chapter fourteen:
❛ confrontations ❜

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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

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Alessia stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her fingers deftly running through her long hair as she prepared for karate practice. The early winter sun filtered through the window, casting a pale glow on the snow-covered ground outside, and she could see the world outside blanketed in white, serene yet isolating. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror-her blue eyes were tired, the dark circles underneath them a testament to the sleepless nights she'd endured since the ordeal with Tory and Kyler. The anxiety and stress of the last few days loomed over her, heavy like the winter clouds threatening another snowstorm.

The doorbell rang, slicing through her thoughts like a blade. The sound echoed in the quiet house, jolting her from her reverie. Alessia's heart raced, her pulse quickening as she felt a mix of curiosity and dread. Who could it be? She didn't have any visitors planned. Pushing her hair back, she shook off her apprehension and sprinted downstairs, each step reverberating in her mind.

When she flung open the door, her breath caught in her throat. There stood Robby, looking more vulnerable than she'd ever seen him. His typical confidence was gone, replaced by an uneasy shift on his feet, hands stuffed deep in his pockets as if he were trying to disappear into himself. The sight of him stirred a maelstrom of emotions within her-anger, hurt, betrayal, and something else she wasn't ready to confront.

"What do you want?" Alessia snapped, her voice sharper than intended, and she clenched her jaw, glaring at him as if her stare could burn him away.

"Alessia, I-" Robby began, but she immediately cut him off, the anger bubbling to the surface.

"I don't want to hear it," she shot back, her heart pounding with indignation.

"Please, just let me explain," he implored, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

"Why? So you can give me more excuses?" She rolled her eyes, dismissing him with a wave of her hand, the tension thick between them. "You're here to apologize for what Tory and Kyler did to me, right? How low of you."

Robby's expression shifted to one of surprise and hurt. "Alessia, I'm really sorry about what they did. I had no idea they were going to-"

"Seriously, Robby?" Alessia laughed dryly, the sound bitter on her tongue. "You think an apology from you means anything? You think that somehow makes it okay that they kidnapped me and dropped me off in the middle of nowhere? You're all just as bad as them!"

His brow furrowed, and he let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, Tory was taunting me about how I couldn't believe you were in Miyagi-Do now, and she took that as-"

Alessia interrupted him, her voice rising in pitch. "No, stop right there! This isn't about you or your stupid karate drama! What they did was messed up, and you're standing here acting like you had nothing to do with it! You were part of the same group that attacked Hawk and shaved his mohawk off! How is that okay?"

Robby opened his mouth, his words lost in the tide of her anger. She didn't want to hear any more excuses; she had reached her limit. With a swift, decisive motion, she slammed the door in his face, the resounding echo reverberating through her heart.

Alessia slid down the door, sinking to the floor, the sudden quiet wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. Tears streamed down her cheeks, hot and unchecked, a release of all the pent-up frustration and pain she had bottled inside. The fear of what Tory and Kyler had done, the constant worry about her friends, and the betrayal of Robby and his group weighed heavily on her shoulders.

"Aunt Alessia?"

The soft voice broke through her haze of despair, and she looked up to see her nine-year-old niece, Ava, standing in the hallway, concern etched across her innocent face. Without a moment's hesitation, Ava rushed over and wrapped her small arms around Alessia, holding her tightly, grounding her in the chaos of emotions.

"I'm okay, Ava," Alessia managed to say through her tears, but her voice wavered, betraying the turmoil inside. She leaned into her niece's embrace, feeling the warmth and comfort that only a child could provide.

"Why are you crying?" Ava asked, her wide eyes filled with worry.

"It's just... everything's been really hard lately," Alessia whispered, her heart aching as she tried to find the right words. "Some people just don't understand how much their actions can hurt others."

Ava tightened her grip, her small frame radiating a protective warmth. "I hate that. You're the best aunt ever. You don't deserve this."

Alessia couldn't help but smile through her tears, gratitude swelling within her at the innocent words of her niece. "Thank you, sweetie," she said, wiping her tears on her sleeve as she pulled back to look at Ava's earnest face. "I just need to take a moment, okay?"

"Okay." Ava nodded, her brow furrowed in concern as she tried to understand the weight of Alessia's pain. They stayed there for a while, the world outside fading away as they shared a quiet moment together, Ava's comforting presence slowly helping to ease Alessia's heartache.

But as she looked at Ava, Alessia knew that she had to find a way to confront her fears and anger, not just for herself but for the people she loved.

Alessia's fists struck the punching bag with a fury that reflected her inner turmoil. Each punch was a release, a cathartic outlet for the frustration and hurt that had built up inside her ever since Tory and Kyler had kidnapped her. Demetri held the bag steady, grinning as he watched her unleash her pent-up energy.

"Dang, Alessia. Easy, save some for Cobra Kai," he joked, trying to lighten the mood, but she simply threw another harsh punch at the bag, the impact reverberating through her knuckles.

"I can't," she retorted, breathing heavily as she stepped back. "Robby showed up at my door today, trying to apologize, and I shut him down." Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of anger and hurt flooding through her.

Demetri's eyes widened at the revelation. "Oh, shit. Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern etched on his face.

Alessia shot him a look that said everything. "Right, yeah," he mumbled, nodding as he backed off slightly, unsure of how to help.

Just then, Sensei Larusso walked outside, his presence commanding attention. "Hey, everyone, gather 'round. I have news," he announced, his voice steady.

Alessia crossed her arms, a mix of curiosity and skepticism as she stepped forward, standing protectively in front of him. "What kind of news?" she asked, glancing up at Sam, who stood beside her.

Daniel sighed, holding a piece of paper in his hand. "The All Valley Committee just announced big changes for the tournament," he said, and a murmur of interest rippled through the group.

"What kind of changes?" Sam echoed, leaning closer.

Daniel handed the paper to Sam, who immediately began reading it aloud. "Looks like the boys were hurting the girls too much, so they decided to split into a boys division and a girls division."

Alessia scoffed at the words, rolling her eyes at the idea. "As if that's going to solve anything," she muttered under her breath. But as she scanned further down the page, her eyes landed on the next line. "Wait, they're introducing a skills competition?"

Demetri chimed in, his voice filled with disbelief. "Yep," Daniel confirmed, a hint of excitement in his tone.

"Like kata, board breaking, weapons display?" Alessia read aloud, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"And there's gonna be a separate girls division," Daniel continued, holding up two fingers. "So that means..."

Sam's eyes lit up as she and Alessia exchanged glances. "There'll be two All Valley champs," they said in unison, the weight of the implication settling in.

Alessia frowned, her heart sinking a little. "But that means Sam and I will go up against each other," she stated, her voice laced with hesitation.

"What does that mean for the bet with Cobra Kai?" Chris piped up, clearly trying to make sense of it all.

"There's a grand champion trophy for whichever dojo wins the most points," Daniel explained, glancing around at their expectant faces.

"All I know is the girls' division is either me or Alessia. We both got this," Sam declared, her determination shining through.

But Alessia felt a wave of uncertainty crash over her. Sam was undoubtedly ready for this, but her? She had only started karate a few months ago. Was she even prepared to take on such a challenge? She bit her lip, glancing down at the rubber band around her wrist. The urge to use drugs was strong, a familiar whisper in her mind, but she had to stay sober. Taking a deep breath, she focused on positive thoughts, willing herself to stay grounded.

"That just leaves the skills and the boys," Daniel said, his tone shifting to a more serious note. The boys shared apprehensive glances.

"Who, us?" Chris asked, incredulous.

"Yeah, we're a bunch of Rudys. Sure, we're good for the occasional inspirational moment, but we're not exactly center mat material," Demetri remarked, his usual sarcasm creeping back in.

"We were much better off with Miguel and Hawk," Chris added, a tinge of nostalgia in his voice.

"Or he who shall not be named," Demetri chimed in, implying Robby with a sly grin.

Alessia frowned, her heart tightening at the mention of Robby.

"Rhymes with Dobby," Demetri finished, eliciting a few half-hearted chuckles from the group, but Alessia was too deep in her thoughts to join in.

"Look, I know you're missing some of your friends," Daniel said, breaking the tension in the air. "And of course, I wish Robby was here. But it's time to put the past behind us, all right? Don't worry. By the time the tournament comes around, you're gonna realize this was the best thing that could've happened to us."

His words hung in the air, a mix of hope and determination. Alessia felt the flicker of belief sparking inside her, but the doubt lingered. She needed to focus, to push past the anxiety gnawing at her.

As the group broke off into discussions, she took a moment to step back, allowing the cacophony of voices to swirl around her. This was her chance to prove herself, to step into the spotlight despite the challenges ahead. With a resolute breath, she resolved to train harder than ever, not just for herself, but for everyone counting on her.

The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood as Demetri and Alessia approached Eli's house. Alessia felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety bubbling in her stomach. Today was a pivotal day for both of them. They needed to talk to Eli about the upcoming tournament, and Alessia wanted to share her thoughts about training and strategy.

Demetri reached up and rang the doorbell, the sound echoing through the quiet street. They waited, the air thick with expectation, but no one answered. Alessia exchanged a glance with Demetri, her brow furrowing in concern. "Maybe he's not home?"

Demetri shrugged, glancing around. "Or he's ignoring us. Classic Eli."

Alessia chuckled lightly, but her determination to see him was unwavering. She stepped up to the door, crouching down to check under the welcome mat. "He always keeps a key here. It's worth a shot," she said, lifting the mat and revealing nothing but dust and a few stray leaves.

Demetri raised an eyebrow. "I think it was moved after the last time I was here. Let me try something," he suggested, and his eyes landed on the turtle statue that had always been perched by the front door.

He picked it up, revealing a small compartment on the bottom. "Aha! See? Old habits die hard." He pulled out the key and held it triumphantly. Alessia rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Sometimes I think Eli keeps that statue around just to annoy us," she joked, shaking her head.

"More like to annoy himself," Demetri replied, inserting the key into the lock and twisting it. The door clicked open, and he pushed it wide, gesturing for Alessia to go first.

They stepped inside, the familiar scent of old books and pizza lingering in the air. Alessia felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her as they walked into the dimly lit entryway. "Eli?" she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the stillness.

No answer.

"Maybe he's in his room?" Demetri suggested, leading the way down the hallway. They walked past the living room, where stacks of comic books were haphazardly piled on the coffee table, remnants of Eli's last binge-reading session.

Alessia glanced at the cluttered space with a smirk. "You'd think he'd clean up a bit," she remarked.

Demetri shrugged, not taking his eyes off the hallway. "You know him. Clutter is part of his charm."

They descended the staircase to the basement, where Eli often set up his makeshift dojo for practice. As they reached the bottom step, Alessia heard a faint noise-punching and kicking sounds mixed with grunts. She exchanged a quick look with Demetri, their expressions matching in excitement.

"Sounds like he's down here," Alessia said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Demetri nodded, leading the way as they stepped into the spacious basement. The dim lighting cast long shadows on the walls, and there, on the couch, was Eli. The punching snd kicking noises were from his video game he was playing.

"Eli!" Alessia called out, her voice breaking his concentration.

He turned, eyes wide with surprise, and immediately dropped his guard. "Alessia? Demetri? What are you guys doing here?" he asked, a blank look spreading across his face.

Demetri gaped at Eli, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Where the hell have you been?" he finally managed to ask, his tone a mixture of concern and frustration.

Eli sighed, running a hand through his hair, though the familiar purple mohawk was now just a memory. "How'd you guys even get in here?" he asked, frowning at the two of them.

"Uh, your mom left the key under the turtle since kindergarten," Demetri stated, casually tossing the key he'd been holding to Eli, who caught it with a reluctant shrug. "You should think about increasing the security, given, you know, the karate war."

Alessia chuckled at Demetri's animated pacing. "But that's not important right now," she interjected, cutting through the tension.

Eli furrowed his eyebrows, clearly confused. "What's so important?"

Demetri jumped in, "Didn't you hear? The All Valley has separate gender divisions. I mean, do I look like Miyagi-Do's best hope at defeating Robby Keene?!"

Alessia shrugged. "And there's no way I'm gonna be able to beat Tory Nichols," she added, glancing at Eli with a mix of anxiety and determination.

"Mr. LaRusso says that anyone can be the hero, but I'm not Batman and Alessia's not Robin! We're more like Alfred," Demetri continued, his words spilling out in a frantic ramble.

Alessia nodded in agreement. "You're Batman," she said, pointing at Eli with a teasing grin.

Eli stared at them with a sad look, the weight of his recent experiences heavy in the air. "Oh, right. I forgot you're not a DC guy. Whatever. Forget Batman; you're the Hawk," Demetri rambled on, trying to lighten the mood.

Eli pulled his hood down and then took off his hat, revealing his freshly shaved head. "Yeah, not anymore," he trailed off, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice.

Demetri attempted to salvage the moment. "Hey, at least it looks better than the last time I saw it," he stated, forcing a smile.

"Cobra Kai sucks. Robby shaved your head, Tory and Kyler ditched me in the woods... Everyone at school knows what happened to us," Alessia frowned, plopping herself down on the couch beside Eli.

"It's embarrassing," Eli muttered, looking down at his lap.

Alessia leaned in closer, her voice softening. "Who cares what they think? Besides, it'll grow back, and Alessia, you're not freezing anymore," Demetri pointed out, still trying to find the silver lining.

"It doesn't matter. I ruined my reputation, talked a big game, and just proved I was an asshole," Eli said, his voice heavy with regret. Alessia rubbed his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"To Moon, to Miguel, and especially you," Eli continued, his expression growing more somber. "And I'm just glad Alessia wasn't there for most of it. She saw the end of it."

"I got what I deserved," he added, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey, I forgave you, remember?" Demetri said, his tone insistent. "And I don't care if you have a mohawk, or a mullet, or pigtails. Miyagi-Do needs you!"

Eli shook his head, the determination in his eyes dimming. "I'm not going back to Miyagi-Do," he stated firmly.

Alessia and Demetri exchanged glances, confusion and disappointment clear on their faces. "Well, that's just great. You're choosing Eagle Fang over your best friends," Demetri said, a hint of betrayal creeping into his voice.

"I'm not going back to Eagle Fang either!" Eli yelled, frustration bubbling over.

Alessia's eyes widened in shock. "You're done with karate, aren't you?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

Eli nodded, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "I-I'm done with karate, man. I quit."

The silence that followed was deafening. Alessia's heart sank at the finality of Eli's declaration. They had all come to this place together, forged in the fires of competition and friendship, and now it felt as if everything was unraveling. Demetri looked stunned, struggling to process what Eli had just said.

Alessia pushed through the door of Eli's house, balancing a large takeout bag filled with greasy burgers and fries on one hip. The familiar scent of fried food wafted through the air, momentarily distracting her from the weight of the day. She'd ventured out to grab food for herself, Demetri, and Eli, hoping the comfort of familiar flavors might help lift Eli's mood, especially after everything that had happened.

"Demetri! I'm back!" she called out, dropping her keys on the side table with a clatter as she walked deeper into the house. The atmosphere felt heavy, the shadows of unspoken words and past mistakes lingering like an unwelcome fog.

"Alessia!" Demetri's voice echoed from upstairs, urgency lacing his tone. "I tried to convince him, but he keeps saying no. You gotta talk to him. I even showed him our Binary Brother music video!"

Alessia chuckled at that, a hint of surprise bubbling up. The last time she'd seen Demetri so animated was when they'd created that video in the basement, laughing and joking around. "Okay, I'll talk to him," she replied, her heart pounding with a mix of determination and anxiety. She headed down the narrow hallway, her footsteps echoing in the silence, and descended the creaky stairs to the basement.

Eli was sprawled on the couch, his posture defeated as he stared blankly at the wall. The familiar decor of the room-the band posters and action figures-felt strangely foreign now. The light from the small window cast a soft glow, but it couldn't penetrate the gloom that hung over Eli. He didn't even notice her enter, lost in his own thoughts.

"Hey," Alessia said softly, taking a seat next to him on the couch. She set the takeout on the coffee table, the paper bag crinkling loudly in the quiet. "I got us some food. Demetri told me you're not feeling up to coming back to Miyagi-Do."

Eli shrugged, his eyes still glued to the wall. "Yeah, well, what's the point? It's just a stupid sport," he mumbled, his voice heavy with resignation.

"That's not true," Alessia countered gently, her heart aching for him. "You know karate is a part of who you are. I've been thinking about you a lot while I was in juvie. I didn't want you to think I forgot about you."

"Really?" Eli finally turned his gaze toward her, surprise flickering in his eyes. It was a glimpse of the boy she remembered, before the chaos of the last few months had swallowed him whole.

"Yeah," Alessia continued, her heart racing as she laid it all out. "When Robby showed up and told me that you had a mohawk and everything, I didn't believe him until I saw you in Cobra Kai that day. I was shocked."

Eli frowned, his expression darkening with the memories. "Well, I'm glad you weren't there for any of it. I mean, I broke Demetri's arm for fuck's sake. Imagine if you were there during my Hawk phase. I could've hurt you."

Alessia blinked in shock, shaking her head vigorously. "Eli, you would never hurt me." She took his hands, squeezing them gently as she tried to convey her sincerity. "I mean, Demetri... that's a shock. But I think if you had hurt me, it would just be a different way. I probably would've been pissed at you, and that would hurt both of us the most."

"Alessia..." Eli started, but she pressed on, feeling the weight of her feelings pushing her forward.

"You're my best friend, and you can't let this mohawk define you," she said, her voice firm yet soft. "You need to get out of this basement and come to Miyagi-Do. We miss you."

Eli didn't respond, and the silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Alessia took a deep breath, feeling a sudden rush of courage. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his softly, feeling the warmth of his surprise against her mouth. It was a gentle kiss, one that spoke volumes about friendship, support, and the unspoken bond they shared. Pulling back, she stood up, her heart racing. "Think about it, okay?"

Eli sat there in shock, his eyes wide as he processed what had just happened. The world around him faded away, and he was left with the soft thrum of his own heartbeat and the weight of her kiss lingering on his lips.

In the car, Alessia slid into the passenger seat beside Demetri, still buzzing with adrenaline from the kiss. The takeout bag lay crumpled in her lap, the food forgotten for the moment.

"Hey, so, I just kissed Eli," she announced, unable to contain her excitement.

Demetri's eyes went wide, his mouth dropping open. "What!? Eli's liked you for years... Do you like him? I mean, what about Robby?"

Alessia shook her head quickly, feeling a rush of warmth rise to her cheeks. "I don't like Eli. I just hope that kiss will let him know he can be who he can be, and that the mohawk doesn't define him."

Demetri frowned, skepticism clouding his features. "I don't know. He might take it the wrong way."

"Maybe," Alessia admitted, her voice laced with uncertainty. "But I had to try something. He needs to know that we're still here for him, that he's not alone in this."

Demetri sighed, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel as they pulled out of Eli's driveway. "I just hope it doesn't complicate things. You know how he is."

"I know," Alessia replied, staring out the window, watching the world rush by in a blur of color. "But I believe in him. He'll come around. He just needs to remember who he really is."

As they drove on, the weight of her kiss lingered in the air between them, a delicate thread connecting the three of them as they navigated the complex landscape of friendship, loyalty, and the search for identity.

ASH SPEAKS!

lets just say eli might have taken that kiss as something else....

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)