Look. I know I have not updated in a LONG LONG LONG TIME. But when is started this story, I didn't expect to get so many reviews or follows. I expected not to get much feedback. And i had every intention to continue this story. I actually had this chapter half written for months. But everything lead to another. i lost of a job and then i was at my aunts and then. and then i had to find work again etc. And now i'm working again and find myself with lots of time on my hands. and the fact that a recent breakup with an ex left me with... lot and lots of free time So let me give you, this short chapter. And i'll try to get a chapter four out sooner than how long it took to write this one

Chapter Three: No Such Thing as Bad Luck.

Jessica shook her head as she let Axel and Olivia walk on ahead of her into the café. She bent down and looked at Reuben sternly. "You're going to have to stay here boy."

Reuben made a snort and oink that sounded like a dog whimper but in a pig form. He obviously didn't want to be alone.

"I know boy, but really Mrs. Porter would fire me if you came inside again. And I really need this job." Jessica looked down sadly at Reuben.

Ruben hung his head and gave a piggy eyed look at Jessica as if he was saying; 'Sorry Jesse I didn't mean to do something bad."

Jessica smiled and reached out her hand and rubbed Rueben's ears. "It's okay boy. I'm not upset with you. But really stay here and behave okay? I'll get you after work."

An oink and a snort was all she got in a reply from Rueben and she stood up and patted his head one more time before returning into the café through the kitchen, passing Axel as he was washing the dishes. Axel nodded at Jessica as she walked passed and gave a grin before scrubbing away at the greasy pots and dirty plates, his smile turning into a frown of concentration. It almost looked like he would break the plate he was holding.

Jessica shook her head and suppressed a giggle, she knew that one of those plates by the days end would be broken. After all it wasn't in Axel to be delicate about anything. Sure enough just as she went through the door she heard Axel's mutter curse above the sound of a broken plate.

As soon as Jessica passed the doorway she took notice of the large center area of the café and she sighed inwardly. She knew what Mrs. Porter wanted by the way of afternoon entertainment. It wasn't that it was anything really bad really. The café was known for honoring heroes of legends. And thus what more honor than to put on your sword skills to the challenge?

That was what the center of the café was for. The café center, even though currently imbedded into the ground, was actually a decent size arena that raised up from the ground. The latest redstone technology built in to raise up the platform by two blocked standards in height. Or roughly six feet in height. Once the platform is raised a glass like dome will form from the ceiling and move it way down to pin the two combatants within the confined area of a perfect sixty feet by sixty feet square. More than enough room to maneuver around.

The other parts of this technology was expensive to say the least, but Jessica's boss, Mrs. Porter spared no expense when it came to drawing in people. The final technology was that before you entered the arena you are scanned head to toe by a health gauge. A device that used in the yearly survival games. It puts a shielded layer over the combatants, and measure your stamina and how much damage you could take before you become "dead".

Jessica heard a lot about the gruesome tales her father told about the old ways of the survival games where people once actually fought to the death. But now as times had evolved once you lose your 'health' you are transmitted to the safe, wait zone as a defeated combatant. Often worse case scenarios you get some bumps and bruises, maybe even a broken bone depending if the gauge meter was defective. And thus is why everyone's work uniform came with a wooden sword.

"Okay, if I have to clean up another sloppy birthday party I'm gonna go crazy!" Olivia's voice came from behind Jessica, causing her to turn and look at her friend.

Jessica's eyes widened at Olivia's appearance. She had to bring up her hand to hide the grin upon her face. Olivia gave her a glare. "Don't even think about laughing…"

"I'm not." Jessica said with the straightest face she could muster. "Frosting suits you."

"The kids over at table twelve decided it was time for a food fight…" Olivia muttered.

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "So you were in between the crossfire of Magnus green icing and Ellegaard candles?"

"And a Gabriel defeating the ender dragon sugar statue yes." Olivia flicked an ender dragon head out of her hair and one of its wings off her shoulder.

Grimacing slightly Jessica looked around any second Mrs. Porter could come around the corner and yell. "You better get to the restroom and clean yourself up. You don't want Mrs. Porter seeing you like that."
"Alright. Hey it is about time for today's entertainment, sucks that you have to be the one to be in it today." Olivia walked toward the restrooms.

Standing there for a few seconds longer rubbing the back of her head. Jessica's fingers touched the wooden sword on her back. There was more to the sword than just part of a uniform for work. This was what the employees used when you went into the café's arena.

The arena was in the middle of the café, hidden at the moment but it was there. Tables went around in a large square area, this is what Mrs. Porter would call entertainment. Essentially it was a dueling ring, where customers could step in and fight that day's contender. Customers were pouring into the café now, all chatting animatedly about the upcoming duel. Jessica groaned when she saw her opponent of the day.

"What's the matter Jesse?" Olivia was back now frosting free, she glanced toward the arena which was now growing up from the ground creating a center platform. "Oh no, are you serious? Well you're either lucky or very fortunate." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Shut it." Jessica cheeks began to burn and she bit her lower lip slightly. Her opponent was Lukas, leader of the Ocelots. A pain in the ass group, that caused nothing but trouble to them over the years but everyone liked them none the less. But for Jessica, she had a crush on Lukas since she was a little girl, and so far he never took notice of her. She stared at him taking in his features, moving her from his hair to his eyes, his smile when he talked to his friends. He had a small bit of stubble on his face, obviously he didn't shave today which made him look a bit more roguishly handsome in Jessica's opinion. Her eyes moved down further to his chest and well-muscled arms, which despite the jacket he was wearing he was well built.

"Ow!" She yelped when she felt Olivia jab her with her elbow. "What was that for?"

"I had to get your attention you weren't answering me? What were you thinking about?" Olivia asked.

Jessica glanced to the side at Lukas. "Uh, it's nothing just what I should make for dinner." She let the small lie slip her mouth. She could never tell Olivia or Axel about how she felt toward Lukas. That she was willing to take to her grave. She grabbed her wooden sword and moved to the center of the café. Her heart hammered. The Participating opponents walked up and Jessica moved her foot to the side and hit a pressure plate. The ground began to move with a hidden redstone mechanisms opening up as a platform raised. A dome like energy surrounded the arena. This was the special part of the dome, the energy around it took in both opponents vitals. And keeps it to the point where no one gets killed, mostly just knocked out.

Jessica's eyes glanced over to Lukas who was putting on his red leather armor and choosing a wooden sword. She shook her head, come on focus Jessica! She dawned her armor, and just as she put on her helmet. Mrs Porter's voice hit the café's speakers cutting off the music.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Draw your eyes to the center ring, we have a special presentation just for you! You've seen him here a few times, a café regular, who knows how a thing or two. In this corner I give you the leader of the Ocelots! Lukas!" There was some cheering from the crowd that gathered. As well as whistles and even louder cheering from where the other Ocelots sat.
"And in this corner, a mere contender stepping into the ring. You've seen her before. Losing night after night. But I guess there always a chance for something different to happen. I give you Jessica!"

There was a few claps as people acknowledged her and then lots of booing from the other Ocelots. Jessica grimaced and sighed. She was never good with entertaining the crowd, it was more like stage fright. Her father taught her how to use the sword, but she wasn't one to draw attention to herself.

"Haha you can do it Lukas, beat the Loser!" Aiden's voice taunted.

Jessica's eyes twitched, she hated Aiden the most out of the Ocelot gang. The annoyance of how he treated everyone around him like they were beneath him really could get on one's nerves.

"And now let the match BEGIN!"

Both Lukas and Jessica stepped forward. Swords in hand. They looked each other over assessing each other. Jessica eyes moved over Lukas again, but this time not ogling him like before, she was sizing him up and looking for his week points. Letting the sword become like an extension of her arm. She let him make the first move.

Lukas did a half step to his right faking out and moving a hard left swinging his sword in a sweep motion. Jessica dodged by rolling to the side and making a counter attack by flicking her wrist with her sword and thrusting it toward Lukas.
He moved backwards and blocked her attempted counter attack, smiling. He let out a chuckle as if her attempts were futile. His chuckle almost distracted her but only made her angry at it effect. She lunged again.

Aiden tapped his thumbs on the table before him watching the battle, it been going on for a few minutes. And he didn't like the potential outcome. Which made him irritable. There was no way he would let a loser like that get one over the leader of the Ocelots.

Maya and Gill were cheering on Lukas and boing at Jessica and throwing taunts at her to try and distract her. Aiden glanced around the café everyone else was focused on the battle before them wondering who would win, everything seemed pretty much even. He noticed something out the window and he grinned, nudging to Maya and Gill and began to whisper to them.

Jessica blocked a hard upward blow for Lukas' sword and she gritted her teeth holding her stance. This battle was going on for a long time. Usually it would be over now with her forcing herself to lose, like Mrs. Porter always wanted her to do. But something about battling Lukas was captivating, He would smile and his eyes sparkled with determination. To him this was a game and there was no really life or death situation. She didn't want this to end anytime so. She brought her sword up to block another hard blow, but a loud squeal distracted her causing to move her head. The force behind the blow knocked her back hitting part of her sword and onto her shoulder. She gritted her teeth. That would leave a bruise, despite the armor. There was a crack and more squealing.

Lukas stood over Jessica panting. She looked around the café somewhat dazed. Her eyes then landed on a pink blur running and jumping around table and knocking everyone's meals into their laps. "Oh my Notch! Ruben!" She stood up and ran out of the arena.

Lukas looked bewildered and then he glared at Gills, Maya and Aiden who were laughing hysterically in the corner watching as the drama unfolded before them. He rubbed his head as he watched Jessica and her friends as well as Mrs. Porter chase Reuben around the café. Though Mrs. Porter was holding a broom high in the air when she ran. In a way it was funny, but he felt bad all the same

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