A Pause

Quiet

Robby sat on the floor, beside her door. He could faintly make out the shower. He would knock once she was done. She finished a little while later, but he waited to make sure she was changed. After a while, he decided it was safe to knock. He heard the shuffling of feet, and heard her come to the door. Then it was quiet. Either she was deciding to let him in, or went back.

After a minute, the door opened, and she stood in the door frame. They looked at each other for a good minute. Her hair was wet and she was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. 

" Can I come in?" Robby asked. It was quiet, then she went into the room, leaving the door open. He followed, closing the door. He stopped between the TV and the bed Tory was sitting on. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

" Yes?" She asked me staring at the floor.

" Everyone's pretty torn up, you know." He said, sitting on the edge of her bed. " It shouldn't have happened like that."

" Please, just don't Robby. I can't." She said getting up. She started pacing. Robby watched her from the bed. 

" We're alone. You can trust me." 

She stopped in place, her mind wandering. She could trust Robby. So why didn't she want to share? Was it because she couldn't let anyone in? Or did she not want to let her emotions out.

" Please. Tory." Robby said, getting up.

" Go." She said. She grabbed some items, then went into the bathroom. 

" Wait!" He went to reach the door, but she locked it. He kicked the door out of anger, then fell to the floor. She really wasn't going to open up was she. 

He looked at the door. He could either wait for her, or leave. He waited.

An hour later, she came out. When she saw him, her face reflected shock, before she recomposed. " You're still here?" She went to her bed and started to put her things away.

" You going to kick me out?" He asked. She looked down, quiet. 

" No." She said softly. " But I'll ask you politely to leave." She started to put her pillows to the side and undo her covers.

" Tor, I just want what's best for you. You know that." He said. " Even if you don't like it." 

" Goodnight Robby." She said, under the covers, her head buried into her pillow. He sighed, and moved to sit next to her. He started rubbing her back with his hand, feeling her breathing. 

" I love you." He said when he was certain she was asleep. He slowly got up and left the room, pausing at the door to look at her before leaving. 

" I love you too." She whispered back, from under the covers.

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" I can't sleep." Demetri said, entering Sam's room. They were all crowded in there.  Sam and Miguel were on her bed, holding onto each other. Kenny was by the chair by the window. Robby was sitting under the window, legs out, looking exhausted, but keeping his eyes to the ceiling. Demetri and Eli entered together, moving to sit by Devon's bed. 

" Nobody can." Miguel said, looking annoyed. Sam grabbed one of his hands. 

" What are the sensei's doing?" Eli asked. 

" Sleeping probably." Sam answered. " Like we should be." 

" Yeah, you guys can crowd in your room. Why here?" Devon asked, stifling  a yawn.

" We needed to include you guys in our conversation." Demetri said. 

" But what are we even talking about?" Miguel asked.

" Not sure." Sam replied, burying her head into his side.

" Guys, it's almost 3. We need to sleep." Kenny said. 

" Sleeping won't help with shit. It's not like we have a Sekai Takai going on tomorrow." Robby said, speaking for the first time. They all turned to look at him. When he had returned from Tory he didn't seem keen on talking. 

" Still. It benefits health or something like that..." Kenny said, trailing off. 

" Look, if we aren't going to sleep we should at least do something!" Demetri protested.

" Close your eyes and count to 20." Sam said. " Should help you fall asleep." Demetri rolled her eyes at her.

" Anyone up for a sleepover?" Devon asked, moving to her bed. She kicked Demetri out and lay in the bed.

" If you fall asleep I'll give you 20 bucks." Demetri replied. 

" I will."

" Not." 

" Don't be so sure." Devon replied. Ten minutes later she was still awake. " Ok, maybe we need to do something." She said. No one had left their places and were quiet.

" I think we should do something not related to karate." Sam said quietly. 

" Like what?" Miguel said, halfheartedly.

" Anyone up to go out?" Eli asked.

" At this hour? Nothing will be opened." Demetri said.

" Not out there. I mean in the hotel. Explore. See how Cobra Kai is. Maybe pay Tory a visit." He said looking at Robby, who looked up when he heard her name.

" No. We would get in so much trouble." Sam said. " My dad would be beyond pissed." 

" Not if we don't get caught." He replied.

" All of us? No way." Miguel said. 

" Ok. We'll draw. Who's up to going?" He asked. No one answered.

" Demetri?" He asked. He shook his head as if considering, then nodded.

" Better than sitting here." He said.

" I'm out. I'll stick to TV" Devon said, grabbing the remote.

" Same." Kenny replied. 

" Miguel?" He asked.

" I mean... sure. If Sam's in." 

" Any distraction." She replied.

" Robby?" They all turned to him.

He looked, then said, " Sure." They started to smile. " But the moment someone gets caught I'm out."

" Yeah, no biggie." Eli said, smiling.