Always Been You- Eli Moskowitz

Chapter 31- New Beginnings

"Be like a flower,

Survive the rain,

but use it to grow."

-Anonymous

~~*~~

The night before still burned in Michelle Diaz's mind like a fresh scar. The screams. The splintering wood. The chaos at the LaRusso house.

And Miguel—her twin—on the floor, bloodied and groaning in pain.

She hadn't even known Tory had planned to strike that hard. And she hadn't tried to stop her either.

The moment Michelle stepped back into Johnny Lawrence's apartment that night, she barely closed the door before he was on her.

"You wanna explain what the hell happened tonight?" he barked, fists clenched at his sides.

Michelle didn't flinch. Her jacket was torn, lip split, but her eyes were sharp. "Nothing to explain."

"You fought your brother," he growled. "I saw Miguel. You think I'm just gonna let that slide?"

Michelle crossed her arms. "I didn't lay a hand on him."

"No, but you stood right next to the people who did!" Johnny's voice cracked with frustration. "How can you still defend Cobra Kai after tonight?"

Michelle's jaw clenched. "They're gonna go after him."

Johnny stepped closer. "Hawk?"

She didn't answer. Her eyes stayed glued to the ground and her fingertips tapped her legs.

Johnny's eyes narrowed. "You stayed because you know Cobra Kai is going after the traitors?"

Michelle looked away.

"I have to keep him safe," she muttered quietly.

Johnny scoffed. "You're not his bodyguard, Michelle."

"You're not my dad, so it doesn't even matter," she snapped.

The words landed like a slap.

Johnny's face went still. "Maybe not. But you're living under my roof. So it better start mattering soon."

She turned away and disappeared into her room without another word.

Miguel hadn't said anything when she walked past his apartment that night. He didn't have to. The look he gave her from the couch across the hall, bruised and quiet, said everything.

       
              ~~*~~

Now, the next morning, Michelle stood at the edge of the Cobra Kai dojo, already sweating beneath her gi. Her breath was steady, but her mind spun like a kicked hornet's nest.

Tory clapped her on the back as they walked in together.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Peachy."

Tory smirked. "That bad, huh?"

Michelle gave her a small grin. "Johnny and Miguel hate me. Miguel won't even look at me. And Johnny gave me the 'you live under my roof' speech."

"Classic Johnny," Tory said. "You think you made the wrong call?"

Michelle shook her head. "No...absolutely not."