COBRA KAI NEVER DIES

AFTER PARTY

I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come

When you feel my heat, look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close, it's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide

Demons - Imagine Dragons

**POV Hawk**

We headed back to the hotel, laughing and joking, still hyped up from the fight. If anything, it had brought us even closer. Demetri and I had finally made up, while Robby and Miguel were joking around like they were real brothers. Robby slapped Miguel on the shoulder, laughing.

—*El Serpiente* strikes again, huh?—

—Well, when I saw that Olli was in trouble...—

—You wanted to help a Damsel in distress.—

I couldn't help but jump in, laughing out loud.

—She didn't look like she was a damsel in distress, to be honest. She looked more like a dragon in a dress. Guys, Olli could kick all our asses!—

Sam agreed, nodding.

—Totally... Olli, you've got to teach us some of those moves.—

—I don't think your dad would be too thrilled about that, Sam. And speaking of which, I need to have a little chat with Sensei LaRusso tomorrow. But for now, let's patch up these wounds before the Senseis kick my ass.—

She was laughing as we made our way to her room, and I held back from saying —they'd better not even try— out loud. Olli went into the bathroom to grab the first aid kit, handing out ice packs, bandages, and band-aids to everyone.

—So, from what I understand, some of you have nicknames... like Miguel. What about the rest of you?—

Demetri was the one who answered, with that classic know-it-all tone of his. God, it drove me crazy when he did that!

—Well, as far as I know, it's just Hawk and Miguel. The others...—

—Then we need to come up with nicknames for the rest of you!—

—But why?—

—Well, 'cause it's cool. — She looked around when she realized the room had gone quiet. — Guys, I'm kidding! Anyway, Sam is definitely 'The Princess.' But Eli, why do you have that Hawkn on your back?—

—'Cause I wanted to draw attention away from my face...—

—And... the hair wasn't enough?—

—I just liked the Hawkn! Sensei Lawrence called me that the first time I got back to the Dojo after the haircut, and I thought it was cool. What about you? The Dragon?—

—It was the only thing big enough to cover the scars from the strokes and beatings my dad gave me.—

The room fell completely silent. I had no idea what to say. I'd always complained about my lip, but hearing what she'd been through made me realize how minor my problems were in comparison. What an idiot I was! Devon finally asked the question we were all too afraid to ask.