Special

14

"The guy punched you!?" I shouted while trying to clean the blood from Demetri's nose. I was on my to go apologize to Mr. LaRusso for bailing and quitting on the spot when I got the call from Demetri, asking me to pick him up. He sat at the end of the mini Matt when I pulled up.

"I guess he didn't take too kindly to my constructive criticism of his snake tattoo." He winced, slightly jerking away from my hand. I held him still as I continued to work.

"Who was this dude?"

"Some new guy at the dojo. I guess there's a second Sensei there." Demetri explained. I sighed and set the wet rag down before leaning against the counter. At least it wasn't Robby's dad. "How come you called me? Not Miguel or Hawk? Even Aisha?"

Demetri shrugged slightly. "I don't know. You seem to be the only one biased on this whole karate thing. Miguel and Eli... they worship Cobra Kai. And I barely know Aisha. Besides, we're friends and all. Figured you'd understand."

I felt a small bit of guilt form in the pit of my stomach. Sure, I was biased, but at one point I was apart of both competing dojos. Short lived, but happened nonetheless. "I do understand. It's just... crazy how much karate has taken over their lives. Not just our friends, but Robby too. He's completely mesmerized by everything Sam's dad says." Honestly, I was just glad he put his energy into something other than criminal activity with the two bone heads he use to hang out with.

"Robby... how's everything going with the two of you?" He seemed a little hesitant to ask. I've noticed that everyone in my life seems to be avoiding anything involving Robby. But I didn't care. Maybe it was a good thing to keep my two worlds separated.

"Honestly? Everything is... better than it was. He's really stepped up and has been doing such a better job. Even though he's focused on karate, he's been making an effort to spend more time with me. It was a lot easier to do that before I quit Miyago-Do. At least Mr. LaRusso's way of teaching wasn't yelling." I sighed before realizing what I said and pausing. Demetri raised his eyebrows in shock.

"You were doing karate? Without saying anything?"

"It's not like that." I defended. "It was just... something I wanted to do to bond with Robby. But I quit, so please don't tell Miguel, or Hawk, or Aisha." I begged. He frowned in response before wincing at the slight action. "Karate just isn't for me."

"You're telling me." He whined, turning and glancing at his nose in the mirror. It looked awful, honestly.

"You should probably get your mom to take you to the hospital. I think you need stitches." I suggest, cringing as more blood started pouring from his nose. Demetri glanced at the clock on the bathroom wall. "Yeah, she should be home any minute now. Thanks for uh... helping me out. I appreciate it."

I gave him an encouraging smile. "Anytime, Dork." I gave him a playful nudge before grabbing my things and heading out of his house. I liked Demetri. He was dorky but still a really good friend. Plus, it was nice to have a friend who wasn't so caught up in the karate drama. Felt like a good break.

As I headed down his front porch, my phone buzzed in my hand.

Aisha🙈🤟- wanna hang after cobra meet today?

I smiled a little bit. Aisha was fun to be around.

Alligator💅- I'm so there

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I perked up outside of the dojo as I watch Aisha walk out. We exchanged welcoming hugs with each other before heading inside the Mini Mart.

"So I was thinking, movie marathon with a shit ton of junk food?" Aisha offered. I smirked in response.