𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 ― e. moskowitz / hawk [ COMPLETED UNTIL SEASON SIX PART TWO ]

iv

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𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬

chapter four
manic panic

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ALYSSA SOMEHOW FOUND herself dragged back into the Cobra Kai dojo. Just as she had expected, Demetri had completely quit karate after what Sensei Lawrence did. Understandable, but still. Alyssa, on the other hand, had succumbed to the pleading gaze of Eli, who still wanted to go.

It wasn't that she didn't like karate. She was actually enjoying it. However, she couldn't really move past the STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY on the wall and how Sensei Lawrence kept insulting them. Just like she had said, she'd rather be a lover than a fighter. Fighting would only be the last possible option, but this dojo was preaching that she should start the fight.

That wasn't really who she wanted to be. However, Eli seemed really dead-set on staying with Cobra Kai, and he didn't seem like he wanted to go alone. So, Alyssa concurred, and she agreed tag along.

She stood next to Eli on the mats. The dojo had significantly less students than the first couple of days — shocking. Alyssa was in the middle of putting her hair into a side braid so it wouldn't be too in her face.

"Thanks for coming with me," Eli said quietly.

Alyssa gave him a small smile, tying off the end of her braid. "No problem. But I'm warning you, if he says another degrading thing about you or me, I'm leaving."

"Okay, everybody, fall in," Sensei Lawrence announced. He then looked around. "Where is everyone? Crater Face? Nose Ring? Slingshot?"

"They quit, Sensei," Miguel answered.

"Are you serious?" He seemed disappointed for a moment before raising his voice again. "I mean, good. That was a test. I wanted to see who the quitters are. Not you guys. You're in it to win it, right? You could be at home playing on your iComputers, playing your video games, eating candy. Instead, you're here, doing push-ups, learning how to fight." He then pointed straight at Eli. "Lip. Look. Even Lip's tougher than those guys. He's no quitter."

Alyssa felt rage fill her insides. Nope. She was done. Alyssa glanced worryingly over at her best friend. She hated that Sensei Lawrence was picking on his biggest insecurity.

"Could you please not call me that?" Eli asked quietly.

"Excuse me, what?" Sensei Lawrence replied.