Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

120 - Parker Reyes-LaRusso

TW- talk of trauma

"Checkmate."

Ever since I said that one word to Silver, my life has only gotten better. Robby and I went home that night and put ice on all our bruises while we calmed down from the fight, then kissed some before going to bed. The following evening, I went to the LaRussos' house and we officially told Sam and Anthony about the custody cases. Of course, Sam already knew, but she seemed thrilled about it, and Anthony didn't have any opposition either. I was relieved to know that they weren't against me joining their family. Then the next week, Kenny and I did get smoothies and listen to music in my car until he was ready to talk. He told me everything and apologized for everything. I told him what Abuelita told me and I tell everyone else- somos más que de donde venimos- and that I'd always be here for him. I'm glad we managed to patch things up.

Since then, it's just been a dream summer. Training with my boyfriend and my best friends for the Sekai Taikai. Training with another one of my best friends for the Taekwondo All Valley- which is in t-minus one week. Hanging out at the beach practically every other day. Steady business at the dealership- and getting to work on more cars because they're short staffed in the garage. Applying for college and scholarships. Working on the custody case. My hand finally healing enough to take it out of all the braces and wraps and bandages so I can actually get my right hand back up to speed. My mental stability has been at an all time high ever since they took Silver away in the back of that police car. I made sure to let him know that when I anonymously sent him his macaroni picture frame complete with silver glitter and a picture of me with my hand in the air when they announced me as the winner of the fight that got Miyagi-Do into the Sekai Taikai. I know he knows I'm the one who sent it. I hope he likes it. It was fun to make. I got all my friends to sign the back and everything.

All of that being said, today is a big day. Because today is the day that I finally sever the tie between me and my father. I'm nervous. Even though my dad said he'd agree to do this all peacefully, we still have to do all this court stuff... and I still have to see him... I haven't seen him since the hospital room... and after this? I'd like to keep it that way.

"You ready for this?" Mr LaRusso asks as we get out of the car at the courthouse. I stare at the building, suddenly intimidated, even though I'm only looking at a structure. He let me drive his fancy yellow car. It did ease my mind a little. At the very least I was excited to drive the car. Now, my nerves are catching up with me.

"Ready to be free from the man who made my life hell?" I ask, "more than anything."

He gives me a small smile. Mrs LaRusso puts a hand on my shoulder.

"He won't be able to hurt you anymore after this," she says. I relax a little. I hope she's right. Although I don't think I'll ever be able to be the person I was before he hurt me. I'll never not walk lightly as to not alert people of my presence. I'll never not breathe lighter as a result of getting a beer bottle thrown at me. I'll never look at shattered windows the same, or not fight with one hand covering a specific place on my face. But at least after this, I'll be able to start a new chapter of my life where he can't legally drag me back to what once was. And that's a step in the right direction.

"Yeah, and you'll officially be a part of the family," Sam chimes in. She's actually been pretty helpful with all this custody stuff ever since that night when she apologized to me. It was a nice change from the way she had been treating me before that.