❝𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋❞ - 𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐥 𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜

11

-🥋-

chapter eleven

MADDIE

"I'm so annoyed you didn't tell me this sooner!"

I struggle to hold in a smile as Sam shrieks at me in shock. She lowers her voice, leaning in closer to me. "Wait, so he kissed you first?"

I nod my head as she stand in front of me. All of the dojos competing are sat in the lobby of the hotel, including the ones eliminated. The students from Cobra Kai sit a corner, scowls on their faces.

"He kissed first," I tell her. "And then we walked back to the hotel."

Sam beams up at me. "I've been so excited for you to like somebody, I've been hoping it would happen for you. I just didn't expect it to be a guy that lives in another continent, who always looks angry."

"I'll probably talk to him about the 'living in another continent' part," I say, sucking a breath about the reality that it would make the entire thing harder. "And he doesn't look angry."

"Yeah, when he's with you he doesn't," Sam says, nudging my shoulder. "Also I think he saw the screaming episode you and Demetri had, or at least heard what he said to you?"

I frown. "What makes you think that?"

"Because he's glaring daggers at Demetri right now."

Sam points over my shoulder towards the students behind me. I turn around, eyes immediately landing on Axel. His face looks almost like stone as he stares at Demetri. No matter how many times the boy tries not to look at him, or avoids eye contact, the stare from Axel never ends. His eyes speak so many volumes, mostly protectiveness and anger.

I look away from him and towards the front of the lobby, where multiple hosts of the tournament stand in suits and with clipboards.

"My apologies," the main leader says, "for summoning you all like this. But under the circumstances, it was necessary. The Sekai Taikai has a long and honorable tradition. We fight hard, and we fight fair. That's why I'm saddened to announce that one of the dojos here has tarnished that tradition by cheating."

I look to the side, eyes locking with Miguel's.

The presenter spins around to the left. "Sensei Ivanov. Four of your students were tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. You are hear by eliminated. You're removed from our finals list."

My eyes widen slightly as the sensei steps forward. "What the hell are you talking about. Bullshit!"

"Sensei Ivanov," the presenter shouts. "Consider yourself fortunate that your dojo wasn't banned forever. Continue this behavior and that could easily be arranged easily. Replacing Udar Tigra will be the dojo with the next highest points total."

I tighten my jaw, knowing exactly who the dojo is.

"Cobra Kai," the presenter announces. I shake my head as the dojo begins cheering. "And on a more positive note, we'll now announce our draw for the semi finals. In our girls bracket, the first semi finals will be Maria Alvarez versus Zara Malik. And in the second match that puts Tory Nichols against Madison Stone."