chapter six:
❛ hawk? ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE

tw: mentions of drug addiction

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Robby and Alessia finished rolling up their sleeping bags, the faint rustling noises of the nylon filling the back room of Cobra Kai. The room, dimly lit and filled with the residual warmth of the night, was their temporary refuge. As they prepared to leave, they heard muffled noises coming from the main area. Alessia, startled, smacked Robby's chest, signaling him to follow her.

They quietly walked out into the main dojo and saw Kreese, his face set in concentration, furiously punching a training dummy. The rhythmic thuds of his strikes echoed through the dojo. Kreese looked up, noticing their presence, and greeted them with a wry smile. "They have risen," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of his own routines.

Robby took Alessia's hand in a comforting gesture and led her closer to Kreese. The older man, with a rare show of vulnerability, offered an apology. "Sorry you both had to sleep on the floor," Kreese said, his voice softening.

Alessia shrugged nonchalantly, though her eyes carried a hint of something deeper. "I've slept in a house where drug users slept," she said quietly, crossing her arms defensively.

Kreese nodded in understanding. "Likewise," he replied, his tone empathetic.

Robby squeezed Alessia's hand reassuringly. "If you two want some coffee, it's not great, but it's hot," Kreese offered, gesturing toward his office. Robby glanced back, shaking his head in a polite decline, and Alessia mirrored his gesture.

"Thanks for letting us crash here. It was just for the night," Robby stated, his voice sincere.

Kreese waved a dismissive hand. "You can stay as long as you like. I can get an air mattress," he offered, his voice carrying a rare warmth.

Alessia, her gaze distant, nodded. She had no intention of returning home anytime soon, and the offer provided a small comfort.

"Come here. Maybe you can both learn something," Kreese beckoned them closer, shifting gears to his usual instructor mode.

The doorbell rang, its chime piercing the early morning stillness. The door creaked open, but Robby and Alessia remained focused on Kreese, ignoring the intrusion.

"This is called the Cobra Strike. It consists of two moves, the lunge and the bite," Kreese explained, preparing to demonstrate.

Before Kreese could begin, a voice erupted with barely contained frustration. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Hawk stormed into the dojo, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Alessia's head whipped around in response, her heart pounding. Robby followed suit, their shared confusion palpable.

Hawk's initial focus was solely on Robby, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief. But as his gaze shifted, he finally noticed Alessia standing beside Robby. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized his ex-best friend, who stood frozen, staring back at him.

Hawk's once-familiar face now bore a confident, hardened edge, his hair styled into a dyed mohawk. The change was stark, and the years apart seemed to weigh heavily in the charged silence between them.

"Hold on there," Kreese interjected, gently placing a hand on Hawk's chest to push him back slightly. "Mr. Keene is our guest, and so is Miss. Chavez," Kreese stated firmly, his authoritative tone cutting through the tension.

Hawk faltered, his eyes flitting between Robby and Alessia. The shock on his face was evident, a silent acknowledgment of the time that had passed and the changes it had wrought. Alessia, equally stunned, remained rooted to the spot, grappling with the reality of seeing Hawk again after two long years.

As Hawk and Kreese emerged from the office, Hawk's face was etched with a mixture of frustration and contemplation. Kreese's authoritative tone had left him feeling more conflicted than ever. He took a deep breath, trying to center himself as he walked into the main dojo. The sight of Alessia waiting by the entrance caught him off guard. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her standing there, her presence pulling him back to a time he had tried to move past.

Alessia looked up, her eyes widening as she saw Hawk for the first time in what felt like forever. His transformation was undeniable; the once-timid Eli had evolved into the confident Hawk, complete with a dyed mohawk and a hardened exterior. Despite his change, Alessia could still recognize the boy she once knew beneath the surface.

"Hi, Eli," Alessia greeted, her voice carrying a tinge of nostalgia and warmth. The familiarity of the old nickname seemed to linger in the air, creating a bridge between their past and present.

Hawk stopped in his tracks, taken aback by her greeting. His breath caught momentarily. "I go by Hawk now," he said, his voice a mix of defensive and hopeful. The name change was more than just a new identity; it symbolized his attempt to redefine himself.

Alessia's lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "Okay, cool name. It seems like you've come out of your shell. You seem pretty confident now," she remarked, her tone supportive yet observant.

Hawk shifted uncomfortably, his pride warring with the pang of guilt he felt. "Yeah, I guess I have. It's been a journey," he admitted, running a hand through his mohawk. The gesture was both a nervous tick and a sign of his attempt to project confidence.

"I'm sorry I didn't visit you in the past two years," Hawk said, his voice lowering with sincerity. The regret in his eyes was palpable.

"It's okay," Alessia replied, though her eyes conveyed a depth of hurt. "I'm just... a bit disappointed that you disappeared without a word."

Hawk's expression softened with empathy. "I understand. I should have reached out. It was just... complicated."

Alessia gave a small nod, acknowledging his apology but still feeling the sting of abandonment. "Are you sober now?" Hawk's concern was evident, his eyes searching her face for any sign of distress.

"Yes," Alessia responded, her voice steady. "I'm going to my first meeting soon. It's been a challenging path, but I'm making progress."

Hawk's face relaxed with relief, though the concern remained. "That's really good to hear. I'm glad you're taking steps to take care of yourself. I actually wanted to invite you to the zoo after your meeting. Every Cobra Kai member is going, and it could be a good chance for us to catch up."

Alessia's eyes lit up at the offer. "Sure, that sounds nice. I could use a break from all the... chaos."

Hawk nodded, visibly relieved. "I didn't realize you were into karate. What's brought you to Cobra Kai?"

Alessia's demeanor grew more serious. "I'm not planning to stay long. I'm not going back to my mom's place. She's trying to be a 'good mom' now, claiming she's sober, but I don't buy it. So for now, I'm staying in the backroom."

Hawk's concern deepened. "That sounds really tough. If there's anything you need, or if you just want to talk, I'm here for you."

Alessia's gaze softened, and she gave a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks, Eli—Hawk. I appreciate that."

Hawk took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination to be there for her. "I'm glad we ran into each other. It's been a long time coming."

As they continued talking, Hawk found himself opening up more than he intended. The familiarity of Alessia's presence brought back memories of their shared past, and he realized just how much he missed having her in his life. Despite his tough exterior, he felt vulnerable and exposed, but in a way that was oddly comforting.

Alessia listened intently, her own feelings a whirlwind of nostalgia, hurt, and tentative hope. She was reminded of the connection they once had and the complexities of their past. The conversation allowed them both to confront their feelings and the unresolved issues between them, setting the stage for a potential new chapter in their relationship.

Alessia sat in the community center's meeting room, the soft hum of the air conditioning barely masking the buzz of conversations. The room was filled with people who shared similar struggles, their eyes reflecting a mix of hope and trepidation. The facilitator, a kind woman with a gentle demeanor, encouraged new members to introduce themselves and share their stories if they felt comfortable.

As the facilitator's gaze landed on Alessia, she felt a lump form in her throat. Her fingers twitched nervously, and she gripped the edges of her chair. Her heart raced, and she could feel her palms growing clammy. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls pressing against her resolve.

"Would you like to share anything with us, Alessia?" the facilitator's voice was calm and reassuring.

Alessia hesitated, her mouth dry. She forced herself to stand, her legs feeling like they were made of lead. Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady her nerves. The room's quiet anticipation was almost palpable as she began to speak, her voice wavering at first.

"Hi, everyone. My name is Alessia Chavez," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat, trying to muster more strength. "When I started freshman year, I met a guy. My ex-best friends, Eli and Demetri, warned me that he wasn't good for me. They were right, but I didn't want to see it at the time."

She glanced around the room, trying to connect with the faces that watched her. "I ended up at Eli's house, passed out drunk and high. When I woke up, I was confused. Eli and Demetri were really worried. They'd never met my boyfriend, and they were concerned for my safety."

A few people nodded sympathetically, and Alessia continued. "I was angry with them. I yelled at them and left. This happened multiple times. On the seventh occasion, Eli told me to go to rehab and break up with Tommy. I was furious and ended our friendship."

Her voice cracked as she remembered the pain of that time. "That summer, I overdosed. I ended up in rehab, struggling to stay clean. I missed Tommy, and even though Eli and Demetri tried to visit me, I turned them away. My mom never came to see me. My sister visited a few times, but she lived far away in Minnesota. I told her to go back to her family and that I'd be okay."

She paused, wiping a tear from her cheek. "When I got out, I relapsed. I went back to school high, and Eli and Demetri noticed. They had become friends with a new kid, Miguel, and they told him about me. Miguel tried to reach out, but I punched him and got suspended. That night, I was caught with drugs and was sent to juvie for the next three years."

Alessia's hands were shaking now, and she took a deep breath. "When I was caught, they asked how I got the drugs, but I didn't tell them. Tommy wanted me to deal for him. The cops were onto him, and he blamed me. A cop gave me a note that explained everything. I'm out now and sober, but the urge is still there. I haven't given in, but it's a constant struggle."

She looked around, seeing the mixture of understanding and empathy in the room. "Earlier today, I saw Eli again. It was complicated. He's changed a lot, and I don't know how to feel about it."

As Alessia finished, a somber hush fell over the room. The facilitator approached her, offering a warm smile. "Thank you for sharing, Alessia. It's not easy to open up, and your courage is commendable."

Alessia nodded, feeling a mix of relief and residual sadness. The meeting continued with others sharing their experiences, creating a supportive atmosphere. When it finally ended, Alessia gathered her things, feeling the weight of her story lighten just a bit.

As she walked out of the building, she spotted Robby waiting by the entrance. His expression was a mix of concern and relief. "How'd it go?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine interest.

"It was... intense," Alessia said, her eyes still reflecting the emotional toll of her earlier confession. "But I'm glad I did it. Hawk invited me to the zoo after the meeting."

Robby's eyebrows raised in surprise, and he laughed. "Hawk invited you? That's pretty cool. Well, Tory invited me too. How about we go together?"

Alessia smiled, her mood lifting at the thought of spending time with Robby and the others. "Sure, that sounds good. I could use some company."

As they walked towards Robby's car, Alessia felt a sense of camaraderie and support from her friends. Robby glanced at her, his eyes showing a mix of relief and encouragement. "You did great today, Alessia. I'm proud of you."

Alessia returned the smile, feeling a little lighter as they headed towards the zoo, ready to embrace the new chapter of her life with renewed hope and the support of her friends.

ASH SPEAKS!

splitting this episode in 2 parts!! cause im lazy lolll

how you guy's feeling about this chapter?? im trying to make sure this chapter shows alessia being in recovery for drug use :)

alessia and hawk reunion!!