The Cut That Always Bleeds | Cobra Kai

Chapter 31

Tory slammed the door to the apartment, startling Isabelle, who was standing by the kitchen table, helping Brandon with his math homework.

"What's wrong?" Isabelle asked, concern clear in her voice as she watched Tory storm past her.

"I got fired," Tory gritted out, throwing her bag on the couch before disappearing into her room. The door slammed behind her, the sharp sound echoing through the small apartment. A few minutes later, Tory reemerged, now dressed in her Cobra Kai gi. Her face was set in a grim expression, "I'm going to the dojo. I'll be back later," she muttered, her tone clipped. "You okay staying for a bit longer?"

Isabelle nodded, "Of course, take all the time you need. I'll just be helping Brandon with his homework."

Tory didn't respond as she left, slamming the door behind her. Isabelle winced at the sound.

"Is she mad at me?" Brandon's small voice cut through the silence. He sat hunched over his homework, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to hold back tears. Isabelle's heart ached for him. She knelt beside the ten-year-old, reaching out to gently stroke his hair in a comforting gesture.

"No, of course not. She's not mad at you," Isabelle reassured him softly. "Tory's just... stressed. She's got a lot going on right now."

"She never spends time with me anymore," Brandon whispered, wiping at his eyes. "Or with Mom..."

Isabelle sighed, her expression softening, "She loves you very much. That's why she works three jobs to make sure you and your mom can keep living here. I know it's hard not seeing her all the time, but don't ever doubt that she loves you. Everything she does is for you, and you should feel lucky to have a sister who cares so much."

Brandon sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "But it doesn't feel like she cares. It feels like she's always mad."

Isabelle had seen the toll the stress took on Tory, but it wasn't easy for her little brother to understand. Gently, she guided him to the table where his homework was spread out, sitting beside him.

"She's not mad at you," Isabelle reassured. "Tory's just dealing with a lot, and sometimes when people are stressed, they don't know how to show what they're feeling. But trust me, underneath it all, she's doing her best for you."

Brandon looked up at her, still unsure. "Do you think she'll come back soon? Like... before I go to sleep?"

Isabelle hesitated, knowing Tory's temper could sometimes keep her out late, especially if she was heading to Cobra Kai. She offered a small, comforting smile instead. "Maybe. But if not, I'll be here until she gets back. You're not alone, okay?"

Brandon nodded, his shoulders relaxing a bit. He picked up his pencil and started working on his homework, and Isabelle stayed beside him, quietly supporting him in the way she knew Tory wanted to but couldn't always manage.

~

"There's a reason Miyagi-do is difficult to learn," Robby explained, his voice carrying over the sound of fists hitting pads as he walked past the line of Cobra Kai students practicing the techniques he'd taught them. "These blocks are incredibly precise. Each one is designed to overcome a specific attack." He stopped in front of Tory, his gaze locking with hers, issuing a silent challenge. "Show me wax off, wax on."

Without hesitation, Robby got into a fighting stance and aimed a punch at her face, but Tory deflected it swiftly, her movements sharp and calculated. Robby nodded in approval, a glint of respect in his eyes. "The more you learn Miyagi-do... the tougher you are to defeat."