My martial arts teacher is my hero. I've been training at his club since I was 16, I'm 30 now. He saved my skin and I didn't realise it until years later. He doesn't know that I know.
There was a guy training at our club when I was 18. He was in his late thirties and he was nice enough, I got along with everyone, that's who I am, very welcoming and inclusive.
This guy, let's call him John, was very friendly to me... And sometimes I thought he was a bit TOO friendly, but I was very naieve as an 18 year old girl and didn't think much of it. For example once our teacher called us over to watch a video on his laptop and John stood close behind me, putting his hand on my shoulder for no reason. I thought it was weird, but that maybe he was just a bit awkward.
So once I turned 18, John was like "hey you can go out to bars and stuff now. I'm going to the such and such bar with Tammy and Ryan tomorrow night after training, you should come too!"
Now I was pretty straight edge, not big on going out, but I really thought Tammy and Ryan were awesome (some of my seniors at the club) and I really wanted to hang out with everyone so I agreed. John was really glad I agreed.
The next night rolls around and I finish training. Tammy, Ryan and John weren't at training, but I figure they're all at the bar already and I feel a bit nervous now about going out to a bar and meeting up with them. I'm really not big on going out.
My Sifu stops me before I leave and asks what I'm up to. I tell him I'm meeting John Tammy and Ryan at the bar and he shakes his head.
"Are you sure you want to do that? How about I give you a lift home?"
I'm pretty nervous about the bar but I say I promised I would go meet up, but my Sifu insists. I can't remember what he says to convince me, but eventually he talks me out of it and he gives me a ride back home.
I get a message from John who got my number from someone asking why I'm not there. I say i was too tired but to say hi to Tammy and Ryan for me and he doesn't message back.
The next day I go to training again. I see Tammy and say "Hey sorry I couldn't make it out to the bar last night." she looks confused and replies "I didn't even know we had plans to meet up there so don't worry about it!" I'm confused, but very naieve so I don't think anything of it.
Then John doesn't rock up for training that night. Or the night after. Or the next week. Or ever again.
Years later Tammy and I are with our Police friend, Jack who trains with us discussing old times and people who left the club. I mention John doesn't train with us any more. Tammy and Jack are like Oooohhh!
"Yeah, Sifu kicked him out of the club, I recognised him cause he had a history of being a sex offender. I told Sifu and eventually he told him if he showed his face at the club again it'd be a bad time." Jack explained.
At that moment it all fucking dawned on that John had tried to trick me into meeting up at a bar alone with him and I was gobsmacked. I didn't say a word. I haven't said a word to this day.
My martial arts teacher has been looking out for me and acted as my father figure since I was 16, he's done so much for me, so this was just another reason I respect him and why I have stayed loyal to that club for 14 years and counting. He's still looking out for me till this day. I suck at telling him how much I appreciate him, but I think he knows.