Reynolds' Household
October 25, 2017
"Oh fuck, you just stabbed her, man!"
"Damn right I did! The bitch didn't even do anything, just cried."
'Wait. Please, no.'
"What do we do about this one?"
'I don't think I've ever seen a colder smirk.'
Olivia jumped awake from the dream as her phone alarm went off. Breathing heavily, she reached into her dresser and pulled out her inhaler.
She rubbed her arm as the pains of the past started to take over, and the quiet darkness invaded her mind.
...
"Hey pumpkin," Edward said as he tied the tie around his neck, "How's it going?"
Olivia passed a plate of eggs to her dad as she finished scrubbing the pan, "I'm-" she let out a giant yawn. "I'm doing alright. Kinda tired, normal teenager things."
Ed nodded in understanding, "Ahhh, I understand. Hey, remember I'm going to Seattle for that business bullshit today. I'll be gone for a few days, okay?" He devoured his food, and Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember."
As he finished his eggs, Mr. Reynolds got up and scruffed up his daughter's hair, "why not throw a party while I'm gone or go do something fun?" He said playfully. "All you do is play video games or watch those dorky shows with your friends. Go make some memories and get out of your nerdy things!"
"I am wonderful with never getting drunk and making memories in the fictional world of Gielinor, father," she swatted his hand away. "I don't need to get arrested in order to have fun. And don't act like you don't enjoy those 'nerdy things.' You were the one that got me into Star Trek!"
And that was true. Growing up, Edward had been had been a partier to the max, going out to the beach and skipping class. As the man got older, he started to appreciate the nerdier more scholastic side of life and did what he could to hook his daughter into the nerdy life.
Ed shook his head and chuckled, "Alright sweetheart, don't be late. I'll clean up here," he gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek and watched as she shuffled out of the house, "stay safe!"
"You too!"
The mustached man's smile faded as the large house fell into an empty silence. Although the lights were on, it felt dark and small. He glanced at the family picture on the wall and sighed sadly.
"She really is just like you, sweetheart."
...
West Valley High
October 25, 2017
"-ivia. Olivia. Hobbit!" The Charleston girl found herself shook out of her daydream as the one and only Demetri Alexpolous hissed in her direction, "we're over here, you hobbit."
"You act like that's a bad thing, you troll," she said back in good fun, "hey Twiggy, hey Eli!"
The other two boys greeted their more petite friend, and Eli found himself a little green in the stomach when she took up stride next to their new friend, Miguel. Olivia talked more to Miguel as the days passed. The two both often spoke Spanish and were able to have secret side conversations that made the shy boy wish he paid more attention in Spanish class.
"So, anyone know what this assembly is about?" Miguel asked as they sat down in the cafeteria, the South Carolinian sitting next to him.
Olive snorted and took out a piece of gum, handing one to Eli, "Probably another 'don't drive drunk, or you're a punk' presentation."
Demetri snatched the gum container and took one for himself. "Nah, my money is on another stupid bullying presentation that's just going to make things worse for people like us."
"Wanna bet, Everest?" Olive snatched back the container, offering it to Miguel, who took it, his hand touching her own. Eli looked down at the table as he played with his hands.
"You're on. Favors bet?"
"Favors bet." They shook hands on the matter, and Miguel looked at them, confused. Eli leaned over the table to explain.
"W-who ever wins owns the other favor of their choice. It usually ends up with one of them hurt," Eli explained to the new friend.
Demetri and Olive opened their mouths to respond incredulously when Counselor Blatt started talking.
"Cyberbullying is no laughing matter."
"Fuck!"
Counselor Blatt looked around for the explicit culprit, only for the criminal to act like she was also looking for who could say such a word. When she couldn't find the culprit, Blatt continued her speech. Demetri smirked triumphantly at his friend for having won the bet.
"Sending a cruel message to someone online can be just as hurtful as saying it to their face."
"Your face is cruel," Olive muttered under her breath.
"I'm not gonna name names, but the other day a mother called me up because her son was crying after some kids online made fun of his facial deformity."
"That bitch," Olivia hissed out in disbelief, "does she know what she's saying?! Don't listen Eli. Your face is awesome."
Eli looked at the table in embarrassment and shame as everyone snickered at his expense, knowing who the counselor was talking about. The kids pointing in his direction didn't help.
"But today, our goal here is to make this school a safe space for all students."
Olivia and Eli made eye contact for a moment. She tried to smile encouragingly at him, only for Eli to look at the table and try to sink into the chair.
Miguel leaned over to the three helpfully, "You know, if you're sick of getting bullied, my karate dojo's looking for recruits." The girl stiffened at the mention of Karate, her mind going somewhere else.
"Hey Rachael, watch this!"
"Wow, V, that's so cool! Is that what you're going to show at the tournament next month?"
"Yep! I wish you didn't quit, Rachel, there's still time if-"
"No, Liv. I'm done... But you better be at my dance recital in March!"
"...of course, Rachael."
"You hear that, Liv? Diaz here thinks that Karate is going to stop us from being bullied." Demetri snorted, bringing the girl out from her memories, "Just a punch and a kick away from being prom king and queen we are."
"My sensei's the real deal, and I'm sure I could get the three of you discount." Miguel responded earnestly, excited to share his new hobby and hopefully get his sensei some customers.
Olivia was starting to feel sick as she thought about it more.
"And now in the junior division, we have last year's champ..."
"Olivia Reynolds!"
"Wait, I know you. You're that chick from the Karate tournament..."
"Olivia Fucking Reynolds!"
"Nowhere to run now...!"
A hand landed on Olivia's shoulder, and she quickly grabbed the hand, bringing her other around in a fist. Breathing heavily, she looked into the eyes of Eli Moskowitz, one of her two best friends looking at her with concern.
"...a-are you okay?" He asked quietly, glancing down at his hand being held captive and the oncoming weapon, "...Demetri and M-miguel already left for class."
With a shaky breath, the girl let go of his hand and took a step to the side, "y-yeah. I'm fine. I was just daydreaming about what I would do if the cafeteria was invaded by ninjas. What...what did I miss?" She worked to grab her backpack and brushed off imaginary dust as if she could brush off the last moment where she almost broke Eli's nose.
A few tense moments passed between them before Eli responded, "You can't dress up as a sexy nurse."
Blinking, Olivia's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Eli quickly shook his hands, "I-I mean, I guess you can. But, you- Uhm, you can't uh. You gotta uhm-"
"Are you saying I'm too ugly, Moskowitz?" She replied as she started walking out of the cafeteria.
Eli quickly caught up to her and tried to explain what happened, "N-no! You look, uh, beautiful. But, uh Blatt said, that-" He stopped as he heard her giggling. His friend was teasing him and not actually upset at what he said. He let out a sigh of relief before responding.
"You're evil."
"I know."
...
Miguel asked Olivia when her study hall was as the four friends stood in the hallway by the lockers between classes.
"After lunch, why?" She asked curiously, shifting her back a little higher on her back.
"Well, I need help with a website, and I know you have some experience, plus you're on the Cyber team," Miguel explained as Eli looked at the two.
He felt a little out of place and didn't like how his friend was looking at Miguel.
"Could you meet me in the library and possibly help me out?"
"You know the Cyber team is all about ethical hacking, not website building," the brunette's eyebrow raised, "But I do love a good coding challenge." She smirked and agreed to meet him in the back corner.
Eli panicked internally. Everyone knew that the back corner was where kids tried to get lucky or make out. He had his stupid US History class during her study hall today, so he couldn't be there.
To help, of course.
Eli knew how to work HTML.
...
"So, you want a cool website for your sensei's dojo. Why doesn't he just pay for a professional?" Olivia asked Miguel as they sat next to each other, laptops out.
"W-well, he's just kinda started it out," the Spanish-speaker responded sheepishly. "I'm kind of his only student, so I'm trying to help him get more students."
Olivia just silently sat while staring at the screen.
'I really don't want to do this, encouraging people to do Karate. All it does is create more problems...' she risked a glance at Miguel's hopeful eyes.
'Lord, help me... There he goes again, working his attractive face.'
With a sigh, she took out a pen and paper. "Alright, Twiggy, what are you wanting? What kind of pages, theme, what are the colors? Contact page?"
Miguel's eyes danced with happiness as he explained his vision. This was definitely a tall order, but not something she couldn't do. Olivia felt an all-nighter in her future.
But as she looked at the happiness on Miguel's face and the passion coming from his words, she found herself not caring.
...
Reynolds' Household
October 25, 2017
Rubbing her eyes, Olivia sent a discord message to Miguel.
Olive: Hey twiggy, its done
Miggy: Awesome, ill hop on chat
The proclaimed Olive brought her headphones over her ears, joined voice chat, and sent the link to her friend.
"Alright, I went ahead and took the liberty of buying the domain for the next 5 years. That way, when Cobra Kai hits off, your sensei will have to pay me a pretty penny to own it." She informed Miguel. "Go ahead and go to the website so that I can show you the cool nerd shit."
Miguel was in awe of the website. It was everything he asked for and more, including the giant cobra that hissed when clicked.
The cursor was even a cobra!
"T-this is awesome, V! How did you..wow! How'd you get so good with computers?"
Olivia felt her cheeks burn slightly at the awe in her friend's voice, "i-it was nothing, promise. It's not a big deal to keep it updated, either. I am missing some info, but I'll send it over in chat, and you can ask your sensei to help fill in." She quickly copied and pasted her needed list into the discord chat.
"You're fantastic, V! Hey, I," Miguel cleared his throat, "Are you sure you don't want to join the dojo? Sensei Lawrence can help-"
"No," Olivia hissed, heart rate increasing and mood dropping. "All Karate does is breed more violence. It ruins your life."
The Spanish teen went silent as he listened to her venom dripping through the headphones, wondering what about Karate made her so defensive. He noticed her spacing out and tensing up at school.
The Charlestonian closed her eyes and held her breath, and counted to five.
"S-sorry. I just, uh," Olivia stumbled over her words, "my mom, she loved Karate." It came out as a whisper, and Miguel didn't know how to respond.
"Olivia, I'm sorry." Olivia hadn't said much about her mother in the few months they knew each other, just knew that she passed away a few years ago. He definitely understood what it felt like to only have one parent.
"It... It's fine, Miguel," she glanced at the time on her computer, "it's two in the morning, we better get some sleep."
Miguel couldn't help but feel awful for breaking the mood, "y-yeah, you're right. See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Twiggy. Tell your dance instructor to answer my questions, okay?" She joked in an attempt to lighten the air.
"It's Karate, not dance," he said in mock-offense.
"Yea yea, twinkle toes. Have a good night."
"You too, shorty."
Miguel left the discord call before hearing the onslaught of insults from his short friend. He chuckled, trying not to wake up his family as he closed his laptop and got into the bed.
Across town, Olivia's smile fell when she felt the quiet of the house seep into her bones. The tears started to enter her eyes, and when the first hiccup burst through her lips, she broke down.
She ended up crying herself to sleep in her lonely house, missing her family.
"You got this, Olive!"
"Remember your left hand, don't drop it when you ki- YES!"
"I am so proud of you, Olivia Maria Reynolds. How'd you feel about celebratory cheesecake?"
"I'll always be in your corner, Olive. Always and forever."
'Yeah, forever can be so short.'