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──EPISODE FIVE

THE DOOR TO THE DOJO swung open, causing Johnny and Miguel to snap their heads up towards it, Johnny's brows furrowing in confusion, "What the hell? No yoga till 5:00," his eyes flickered from Élodie to Aisha, "No matter how bad you need it."

Élodie scoffed, "That's not why we're here."

"I-I'm actually here for karate. I saw your website," Aisha explained nervously, "It said that there was supposed to be a session today."

"I'm just here to spectate," Élodie shrugged, tongue in cheek as she shot a jokey wink towards Miguel who laughed and returned it.

"I appreciate you coming in, but there are no girls in Cobra Kai. Especially if Marshall isn't the one trying to join." Johnny said matter-of-factly, causing both Miguel and Élodie to look at him like he was crazy, as Aisha's face dropped, "Why not?"

"Same reason there aren't women in the Army. Doesn't make sense."

Miguel pulled him aside, shooting Élodie a panicked look for a moment as she shook her head.

"Miguel will talk him into it, don't worry," Élodie whispered to the girl at her side, giving her shoulder a reassuring rub, "You're gonna kick ass, Aish."

Sure enough, Johnny and Miguel re-emerged moments later, "Okay, take off your shoes. Hop on the mat. Okay... after further review, l've decided to allow female students. But if you want to be in Cobra Kai, you can't act like a girl."

"What do you mean? How do girls act?" Élodie pulled a face at the Sensei, scoffing, "Anything like my pretty mean knee strike on you two years ago, Sensei?"

"Oh, don't give me that... You know what I mean, all emotional, loud, complain-y, never letting you finish a sentence," Johnny widened his eyes at her for a moment to emphasise he meant her as he spoke, because she'd always had a habit of talking back, "Just because you can fight, Élodie, doesn't mean every girl can," he deadpanned.

"Well, I know a few guys who act just..." Aisha began, but was startled into silence by Johnny shouting, "Quiet!"

Élodie rolled her eyes, and Johnny gave her the side-eye as Miguel held in a laugh.

"My student tells me you've been harassed at school." he looked carefully at Aisha, who nodded, "Yeah. Mostly online. I get mean texts and emails sent to me. Makes me not want to go."

"Oh shit, I gotta go," Élodie glanced at her phone as it began to ring, Led Zeppelin's 'ramble on' blaring from its speakers, "I'm...uh, getting a phone call?"

Her face contorted in confusion as she saw that it was Samantha LaRusso, but she answered all the same as she exited the dojo, "Uh... Sam? Hi?"

"I'm sorry for calling, I really am," Samantha sounded upset, and Élodie's heart sank even though she felt silly for worrying immediately about someone who'd not bothered with her in ages, "It's just— Kyler's... he's..."

Élodie tried to calm her down, "It's okay, Sam, take it slow..."

She heard Sam breathe out, "On that date with Kyler... nothing happened but he's been telling people it did and I— I don't know what to do. Even the girls believe him..."

"That asshole!" Élodie snapped, more to herself than to Sam, "God, I wish I'd snapped his arm instead of just letting him go..."

She knew Sam would be confused at this, but continued her rant, "Look, if the bitches," she paused to cough, "Sorry, your friends, are being dicks about it you can hang with me tomorrow. If they give you any shit well... I won't let them."

Samantha sighed, a deep sigh that resonated with Élodie, "I don't deserve you being so good to me, El," she barely even whispered through the phone, "I've got you, Sam, I've known you my whole life. Loyalty is important to me, I guess." she whispered the last part now too, feeling suddenly insecure.

"Thank you, I'll... uh.. do you want to come over later? I miss you." Sam asked, nervous.

"I'm sorta hanging out with Eli later," Élodie blushed even saying it out loud, but she heard an excited gasp from the other end of the phone, "Oh my god, you're dating Eli?"

Warmth spread through Élodie's body, feeling just like old times as she shared girly gossip with her once best friend, "No but... I do like him... You can't tell anyone."

"Secret's safe with me," Sam giggled, "I've been waiting for this since like... well, since you guys 'broke up' in elementary school. But I did think there was something going on between you and the new kid, Miguel..." she trailed off, and Élodie took this as her moment to get a good word in for her best friend.

"Oh no, no, he just lives by grams... he's my best friend," she assured her, confused by everyone's apparent shared assumption, "Besides he is totally crushing on you, Sammy," it felt nice to use her nickname again.

"Really?" Élodie could practically feel Sam's blush through the phone and giggled a little as her friend — could she call her that again so soon? — continued, "I'm swearing myself off boys for a while I think. Kyler's sort of... well, put me off guys."

"Hey, Kyler hardly even counts as a guy. He's a slimy prick, Sammy," Élodie laughed comfortingly, "But in all seriousness, Miguel's the sweetest. Think about it, okay?"

"Noted. Thanks for this, El," there was her nickname again now, "You don't have to be so nice to me but... well... you always are. If you, uh, if you want you can call me after your evening with Eli? I want gossip!"

Élodie chuckled, "Don't be silly. We've gotta stick together, eh? Besides, I think I might explode if your dad asks me when I'll be seeing you next one more time, he's obsessed with us being friends," she heard Samantha stifle a laugh, before clearing her throat and sighing contentedly.

"You're a good influence, and he knows that, that's why. I've really missed you, El."

"I've missed you too. No hard feelings. I mean... We can always fight it out, I guess," Élodie teased, to which Sam scoffed, "Pfft, yeah, sure."

———

The next day, Élodie entered the cafeteria with Eli close to her side, her heart racing as she felt beady eyes on them. She scanned the room for Sam, who she saw stood beside the table the popular kids were sat at.

"What're you talking about? We saw a movie, and that's it. Well, maybe I saw a little bit more than you," she heard Kyler laugh as Sam looked distraught, the surrounding kids breaking out into laughter too, "Yeah, we heard you got pretty choked up."

Kyler's smirk grew, "You know that billboard with a big-ass dick on it? I guess Sam takes after her dad."

Before Élodie could intervene, Miguel appeared to do so anyway. Eli reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly as they both hoped that their friend wouldn't end up getting beaten up again.

"Hey, Kyler! Why don't you shut the hell up and stop being such an asshole?" Miguel shouted as he approached him, and Élodie drew in a sharp breath.

"Want another beatdown, 'Rhea? I'm ready for your lame-ass karate this time... Or are you gonna need protection again? Oh wait," his eyes drifted to Élodie and Eli's clasped hands, "She picked the weirdo with the lip. Looks like you do have to fend for yourself."

"It's not lame-ass karate. It's Cobra Kai! And don't you dare talk about my friends like that."

Élodie pulled Eli over to Sam's side, using her free hand to give Sam's back a reassuring rub as they watched the next events unfold.

The next few moments were a blur, but before they knew it Miguel had finally given Kyler and his friends the payback they deserved, and Élodie felt incredibly proud.

Miguel hopped down off the table he'd ended the fight standing on, his breathing heavy as he smiled at the startled room full of people.

"Miguel, that was so badass," Élodie beamed, eyes glistening as she released Eli's hand and ran over to hug her best friend, who was taken aback, "You've learned so fast..."

Eli's hand felt empty without hers now, and a pang of jealousy struck as he saw Elodie's awestruck expression, eyes glimmering as she spoke to her best friend.

———

"Hey Mrs LaRusso?" Élodie called as she entered the office at LaRusso Auto, intending to ask if she could leave early tonight as she planned to meet Eli again tonight, "Oh— sorry, wait— Robby?"

Amanda was stood up, shaking the hand of someone Élodie hadn't expected to see.

"Élodie?"

"Oh Élodie sweetheart, this is our new employee, Robby. I literally just hired him," Amanda LaRusso began, before clicking that she'd clearly already known him, "You know eachother?"

"Uh... could say that," Élodie blushed, the eyes of her ex-boyfriend burning holes in her skull, "Oh, I see..." Amanda bit her lip, "I assume asking you to train him is a no-go, then?" she stifled a small laugh.

"Oh no, it's okay Mrs LaRusso," Élodie shook her head, blinking rapidly, "It's fine. I think."

Amanda felt as though she should give the two teenagers time to chat, "I'll let you guys talk. See you Monday, kids. You can go early today Élodie, of course, sweetheart... make sure you text Sam all about—," she then realised her words would probably be a mistake.

Élodie couldn't help but giggle. Amanda had always joined in on their girly gossip as children, and it was entertaining to her that Sam had obviously updated her about Eli after their phonecall the previous night.

"You work for Mr LaRusso too?" Robby eyed her carefully, his expression hard to read, "I thought when you said you were moving home it was a little... further."

Élodie gulped, frowning, "I know... but coming back was supposed to be a fresh start and I..."

"Oh, I see," he scoffed, "A fresh start without your 'delinquent boyfriend'."

"That's not fair!" she frowned, "I never said any of that about you I— just didn't want distance to be difficult and you had a lot going on too... I—,"

He shook his head, "You're not perfect either, El. I thought I was important to you, you're literally not even far from me. But I've seen your instagram and shit, I know you're already dating someone."

Élodie's frown twisted even deeper, her eyes glossing over, "It's not like that Robby, he's... well someone I liked before and now, well, I... look it's not like we just broke up but I... I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."

Robby's face flashed with various emotions before settling on a sort of disappointed pout, "It's fine," he heaved out a sigh, "Look nevermind, can we just... start afresh? I need this job and... I'd like to at least be not arguing with you."

Élodie was washed with relief, "I was hoping you'd say that. I know breaking up was on me, and I know I was abrupt about it but I do care about you. Friends?"

"Friends," he nodded, a little awkwardly but in agreement all the same, "Now do you mind showing me round the place so I don't get lost on Monday?"

"Let's go, Keene."

———

"Hey, El," Miguel greeted his best friend as she stood in his front doorway, "I thought you'd be at Eli's or something."

She shrugged, "I had work and then came to see grams. She made cake so I— she told me to bring some over. It's chocolate!"

Miguel smiled, practically dribbling at the sight of the cake in her hands. He took it from her, "I'd offer you to come in but... I'm just about to head to the dojo."

"Oh, can I come with you then?" she asked, biting her lip, "I think Eli talked Demetri into joining after you kicked ass today, so it'd be nice to see you all train together."

"You're worried about him aren't you?"

"A little," she sighed, "But I have faith in him. Besides, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn't come watch you help teach them all? You've picked everything up so easy!"

Miguel chuckled, and waved a quick goodbye to his grandmother who took the chocolate cake from his hands as he slung his bag over his back. Élodie pretended not to notice the way she'd wiggled her eyebrows at him, choosing to ignore it.

"What can I say, I'm destined for karate greatness," he joked, "Oh I was gonna take my bike," he pouted, "But we can walk if you'd like?"

Élodie nodded, "Sorry, I should really get a bike and stop wasting money on taking the bus everywhere."

"It's fine," Miguel beamed, carefully watching the girl as her smile grew again, and so began their walk filled with their usual small talk.

"What's happening with you and Eli, then?"

They were almost at the dojo now, and Élodie thought about her answer for a moment, because even she wasn't 100% sure.

They'd been hanging out just the two of them for what felt like ages now, but having not had an actual discussion about 'what they were', she couldn't really decide what to call it.

"Well we're spending a lot of time together," she shrugged, "Obviously I like him. I don't really know. Anyway, any closer to asking Sam out?"

Miguel looked a little dejected at this comment, which confused Élodie, but he drew in a deep breath and shook it off, "I might ask her tomorrow, maybe, I think. I'm gonna ask Sensei for some advice."

"Oh god, advice from Johnny? The man is stuck in the 80s, he'll be no help!" she laughed, nudging his side as she so often did in a teasing way.

Miguel took her point on board, "I know, but he's like a mentor to me in everything now... Anyway I don't know if I should ask her, I want to see what he thinks."

Élodie furrowed her eyebrows, "Why wouldn't you? And you know you can always come to me for advice, moron."

Miguel's expression confused her only further, before he masked it with an awkward smile, "Oh I, uh... it needs to be with a guy, just guy stuff. Guy stuff... And you knowing her might interfere, y'know?"

"Right..." Élodie trailed off, not convinced at all.

Before they knew it, they'd arrived outside the dojo and found the courtyard swarmed with students from West Valley High, "Told ya you'd made an impact!"

She linked their arms as they pushed through the crowd, pulling him so she didn't lose him straight away to the people watching him excitedly, her eyes landing on Eli and Demetri at the front.

She seemed entirely oblivious to Eli's burning stare on their linked arms, shooting him her usual dazzling smile and striding towards them with a spring in their step.

"You did come!"

"Y-yeah," Eli nodded, "You didn't tell me you were coming... With M-Miguel."

Demetri pulled a face, and Élodie looked at him nervously, almost pleading with him as she felt uncomfortable at this moment of jealousy. Eli and Miguel silently looked at each other for a moment, before Élodie spoke.

"Oh I was visiting grams, went to take him some cake she made... And he was about to head here. I remembered you said you might join tonight so wanted to surprise you."

"Oh right," Eli smiled a little more now, as Élodie released Miguel's arm to wrap hers around Eli in a hug, "You got this, Eli. I'll be cheering you on."

"Thanks, beautiful," he breathed out, her bone-crushing hug strangely instilling a little confidence in him.

The blush on her face was deep, her stomach filled with butterflies as she released him from the hug.

"Now where's Sensei Lawrence?"

─────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────
AUTHOR'S NOTE !
thanks for reading, a lot happened in this chapter
lmao there is a Lot to unpack !! i know having robby
as her ex might seem too much with eli & miguel
aswell but don't worry, i promise not to make it too
full on !!! anyway i hope you enjoyed this <3

i noticed most of you are team miguel not team eli,
which is really interesting lmao, especially while i'm in the middle of planning out s2 & s3 haha! but any
way, hope you're enjoying so far — please keep the
comments coming i find it so so fun reading them:-)