by Aidan Wayne
“Hell,” Mr. Avi said, squinting at their little group. “Did I hear that right? Marcus?”
Marcus turned to him. “Mr. Avi, hey!”
Mr. Avi held out a hand, and Marcus shook. “Man, you’ve grown up. What are you doing back here?”
“Couldn’t stay away,” Marcus said easily. “I’m in town for a job.”
“Is that right? Here to stay?”
“Oh yeah,” Preeti said. “You’re filming in Detroit, aren’t you? Wayne State’s got a Economi-watch on right now, since a lot of film students are applying to work as PAs and runners and stuff.”
“A what now?” Mr. Avi asked.
“Economi-watch,” Marcus said, shifting where he stood. “Uh, it’s basically slang for people keeping an eye out for me.”
Mr. Avi frowned. “The hell? Why?”
Marcus rubbed the back of his neck. “I work in the film industry. So, uh—”
Mr. Avi’s eyebrows shot up. “Holy shit, you’re kidding. You a movie star or something?”
“Kinda, yeah.”
“Man, you were so quiet! But that’s great. Good for you, kid.”
“Thanks.” Marcus smiled.
“It’s good to see you.” Mr. Avi slapped Marcus on the back. “But I’ve got to get going. Julia’s a little under the weather.” Julia was Mr. Avi’s wife.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better.”
“No worries, she’ll be right as rain soon. Just a cold with the seasons changing. Am I going to be seeing more of you around here, while you’re in town?”
“I’m hoping so. At least for the next few days, since filming doesn’t start until then. I just came in early, since I wanted to get a feel for being back in Michigan again.”
Mr. Avi nodded. “Makes sense to me. All right, all right, good. You should come in for an actual class, then. Can’t have you slacking.”
Preeti looked like she was about to combust, Taemin thought with amusement. “Mr. Avi, Marcus—”
“Is absolutely looking forward to trying out a class,” Marcus interrupted with a grin.
“Good to hear. Well you have a nice night, okay? And good luck on that economist watch thing.”
“Thanks.”
Some of the other students came over to see what was going on, and Marcus got recognized by several of them. Not as Marcus the old student, but as Marcus the movie star. He obligingly took a few pictures and signed a few autographs (once Taemin grabbed a permanent marker from his office), but then Taemin politely but firmly ushered his students out.
Eventually it was just him, Marcus, and Preeti.
“I can’t believe you’re really back,” Preeti said, when it was quiet again in the dojang.
Marcus nodded. “For about six months at least. We’re turning half of Detroit into a sci-fi dystopia. And there’s an infinity room in the area big enough for everything the production team wants.”
“What’s an infinity room?” Preeti asked.
“It’s basically a large white room with curved walls,” Marcus replied, making a shape with his hands. “It gives the illusion of going on forever. Really useful for green screen and perspective stuff. I think the one we’re going with is normally used for car commercials.”
“That’s so cool.”
“I have an idea,” Marcus said. “It’s late, but I’d still really like to catch up with you both. Mind if I take you two out to dinner?”
“I’m down,” Preeti said immediately.
“Taemin? Is that okay with you?”
“Sure, I’d love to.” Taemin nodded at Preeti. “Why don’t we both get changed, and then we can go.”
“Sounds good,” Marcus said.
“Did you have a place in mind to go?” Taemin asked, once they were all changed and ready.
“Would you guys be okay if we did a Coney Island?” Marcus asked, holding up his phone. “They’re open pretty late, which is kinda a priority.”
“Sure,” Preeti said. “I’m ready to order an omelet the size of my face and also probably get a slice of cheesecake.” At Marcus’s amused look, she said, “What? I’m full-time pre-med, a professional martial artist, and a vegetarian. I’ll get my protein where I can.”
“I didn’t say a thing.” Marcus grinned as they made their way to the parking lot.
IT WAS bizarre to see Preeti all grown up. And to hear her talk like, well, not a little kid. But it was cool. And kind of nice to have someone else to talk to about Choi’s.
And maybe tease Taemin a bit, because it was clear he and Preeti had that sort of relationship now that she wasn’t, you know, a child.
“All right,” Marcus said as they slid into a booth, Preeti and Taemin on one side, Marcus on the other. Part of him wished he could sit next to Taemin, but the more logical part knew that sitting across from the both of them would make conversations a lot easier. Besides, Marcus was a large guy. Better not to crowd anyone if he didn’t have to. “Remember, my treat, so order whatever you want.”
Preeti looked delighted. “Okay, definite yes to the cheesecake, then.”
Marcus laughed. “Sounds good to me.”
They all took a few minutes to peruse the menus before they each settled on their orders. Preeti, like she’d intended from the beginning, ordered a vegetarian omelet, and so did Taemin in the end. Because it was so late and he wanted something lighter, Marcus ordered a grilled chicken salad.
“Can I ask you a sort of personal but also you’re-a-movie-star-related question?” Preeti asked, once the waitress had taken their orders.
“Shoot.”
“Do you have a diet plan? Like a fancy one?”
Marcus huffed a laugh. “Not really. Or kind of? I’m really active, so part of my ‘diet plan’ is mostly to make sure I’m eating enough food. But the type of food also matters. I’ve got a bit of leeway with junk just because again, I’m active and I’m a big, muscular guy. But mostly I have to make sure my macros are on point. I had an issue a couple years ago when a new nutritionist put me on a plan that had a lot of vegetables. Nothing wrong with veggies, but if they fill you up, you’re too full for other foods you might need. Protein especially. We all noticed pretty fast because I dropped weight when I shouldn’t have, and reworked my plan. I actually get a lot of veggies in juice and smoothie form now, because the calories don’t change but the density does, so I can eat more. But yeah, same as anyone really; eat a good balance of proteins, fats, and carbs, and fruits and vegetables are good for you.” He paused. “Sorry, that was probably more information than you cared about.”
“No way, that’s really interesting! And it’s great that you’re paying attention to that. I mean, I told you I’m pre-med, right?”
Marcus nodded. “Taemin mentioned sports medicine?”
“Yeah. So, I mean, nutrition is super important.” She tilted her head in Taemin’s direction. “For instance. He doesn’t eat enough.”
“Excuse you, I eat fine,” Taemin said, with the air of someone who had had a conversation multiple times.
“What he means is that he gets busy and forgets,” Preeti said. “I legit bring him food whenever I’m at the dojang, I stock his office with protein bars and dried fruit and stuff, and he still forgets.”
Marcus leveled a look at Taemin. “You seriously didn’t get any better in ten years?” To Preeti he said, “He’s been like this forever.”
“I’ll just bet.”
Taemin rolled his eyes. “I’m not starving to death.”
“He fainted once,” Preeti told Marcus.
“Taemin!” Marcus said with horror. “When? Why?”
“Honestly,” Taemin grumbled. “It was once. I’ve been alive almost thirty-six years. I fainted once. And my entire school won’t let me forget it.”
“Maybe if it hadn’t been right after you won sparring nationals two years ago,” Preeti said. “You know, that thing that literally everyone was paying attention to.”
“Wait,” Marcus said,
“What?”
Preeti nodded. “Oh yeah. He got gold, bowed to his competition, the committee, and then collapsed during commentary. Medical said it was low blood sugar.”
“No one eats before competition,” Taemin insisted. “It was just an off day.”
“Yeah, no,” Marcus said. “I’m with Preeti. I know how much I have to eat to get through a day. You work harder than I do and I’m gonna heavily doubt that you eat as much as you should.”
“Well I’m eating now,” Taemin huffed. “So we can move on to the next topic of conversation.”
“Okay, okay,” Preeti said. “So, Marcus, I mean, I follow you on Instagram and Twitter and stuff—still not creepy!—but like… how have you been?”
“Pretty good,” Marcus said, understanding her question. “I’ve got a lot of new experiences under my belt now. Some great, some… not so great. But I like my life, I like my work, I like a lot of the people. I really can’t complain. What about you?”
Preeti wrinkled her nose. “Oh, I totally can complain. Pre-med is awful. Not, you know, enough that I want to quit, but god is it a lot of work.”
“And you’re training and teaching on top of it,” Marcus said. “Full load, there.”
“Yeah, but what can you do? I’m not about to compromise on any of it. My grades are good, which is what really matters to my parents. And they’re proud of what I’ve done with martial arts.”
“What dan are you now?”
“Just second.”
“‘Just second’ nothing,” Taemin said. “That’s a lot of hard work involved in any belt rank.”
Preeti shrugged good-naturedly. “Yessir.”
“Also you have one more testing to get your last star, and then it’s third-degree for you.” Taemin rubbed his hands together. “You’re going to hate me.”
“I know,” Preeti moaned. “It is going to be the actual worst day.”
“Two days,” Taemin said with a grin. “Third-degree and up, the test usually lasts two days.”
“Oh my god.”
“Oh hush. I’m testing for sixth next year. You don’t see me complaining.”
“Wow,” Marcus said, impressed. “I’m not surprised that you’re going for sixth dan soon, but wow.”
Taemin threw him a grin. “It helps when you’ve been studying at the same place and under the same man since before being born.”
“Point.”
When their food arrived, Marcus launched into a story about his current training regimen to give Preeti and Taemin time to eat. They interspersed chewing with questions, and that turned into another discussion about techniques. Taemin and Preeti’s backgrounds were both squarely Korean, while Marcus—though taekwondo would always be his first love—had dabbled in a lot of different styles over the years to get as well-rounded (and sometimes as acrobatic) as possible. He was also currently spending a lot of time on Brazilian jiujitsu, after making friends with a Professor who worked as a stunt coordinator on his last movie. Aside from that, all three of them were interested in weapons work, though Taemin and Marcus had more variety under their belts than Preeti.
“I like bo,” she said. “And you will pry my collapsible bo staff from my cold, dead hands. But I’m fine with just focusing on that, sparring, and poomsae. Especially since I’m also splitting my time with school.”
“No, no, that makes a lot of sense,” Marcus said. “Why bo?”
By the time they were all done with dessert—Marcus had just ordered cheesecake for the three of them—it was pretty late.
“Oh man,” Preeti said as they walked out to their cars. “Class tomorrow is going to suck.”
“I tell you every night that you should go to bed earlier,” Taemin said.
“And I’m never going to do that,” Preeti said solemnly. “I have other things to do. I can sleep when I’m dead. Or at least graduated.”
Taemin clucked his tongue. Marcus grinned. “You should take a leaf out of Taemin’s book and take naps.”
“Oh believe me, I do my best. If I didn’t, I would literally be dead already. But regardless, I’m glad I stayed up.” She grinned at him. “It was really good talking to you. Mr. Avi was right—you absolutely should come by the dojang more. Even if it’s not to take a class, just to hang out before or after. I’m usually there about an hour early on days I teach. Get some homework or training in, etcetera.”
“And you’re welcome to come by in general,” Taemin said. “I think I might’ve said that already, but I’m going to extend the invitation again.”
“I don’t want to disrupt your schedule or anything,” Marcus said, touched. And already knowing he wanted to spend as much time around Taemin as he could. Preeti was fun too. He’d like to hang out with her more, for sure. “And you told me this morning how busy you are.” Taemin had gone into a bit of his weekday schedule at breakfast.
“This morning?” Preeti asked.
“Marcus and I met for a morning spar and then went out to breakfast,” Taemin explained.
“I’m so jealous! How did the sparring go?”
“How do you think?” Marcus laughed. “Taemin kicked my ass.”
“Only figuratively,” Taemin said. “And you had some interesting takedowns. He’s very fast.”
“We’ll have to spar sometime,” she said.
“Definitely,” Marcus said. “I’d like that.”
“But for now, I should really go home and sleep. Thanks for dinner. I’ll see you soon?”
“I’ll be around. Here, you want my number? We can text. Set up a time to actually have that spar.”
“Seriously?” she asked. “Yeah, absolutely.” She pulled out her phone, and Marcus gave her his number.
Then Marcus realized—“Taemin, um, I don’t have yours, if you wanted to keep in touch? So I wasn’t just dropping in on you at the dojang.”
“Or showing up when I wasn’t there,” Taemin said wryly, taking his phone out of his pocket. “Of course. What was your number again?”
Marcus rattled it off a second time, and soon enough his pocket buzzed twice. When he opened it up, he had texts from two new numbers.
Hi! It’s Preeti! :)
This is Taemin.
Marcus smiled and saved them both.
Preeti waved goodbye, and then it was just Marcus and Taemin in the parking lot.
“Thank you for taking us out,” Taemin said, smiling up at him. “It was nice to see you again so soon.”
Marcus’s breath caught. “Yeah, of course. I’m really enjoying spending time with you.” Can we do it again?
“So am I. And Preeti had a good time too.” He laughed. “She’s about as down-to-earth as it gets, so she might pepper you with questions about your job, but she won’t treat you any differently for it.”
Marcus grinned. “Yeah, I got that impression.” Inwardly he was sighing, though. Preeti was great, but she wasn’t the one he was interested in. He was looking forward to seeing her again, but right now he was more concerned with how soon he could see Taemin again without being a bother. The last thing he wanted to do was overstep.
He nodded at their cars. “It is pretty late. And while I don’t have to get up early, I’m sure you do. You should head home.”
“Yeah,” Taemin said. “True.” He sighed. “Is it weird that I don’t want to say goodbye yet, though? It’s been really nice, being with you today.”
“No,” Marcus said in a rush, trying not to sound too eager. “Not weird at all. I feel kinda the same way. Would you maybe like to get together again tomorrow? Or—that might be too soon for you? Saturday?”
“While I’d love to see you Friday, it probably isn’t a good idea,” Taemin said. He sounded disappointed about it. Marcus’s heart leapt. “I’ve been training with some fellow high-ranks on Friday mornings, and tomorrow we’re meeting in Ann Arbor. After that I’ve got some errands to run, and I’ve got the homeschool co-op at one. Then classes start at four thirty, and I teach by myself on Friday nights.”<
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“That’s a lot,” Marcus said.
“It is,” Taemin said, shrugging one shoulder. “But a lot isn’t necessarily bad. Though it does mean that by the time class is done at seven thirty, I’m about ready to collapse. And Saturday classes start at eight, so Friday evening is mostly just an early night for me.”
“Yeah, no, that makes total sense. Are you sure you’d be up for something on Saturday?”
“Oh yes, absolutely. Did you have something in mind?”
“Hey, you know the area better than I do now. But I’d be just as happy hanging out or helping at Choi’s.”
Taemin laughed. “Don’t say that, or you’ll just end up living there. And it’s probably good for me to get out once in a while.”
“Okay, well, you said classes end at like one, right?”
“Mm-hm. I usually spend another hour or two on the mat myself, then head home to shower.”
Marcus hid a frown. Classes started at eight, went ’til one, and Taemin trained on his own after? That was at least six hours on the mat, and Taemin hadn’t said anything about breaks. No wonder Preeti got on his back. “How about we go out for a late lunch, then? And then see how we feel after.”
“Sure. I’d like that.”
Marcus smiled. “All right, sounds like a plan to me. Would you like me to meet you at Choi’s?”
Taemin bit his lip, considering, which only made Marcus focus on his mouth. “Only if you want to. You’re free to just come by my apartment.”
“Uh y-yeah. Yeah, sure. Meet there, and then we’ll go to lunch? I can drive.”
Taemin nodded, then covered his mouth to yawn. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”
“No, no, I totally get it. See you Saturday then?”
“Okay. I’ll text you my address.”
“All right. Don’t run yourself too ragged tomorrow, okay?”
“I’ll do my best,” Taemin said, amused.
Chapter Four
AFTER MARCUS did his workout in the morning, he used most of Friday to refamiliarize himself with the area. Drove around town looking at places he remembered—or seeing what they’d been turned into. And looking up some different places to eat, depending on what Taemin felt like.