Inextricable//A Cobra Kai Story

Chapter 22

As AJ walked back into the tournament arena she was met with a very upset looking Miguel Diaz.

"You're quitting?" He stared at her in shock and a little bit of hurt that she didn't tell him about this sooner and he had to find out about it through her fight with their sensei.

"Yeah, after this tournament, I'm done." She replied really hoping that the conversation was going to end soon so that she didn't have to talk about her personal issues in public.

Miguel shook his head. He was furious. The one person that he told everything to and vice versa had completely forgot to mention that they were contemplating quitting a sport that they both loved.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Miguel asked her in a quieter tone than before.

AJ glanced up at him and without a second thought she said, "Why did I need to tell you? Last time I checked you and Sam were dating not you and I."

She didn't know what compelled her to say something like that to him. In their few months as close friends never once was AJ that mean to him.

"AJ, stop." He shook his head in disappointment, making her feel even more terrible about it, "I'm just trying to figure out why all of a sudden quitting is on your mind"

"It's not on my mind Miguel I did quit!" AJ laughed bitterly.

Her eyes scattered around at the ground trying to see if anyone was watching the heated conversation between the two of them. She was hoping that they weren't, no one needed to watch her try and explain the reasoning behind her quitting karate.

"Okay." Miguel nodded before bringing her quitting to another topic, "Then why did you quitting happen to involve me?"

AJ stared at him and began to laugh nervously, "Involve you? Seriously?" she took a step closer to him, "News flash Diaz the world does not revolve you. Me quitting was all because of me, not you!"

Miguel closed the distance between them so now their chests were touching. AJ had her chin held heigh maintaining a poised appearance while she was truly losing it on the inside.

"Then why did you say my name?" He whispered lowly to her.

AJ felt herself get slightly flustered at the question, "Say your name?"

"Out there." Miguel motioned towards the door, "You mentioned me in your fight with Sensei Lawrence. Why?"

Before AJ could answer a familiar voice interrupted them making both of them jump away from each other.

"Uh, what's going on here?" Demetri chuckled awkwardly at the sight of his two friends having their very own stand off.

"Nothing." AJ shook her head sparing a glance at Miguel just as he rolled his eyes, "Whats up?" she directed her attention back to the brunet boy in front of them.

"Miguel the fight is starting in literally twenty seconds so I was sent over to come and tell you." Demetri responded trying to move past the awkwardness that was there when he first arrived.

Miguel nodded at the boy, thankful that he now had a distraction from his conversation with AJ, "Thanks." he began to walk away towards the mats, "You know you could leave now AJ. Nothings stopping you from going."

AJ watched Miguels figure step back in line with Eagle Fang as her vision got blurry from tears. She deserved that comment, she knew she did, but the truth still hurt her to hear. Especially from Miguel.

He really was that person that she could always go to with anything. Miguel was her best friend and she hoped that her leaving karate wouldn't negatively affect them. Because he was currently her reason for staying. AJ wanted to see him win.