✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐄 since Daniel was shoved off the hill by the Cobra Kais. Rebecca hadn't said a single word to them since. She avoided them like the plague—sidestepping their glances, brushing past their greetings, pretending she didn't hear them calling her name in the hallways. It didn't help that nearly all her classes were with them. Every period was a reminder of what they'd done.

Rebecca spent a lot of time with Ali —sleepovers, study sessions, weekends at her beautiful Encino Hills home where Mr. and Mrs. Mills welcomed her like family.

Occasionally, Rebecca would visit Mr. Miyagi, There was something soothing in his presence. She'd confided in him about her mother, about the ache in her heart that never quite went away. He'd listened, eyes kind, and gently told her that her mother wouldn't want her to be sad.

At home, the shop in Reseda kept her busy. Helping her father and uncle brought a sense of normalcy, even if it wasn't enough to quiet the thoughts at night. Thoughts of the boys she missed. The ones she wasn't ready to forgive. Especially Bobby.

Ali noticed.

She always noticed.

And with nearly every class shared with the Cobra Kais, there was no escaping the ache or the tension.

If one Cobra wasn't trying to get her attention, another was. Johnny threw paper balls at her, Jimmy tapped her with his pencil, Tommy passed her notes in class—notes she returned without reading. Dutch kicked her chair repeatedly like a petulant child. Bobby... Bobby was gentler. He ran his fingers lightly up her arm, brushed her leg under the desk. It made her heart flutter and ache at the same time.

She wanted to forgive them—him—but her heart wasn't there. Not yet.

As she stood at her locker after third period history, placing her books inside and grabbing supplies for her next class, she heard a familiar voice.

"Hey Becca," Ali's voice was soft, gentle, hopeful.

Rebecca looked over her shoulder and smiled faintly. "Oh, hey Ali."

"How are you?" Ali asked, watching her closely.

"I'm fine," Rebecca replied, reaching for a pen and pencil.

Ali gave a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe you. You've been down lately, and I've noticed. The Cobra Kais have noticed too. What's going on?"

Rebecca hesitated. Her eyes welled up as she leaned against the locker, voice trembling. "I stopped speaking to them because they hurt Daniel. He's my friend, and I couldn't stand being around them after they pushed him off the hill. They promised to leave him alone, but they didn't keep their word. They ran him off the hill."

Ali nodded, her voice calm and understanding. "Hey, I understand. But if it's making you and them miserable, maybe you need to talk to them. You don't have to forgive them right away. Just talk to them. They probably feel really guilty about what they did. Bobby cares about you. It's obvious."

Rebecca gave her a watery smile. "Thanks, Ali."

"What are best friends for?" Ali replied warmly, slinging an arm around Rebecca as they began walking to class. "The girls and I saw the picture of your mom in your locker. We were talking about how beautiful she was."

"Yeah... she was." Rebecca's voice softened. "Her smile could light up any room. It made you feel safe. I wish she was still alive. Especially now."

"If she were, what do you think she'd tell you?" Ali asked gently.

Rebecca paused. "Probably the same thing you just told me."

"Probably the same thing you just told me." Rebecca said

Ali smiled. "What was your mom like?" she asked. "Only if you want to talk about it."

Rebecca took a breath. "She had a gentle spirit and a captivating presence that caught the attention of everyone around her. She was a grounded, nurturing mother to me... and a mother figure to her students. She was kind, loving, gentle, giving... she had the ability to make everyone, regardless of their circumstances, feel like the most important person in the world. Her concern for people was... real."

Ali's eyes shimmered with empathy. "Becca, I'm so sorry. Nobody will ever replace her, or understand the pain you and your family feel. Just from what you've told me... she sounds like a truly wonderful lady."

"She was one of the best," Rebecca whispered, just as they stepped into the classroom.

The Cobra Kais were already seated in the back. Rebecca noticed immediately—dark circles under their eyes, a hollowness in their expressions. Guilt etched into their faces.

"I'll speak to them at lunch," she said quietly. "I just want to sit with you for now, if that's all right."

"Of course," Ali nodded, taking the seat beside her.

The bell rang, and Mrs. Taylor entered—poised, strict, and old-school. She was no-nonsense, but Rebecca and Ali liked her. They were her top students, the only two who actually did the reading and handed in homework on time.

During the lesson, the Cobra Kais were back to their usual antics—throwing paper balls, flicking the ears of the kids in the chess club. Rebecca and Ali exchanged long, exhausted looks.

"So, you think I should still forgive them?" Rebecca whispered, eyes on her notes.

Ali glanced back to see Johnny flicking a kid on the ear, then rolled her eyes. "I mean, yeah. They wouldn't do that stupid shit... Well, maybe they would. I don't know."

At that moment, Mrs. Taylor stood up, stern as ever. "Let me tell you five something," she said firmly, pointing at the Cobra Kais. "If I see one more paper ball fly across this room or another classmate gets flicked on the ear, all five of you are going to the principal's office. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," Bobby replied quietly, leaning back in his chair. His eyes flickered toward Rebecca, who kept hers fixed on the chalkboard, refusing to look at him.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

When lunchtime arrived, Rebecca stood in line with Ali, Susan, and Barbara, chatting absently as she picked up her tray. But the second she stepped into the lunchroom, her heart skipped. Bobby's eyes locked onto hers from across the room—blue, warm, and filled with something she hadn't expected: longing.

"You really should talk to them," Ali said gently, glancing toward their table. "They've been unusually quiet—especially after what happened in Government."

"What happened in Government?" Susan asked curiously.

"They were throwing paper balls and flicking the ears of the kids on the debate team," Rebecca muttered, rolling her eyes.

"They're obviously just trying to get your attention," Barbara added knowingly.

"Yeah, well..." Rebecca trailed off.

Ali stopped and looked at her best friend. "Becca, I know what they did was wrong. But from the looks of it... they're miserable. Just talk to them. Air things out."

Rebecca looked again at the Cobra Kais. Their faces softened when they saw her glance. She bit her lip, heart pounding. Finally, she nodded.

Ali, Susan, and Barbara sat down, but Rebecca lingered. Turning toward the Cobra Kais' table, she drew a steady breath and walked over.

"Hey," Rebecca said.

They looked up, startled—and then their faces lit up. Even Dutch smiled. "Hi," Bobby said softly.

"You five look terrible," Rebecca said honestly. "Have you been sleeping well?"

"Not very well, no," Tommy answered truthfully.

"I think we need to talk," Rebecca said gently. "It's a beautiful day out. Want to join me in the courtyard?"

They nodded eagerly, grabbing their trays and following her out. Bobby sat to her right, Johnny on her left, with Dutch, Tommy, and Jimmy across.

Rebecca swallowed hard, pushing past the lump in her throat. "Look, I never should've yelled at you like that. I should've spoken calmly. Especially you, Tommy—you only asked a question, and I nearly bit your head off."

"Rebecca, you have nothing to apologize for," Tommy said sincerely. "We were in the wrong. We broke a promise. We're truly sorry."

"I never meant that you're a loser. You're not. Far from it. I'm really sorry," Johnny added, pulling her into a tight hug.

"I forgive you," Rebecca smiled, hugging him back. "I'm sorry for calling you all assholes."

"It's okay," Johnny chuckled lightly. "We are assholes. We never should've treated you like that. You've always been good to us."

"Never again," they all said in unison. "We're sorry."

"My mom always taught me to treat everyone with kindness," Rebecca said quietly. "You never know what someone's going through. I missed you guys."

"You said your mom was the same way?" Jimmy asked, catching her tone.

"She passed away a year ago," Rebecca replied.

"Rebecca, I—" Jimmy began.

"It's okay," Rebecca interrupted softly. "She was my favorite person in the world. Anyway... how's karate?"

"Good," Tommy said with a grin. "There's a tournament on December 19th. If you're not busy... want to come?"

"Of course," Rebecca smiled. "I'm pretty sure my dad will be working that day anyway."

As lunch ended, Bobby stood up and offered his hand to help her. He grabbed her empty tray along with his, then turned back to her, urging her to wait a moment. He hurried to the trash and returned. Without a word, he took her hand and led her away from the others—back toward her locker.

"Bec, I'm so sorry," Bobby said.

Rebecca looked up at him, puzzled. "For what?"

Bobby met her eyes. "For hurting you. I never meant it. Please forgive me... even if I can't forgive myself."

Then, Bobby took her tiny hand and played with her fingers, realizing just how small her hand was in his. He liked that. It fit perfectly in his—and it felt like it was made for him to hold.

Her tininess compared to him made him feel protective—and he loved that. Looking into his beautiful ocean-blue eyes, Rebecca's glowing face made him smile. He admired that about her.

"Bobby... it's okay. I forgive you," Rebecca whispered, eyes soft. "I've missed you something awful."

"I've missed you more," Bobby smiled.

He pulled her into a hug, and she felt like she might melt—so did he. He could smell her hair, sweetly scented, just like her.

Bobby whispered into her ear, "Come to Golf N' Stuff with me? Just the two of us. A date."

Rebecca pulled back slightly, her hands resting on his biceps. "I would love to," she smiled.

"Great. What time should I pick you up?" Bobby asked.

"Seven?" Rebecca asked.

"I'll be there," Bobby grinned.