chapter thirty-three:
❛ rattled ❜

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Alessia sat on the living room floor, watching as Ava and Lucas busied themselves with their building blocks. Lucas was stacking his up into a tall, lopsided tower, while Ava was focused on building something more intricate-a tiny house with an archway that she kept adjusting every few seconds.

"That doesn't go there," Lucas said, pointing at one of the blocks Ava had placed.

Ava shot him a glare. "Yes, it does. It's a window."

Lucas wrinkled his nose. "That doesn't look like a window."

Ava huffed. "Well, it is."

Alessia smirked, shaking her head as she leaned back on her hands. Just as she was about to tell them to relax before the Great Block War of the afternoon broke out, her phone vibrated against the floor.

She glanced at the screen and groaned. Miguel.

She debated ignoring it-whatever it was, it probably wasn't urgent. But knowing Miguel, if she didn't answer, he'd just keep calling. With a sigh, she grabbed her phone and answered.

"What?"

"Alessia, please," Miguel rushed out, sounding way too panicked for her liking. "I need you to come to Miyagi-Do."

Alessia furrowed her brows. "What? Why?"

"It's Robby," Miguel said quickly. "Look, ever since the Sekai Taikai got announced again, he's been distracted. Worried about fighting Axel-and you. He wants to make things up with you,"

Alessia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Miguel, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Just talk to him," Miguel pleaded. "I know you two are weird right now, and I feel like if you guys talk, maybe things won't be so... tense."

Alessia let out a slow breath. He wasn't wrong.

Ever since juvie, things between her and Robby had been complicated. She hated how they left things-how she had pushed him away when she felt like he was the only one who understood her. But every time she tried to reach out, she felt like she didn't deserve to.

Still, did she really want to deal with this today?

"Miguel, I'm watching Ava and Lucas," she said instead. "I can't just leave."

"Then bring them with you!" Miguel said, like it was the easiest solution in the world. "Eli and Demetri are here. They can play with them."

Alessia sighed, glancing over at the kids. Ava was still frowning at her half-built house, and Lucas had completely abandoned his tower, now lying on his stomach and spinning a block in his hands.

She had planned to let them play for another hour, then put on a movie to wear them out before dinner. But a trip to Miyagi-Do would probably keep them occupied just as well.

"Ugh. Fine."

Miguel immediately perked up. "Really?"

"Yeah, whatever," she muttered, already pushing herself up off the floor. "But if Robby gets annoyed about this, it's on you."

Miguel laughed. "I'll take full responsibility."

Before she could say anything else, he hung up.

Alessia rolled her eyes, tossing her phone onto the couch before turning back to the kids. They were both looking at her now, waiting.

"Alright," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "Field trip."

"Where?" Lucas asked, tilting his head.

"Somewhere with more space for you two to run around."

Ava clapped her hands. "Are we getting ice cream?"

"Maybe after," Alessia said, grabbing her bag. "Now let's go before I change my mind."

The

When Alessia arrived at Miyagi-Do, the sun was still high in the sky, casting long shadows over the dojo's peaceful grounds. The wind gently rustled the leaves in the trees, and the serenity of the place seemed like a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions Alessia had been feeling. As she walked up the gravel path leading to the dojo, her eyes landed on a familiar sight: Eli, Demetri, and Miguel were standing near the sparring deck, chatting animatedly. Their conversation was lighthearted, and their voices echoed in the otherwise still air.

"Holy shit! This place is cool!" Lucas, Alessia's young nephew, exclaimed, his voice loud and full of excitement. He was standing beside her, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of the dojo and the sparring deck. He couldn't help but be in awe of the peaceful yet intense energy surrounding the place, and Alessia could see his fascination. His enthusiasm was infectious, and she couldn't help but smile, though she knew this wasn't the time for him to be distracted by everything around him.

"Language!" Alessia scolded him, raising an eyebrow in mock disapproval. She was more amused by his excitement than irritated, but she knew that she had to keep him in check, especially around people she respected. She turned her attention to Eli and Demetri, who were standing just a few feet away, their attention momentarily diverted. Alessia's gaze softened as she met their eyes for a brief second. "Watch them," she said, a little more seriously this time. "I'll be back. Make sure they don't do anything stupid."

Eli gave her a reassuring nod, his usual sarcastic grin in place. Demetri didn't say anything, but the look on his face conveyed that he understood. Alessia took one more glance at her nephew before turning away from them, her thoughts already drifting to the conversation she needed to have.

The small hut was just a few steps away, tucked behind a few trees and plants that were still growing in the warmth of the afternoon. As she approached the hut, she could hear the quiet hum of the air around her. She felt the weight of the moment pressing on her chest-this conversation with Robby wasn't something she was looking forward to, but it was long overdue. She couldn't keep avoiding it.

As she pushed the door open, the sound of the hinges creaked in the still air. Inside, the space was dim, with sunlight filtering in through the small windows. The faint smell of wood and incense hung in the air. Robby was standing by one of the windows, his back to her. His posture was stiff, his shoulders tense, and he seemed lost in thought, gazing out at the dojo grounds.

The moment Alessia stepped inside, Robby froze. His body went rigid, as though he was caught off guard, unsure of how to react. He slowly turned his head toward her, his eyes wide with surprise and uncertainty. For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was as if the room had become a vacuum, holding both of them in an awkward silence, full of unspoken words and emotions that neither of them had fully processed yet.

"Alessia, what are you doing here?" Robby asked, his voice tight with confusion, a hint of something else-maybe fear-lurking beneath his words. His eyes scanned her face, searching for answers, but the distance between them felt insurmountable, even though they were standing only a few feet apart.

Alessia swallowed, feeling a lump rise in her throat. This was harder than she'd imagined. She had come here with a purpose, but now, seeing Robby again, the emotions she had buried deep inside were surfacing, raw and unfiltered. She didn't want to hurt him anymore.

"I heard you were distracted," she began, her voice steady but her heart racing in her chest. "Worried about Axel hurting you or picking a fight with you again," she said, her arms instinctively crossing in front of her, a protective gesture, as if she were trying to shield herself from the vulnerability of the conversation. She didn't know if it was because of the guilt she felt for what had happened or if it was the weight of everything she had done to push him away, but the words came out shakily, even though she was trying to stay strong.

Robby's lips twitched into something resembling a smile, but it was empty, almost bitter. He let out a small laugh, though it lacked any real humor. "I already got a speech from Miguel," he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He rolled his eyes as if the very thought of another lecture from someone who cared was just too much to bear. "Like that'll fix anything." He shrugged, his frustration seeping into his posture.

Alessia felt her chest tighten at his words. She knew what he meant. Miguel had been trying to help him, trying to get him to focus on the important things, but Alessia had made things so much worse. She had let him down, over and over again.

"I'm sorry for shutting you out," she said quietly, her voice breaking slightly. It was difficult to admit, but she had to. "I'm truly sorry. You and Eli-you both helped me get back to rehab... and I've been treating you like shit. Like I didn't care," she continued, her eyes locking onto his. She could see the hurt in his eyes, and it made her stomach twist with regret. "I tried to make you jealous with Eli... and even joined Cobra Kai," she added in a quieter tone, ashamed of her actions. "I don't know what the hell I was thinking."

Robby's expression softened as he listened, his gaze searching hers for the truth in her words. The bitterness faded from his face, replaced by a more vulnerable look. "Alessia, I get it," he said after a moment, his voice quieter, more understanding now. "I know you were struggling... I just-I didn't know how to help. I wasn't sure what to do anymore. It wasn't about jealousy." He paused, his eyes meeting hers with a raw honesty. "It was about watching you drift away, and I didn't know how to stop it."

Alessia felt the sting of his words, but she could also feel a weight lifting from her chest. He wasn't angry, not really. He was just as hurt as she was, and the realization made her heart ache.

She took a step closer to him, and without thinking, she reached out, her hand brushing his arm gently. She hadn't realized how much she missed his presence, his warmth, the way he made her feel understood even in her darkest moments.

"I've been a mess," she said, her voice soft and regretful. "But I'm here now. I can't change the past, but I want to try to make things right. I just... I didn't want to keep running away from the people who care about me."

Robby's face softened, and his hand instinctively reached out, brushing against hers. His touch was light, almost tentative, but it was enough to send a surge of warmth through her. He looked at her with an intensity that made her feel like everything she had done to push him away was finally starting to fade into the past.

"You don't have to apologize anymore," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "We both made mistakes. We both hurt each other. But it's okay. We can move past that."

Alessia's heart swelled with relief, but she knew this wasn't the end. There was more to work through, more healing to be done. But for now, standing in this room with Robby, it felt like they were on the right path.

Before either of them could say another word, Alessia found herself leaning in, closing the space between them. The kiss was slow, tender-nothing like the rush of emotions she had felt in the past. It was a kiss full of apologies, of understanding, and of hope. It wasn't a promise to pick up right where they had left off, but it was a promise to take things slowly, to rebuild the trust that had been lost over time.

When they pulled away, Alessia smiled softly at him, her hands resting lightly on his chest. She looked up at him, her voice almost a whisper. "Let's take things slow, okay?" she said, her words laced with a quiet plea. "I don't want to get back together just yet. I'm not ready for that, and I don't think you are either."

Robby's expression was one of relief, mixed with a hint of a smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. He nodded, his gaze steady and understanding. "Yeah, slow is good. We don't have to rush anything," he said, his voice soft but filled with reassurance. "We'll figure it out, together. One step at a time."

Alessia nodded, her heart swelling with a mixture of hope and peace. For the first time in a long while, she felt like things were starting to fall into place. She wasn't sure what the future held, but for now, she had Robby by her side, and that was enough. Together, they would take it one day at a time.

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue across the Miyagi-Do dojo. Alessia, Lucas, and Ava stood off to the side, watching with rapt attention as Robby and Miguel sparred on the sparring deck. The sounds of their movements filled the air-quick thuds of feet, the swish of air as they kicked and blocked. They were in perfect sync, the fluidity of their martial arts reflecting hours of practice and dedication.

Lucas, ever the energetic one, was bouncing on his feet, clearly fired up by the spectacle before him. "This is amazing!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "I want to learn karate too! Teach me, Robby!" Ava, standing beside him, nodded enthusiastically, her usual cool composure replaced by sheer excitement. "Yeah, me too! I wanna be as good as you guys," she added, her eyes lighting up with a mix of admiration and determination.

Alessia glanced at her nephew and niece, amused by their enthusiasm. She couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that their fascination with karate was just beginning. She knew it would only be a matter of time before they were begging her to teach them the basics.

But her attention was quickly drawn back to Robby and Miguel. Their sparring was intense, but there was an ease to it now-a deep understanding between the two that had come from years of friendship and rivalry. Robby's fluid movements were sharp and precise, his focus unwavering. Miguel, on the other hand, was light on his feet, constantly shifting and adapting, making it difficult for Robby to predict his next move. It was an exhilarating match to watch.

As Robby landed a solid kick to Miguel's midsection, Alessia glanced at the nearby computer. She had been tracking Robby's progress lately, especially in preparation for the inevitable showdown with Axel. Her eyes flicked to the numbers on the screen, watching the probability of Robby's victory steadily increase. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride-Robby had come so far since the days when he first joined Miyagi-Do, and now he was more than ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.

Miguel, his chest heaving from the exertion, landed a well-timed kick to Robby's side, but Robby quickly recovered, using his momentum to flip Miguel onto the mat. The sparring came to an end, and the two boys shared a quick, congratulatory high-five. The camaraderie between them was palpable, a testament to their growth and the bond they had formed through both competition and mutual respect.

Robby stood up, grinning as he wiped sweat from his brow. His phone, which had been sitting on the edge of the sparring deck, buzzed loudly, startling him. He quickly grabbed it, expecting another message from Johnny or a reminder about something. But when he saw the caller ID, his expression shifted.

Alessia, standing a few feet away, saw the look of confusion and concern flash across Robby's face. Before he could even swipe the screen, Alessia, who had been glancing over his shoulder, gasped in surprise.

"Robby, Miguel!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with urgency and shock. The others immediately turned their attention to her, sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere. "You guys need to get to the hospital. Miguel's mom is about to give birth!"

Miguel's face went pale for a split second, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What? My mom's in labor? Now?" he asked, his voice tense, as though he couldn't quite process what he was hearing. He glanced at Robby, searching for reassurance, but Robby was already moving, his expression shifting from exhaustion to pure focus.

"Yeah, Johnny's calling to let us know," Alessia added, her heart racing as she grabbed her phone, ready to help them figure out the next steps. "She's ready to give birth any minute. We need to go-now." She looked at both of them, her voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She could see the look of urgency in Miguel's eyes, the mixture of excitement and fear.

Without another word, Miguel quickly turned and rushed toward the door, his movements sharp and purposeful. Robby followed right behind him, his phone still in hand, making a quick call to Johnny to confirm the details. Alessia, Lucas, and Ava watched them leave in a flurry of motion, the silence that followed almost deafening.

As the door swung shut behind them, Alessia exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Lucas and Ava looked up at her with wide eyes, the energy in the air shifting from excitement to anxiety in a heartbeat.

"What's going to happen?" Lucas asked, his voice full of concern.

Alessia shook her head, trying to remain calm for them. "They're going to be okay. But it's a big moment for Miguel and zRobby. We just have to trust that everything will work out."

Ava, who had been unusually quiet, now stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. "Do you think the baby will be born soon?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alessia smiled, though it was faint. "I'm sure it will be. And we'll all be here to support Miguel, Johnny, Robby and his mom."

She glanced at the door one last time, her mind already racing through everything that needed to be done. It wasn't just about getting to the hospital. It was about making sure Miguel had the support he needed, and helping him through this incredible moment in his life.

As she looked down at her phone, she realized that the excitement of the day had shifted into something deeper. This wasn't just another moment in their lives; this was a turning point. And she hoped that, no matter what happened, they would all be ready to face it head-on, together.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

this chapter kinda sucks im sorry. i wasnt sure how to include her into episode 12😭😭😭

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE JUST STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!

PLEASE STOP BEING A GHOST READER AND VOTE!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!