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

Mila later confessed to Marisol that she had been secretly visiting their mom in jail. To say the least, Marisol was beyond furious. The memories of their mom's neglect and betrayal came rushing back. This was the woman who had abandoned her and Sophie on the streets one night to score drugs, the same woman who had kidnapped her and Mila almost a year ago. This was the woman who had driven Sophie to her death and had passed on her bipolar disorder to Marisol. Why was Mila visiting her? What lies had their mom fed her?

Determined to confront her mother, Marisol stormed into the prison. The sterile, cold environment did nothing to quell her simmering anger. She demanded to see Katherine and was escorted to the visitor's area. She sat at a phone booth, her hands gripping the phone tightly, eyes blazing with fury as she watched her mom walk in, handcuffed and flanked by a guard.

"Hey, Katherine," Marisol spat out, her voice dripping with contempt as she glared at her mother through the glass.

"Mija... I know I haven't been a good mom—" Katherine began, but Marisol cut her off, slamming her fist down on the counter.

"You have been a terrible mom! You're barely a mom! You abandoned us! You—You drove Sophie to her death! And I'm just finding out that Mila's been visiting you? What sick lies have you been telling her? Are you even taking your meds?" Marisol's voice was a mix of rage, pain, and betrayal.

Katherine's lips curled into a smirk, her eyes cold. "Marisol, I've been taking my meds. Have you?" she snapped back, her tone mocking.

Marisol clenched her teeth, her anger reaching a boiling point. "Yes, I am, Katherine," she gritted out, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

"Sure. You're acting pretty angry," Katherine commented, her smirk growing wider, clearly enjoying the effect her words had on her daughter.

Marisol's fists tightened until her knuckles turned white. "Anyone can be angry! I've been taking them! God, I can't believe Mila fell for your sick act. I'm leaving," she gasped, her voice cracking with emotion. She slammed the phone down, the sound echoing in the sterile room, and stormed out, her heart pounding in her chest.

As a guard grabbed Katherine to take her back to her cell, Katherine laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Marisol's spine. Everything was coming together for her plan.

Marisol walked out of the prison, her mind swirling with a mix of anger, confusion, and worry for her sister. How could Mila fall for their mother's lies? She needed to protect Mila, but first, she needed to calm down and figure out their next steps. The thought of her mother's smirk and mocking words lingered in her mind, fueling her determination to ensure that their mother's influence would not corrupt Mila further.

FLASHBACK TO 1984

The Cobra Kai boys rolled up to the beach, their presence causing heads to turn. Johnny, Dutch, Bobby, Jimmy, and George walked with a swagger that commanded attention. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the sandy shore and the rhythmic sound of crashing waves filled the air.

Johnny's eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar face: a guy with his girl, Ali. His jaw tightened, memories of past encounters flooding his mind. He could hear the familiar taunts and see the glint of challenge in the guy's eyes. But George wasn't paying attention to Johnny's rambling about Ali. His focus was entirely on the girl standing next to Ali.

Her name was Katherine Cervantes, and George recognized her immediately from his math class last year. She was hard to miss with her wavy dark hair cascading over her shoulders and a bright, infectious smile that could light up any room. Katherine was laughing at something Ali had said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

George's mind raced as he watched her. He remembered the times in class when he'd steal glances at her, pretending to be engrossed in solving equations while really just hoping she'd notice him. He'd never worked up the nerve to talk to her, always finding an excuse to stay in the background. But seeing her here, out of the school context and on the beach, made her seem more approachable somehow.

Bobby noticed George's distraction and nudged him with an elbow. "Hey, you alright, man? You're zoning out."

George shook his head, snapping back to reality. "Yeah, I'm good," he replied, trying to sound casual.

Jimmy grinned, following George's gaze. "Looks like someone's got a crush. Who's the girl?"

"That's Katherine," George muttered, feeling his cheeks heat up slightly. "She was in my math class last year."

Dutch smirked, always ready to tease. "Why don't you go talk to her, Romeo? Show her some of that Cobra Kai confidence."

George rolled his eyes, but he couldn't deny the idea was tempting. Johnny, still focused on Ali, finally noticed where the conversation had shifted and looked over at Katherine.

"She's cute," Johnny acknowledged with a nod. "Go for it, George. You've got nothing to lose."

With a deep breath, George squared his shoulders and started walking towards Katherine and Ali. His heart was pounding, but he was determined to seize the moment. As he approached, Ali noticed him first and nudged Katherine, who turned to see George standing there, looking a little nervous but determined.

"Hey, Katherine," George said, managing a smile. "It's George, from math class."

Katherine's face lit up with recognition. "Oh, hey, George! How are you?"

"I'm good," he replied, feeling a bit more at ease now that she remembered him. "I didn't expect to see anyone from school here."

Katherine smiled warmly. "Yeah, Ali and I decided to hang out at the beach today. It's nice to get away from everything for a bit."

George nodded, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease. "Yeah, definitely. I was just here with some friends, and I saw you. Thought I'd come say hi."

Ali watched the exchange with a knowing smile, giving Katherine an encouraging nudge. "Why don't you two take a walk or something? Catch up."

Katherine looked at George and nodded. "Sure, I'd like that."

As they walked along the beach, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop, George felt his nerves slowly fade away. They talked about school, their summer plans, and everything in between. For the first time, George felt like he was really getting to know Katherine, and he couldn't help but be grateful for Johnny and the guys' encouragement.

Back where they started, Johnny watched them walk away with a smirk. "Looks like George finally grew a pair," he muttered, earning a laugh from the rest of the Cobra Kai boys.

George and Katherine continued their walk, the sun setting behind them, casting long shadows on the sand. It was the beginning of something new, and George couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

Marisol walked into the bustling cafeteria, her eyes scanning the room filled with college stands and students eagerly exploring their futures. Her heart pounded as she spotted the Juilliard booth, a beacon of hope in the sea of options. Taking a deep breath, she walked over, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

A young woman standing at the booth greeted her with a warm smile. "Hi! I'm Alexis," she said cheerfully.

Marisol returned the smile, albeit a bit shyly. "Hi, I'm Marisol. Marisol Cervantes," she introduced herself, extending her hand.

Alexis shook her hand firmly. "Nice to meet you, Marisol! Are you interested in Juilliard?"

Marisol nodded, her nerves starting to settle. "Yes, I've been thinking about it a lot. I love music, and my boyfriend suggested I apply. He thinks I have a real shot."

Alexis's smile widened. "That's wonderful to hear! Juilliard is an amazing place for aspiring artists. What kind of music are you into?"

Marisol's face lit up as she talked about her passion. "I play the guitar and sing a bit. I've always been drawn to music. It's been a way for me to express myself and escape everything else."

Alexis nodded, listening intently. "Juilliard has a fantastic program for musicians. They really focus on helping you develop your unique style and voice. Have you had any formal training?"

"Not really," Marisol admitted. "I've mostly taught myself and learned from my friends."

Alexis's eyes sparkled with interest. "That's impressive! Self-taught musicians often bring a unique perspective to their music. Juilliard values creativity and originality. Have you thought about what you want to focus on if you get in?"

Marisol took a deep breath, feeling more confident. "I want to focus on songwriting and performance. I want to create music that resonates with people, something they can connect with on a deep level."

Alexis nodded approvingly. "That sounds like a fantastic goal. Juilliard could definitely help you refine your skills and achieve that. Here, take some information about our programs and the application process. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or the admissions office."

Marisol took the pamphlets and brochures, feeling a surge of hope and excitement. "Thank you so much, Alexis. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Marisol," Alexis replied warmly. "Good luck with your application. I have a feeling you'll do great."

As Marisol walked away from the Juilliard booth, her mind buzzed with possibilities. She could almost see herself performing on stage, sharing her music with the world. For the first time in a long while, the future felt bright and full of potential.

Lost in her thoughts, she almost bumped into Eli, who was making his way through the crowd. "Hey, Marisol!" he called out, waving at her.

"Hey, Eli," she replied with a smile, feeling a newfound sense of purpose and excitement. "Guess what? I just talked to the Juilliard rep."

Eli's face lit up. "That's awesome! How did it go?"

Marisol grinned, holding up the brochures. "It went really well. I'm definitely going to apply."

Eli wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a supportive squeeze. "I'm proud of you, Mars. You're gonna do great things, I just know it."

As they walked together through the cafeteria, Marisol felt a sense of belonging and determination. She knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she had the support of her friends and the drive to pursue her dreams. And that was all she needed to keep moving forward.

Demetri was deeply engrossed in the MIT booth, examining every pamphlet and poster with intense focus. Marisol nudged Eli gently, sensing his tension. "Have you told Demetri that you haven't applied for MIT?" she whispered softly.

Eli shook his head, his face troubled. "He's not going to take it well. We've been dreaming of this since we were little. You saw how big we were into it," Eli said, his voice heavy with worry. Marisol kissed his cheek, offering a moment of comfort.

"You'll find the right time to tell him," she reassured him. "He'll probably be disappointed, but he'll understand eventually."

Eli nodded, though his anxiety was palpable. As Demetri walked up to them, Eli tried to steady himself. "Eli, Marisol," Demetri greeted them with an enthusiastic grin.

"Hey, Dem! So, you're still planning to go to MIT?" Marisol asked, trying to create an opening for Eli.

"Of course! Eli and I are going!" Demetri exclaimed, his eyes bright with excitement.

Before Marisol could say anything more, Eli quickly looked around and spotted Miguel and Sam nearby. "Miguel! Sam! Hey," Eli called out, effectively diverting the conversation. Marisol sighed inwardly but decided to follow Eli's lead.

"Hey, Sam!" Marisol exclaimed, embracing her friend warmly.

Sam chuckled, hugging her back. "Hey, Mars—" she paused, noticing the Juilliard brochure in Marisol's hand. "Oh my God! Marisol, how did it go talking to the rep?"

Marisol's face lit up with excitement. "It went really great!" she squealed, her enthusiasm infectious.

"That's good!" Sam said, smiling before she turned and kissed Miguel, then walked off. Marisol watched her go, feeling a sense of camaraderie and shared dreams.

Demetri glared at the college fair reps. "These vultures are wasting their time, though. Eli and I have had our sights set on MIT for years," he said with a nod. Marisol looked at Eli, who frowned. Demetri didn't notice Eli's discomfort, but Marisol did. Eli glanced at her, silently asking for help.

"Are you applying early decision to Stanford?" Marisol asked Miguel, trying to steer the conversation.

"Yeah, definitely," Miguel replied, nodding. "But I should look into some safety schools too. Stanford's pretty expensive." He showed them the brochure, and Marisol clicked her tongue, about to respond.

"Mig—" she started, but a rep beside them from College of the Valley interrupted.

"Hey, fam," the rep said, and the four looked over at him. "You bros, and gal, looking to post up at a college a little closer to home, or what's the word?" He wiggled his eyebrows, trying to be relatable.

Marisol raised an eyebrow. "Well, Gary, the word is we'll be taking our brodeo on the roadeo. But, um, thank you for all of your bro-vertures," Demetri said sarcastically, his tone dripping with disdain.

Marisol pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling secondhand embarrassment.

"All right, bet," Gary continued, undeterred. "But safety schools get a bad rep. They keep you closer to home, set you up for a big school later, and they take that weight off Mom and Pop's wallet."

Marisol shrugged, considering his point. She took a brochure and handed one to Miguel. "It's not a bad idea to have a backup plan, you know," she said, trying to be practical.

The four kids were taking a college tour of the College of the Valley. Marisol was barely paying attention to the guide, her focus primarily on her phone as she texted Mila, who was begging her to come back and pick her up. Marisol's thumbs flew over the screen, responding to her sister's increasingly desperate messages. She felt a pang of guilt for not being there for Mila, but she was also frustrated with how her sister kept pulling her away from her own life.

She took her eyes off her phone when she heard a sudden commotion. Marisol looked up just in time to see the tour guide being tackled by someone. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then narrowed into a glare when she recognized Brucks, a familiar antagonist from their past.

Kyler jogged over, hyping Brucks up, his voice loud and obnoxious. Marisol rolled her eyes and stepped forward, her posture tense and ready for a confrontation.

"I thought I would never see you shitheads ever again," Marisol gritted out, her voice dripping with disdain.

Kyler looked over and gasped theatrically. "Holy shittt! It's Marisol Cervantes, Hawk, Demetri, and Miguel! How you doin'?" he asked, his tone mocking and exaggerated.

Marisol rolled her eyes, putting on a sarcastic smile and flipping him off. "Dang, still don't like me. Thought you wouldn't hate me now since I ain't in Cobra Kai no more," Kyler said, his expression faux innocent.

Marisol gave him a deadpan look. "Dude, you bullied my friends! Why would I like you now?" she shouted at him, her anger simmering just below the surface.

Miguel sighed and stepped in, hoping to defuse the situation. "Kyler, you go to school here?" he asked, trying to keep things civil.

"Nah, it's more like this school goes to me. You know what I mean?" Kyler laughed, his arrogance infuriating Marisol. She didn't hold back another eye roll, her annoyance clear.

Eli tried to keep things friendly, despite the tension. "What's up, Brucks? You— You look good, man," he said, nodding toward him.

"Thanks, man. All new teeth. Swallowed the ones when you—" Brucks showed him, a hint of calmness in his voice. Marisol remembered being told about Eli beating the crap out of Brucks at Cobra Kai.

Eli looked guilty. "Yeah, I'm really sorry about that, dude. I— I was in a bad place then and—" he apologized, his voice sincere.

"It's all good, buddy. Play karate games, win karate prizes, you know?" Brucks and Kyler laughed together, their camaraderie unsettling.

"Hey, it helped me get my life on track. *Ad meliora*. 'Towards better things,'" Brucks assured him, his tone more genuine.

"Sick." Hawk nodded, trying to match the energy, though he looked a bit uncomfortable.

Brucks turned to Kyler, patting his shoulder. "See you at the house, Ky?" he said before walking off, leaving a trail of tension behind him.

"Bet," Kyler laughed, his grin wide and irritating.

"Wait, so you and Brucks both go here. That makes sense," Demetri said, his confusion evident.

Kyler shook his head. "No, he's just visiting. He goes to MIT."

Demetri and Marisol's jaws dropped. "Hold on, dipshit. Did you just say MIT?" Marisol asked, her shock palpable.

"Yeah, and he's killing it too," Kyler revealed, and the group's surprise deepened.

Hawk and Miguel's jaws dropped too, their disbelief matching Demetri and Marisol's. "So, what's up guys? We hanging out or what?" Kyler asked, wrapping an arm around Demetri.

Demetri mouthed "help me" to Marisol, who just put her hands up in surrender, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and frustration at the absurdity of the situation. She couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all, knowing that this was just another unexpected twist in their already chaotic lives.

Marisol now stood in between the boys, watching Kyler and Brucks laughing and joking around at the frat party. She held a cup of vodka and took a sip, the alcohol burning slightly as it went down.

"I can't believe Brucks got into MIT. And the fact he was speaking Latin was shocking," Marisol said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Hawk nodded in agreement. "Just how?" he breathed out, still stunned by the revelation.

Marisol laughed, the absurdity of the situation hitting her. "I guess beating the crap out of him really helped him get a reality check-" Her eyes drifted off to a girl who was super drunk and being dragged away by a guy.

"Um... I'll be right back. Here's my drink, make sure no one spikes it," Marisol said warily, throwing the cup into Miguel's hands before running off.

Marisol pushed through the crowd of people, her heart pounding as she made her way upstairs. She heard the girl saying no, her voice weak and desperate. Marisol tried to open the door, but it was locked. Panic surged through her. She took a step back, let out a grunt, and kicked the door in with all her strength.

The door flew open, and Marisol saw the girl pushing the guy away, but he kept trying to kiss her. "Hey! Get off her!" Marisol shouted, running over and kneeing the guy in the stomach.

The guy doubled over in pain, and Marisol grabbed the girl's arm, wrapping it around her shoulders. She helped the girl out of the room, pushing through the crowd of oblivious partygoers. She made her way outside, the girl barely conscious and leaning heavily on her.

"Hey, you okay?" Marisol asked, patting the girl's face gently, trying to keep her awake. But the girl fell back on the concrete, her eyes closing.

Marisol gasped and looked around frantically for anyone to help. She pulled out her phone and called 9-1-1, her hands shaking as she described the situation. Moments later, the sound of sirens filled the air, and police cars began to pull up.

Brucks, Kyler, Miguel, Demetri, and Eli all ran outside, their faces a mix of concern and fear.

"Marisol! We gotta go now!" Eli yelled, grabbing Marisol's arm and trying to pull her away.

"What's going on!? I'm trying to help that girl," Marisol protested, stopping in her tracks and pulling her arm back.

Eli bit his lip, glancing around nervously. "Kyler was getting picked on and we beat the guys up," he said quickly.

Marisol gave him a look of disbelief. "What the hell, are you friends with him now?" she asked, her voice rising in anger.

"Well, yes? I mean-" Eli stammered, trying to explain.

Marisol shook her head, fury and confusion mixing in her eyes. "Eli! He fucking bullied you for years!" she shouted.

Eli began to talk, but Marisol cut him off. "No! Why are you, Dem, and Miguel being friends with them now? You apologized to Brucks, but that's it. There is no need to be friends with them. They bullied you guys. Brucks used to harass me and-and Kyler sexually assaulted Sam!" Marisol's voice broke as she shouted, the memories flooding back.

Eli stared at her, not knowing what to say. The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. "I... I need to go. I'll talk to you later, but... I think you need to rethink who your real friends are," Marisol retorted, her voice cold and resolute. She turned around and walked away, leaving Eli standing there, stunned and silent.

Marisol sat in the hospital room, the sterile smell of antiseptic mixing with the faint hum of machines in the background. She tapped her foot nervously, glancing at the clock on the wall as she waited for any news about the girl she had helped. Her mind raced, replaying the events of the night over and over.

Finally, a doctor walked over to her, a calm expression on his face. Marisol stood up, her heart in her throat. "Is she okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The doctor nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "She will be fine. She had a lot of drugs and alcohol in her system, but she's stable now. She's very lucky that you followed her and stopped that guy," he said, his tone grateful.

Marisol let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, relief washing over her. "Thank God," she whispered. She glanced towards the room where the girl was being treated, feeling a pang of concern. "I don't know her, so I won't go in and talk to her, but here's my number on this paper. Let her know to call me if she wants to know what happened," Marisol said, handing the doctor a folded piece of paper with her phone number on it.

The doctor took the paper and nodded. "I'II make sure she gets it. You did a good thing tonight," he said, his eyes kind.

Marisol nodded, offering a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you," she said softly. With that, she turned and walked out of the hospital, the night's events still weighing heavily on her mind.

As she stepped outside, the cool night air hit her, and she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She knew she had done the right thing, but the confrontation with Eli and the realization of the company he was keeping gnawed at her.

She pulled out her phone and saw several missed calls and texts from Eli, Miguel, and even Demetri. She sighed, knowing she had a lot to sort out. But for now, she was just relieved that the girl was going to be okay.

Marisol started walking towards her car, feeling a mix of exhaustion and determination. She knew she had to talk to Eli, to make him understand the gravity of what was happening. But first, she needed to get some rest and clear her mind. Tonight had been a wake-up call in more ways than one, and she intended to act on it.

ASH SPEAKS!

i forgot that i had george in cobra kai oops

also i think its so stupid that the guys are all friends with kyler now... like he bullied you AND he sa'd sam???????