Cold Hearted ⭒ Cobra Kai

2.9.0

Chapter Thirty-One: Space Between

"Mamma mia, here I go again. My my, how can I resist you? Mamma mia, does it show again? My my, just how much I've missed you?"

~Mamma Mia by ABBA~

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Revised: July 16, 2022

Warnings: abuse, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, language, panic attacks, sexual harassment/assault, violence, and other mature themes

A/N: Get ready for a 10,000 word rollercoaster.

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Zion's POV

"Keep the ice on it for fifteen minutes at a time and make sure to elevate," Carmen reminds me. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," I assure her, even though my ankle is swollen and bruised and I'm pretty messed up after last night.

I don't know if I'll ever emotionally recover from the fear I felt in that alleyway. I'm a fast physical healer, which is good, but mentally I'm ready to collapse. I didn't sleep last night. Not for more than five minutes at a time, at least. I'd end up getting a nightmare about those guys, wake up, and be scared to fall back asleep.

"Okay. You have my number if you need anything. I have to get to work, but Miguel is looking for the brace and crutches in the back storage closet and said he'll be here to help you. My mother is also around if you need. Have a good day," she smiles warmly.

"Thanks," I say as she grabs her things and walks to work.

Thankfully, she's an x-ray technician and knows how to handle stuff like this; she thinks it's only a mild sprain - which is good - but it also means no karate and I can't walk on it for roughly two weeks. This sucks.

"Here they are," I look over to see Miguel hop in on the crutches. "We can adjust them for your height. I also found the brace from when I tripped and fell at the park a few years back. I used to be really clumsy."

He smiles warmly and hands me the black brace. I honestly don't know how it will go around my tennis ball sized ankle.

"Speaking of, why didn't you tell my mom the truth?"

"W-What do you mean?" I ask and he sits beside me on the couch, careful not to disturb the pillow with my foot on it.

"Oh, come on. I know you didn't fall on your skates like you told her. I saw you leave your skates. And I know you, Z. Something else is bothering you," Miguel says in concern.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Okay, don't tell me if you don't want to," he says and I look at him. "But, I am your best friend and you can tell me anything."

"I know... I..." I don't even know how to explain it. I try to think of a way to say it, but all I can think of is their hands on me and the nasty words they said, the way I was vulnerable and stupid.

"You don't have to. But I'm here if you need to talk," Miguel stands up. 

"Miguel?" I ask.

He turns to me, a serious look on his face. "What's wrong?" 

I sigh, trying to get control of myself to say it once. Just once. "I want to tell you, but please promise you won't tell anybody," I say after a moment, deciding the truth is the best option; I trust him, after all.