─────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────
──EPISODE NINE

                      P.S.A.T PREP HAD ALMOST entirely slipped Élodie's mind in all of what was going on, and as she sat in class, mid-practice test, her heart was racing. Before he became Hawk, she knew Eli would've been constantly at hand to revise together — but now his concerns laid elsewhere and he wouldn't do such 'nerdy' things if he could help it.

"What's going on? The test is almost over." Demetri looked up at both Élodie and Miguel, both of whom looked defeated. Miguel sighed, "It's just a practice test. Relax."

"Easy for you to say. You're both in relationships," Demetri remarked, and Élodie scoffed -- which she had to try and cover up with a cough to avoid the teacher's glare, "Yeah, I'm dating a guy who calls himself Hawk now and despite being ridiculously intelligent, now thinks that making any effort in school is, and I quote, 'for nerds'."

Miguel held in a laugh, "Of course. Anyway, what does that have to do with anything?

"I gotta do well on these, so I do well on the actual test, so I get into a good college. Which will lead to a good internship, then a high-paying job, and then, after a couple promotions, I should have enough confidence to get a super-hot girl," Demetri explained, "You got the karate thing. I gotta play the long game."

"Don't be silly," Élodie assured him, "You're gonna get a hot girl in no time, 'Metri."

In that moment, the school bell chimed and they rose to their feet to hand in their tests.

As they left the room, they found Sam standing in the doorway waiting for Miguel. Élodie waved her hello, but stalked off in the other direction and pulled Demetri with her, "They need a talk, don't they?"

Demetri shrugged, "Do you think she doesn't want to invite him over?"

"I dunno," Élodie frowned, "She might be nervous to, but I don't think she's trying desperately to hide it like he thinks. We'll see, I guess?"

"And how about you and Hawk," his jazz-hands made Élodie laugh, only to stop as her boyfriend's arms curled around her waist and his head rested on her shoulder.

"What's so funny?" Eli asked, kissing his girlfriend's cheek as he moved to walk beside her now.

"Oh nothing, babe," Élodie bit her lip, grabbing his hand and lacing their fingers.

"Right," he replied quietly, embarrassed to be left out, and Élodie just squeezed his hand.

———

"Come on, Miggy, eat something," Élodie frowned at her best friend, who's sullen face had been twisted into a frown all day, "It'll make you feel better."

"l'm not hungry, El," he sighed, sending her a half-smile of gratefulness that she cared.

"I still think you're overreacting," this made Élodie bite her lip, unsure whether to agree or not. Sam hadn't mentioned any other guys to her, she had no idea who it could be.

"I'm not overreacting, dude. I know what I saw," Miguel replied sadly, and Élodie patted his back soothingly.

"All right, so you saw her eating dinner with some chode," Hawk shrugged as he leaned over the bench now, "It's probably just her brother or something."

"No, dude, brothers don't look at their sisters like that."

Demetri pulled a face, "Depends on what part of the country you're in." causing Élodie to laugh.

"Look, I just don't want what happened to Sensei to happen to me," Miguel told them, and Élodie shook her head, "I can't believe they both still care this much."

"All right, so you go over to this kid and beat his ass so he doesn't have the chance..." Hawk said as if it was the most obvious thing to do.

"Don't listen to Eli," Demetri told him, earning a glare from the boy at his side, "It's Hawk."

"Yeah, whatever," was all Demetri said, and Hawk looked less than impressed. His arm rested on his girlfriend's shoulder, and though she disagreed with him she locked her hand in his and rubbed her thumb over the back of it, "Sam's given you no reason not to trust her, Miggy. I'm sure she'd have told me if there was another guy..."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Miguel agreed, only perking up ever so slightly as he just hoped she was right. He did wonder, though, why he couldn't seem to remove his stare from Hawk and Élodie's intertwined fingers.

"Always am, sweetie," Élodie replied sarcastically, her fake condescending tone making the group laugh. Hawk didn't like the term of endearment though, even if it was in a teasing tone.

"Oh, that little bitch!" Aisha shouted at her phone, "You know that video I posted of me breaking that board?" everyone nodded, "Yeah. Look what Yasmine commented."

"Why is she such a colossal bitch all of the time?" Élodie scoffed, furious yet again at Yasmine's bitchiness.

"All right, how about we kidnap her and have my boy Rico tattoo "bitch" on her face?" Hawk smirked, and Élodie shook her head. One massive and, frankly ugly, tattoo and he seemed to think he was the ultimate badass. She found it cute, to an extent, but whilst she did find his new look hot, the attitude that came with it... not so much.

"Calm down, Hawk," Demetri's tone made Élodie have to stifle a laugh, which didn't go unnoticed by her boyfriend. His jaw clenched, "All right, I hear how you're saying it, and I don't like it." Élodie leaned back to kiss her boyfriend's cheek to calm him down.

"Wait, wait, wait, I've got a better idea. Look," everyone looked down at Aisha's phone to see her announcing a birthday party at the canyon that evening.

"Yasmine's throwing a birthday party at the canyon later?" Élodie was surprised she'd announce even the time of the party to her entire instagram following, but she deserved what was coming as a result.

"Not if we strike first."

———

"I still don't understand how we're gonna buy alcohol," Demetri said inquisitively, and Élodie glanced at Hawk whose smirk grew as they sauntered to where their friends stood, "Oh, please, never underestimate the power of the Hawk."

He wandered to the fridges, collecting some beer cases and placing them down on the counter as the cashier looked at him for a moment. Élodie sighed deeply as she prepared to go along with his act.

"Sup?" Hawk asked confidently, before nodding towards the cashier's Dodgers shirt, "Oh, did you catch the game last night? See Puig with the walk-off?"

"No, man, but I heard he flipped the bat to the moon," he replied enthusiastically, and Élodie couldn't help but be surprised at just how confidently her boyfriend was carrying this act off.

"Yeah, I was at the bar last night with my buddies from work, the whole place went wild," Hawk grinned, pleased with himself as the cashier seemed engaged in the conversation, "I wanted to go, but my girlfriend dragged me to some lame-ass play."

"Bitches will be bitches," Hawk shrugged, earning a swift glare from Élodie, causing him to rub her back almost apologetically, "I'm lucky this one doesn't mind, 'aye princess?"

Élodie's stomach swarmed with butterflies at the pet name again, but she feigned a laugh to play along, "Any excuse to get you out of the house for a wine night in with the girls," she joked, impressed with the fact she'd not spluttered that out with nerves.

"Ha, I get that."

"So how much is it gonna cost?" Hawk asked, his hand slipping into the back of Élodie's jean pocket as he spoke.

"Gotta check your ID first," the cashier deadpanned, but Hawk just laughed, "I'm flattered.!

There was a moment of silence as Hawk clearly assumed he would give in, but the cashier stood still, "Do you really think I'm underage? That's our eldest kid right there," he gestured to where Bert stood meekly a few meters behind them.

"Yeah, I still need to see it. It's required by law." the cashier eyed him as he swallowed thickly, before laughing it off again, "Oh, yeah, for sure. Just upholding the law. It's all good."

He pulled out his fake ID, flashing it to the cashier nervously, but after glancing a few times between Hawk and the ID in his hand he just tossed it back to him nonchalantly and turned to scan the beers, "Whatever."

Hawk's thumb rubbed on his girlfriend's hipbone as he leaned into her side, pleased with his successful purchasing. But of course, he had to take it a step further, "And how about eight bottles of that vodka right there?" he pointed to the spirits behind the man, who just sighed, "Yeah."

Maybe tonight would be a bigger deal than she thought.

———

Élodie had arrived at the canyon at Hawk's side as ever, their hands intertwined as they grabbed themselves a beer and engaged in conversation with the people who they'd all invited. There was a better turnout than Élodie had expected, and she was pleasantly surprised.

As she conversed, she glanced over to where she saw Miguel stood alone with a sad look on his face. She knew he'd not heard from Sam today and was worried about why that might be. She briefly let go of Hawk's hand, telling him she'd be right back.

He sighed, watching her skip over to Miguel's side and pull him into a hug, "Miggy, please stop standing on your own looking so sad. Come join us and have fun! I haven't heard from Sam either... there's probably a good explanation."

He shook his head, "And third wheel you two? No. Anyway, she probably knows I'm with you so is avoiding you too so she doesn't look bad... Whatever. Beer?" he offered as he pulled two beers from the box at his feet and twisted one open. Having just finished her first drink, Élodie nodded and took one from him.

"Look Eli's with people anyway, I'll keep you distracted 'til she turns up, okay?" she hooked her arm to link with his and he drew in a sharp breath as he knocked back his drink ridiculously quickly and leaned to grab another.

Élodie glanced up, noticing Yasmine kicking off as she'd just arrived. But more importantly, she saw Moon's eyes fall on her boyfriend, a flirtatious glint in her eye. Hawk's eyes had left his girlfriend for just a moment, meeting Moon's, and the jealousy bubbling in his gut at Élodie and Miguel's closeness made him smile back at the popular girl watching him.

Élodie frowned, turning back to Miguel, "His attention seems to be elsewhere anyway," she sighed, but Miguel didn't seem to notice. He was too busy knocking back drinks to forget about Sam going AWOL.

"Another one? Are you good?" Aisha came over to Miguel and Élodie, both of whom were significantly more drunk than the last time she'd spoken to them, though Élodie was a long way behind Miguel, tipsy if anything.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Aisha. Thanks," Miguel huffed, discarding his now empty drink and reaching to grab another, "Miggy, she's right you've had a lot— they're all out of Mr. Pibbs, dude."

"Dude," Miguel mumbled under his breath with a sigh. Élodie just looked at him confused, noticing Hawk sat alone for a moment as Demetri walked away from him.

"You okay, babe?" she asked, and for a moment he looked pissed off as Miguel's eyes lingered on them. Élodie sat herself in his lap, aware of Moon's eyes on them too, pressing a kiss to her boyfriend's lips, and he smiled more now into the kiss, "A little drunk, princess?"

She shook her head, "Nuh uh," wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him again. His hands gripped her waist, "Is Miguel still sulking?"

"I think I cheered him up a little, but he's still upset, yeah," Élodie replied, thumbs caressing just behind Hawk's ears, "You've spent half the night with him, Ellie," he pouted. She could see the insecurity in his face.

"I've just been trying to cheer him up, you know I'd rather be sat with you," she gave him an exaggerated pout, flashing her best puppy dog eyes, "You know that, don't you?"

Hawk gulped, "Yeah, but I think he has a crush on you. I know he's with Sam but... I don't know. And everyone seems to think you two have — well, had — something going on."

"And you think that too?" Élodie scoffed, feeling all of a sudden far more sober, "Hawk, this whole possessive thing is shitty. Even if you are super hot when you're angry..." okay, she was still a little tipsy.

Hawk smirked for a split second and then his face fell again, "I'm sorry. I can't help it."

"Well, you need to, really." Élodie looked upset for a moment before climbing off his lap, "I'll be back now, I need another drink."

She walked over to grab another beer as Hawk's face twisted in confusion before he stood up too and wandered over to where Aisha and Moon stood talking. Élodie tried to ignore the jealousy she felt, wondering if he was talking to Moon to make her as jealous as he'd been watching her with Miguel.

Hawk couldn't stop thinking about how she'd told him of her 'tiny crush' on Miguel when she first met him. Was she sure it didn't even slightly still linger?

She stood on her own for a moment, scrolling through social media as she swigged at a drink but tried to compose herself.

"You think it's funny crashing my party?" she heard Yasmine yell at Aisha, her jaw clenching as she watched the scene unfold. Aisha snapped back though, and Élodie was proud, "It's not really your party 'cause we were here first."

She considered walking over, but it seemed Aisha had everything under control.

"Yeah, well, I know you and your little karate gang think you're cool. But we all remember who you really are. You're just a fugly bitch, and your friends are all freaks," Yasmine spat, and Élodie could feel her blood boiling, "Come on, Moon. Let go of this weirdo, let's go."

Élodie noticed Moon's hand on Hawk's arm now and made eye contact with him at that exact moment. He tugged his arm away, as Moon looked at Yasmine, "No, I'm staying. I apologized to Aisha for what we did, and you should too."

"Whatever. You deserve them, Moon," Yasmine scoffed, "But you realise that the loser is dating Marshall, right?" she glanced over at Élodie with a smirk, as if trying to upset her and cause a problem, "Whoops."

"Hey, Yasmine!" Aisha growled, and Yasmine turned back as she'd begun to walk away, "Huh? What?"

"Talk shit about me? Fine. But not about my best friends, bitch. Let me help you to your car," she grinned smugly, reaching to give the girl a front wedgy, "No mercy, bitch!"

Élodie stayed put as everyone watched in awe as Yasmine stormed off, cheers erupting among the crowd. Hawk watched her sadly, the same sad expression he used to have on his face when he was teased in school. She didn't want to go over, her heart in her throat.

Just as she went to check on Miguel again to avoid the situation, she saw Sam clambering down the hill with none other than Robby Keene at her side. She drew in a sharp breath, watching the anger and hurt on Miguel's face.

"Hey, hey," he greeted sarcastically, "Who's this guy?"

"Hey, I..."

"Wait. This... This is your boyfriend?" Robby questioned, as Élodie reached Miguel's side now to join the conversation.

"Yeah," Sam gulped, "Miguel, relax. This is Robby. He works for my dad."

"Oh, with your dad," Miguel replied, his upset clear, "Okay, that makes a lot of sense."

"What is that supposed to mean? Wait, have you been drinking?" Sam asked, her face twisting in concern.

"He's been upset because he hasn't heard from you all day, Sammy," Élodie interjected before Miguel could dig himself a deeper hole and Sam looked at her feet for a moment before replying, "No, I literally couldn't. My mom took my phone."

"Oh, that's so convenient," Miguel shook his head, and Élodie watched Robby's face grow angry, "Hey, man..."

Miguel shoved him forcefully, "You get out of here!"

"Miguel, stop it!" Sam cried, and Élodie grabbed his arm and tugged him back a bit, "Miggy, calm down..."

"Hey, man, you want to try that again?" Robby seethed as he rose from the floor.

"Try it again, huh?" Miguel stepped forward, ready to swing for him as Samantha screamed "Don't!" But it was too late, though instead of hitting Robby his arm caught Sam's face.

"Sam!" He cried out, realising what he'd done, "I'm so sorry!"

Élodie shook her head, "I told you to calm down, Miguel. You..."

"God, you asshole!" Sam clutched her face as she stood back up, "My dad was right about Cobra Kai. Good luck at the tournament. I won't be there."

As Sam stormed off, Élodie pulled Miguel into a quiet corner to talk some sense into him, taking him by the shoulders, "Look what you've done, Miggy. You let your jealousy get to you! And you've just..."

"Have I made a mistake, El?" he sighed sadly, and she scoffed, "You just hit your girlfriend, Miguel. Accident or not, I'd say that constitutes a pretty big mistake."

"No I mean—," he looked lost for a moment, "Can I try something?"

"What?" Élodie was perplexed, watching the sad glint in his eyes. But before she knew it, he did exactly what she really hadn't expected and leaned in to kiss her.

As soon as his lips met hers, she pulled back, startled, but the eyes of someone just a few meters away had seen enough. Hawk stood there with his arms crossed, jaw clenched and wet eyes, "I knew it."

"Hawk..." Élodie gasped, pushing Miguel away and running over to her boyfriend, "That wasn't— I didn't—,"

"Save it, El." he practically whispered, "I, uh, I'm gonna go home. I know it was him who kissed you, but I think you need to have a think about things if you're going to come to the tournament."

He leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead before backing up as she looked at him, "About what?"

"Who it is you'll really be cheering for."

And with that, he skulked off, leaving Élodie alone with a confused, drunk Miguel... and her thoughts.

─────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────
AUTHOR'S NOTE !
this chapter is sO LONG i'm so sorry but there was
so so much to cover .... i hope you enjoyed! thanks
as always for reading!

all hell broke loose rlly here eek, only one chapter of
season one to go guys! also as always thanks for all your comments, they make my day lmao. let me know who you want élodie with atm i'm curious <3