Kung Fu Kellie and the Legend of Anguo

by Shinn A. H.

  “Me?” laughed Kellie nervously. “I’ve always felt a bit out of place…but very average.” She crossed her arms and slouched down.

  “Kellie, you are gift. Not average,” he said with warmth in his eyes. The light then traveled from his face to over his head as he said, “When strange things happened to you, you always said eyes or head hurt… so I worried when your eyes blurry today. That could be warning sign.”

  “Yeah…my eyes went blurry before I lost my control with Derek! What could be happening?”

  “Not sure. But be aware of actions in front of others when it happens again.” Kellie nodded in agreement. The last thing she wanted was the other kids at school to think she was a freak.

  “There is one more thing.”

  Master Chen looked as if he had something enormous to disclose because he had a hard time looking at her.

  “What more could there be? It’s really hard to believe what you’ve told me so far. I feel like you’re telling me a…a bedtime story.”

  “Kellie, I bring you to America because we decide you safer away from monastery. We also think life better for you here.”

  Master Chen then turned away full of sorrow. After taking a moment, he said, “I sorry to tell you this, but Shifu Lau was killed.”

  “WHAT?” yelled Kellie. “WHEN?” Kellie’s eyes immediately began welling up. Her legs felt weak and she leaned back against the wall, barely able to hold up her own weight.

  “He died when you seven years old…when he trying to protect you,” he said, whispering the last words. It was difficult for Master Chen to face Kellie. “I wanted to tell you this, but others thought it is best to keep secret.”

  “When I was seven?!” Kellie flushed with anger. “How could you…everyone lie to me?”

  “I am very sorry, Kellie.” Master Chen shook his head with regret.

  “I was told he was sent to another monastery. I-I was so hurt that he never wrote or called me.” Tears were streaming down her face. “Why didn’t you tell me he died?”

  “We thought you too young to get truth.”

  “Wait, you said he died protecting me,” she said, wiping the tears away from her cheeks. “What was he protecting me from?”

  “We not sure. He died in his room. One night, there was fire coming from his room. Master Zheng, Shifu Lin, and Shifu Fang saw smoke and ran inside. They put out flames and found Shifu Lau barely alive on floor and it looked like there was struggle — his room was mess — he was bleeding. He passed out, but when he come to, he said, ‘Take Bao Yu away from here. Protect her.’ Then he died….He had internal damage to chest.” Tears were forming in his eyes. “Very terrible it was. We only know Shifu Lau fought someone to guard you.”

  “All these years I thought Shifu Lau forgot about me….Master Chen, did they ever find out who killed him?”

  “No, we do not know. We just believe it is best to take you away from Taiping Monastery.”

  “It makes sense now,” said Kellie, finally understanding why she was brought to America in such a hurry. “I woke up at Dr. Lee’s house and in a couple of days, you picked me up and brought me here.”

  “I worried about day I tell you truth, but I am satisfied you know, even though it is painful news. You deserve to know…everything.” Kellie noticed a hesitation and had a feeling there was more he wasn’t telling her. Her head was so saturated with disbelief and her heart heavy with the news of Shifu Lau’s death, she didn’t think she could take in any more information. The fact that someone might want to harm her also irked her. She decided what she learned was enough for one night and didn’t ask any more questions.

  “It is late,” said Master Chen. “Go rest and I make your favorite — oxtail soup.”

  Kellie tried to smile, but couldn’t.

  “Don’t forget, we have appointment with principal tomorrow at three o’clock,” he reminded her.

  “Oh yeah,” she said. “Do you think I’ll get suspended?”

  “No, no — I think of something,” he said as he smiled feebly.

  Master Chen didn’t look like he could lift himself off the chair after the emotionally draining conversation. Kellie left first, giving him a few minutes to gather himself. As she walked over to the house, the cool air felt good on her face and her mind was now on the meeting with the principal. This morning’s incident with Derek made her feel guilty; not only was she the cause of Shifu Lau’s death, but she behaved like a disappointment by attacking another student, disgracing the monks who raised her. She hoped the principal would give her a second chance to prove herself. She wanted to be the person they raised her to be…especially for Shifu Lau.

  t was a breezy morning and slightly overcast. The sun was hidden behind the gray clouds and the weatherman said there was a possibility of rain, which was unusual for this time of year. Kellie was glad she grabbed a sweater before she went out the door because it was quite chilly.

  Milldale High School was an easy stroll from Kellie’s house and this was the second year she was doing the routine walk. As she got closer to her destination, unfamiliar voices yelled at her from a passing car. “Hi, Kellie!” They zoomed by before she could even attempt to identify them. Then as she stepped foot onto school grounds, someone else shouted, “Hey, Kellie! Are you going to run for Snowflake Princess?”

  “WHAT?” Kellie hollered back to whom she thought was the sophomore class president. Horrified by the question, she said, “NO…but thanks.”

  She was walking across the huge lawn situated in the middle of the campus, when this time, she heard a familiar voice.

  “Hey there, Killer!” Jake yelled, jogging toward her. He was grinning when he caught up to her, but his expression quickly changed when he saw her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Hi,” said Kellie softly, unable to hide her puffy, bloodshot eyes from crying the night before.

  “I have a meeting with the principal after school….I guess I’m a little nervous.” Kellie doubted he believed her, but she wasn’t about to tell him the real reason why she looked so dreadful.

  “Killer might hit the penitentiary?” he asked, trying to get her to laugh.

  “This is serious,” she said. “I might get suspended. Remember what Principal Lemore said at orientation? He said he does not tolerate school fights and students will get suspended or kicked out if they get in one!”

  “Look, everyone saw Derek picking on Jory. You were just standing up for him.”

  “Yeah, but I hit him,” Kellie reminded him.

  “Man, I still wish I was there to see that! Anyway, Derek has too much pride to admit that a girl beat him up. Maybe he’ll deny what happened.”

  “Doubt it. There were a lot of people there and I’m sure Derek would love to see me get in trouble.”

  The principal’s warning kept ringing in her head and she tried to prepare herself for the consequences.

  As Kellie and Jake were conversing in the middle of the lawn, a large group of students walked through them, as they greeted her.

  “Hi, Kellie!”

  “What’s up, Kellie?”

  “How’s it going?”

  Kellie turned her head every which way, unsure of who was addressing her, so she just shouted back “Hi!” She recognized the students, as she had seen them around school, but had never spoken to them. She was surprised they knew her name and wondered why they were acknowledging her.

  “Look who’s getting popular?” Jake smirked.

  “I — what are you talking about?” said Kellie, confused. “I don’t even know those people.”

  “Oh, come on Kel,” said Jake, as he started to explain with some fervor. “You are the talk of the school! People get in fights all the time, but when does a girl ever kick a guy’s butt? Derek towers over you and you practically tossed him across the hall! Well, from what I heard.” He seemed to take some satisfaction from the stories.

  “I was really hoping everyone forgot what happened, but I have a feeling this is
going to follow me around for awhile,” said Kellie. “I better head to class — I don’t wanna be late.”

  “Okay, see you at lunch,” said Jake as he walked the other away.

  “Sure,” said Kellie, finally with a genuine smile on her face. She was used to having lunch alone and liked the idea of having it with her new friend.

  Stressed about the afternoon appointment with Principal Lemore, Kellie tensely held her bag and walked into homeroom. When she entered, Bobby O’Brien, the captain of the debate club, stood up and started clapping. Other students followed suit, also standing up and applauding. Kellie wasn’t used to all this attention; unsure how to react, she shyly took a seat across the room from Bobby.

  Bobby maneuvered his hair to cover up his big ears, then he pressed a few buttons on his oversized multi-functional digital wrist watch. He glanced behind Kellie and got up, revealing his pressed khakis, a striped button-up shirt, and a navy blue sweater vest. Bobby was not only the preppiest dresser, but probably the smartest kid in school.

  Kellie remembered him coming to class once, looking uncharacteristically disheveled. She heard a rumor that Derek taunted him; after he left Derek speechless after a belittling retort, Derek threw him into a garbage can. Kellie concluded that the rumor was true.

  He picked up his bag and changed seats. He was now sitting right behind Kellie.

  As the school bell chimed, the class rapidly filled up, with a few students dashing in and jumping into a seat, hoping they wouldn’t get a tardy mark from Mrs. Langdon.

  “Hey, I saw you hit Derek,” whispered Bobby, as he leaned over to Kellie. “Way to go!”

  “Um — thanks, but I —”

  “Kellie…are you talking in class?” asked the homeroom teacher in a scornful tone. “This is very unlike you, young lady. First you get in a school fight, and now you are disrupting my class? I hope this isn’t a new attitude of yours.”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Langdon,” Kellie quietly answered, sinking back into her chair, fully embarrassed.

  “As I was about to say,” stifled Mrs. Langdon, “I have a few announcements after roll call.”

  Mrs. Langdon was believed, by some of the students, to be the scariest teacher at Milldale High. It was a rarity to see her smile; her mouth was usually as tight as her perfectly fastened silver bun.

  She sat at her desk calling each student by their last name, marking in her roll book whether they were present or not. She scanned the room with disapproval each time a student did not answer back. After the last name was called, Mrs. Langdon closed her book, stood up, and smoothed out the folds in her gray twill skirt. She sashayed to the other side of her desk, standing up straight with perfect posture.

  “Now the announcements: In three months, we will have our winter formal dance. It will be on Friday, December thirteenth, one week prior to winter break. We need chaperones, so please ask your parents or guardians if they are willing to volunteer — If you would like to run for Snowflake Prince or Princess, sign up with your class president — The Chinese Club will be planning a field trip to Shanghai during winter vacation and everyone is invited to go at the student’s expense. Space is limited — Auditions for the theater group will be next Thursday after school in the auditorium. Have a monologue prepared…” The rest of what was said was unheard by Kellie; she was watching the clock, counting down the dreadful minutes to three p.m.

  When the bell signaled the end of the short period, none of the students budged. They knew better than to leave before permission was granted. Mrs. Langdon squinted over her red-rimmed square eyeglasses and said, “You are dismissed.” The students grabbed their things and scurried to their first period.

  Bobby followed Kellie out. “I’m sorry for getting you in trouble.”

  “That’s okay, Bobby. You didn’t mean to.”

  “I was wondering…” he said timidly, “are you going to the dance?”

  “Probably not,” Kellie answered. She didn’t go last year and didn’t have any intention to go this year. She thought about it for a moment and realized that she didn’t even own a dress; she had never danced before and shuddered at the image. “Definitely not,” Kellie reaffirmed.

  Bobby seemed crestfallen. “Okay, see you tomorrow,” he said. With his head sagging and shoulders drooping, he walked away.

  School was halfway over and it was everyone’s favorite part of the day: lunch. Kellie grimaced at the end of each class because it meant the meeting with the principal was just that much closer. When she got to her usual spot, a layered brick bench that curved around a tree, she plopped her backpack down. From it, she took out her lunch, which consisted of broccoli, potstickers, and a little packet of soy sauce. She also pulled out her books to get an early start on her homework.

  “What are you doing? Are you — studying?”

  Kellie was sitting, with chopsticks in one hand and a book in the other. She looked up and saw Jake approaching her.

  “Come on Kel, it’s lunch time. Relax. Kick up your feet.”

  Jake dropped his worn-out school bag beside her and sat down.

  “’Cause I’m at the studio every night, I like to try to get my homework done early,” Kellie explained, fruitlessly.

  “And what on earth are you eating?” Jake asked, as he examined her meal, turning up his nose.

  “Potstickers. It’s really good. Want one?”

  “No thanks,” answered Jake, as he fished around his bag for something. He pulled out a smashed sandwich from a wrinkled brown sack. “I have my favorite — bologna and cheese sandwich.”

  “Sounds exciting,” said Kellie playfully.

  “Don’t knock bologna and cheese — it’s a classic,” said Jake as he took a big bite. “Mmmm.”

  “Hey, guys!”

  Jory was standing a few yards away, looking as if he was afraid to take another step.

  “Do — do you mind if I eat lunch with you?” he stammered.

  “Not at all,” said Kellie, with a welcoming gesticulation.

  “Take a load off,” said Jake, motioning to Jory to sit.

  A big grin developed on Jory’s face, ear to ear; he was ecstatic about the invitation. “I usually meet with the chess club on Tuesdays, but our next tournament was canceled.”

  Aside from Jory’s oversized backpack with a surplus of compartments, he also carried a separate cooler for his lunch. Kellie and Jake watched him as he took out a thermos and four plastic containers filled with a variety of food: fruit, a vegetable medley, chicken pasta, and several rolls of bread. After yanking open each airtight lid, he poured himself a cup of hot soup from the thermos.

  “Wow, are you really going to eat all that?” asked Jake.

  “Yes, it’s important to eat a well balanced meal,” said Jory, taking a bite of the pasta, “and my mom won’t let me leave the house without it. She sells these containers at our house and I help her with the accounting afterwards. My dad’s an accountant….He wants me to be one too, but I’m into computers. I had to hack into my own computer when my little brother messed with it and changed the password. He couldn’t remember what he changed it to and I was so angry with him.” Kellie and Jake stared at him as he spoke rapidly, without taking a breath. “Would you like some?” he asked, offering them a roll.

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” said Jake. “I have my deelicious sandwich. Made it myself.” With his mouth full, he asked Kellie, “So, what do you think Principal Lemore is going do?”

  “You have to go to the principal’s office?” asked Jory, looking sorrowful. “I’m sorry, Kellie, it’s all my fault.… I’m really sorry.” He apologized incessantly.

  “It’s not your fault, Jory,” said Kellie. “It’s mine.” She felt bad for him, seeing the guilt wash over his face.

  “I heard Mickey White and the guy he got in a fight with last month both got kicked out of school!” said Jory.

  “Oh, that’s why I haven’t seen Jon around,” said Jake, nodding his head in realization.

>   “This is really not helping,” said Kellie, feeling sick to her stomach. “I was ready to accept my fate, but now —”

  “Hi, Jake!”

  It was Lisa Lassner interrupting their conversation, with her two friends on each side of her, Misty Anderson and Katie Butler.

  Lisa’s sights were only on Jake and behaved as if Jory and Kellie didn’t exist. She primped her blond hair and floated toward him in her wrap around skirt and lacy coral pink blouse. If any girl was the antithesis of Kellie, it would be Lisa. Kellie often saw her checking her face with her compact, touching up her make-up, while she nonstop gossiped with her friends.

  “Uh — hi, Lisa,” Jake answered back, with uncertainty.

  “Are you going to the dance?” she asked, while Misty and Katie giggled in the background.

  Jake choked on his dry sandwich and turned a beet red. He pounded on his chest, wheezing violently.

  “Are you okay?” asked Kellie, amused by the situation.

  “Peachy,” said Jake, barely able to speak through his coughs.

  “Well?” asked Lisa, with impatience resonating in her voice, as she tapped her foot, waiting for an answer.

  “I-I don’t know…I don’t think so,” he said, clearing his throat. “I didn’t really think about going.”

  “Well, if you do — I probably will,” she said transparently. “Think about it. Talk to you later!” Lisa quickly left with her friends. Both Misty and Katie turned their heads to get another look at Jake as they walked away, still giggling. Kellie heard one of them whisper, “He’s so cute!”

  Kellie and Jory started laughing uncontrollably when Lisa was out of earshot. Jake’s face flushed into the same crimson color again; it was obvious that he was caught off guard.

  “I think someone has a crush on you,” Kellie teased.

  In an effort to take the attention off himself, Jake asked, “Are you guys going to the dance?”

  “Nah,” said Jory as he picked at his fruit. “Fridays are Family Movie Night at our house.”

  Jake and Jory waited for Kellie’s response.