Fairytale • Robby Keene

fourteen

There was nothing better than spending the weekend with friends. Hanging out with the people you care about was always a good time, no matter what. Even though Odette saw her friends almost every day at school, there was something different about meeting up outside of school—somehow, it made everything feel more laid-back, more fun.

Today was one of those days, and the mall was the perfect spot for it.

Odette, Sam and Robby had settled into a table in the food court, a cozy little corner where they could all talk, laugh and enjoy their food while waiting for Demetri to arrive.

"Oh my god. 'Robert Swayze Keene'?" Odette asked, holding the ID between her pointer and middle fingers with a look of amusement. A laugh bubbled up in her throat.

Robby looked a little sheepish but smiled, taking the ID back from her fingers. "Yeah, my Mum was a huge fan of Patrick Swayze. He was an actor in the 80s."

"Yeah, like we haven't seen Dirty Dancing, like, a hundred times." Sam added with a grin, leaning back in her chair as she grabbed a fry.

"It's honestly a guilty pleasure." Odette admitted with a smirk, her eyes twinkling as she glanced between Sam and Robby.

"My Mum made me watch it all the times." Robby said, sounding a little embarrassed but still amused.

Odette raised an eyebrow. "Made you?"

"Okay, maybe I liked it." Robby confessed with a playful grin, causing both Odette and Sam to burst into laughter.

"I'm more partial to his performance in Donnie Darko." Demetri said as he appeared, walking over to their table and sat down between Sam and Odette. "Interesting movie. Time travel logic left a lot to be desired." He then suddenly straightened up. "Wait. Is today Wednesday?"

Sam, Robby and Odette all nodded in unison. "Mhmm."

Demetri's eyes widened and instantly stood up from his seat. "The new issue of Dungeon Lords came out. Um, do you guys want anything from the comic book store?"

"Um, no, thanks." Robby replied with a small chuckle.

"I'm fine." Odette added, smiling at Demetri's enthusiasm.

"Okay, I'll be right back. Make sure no one throws away my chicken." Demetri said before rushing off toward the comic book store.

Odette felt a twinge of sympathy for Demetri. When he first showed up at Miyagi-Do, he had been unsure of himself, awkward and barely engaged with the lessons. His lack of confidence in karate was evident. But as time went on, she started to see a different side of him—one that was driven by a desire to prove himself, to fight back against the bullies that had tormented him for so long.

When Daniel asked him why he was at Miyagi-Do, he explained that he had been bullied and had lost Hawk to Cobra Kai.

Now, he wants to prove that he can fight back.