queen cobra | eli moskowitz

chapter twenty-three.

Isabella's steps echoed softly through the canyon as she walked toward the meeting point Hawk had texted her about. Her mind was already in gear, ready to push herself harder than ever.

But as she rounded the corner and spotted the group ahead, her heart sank. Instead of Hawk standing there ready to spar, there was a crowd. Hawk, Miguel, Aisha, Demetri, and a bunch of other people from Cobra Kai were laughing, chatting, and hanging out around what was unmistakably a party setup. There were drinks, snacks, and even a speaker blasting music.

Isabella's brow furrowed in confusion. What was going on?

Before she could take another step, Hawk spotted her from across the way. His eyes lit up, and he broke into a jog, meeting her halfway.

"Isabella, hey!" he called out, his grin wide, as if nothing was wrong.

Isabella planted her feet, her arms crossing over her chest. "Hawk, what the hell? I thought we were training."

Hawk's grin faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, his voice taking on a pleading tone. "Come on, Isabella. You've been training a lot. You need a break."

Her face remained unamused, her jaw tightening as she gave him a cold stare. "I don't need a break, I need to get better. And you lied to me."

Hawk sighed, clearly scrambling to keep her from leaving. "Okay, okay, yeah. Maybe I didn't mention the whole party thing, but that's because I knew you'd say no! You've been pushing yourself way too hard, Bells. Everyone can see it. I just thought maybe... you'd have some fun for a change."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. She turned to leave, her foot already stepping back when Hawk caught her arm gently, his voice softening. "Please, Isabella. Just stay for a little bit. You deserve it."

He shot her a look, those wide, pleading eyes that she couldn't resist.

She sighed heavily, rolling her eyes but stopping in her tracks. "You could've told me, you know. If I'd known, I would've at least dressed nice."

A small smirk tugged at Hawk's lips as he let out a nervous laugh. "Would you have come?"

Isabella thought about it for a moment, her irritation still simmering. "Probably not," she admitted honestly.

"Exactly!" Hawk said, his voice laced with triumph. "And that's why Miguel brought you this." He reached behind him and handed her a small bag.

Isabella blinked in surprise as she opened the bag and found a dress folded neatly inside, one she recognized as one of her favorites, and, to her surprise, her go-to sneakers too. A mix of shock and a reluctant smile crossed her face.

"Figured you wouldn't want to wear gym clothes to a party, right?" Hawk said, grinning.

Isabella sighed, shaking her head. "I can't stand you."

Hawk raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I just wanted you to come. You've been so focused on training that we barely see you anymore."

"Yeah, well, maybe I have a good reason to be focused," she muttered under her breath, but she took the bag from him anyway. "Give me a minute."

Isabella headed off to change, and as she slipped into the dress and her favorite sneakers, she looked at her reflection in her phone camera. Her face was flushed from the workout earlier, and she hadn't even had time to do her makeup.

When she returned to the party, she crossed her arms again, still looking slightly annoyed. "I didn't even get to do my makeup," she grumbled.

Hawk, standing a little awkwardly, glanced her over with a soft, genuine smile. "You don't need it."