The Cut That Always Bleeds | Cobra Kai

Chapter 9

Isabelle flinched as she applied makeup to the darkening bruises on her arms. It was too hot to wear long sleeves without being questioned by her friends, so she covered her bruises with a full-coverage foundation she kept off hand.

Her phone buzzed on the bathroom counter. Not bothering to check the caller ID, she answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Since you did all of the administration for Cobra Kai...," Robby said. "Could you also sign me up for the All Valley?"

Isabelle was taken aback by his request. "Yeah, the registration lady likes me, so I'm sure I could ask a favor and get you admitted late. But why the sudden need to compete? You never seemed interested before."

"If I win, I can prove to Mr.LaRusso that training me wasn't a mistake and that I actually took his lessons to heart," Robby sighed.

Isabelle laughed dryly, "Alright, if that's what you want. But we have to hurry. Meet me there in ten."

She hung up to finish getting ready. She finished covering her bruises before rushing out of the house to meet with Robby and Cobra Kai.

~

Arriving at the tournament, Isabelle spotted the Cobra Kai students huddled together at the front. She noticed Johny was missing, and Hawk was aggressively punching the air. Since Robby hadn't arrived yet, she approached the group.

"You guys look worried, what's wrong?"

Aisha was relieved to see Isabelle. "Sensei might not be coming. He got super drunk last night, and now he's missing."

"Okay," Isabelle cringed, realizing he must've gotten drunk after what happened at the LaRusso's last night. "Here's the registration paperwork," She took out a huge stack of papers from her bag and handed them to Miguel. "I'll step up, and I guess we just have to do this without him."

"Do what without me?" Johny said, walking up to the group.

Isabelle smiled, relieved he was here. She was nervous to see how he acted towards her now that he knew she had also been around Daniel. She was surprised when Johny put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly, smiling at her. Isabelle was glad he wasn't upset with her, but she had to contain a wince since he managed to squeeze her right on top of one of her bruises.

"We thought you weren't going to show up," Isabelle said lightly.

Johny shook his head, "I may not always win, but I never back out of a fight."

"All right," Isabelle announced. "I'm going to go sign you all in and give them this paperwork. I also have to help my friend with something. I'll see you all inside." She grabbed the paperwork from Miguel, flashing him a quick smile before rushing inside the building.

She approached the registration table where Robby was standing arguing with Suzanna.

"I'm sorry. It's too late to register now," Suzanna told Robby.

Isabelle approached with a huge smile, "Suzanna! So good to talk to you again. How are your babies doing?"

Suzanna turned to face Isabelle, immediately gushing about her five cats. Isabelle patiently listened, nodding along.

"Are those the filled-out registration papers?" Suzanna asked once she was done telling stories about her cats.

Isabelle handed over the stack of paperwork, "Yes. These are all the filled-out registration sheets for the Cobra Kai students." Isabelle sighed, lowering her gaze and pouting her lips slightly. "I just... I made a mistake. I was supposed to register one more person, but I forgot. Is it possible I could register them late?"