Heartstrings | Miguel Diaz

𝟬𝟲. after the storm

CHAPTER SIX
you come out alive but not the same

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

     𝐌iguel was getting better each day and Raegan had never felt so happy. He'd started to stand on his own, at least for a few seconds, but his legs were slowly coming back to life and that was all that mattered. Johnny had been such a big help that even Carmen couldn't deny the good things he did for her son.

     But there was also bad news. Raegan found out that Cobra Kai had been recruiting new students, mostly former bullies, and for a moment, she thought of Hawk and became worried. Then she realized he was no longer with them. He had chosen his side and yet a part of her still hoped he'd snap out of it and realize he was hanging out with the wrong guys.

     Raegan blinked, hearing her phone's notifications going off beside her. Grabbing it, she found multiple messages from her boyfriend, whom she recalled was out with Johnny. A smile grew on her face, seeing the photos he had sent her. It was Johnny posing in different ways, even with sushi that she never thought he'd eat. 

     An elated sigh escaped from her lips and she leaned on the backboard of her bed. She, Samantha, and Anthony were in their Grandma's place after the altercation at the arcade. Their parents thought it was a good idea to separate them from trouble just for a few days. Raegan doubts it would work.

     Frankly, Raegan hadn't told Miguel any of what happened, not wanting him to worry about her or their friends. She'd left without saying goodbye to him in person but Miguel didn't think much of it although he did think that it was a little strange since she always likes to see him before she goes.

     The bruise on her cheek was fading into a light purple, which was great since she had to be home in a few days. Not much has happened but Raegan was afraid something would when they came home back in Encino. 

     Miguel had informed her a minute after he sent those photos that Tory had shown up. Turned out she worked at the sushi place they'd dined in. She didn't say nice things which Miguel hoped she would. Tory was adamant about fighting, saying that someone has to win and he didn't get it.

     Nobody else got hurt in that fight. He was the one in the wheelchair. And yet everybody was so desperate to fight each other again.

      But for some reason, Raegan also believed Tory had something else going on in her life that made her think fighting was the only reason. Maybe just maybe, a part of her would understand if she just had the chance to get to know her. She'd definitely take it because she knows nobody acts that way for some petty reason.

     There has to be something else. Something that Tory wouldn't let anyone know because then that would change everyone's perspective of her. Maybe she thought she wouldn't seem so tough anymore.

     They see her as the girl on probation. The girl who harassed another innocent girl just because the boy she liked didn't like her. Or that she hated the fact there were these two sisters who seemed to have everything working out for them but not her. Why not her?

     The girl seemed so strong but truthfully, she was doing everything she could just so she could keep the only thing close to a family she'd ever known alive. Little they did know, she could barely hold herself together anymore. Her anger was the only thing keeping her on her ground. That anger was the only thing that covered up her fear and sadness and everything else that she didn't want the world to see.

     And Raegan knew it was only a matter of time before Tory Nichols snapped. She just wasn't sure what she was going to do with it.

    It was in the middle of the night when Samantha woke her up after she had a terrible nightmare. Raegan didn't even care that it was two in the morning, she threw the covers off her, turned the bedside lamp on, and focused on her sister. She was shaking badly, feeling all sorts of emotions at once. Bad ones.