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        MARISOL DECIDED TO GO TO KARATE FINALLY AFTER A FEW WEEKS. As Marisol received the updated address from Miguel, Johnny voiced his frustration. "Ugh, this is a skills competition. We need a girl on this team. We need Marisol," he complained, expressing his discontent just as Marisol walked into the scene. The timing of her entrance added a layer of anticipation to the unfolding situation.

She folded her arms across her chest. "I see you missed me," she declared, curling her lips into a smirk. Johnny cast a thankful glance her way. "Cervantes! Finally. We have a girls division now. We need you," he called out, acknowledging the need for her presence in the upcoming competition.

Marisol drew in her breath through her teeth. "Oh, uhm. We have a problem about that," she admitted, nervously chuckling. Miguel, wearing a puzzled expression, stepped forward. "What do you mean?" he inquired. Marisol hesitated, choosing her words carefully before explaining the complicated situation.

"Well... my parents heard what happened with Eli, with Robby on the competing team. They knew he would probably hurt me with the influence of Cobra Kai in his head. He's already going batshit crazy in my house, throwing things... and with my bipolar disorder and depression, they don't want me competing. They just want me on the sidelines, taking notes, and coming to class still. Plus, I've got a broken hand, so I wouldn't even be able to do much,"

Johnny groaned. "Shit."

Miguel raised his hand. "Sensei, it sounds like we could use some female students," he suggested. Johnny nodded his head in defeat. "Fine." The acknowledgment of the need for female representation within the team echoed through Johnny's reluctant agreement.

Johnny turned his attention to Marisol. "Know any girls who could join?" he asked. Marisol hummed in contemplation, her mind processing potential candidates. "Actually, I do. There's this girl, Therese Alsten. She's part of the Track team and Journalism club. She interviewed me once after the school fight. It was for the school newspaper, but her section didn't get approved because it was about the fight."

Johnny snapped his fingers, an impulsive decision forming. "Great! You and Miguel are gonna help me hunt down her and some other girls," he instructed, enthusiasm driving the directive. Marisol, not entirely thrilled, rolled her eyes at the sudden task. "Why do I have to go?" she whined, a hint of protest in her voice as she stomped her foot in a playful display of reluctance. Miguel couldn't help but snort at Marisol's theatrics. The dynamics among the trio added a layer of humor to the upcoming mission.

Johnny raised a brow, addressing Marisol's prolonged absence. "You haven't been in class in weeks. This is how you're gonna make up for it," he declared, underlining the expectation of Marisol's involvement. With a resigned huff, she conceded, "Fine," embracing the mission as a form of compensation for her recent class absenteeism.

Johnny, seeking more options, turned to the rest of his students. Bert eagerly raised his hand, offering a suggestion, "There's this girl from the debate team." A puzzled expression clouded Johnny's face. "Debate team?" he questioned, his tone carrying a touch of judgment. Bert, finding himself momentarily at a loss, directed his gaze at Marisol, silently hoping for her assistance in justifying the unconventional choice from the debate team. The exchange highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the potential recruits and added a layer of curiosity to Johnny's quest for new team members.

Marisol tilted her head in confusion, uncertain about the look Johnny was giving her. He then proceeded to shout at his students, making it clear, "We need killers, not more nerds," causing Bert's hopeful expression to fall. Johnny, in an unexpected coaching move, instructed them to run laps, cautioning, "Try not to breathe too much. There's black mold in the corner," a combination of toughness and humor in his approach.

Marisol, visibly disgusted by the mention of black mold, walked towards her sensei and stood beside Miguel. The mix of confusion, disappointment, and curiosity lingered in the air as Johnny's coaching style took an unconventional turn.

Miguel looked up at Johnny with a plea in his eyes. "Look, Sensei, I... I know things got heated at Miyagi-Do, but with these new changes, I think Sam on our team would really help," he earnestly suggested, emphasizing the potential benefits of having Sam on their side.

Marisol's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait- Wait. What happened while I've been gone?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued by the mention of changes at Miyagi-Do. Miguel turned his attention to her, preparing to provide an update on the recent events that had unfolded in her absence. "well..."

Johnny swiftly interrupted, dismissing the need for further explanation. "Not important. Gotta keep you sane. Let's talk about this later. We'll find a girl champ, don't worry about that," he assured Miguel, redirecting the conversation. Johnny's attention then shifted to Marisol. "Cervantes said something about Therese. So, we should check her out. Now get running," he commanded his students.

He then turned to Marisol with a task. "And you, you're gonna go build that thing over there. Put some muscle into it... well, you're kinda crippled, so try to do it with your one hand," he instructed, acknowledging Marisol's recent injury while still assigning her a responsibility, highlighting Johnny's no-nonsense coaching style and his ability to adapt tasks based on the circumstances.

She smiled sarcastically, offering a mock bow to Johnny, then turned around with an eye roll. Grabbing the manual, she scanned the instructions for what she had to build and immediately felt a wave of uncertainty. Being told to construct something she couldn't even identify, resembling an object meant for slicing watermelons, left her with a mix of confusion and amusement.

A sharp whistle cut through the air as Marisol confidently stepped onto the field, positioning herself between Miguel and Johnny. "Okay. This is it. This is where most of the girls' team practices," she explained to the two men.

Miguel cast a doubtful glance at Johnny. "Sure you'll be able to convince them?" he questioned. Johnny shot him an offended look. "Please. When I went to this school, the only thing I was better at than karate—and I was pretty good at karate—was talking to chicks," Johnny asserted with a self-assured grin, brimming with the confidence only he could muster. The trio stood on the field, anticipation hanging in the air as Johnny prepared to make his pitch to recruit new members.

Marisol couldn't help but snicker at the memories. "Sure. My dad witnessed it a lot," she mumbled to herself, reminiscing about her father's numerous pranks. Johnny rolled his eyes at her comment. "Your dad ever tell you he was the biggest prankster ever?" he asked with a smirk. Marisol shook her head in response. "Explains why Mila scares the shit out of me all the time," she added, connecting the dots between her father's prankster legacy and her sister's penchant for startling surprises.

Marisol sighed. "I'm gonna go talk to Therese," she informed Miguel, who nodded in response. Marisol jogged over to the Alsten girl, who was in the midst of stretching. Therese looked up, noticing the approaching presence of the Cervantes girl.

Therese cracked a wide grin upon spotting Marisol. "Hey, Marisol!" she exclaimed, hands confidently resting on her hips. Marisol halted her jog, transitioning to a more casual walk with her arms swinging by her side as she caught her breath. "Not a runner," she breathed out with a hint of amusement. Therese chuckled, sharing a lighthearted moment with Marisol as they engaged in friendly banter. The easy exchange set the tone for their conversation, full of genuine camaraderie.

She nodded with a small, understanding smile. "So, how's Track and Journalism going?" Marisol asked, showing genuine interest in Therese's endeavors. Therese responded with a nonchalant shrug, her expression reflecting a mix of frustration and acceptance. "Honestly, not great. I'm benched for having poor grades, and I got kicked out for calling out some girl taking an idea for an article," she revealed, her honesty bringing a touch of vulnerability to the conversation.

Marisol's features softened into a frown. "Shit, I'm sorry. Why are you here then?" she inquired, genuinely curious about what brought Therese to the dojo despite the setbacks in her other activities.

She threw her arms up. "Not sure. I was gonna tell them I'm quitting today. I'm not gonna keep coming to practices and be the water girl," she scoffed lightly, shooting a sidelong glance at one of her teammates as they walked past them. The frustration in Therese's gesture and tone hinted at her dissatisfaction with the current dynamics on her team.

Marisol clicked her tongue with a supportive tone. "You go, girl. I used to be a cheerleader, but I quit for a good reason too," she pointed out, flashing a grin to convey a sense of camaraderie. Therese chuckled in response. "Oh, yeah... kinda heard about that. I heard she quit and skipped town. Some women kicked the shit out of her." The conversation revealed a bit of Marisol's past and sparked curiosity about shared stories, creating a connection between the two.

Marisol sniffled a laugh, imagining Natasha's potential involvement in the ass-kicking scenario. "Oh, damn," Marisol reacted. "So, what's up with you?" Therese asked the Cervantes girl. "A lot of shit, but that's not really important. I was kinda wondering if you would want to join my karate dojo?" Marisol replied, her invitation opening a new avenue for Therese and connecting their conversation to the world of martial arts..

Therese took a deep breath, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she contemplated her response. "You know," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "I've actually been wanting to try it out for a while now. But, there have been some things I've heard that made me hesitant..."

Her words trailed off as she caught sight of the pleading look on Marisol's face. The desperation in her friend's eyes tugged at Therese's heartstrings, making her reconsider. "Please?" Marisol implored, her voice filled with hope. "Just give it a shot for a few weeks. I'll send you the address. It'll be so much fun! Sure, my Sensei might be a little old-fashioned and a tad bit sexist, but I promise he'll warm up to you."

Therese sighed, her resolve weakening. The prospect of trying something new and exciting, despite the potential challenges, was tempting. With a small smile, she finally relented. "Alright, you've convinced me. Send me the address. Let's see what this adventure has in store for us!"

Therese let out a tired sigh, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and uncertainty. "Yeah, I guess I could give it a shot. I mean, I do need something to replace the Track team since I'm quitting," she admitted, her shoulders slumping slightly.

Marisol's face lit up with excitement, a wide grin spreading across her face. "That's amazing!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her enthusiasm. As she turned her head, she caught sight of Miguel approaching from the corner of her eye. "We're planning to head to the Rec center. Moon suggested Piper. It's supposed to be a really cool place!" she added, her voice filled with anticipation.

She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "That's awesome! I'm totally stoked that Therese might join," she exclaimed, pointing towards her friend with a grin. Therese waved back at the boy, a friendly gesture exchanged between them.

Miguel returned the wave with a charming smile before shifting his attention back to Marisol. "Hey," he greeted her, his voice warm and friendly. "By the way, you might wanna have a chat with your cousin," he suggested, his words tinged with a hint of intrigue.

A puzzled expression crossed Marisol's face as she furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a touch of concern. She was eager to uncover the reason behind Miguel's suggestion.

Miguel's face fell, and he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "We actually broke up," he confessed, his voice tinged with sadness. "He won't give me a reason, and it's been bothering me," he added, his words filled with disappointment.

Marisol's eyes widened in surprise, her voice filled with concern. "Oh no, that's terrible," she exclaimed, her tone sympathetic. "I'll definitely talk to him and see if I can find out what happened," she assured him, nodding her head in determination. With a quick turn on her heels, she headed towards the gym, ready to confront her cousin and get some answers.

Marisol stepped into the gym, her eyes scanning the court until she spotted Hollis. A wide smile spread across her face as she watched him skillfully dribble the ball, effortlessly circling around his opponent. With a swift motion, he threw the ball into the basket, scoring a point. Marisol couldn't help but be impressed. Crossing her arms over her chest, Marisol called out to him, her voice filled with excitement. "Hollis!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with admiration and joy. She watched as he jumped up and down, pumping his fists in the air, clearly ecstatic about his successful shot.

Hollis glanced over at the girl, his expression turning concerned as he noticed her slightly upset demeanor. With a reassuring pat on his friend's shoulder, he jogged over to her. "Hey, what's up?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity and care. He wanted to know what was bothering her and offer his support.

She let out a disapproving click of her tongue, frustration evident in her body language as she threw her arms down by her side. "Wait a minute, is it true that you and Miguel broke up?" she blurted out, her eyebrow raised in surprise. Hollis chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Nah, nothing like that," he replied with a hint of amusement. "Just realized I'm more into women," he explained, shrugging casually.

Marisol shot Hollis a knowing look, her eyes filled with understanding. "Come on, dude. Let's be real here, okay?" she said, her tone serious yet compassionate. She gestured towards his basketball friends, who were laughing uncontrollably. "Don't pay attention to those motherfuckers," she said, her voice firm. Hollis turned his head to glance at his friends and then back at Marisol, a sigh escaping his lips. "I know, I know," he whispered, his voice filled with resignation. "But sometimes I just want to fit in, you know?" he admitted, his head lowering in a mix of vulnerability and frustration.

Marisol shook her head in disbelief, her expression filled with determination. "Listen, the only way you're gonna fit in is by being true to yourself and finding the right people," she declared, her voice filled with conviction. She turned on her heels and walked out of the gym, leaving behind the ignorant homophobes.

The following day had arrived, and Marisol and Therese rendezvoused outside the dojo. Therese glanced up at the building, her face contorting into a grimace. "Damn, is this seriously the place?" she questioned, clearly unimpressed. Marisol emitted a soft hum, a knowing expression on her face. "You got all your shots, right?" Marisol inquired, causing Therese's eyes to widen in surprise. "Uh, yeah?" Therese responded, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Marisol waved her hand dismissively, making a 'pfft' sound. "Oh, don't worry, you should be good," she assured Therese, her voice filled with confidence. She walked into the building, with Therese following closely behind. Suddenly, all eyes turned towards Therese as she exclaimed, "Mostly?!" Feeling a bit flustered, she quickly added, "Sorry for being late, I just wanted to make sure she arrived safely."

Therese let out a laugh, her voice filled with amusement. "Yeah, she's got a point. I was taking forever to get ready because I couldn't decide what to wear," she informed the man, a playful smile on her face. The man turned his attention to Marisol, his gaze fixed on her. "Is this Tara?" he asked, seeking confirmation. Marisol emitted a soft hum, her eyes locked with his. "No, this is Therese," she corrected him firmly, her expression stern.

Johnny nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, welcome Tara. Well, at least we got you here. Couldn't snag Piper Rockelle for our team," he muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice. Marisol arched an eyebrow, glancing over at Miguel. "Yeah, Piper, Moon's ex, ended up joining Cobra Kai instead," she explained, her tone tinged with curiosity.

Marisol shook her head, a look of disbelief on her face. "Oh my gosh, seriously? Well, hey, at least you've got Therese on your side. But you know who else you should consider? Devon. I have AP World History with her, and I think she'd be a great addition," Marisol suggested, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Johnny shook his head, a mix of disappointment and uncertainty evident on his face. "Well, I guess we can try this. Diaz, Cervantes, Tara, why don't you guys pair up?" he instructed, his voice carrying a sense of authority. Therese furrowed her eyebrows, clearly perplexed by the sudden directive. She glanced over at Marisol, her eyes filled with panic, and whispered urgently, "What does he mean? What are we supposed to do now?"

Marisol flashed Therese a nervous grin, her voice filled with a hint of apprehension. "Hey, have you ever taken a punch before?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. Therese's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she shook her head slowly, clearly indicating that she hadn't. Marisol's expression softened, and she offered a sincere apology. "I'm really sorry about this," she said, her voice filled with regret. Without further ado, Marisol threw a punch right into Therese's nose with her good hand.

Therese let out a grunt, stumbling back and clutching her nose in pain. "Ow! I didn't see that punch coming," she exclaimed, her voice filled with discomfort. Johnny rolled his eyes, a hint of frustration in his tone. "Come on, Tara! If you wanna be an Eagle, you gotta toughen up," he said, challenging her.

Therese looked at him, determination in her eyes, and nodded her head. "Yeah, I wanna be an Eagle. I get it. If I wanna be one, I gotta act like one," she replied, her voice filled with determination. "You're right, Johnny. In the real world, I might have to defend myself someday. There are bullies out there who won't hold back. I wanna be able to fight back," she added, her voice growing stronger.

Therese nodded slowly, her expression filled with determination. "Alright, then I'm ready to learn some karate," she said, her voice filled with resolve. Johnny's eyes widened in surprise at her response. Therese glanced over at Marisol, who nodded confidently in agreement. "He's right," Marisol chimed in, her voice echoing Johnny's sentiment.

A wide grin spread across Johnny's face. "You've come a long way, Cervantes. Great job," he praised, his words filled with genuine admiration. Therese smiled back at him, a sense of accomplishment washing over her. As they continued their training, Marisol's phone buzzed in her bag, but she didn't notice it amidst all the fun they were having.

Eli: i joined Miyagi-Do. i hope you're not mad at me

Marisol glanced at Miguel, playfully punching his shoulder as he winced in response. "Ouch!" he exclaimed, holding onto his shoulder. Marisol let out a laugh, her eyes filled with amusement. "I talked to my cousin, and let me tell you, he's a real piece of shit. Don't worry about him," she reassured Miguel, her voice filled with conviction.

Miguel's face lit up with a grin as he expressed his gratitude. "Thanks," he said appreciatively. His voice filled with curiosity as he asked Marisol the burning question, "Why did he break up with me?" Marisol clicked her tongue, her expression turning serious as she pursed her lips. "Don't worry about it, okay? You need to stay focused, and his nonsense won't be of any help," she reassured him, placing her hands on her hips in a confident stance.

Miguel's lips formed a frown, reflecting his disappointment. "Okay," he responded with a nod. Marisol wrapped her arm around Miguel, offering him comfort. Just then, Therese approached them, completely drenched in water. Marisol couldn't help but laugh, finding the situation amusing. "What happened?" she asked, still chuckling. Therese shivered, explaining, "Mitch just poured water on me. It's some new team mate rule." Marisol shot Mitch a disapproving look. "Sorry! I didn't mean to," Mitch defended himself, sensing Marisol's disapproval.

Marisol furrowed her eyebrows, knowing there was more to the story. "Why didn't I get water poured on me then?" she asked, her tone indicating that she already knew the answer. Mitch quickly closed his mouth, realizing he had made a mistake. Marisol shook her head and turned to Miguel. "Do you know where we can find some towels?" she asked, seeking a solution to their wet predicament.

—

ash speaks!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Thank you sm for 7k views on this book!!
I'm currently rethinking on what I'm doing for
Season five!! So I hope you will enjoy it when
I get to it. It will be a lot and will go even more
deeper into Marisols character!! She will be
finding herself and trying to figure who
she wants to be :)

I am really liking Miguel and Marisols friendship
I am so happy that they don't despise each other
anymore because of Sam!!