"HOLD ON!" Jack called, following Layla outside the dojo.

He finally caught up to her and stopped her in her tracks.

"What we're you doing in there?"

"Rudy let's me practice when no one's around. I find it soothing when Jerry is constantly staring at the back of my head."

"But why?"

"Jack, if I stand here and spill all of my secrets I won't be that brooding and mysterious teenage girl that everyone's obsessed with."

Jack titled his head slightly, "Okay, fair point."

"I bet you have secrets to. This one's mine."

And Jack respected Layla's answered and let her go without pushing anymore buttons.

But that didn't mean he wasn't curious. In fact, he would find a way to spend more time with her to see if she would spill the secret on her own... not for other more dating relations... oh no, never Jack Brewer.

But this was Jack Brewer, nothing was ever going to go 100 percent right the first time.

He had told Rudy the he was able to get Bobby Wasabi to come in for his birthday... which started off as a lie and turned into the truth in the matter of days.

And when Bobby walked into the dojo Rudy was quick to make fun of him and fight him without acknowledging that he was really Bobby Wasabi.

And Bobby was just as quick to fire him.

And with Rudy fired that meant Layla couldn't go to the dojo and work in what she needed to without Jerry staring at the back of her skull.

"Layla!" Jack cheered, approaching her in the mall, "I'm so, so glad to see you."

"Jack! I am so mad!" She smiled.

"Look, I know I messed up but I really need your help... especially if you don't want Jerry staring at you."

"He's doing it now." Layla pointed.

Jack turned with furrowed brows and saw Jerry smiling and staring over at the duo. Jack was quick to hit his shoulder to bring him back into some sort of reality.

"We're going to visit Bobby Wasabi and try to get him to hire Rudy again."

"And you need me for?"

"I mean, look at you. You've got a pretty face. He wouldn't say no to you." Jack said.

Layla eyed the group and looked over at Jack once more, "Fine. I'll make you a deal. I'll go, if you can keep Jerry away from me at all times."

Jack smiled, "Your wish is my command, Princess."

"You're funny. Let's go before I change my mind."

The group found themselves at Bobby Wasabi's mansion and getting in with ease... but nothing would ever go in order for anyone in the Jack Brewer friend group.

Ninja's we're prepared to attack the group and Jack took Layla's hand and dragged her out of the room and into another in hopes of not being caught.

Jack turned on the lights and they were met with a man in a cage dancing to the sounds of Disco in the bathroom.

Layla held a small smile as Jack began to dance along with the man but quickly stopped and pulled the boy out of the bathroom and out into the hallway.

They were met with three ninjas and ran from them. They found Milton, Jerry, Kim, and Eddie in a room with Bobby Wasabi.

"Get them!" Bobby instructed his ninjas.

Jack pushed Layla back in order to protected her, but she could fight her own battles. She would prove it to.

Jack stepped to the side to kick a man and another came around towards Layla's side.

She stepped away from Jack and swiftly attacked the man Jack as easily as Jack had.

Kim stepped forward helping with the attack as Jerry, Milton, and Eddie watched from the sides.

It didn't take long for the fight to end and Bobby stopped his fighters as he approached Jack with shocked written in his face.

"That was a perfect Flying Dragon kick."

"My grandfather taught it to me."

"Well, I can't think that your grandfather would approve of you breaking into my house."

"No, but he would approve of me standing up for my Sensei."

"Your Sensei called me a man lady."

"It was an honest mistake."

Jack continued to explain how Rudy was a good person. Far from perfect of course, but a person nonetheless.

And with enough convincing from Jack alone, Rudy was given his job back.

The next couple of days had passed and Jack had let Layla go scot-free about how she was able to fight like that, but it didn't last long when he went to the dojo and hoped Layla would appear suddenly.

And he was lucky. Layla had appeared from the back and Jack wanted to prove how well Layla was with her senses and how well she was able to fight.

He snuck up from behind her and she turned swiftly and grabbed Jack by the arm and flipping him over her shoulder.

"What are you doing, Brewer?"

"Testing you." He smiled, "You know karate."

"Wow, didn't think I kept the secret in long enough. Maybe I'll go fight some more ninjas."

Layla took her knee off of Jack and helped him to his feet.

"What do you want to know?"

"How long have you known karate?"

"I started when I was 8. I was messed with a lot because I'm taller than most kids and I wanted to learn to how to defend myself. I was 13 when I got my black belt. I've been practicing with Rudy ever since."

"So why didn't you help Rudy out when he needed to save the dojo?"

"Because Jerry freaks me out." She answered, "Everyone has this look and opinion about me. I'm the pretty girl who's waiting for someone to save her. Everyone wants to be with me or be me. I'm more than that. But I put on the front."

"Why?"

"Because it's easier, Jack. 8 year old me would've loved this. I worked hard to make people like me. I'm not changing that." She sighed, "Is that what you wanted to hear? The Layla Beasley story. Make it a Lifetime movie."

It's exactly what Jack wanted but he didn't expect for it to pull at heartstring.

But maybe that's what Layla wanted. Maybe she wanted Jack to feel some type of way.

Layla had placed herself high on Jack's shelf. If she'd fallen, she'd break. Jack had caught her before her doll could shatter.

"Your secret's safe with me. I promise." Jack said.

"Thank you." She smiled softly, "I owe you one."

"Can we be normal friends?" Jack asked, "I think you at least owe me that. You'll maybe get a sparring partner out of me."

Layla softly chuckled, "Yeah, normal friends."

Jack and Layla shook on the statement and went about their night.

Layla was smart but maybe, just maybe, Jack had a leg up on her.

— lucy has something to say !!

sorry it took me so long to update stinks butts i was working on the fanfic awards and struggling but i'm here

bye :))))