𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚 ⛏ ᴶᵃᶜᵏ ᴮʳᵉʷᵉʳ

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏. 𝟐

█▓▒▒░░░ WASABI WARRIOR ░░░▒▒▓█

Olivia had moved past her meltdown and started packing her stuff. Rudy had entered the dojo in the middle of the hug and gladly joined in after dramatically bursting out in tears.

Now, she had packed half a box of stuff when a familiar brunette walked in.

"Jack! You're back." Rudy said in shock.

"I'm just here to get my stuff. What's going on?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed.

Olivia remained silent as she turned around. Jerry was the first to speak. "We're closing. No Jack, no belts, no dojo."

Jerry's words were a bit passive-aggressive, but when Jack locked eyes with Olivia, he understood.

She had a sadness in them, and the whites were now slightly pink along with her nose. She had tear stains going down her cheeks, even if she had tried to clean herself up.

Just then, someone walked in. "Milton David Krupnick!" He shouted.

"So, this is your french horn lesson, huh?" The nerdy adult looked angry.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I was taking karate lessons because the kids kept beating me up for taking french horn lessons." Milton explained in a whining tone.

"And Olivia can't scare them anymore. They bring unfair fights, ten to one — and whatever I am! Last time, they gave her a scar!"

Olivia's gaze moved to the floor as her hand traced the thin line on her neck. She winced at the memory.

"Let's go, Milton. You're lucky you didn't hurt yourself." His father tsked.

"If it's not me, then it's my best friend." Milton mumbled.

Jack moved his eyes to Olivia and trailed them down to her neck, where a jagged scar remained. It was white with a thin red streak from when it got infected.

"It's closing anyway. This is the only place I felt I really belonged." Milton turned and looked at his friends. "I'll let my bully know I'm available."

"Now my mom's going to send me back to Mrs. King's Dance Academy." Eddie chimed in, "My body was not made of mambo."

"I guess I'm a lone wolf again. And that's how I like it." Jerry tried to play it off, cool. "Don't think for a second I'm gonna miss any of you meat bags." Just as he turned away, he started breaking.

"I'm gonna be stuck at home with my mom and her restrictive boyfriend. I'm never going to leave the house again." Olivia choked up as tears welled in her eyes.

Jack's heart twisted at the sight of her. A mix of sadness and fear washed over her face as realization dawned on her.

"See you around, guys." Milton waved at everyone before giving Olivia a fist bump that she weakly returned.