Always ~Cobra Kai~

15 | Hawk

A few minutes before Miguel got home from school, Maria grabbed her gi from her apartment and walked over to sensei's. She understood if he was kicking her out, she deserved it. No one's allowed to leave in the middle of karate, Maria knew. But this would be difficult for her to process. No more karate.

She knocked on the door, gnawing on the inside of her cheek. Maria twirled her ponytail and examined the now blue hair. She really was in love with it.

"Sensei, I understand why you kicked me out." Maria said, she felt tears sting her eyes. "I just want you to know, karate is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and even if I can't do it anymore, I'll always have the memories. H-heres my gi."

Sensei started at her for a moment before a smile spread across his face. "You dyed your hair. And got your nose pierced."

"Yeah?" Maria was confused.

"You flipped the script, God, Maria, I can't kick you out now!" Maria practically squealed in delight.

"Really? Oh my God, thank you!" Without thinking, Maria threw herself at sensei, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He didn't hug back right away, he was hesitant. But when he did he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Your mom is watching us."

"Shit, she doesn't know about my hair yet. Or my nose." Maria admitted, pulling away and wiping her eyes.

"Before you go get your ass kicked," Sensei stopped her. "I have to know, do you have a thing for Lip?"

Maria smiled a little. "Yeah, why?"

"I think he has a thing for you too." Sensei winked at her.

"Well, I hope so," When Maria saw his confused look, she added, "We're dating."

Before sensei could react, Maria's mom's yells sounded. "Maria Esperanza Diaz!" Carmen shouted, continuing to scream orders at her in Spanish.

Maria smiled sheepishly at sensei and then went back into her apartment, her mother still yelling after her.

"Mom, listen!" Maria yelled over her mother, silencing her right away. "It's just some hair dye and a nose ring. It's nothing that can't be hidden. I love it, and it makes me confident, but if you don't like it I'll get rid of it."

Carmen's face softened, and she walked over to her daughter, placing her hands on her cheeks. "I feel like you've been different these past couple of months, Maria. Is there something you want to tell me?"

Eli, and where she goes at night.

Connor, and her guilty conscience.

The fact she was getting harassed at school.

"Mom, I have a boyfriend." She says, might as well take it one step at a time. "And . . . and he wants to meet you and Ya Ya. We're still working it out, but he wants our family to come over to his house for dinner."

"Honey, did you and your boyfriend . . . ?" It takes Maria a moment to realize what her mother is talking about, but when she does she doesn't know what to say.

What happens if she tells the truth?

What happens if she lies?

"Maria, you can tell me." Carmen says, though her eyes are stern.

"Y-yeah," More tears prick her eyes. "We did."

Carmen pulls away from her daughter, looking ashamed of her. "Go to your room, mija."

"Mom -"

"Go to your room, before I do something I regret." Carmen is practically shaking, Maria's never seen her mother like this.