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

"DOES IT LOOK BAD that we're turning up together?" Robby asked, voice gentle as he tried to ignore the heat radiating through his body.

"No, no," Élodie shook her head, "I need to talk to Sam, so... You may aswell go see where Sensei is and I'll go straight to her room. It's fine."

Robby just nodded as they entered the house, spending a moment just watching each other in silence until they heard talking in the lounge, both of them padding over in that direction.

Robby stopped when he saw who was talking, placing his hand on Élodie's arm to stop her too as she realised just who it was. His mother.

Élodie had only seen her fleetingly when they were together, but she knew all about her. She'd held Robby as he sobbed more than enough times — he'd only ever be that vulnerable with her.

"I'm sorry. Robby, I'm sorry. Cabo was a mistake," his mother cried as they entered the lounge properly now, and Robby simply scoffed, "I could've told you that."

Élodie could feel Amanda and Daniel's eyes on her, "I came over to talk to Sam, I should..."

"No, Élodie... Please stay," Robby's mother pleaded, her eyes glassy, "I'm glad my son has you... You've always been a wonderful girlfriend to him and I'm glad you're back tog—,"

"We're not back together, mom."

"Oh, god, I shouldn't have said that," she cursed herself, frantic as she tried to make eye contact with Robby, "Anyway, I know that I haven't been there for you and I... God, it's been hard for me. I want to make things right."

Élodie smiled, able to see that she genuinely meant it.

She could tell, but said nothing of course — she couldn't intrude.

She saw Amanda's expression as she stared at her, knowing she'd be asking for all of the details about her and Robby later given that they didn't know of their past.

"But, um... I have to leave again."

"Of course," Robby huffed, and Élodie instinctively placed her palm on his bicep, to which he visibly relaxed, though he still looked hurt, "Where to this time? Baja, Vegas?"

"Rehab. I need help, sweetie. And it's taken me a really long time to realize that."

Élodie's thumb soothingly ran over the skin of Robby's bicep, calming him down as much as she could as his breathing was slow and heavy.

"But, I... The drinking, the pills... I have to change. I want to, for you," Shannon frowned, and Élodie felt her own heart drop, wishing her own stepmother cared enough to change her actions.

"That's great, Mom," Robby smiled now, and Élodie's heart immediately warmed at the interaction.

"Um, Mr. and Mrs. LaRusso said that you're welcome to stay with them," Shannon looked nervous, glancing at Élodie briefly who shot her a small smile, "You know, until I'm done with my program. You can also stay with your father..." she knew that wouldn't go down well.

"No!" Robby's expression was stony.

"I, uh, I'm gonna head upstairs... I need to speak to Sam," Élodie interjected nervously, choosing now to try and leave again, "I don't want to intrude on this..."

"Alright, lovely," Shannon replied quietly, nodding, "Hopefully I'll see you soon."

"You too. It was lovely seeing you again," Élodie quickly shuffled towards the stairs as Shannon turned back to Robby, "I know you and your father don't get along but... that's partly my fault."

Élodie made a mental note to check in on Johnny Lawrence at some point soon... if Robby wouldn't hate her for it, that is.

———

"Hey. Why don't you come over later? My mom's out of town, you can bring your karate friends..." Élodie heard Moon's voice from the other side of Samantha's bedroom door.

"You're throwing a party?" Sam replied, and it seemed Moon was excited, "Yeah, it should be wild."

Élodie took in a deep breath and knocked on the door, "Sam... it's me."

"Hold on Moon... Come in," Sam sounded irritable, sending even more intense anxiety coursing through Élodie's veins as she stepped in the room.

"I'm here to apologise for storming out, Sammy," she frowned as she saw Moon's concerned face on Sam's laptop too, "What you said just really hit home..."

"I'm sorry for getting so annoyed right after telling you it's okay to have feelings for multiple people," Sam looked somewhat defeated as she replied, "Jealousy isn't fun," she laughed, loosening up a little, "But I spoke to Robby and I'm not mad anymore. Besides, you were right... I'm not sure I'm entirely over Miguel."

Élodie walked towards her, pulling her into a hug, "I hate arguing with you, Sammy. Especially over boys."

"Me too, El," Sam hugged back immediately, "Let's go to this party, hey? Have fun all together?" Both girls glanced at Moon's smiling face on the screen as she nodded excitedly, "Yes! Plus you guys can meet my girlfriend..."

For just a moment boys weren't on any of their minds — no drama, just friendship.

Élodie wished she could stay this stress-free forever.

———

"Hey, guys, over here!" Moon called out as Élodie and Sam entered her house, closely followed by the rest of the Miyagi-do students, "I'm so glad you came!"

Élodie was squeezed in a tight hug, receiving a knowing stare from Moon as Robby stood close behind her.

She'd not spoken to him since she had gone up to Sam's room earlier on, but their dojo group chat had alerted him to the party and he'd agreed to join without worry — though Élodie feared that he should worry.

Particularly as her eyes fell upon the Cobra Kai students lounging around, drinks in hand, and Eli's stony gaze met her anxious one.

"Kegs are out back, drinks are in the kitchen, and the vegan pigs in a blanket just got out of the oven," Moon sing-songed, moving on to hug the other newcomers as Élodie fell silent, shying away from the eyes now on her.

Sam too looked less than pleased to see the Cobras at the party, biting her lip, "Moon, you never said anything about inviting Cobra Kai."

"Well, I figured with summer ending and school starting back up, we could stop all fighting and be friends again," Moon shrugged, and Élodie bit back a laugh at her ever-present optimism.

"It's wishful thinking."

"Guys, trust me, get rid of all this negative energy," Moon grinned, "Clear your chakras and have some fun!"

————

"Drink, drink, drink!"

Élodie rolled her eyes, fingers tight around her solo cup of stale beer as she saw Tory stood victorious on a chair, drinking games afoot already.

"Winner and still champion, Tory!"

"Well, look who it is," Tory smiled falsely, and Élodie frowned, her eyes furious but her expression upset, "Maybe you'd like to play a little game?"

Élodie scoffed, "I'd rather just talk to you, Tory. I don't know what your sudden problem is... I thought we were friends."

"That was before you strung along my friends and the guy I like, Élodie," Tory crossed her arms over her chest, "C'mon, maybe we can kiss and make up after a game."

Sam appeared at Élodie's side, jaw clenched at the sight of Tory, "Give me a cup."

"Alright, nevermind," Tory shrugged, "Challenge accepted, LaRusso."

————

After witnessing Sam beat Tory, the girls moved back inside, avoiding making eye contact with any of the Cobras.

"If she's gonna be here with fucking Robby, it's time to make her want what she can't have," Eli huffed from the couch, standing up and striding over to a girl he didn't recognise, "Watch and learn."

He just hoped Élodie's attentive eyes were on him. To his luck, they were.

"Hey, I like your hair," he started, a flirtatious smirk gracing his features that sent shockwaves through Élodie's body. This wasn't a sight she was used to.

The girl opposite him grinned, "Thanks, I like yours, too. It's spiky."

Hawk shrugged, "Everybody wants to touch it. I always say no," unless it's Élodie, he thought, "But you can touch it if you want."

Élodie was sure she'd seen enough, but she couldn't stop watching.

"They call me Hawk."

"I'm..." the girl began, before Moon sauntered to her side and realisation washed over Élodie.

"Piper! Hey, babe," she leaned to kiss the girl, and Élodie saw panic overtake Hawk's face. His eyes flashed to Élodie, suddenly hoping she wasn't watching this rejection.

"Hawk... Sorry, this is Piper, um, my..." Moon looked a bit lost for words, nervous.

"You can say it. Girlfriend." Piper hummed, and Élodie could feel her heart warm as the two girls embraced, even though she couldn't hear the conversation from where she was perched.

"Hey, you alright?" Robby had appeared at her side now, leaning down with a smile and having to tuck hair behind his ear as a result, "I got you another beer, you looked sad over here..." his eyes glanced up to Hawk, who was glaring at him, "I figured it'd be down to him, so thought you'd need another drink."

"Besides, Sam's parents have enrolled me at West Valley," he continued with a sigh, "I could do with a drink too after today."

———

Demetri had situated himself on the couch, just beside where Eli was now sat, seething from the combination of Piper's preoccupation and the lap dog of a boy who had found himself at Élodie's side.

Demetri could see his longing stares in Élodie's direction as she conversed with Robby and their friends, deciding to extend an olive branch to his old best friend in the best way he knew how.

"You check out the new Doctor Who trailer?"

Demetri and Élodie had been excitedly talking about it non-stop of late, and they knew Hawk would've been too had he not made the stupid decision to reject everything that actually made him happy for the sake of his fake "cool" persona.

Hawk scoffed, "I don't watch nerd shit."

Demetri didn't let this put him off.

"You know, uh, Moffat isn't the showrunner anymore," he offered up, and Eli's eyes flashed up, brighter all of a sudden, "Wait, really? Since when? Is there a new Doctor? What's he like?"

"Oh. She's badass," Élodie's voice was meek, but still excited as she stood beside Demetri nervously. Liquid courage, eh.

"She"? No way!" Eli responded excitedly, before his face dropped at the source of the voice, "Why've you left your boyfriend all alone to talk to me, Élodie?"

Élodie rolled her eyes, "He's not my boyfriend. It's not like that."

"Do you regularly go on dates with boys it's not like that with, Marshall?" ouch, last names? "Was that what it was with me too?"

"Eli—,"

"It's Hawk," he snapped, though it was clear the use off his first name had effected him a lot, "And save it for someone who cares."

———

"Hey, Sammy, are you alright?"

"Don't worry, I'm like totally fine," Sam hiccuped, clearly even drunker than Élodie was.

Robby leaned over too, hand hovering over the bare skin of Élodie's arm and unintentionally raising goosebumps, "Wait here, I'm gonna get her some food."

Élodie smiled, "Maybe you should slow down, Sam. You don't wanna feel like shit tomorrow."

Sam scowled at her, "I don't care if I feel like shit tomorrow, El."

Élodie just shook her head, handing her best friend a cup of water and allowing her to rest her head on her chest, playing with her hair as she heaved out a sigh.

"Why can't a guy like me like Robby likes you?" she practically whispered, "I used to be jealous of you and Eli but like... Even though you deserve it, it makes me sad to see how much Robby cares when nobody cares like that about me."

Élodie paused for a moment, before resuming her hair strokes and kissing Sam's forehead, "Sammy, we're just friends. And I think you should talk to Miguel, maybe. You guys were cute and... I know you still like him."

"But he likes you."

"He thinks he likes me," Élodie shook her head, "Maybe thought. But he really liked you, Sam. And regardless, I think you need to talk to him since you haven't really since the tournament. Whatever the outcome, I think it'd be good for you."

"Maybe you're right," Sam smiled up at her best friend, "I love you, El."

"Love ya too, Sammy."

———-

Demetri, evidently a little tipsy now himself, rose to his feet and took to the small stage where a microphone stood, "Excuse me!"

All eyes fell on him — but Hawk's were angry and embarrassed and fuelled Demetri's plan only further.

"I'd like to make a toast. To Eli Moskowitz," he smirked, drunkenly happy to give Hawk a taste of his own medicine, "Oh. I'm sorry, some of you might know him as Hawk."

Hawk's fists were balled, and though Demetri could see this, he didn't stop.

"But underneath that crazy clown cosplay and whatever type of Manic Panic he dumps in his hair, he's still good old Eli," Demetri's heart was racing, and Élodie re-entered the room with a panicked expression as she heard the commotion.

"'Metri, what're you doing?" Élodie's voice was a low whisper as she made eye contact with him, but he winked and looked back at the amassed crowd listening intently.

"Just raising a little old toast to my binary brother. Well, he was my binary brother. You know what he is now? A real zero."

Trust Demetri to hit everyone with math humour.

"All right, that's enough, Demetri," Hawk snarled, and Élodie fought back the way his angered face was kind of hot. She was just drunk. That's all.

"Don't let that angry red hairdo fool you. He's a big softie, right El?" Demetri looked to Élodie now, who looked down at her feet, "We all watched every Harry Potter movie together. And he bawled like a baby when Dobby died."

Élodie bit back a laugh.

She didn't like being brought into it, and a part of her was sad watching Eli be so publicly humiliated. But she knew that really he needed the reality check.

"All right, if he doesn't shut up, I'm going to shut him up," Hawk's voice was a low growl now.

"Remember what Sensei said about showing mercy..."

"No."

"In the words of Eli's hero, Steve Jobs, 'I've got one more thing'," Élodie wanted the ground to swallow her whole, the situation becoming all too overwhelming.

"Have any of you heard of sleep enuresis?" Demetri's wicked grin still managed to be soft even as he humiliated his once best friend.

"'Metri, don't. It's not worth it."

Demetri shook his head, continuing on, "That is the medical term, of course. In the King's English, it's good old-fashioned bed-wetting."

Élodie looked across at Hawk again now, just as he looked over at her. That was a secret only her and Demetri knew, and he hated it enough already that she even knew. Now everyone did.

Demetri pointed at Hawk now, drawing everyone's full attention back to him, "And Eli here is a pro. My mom even had a special air mattress for sleepovers. And she called it 'Eli's waterbed.'"

Élodie was biting down so hard on her lip that she was surprised she hadn't drawn blood.

Rage overtook Hawk's entire demeanour completely, "Screw mercy. You're a corpse!"

———

Outside, Sam sat sadly pondering her thoughts as chaos ensued inside, water in her hand.

"Hey, Sam," Miguel approached cautiously, and Sam looked up at him and with a sad smile, "Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," she shrugged.

Miguel immediately assumed she was irritated by his company, and though he'd expected it, he looked down at his feet before turning to leave, "Never mind."

"Miguel, wait! I'm sorry."

"For what?" he looked back at her.

Her head fell back in thought for a moment, and she drew in a sharp breath before answering, "I never let you explain after everything. You broke my heart, but I should have given you the chance for closure."

"I made a mistake, Sam, because you didn't deserve what I did," Miguel frowned, "So I'm sorry. You deserved better. And I did really like you, I do. I just needed clarity and chose a shit time — and way — to try and get it."

"I know, it's okay. I forgive you," Sam stood up now, close to Miguel as they stared at one another for a moment, "I get it... Sometimes people have feelings for more than one person," she recalled what she'd told Élodie the other day and his expression softened even further in realisation at her words, "I can't be mad at you for that... I just wish you'd told me and had a conversation, rather than kissing her."

"I know... I'm sorry. But that's over now. Completely over."

Miguel's lips were ghosting over hers now, and the alcohol coursing through her body made her lean up to kiss him gently.

Miguel kissed back for a moment, but pulled back, "Oh shit, we shouldn't have... I went out with Tory the other day... We're... sort of..."

"Right. Jesus, first El and now her," Sam looked utterly rejected, "I... I'm sorry."

The tension in the air could've been cut by only the sharpest of knives as the two eyed each other anxiously, trying hard to decipher each other's true feelings.

"I have to go."

———

"Don't hurt him, please!" Élodie called out as Hawk stormed towards Demetri like the eye of a hurricane.

"Stay out of it, Élodie."

Élodie had a flashback to when Hawk had told her that at the mall. The fight had ended in forgiveness, but something told her this one wouldn't.

"Please!"

"Or what? You'll get Robby on me?" Hawk retorted, still not looking at her but charging towards Demetri.

"Ooh, I smell a rumble."

"Cops! Cops! Cops!" random people Élodie didn't recognise came running in shouting, sending everyone's heart into panic.

"Demetri, you got lucky," Hawk sent him a glare as Élodie grabbed Demetri's arm to pull him with her, "I'll see you in school!"

Robby returned to Élodie's side now, and she was acutely aware of Hawk's eyes on them as ever, "There you are. I've been looking for you. We got to go."

Now that she needed to leave, Élodie realised just how far from sober she really was, "Shit, I was meant to go home with Sam so my stepmom doesn't get mad but... I don't know where she is. I haven't seen her in ages."

Her phone buzzed as if on cue.

From: Sammy
moon let me crash here because i'm too drunk to go home. are you okay to go home? if not she said you can stay too

"She's upstairs in bed, she's staying over," she told Robby, who nodded, "You can come to my dad's if you want. I don't want you staying here and getting into trouble. I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

Élodie smiled, all wide drunken eyes and toothy grin, "You're so good to me, Robby," she pulled him into a hug, "Are you sure? Hey, I can go to Grams' actually. She'll probably be a bit mad but she won't mind."

"You can't wake her up, it's late," Robby shook his head, linking their arms so she could prop herself up on him, "C'mon, and you can see her in the morning."

"Thanks, Robby," Élodie hummed as they hurried out the door, "You're the sweetest. I've missed hanging out with you."

"Me too, angel, me too."

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────
AUTHOR'S NOTE !
another long n chaotic chapter lol
but we're nearly done with season
two guys! hope you have enjoyed

got season three all planned out so
am figuring out season four but i've
got exams for the next few weeks so
gonna take a fortnight break before i
start s3 so that i can focus !!

thanks as usual for reading, please
vote if u enjoyed & let me know ur
thoughts in the comments cos ur
comments make my day hehe <3