chapter eight,
all valley

As soon as Mackenzie found out about the all valley tournament, she knew nothing would stop her from winning. Until her best friend completely changed everything.

Kenzie's heart pounded against her chest as she watched Eli, transformed by that blue mohawk, confidently stride into the studio. The unexpected sight of her best friend, wearing such a rebellious look, was a big contrast to the quiet and insecure kid she always knew.

She wanted to go over to him, to talk, to understand what had led him to this drastic change. But the words got caught in her throat as she took in the new Eli.

Johnny, the sensei, welcomed Eli with a smirk, clearly pleased by the dramatic entrance. "Welcome to Cobra Kai.." He waited for his name.

"Hawk. The names Hawk." Eli says with a sly grin. "Well Hawk. Fall in." Johnny instructed and the boy immediately threw off his shoes and stood next to Kenzie.

As the class started warming up, Mackenzie couldn't help but sneak glances at Eli. His transformation into Hawk was still a shock to her. The boy who used to stutter when he spoke was now oozing confidence. She tried to focus on her own jab punches but his presence was just too distracting.

Mackenzie contained herself from saying something she would be regretting throughout the entire lesson. Once it was over, she grabbed her belongings and headed home.

She walked along the quiet path, taking in deep breaths. "Kenz." Eli's voice called behind from her. Instead of turning around and solving their problems, she continued to walk away. "Kenzie." He called again.

"What." The girl spun around, and growled. Even though that wasn't her intention, her emotions had escaped. "What is your problem? Why are you being like this?" Eli asked.

Mackenzie rolled her eyes, "Why am I being like this? Eli— I haven't even spoken to you at all. All of yesterday afternoon, you had this outburst then ignored me. I called you so many times and you never answered. Then you show up to the dojo with a whole new attitude and this stupid Mohawk."

"Sensei said to flip the script. I flipped the script, Kenz. It's not my fault that I'm finally fed up with all this bullshit everyone treats me like. Out of all the people in the world, I really thought you'd be by my side in this."

"Are you serious?" Mackenzie frowned, stepping forward. "My entire life, I've been by your side." Her voice cracks a little, as it does Eli realises how upset the girl had gotten over the situation.

"Kenz." He tries to grasp her hand but she instantly pulls away, "Don't." She warns, teary eyed.

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It was the next day and Mackenzie walked through the halls of West Valley High School. She had been bummed out about her and Eli's fight, that she wasn't in the right mindset. "Can Mackenzie Alexopoulous please come to the principal's office." The loud speakers chimed.

Everyone turned to face her, staring her down. "What?" She accidentally slipped out, "Sorry." She croaked.

Kenzie made her way to the principal's office, holding onto her bag straps. She had many mixed emotions. Eventually, she arrived and was met by an unfamiliar face. "Miss Alexopoulos, please sit." Principal Lopez insisted.

She nods, slightly concerned to why she was called here.

"So, as you see. We have a new student, Charlie Mackay, he's been transferred here from East Valley High School. And I'd love it if you could help guide him around the school."

"I'm sorry." Kenzie laughed nervously, "Uh why me? I already have a lot going on right now—"

Principal Lopez clears her throat to signal for Mackenzie to stop rambling.

"I'll let you two get to know each other." She says. The two students wait for the principal to leave but she doesn't, "Somewhere else."

    Mackenzie had run a thousand scenarios in her head of having to introduce herself if she had to meet new people but it never occurred that she actually had to. It was only a few minutes before one of them decided to speak.

    "So, did you decide to transfer here?" Kenzie says, trying to start the conversation. "My parents forced me." Charlie sucked in a breath.

    "Oh.." Kenzie threw her down and stared at the ground. "Well, do you play any sports?" Mackenzie attempts to start the conversation back up. "I play ball." He shrugged.

    And Mackenzie slowly turned to him, to completely understand what he meant by 'play ball'. She tilts her head to the side with a frown, waiting for him to explain. "Basketball."

    "Oh." She smiles. "Well this is your stop." Mackenzie turns to the science laboratory. "Thanks." He softly smiles at the girl. "No problem." She chimed.

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    That entire day she avoided Eli, not wanting to face the consequences of what happened the other day. But what she had totally forgot about was that she would have to see at karate that evening. As she arrived at the dojo, he and Miguel had already been warming up, like most of the students had already been doing as well.

"So what should I do then? I need somewhere romantic, but not too romantic." Miguel shares to the small group as they stretch.

"Definitely bowling.. or ice skating. Or the movies." Mackenzie adds as she takes off her shoes.

"Or you could take her to get a tattoo." Eli huffs. "What?" Kenzie frowns with an unsure laugh.

Eli instantly stands up, "I know a guy, just hooked me up with this bad boy." He turns around and takes off his gi to reveal giant Hawk tattoo on his bad.

"That is badass." Aisha smirks as she looks up. "Right?" Miguel says agreeing with nod while Mackenzie stands behind them, confused by his actions.

"Fourteen hours in the chair." He smugly looks back at them. "Eli, does your mom have any idea about that?" Kenzie paused.

"Oh, she has no idea. I'm definitely gonna have to wear a t-shirt until college. Probably longer." He admits, tying his gi back up.

As the others laugh is comment, Mackenzie couldn't help but be shocked to how her childhood best friend had become so obsessed with changing everything about himself.

"Ok.. any other suggestions?" Miguel turns to the two girls, who were now ex-best friends Sam.

"Don't look at me. Sam and I used to be friends. We're not anymore." Aisha emphasis on the used to part.

Miguel shoots a look over to Kenzie, waiting for any new ideas she had but she just shook her head at him, leaving him nothing but disappointment.

    Mackenzie glanced back and forth at Eli, not knowing whether to say something or keep quiet.  She swallowed hard before finally coming up with a decision.

    "Eli— Hawk. Can we talk?"

    "Sure." He hums, innocently speaking.

    The two walk away from the main dojo area and into a smaller part of the building. "What do you want to talk about." His posture stayed calm and relaxed whilst Kenzie's was fidgeting and alert.

    "Can we stop fighting? I don't know about you but I feel like ever since we came to this place— the only thing we've been doing is arguing. I just miss the old us." She bit her lip, scanning Eli's face for any sign of the same feelings she had.

    "I'm cool with that." He shrugs off easily.

    Mackenzie blinked, "Huh?" She was caught off guard. Usually if she had brought up the issue, Eli would start begging for forgiveness or something along those lines. But no, he just didn't care.

    "Are we good? Can I go now? Sensei's about to start the lesson."

    No words left her mouth, all she could do was nod her head. Eli just simply smiled and walked back into the main dojo, warming up with Sensei Lawrence.

    Maybe Kenzie was just over reacting and was just over thinking all of the situation in her head. Maybe this was her sign to stop talking things so seriously.

"Little Miss Sunshine.. are you gonna join us or what?" Sensei Lawrence calls out to her, all the kids staring at her. "Yeah.." she sighed dragging herself to the next room.

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It was the end of the day and Mackenzie was so ready for bed. She had been so busy all day, mentally and physically and all she could think about with snuggling up in her cosy bed.

Kenzie threw her bag onto her crowed floor, next her laundry hamper. And then flopped onto her bed, face first.

She felt her thigh vibrate, and reached into her back pocket. It was Eli, spam messaging her.

Meet me in the parking lot in front of the dojo. — E.

And so she jumped into her car and drove to the location where he told her to go. As she arrived, there he was. Eli walked around in a small circle looking like he was rehearsing something over and over again with his head down.

Kenzie got out and slowly walked over, "Why'd you want me here?"

"I um.. I need to talk to you.." Eli said, he was looking incredibly anxious. Kenzie frowned and looked quizzical, she crossed her arms around her waist, concern beginning to fill her.

"What?"

    "I just wanted to say I'm— I'm sorry for acting like a jerk. I acted like a total dick to you when I didn't talk to you at all. You didn't deserve that." He paused. Kenzie raised a brow, surprised by the words coming out of his mouth.

    Eli was never one to apologise. He had too much pride and ego to ever be wrong or hurt. But now, he was standing there in front of her, acting like the most pitiful kid in the world.

    Kenzie's arms loosened, dropping down to her sides while she still watched him with a confused look on her face. She was trying to read him right now, to see if he was being genuine or faking this whole thing.

    Eli exhaled deeply, as if the next words he was about to say took a lot of strength to come out.

As he looked up to face her, their eyes locked on each other as they just stood there, in silence. Time stood still between them.

Eli slowly, ever so slowly, stepped closer to her. He brought his hand up to her chin, tilting her head upwards so he could look at her properly.

Their eyes moved down to each other's lips, a magnetic pull towards each other. His free hand moves down to her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.

Eli leaned in, closing the gap between them as he captured her lips in a kiss. "You don't know how long I've waited to do that." He pulls away slowly.

Mackenzie paused. She didn't know how to react or respond but the only thing she knew was that she liked it. Eli searched her face, trying to figure out exactly what was going on inside her head.

But Kenzie was too speechless to even make a sound. Her mind had gone completely blank. She just stood there, staring up at Eli with widened eyes.

"Say something." He urged, still holding her against him close. The closeness between them was enough to have her heart race.

Kenzie's breath hitched in her throat, the pounding of her heart echoing through her body. She could feel his warmth against her own.

She just looked at him for a few more moments before she finally spoke. "How long?" She whispered. Eli's hand moved up to her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her soft skin.

"Too long." He muttered, still completely captivated by the gorgeous girl in front of him. His eyes darkened, staring into hers with a hungry look. "You have no idea how much I want you."

    "Hawk? Kenzie?" A voice struck from behind them. The two whipped their heads at the voice, spotting Sensei Lawrence in disbelief of what he just witnessed.

    "Sensei!" Mackenzie shrieks, her cheeks turning red of embarrassment. "Hey." Eli smugly says causing Kenzie to hit his chest.

— leila's notes !

our babies have finally kissed, ahh !! only nine days til season six !! i need to start writing more if i wanna publish the last season in time ://

tangledkisses chapter posted !!