Cochlear | A Cobra Kai Fanfiction

30

Jesse had the AC higher than usual to keep her face cool to stop sweating from the nerves because what were they doing? If Cobra Kai was willing to do such a near deadly fight on the first day of school, what would they be willing to do to the group off campus? Her hands squeezed the leather steering wheel tightly, stealing a glance at her friend. Demetri was staring out the window with his chin on his hand, bouncing his leg up and down in an unconscious anxiety, lost in thought.

"...I don't think this is a good idea." Jesse broke the silence after turning onto the street of the arcade. She swallowed as the light up sign came into view. "I-I think the first day of school is enough of a reason why we should just let it go."

"It's just Eli." Demetri tried to convince her. "He just needs to let out that anger and then get smacked around a few times. He's lost and confused."

"I don't think you're seeing the darkness in him, Demetri." Jesse inhaled as she pulled into the parking lot, looking for a space while ignoring the irritation beside her. "H-he doesn't look at you like a friend anymore, I think he'd really hurt you if he got the chance."

"He's my best friend." Demetri responded firmly, looking over at Jesse as she pulled into a spot and turned her car off quietly. "We've been friends since Halo 3 and all the Halos after that. He was my best friend before you and I-I can't give up on him."

Jesse took a breath in, ignoring the small sting in her heart at the words. Her own rebuttal had formed, pressing against her lips and begging to be unleashed to make him hurt back. To use his insecurities against him. Bring tears into his eyes and make him shout back.

She let it go.

"I get that but... Demetri, he looks at you like he wants to hurt you!" Jesse replied loudly, frowning at her friend and confused at the growing anger on his face. "He's going to hurt you if you're not careful! Why are you being so stupid and careless?!"

"Well, it can't be any worse than what you and Kyler did, can it?" He snapped back sharply and felt the anger turn into steam as Jesse physically recoiled from the attack, like pouring water on a fire. His shoulders dropped and immediately he resented his words, scrambling to take it back as Jesse turned to her lap quietly. "That, that's not—."

"I'm warning you because his face is what I used to see in the mirror." Jesse interrupted softly, fingers playing with the fabric of her skirt as the atmosphere  dropped ten degrees. "That was me... and Kyler." She provided as an after thought before looking over at Demetri over the console and frowning. "I liked hurting people because it made me feel better about myself. I-It comes from insecurity and he sees you as a reminder—."

A tap at her window interrupted her words, sending both teens jumping in fear as they stared wide eyed at Sam LaRusso looking at them with determination. With a sigh Jesse turned off her car and reluctantly got out of the car, Demetri doing the same but less graceful while he accidentally caught his shoe in the door and stumbled with a curse.

"Are you okay?" Jesse quickly walked around the car in worry, but Demetri waved his hand in dismissal, avoiding her eyes as he brushed out the wrinkles in his clothes before following Sam to the arcade building. Locking her car doors, she caught up with the group, feeling like her skin was crawling with bad vibes.

"Four to six? I like those odds."

Jesse's eyebrows pinched together, mentally counting the people in their small group before piping up at the number. "Uh, s-six?" She motioned to each member carefully. "I don't think so."

Sam was quick to turn towards the girl like she was a war general giving out orders for war. "You can stay at the door and keep them from leaving, keep it closed or throw a pipe between the handles so they can't leave while we get some payback." There was no room for argument or debate, as Sam had made up her mind and left Jesse with a racing heart and sweaty palms.