Welcome back — Ali Gatie

CYNTHIA LACED HER HAND WITH MIGUEL'S as they walked up to West Valley. He had started walking again, without crutches which, meant she really didn't have an excuse to not go to school anymore. If she was honest, she had no idea what they were, and they hadn't really talked about it.

She just knew that they were there for each other, and that was really all she needed.

"You ready for this, Miggy?" She questioned with a sigh, staring at the entrance.

"As ready as i'll ever be." He replied, both of them moving in sync as they walked inside.

It felt as the whole school was looking at them, or at least, looking at Miguel, and Cyn hated the attention. She quickly dropped the boys hand and put her bag into the bin for the metal detector trying to keep her eyes on the ground. They were no doubt all talking about the fight again.

... and all she wanted to do was forget about it.

Then as both the teens gathered their things and walked through, people started clapping?

A "welcome back, Miguel" sign was hung up on the main banister, and people continued to cheer for him as he walked closer. Cynthia was by his side, and without hesitation, he grabbed her hand once again. She smiled up at him, and her body relaxed slightly, knowing things would be alright.

"Looks like someone is popular." The Sari girl spoke with a gentle smile, both of them turning the corner.

"El serpient—" Hawk was about to yell his friends name when he paused for a moment, shaking off his surprise. "What'd they do, give you bionic legs or some shit?"

"Nope, same old boring human legs." Miguel responded awkwardly, knowing at one point or another, the situation would be addressed. "We obviously need to talk about—"

... and saved by the bell, the ringing, and crowds of students filling the hall saved them from an absolutely awkward moment.

  THE BRIGHT SIDE ABOUT OFFICIALLY BEING BACK at school was the fact that Cyn could see Demetri. It had been awhile since they caught up, considering that she had been more caught up in helping Miguel rather than her texts or calls. She felt bad, of course but, now, she could focus on other things too.

Just no karate.

"I see I missed a lot." She noted, pointing at the boys cast. "Trip and fall out of the bathtub?"

She was joking, obviously but, the boys face stayed absolutely serious.

"This was all courtesy of Eli." He admitted, laying his arm flat on the table they were sitting at. "You've missed a lot since you've been m.i.a."

"What do you mean Eli did this?" Cynthia's eyes widened at the mention of it, knowing he had just seen her and Miguel, and acted like he did nothing wrong.

"Chris called me and the rest of the Miyagi-do's to the Golf N' Stuff because the Cobra Kai's were messing with him, and when we got there, there was a full on karate battle and in Hawk fashion, he came after me." Demetri let out a sigh and shook his head. "Then he snapped my arm like a twig."

Memories from their first date at the Golf N' Stuff filled Cynthia's brain before she shook her head lightly.

"I'm really sorry they're messing with you, Dem. I wish I could do something to help b—"

"You can do something to help, join Miyagi-do, help us. Do you really think Eli would ever hurt anyone with you around?" The Alexopoulous boy had been thinking about asking his friend to join for awhile now, and he figured this was the right time to ask.

"Even if I wanted anything to do with Miyagi-do which, I don't by the way, none of them would ever want me there, I was a cobra kai, one of the first ones to join, by the way." Cyn reminded him, shaking her head. "I haven't fought since Miguel got hurt, and i'm going to keep it that way."

"Just think about it, okay? I think it could be a good idea." Demetri smiled lightly before taking a marker out of his pocket. "Be the first to sign my cast?"

"I'd be honored." Cynthia took the marker, and wrote a short little message to the boy.

Stay strong, Dem — Cynthia

  LUNCH TIME WAS WHAT CYN HAD BEEN DREADING but, it rolled around quicker than it usually did for her. She seen Miguel from down the hall, and ran to catch him, finally making her way next to him with a smile. She grabbed his hand, which seemed to be her thing now but, noticed the expression on his face didn't change at all.

"I'm taking it Demetri told you what Hawk did to him." She spoke with a sigh.

"Yeah, and we're on our way to try and do something about it." The Diaz boy confirmed with a stern look in his eye.

"As long as there is no fighting involved." Cynthia stopped the boy in the middle of the hallway, looking directly into his eyes. "Can you promise me that, please?"

"I promise." Miguel tried to stop himself from smiling but couldn't before shaking his head. "Come on, let's go to the cafeteria."

Cyn nodded her head and grinned as they walked down the hall, and into the lunch room. They didn't have to look very far cause Hawk's table was right by the door, no doubt for him to scout all the poor kids he could bully. He looked over towards the pair immediately, and his how hurt he was by seeing them together as he stood up.

"I heard what happened with Demetri." The Diaz boy said to him with full disappointment. "How could you do that?"

"Why would you do that?" Cynthia cared more about the answer to her question, because she couldn't even imagine justifying doing something like that to Miguel.

"You guys should be thanking me for getting revenge on the Miyagi-dos. Besides, they are the ones who started the fight, I just finished it." Hawk replied with a scoff, like they had done something wrong by trying to correct, or even understand his behavior.

"That's not what our sensei taught us." Miguel replied, obviously trying to remain calm as he squeezed the Sari girls hand tighter.

"He's not my sensei anymore." The old Eli spoke angrily.

"Are you serious right now?" Cynthia narrowed her eyes. "He taught your ass everything you know you little—"

"Hey, hey. It's okay." Miguel gave her a look that immediately calmed Cyn down before he looked back at Hawk. "After everything Sensei Lawrence did for you, you'd betray him?"

"He betrayed us." Hawk snapped, speaking through his teeth.

Yet again, it looked like the Diaz boy was trying his best to hold in his obvious anger at the situation, and she appreciated that.

"Look, this isn't you talking. It's Kreese, he's got in your head. You can change that if you leave Cobra Kai and join Sensei Lawrence's new dojo. If you come, others will follow. Ok? We can show everyone we're not a bunch of bullies. It could be like before." Miguel had a genuine hope he could sway his friend, and maybe he would.

Cynthia had long lost faith in Eli Moskowitz, though.

"He has a new dojo?" The boy questioned, losing the tough look he always wore.

"Hey, guys. Check this guy out. Standing around with a dick in his hand." Kyler held up Demetri's arm across the cafeteria, everyone laughing at the pale boy.

Then, the Alexoupoulous boy left, obviously embarrassed.

"So, these are your friends now." Miguel shook his head and walked off, leaving the ex couple alone.

"Not too long ago, I was defending you from that asshole right next to Demetri. Now you're just as bad." Cynthia snapped, looking Hawk dead in the eye.

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

AUTHORS NOTE—
I am so inspired to keep updating and i'm hoping to even finish off this season this week!

Do you think Cyn and Hawk will ever make up?

Hope you enjoyed!