Cold Hearted ⭒ Cobra Kai

6.2.6

"But our friends are back so let's raise a cup 'cause I found someone to carry me home tonight."

~We Are Young by fun.~

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A/N: These chapters are becoming longer than I anticipated. Whoops. Enjoy some domesticity and a bit of drama, I guess:)

Warnings: abuse, addiction, anxiety, homophobia, depression, domestic violence, grief, gun violence, language, panic attacks, sexual harassment/assault, violence, weapons, and other mature themes

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Zion's POV

I find myself excited to be home after working out at the fitness center. I find myself even more excited to have some place to call home now. 

This 1,000 square feet just outside of Encino is all mine. I have my bed, a full closet of new and old clothes, a kitchen ready to be filled with food, a private bathroom, and even a living room. I'm so happy just thinking about it.

It's pretty much decorated, except for the vanity Shannon insisted on ordering me. She said it will be delivered tomorrow. Even after six months she's keeping good on her offer. She really is a great mom now that she's stepping up for Robby - and now me, apparently.

Unfortunately, she's still not back in town yet, so Robby is forced to stay with his dad. And of course they're still having problems. And of course it's all Johnny's mess to apologize for. And of course he hasn't done anything more than say "I'm sorry" when actions speak so much louder than words.

Carmen and Miguel, however, brought me a $100 gift card for dishes and kitchen appliances, which I also don't have much of. Carmen also whispered for me not to mention it to Johnny. I'm really glad she's still there for me even though I've moved out. I definitely think of her as a mother figure; I can only hope she still thinks of me as a daughter, too.

I've mainly shopped online for furniture and some bath, kitchen, and wall decorations. It was a little daunting because I've never had this much space to decorate myself since Liv did it in our place. Still, I think my decorations look pretty good.

I've avoided shopping in stores after that one time I saw Ella. And the time I saw Janice. I keep getting worried I'll run into my mom again one day... or into Kreese, somehow. As if I haven't cut her off. As if Kreese isn't a wanted criminal.

Living alone has given me a lot of time to think. Maybe too much time.

My first full night here was last night; I didn't sleep much. I had another nightmare about my mom because I was unboxing the few things I have of my dad's right before I went to bed. I was violently reminded how much I cut her out of those memories, almost like doing so made my memories of her stronger somehow.

I've decided to channel these bad feelings into my training for the Sekai Taikai. I know it's cliche, but I really don't want bad memories in this new apartment. I do my best physically when I really push myself, anyway, which was why I was just at the complex's fitness center.

Ideally, I'd be going to a gym regularly, but I know I wouldn't be able to handle it after... well, after before.

Besides, they have some machines and weights that work just as well, and there's a pool out back for the warmer months. Its unfortunate that it's closed right now because it's October.

It's also sad that Robby can't join me here yet, but maybe he will in five months once he's eighteen. Then we'll graduate high school together, and who knows what else will be in our future.