The Boy I Once Knew | Cobra Kai Hawk/Eli

Chapter 57

Looking around my room, I feel all the memories start to surround me. I knew leaving my childhood home would be hard but I didn't think it would be this hard. My hand reaches for the framed photo that's hung on my wall above my desk, a picture of Eli, me, and Demetri when we were ten, we were all sprawled on the couch in my living room watching a harry potter movie when my mom quickly took that photo. When times were good.

"Hey, you almost done packing?" Eli asks, walking in. I shove the photo in the brown box and turn around, facing him. The last thing I need is for him to see the photo and freak out.

I fake a smile and pick the box up. "Yup. I only have a few more things to pack." He nods and walks over to my bed and lifts up one of the boxes to pack in the car. "Oh! And remember to tell my mom while your out there that I need to stop at Johnny's before we leave." I have tried so many times to see him but he's never there. Since he found out we were leaving, there's been no word from him.

"Got it" His lips turn into a frown and he walks out. Did I say something wrong? I know he's upset that Im leaving soon and after that.. i'm gone. I just want him to talk to me, let me know how he's feeling and how were going to make it through this.

I close another box and place it on to my bed. Well, what used to be my bed. Each one is labeled something different, pictures, bedding, clothing, and one specialty labeled box in my closet. The one for him.

He walks back in my room and picks up another box. His facial expression shows exactly what he's feeling. "Hey, wait" I quickly grab his hand and pull him back. "I have something to give you" I smile, brightly.

I walk to my closet and pick up the only box that's in there, labeled Him. "What are you doing?" he snarks, annoyed.

"Calm down. It's just a "going away" gift for you"

"But you're the one going awa-"

"Shut up and open the box" I cut him off. He rolls his eyes and laughs. His hands reach for the box and lift up the two tabs that close it. He looks in and pulls out a picture frame. I watch his expression change quickly. Everything leaves his body and he isn't so tense. He brings his hand to his forehead and drags it through his hair.

"Lil" he says, quietly. He turns the picture towards me. Although I'm the one who gave him the gift, seeing it still makes my heart full. "How did you get this?"

The photo shows us in our moment. His hands on my waist and mine placed on his cheeks. We both have smiles on our face as we're looking into each others eyes. I remember we were fighting about something that night but I don't remember what exactly.

"Tory took it. The night that we hung out with her and Miguel when we first started dating. She recently sent it to me. It's funny how we've been friends and dating for so long but we really don't have many photos together" I laugh.

"We only need this one to represent us"

"Do you like it?" I ask softly.

"Of course I fucking like it Lillian. It has your beautiful face in it. You're my fucking world" He scoffs.

I lean in and kiss his forehead and wrap his hand in mine. "Well, that's not it. There's another thing inside the box"

"Jesus ok." He looks inside and pulls out an envelope. He looks at me with his eyebrows furrowed and rips open the tap. He pulls out a piece of paper, with words written front and back in pencil.

"Oh shit, that's the wrong envelope" I rip the paper out of his hands and take it back, putting it in the envelope.

"Oh come on. Why can't I read it?" He snaps. I wrote the letter last night when I couldn't sleep. So many thoughts in my head about leaving, the survey and just him that it felt good to write it down.

"Because it's for you to read when I leave. I don't want to be here when you read it." He rolls is eyes. I place it back in the box and pull out the other one. "Ok so I was going to wait to give you this one but I wanted to see your reaction. So here"

"I still want to read the other one" he snarks.

"I don't care. you have to wait. Open it" I lay my head on his shoulder. He opens the tab and pulls out another piece of paper.

"Am I able to read this one?" He jokes.

"Oh shut up and just read it" He laughs.

"Holy fuck. You're joking, right?" I shake my head no and smile. It's a plane ticket to Texas.

"It's for over winter break when you're free the whole week. I figured I can't come to you so you're just going to have to come to me." He pulls me into a hug and wraps his arms around me, tightly. "It's so we both have something to look forward too while we're apart" I whisper into his ear.

"I love you so much." He pulls away and kisses my lips.

"I love you more"

"Now can I read the letter?"

I laugh. "Fine. when I visit Johnny you can read it" He congratulates himself. I try to contain my laugh but it blurts out.

"I also have a gift for you but I have to go home and grab it first" He says.

"Okay, that's fine. My mom is probably wondering where you are with the boxes" I snark.

"Ah shit, you're right. I'll be right back"

I stop him. "While you're doing that I'm going to go check on Johnny. See if he's ok and everything" He nods and walks out.

I throw on a blue sweatshirt and black leggings and head out. I call myself an uber so I don't have to bother my mom or Eli to drive me.

When I get to his place I see the van in the parking lot. He better answer the door because This is the last time he'll see me for awhile.

I walk up to the door and knock on it, aggressively. "Johnny answer the damn door!" I yell. The door knob turns quickly and the door opens. "Finall-" I stop as my eyes come across not Johnny but Miguel. Why is he here but he won't talk to me? "What the hell are you doing here?" I ask, annoyedly.

"Why are you so upset?" he laughs, slightly.

"I'm upset because I'm leaving in a few days and he hasn't said one word to me or my mother" His lips go straight. He nods and turns around, gesturing for me to come in. "Oh, thank you for letting me come in my fathers house Miguel. Very nice of you" I say, sarcastically.

"Don't pin it on me. I had no idea" He defends himself. He has a point, he probably didn't.

"You're right. Im sorry i'm just super stressed about leaving and the surgery" I pause" And the fact that he still hasn't talked to me and I leave in four days!" I push past him and find my way to Johnny's bedroom. His apartment is still filled with his coor banquet beer bottles. I enter his room and stop at his door, he's digging through his closet. "Johnny"

I startle him as he jumps slightly, looking back at me. "Lillian" He lifts his right hand, pointing at me. "I could actually use your advice on this. I'm hanging out with Ali later. Which looks better? The white or black shirt."

Somewhat this doesn't surprise me. He'll do anything other than show that he cares. "Are you ever going to talk to me or?"

"Are you going to choose?" he snarks back.

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a/n- not sure how i feel abt this but enjoyyyy:)))