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         MARISOL WAS PUT OUT FOR THE CHALLENGE THEY WERE DOING AT COBRA KAI. Marisol grappled with a sense of uncertainty, questioning the advice she received from Sensei Silver and Sensei Kim. It seemed that both instructors were aligned in discouraging her, a sentiment she attributed to her perceived inadequacy and the struggles she faced in mastering the skills. The strict and brutal demeanor of Sensei Kim added to her confusion, leaving her without a clear understanding.

In the midst of this internal struggle, Marisol made the decision to resume her medication. The tipping point was when she started experiencing hallucinations of Sophie, a telltale sign mirroring her mother's previous warnings about the onset of a manic phase. The return to medication marked a pivotal moment in Marisol's journey, as she grappled with the complexities of her mental health and the challenges posed by her martial arts training.

Overwhelmed with disappointment, Marisol found herself confined to her room for the entire day due to unforeseen circumstances. The day held significant weight as it marked Hollis's departure. Despite Miguel's inability to be present on the farewell day, he had ensured a heartfelt goodbye the night before.

Summoning the strength to face the poignant moment, Marisol, accompanied by Mila, emerged from her seclusion. Together, they stood on the front porch, arms wrapped tightly around Hollis, who was on the brink of leaving. As the reality of the impending separation sank in, Marisol couldn't help but whisper, "We're going to miss you so much," her voice carrying the weight of genuine emotion.

Hollis reciprocated their tight embrace, his murmured words, "I'm going to miss you too," echoing with genuine emotion. Seeking to reassure his cousins, he added, "But we'll see each other soon, I promise," while Mila, visibly moved, pulled back, discreetly wiping away a tear with her sleeve. Trying to maintain a facade of toughness, she insisted, "You better come back to visit us soon," even as Marisol tenderly rubbed Mila's back.

However, Mila's stoic exterior quickly crumbled, and she found herself in tears, unwilling to let Hollis go. It was evident that her connection with him ran deep, surpassing even the bond she shared with Marisol. As Hollis prepared to leave, the porch became a bittersweet tableau of farewells and lingering emotions.

A gentle smile graced Hollis's face. "I will, I promise. And you guys can come visit me too, if you want," he suggested, prompting a solemn nod from Mila. Despite her agreement, an undercurrent of sadness settled in her chest, casting a shadow over the moment. Hollis wasn't merely a cousin; he was her confidant, her best friend, and akin to a brother. Now, as he prepared to leave for college, the profound impact of his departure weighed heavily on Mila. The impending separation loomed large, leaving Marisol and Mila grappling with the prospect of navigating life without their cherished companion.

Marisol released a measured exhale, fighting against the tide of tears threatening to spill. Despite recent strains with Mila, her determination to be a pillar of strength for her cousin prevailed. "Don't you forget us," she expressed, her words carrying both vulnerability and a quiet determination to maintain their connection. Hollis chuckled in response, his laughter a brief respite in the emotional moment. "I won't," he reassured, the assurance holding a weight of sincerity that echoed through the farewell.

The impatient honk of Holly's car echoed in the air. "Hollis!" she yelled urgently, grappling with the emotional weight of the moment. Despite the importance of talking to the girls, Holly found herself lacking the courage to do so.

As the distance between them widened, Marisol and Mila stood there, silently witnessing Hollis climb into the car. A palpable sadness washed over them, realizing that it was time for Hollis to embark on a new chapter. The car pulled away, carrying with it a mix of emotions. Though there was a pang of sorrow, Marisol and Mila recognized the necessity of letting Hollis go. They understood that her future held promise, and in their love for her, they chose not to hinder the journey that awaited her.

As the car gradually disappeared from their view, Marisol and Mila turned away, their steps heavy with the weight of emotions. Returning to the house, a poignant silence enveloped them, marking the end of an era. They acknowledged that things had irrevocably changed, and a profound sense of loss lingered.

Yet, amid the heaviness, they clung to the understanding that the memories forged with Hollis were treasures beyond measure. Each shared laugh, every moment of camaraderie held a significance that time couldn't diminish. Gratefulness welled up within them for the shared experiences, and despite the bittersweet farewell, Marisol and Mila knew they would forever hold a unique and cherished place in their hearts for their cousin, a bond unbroken by physical distance.

As the miles passed on their journey home, Marisol and Mila found a space for honesty, exchanging apologies that had long been left unsaid. The air in the car gradually shifted from tension to openness. Mila took the opportunity to share a significant update—she and Anthony had mended their friendship, engaging in conversations but not yet rekindling a romantic connection. The revelation was met with a mixture of relief and support from Marisol.

In another turn of the conversation, Mila disclosed her recent decision to join Miyagi-Fang, expecting a range of reactions from her friend. To her surprise and delight, Marisol responded not with disappointment but with genuine happiness. The news seemed to strengthen the bond between them.

In return, Marisol chose this moment to unveil her own decision—to part ways with Cobra Kai. Mila's face lit up with happiness, realizing that these shifts marked a new chapter in their lives, one where they could support each other's choices and forge a stronger friendship. The car ride became a conduit for reconciliation and shared aspirations, weaving a deeper connection between Marisol and Mila.

Marisol found herself immersed in a lazy afternoon, sprawled on the living room couch with a Selena Gomez movie marathon playing on the screen. The rhythmic crunch of Lay's chips echoed in the room as she indulged in her binge-watching session. A groan accompanied a dramatic moment in the movie, causing her to throw her head back in a carefree manner.

The doorbell's unexpected chime disrupted the tranquility of her leisure. Reluctantly rising from her comfortable nest, Marisol made her way to the front door. As she swung it open, Peter stood on the other side, catching her off guard. Her eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected visitor. In a state of relaxed disarray, clad in lazy, unwashed attire with slightly greasy hair, Marisol couldn't hide her casual state. "Peter, what the heck are you doing here?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of curiosity and a touch of mild embarrassment. In response, Peter burst into laughter, playfully pointing at her, enjoying the unexpected encounter.

"Yo!" He leaned forward, his laughter echoing through the room as she shot him an unamused glance. "You done yet, dumbo?" she hissed, her patience wearing thin. His laughter gradually subsided, and he cleared his throat, pulling himself together. "Yup," he replied, sealing his mouth shut, a hint of amusement lingering in his eyes as he casually slipped his hands into the front pockets of his jacket. The room settled into an awkward pause, each of them holding onto the residue of the banter that had just unfolded.

A quirked eyebrow revealed her curiosity as she questioned him, "What are you doing here?" His laughter rippled through the air before he offered, "Well, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I should stop by." With a casual demeanor, he leaned against the doorframe, his arm resting on it. There was a playful intent in his expression as he wiggled his eyebrows, attempting to infuse a touch of charm into the moment. The air hung with a mix of inquiry and the subtle dance of humor between them.

She blinked, an unimpressed expression settling on her face. "Stop trying to look charming. It's not working, doofus," she snapped, her tone cutting through his attempt at suavity. Undeterred, he put his hand on his chest, sucking in his teeth in a feigned moment of hurt. "Ouch, that hurt, m'lady," he quipped with a playful smirk, attempting to turn the banter into a lighthearted exchange.

With an exasperated eye roll, she dismissed him curtly, "Not in the mood," snapping at him once again. He furrowed his eyebrows, tentatively taking a step inside as she closed the door behind him. "Why so gloomy?" he questioned with a flirty expression, attempting to inject some lightness into the interaction.

Nonchalantly, she popped a potato chip into her mouth, the crunch resonating in the air. "None of your beeswax," she spat out, her tone carrying a touch of annoyance, and she continued, speaking with her mouth full, emphasizing her disinterest in entertaining his curiosity. The room hung with a tension, a clash of moods between them.

"It's very rude to speak with your food in your mouth," he teased, adopting a casual posture against the counter. Undeterred, she circled around the counter, a carefree flick sending her bag of chips away. "I don't care," she replied with a sarcastic smile, her indifference evident as she playfully flipped him off.

The room held a charged atmosphere as her jacket started slipping off one shoulder, unveiling a tank top strap. A very messy bun adorned her hair, giving an air of effortless coolness to her appearance. The subtle shift in the atmosphere carried the unspoken tension of their banter, creating a moment suspended in a blend of defiance and nonchalance.

Peter let out a sigh, pleading with her. "Come on, tell me... Why are you so gloomy?" he begged, concerned. She huffed in frustration before finally giving in. "Fine, you wanna know so bad? My freaking cousin left for college early," she blurted out, rolling her eyes.

Peter's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, damn. I'm really sorry," he quickly apologized, feeling bad for his previous comment. As she rolled her eyes, she sat down at her dining room table and started scrolling through her phone. Suddenly, she gasped, catching Peter's attention. "What happened?" he asked, concerned about the sudden reaction.

"There was some Taikai thing at my dojo today! It was something to try and get my dojo into the tournament. . . Miyagi-Fang was there too? They. . ." She read out loud from what she was reading from, "they both won and got into the tournament. . . Tory left the dojo, was supposed to up against Sam, but she disappeared. . . So Devon went up against her instead. . . They're calling Eli 'Faux-Hawk' now because fucking Kenny punched him in the chest!" She exclaimed, flickering her eyes up to him.

Peter gasped, his eyes widening in concern. "What!? Is Eli okay?" He quickly took a seat across from her, his face filled with panic. She nodded reassuringly. "Yeah, he lost against Kenny, but he got checked out and everything looks fine." She let out a relieved breath. Peter's expression softened. "Good... Where are you reading this from?" he asked, curious about the source of the information.

"My sister! She texted me," she exclaimed, showing him her phone. He quickly skimmed the text and his eyes widened. "Holy shit... Did you miss the last part of the message?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Marisol's eyes widened as she looked at it. "Oh? Robby invited us to a party... There's a rager at Miguel's house happening in two hours? And my sister is going to be there with Anthony!?" she exclaimed, a mix of surprise and excitement in her voice.

Amused, Peter let out a hearty laugh. "You should probably make a graceful exit. Who knows what mischief they're scheming," he joked, prompting Marisol to playfully smack his arm. She shot back, "Not funny! She's only thirteen, and so is he," emphasizing the need for caution in their lighthearted banter.

Peter arched an eyebrow, saying, "Bro, I was up to stuff at thirteen."

She cast him a discerning look, a blend of understanding and discomfort. "Could you please refrain? I'd rather not delve into the intricacies of your personal life," she requested. Shaking her head disapprovingly, she crinkled her nose, signaling a mix of distaste and a desire to change the subject.

"Wait a second, what brought you here in the first place?" Her puzzled expression lingered as he casually shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted to let you know that Tory and I shared a kiss. Things changed between her and Robby, and we've been hanging out lately. It goes deeper though—she opened up about a struggle, confessing a truth she's been grappling with, and apparently, she's already confided in you about it."

Marisol's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped in surprise. "What? Oh my god! You and Tory would be absolutely perfect together!" she exclaimed, letting out a delighted squeal. Meanwhile, Peter responded with a half-hearted 'ehh' sound. "Well, it didn't go as planned. Turns out she didn't feel the same way about the kiss. She sees me strictly as a friend and is still in love with Robby. It got a bit awkward, and I ended up storming out in frustration."

Marisol's hand flicked against his forehead in a playful yet scolding manner. "Seriously, were you oblivious? Kissing her when she's obviously into Robby? That's a major misstep, dumbass!" Her scolding tone was accompanied by an exasperated expression. In his defense, he raised his eyes with a hint of remorse. "I'm sorry, okay? It was a lapse in judgment." Marisol couldn't hold back a laugh. "You're such a goof, but seriously, don't do that again."

He adorned her with a charming smile. "I plead guilty," he admitted, winking mischievously, which earned a shake of the head from her. "I'm heading off to prepare for the party. And, just a heads up, no snooping around," she cautioned, emphasizing her point by pointing at him. His response was a playful giggle. "No promises—I make no guarantees!"

As they entered the lively atmosphere of the party, they spotted Robby standing alone. Marisol and Peter found themselves near the punch bowl when their eyes met Robby across the room. Marisol, sensing the moment, nudged Peter and nodded discreetly in Robby's direction. "Hey, let's go say hi to him," she suggested, taking a purposeful step forward, the anticipation of a friendly encounter evident in her demeanor.

Following Marisol's lead, Peter walked alongside her as they navigated through the lively crowd toward Robby. "Hey man, how's it going?" Peter asked, offering a friendly clap on Robby's back. Robby grinned, acknowledging the greeting with a sip of his drink. "It's going pretty well," he replied.

Marisol, appreciative of the invitation, added her thanks, "Thanks for inviting me to the party," as the trio exchanged pleasantries amidst the festive atmosphere.

"Of course," Robby replied, his expression reflecting genuine warmth. "We're genuinely glad you could make it. Your presence adds to the fun of the party."

In the midst of their conversation, Marisol shared details about Hollis leaving for college earlier than expected, and in response, he conveyed that Miyagi-Fang missed her company. "You know, I've actually been—" Marisol's sentence was abruptly cut off by a sudden yell from outside, a yell that carried a sense of familiarity. The unexpected sound prompted Marisol and Peter to exchange a concerned glance, the unspoken question lingering in the air. "What was that?" Marisol asked, her tone now tinged with a mix of curiosity and worry.

"I don't know," Peter said, lowering his voice. "But we should go check it out," he suggested with a sense of urgency. Robby nodded in agreement, and the three of them swiftly made their way to the front door. Stepping outside, they were met with a chaotic scene—a group of people gathered in the street, shouting and pushing each other.

Marisol's heart raced as she recognized familiar faces in the midst of the turmoil. "That's Sam and Tory," she whispered, a tinge of concern in her voice. Peter's jaw clenched in determination. "We can't let this escalate," he asserted, taking a step forward. Marisol, sensing the tension, intervened by stopping him with a firm touch on his arm. "Hold on... I think Tory might have this," she cautioned, her gaze fixed on the unfolding events with a mix of worry and hope.

—

ash speaks!

What do you think might happen next. . .