~ Part 4 ~ |  A Million Little Mistakes Can Become So Big

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** Red Ribbon (Madilyn Bailey) **
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"I've got stitches and scars
I've got yards of yarn
Got miles of string running under my skin
I've got so much to give
So I'll give it again and again and again
I'll take this red ribbon
Stitch my heart together and I know I'll be fine"

~ Madilyn Bailey

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I know! This song has shown up once more in my stories but I absolutely love it! I find it so inspiring and it's a song I've started singing when I need some encouragement!
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This chapter is dedicated to Elementara ! Your comments are so great and encouraging! I enjoy reading them so so much!

(comment or PM if you'd like a shoutout! I do not mind! I'm running out of people that are at this chapter!)

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Lloyd absently scribbled on the corners of the notebook pages. The awkward silence hung thick as molasses as the two just stared at each other.

"Look," Lloyd said, at last, heaving out a heavy sigh. "I'm not a licensed therapist. I have no idea why my uncle thought this was a good idea but I'd like to do more than write Kai Sucks on Wu's work today."

He raised the book to show off the wild-style bubble letters he had doodled on the side. The young girl sitting before him couldn't help but snort, glancing to the side. Lloyd pretended not to notice her watching him from the corner of her eye as he shaded in the letters and created a gradient inside.

The girl pressed her lips together, weaving her fingers through each other than pulling them apart again. Finally, she decided to break from the stubborn silence and slid her chair closer to him. "I really like your street art." She said eagerly.

Lloyd let out a surprised laugh. "Thanks. Are you an artist?"

"I love baking and I do dance, which is sort of an art in a way. Sometimes I draw but nothing that good." She shrugged, her dark hair falling over her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, what's your name again?" Lloyd leaned forward and shrugged sheepishly.

"Tala." Her dark eyes sparkled with amusement. "And you're Lloyd Garmadon."

Lloyd watched as the tip of his pencil traced along the lines he'd already made. "That's a pretty name. I don't think I've heard it before."

"It's Filipino. Tala is the goddess of the stars." Tala looked somewhat embarrassed as she said it.

"It has a much nicer meaning than mine. I think Lloyd translates to grey-haired?" Lloyd gave an amused smile.

Tala snickered but her laughter died down as she looked down at her fiddling hands. "Why am I here?" She asked at last.

Lloyd bit his tongue to keep from saying something like: Well, I don't even know why I am here doing this since I'm only a few years older than you and instead chose to look at the notes Wu had written down.

"Well, I believe it has something to do with your panic attack yesterday," Lloyd told her.

"It wasn't a panic attack." Tala cut in.

"It sounds like it was a panic attack."

"It wasn't." The girl repeated insistently. But she glanced guiltily away. "At least... not totally."

Lloyd's eyebrows rose. "Is this anything that we should know about?"

"No." Tala scowled before hitting her fists against her knees. "Agh! Maybe."

"Do you have bad anxiety?" Lloyd asked as gently as he could. "It's okay if you do. Jay has anxiety and has panic attacks every once and while."

"It's not anxiety. Why can't you guys just leave it alone? We all freak out sometimes!"

Lloyd watched as her hands began to move faster and faster as they played with each other.

"Is there anything going on you need help with?" Lloyd tried to go down the list as slowly as he could. "I'm just here to help. If someone is hurting you or you're feeling stressed about something-"

"I'm on the autistic spectrum!" Tala blurted out. "I had a meltdown yesterday."

Lloyd schooled his expression, remaining calm as he leaned over and looked through Tala's paperwork. "I don't see that written anywhere." He told her carefully.

"I know." Tala sniffed. She looked frustrated, blinking rapidly as Lloyd waited for her to talk. "I was supposed to write it down or at least tell Headmaster Wu but I didn't."

"Why didn't you?" Lloyd asked her curiously. "Being autistic doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. It just means you're different."

Tala laugher a little weakly, swiping at her eyes. "I know that. Trust me, I know know that.  But everyone else in the world... they don't understand."

Lloyd's mouth opened slightly to shape an 'o' as her motives dawned on him.

"I'm just tired of being the 'autistic kid' y'know? My old school didn't have a good program for special needs kids... or anyone different for that matter and didn't understand autism. Since the adults didn't know what to do, the students there also didn't know how to act." Tala sighed. "My parents decided I should come here. They're great, I love them, but sometimes they don't understand me either. The only one who did was my brother. But he and my parents don't get along. So he moved out a long time ago and I haven't heard from him."

"And the sensory overload? That's when everything becomes too overwhelming, right? Are you okay?" Lloyd spoke up in concern. "Was it something serious that caused it or is there anything that could help you in that situation?"

Tala chewed on her lip, her hands stilling but her fingers twitched a little in her lap. "Well... there's one thing that calms me down... but- but you can't laugh- okay?"

Lloyd nodded and watched as Tala hesitantly reached into the bag she had perched beside her chair. She unzipped the front pocket, her fingers teasing something out. The sound of plastic beads reached Lloyd's ears as she placed a floppy-looking stuffed turtle on her lap.

"His name is Frank. My brother gave him to me because I loved Franklin as a kid." Tala mumbled, her hands had noticeably calmed down as she rubbed the turtle's little legs with her thumb. It was a pale, dirty, faded green. Its neck too thin and its head lulled to the side. The tiny bead eyes regarded Lloyd with a vacant state but it had a cute little smile stitched on.

Lloyd couldn't help the twitch of his lips as he leaned forward to get a better look at him. His green gaze flicked to Tala, who stared back warily, wondering how he'd react.

"I used to have a stuffed animal," Lloyd mumbled softly. "Grundle the dinosaur."

Lloyd chuckled a little as he brought the fuzzy memory out of the corners of his brain. He used to tote the little red toy around everywhere, hidden in the folds of his sweater.

Tala perked up. "Do you still sleep with him?" She inquired shyly.

"Uh..." Lloyd winced a little. "Some... kids chopped him up with scissors and threw him in the dumpster."

Tala's eyes widened. "O-oh."

"Yeah..." Lloyd cleared his throat awkwardly. "So- does Frank comfort you?"

Tala nodded and hugged the turtle closer. "He's something familiar, you know? I like routine but life never goes by the perfect rules you set out for it. So, it good to have one thing constant."

Lloyd smiled a little bit as she continued. She turned poor Frank around so she could look at him, moving his feet around as she talked.

"I wasn't very good at communication. I've gotten better but it's hard for me to understand people, you know? And it's hard for people to understand me. But Frank always understands me." The last part was said softly as her eyes wandered off.

Lloyd thought for a moment before he stood, tossing the notebook away as he turned towards the door. "You know, I think you'd get along well with my friend, Zane."

Tala's brow furrowed. "The tall stick?"

Lloyd smothered a snort. "Yeah. He's a good baker. I think you two could have some nice conversations."

She looked suspicious. "Is it because he's a weirdo and you don't want to talk with me?"

Lloyd laughed. "It's because I think he'd really love talking with you."

Tala didn't look convinced but she stood anyway. "Okay..." Her gaze flicked to him and there was a small trace of a smile. "Okay."

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Nya was currently wiping off the cookie some child had launched at her in the bathroom, a scowl upon her face. She hated how easily the boys fell in line around Cole, flocking around him as baby ducks do to their mother. She never got that kind of respect from anyone yet they seemed to automatically accept the young man's authority.

She closed her eyes briefly, leaning on the granite sink as she took a deep, slow breath. Nya opened her eyes, her head feeling clearer, and she released her hold on the cool stone with a sigh.

"When I have a child, I want a daughter," Nya muttered to herself as she pushed out of the bathroom.

The sound of screaming hit her ears. Loud, piercing and terrified. It was probably one of the boys leaping out and jump-scaring someone but Nya made her way to go check on them anyway. As Nya crossed through the front hall she was surprised to see Zane standing in the doorway talking with an older woman. The girl paused, her eyes flicked from Zane to the woman uncertainly. There was something eerily familiar about her... Perhaps familiar wasn't the right word. Her features were reminiscent of something Nya knew.

"Oh." Nya blinked in surprise. "Would you like me to get someone for you?"

The woman hesitated. "Uh-"

"You arrived early." Nya glanced back to see Wu walking hastily over. A frown was upon his face and he looked to the woman nervously. "You look well."

A tense smile appeared on her face. "As do you."

"Oh!" Nya exclaimed. "I'm sorry! Are you a friend of Wu?"

There was a beat before she answered. "An old friend."

"From my younger days." Wu chuckled, but the sound was hollow. There was an awkward silence as the two just stared at each other.

Nya's eyes flicked to Zane who appeared just as perplexed. "O-kaaaayy." Nya drew out the vowel slowly.

The quiet air was split by laughter from above.

"Would you like to talk somewhere a little more peaceful?" Wu's moustache twitched with amusement.

The woman's gaze turned softer. "Yes please."

The two began to walk down the hall. Zane and Nya trailed at their heels like a dog to its owner. Wu paused and held out a hand to stop them.

"I'm sorry, but I think this is a more private conversation." He told them gently.

The two looked at each other. "Oh. Okay." Nya said in a disappointed tone.

"We will wait here then," Zane added.

Wu and the woman exchanged a look, smiling with mirth as they stepped away. Nya's shoulder slumped and she pouted.

"I wanted to hear what they were saying." She said.

"I know but Wu requested privacy." Zane tilted his head.

"Who do you think she is?" Nya wondered as she watched them leave.

"Perhaps a school friend or it could be possible she is a former lover." He theorized.

The raven-haired girl's eyebrows shot up. "Really?" Nya wandered over to the room they disappeared into. "I know I shouldn't be so interested in drama but I'm suddenly realizing how little we actually know about Wu."

Zane nodded, looking deep in thought. He gave a funny little grin and looked back at his friend. "I'm sure he couldn't blame us if we happened to overhear anything."

Nya let out a surprised laugh. "We could just happen to be near the door." She agreed. "It's not our fault if sounds waft out of the room."

"Affirmative."

"Zane," Nya nudged him with her hip teasingly. "I didn't know you were such a rebel!"

Zane chuckled. "I'm not so sure about that."

Nya hummed, a glimmer in her eyes as she pressed her ear against the door. Zane stood awkwardly by her, trying to figure out what to do. Nya's face scrunched up as she strained to hear the conversation on the other side.

"I think... they're talking about Lloyd?" Nya whispered in confusion.

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"I cannot guarantee he will be pleased to see you."

Wu didn't have to say who he was talking about for Misako to know. The old man's gaze was hard to read, full of conflicting emotions as he strolled around the room, his hands clasped behind his back.

Misako's breath shuddered as she inhaled, letting the air out from her mouth slowly. "I know." She whispered, blinking back tears. "I... I never planned to come here..."

She gave a sheepish have-shrug. "But I saw him... I saw Lloyd making that damn speech... and I couldn't stay away any longer. Maybe it was God telling me it was time... it feels so right and wrong...."

Master Wu nodded silently, lost in his thought as his eyes trailed around the room. They fixed on the kids exploring outside the window, looking for clues to the scavenger hunt.

"Thank you for looking after him." Misako sniffed. "I know... you had a lot on your hands."

"I should've taken him in the first place," Wu whispered regretfully. Eyes pressing together as guilt gnawed at him. A hand touched his hand and he looked to see Misako looking at him sympathetically.

"You weren't in the right headspace. You were mourning and... I wouldn't have chosen to let you anyways." Misako has a sad smile. "Everyone seemed so out of my reach... but I should've been stronger. I should've been there for you too."

Wu froze, a tear rolling down his cheek. Misako frowned as he bent over slightly, sitting in a chair as he cried silently. "I finally did it..." Wu choked out. Misako blinked in confusion at the lack of context. "After all these years...I found him."

Oh.

Misako let out a soft coo, rubbing his back soothingly. "He's gone though." Wu swallowed hard. "I was too late."

Misako's heart broke for him. "I'm sorry."

He turned to her, gaze weighted. "Don't let your child slip from your fingers, Misako." His hand squeezed hers. "You don't have as much time as you think."

Misako returned the gesture, resting her head on his shoulder as they sat together.

authors note*****

Gotta love that drama. Just launching straight into it! Hopefully, my pacing isn't too weird. Sometimes I think "oh no! I'm going to slow" and then go too fast. Working on it though!

Anywho, it took me a very long time to work out the intricacies of everyone's backstory but I've finally come up with some REALLY AWESOME SAUCE stuff!

It came to me in the middle of night and I scrambled around for my phone so I wouldn't forget it. 😂

Also, Lloyd's little stuffed dinosaur the Grundle was some symbolism there. In the show the Grundle was what caused to Lloyd to need to grow up so I figured a stuffed Grundle would do that too.

Never butcher anyone's stuffed animal! The stuffy gods will come after you!

FanFiction's all about the nostalgia of the characters so I'm trying to make as many paralleled to the show as I can while still being able to make things realistic enough. Things are already messy since for the first chapter of this whole story I was basically winging it but I think with some organization I can get things under control!

Anyways, enough rambling!

I still have other books I want to update but I'm getting some awesome motivation for this book so I'll probably start on a new chapter soon.

Thank you for the 10K reads! That was my goal and I'm so so so so so so happy!!!! It made me scream with joy and I told multiple IRL friends. 😂

I love planning this book and writing it out! Reading all your comments makes me happy and I can't believe that I have been able to write something like this! One day I'll look back in disgust and be like: "I remember when my writing sucked like that" but for now I'm happy!

Also, it's a total coincidence that I was writing in an autistic character when Frosty asked me to make a cover for her guide to neurodiversity. It's an awesome book where Frosty writes about autism and I highly recommend it! I'll try and post a book link inline!

Here's a little explanation on some stuff in Lloyd and Tala's scene:

Wikipedia says a "Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses experiences over-stimulation from the environment. There are many environmental elements that affect an individual. Examples of these elements are urbanization, crowding, noise, mass media, technology, and the explosive growth of information."

Tala uses the hand movements also known as stimming to try and calm herself before a sensory overload can happen. It's comforting to her and she may use it when she's scared, anxious, happy, or even calm. But sometimes it doesn't always succeed in calming her down. Sometimes people on the spectrum have special objects that help bring them peace. Tala's is her turtle Frank.

Anyways, that's all for now. If you have any questions I'm not the best resource to give any autism-related inquiries but Toon Ruins videos are a great place to get some information!

I hope you all have an AMAZING day!

LuckyBugBooks 🐞