Forbidden Things || Cobra Kai

79 The Only Girl That Matters

The dojo was empty with the exception of one of its students, who stood in the back room with a towel hanging around his neck. He was pouring sweat, working through his troubles with training drills. He didn't want to stop until he had perfected each move, until he could perform them without a hitch. He wanted to be able to stand in front of his sensei and demonstrate whatever was asked of him, execute it without flaw, and prove to everyone in the dojo that he was the best of the best. With Miguel gone, someone needed to take up the position and become Cobra Kai's champion and he was the obvious choice.

Hawk grabbed the towel and used it to wipe the sweat off of his face, then let it rest against his sheening chest as he took his starting position. Then he punched the air, beginning the routine of jabs and kicks he'd learned that would add to his arsenal of karate knowledge. He moved swiftly on the mat, battling an imaginary opponent.

There was no room for mistakes.

There was no room for failure.

There was only room for success.

Though he was out of breath and panting for the musky, warm air, he pushed himself forward. He carried on because that was what made a winner. He would perfect each and every one of the new moves Sensei Kreese had been teaching them. That would be how he would become the next champion.

As he came to a stop, he began to feel the exhaustion in his joints. They were sore and achy from the hours he'd spent holed up in the backroom long after everyone else had left. Though their training had ended, his had only just begun. However, as he knew it grew later, there was a time to stop, he just didn't want to.

Hawk walked over to his bag and started going through it, pulling out the little pill bottle the doctor had given him. He gripped it in a tight fist, knuckles turning white, and retrieved his cold water bottle, ready to keep going.

However, when he opened and peeked into the orange tube, he glared harshly. It was empty.

He replaced its cap and threw it at the wall, cursing loudly. "Fuck!"

He was done, but not because he wanted to be. His body felt weak and tired. The little voice inside his head told him it was for the better, that his body would only work properly if he got enough sleep and ate dinner when he got home. The problem was that he didn't want to listen to that voice. All he wanted to do was train harder.

At home, his mom and dad waited on him. They knew where he was, though they thought he was being kind and responsible; they believed Sensei had given him a key so that he could help clean up after practice. He'd lock up the place when he was done, demonstrating how much trust this new sensei already had in their smart, strong son. It was only partially true.

What also waited for him at home was his bed, the only other place he could find some peace. It was there he dreamed of Penelope; it was the only place they could be happy together.

He dreamed of her smile, her hugs, her kisses. He dreamed of holding her in his arms and never letting her go; of making love to her on a big bed they could call their own, where no one could bother them. In his dreams, they were alone in a place where no one could hurt them. He could just play with her pink hair, kiss her soft lips, put her head on his chest and wrap her up in his strong arms. They could lay there without a care for the world and just love each other forever.

It all came to a screeching halt when he woke up in the morning, the sun blinding him as he shines through his window. He doesn't welcome it or the prospect of a new day, not if it didn't have her in it. She was the reason sleep had become so dire to him. It was one of the only places he could find her smiling face.