The Cut That Always Bleeds | Cobra Kai

Chapter 37

Isabelle adjusted her ponytail as she stood by the mirror in the Cobra Kai dojo, stretching before class started. She was so focused on her routine that she didn't notice Robby approaching until he cleared his throat.

"Hey," Robby said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his gi pants.

"Hey," Isabelle replied, glancing at him with a small smile. "What's up?"

He shifted his weight, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Uh, random question, but... are you going to prom?"

Isabelle froze mid-stretch, her cheeks flushing slightly. Before she could answer, Tory's voice cut through the room like a whip.

"Oh, she's definitely going," Tory said, striding over with her signature smirk. "Miguel already locked that down. Did you hear how he asked her?"

Robby's eyebrows furrowed, his jaw tightening slightly. "No, I didn't."

Tory, enjoying taunting him, leaned against the nearest punching bag, clearly excited to spill the details. "Get this—he took her to the beach, set up a whole picnic under the stars, and then brought out a mariachi band. A freaking mariachi band. And a poster! The whole nine yards."

Isabelle's face turned a deeper shade of red as she tried to wave Tory off. "It wasn't that big of a deal..."

"Uh, yes, it was," Tory shot back, grinning. "She said yes, obviously. How could anyone say no to all that?"

Robby's expression remained neutral, but his eyes flicked to Isabelle. "So, you're going with him?"

Isabelle bit her lip, looking shyly at the floor before meeting his gaze. "Yeah, I am."

Robby gave a slow nod, his face unreadable. "That's cool."

Before the conversation could go any further, Senseis Silver and Kreese strode in, their presence immediately commanding the room.

"Alright, class, fall in!" Kreese barked, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Today's lesson is about balance. Not the way Miyagi-do teaches it. You're going to learn how to get inside the heads of your opponents and throw them off balance. Pair up."

Isabelle glanced around, searching for a partner. Her eyes landed on Tory, but Tory had already paired up with someone else.

"Need a partner?" Robby's voice was casual, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his gaze.

Isabelle offered a small smile, "Yeah."

They squared up, trading punches and blocks with practiced ease.

"You know," Isabelle began, breaking the rhythm, "you should go. To prom, I mean. It's supposed to be a special night, and you deserve to have some fun."

Robby snorted, rolling his eyes as he dodged her next punch. "Yeah, right. I'm not a student anymore. They wouldn't let me in even if I tried."

Isabelle shrugged, "Maybe they would... if I said you were with me."

Robby paused mid-block, arching an eyebrow. "Aren't you going with Miguel?"

"I'm not asking you as a date," Isabelle clarified. "I'm asking as a friend. Someone who cares enough to make sure you don't miss an important milestone in every teenager's life."

Robby shook his head, "Even if I wanted to, it's too short notice. I'd need a tux, a ride—"

"I think it's a great idea," Terry Silver's voice interjected, smooth and mocking. Both Isabelle and Robby froze as Silver approached, his steps deliberate and his smile serpentine. Isabelle's shoulders stiffened, her pulse quickening as her father's shadow loomed over her. "If you're going, you're going in style," Silver added with a chuckle before strolling off, his presence leaving an icy residue in the air.