Shifting Gears

I put it on,
Adrenaline rushing.
Uniform loose and white,
I was a cloud ready to pour.
Tied my white belt,
Twice around, over, under, pull.
Prepared.

"Class, introduce yourself to our newest student, Katie."
Seven-year-olds exchanged names and glances.
Small blonde boy in the corner,
Tall, thin girls in front.
Their curous eyes peeked at me.
My curious eyes stared back.

My first day.
Red head gear,
Arm, leg, foot pads.
Chest protector wrapped around me,
Comforting.
Kicking, punching.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Belts got darker,
Blue, brown, black.
Time transitioned seamlessly.
Spring, summer, tournament.
Fall, winter, training.
Sometimes reluctantly.
I competed.
Won.
Lost.
Learned.

No longer shy, reserved.
Confident.
New friends,
New lifestyle.
More time spent at practice than at home.
Missing old passtimes,
But relieved.
I found something I loved,
I was good at.
Each practice made me better,
Physically,
Mentally.
High off the feeling of strength.

Not just a game,
Not just a sport.
It changed me.
Taekwondo became my life.

10 Minute Play

ANGELA is in her room, talking to someone on the phone. Her brother NATE is just getting home.

ANGELA

Yeah, I definately had fun hanging out with you again.

[Nate walks into his room rocking out to the music playing in his headphones]

ANGELA

[laughs] I know! That was so funny. Like really, what were the chances of that?

[NATE takes off his headphones, but is still rocking out, and starts setting up the drums for Guitar Hero World Tour]

ANGELA

[laughing] Well, next time you can come over and meet my family. They all really wanna meet you!

[NATE sits down and starts the first song really loudly]

ANGELA

[puts hand over her ear, yells over the music]

Hang on, I can't hear you, my brother's playing that stupid drumming game again.

[walks over and bangs on NATE's door]

Nate! Turn that down! I'm trying to talk to someone!

[Nate doesn't show any indication that he heard her]

ANGELA

Sorry, he does this all the time. Just a sec. Nate! Did you hear waht I just said! Turn it down!

[NATE starts getting really into the drumming]

ANGELA

Okay, what were you saying? [pause] Oh, thanks. You looked nice today, too! [pause] Yeah, what do you wanna ask?

NATE

[drops a drumstick]

Ahhh, what the heck! I was on a roll!

ANGELA

Will I what? Hold that thought.

[stomps into NATE's room]

Would you keep it down in here?! I'm trying to have a conversation!

NATE

Dude. Chill! I just frickin lost my drumstick! You'd so freak out if you were me right now!

ANGELA

[rolls her eyes]

Ugh, whatever

[walks out, starts talking to phone again]

Okay, say that again?

[NATE finds his drumstick, picks it up and looks pleased, then starts playing again]

ANGELA

He's playing again, hold on. Can't hear you.

[walks into NATE's room]

Nate, seriously! Turn it down!

NATE

I can't hear you!

ANGELA

[goes into her room and grabs a pillow, throws it at NATE]

You're so dumb!

NATE

Wow, sweet Ang. You just messed me up!

ANGELA

[walks over to him, holds phone away from her]

Well if you don't stop being so annoying, you're gonna mess things up for me, too!

NATE

[loudly] Oooh, Angela has a boyyyfriendd.

ANGELA

Shut up!

[walks back into room and starts talking on the phone again]

Ugh, my brother is so annoying. Like seriously. He's ruining my life. Little brothers are the worst! He doesn't have any respect for my privac-

[NATE gets a sneaky look on his face, and once ANGELA is sitting in her room facing the other way, he tiptoes up behind her]

NATE

AH!

[ANGELA jumps and screams]

ANGELA

Wow! Go away!

[NATE is laughing]

ANGELA

See this is what I mean! No, not you. I was talking to my brother. Shut up! Stop laughing! You're so not funny at all. No, no I'm still talking to my brother, hang on.

NATE

[laughing] Dude you shoulda seen your face! I got you so good.

ANGELA

I swear, if you don't get out of my room right now, you're gonna be dead.

NATE

Ooh, I'm scared now.

ANGELA

Yeah, you should be.

[gets up and starts chasing him out of the room

[NATE runs out, laughing]

ANGELA

Oh, you were gonna ask me something before. [pause] Hello? Yeha, now I'm talking to you. So what were you gonna ask?

[NATE's game starts blasting music again, but NATE isn't playing, he's standing behind his door with a pillow]

ANGELA

Nate!

[walks to his room]

How many times do I have to t-

[opens the door and gets hit in the face with a pillow. NATE is laughing hysterically, and grabs the phone]

NATE

[laughing] Dude I just got her so good, you should totally see her right now. She's freakin' out!

ANGELA

[grabs phone back]

Sorry, I have to go. My brother is being so annoying. I'll call you later. [pause] What? Why not? [pause] Why don't you wanna come over? No, wait don't hang-

[gets hung up on, puts down phone]

What the heck, Nate! You just totally messed everything up! Now he doesn't even want to see me anymore! Do mom and dad, like, pay you to make my life miserable?

NATE

It's good money. Ten bucks a week.

[Lights fade to black]