Maybe He Just Likes You: List 2

Her face was flushed and her eyes were pink and swollen.

“Well, what I always find is that when you take a break and move some muscles, it helps stimulate those brain cells.”

“Yes, but the yell is also meant to draw attention,” the teacher said. “You want people to look, especially if you're vulnerable. Plus it unnerves the attacker..."

It was so dramatic that at first I didn’t register someone calling my name.

Have you studied karate or other martial arts before?

“This is not a pure karate class, Ms. Brennan—we incorporate several martial arts. But we do use a little Japanese, so if you don't understand something, always feel free to ask.”

Ms. Platt was standing beside them, doing the same movements and sort of narrating: “Okay, begin with the heiko-dachi stance, step back with the right foot, catch to the back leg, overhead block with the left hand, straightforward punch with the right hand, pull the block in. Kiai. Heiko-dachi. Again, please.”

Also, the basketball boys didn’t bother me, not once all morning. Even though in ELA, for our personal memoir project, Mr. Finkelman assigned Dante as my critique partner, which meant he had to read my first two paragraphs.

Also, the basketball boys didn’t bother me, not once all morning. Even though in ELA, for our personal memoir project, Mr. Finkelman assigned Dante as my critique partner, which meant he had to read my first two paragraphs.

Although the plaid shirt wasn’t awful. But plaid two days in a row? That might seem strange, like suddenly I’d morphed into this Plaid-Wearing Person.

“You know, Mila," she cut in sharply, "I really don't get why you think all those boys are so obsessed with you. It’s a little weird, to be honest....”

At lunch, after I’d told him I didn’t want to report the boys to Mr. McCabe, he’d gone off to join the untag game, the first time he’d ever done that completely on his own. (Although technically not “on his own"—I noticed he ran right over to Jared.)

“Guys! I want to tell you something, so you’d better listen. Mila is getting sick of all that obnoxious stuff you’re doing. And I am too. So if you don’t want to deal with me, you’d better cut it out. Okay?"

Mom’s face puckered.

I hadn’t even been here for a minute, and already I was supposed to follow Ms. Spurlock—Samira—who was apparently teacher’s pet here, too. Or sensei’s pet, or whatever we were supposed to call it.

“Step back, arms in, Ms. Spurlock, remember to lead with the top two knuckles; now parry-block, Mr. Chowdhury, very nice, now reverse.”

She started scrubbing the counter, the whole time talking about how great she felt, how positive this was, how she was absolutely going to find another job right away, with a better boss who was a decent, honest person.

First rule of self-defense is: Don’t ask your attacker for validation. Never apologize for sticking up for yourself.

“Nice,” Ms. Platt said. “I like the way you refused to engage. But don’t cross your arms, Samira; that communicates vulnerability...."

“Nice,” Ms. Platt said. “I like the way you refused to engage. But don’t cross your arms, Samira; that communicates vulnerability...."

Aim for a confident, relaxed stance, good posture, neutral expression on your face, hands open and in front of you.

Or hands on your hips; that looks more confrontational, which may be what you want, depending on the circumstances. Also, don’t say you’re not having the conversation; just don’t have it.

Better to take one step toward your verbal attacker. That tells him you’re not going to cede turf. Never cede turf.

“And this time shout, ‘Hey!’ From way down deep in your stomach, not up high in your throat. No squeaking or squealing! I want to hear strong, authoritative voices, guys. And remember to spirit-yell with the eyes.”

First thing I want to say about that is a line from The Art of War by Sun Tzu: ‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.’