my breath. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Just give it a minute. And I was right. After a minute or two, the pain faded to a dull ache.
After everyone had a chance to kick the shield, it was time for poomsae or forms. The white belts started things off with kicho il bo. I discovered that as long as I wasn’t moving too quickly, the pain wasn’t bad. I wondered how my board break would go, though. I would have to snap my kick then. And it would be up against wood, not air.
I leaned against the wall while the other color belts sat down to watch the higher ranks do their forms. As usual, Madison’s form was perfect. I couldn’t believe Cookie was missing it.
Master Kim paired us up. Since Rosa and I were both white belts, we were partners. We faced each other and bowed. She looked as nervous as I felt. When Master Kim had his back turned, I stuck out my tongue at her to try to lighten things up. It worked. Rosa giggled.
“Everyone on this side,” Master Kim said, motioning to my side of the room. “Please grab your partner’s wrist.”
I stepped forward and grabbed Rosa’s right wrist with my right hand. With a swift pull and sharp, “Hiiii!” she escaped. We were supposed to do it several times while Master Kim wandered up and down the line, watching. Each time I grabbed, Rosa escaped, no problem. I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. I’d never been able to get mine right on the first try.
When Master Kim announced it was time to switch roles, my palms started to sweat. Too bad my wrist wasn’t sweaty. That would make escaping much easier.
Rosa reached for my outstretched wrist. I felt her fingers just beginning to wrap around my arm.
Suddenly my brain went into high gear. Now!
I closed my eyes, spread my fingers, yanked my arm down and out. “Hup!”
When I dared to look, I was standing a couple of feet away from Rosa. And my hands were up in a guard—both of them free and ready to fight.
I’d done it! I’d escaped first try. The trick all along was to move fast. And, shoot, I was good at moving fast.
Rosa grabbed my wrist a few more times. And when Master Kim came over to watch, I showed him a perfect wrist escape.
“Good job,” Rosa whispered when it was time to shake hands.
“Thanks. You too,” I told her.