Fairytale • Robby Keene

six

Odette strolled down the crowded hallway, her red plaid shirt a bold contrast against the sea of school uniforms and backpacks. Her ripped black skinny jeans clung to her legs, and the combat boots she wore clicked against the floor with every step. It was a simple yet stylish outfit, and she felt confident in it.

Her hands were busy slinging her bag over her shoulder when she finally reached her locker. She entered the combination, hearing the familiar clunk of the lock giving way. As she swung the locker door open and tossed her bag inside, the unexpected happened.

Before she could react, arms wrapped around her waist and suddenly, her feet were no longer on the ground. A surprised squeal escaped her lips as she was lifted higher into the air. She twisted in the air, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

When she was placed back down, Odette blinked in surprise at the sight in front of her.

The Eli she had known—soft-spoken, humble, with a penchant for blending into the background—was gone. In his place stood a completely different person.

Gone were the oversized sweatshirts and dark pants. Instead, Eli now wore a black muscle tee that showed off his toned arms, paired with a pair of shorts. The most noticeable change, however, was his hair—now styled into a bold blue mohawk.

"Eli? What....?" Odette trailed off in confusion, unable to hide her shock.

"You like it?" Eli asked confidently, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I flipped the script just like my Sensei from Cobra Kai told me to."

Odette's eyes widened. "You joined Cobra Kai?"

She recalled her late-night curiosity, researching the dojo after hearing rumors about its resurgence. Johnny Lawrence, the middle-aged man she had met in the boys' locker room when Miguel was attacked by Kyler and his goons, had reopened Cobra Kai. He had become a Sensei to a new generation of students, and it seemed Eli had become one of them.

"Yeah." Eli answered, a proud gleam in his eyes. He bit down on his lip before adding. "Oh, and I go by 'Hawk' now. I also have got a large hawk tattoo on my back."

Odette's mouth hung open, the shock still settling in. Eli—no, Hawk—looked like a completely different person. She had trouble reconciling the person standing before her with the Eli she had known. He reached out and lifted the corners of her mouth up. It was one of the oldest tricks that never failed to make her smile.

"Hey, O." A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see Miguel walking toward them, his backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Catch you later, O." Hawk called out with a wave, already starting to walk away with a swagger in his step.

Odette watched him go before turning to Miguel. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you could help me ask Sam out on a date?" Miguel wondered, his voice filled with uncertainty as his gaze dropped to the floor, fidgeting with his fingers.