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Marisol sank into the plush pillow, her tear-streaked cheeks dampening the fabric beneath her. Mila's worry intensified as she rapped on the door, met with an unsettling silence that gnawed at her. With a furrowed brow, she gingerly pushed the door ajar, revealing the sight of Marisol, her figure hunched and heavy with sorrow, nestled on the bed. "Mars, are you okay?" she softly implored, her voice laced with genuine concern. Marisol could only respond with a melancholic hum, her eyes reflecting a world of pain. Mila's heart ached as she took a step closer, her voice laced with tenderness. "What's wrong?" she gently prodded, eager to offer solace to her troubled friend.

Marisol's heart raced as she took a shaky breath, turning her head to meet Mila's concerned gaze. "S-Sam and I... we broke up again," she managed to utter, her voice trembling with vulnerability. Tears welled up in her eyes once more, threatening to spill over. Mila's jaw dropped open, a mix of shock and worry etched across her face. Unable to contain her concern, she hurriedly crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed beside Marisol. "What!? Why? I thought everything was going so well between you two," she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine confusion and disbelief.

Marisol's eyes met Mila's, a mix of vulnerability and disappointment evident in her gaze. "I thought we were solid... but then she went and broke up with me," she began, her voice quivering with a hint of sadness. "All because I stood up for Hawk. He was going after Demetri, and I could understand his anger, you know? And that didn't sit well with Sam. She couldn't handle it and decided to end things between us." Marisol's words tumbled out in a rush, her explanation laced with a touch of frustration and understanding.

Mila's lips curled into a gentle frown, her arms opening wide in a comforting gesture as Marisol sought solace in her embrace. They held each other tightly, the warmth of their bond enveloping them both. "I love you, sissy," Mila whispered softly, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Marisol's voice wavered as she tried to hold back her tears, her words choked with emotion. "I-I love you too," she stammered, a sob escaping her lips. Mila's eyes welled up with tears, mirroring the pain she felt for her friend. Seeing Marisol like this was heart-wrenching. "I miss Sophie too," Mila murmured, her voice tinged with longing. "She would've given us the Sophie Lophie Ice Cream. Remember how delicious it was? But she never told us the secret recipe."

Marisol's lips quivered, and she delicately ran her tongue over them, a nervous gesture. "I miss her too," she admitted, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Her cheer-up ice cream was like a sweet escape." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, mirroring the pain in her heart. Mila nodded in understanding, her face etched with empathy. "Why did she have to do this to us?" Mila's voice cracked, her frustration seeping through.

"Why did she leave us behind?" Marisol let out a soft sigh, her voice barely audible. "I wish I had the answers, Mila. I really do." A single tear trickled down Mila's cheek, her voice trembling with emotion. "And where is Dad in all of this? Why isn't he here for us? Mom's gone, and now he's gone too? Natasha won't even step out of her room." The weight of their losses hung heavily in the air, their hearts aching for answers and solace.

The older brunette's voice quivered as she nervously bit her lip, her eyes filled with a mix of hesitation and sadness. "Um, I-I don't know if you'll understand, but do you know what cheating is?" she asked, her words stumbling out. Mila's eyebrows shot up in surprise, shaking her head in confusion. "Nah, I don't really know what you mean," Mila admitted, her curiosity piqued.

Taking a deep breath, the older brunette mustered the courage to share her painful discovery. "Well, I caught Dad cheating on Natasha. It means I saw him with another woman, kissing her instead of Natasha. And she had no idea," she explained, her voice filled with a mix of anger and sadness.

Mila's mouth dropped open in shock. "Wh- What?" she stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief. Marisol couldn't quite decipher Mila's exact facial expression, but when Mila abruptly stood up and stormed out, Marisol knew that Mila was deeply upset.

As Marisol watched her friend leave, a sharp pain shot through her forearm, causing her to wince and squeeze her eyes shut. "Oww," she muttered through clenched teeth, feeling the ache intensify. Determined to assess the source of the pain, Marisol made her way towards the mirror in her room. With a steady hand, she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the bandage that covered the scar from a few months ago.

As she cautiously peeled away the layers of the bandage, her eyes fixated on the now more pronounced scar. A mixture of emotions washed over her, and a deep frown etched itself onto her face as she vividly recalled the moment that had caused this mark. Tears continued to flow down her cheeks, but amidst the pain, a sudden surge of determination coursed through her.

With a resolute expression, she clenched her jaw and shifted her gaze from the scar to the corner of her room, where a baseball bat stood, waiting. In one swift motion, she reached out, grabbing the bat with a firm grip, and stormed out of the house, her heart pounding with a fiery resolve.

—

She pulled her car to a stop right in front of Hawk's house, her heart pounding in her chest. Relief washed over her as she scanned the area and noticed only Hawk's car, no sign of his parents. Gripping the bat tightly, she stepped out of her car, adrenaline coursing through her veins. "FUCK YOU, MOTHERFUCKER!" she bellowed, her voice echoing through the quiet street.

With a fierce determination, she swung the bat, connecting with the window of Hawk's car, the shattering glass punctuating her anger. Again and again, she unleashed her fury upon the front of the car, her cries of frustration mingling with the sound of each powerful strike.

Tears streamed down her face, a mix of pain and rage fueling her actions. And then, with a final burst of energy, she directed her wrath towards another window, the forceful impact causing the glass to splinter and shatter. The air was heavy with her emotions as she stood there, catching her breath, her heartache and anger temporarily finding release through the destructive power of her swings.

Finally, Hawk burst out of the house, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of Marisol in a state of manic distress. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached out and firmly clasped her waist, causing her to drop the bat from her trembling hands. The sound of her cries and sobs filled the air, escaping from her mouth in desperate bursts of anguish. "Let go of me, Sophie! Please!" she pleaded, her voice strained with a mixture of fear and confusion.

In her mind, she believed she was back home, reliving a vivid memory from her childhood at the age of twelve. The weight of her hallucination pressed upon her, distorting her perception of reality, as her breaths became shallow and rapid, her chest heaving with hyperventilation.

Hawk's brows furrowed, his face etched with concern, as he gently turned Marisol around to meet his gaze. "It's me, Eli, Mars. Not Sophie," he said, his voice filled with reassurance. Marisol's eyes widened, a mix of confusion and relief washing over her. Gradually, her breathing began to slow, returning to a steady rhythm. She glanced around, her brow furrowing in puzzlement. "Wh- What happened?" she stammered, her voice trembling. Her gaze landed on Eli's car, and a gasp escaped her lips.

Her heart pounded in her chest as realization struck. "No, no... Did I do that?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear. Overwhelmed by the weight of her actions, she took a few steps back, her foot catching on an unseen obstacle. With a startled cry, she tumbled onto the soft grass, her hands instinctively reaching for her head. Her breaths came in rapid bursts, her mind racing to make sense of the chaos unfolding around her.

Eli's eyes widened with panic as he looked at her, his heart racing with worry. He couldn't bear to see her hurting herself like this. Marisol's hand struck her face repeatedly, her voice echoing with self-deprecating words. "Stupid, stupid, stupid..." she muttered, the words filled with frustration and pain.

Without a moment's hesitation, Eli dropped to his knees in front of her, gently grasping her hands to prevent any further harm. His voice trembled as he pleaded, "Marisol, please, don't hurt yourself anymore." He could feel her trembling, her body rocking back and forth in distress. He held onto her hands tightly, trying to provide a sense of stability and comfort amidst the chaos.

Eli's anxiety was palpable as he anxiously nibbled on his bottom lip. His gaze locked with hers, desperately seeking a connection. With a deep breath, he mustered the courage to speak. "Hey, can you do me a favor? Look around and tell me five things you see," he gently requested, his voice laced with concern. He remembered reading about the 54321 method for managing panic attacks and hoped it could help her in this moment.

Marisol's eyes darted around the surroundings, her gaze landing on different objects. "Um, let's see... I can spot my car, my trusty bat, your skateboard on the porch, and those twinkling fairy lights," she hesitantly listed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Eli nodded, his expression sympathetic yet encouraging. "You're doing great. Now, how about four things you can physically touch?" he gently prodded, hoping to keep her grounded.

Marisol gulped, her fingers nervously fidgeting. "I can feel your hands, my own face, the soft grass beneath my feet, and the solid grip of the bat," she replied, her voice gaining a bit more confidence. Eli furrowed his brow, curiosity piqued by the presence of the bat. "Hmm, interesting choice. Now, let's focus on three things you can hear," he suggested, eager to guide her through the exercise.

Marisol's gaze met Eli's, her eyes searching for the right words. "You. The grasshoppers. The cars," she responded quickly, her breathing returning to a steady rhythm. Eli's face lit up with a wide grin, impressed by her swift reply. "That's it! Now, let's move on to two things you can smell," he encouraged, eager to keep the momentum going. Marisol took a deep breath, her nostrils flaring as she inhaled the scents around her.

This caught Eli's attention, causing him to raise an intrigued eyebrow. "Hmm, what do you smell?" he asked, curiosity lacing his words. Marisol's face brightened as she shared her olfactory discoveries. "Your cologne, by the way, it's quite potent... and the mouthwatering aroma of Mr. Danellis' delectable food wafting from down the street," she replied, a playful tone dancing in her voice.

Eli nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Alright, last one. How 'bout something you can taste?" he asked, a playful grin on his face. Marisol's mind raced, searching for the perfect answer. "Hmm, how 'bout them jolly ranchers I got stashed in my car?" she replied, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Eli rose to his feet, extending his hand towards her. "C'mon, let's head to my place. I'm a bit worried," he said, his tone filled with genuine concern. Marisol hesitated, her eyes meeting his with a touch of uncertainty. "You ain't gonna rough me up or go all crazy on me, right?" she asked, her voice laced with caution.

Eli's expression turned slightly somber, his brows furrowing. "Oh. Um, no... I guess I owe you an apology too," he muttered quietly to himself. Marisol let out a sigh, following him inside. Curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, "Where are your parents? I don't see anyone home." Eli gave her a knowing look, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions.

"Mom's in Paris for work, and dad went to Florida for a job," he replied swiftly, causing her to raise an eyebrow. They walked into the living room together, and Marisol settled down beside him on the couch. "Are you gonna tell me what happened?" he asked, his tone filled with anticipation.

Marisol couldn't help but let out a slight scoff, her arms instinctively folding across her chest. "Why... why should I tell you?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration and hesitation. Eli's gaze softened as he met her eyes, his concern evident in his expression. "Because I am genuinely worried about you," he replied earnestly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I found you outside my house, lying on the floor, going through a complete manic breakdown," he continued, his finger pointing towards the spot where it all happened.

Marisol couldn't help but release a sigh, her voice carrying a blend of resignation and playful banter. "Yeah, you're right... So, should I just rip off the bandaid and spill the beans, or do you want me to keep you hanging on the edge of suspense?" she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Eli rolled his eyes, a hint of impatience lacing his response. "Just rip off the bandaid already," he retorted, his tone conveying a desire for straightforwardness.

She let out a long, heavy exhale, her voice filled with a mix of exhaustion, frustration, and raw emotion. "Okay, well... I haven't been taking my meds like I should, and it's like Sophie is always right there, haunting me. I can't escape her presence. And as if that wasn't enough, my dad and Natasha, they might actually split up because I caught him with another woman. Can you believe it? And guess who that woman was? My freaking Cheer Coach! Talk about a betrayal. And then there's the whole mess with you beating up Demetri. I mean, I get it, he trashed your dojo online, and I kinda understood your anger. But then, because of all that drama, Sam broke up with me. It's been a whirlwind, I'm telling you. And just a few hours ago, me and Mila, we sat there, crying our eyes out, missing Sophie so damn much. And in that moment of vulnerability, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I spilled the beans to Mila about what my dad did, and she stormed off, probably to have her own meltdown. And that's when I looked at myself in the mirror, saw that scar, and everything just spiraled out of control. That's why I ended up here, pouring my heart out to you."

Eli's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and regret crossing his face. "Holy shi- I'm so sorry, Marisol," he blurted out, his words filled with genuine remorse. Marisol shrugged her shoulders, her voice barely audible as she responded, "It's fine, I guess." Eli shook his head, his expression serious and determined. "No, Marisol, it's not okay. I shouldn't have treated you like that. I'm truly sorry. It was completely wrong of me to disregard your feelings, especially when it comes to Cobra Kai. I should have been there for you and taken your perspective into consideration."

Marisol's smile widened, a glimmer of appreciation in her eyes. "Thank you, Hawk," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "But honestly, Cobra Kai doesn't really hold my interest anymore. I've noticed a change in you, and I can't deny that. But I can't dictate your actions either. I can't just tell you what to do. As long as you don't go to the extreme of hurting someone, I'm okay with it."

Eli's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and curiosity as he looked at Marisol. "You're welcome... but I gotta say, I'm kinda taken aback. Are you really cool with me being a part of Cobra Kai?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Marisol let out a soft hum and nodded, her expression calm. "Oh, alright... so does this mean we're friends again?" Eli asked, a hopeful grin spreading across his face. Marisol couldn't help but laugh, her voice filled with warmth. "Absolutely! This totally means we're friends again. I mean, you just helped me through a full-blown meltdown. That's what friends do, right?"

Eli couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, his mind buzzing with an exciting idea. A mischievous grin curled onto his face as he spoke, "You know what? You don't have to join Cobra Kai, but how about being my special guest tomorrow? You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the action." Marisol's eyes narrowed slightly, her suspicion evident in her gaze. "Guest? What's the catch?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and caution. Eli's eyes widened, his excitement bubbling over. "Coyote Creek," he replied, his voice filled with anticipation and a hint of mystery.

—

ash speaks!

panic attacks are no fun at all. i have experienced these types before. in no way am i romanticizing panic attacks, because i have experienced them myself and its not fun to see people make fun of people for their anxiety or even 'romanticizing' it. like what? we have to go through overthinking and being overwhelmed everyday. just because you think you might not 'experience' this, but its not fun at all. i know some people have different panic attacks, but from i have experienced myself, this is what my panic attacks look like so i wrote it how i have experienced it. everyone experiences it differently or the same.