Chapter 03:
Haaa... New York air...
My blue eyed brother was right....it's freezing.
I stepped out of the hotel and started walking toward Starbucks, my morning Sanctuary.
It was only a three block walk, so I didn't bother asking Percy for a ride. Besides, seeing him try to parallel park that brand new car in Manhattan traffic is a comedy Show.
I stepped into the cafe and placed my order.
When the barista asked for a name, I just said "Jay." If I gave them my full name, they'd probably write something that sounds like a type of pasta.
While waiting, I noticed a group of teenagers,probably bored and looking for trouble crowding an older man in the corner.
My meddling sensor started buzzing.
Great.
I change countries, I change cities, but my personality is still stuck in me...
I leaned against the pick up counter, eavesdropping.
Living here has basically turned my English into a mix of Percy's coaching and whatever slang these kids use.
They talk fast, like they're trying to win a rap battle against themselves.
"Look, kids," the old man said. His voice was calm, but there was a gravelly authority to it that sounded oddly familiar.
"I'm just trying to enjoy a quiet coffee. Go find a hobby."
"Who you calling kids, old man?" one of them sneered. He was wearing an oversized hoodie and a look that said, I'm stupid enough...
He reached out and aggressively shoved the man's shoulder.
The whole cafe went silent. People looked at their phones. Some looked at the ceiling.
Classic New York, If this was back in philipine everyone would have involved...but her?
No one is stepping in? Seriously? Where's the Pinoy Pride energy when you actually need it?
I lost my patience when the Monkey in Chief grabbed the man's coat lapel.
"Hey! Back off," I said. My voice came out sharper than I intended.
The boy turned around, looking at me like I was a glitch. "Stay out of this, sweetheart. This ain't your business."
eeeee....sweetheart?
ahggg..blaaa
"Actually, when you're being a public nuisance, it's everyone's business," I countered. "Let go of the coat."
He let go of the man and stepped toward me, trying to use his height to intimidate me.
He flashed a smirk that was so crooked it looked like he was having a muscle spasm. Eww.
I have seen OG smirks
If you're going to do whatever your doing now,at least practice.
"And what are you gonna do if I don't?" he challenged, reaching out to grab my arm.
Big mistake, Monkey boy.
Before his fingers could even graze my jacket, I moved. I didn't wait for him to grab me,I stepped inside his reach, grabbed his wrist with both hands, and snapped it downward while stepping back. It's a simple joint lock, but it hurts like a mother.
"Agh! Let go!" he yelped, his knees buckling.
His friend tried to lunged at me from the side. I didn't have time for a fancy Marvel movie flip, so I just used my momentum to drive my heel hard into his you know---He let out a choked sound and stumbled back.
The first guy tried to swing a clumsy punch with his free hand. I ducked barely and slammed my palm upward into his chest to create space before letting go of his wrist.
"Get out," I hissed. My adrenaline was spiking so hard I accidentally finished the sentence in Tagalog:
"Umalis na kayo bago ko pa kayo tuluyang masaktan!"
They didn't understand the words, but they definitely understood look. They scrambled for the door, tripping over their own feet.
"And stay out, monkeys!" I shouted after them.
again tangelor.!
Ok. thats tooo much jay.... this is real life not marvel.
And worst I shouted in tangolor aaaa ....they didn't even understand that. haaaaaaaa... this was embarrassing ....
But i feel like king kong!
After a long time i fight and i wanna hit my chest like king kong to celebrate hoooo.. yeah .
Old jay is back baby !
No no jay you can't. you cant .you can't let your inner thoughts win
Get a grip. Jay Jay get a grip
Once the door swung shut, the silence in the cafe broke into a few scattered claps and some "Good job, kid" comments. I felt my face heating up.
Cringe. Jay,
You're in a Starbucks, not a boxing ring.
"That was quite the performance, young lady," the older man said.
He was smoothing out his coat, looking remarkably unbothered for someone who almost got mugged.
He looked at me with piercing eyes and. "How can I repay the favor?" he asked.
I looked at him, and for a second, I felt that weird sense of familiarity again.
well...