█▓▒▒░░░ WASABI WEEPERS ░░░▒▒▓█

Olivia sat in the back of the lunch room. She sat alone at her own table that was hidden away in a dark corner, away from prying eyes, coloring in her sketchbook. She lightly chewed the tip of her pencil as she tilted her head in thought, feet mindlessly swinging.

Her earbuds blasted music in her ears to distract from the sounds of the lunch room, which often made her jump and caused her head to spin. She twirled the Electric Pink prismacolor pencil around her fingers before switching it with a Black Cherry purple and blending it with the colors of the page.

In minutes, the paper was filled with bright hues. She blew the extra shavings off and carefully shook her sketchbook. She smiled as her dazzling blue eyes met a mesmerizing garden of soft green hues, making the page look like a peaceful area.

Her admiration quickly broke as a resounding 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘨 echoed through the room, seeming louder than her tunes. She looked up at a group of boys in red as they banged on their table. They laughed and kicked, clutching their stomachs.

A ginger boy across the room stood up and faced them, saying something that didn't reach her ears before he shrunk back into himself and sat down. Oliva frowned as she noticed the new face at the table.

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘬𝘪𝘥. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴.

Her breathing catched as she tugged on the sleeves of her cable knit sweater. She jumped as the ribbon in her hair tickled her face, heart racing in surprise. The new kid suddenly stood up and took a few steps towards her table. Her stomach turned, and she could feel her uneaten lunch rise back up.

She squeezed her eyes closed in panic, her favorite pink pencil moving to tap repeatedly against the table as she raised her hand to her mouth, just in case something did come up.

Olivia could see the pretty brunette tease the group known as the black dragons with a smile. The curly headed man — and yes, man — replied before turning to the kid beside him. His lips moved slowly, and his words were spat with aggression. The kid beside him used his hand to cover his face, and Frank stood from his yellow chair.

Frank was at least three inches taller, but the brunette was either unintimidated or air headed enough not to notice.

The cafeteria quieted while turning their attention to Frank, who did some, quote on quote, impressive moves.

"I didn't come over here to fight, man." Brunette audibly said up, his voice low and smooth, only being heard by Olivia because of the dead silent cafeteria. Her heart fluttered as she quickly worked to lower her music volume, embarrassment making her face flush as she imagined someone hearing and staring at her.

She blushed and ducted her head down but still kept her eyes in range of the scene before her. If Frank was going to get his ass handed to him, then she would be watching while it happens.

The new kid turned around, appearing to be done with the conversation when Frank let out an almost bull-like sound as he lunged forward with his fist. The brunette suddenly turned around as if he had envisioned the throw and caught his first. He smirked as he turned his head around.

"Okay, you probably shouldn't have done that."

His words seemed preplanned and rehearsed, obviously proud of his catchphrase as the brunette twisted Frank's arm and pushed him back.

Frank tried to recover and turn around but was sent back into his table by the new kid's foot.

Olivia reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, turning off her music. Without the music blasting through the speakers and into her ears, her head ached. She packed her stuff and sat on the edge of her seat, prepared to leave if necessary.

She looked up just in time to see the mysterious new kid jump up in the air, causing a back dragon to tackle air instead and fall.

The new kid landed back onto the table and smirked at the recognizable blonde — the difference in her hair being recognizable to Olivia, the girl's blonde hair being more of a natural yellow than platinum blonde like her own — before flipping off the table and fighting another black dragon.

The brunette dodged a punch and sprang back up, grabbing the black dragon's arm and twisting it over his head. He quickly used momentum to shove his face into a bowl of pudding and deliver a pun.

He pulled the boy back up as Frank went to punch him. Frank faltered and stopped his fist an inch away from his crew mate's face. They moved again before the brunette used the black dragon's foot to knock Frank off his own feet.

He quickly dropped down to the ground and launched the black dragon into a trashcan a few feet away. He rolled back and pushed up with his arm, making his shirts rise and show his stomach for a split second.

The new kid was quick to act as Frank stood up again, kicking up a plate making the food fly into the air and — out of spite or maybe just plain irony — he kicked two falafel balls and back kicked another at Frank. They landed perfectly in his mouth and eyes, making people laugh as he quickly ran out of the lunchroom.

The new kid looked around, and his face fell. He bounced on his toes before booking it out of the lunchroom's main doors, the adrenaline and shock wearing off.

People quietly questioned what had happened as Olivia got up and walked away.

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Olivia sat on the blue foldable mats as Eddie — a chubby boy who was previously taking tango lessons — charged at Marge the lunch lady. His war cry shifted into a 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘢 as Marge quickly flipped him on his back.

Olivia looked up from her sketchbook for a moment to make sure Eddie was physically fine before returning to her drawing. It was a new one because she had finished her other one at lunch. This time, a person was drawn by a charcoal stick.

"Dude, Eddie just got dusted by Marge the lunch lady again." Jerry called.

Jerry was a Latino dude with curly black hair on the top of his head, mud eyes, and a whole lot of trouble. Quite literally trouble seeing as he legally changed his middle name to it. He was the ladies' man of the group and often had dumb or funny comments that would always get Olivia giggling.

"Guys, what are you doing?" Rudy — a dirty blonde man in his early 20s who owned the dojo — asked. Rudy wore his karate outfit much like Olivia's and a green bandana. He was their Sensei and an older brother figure to the kids, especially Olivia.

"They said if we don't win two belts at our next tournament, they're shutting us down."

Olivia frowned and closed her sketchbook, packing her materials away. She hopped off the stack of mats that were almost the same height as her and moved her stuff to the side before returning with her attention.

"Yo, Rudy, you wanna get some new belts. You should get that new Jack kid in here." Jerry pointed as he took another bit of pizza.

Olivia tilted her head at the new name. She could see her ginger haired friend give her a glance before taking a bite of a pizza slice. It was something he'd often do, give her concerned glances when something that made her uncomfortable or new was suggested.

He had noticed she was unusually quiet today, but Milton had just figured it was from the new kid, Jack, coming to school, and he was correct.

"He was awesome! At lunch, he took out four black dragons all by himself." Eddie loudly bragged. Olivia lightly winced at the volume but ignored it.

"Hey, Liv can take down four black dragons by herself! Probably even more!" Jerry bragged about the blonde while trying to stand up quickly but slipping a bit.

Olivia shyly smiled. Jerry had always looked up to her, not only as his dance partner but as a little sister. He could be very protective at times — which was weird to everyone at first — but they quickly got used to it.

Olivia smiled at him in thanks, and he gave a dramatic nod before sitting back down and chowing on some more pizza.

"I don't care about some slap fight at school. Martial arts isn't about beating kids up in the lunchroom. It's about hitting better through hard work and discipline." Rudy explained with wild hand movements.

Olivia raised an eyebrow before pointing to an oblivious Jerry just as he let out a belch.

Rudy gave Jerry a look that was between unamused and disappointed. Eddie winced, and Mage pitched her nose. Olivia and Milton exchange the same grossed look with each other.

They both sighed at the same time, and Olivia moved away, unable to hear Jerry's response. Everyone continued throughout the lesson with Rudy guiding them until they reached breathing exercises.

With a relaxed sigh, Olivia stood up and walked toward the bench, taking a drink from her water bottle.

Olivia watched as a familiar brunette wearing a gray and blue plaid shirt crashed through the wall. Everyone moved out of the pathway by scurrying and running — except Jerry, who did a backward roll.

Jack, who Olivia now knew the name of, stumbled off his skateboard and rolled up into a standing position, and quickly unclipped his gray helmet.

She took a glance at Rudy, who was pressed up against the wall before shifting her gaze to Jack a few feet in front of her. He wobbled for a moment, standing tall.

"Okay, you guys have got to try that." Jack remarked with a laugh.

"Come here, you." A mall cop called and peeked his head through the wall.

"Gotta go!" Jack smiled." Sorry, "Sorry ‘bout the wall."

Olivia trained her storm blue eyes on the boy in blue as he flipped out and to the door only for two police officers to grab him.

"Who was that kid?" Rudy asked in awe and horror.

"Jack!" The three boys responded.

Olivia looked back just in time to see Rudy's face morphed into realization, "𝘖𝘰𝘰𝘩."

She raised her fist to her mouth and but down while looking away, holding in her laughed

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Olivia couldn't help but listen into the conversation beside her, her hand slowing down from the rapid movement of drawing.

"Juvie?"

She could feel Jack's curious eyes on her form but ignored it as she switched shades of brown and moved in small circular marks.

"I would join your dojo, but I'm not a karate guy." Jack defended. "I'm a skater."

"You took four Black Dragons all by yourself and did a perfect flying side-kick through my wall." Rudy corrected as he repeated the stance.

"Okay, the truth is my grandfather was a karate Sensei." Jack admitted.

Olivia tensed and slowly looked over. "And wait for it." She whispered to herself.

"He even trained Bobby Wasabi for all his movies." Jack gestured to the poster

"And three..."

Rudy weirdly gasped.

"Two..."

"Your grandfather trained Bobby Wasabi,"

"One." she counted down as Rudy started to fangirl.

"The founder of this dojo and start of such classic movies-"

Jack glanced over at hee with wide and almost fearful eyes as Rudy started rapid firing words. Olivia's lips tipped up, holding back a giggle at the look Jack sent her.

Olivia didn't engage any further as she walked away, sparing herself from the rant that was coming, her eyes scanning for the pale and boney ginger boy.

Her friends smiled back as she walked up to them. "We were just going to Phil's. Wanna come?" Eddie asked, wanting to include her. Olivia smiled and nodded, "Sure."

"Do you-do you mind if we invite Jack?" Milton stuttered, not wanting to upset her. While Olivia appreciated it, it also caused an irrational annoyance that she pushed aside.

Olivia could feel her throat close up at the name. They seemed to notice and went to dismiss it, but she shrugged with a small smile.

"It's fine."

Eddie and Milton rushed back to the dojo as Jerry walked up. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and threw his arm over her shoulder.

"Let's go, princess. I'll even let you choose the seat." Jerry teased and walked with her. She smiled as he nudged her with his hip. Olivia giggled and shoved him back.

Before they knew it, they were sitting down at their booth, fighting. Of course, Olivia could take Jerry down in a second flat if she wanted to, but why would she?

"Hey, guys!" Milton called as he walked up with Eddie, Jack trailing behind him. They quickly sat down, and she was glad to be facing Milton instead of Jack. Eddie pulled up a chair to the end of the table, and they ordered their food. Everyone chatted while Olivia remained silent, head down, and a few strands of hair hanging in front of her face. She could basically feel her heart beating out of her chest.

But every once in a while, Jerry would squeeze her hand, and Milton would give her an encouraging smile, which usually followed within awkward thumbs up from Eddie. But it all seemed to fly over Jack's head.

Just as she started relaxing and getting comfortable, someone appeared right next to her. She tensed and stared at the table.

"Hey, Jack." A perky voice came from the body. She immediately recognized it and panicked. Her leg shook, and she picked at her nails.

"Hello, Kim." The three musketeers smirked. Olivia would have giggled at Jack's face if it wasn't for the crushing fear and anxiety flowing through her veins.

She could see Kim give her a look of distaste at her lack of response. That sent her into a panic frenzy, starting the attack.

"Um, can I talk to you for a minute?" Kim asked.

"What's up?" All of the boys responded.

"Guys, can you give me a sec? Vamoose." Jack gestured.

Even if Olivia wanted to move, she couldn't. Her body froze, mid panic attack. It caused tears to well up in her eyes, paralyzing fear making her hands shake.

They remain smiling at Kim, minus Olivia, for obvious reasons.

"That means go!" Jack translated.

Jerry looked at him in offense. "I know what 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 means."

Jerry quickly switched to Spanish as he pushed Olivia off the seat. That jolted her out of her state, and she quickly sprang up, hitting her leg on the table in the process. She was sure that it would leave a massive bruise, but right now, she couldn't think.

Jerry dragged her by the arm before switching back to English, turning to Olivia. "Can you believe this guy?" Jerry asked.

Olivia took a deep breath and shook her head. "He didn't even say vamoose right."

"I know! What a moron..."

They continued to talk for a minute until she caught her breath and could properly talk.

"Thank you, Jerry. " Olivia smiled.

"No prob, hermana. " He smiled.

"I have to go pick up Estelle. See you tomorrow. " Olive smiled.

Jerry waved as he walked into the dojo.

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Olivia smiled as she knocked on her neighbor's door. After a second, a young woman opened the door. She greeted the young blonde with a smile.

"Hello, Miss O'Lerry."

The woman smiled, her soft brown eyes locked with Olivia.

"Here to pick up Estelle, I assume." She smiled.

Olivia opened her mouth to respond with a yes, but her phone buzzed. Olivia frowned as she opened the text. As her eyes passed over the words, her heart dropped. She had to reread Jerry's text to make sure she was correct.

"A-actually, there's been an emergency at the dojo. Do you mind keeping Estelle for a little while longer?" Olivia looked up with tears in her eyes, shock written on her face.

The older woman only smiled and squeezed her hand. "Take as much time as you need."

Olivia nodded as she quickly walked away with one thought in mind.

𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘫𝘰?

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Olivia rushed inside to see Jerry, Milton, and Eddie packing their things. Olivia whimpered as she realized it was true.

"Olivia?" Milton called out in confusion.

The girl shook her head as a tear rolled down her cheek. She couldn't lose this place. It was her new home. Her first and forever home.

"No." She whispered as her bottom lip quivered.

Milton sighed before putting down his box. He walked forward and hugged the girl around the neck.

Seconds later, Jerry broke and joined the hug. Followed by Eddie and Marge.

Sure, they were a weird family, but that's what made them them. What made them family.

░▒▓▆▅▃▂▁𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐈 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒▁▂▃▅▆▓▒░