Slam! Sounded the dodgeball as it collided with Eli's shoulder, knocking him on the slippery, hard gym floor.

Just a few months ago, he'd have been the one smashing his fellow students. Not that he was complaining. Aside from being popular, he was miserable. He ditched his best friend, had his heart broken by his high school crush, and never even became Cobra Kai's top student! But with the help of Sensei LaRusso (and much encouragement from Demetri), he beat Robby in the All-Valley tournament! But more than winning, joining Miyagi-Do really helped Eli find an inner balance. Not that that really mattered anymore since Miyagi-Do was shutting down.

"You just gonna lay there, Lip?" taunted Kyler, smiling as he high-fived one of his friends.

Demetri extended him a hand up which he took thankfully. They had both been knocked down in gym class more times than they could count.

"He really is just all talk, isn't he," asked Sam with her arms crossed.

"What I don't understand is why they would choose to incorporate dodgeball into our athletic schedules after they've literally seen kids injuring each other on school grounds!" remarked Demetri indignantly.

"Enough chit chat and get back in the game, blue team!" scolded coach Myers as he blew his whistle.

The game didn't improve for blue team the rest of the game. Sam got in a few good throws until Piper kicked a ball into her chest. Piper was disqualified but she didn't care because Sam was their best player.

"Well, looks like we're both out," smirked Piper before they took their seats on opposite benches. Demetri was able to avoid a few balls before being smacked in the side by one of Kyler's many hard slams. But there was one person who really wasn't into the game, Tory. She seemed to barely participate in the game. She dodged most of the hits (although to be fair, most of the blue team consisted of geeks), but she barely hit anyone and just walked into the locker room absentmindedly when the game had finished.

Why isn't she celebrating with her team?

But this thought quickly disappeared from Eli's mind when a dodgeball slammed into the side of his head.

"He was already out of the game!" shuoted Sam as she jumped off the bench, anger flooding her every bone.

"One more outburst from you Ms. LaRusso and I'll have to call your parents," warned coach Myers.

"And I thought lunch was bad," moaned Demetri, rubbing his hip as the three friends left school for the day.

A vibrant purple bruise had already formed on the side of Eli's head.

They pushed past several students who immediately started whispering to their friends when they passed by.

"On the bright side, we're getting more attention than we have before," whispered Demetri jokingly to Eli. He smiled back, holding his laugh in case Sam would hear them. Whether they were saying good or bad things, they didn't stay long enough to hear.

"This is even worse than it was when they won the All-Valley last year," sighed Sam.

"To be fair, now we're not just having to deal with Cobra Kai's inflated egos but also our loss in general," explained Demetri.

Eli adjusted his backpack strap uncomfortably. Everyone he knew had mostly forgiven him for his actions while in Cobra Kai at this point but still, he felt a distinct feeling of guilt rising in his chest when the subject was brought up.

Sam just rolled her eyes irritatedly.

"Eli!" exclaimed Moon as she ran towards him.

Eli suddenly felt sweaty and his cheeks turned red as she locked her hand in his, both of them smiling at each other. Her wavy hair seemed to shine beneath the bright sun, the tassels on her flowery dress swaying gently in the warm breeze.

"We were just about to head to my house, do you wanna come?" offered Sam, hopefully.

"I'm sorry but I can't, I have a fundraiser event to help prevent deforestation," explained Moon, apologetically.

"Oh, yeah, completely understand," said Sam, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"What if we came with you?" suggested Eli.

"That's a great idea, I'll meet you there!" exclaimed Moon happily.

She kissed Eli goodbye before joining her friends across the parking lot.

I can't believe I get to date one of the hottest and nicest people out there.