Cold Hearted ⭒ Cobra Kai

6.2.8

"Out of the darkness and into the sun, but I won't forget all the ones that I love. I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and break away."

~Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson~

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A/N: Hello all! Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays:)

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

After Robby's gone, I turn to Tory on the couch as she watches TikToks.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I offer.

"No," she says.

I nod at her curt reply, try not to take it personally, and leave her while I clean up in the kitchen.

"But thanks," I hear her call to me.

"You're welcome," I call over my shoulder with a small smile. It's nice to have her back in my life.

I look around the kitchen, unsure what to do with all of these extra snacks. Kenny took the rest of the cookies, but there are still cupcakes and chips and sodas and more.

"Do you want to take some of this stuff home with you?" I walk back to the living room.

"Z, I don't need-"

"It's not charity," I insist. "I won't eat it all. I'll probably end up throwing it away." 

"All right," she agrees. 

I set it all into a bag for her and set it by the door.

Then I sit in a beanbag chair to be with her but also give her space. I open TikTok on my phone.

"This sucks, you know," she finally speaks up and sets her phone down. "Piper told me she'd keep in contact. She swore it wouldn't change much between us for her to go on this trip. I see her posting." Then she shakes her head and clarifies, "We text, but I haven't talked with her on the phone or on FaceTime in days. I thought it would be fine to do long distance, but her mom keeps her busy with college tours and dinners and tourist destinations."

"I'm sorry," I tell her, unsure of how to help except just be here for her.

"I'm sorry, too. Usually I'd talk with Piper about these things, but..." She trails off. "My mom tried to cheer me up today, and I broke down on her. Which sucked even more. I don't want her to worry about me with everything else going on. I'm supposed to be the rock for her."

When I hear this, I frown. I think back to when my dad was in and out of hospitals and doctors offices. I speak up, "You're still a teenager. You're still human. There's only so much you can keep in."

"I have to be strong for her," Tory insists. "She's always been so strong, and she was always there for me when I was younger. It's my turn. I've found a way to balance karate with my job and school while taking care of them and having a girlfriend... which now feels stupid because she won't make time for me."

"Did you ask her to explain why? Did you tell her it bothers you?" I wonder.

"I know why. She has a busy schedule."

"And did you talk it out with her?" I ask.

She frowns. "Not exactly. Not really. No."

"Maybe tomorrow you should," I suggest. "She should know it's bothering you."