Punch Like a Girl by Karen Krossing Read Free Book Online Page A

for attention.” I sip my drink and relax against the back of the chair. “Don’t tell my parents, but it’s been fun—except when I almost got fired.” I explain what happened when I taught the kids how to do a hammerfist.
    Alena’s mouth drops open. “You did what? Tori!”
    â€œI know. It was stupid. I endured a half-hour lecture from Peggy before she agreed to keep me on. I tried to explain that I was only teaching the kids to protect themselves. I didn’t realize it was a bad idea until Peggy explained that since these kids may have seen violence up close, it can be disturbing for them.”
    â€œWell, duh.” Alena rolls her eyes. “The stuff we learned in self-defense class wasn’t meant for kids.”
    I swallow hard and abandon my latte on the table. “Why not? Kids can be attacked too. What are they supposed to do if someone comes at them?”
    â€œRun away,” Alena says, like she’s stating the obvious. “Yell for help. Hide. I don’t think you should teach kids to fight.”
    My head aches. “But what if they’re trapped or something? What if no one can hear them? What if there’s no place to hide?”
    â€œI don’t know, Tori.” Alena frowns. “Why are we talking about this anyway?”
    â€œNo reason.” I jiggle my foot and glance away, feeling nauseated.
    She takes a long drink. The silence builds between us.
    â€œHow’s your knee?” I ask, trying to find a topic we can agree on.
    â€œNot better yet—luckily.” Alena’s eyes light up.
    â€œYou want a sore knee?”
    â€œWell, I’ve been going for physio, and there’s this guy who’s volunteering there.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I’ve been wanting to tell you about him.”
    â€œYou’re after a physiotherapist?” I manage a half smile. “Isn’t he old?”
    â€œHe’s only a year older than me; he’s a high-school co-op student. We’ve been out for coffee once. Well, he was doing a coffee run for his bosses, and I was getting a coffee for myself. But we did chat for, like, fifteen minutes before he had to leave.” She gets a dreamy look. “You should see his arms!”
    â€œI bet,” I say. Alena likes the kind of muscular, sensitive guys who only exist in romance novels. No wonder she’s never satisfied with real guys for long.
    â€œAnd he bought my coffee. Jamarlo says we should—” An uneasy look crosses her face, and she stops talking.
    â€œJamarlo says you should what?” I assume I’m not included in whatever he’s planning.
    Alena looks away. “Double-date with him and Carmen Carter.”
    â€œJamarlo and Carmen! Really?” Carmen, who invites sludge like Matt to her parties? If only I’d known what he was like before I dated him. “Why didn’t I hear about this?”
    Alena fidgets with her cup. “I told you that I don’t want to get in between you two. If you want to know what’s going on with Jamarlo, ask him.”
    I shake my head. “He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
    Alena frowns. “At least you could try to talk to him.”
    â€œI guess.” I down the rest of my coffee, not wanting to argue with her. It’s bad enough that Jamarlo is upset with me. Now Alena and I can’t find our groove. How can I get things back to the way they were?
    After an awkward silence, I stand up. “I’m going to the washroom. Want to come?” I imagine chatting in front of the mirror while Alena checks her hair.
    Alena hoists her sore leg onto my chair. “I don’t want to walk that far.”
    â€œSure,” I say, trying not to sound disappointed. It’s only a washroom run.
    I head down the long hallway beside Taco Bell. The harsh fluorescent lights reflect off the glossy white walls and floor. I’ve almost reached the door