𝐀𝐞𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲

4.2 Play The Part

The shop bell rings, and the sound of quiet chatter follows. We watch as Tory, Kyler, and the other Cobra Kai students make their way inside. It's not long before we catch their eye.

They all fall silent for a moment before Kyler speaks up.

"Get a load of these fools." He and the others step onto the mat. " What do you think you're doing here?" He scoffs. "Sensei Kreese isn't back yet, so we're going to get you guys warmed up." I cringe at Robby calling Kreese, Sensei. He wasn't worthy of the title.

"You've never been part of this team." Kyler points to Robby before moving his finger over to me. "And you're a functioning cripple." He laughs, and my jaw tightens. "And you think you're our Sensei? Get the hell out of here, man."

"Yeah, who says we even want you?" Tory adds, looking between the two of us.

There's a moment of silence.

"Okay, hit me." I say to Kyler. He raises his brows in questioning my seriousness. Robby turns and grabs my upper arm. "You don't..." I shake him off before he can finish. "I said, hit me." He contemplates for another second before he nods. "Alright."

He steps forward and kicks his foot up. I step out of the way as he brings it down and kick back, my foot hitting him in the ass as he stumbles forward. "I said, hit me." I say as he turns back around.

"Yo, move back. You're crowding me." He whines as he shoves the others off the mat, and they begin to surround us.

He sets up again, and I tilt my head to the side, the corner of my mouth curling only slightly. It must piss him off because he lunges forward to throw a punch. I lean out of the way and grab his arm, using his momentum to fling him back. He regains his footing, and this time I get in stance with him. "I said...HIT me." I say it more forcefully. He flares his nose and charges forward with a side kick. I block it, and when his foot drops, he swings his arm at my head.

I duck under it and take the opportunity to jab at his exposed core. He stumbles to the corner of the mat, holding his side, but quickly resets.

I wait again as he thinks of his next attack plan. "HIT ME." I shout as I get impatient.

He swings his leg at me, and I duck. As I come up, he swings his other leg around up to my face. I lean back to dodge it. He goes for a side kick, and I block the attempt. He sends another sloppy arm my way and I grab hold of it. I turn and drop down as I flip him over my back. He lands hard and I finish with a nose cracking punch to his face.

He grabs his nose and curls into himself on the mat as I stand.

"I might be a 'functioning cripple', but you're still not, half, the fighter I am." I spit, and someone begins to slow clap.

We all turn to the source and see Kreese emerge from the hallway, the corner of his mouth curved into a satisfied smirk. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd lost that Cobra Kai fire." He says as he makes his way to the front of the class. "What made you change your minds?"

"We're done sitting on the sidelines." Robby interjects.

"We'll help Cobra Kai win the tournament, but then we're done." I add, and Kreese hesitates before bowing his head in acceptance. "Shall we begin?"

*

I throw my gi into my duffle and sling it over my shoulder before heading to the front door where Robby is waiting.

"Ms. Lawrence." I turn to my name and see Kreese standing in his office doorway. "Mr. Keene. Might I see you a moment." He says before disappearing back into his office.