Fallen: Cobra Kai

Episode 3

A couple months go by and this school year has so far gone really well. I've gotten to become better friends with Demetri, Miguel, and Eli, while also still being friends with Sam, Yasmine and Moon. Yasmine doesn't approve of my friendship with the guys, but as long as I don't overly talk to them at school, she's fine with it. Mostly I just hangout with them outside of school which the guys don't mind.

Sam, Yasmine, Moon and I are all sitting in the cafeteria at lunch listening to the principle go on some lecture about bullying. They're mostly all on their phones but I'm actually listening.

"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," the principle says. I can hear a bunch of kids start pointing out that it's Eli that she is talking about. I look over at him to see him covering his  lip, looking like he's about to cry again. We make eye contact for about three seconds before he blushes and looks away. I wish he wasn't so hard on himself, the scar looks fine, if anything it makes him look like that guy from star wars. Eli is cute, he should be proud of his appearance.

I tell the girls that I'll be right back and I walk over to Miguel's table. Eli looks over at me as I sit down beside him, I just give him a supporting smile instead of bringing up what the principle said because I don't want to embarrass him.

Miguel looks over at Eli, "You know if you're sick of getting bullied my karate dojo is looking for new recruits."

Eli nods and looks hopeful for a second before Demetri starts talking. "Yeah right," Demetri says. "You hear that Eli? A little karate training and you're gonna kick some major ass." Seriously Demetri? I don't even know how to respond to how rude that was.

Miguel sighs, "I'm serious, Demetri. My sensei's the real deal, and I'm sure I could get you both discounts."

Demetri gestures towards me, "Why does Riley get out of it?"

"I already went," I can answer for myself. "It's not for me."

"Yeah we'll it's not for me either. And I'm pretty sure we'd rather stay at home playing crucible control, than getting hit in the face." Demetri takes over the conversation, not letting Eli get a word in. I think karate might be good for Eli, Demetri should let him make his own decisions for once.

My phone dings and I look at it to see that Yasmine has texted me. "Stop sitting with dorks and get over here." I look over to see her glaring at me.

"One sec," I type back. Then I look up at the guys, "Are you guys gonna go to the dance tonight?" Miguel and Demetri nod as Eli shakes his head.

"What you're not going?" Demetri asks him.

Eli shrugs, "I don't have a costume."

"You have your hobbit costume," Demetri replies.

"I'm not wearing that."

I interject, "Why don't we go shopping after school? We can find you a costume at Spirit Halloween probably."

Eli looks up nervously, "You want to go costume shopping with me?"

"Yeah sure, it'll be fun."

He smiles at me, "Okay, I'll find you after fourth period."

"Sounds good," I pick up my phone. "Gotta go, the queen calls."

The guys say goodbye so I walk over to my girls table and sit down next to Sam. I see that Kyler is texting her some cheesy crap. "You look boo-tiful!" Ew.

"Really?" I say to her, talking about the text.

Sam laughs, "He's cute."

The same girl that Yasmine made fun of at the beginning of the year scoots her chair over and tries to talk to Sam about their costume. Yasmine ends up bodyshaming her until she goes back to her table. She seemed so nice, I feel bad for her. I've tried to talk to Yasmine a couple times about being a feminist, and lifting up other women instead of putting them down, but she never listens to me. At least Moon agrees with me.

~~~

After school I meet up with Eli at his locker. "You ready to go?" I ask him.

He nods, "Yeah, my mom said she can drive us."

"Sweet."

I've met his mom a couple times before this when she's driven us somewhere. She loves me, she's told me multiple times that she's so thankful that Eli has another friend in his life.

Eli's mom drops us off at the Spirit Halloween store and we head inside. I already have my outfit picked out so we walk past the women's section and towards the men's.

"Okay, so what are you thinking for a costume?" I ask him.

Eli doesn't even have to think about his answer, "Something that covers my face."

I turn to him and put my hand on his arm, "You don't need to hide yourself."

He shakes his head, "If not my whole face, then just my mouth and nose."

I sigh, not wanting to push him. "What about a doctor then? You could wear a surgical mask."

Eli looks up excited, "That's perfect."

"Good," I say. We find the doctors costume and he goes to try it on. I take a peak at the women's section and find a cute costume for myself to try on. Deciding to surprise Eli, I grab my size and go into the changing room across from his. I finish pulling up the dress as Eli calls out my name.

I slide the curtain open and Eli gasps. "Riley," He stutters. "You, you look gorgeous." The cute nurse's outfit fits me perfectly. It hugs all of my curves, and it matches Eli's.

I gesture towards him, "You look really good, Eli. I like it, definitely get that one."

He nods, "I will. Are you going to get that one?"

I shake my head, "Yas already got us Laker's girls costumes."

"Oh," He looks disappointed.

"Come here, let's take pictures." I try to cheer him up. Eli comes over, happy to be in a picture since the mask is covering his lip. I pull out my phone and move us in front of the mirror, we both pose as I take a couple pictures. "There," I say. "These are going on my instagram."

Eli turns to me, "Thanks for coming with me, and convincing me to go to the dance."

"Of course," I reply. "It'll be really fun." I pause for a second, "I also think you should reconsider Miguel's offer. Karate might be good for you, it could boost your self confidence a bit."

He steps back, "I don't think so. I could never fight someone, I'd get my ass kicked."

"You'll never get better if you don't try," I shrug. "Just think about it."

Eli nods, "Okay, I'll consider it."

We change into our regular clothes and Eli pays for his costume. He decides to walk me home, which is so sweet! The walk home was nice, we talked about our classes and he tells me about his family. He also told me that I am welcome at his house whenever, for as much as we've hung out I've never actually been to his house.

"It was nice hanging out with you today," I say once we make it to my door.

He nods, "It was fun, we should do it again sometime."

"Costume shopping?" I say jokingly.

Eli laughs, "Hanging out."

I giggle, "I'll see you at the dance, Eli." I hug him goodbye and go inside. Eli is adorable, we really do need to hangout again sometime.