𝖫𝗈𝗏౿ᑲ𝗈ოᑲ -𝖤ᥣꪱᜒ 𝖬𝗈ડƙ𝗈⍵ꪱᜒ𝗍ʑ

2.11

Johnny emerged from the back room, his commanding presence instantly drawing everyone's attention. "Everyone fall in!" he called out, his voice echoing through the dojo. The students quickly moved into formation, anticipation hanging in the air.

As Johnny began to address the class, Eli couldn't help but notice the absence of Sensei Kreese. "Where's Sensei Kreese?" he asked Johnny, confusion furrowing his brow.

"Kreese will no longer be joining us," Johnny announced solemnly. "I made a promise when I became your Sensei to have your best interest at heart. Despite how much it hurts us all, Sensei Kreese did not have your best interest in mind."

A slight sadness flickered across Johnny's face as he continued, addressing the legacy of Cobra Kai. "John Kreese may have founded Cobra Kai, but he no longer represents what this dojo stands for. His Cobra Kai was old and outdated. He refused to move forward, and what happens when that happens, Mr. Diaz?" Johnny turned to Miguel, his expression grave.

Miguel's face mirrored the seriousness of the moment as he responded, "We get stuck, like cement."

Hazel, ever the irreverent one, interjected with a bored comment, "You ruin your beautiful outfit," Hazel remarked casually, her gaze fixed on her nails, seemingly uninterested drawing an eye roll from Johnny. "Miss Diaz, thank you for that unnecessary comment. It's good to see your humor back," he remarked, acknowledging her presence. She sensed Eli's gaze on her, and it seemed like her old attitude was making a comeback. She had been unusually quiet ever since their breakup.

Johnny then shifted the focus to the dojo's creed, emphasizing the importance of adaptation and critical thinking. "To be a strong fighter, you have to learn to adapt. Learn this creed to the letter, and you'll be stronger. It will make you formidable. It will also make you an asshole," he explained, his gaze sweeping over the students.

"But life isn't black and white; most often, it's grey," Johnny continued. "And it's in those grey areas where Johnny Lawrence's Cobra Kai sometimes shows mercy. But that doesn't mean you can't be a badass. It's still a requirement. It means learning to think, not with your gut or your fists, but to really use this." He tapped his head for emphasis.

With a swift demonstration, Johnny shattered a board with a headbutt, prompting the students to pair off and practice the technique. As Eli felt a pang of nostalgia watching Hazel partner up with Aisha instead of him. It used to be him the one who she walked to with no question.

As the students practiced their headbutts, the intensity of their training grew. One student, feeling particularly confident, suggested a friendly competition to determine the strongest among them.

Hazel was too busy engaging with other students to notice that Eli was the other last man standing. Just as she was about to acknowledge the challenge, Eli's voice cut through the air, using the familiar term "princess" that he often used when they were together.

"Hey, princess, you ready to see who's the strongest?" Eli called out with a grin.

Her concentration wavered for a moment, caught off guard by the familiar term. Aisha, noticing Hazel's distraction, quickly reminded her to focus, adding a playful comment about girl power.

"Come on, Hazel! Girl power, remember?" Aisha chimed in, encouraging her friend.

The two continued their practice, each delivering strong headbutts. But in the end, it was Hazel who found herself on the losing end. Eli couldn't help but laugh, and Hazel, feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement, rolled her eyes.

"Easy for you," she quipped, "your head is probably light because there's nothing in it."

Eli's laughter faded into a scowl as Hazel's remark hit a nerve. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed away from the training area, his frustration evident in his brisk stride.

Hazel watched him go, a pang of guilt mingling with her annoyance. She hadn't meant to upset him further, but her words seemed to have struck a raw nerve.

As Eli disappeared from view, Hazel let out a sigh, feeling a sense of unease settle over her. She knew their relationship had been strained lately, but she hadn't anticipated their interactions taking such a sharp turn.

With a heavy heart, she turned back to the training, hoping that time would heal the wounds between them and that they could find a way to mend their fractured connection.

Hazel and Miguel sat in their living room, the warm glow of the lamp casting a cozy ambiance around them. Hazel fidgeted with the edge of her sweater, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Miguel noticed her distraction and turned to her with a concerned expression. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on her arm.

Hazel offered him a small smile, grateful for his concern. "Yeah, just thinking about Eli," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness.

Miguel nodded understandingly. "I know it's been tough since you guys broke up," he said sympathetically, his gaze filled with empathy.

Hazel sighed, her mind filled with memories of happier times with Eli. "Yeah, it's been hard," she confessed quietly.

Miguel squeezed her arm reassuringly. "You made the right decision, Hazel," he said firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "You deserve someone who treats you with respect and kindness."

Hazel smiled gratefully at Miguel, appreciating his unwavering support. "Thanks, Miguel," she murmured, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Miguel's phone buzzing on the coffee table. He picked it up and glanced at the screen before turning back to Hazel with a wry smile.

"It's Tory," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "She's talking about tonight's date."

Hazel took a deep breath, steeling herself for the question she was about to ask her brother. "Hey, Miguel," she began, her voice tentative. "Do you... still have feelings for Sam?"

Miguel's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes as he regarded his sister. "It's complicated," he admitted, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

Hazel nodded, her heart heavy with empathy for her brother. She knew all too well the complexities of matters of the heart. "Yeah, I get that," she replied softly, offering him a reassuring smile.

Their conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence, the soft hum of the lamp filling the room as they both contemplated the intricacies of love and relationships. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, Hazel took solace in the fact that she and Miguel would always be there for each other, navigating life's challenges together as a united front.