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MARISOL GOT A CALL FROM HOLLIS TELLING HER THAT HE WILL BE RIGHT OVER. Restless and filled with worry, she paced back and forth in the living room, clutching her phone tightly in her hand. Every passing second felt like an eternity as she anxiously waited for a call. Finally, the phone rang, and she hurriedly answered, her heart sinking at the sound of his sad voice on the other end. Just then, the doorbell chimed, and her heart skipped a beat.

With a rush of anticipation, she rushed to the door and swung it open, only to find Hollis standing there, visibly upset with puffy eyes. "Can you come out here and talk?" he asked, and Marisol nodded, concern etched on her face. They made their way to the porch, where a swinging bench awaited them. Taking a seat side by side, they prepared themselves for a heartfelt conversation amidst the gentle sway of the bench.

As Marisol stood there, a faint sound of a running engine caught her attention. She turned her gaze towards the source and her eyes met Holly sitting in the car. A mixture of sadness and longing filled Holly's expression as she waved to Marisol with a bittersweet smile. Returning the wave, Marisol couldn't help but notice a small, stifled sob escape from Hollis. Concern etched across her face, she leaned in closer as he spoke in a hushed tone, "I need to tell you something."

With a concerned expression, she furrowed her eyebrows, gently taking his hand and soothingly rubbing her thumb in circular motions. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. Hollis took a deep breath and began to explain, his words tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "My... My mom finally got a stable job, but it's going to be in Massachusetts. And... And I got accepted into Harvard." Marisol couldn't contain her joy and excitement, and she let out a squeal of delight. "That's so great, Hollis! I'm incredibly proud of you. I know our friendship may have had its ups and downs, but I genuinely am happy for you."

His voice trembled as he sniffled, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "Marisol, I have something to tell you... I'm moving soon. I actually graduated early, all thanks to online classes. And... I'm leaving next week. My mom is moving too, to be close to her new job there." Emotions running high, he snapped at her, his frustration evident. Marisol's eyes widened in shock, tears welling up as she struggled to process the news.

Marisol's heart sank as she felt a pang of regret for her past behavior towards Hollis and Holly. The grudge she had been holding onto from their childhood still lingered, clouding her judgment. Her eyes widened in surprise as she processed Hollis's revelation. "What? Does Miguel know?" she asked, her tone filled with genuine concern. Hollis nodded, his voice choked with emotion as he sniffled. "Yeah... We broke up again. We realized that long distance doesn't always work, and our relationship hasn't been the same. This time, we decided to end it for good... But he's still going to help us pack and move this weekend." The weight of the situation hung in the air as Marisol tried to process the news.

Marisol's tears fell freely as she leaned her head on Hollis's shoulder, seeking comfort in his presence. Her voice trembled as she spoke, her words filled with a mix of sadness and disbelief. "I can't believe you're leaving so soon..." Her voice trailed off, interrupted by sniffles. Hollis swallowed, his guilt evident in his apologetic tone. "I'm sorry, Mars. I didn't mean to make you sad." Marisol lifted her head, her eyes meeting his as she tried to convey her feelings.

"I know... I'm just going to miss you so much. I feel terrible for not trying to maintain the bond we had when we were younger... and your mom, she really tried to build a relationship with me... and I never made an effort to talk to her." Her voice cracked as she sobbed, the weight of her emotions overwhelming her.

Hollis wrapped his arms around Marisol, pulling her into a tight embrace as she cried into his shoulder. The realization of their impending separation weighed heavily on both of them. "I'm gonna miss you so much, Mars. And my mom... well, she's my mom. She loves you no matter what. Maybe one day you'll have a closer relationship with her," he reassured, trying to inject a sense of positivity into the situation.

He gently pulled away from the hug, maintaining eye contact with Marisol. Marisol shrugged, her voice tinged with sadness. "I guess... It just won't be the same without you here." She sniffled, using her sleeve to wipe away the tears that streamed down her face.

Hollis's lips formed a gentle frown, mirroring the sadness in Marisol's eyes. "I know, but don't worry. I'll be back before you know it, just in time for next summer," he reassured her, his voice filled with sincerity. "And when I return, we'll have so many stories to share and catch up on." Marisol nodded, finding solace in his promise.

Hollis let out a weary sigh, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and responsibility. "I gotta go... I hope you can help Miguel this weekend. I have to go apartment hunting with my mom. We're flying out tomorrow and the day after to check them out," he informed Marisol, his tone conveying the weight of his upcoming tasks. He rose from his seat, preparing to leave. "Okay... I'll be there," Marisol agreed, her voice filled with determination. Hollis gave her a warm smile, waving goodbye as he walked away.

She waved back, her brows furrowing with concern. Hollis turned back, his voice filled with earnestness. "And please... please think about leaving Cobra Kai. I know others have mentioned it, but I'm your actual cousin, not just Robby," he said, winking and smirking mischievously. Marisol couldn't help but laugh. "Okayyy," she replied, drawing out the word and playfully rolling her eyes. As Hollis got into his mom's car and they drove away, Marisol leaned against her own car, bidding him farewell. Suddenly, the sky opened up, and rain poured down heavily.

She glanced at the clock, a strange sensation tugging at her heart. She had this intense urge to visit her mom, especially since it had been so long since... well, since that incident. She knew she needed to have a conversation with her, but she didn't want to go alone. She wanted to bring Peter along for support. Normally, she would've asked Eli, but unfortunately, he's not on good terms with her right now.

She dashed through the pouring rain, sprinting down the block towards Eli's house. Her car was at the repair shop, so she had to rely on her own two feet. She knocked on the door, then impatiently pressed the doorbell. Anxiously, she shifted her weight from side to side, eagerly waiting for the door to swing open. Finally, it did... and there stood Eli. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart skipped a beat. Seeing him again after so long, she realized just how much she had missed him.

Eli didn't seem too thrilled to see her. His initial reaction was to slam the door, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his expression unamused. Marisol was taken aback. "Is... Peter here?" she stammered, hoping for a different answer. Eli shook his head. "No, he's out looking for a job," he informed her. Marisol's mouth formed an 'o' shape as she processed the information. "Why?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Marisol's gaze fell to her feet, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted to visit my mom... but I didn't want to go alone," she muttered. Eli let out a sigh, his tone softening. "I'll go with you," he offered, showing his willingness to support her.

She stared up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Wait, seriously? I thought you hated my guts?" Her heart raced, thumping against her chest. Eli blinked and sighed, his tone tinged with frustration. "I don't hate you. I just...dislike you right now for being in Cobra Kai, knowing what happened to me," he remarked, revealing the conflicting emotions he felt towards her.

Her lips formed a sorrowful frown, and she nodded in agreement, feeling the chill in her bones. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. Eli let out a loud sigh, his concern evident in his voice. "Come inside, Mars. You're drenched, and I don't want you catching a cold," he commented, urging her to seek shelter. Without a word, she stepped inside, grateful for his invitation. "I'll find you some dry clothes," he said, his tone casual yet caring. "Just stay here for now." He shrugged, leaving her alone momentarily.

She stood in the room, feeling a bit awkward, her gaze scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice calling out her name. Startled, she turned around to find Melanie Moskowitz standing there. "Melanie?" she said, narrowing her eyes in recognition. Melanie chuckled and asked, "Hey... what are you doing in the middle of my sister's living room, all soaked?" Marisol couldn't help but chuckle in response. "Well..."

Eli made his way downstairs, holding a hoodie and a fresh pair of pants. "Alright, got your hoodie and some new pants," he said, but his sentence was interrupted when he noticed his aunt questioning Marisol. "Aunt Mel, we were actually heading out to see her mom... I just got her some new clothes," he explained, tossing the clothes over to Marisol.

With Melanie giving him a suspicious look, Marisol mumbled a quick thank you to Eli and made her way towards the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door and swiftly changed into the clothes he had handed her. As she stood in front of the mirror, she couldn't help but take in her appearance. It was Eli's red hoodie, the one he used to wear when he was known as 'Hawk', and his black sweatpants. The sight triggered a flood of memories, reminding her of how he used to act back then, and she couldn't help but draw parallels to her own recent behavior. A frown creased her face as a wave of regret and guilt washed over her.

Marisol had been contemplating leaving Cobra Kai, but fear held her back. She didn't want anything bad to happen to Eli or Sam, even though they hadn't spoken in a while. It had been a long time since they last talked, ever since Marisol found out about Sam and Therese. As she walked out of the bathroom, she crossed her arms over her chest. "You didn't drive here, did you?" he asked, to which she shook her head, keeping her lips sealed. "Let's go," he groaned, grabbing his keys from the counter.

Marisol settled into the passenger seat of Eli's car, gazing out the window as they embarked on the two-hour drive to her mom's distant prison. Every few minutes, she noticed Eli stealing glances at her. Overwhelmed by a sense of sadness, she let out a deep sigh, catching Eli's attention. He quickly averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact. "So, how are you and Moon?" she asked, hoping to shift the focus of the conversation.

He completely blanked on the fact that he was even dating her. It was all just a sham to get back at Marisol. They only spend time together when they know they'll be near Marisol. "Uh... Yeah, things are good, I guess?"

She nodded, trying to keep the conversation going. "That's cool. Did you know Sam and Therese are dating?" she asked, hoping to spark some engagement. Eli responded with a nonchalant hum, indicating that he was aware. Marisol sighed, feeling a sense of disappointment. Leaning her head against the window, she realized that he didn't seem interested in having a conversation. Trying to fill the silence, Eli leaned forward and turned on the radio. The catchy tune of "Diet Mountain Dew" by Lana Del Rey filled the car, breaking the silence.

" You're no good for me
Baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me
But baby, I want you, I want you "

Marisol's eyes softened as she fixed her gaze upon Eli, a wellspring of joy and affection evident in their depths. The longing for Eli's company was palpable. As Eli turned, their eyes met, and a warm smile played on his lips, his eyes reflecting a profound sense of love and happiness. Yet, beneath the surface, he grappled with the realization that he needed her to distance herself from Cobra Kai.

A subtle frown creased Marisol's lips as she shifted her attention, her gaze now drifting out of the window. In a moment of introspection, she murmured to herself in Spanish, "Me gustaría que pudiéramos estar juntos en este momento..." The weight of unspoken emotions lingered in the air, painting a complex tableau of love, longing, and the challenging choices they faced.

TRANSLATION; I wish we could be together right now. . .

Eli's command of Spanish remained limited, yet amidst the linguistic barrier, two words stood out to him like beacons in the dark: 'I wish' and 'together.' Despite the intrigue and desire to delve into the meaning behind Marisol's whispered words, he exercised restraint. The complexity of their situation weighed heavily on his decision not to question her – a delicate dance of unspoken understanding governed by assumptions. Marisol believed he was entangled with Moon, and she, loyal to Cobra Kai, further complicated the unspoken tensions that lingered in the air.

As the journey unfolded, they reached the imposing walls of the prison. Marisol's entrance was marked by a deep inhalation, her steps carrying the weight of unspoken emotions. The air inside the prison seemed thicker as she navigated through its somber halls, eventually reaching the visiting area.

Behind the cold glass, Marisol's mother awaited, her presence a poignant reminder of a complex past. As Marisol settled across from her, a cascade of tears filled her eyes. She clutched her mother's hand, the connection a tangible link between the burdensome history they shared and the uncertain path ahead.

In the car, Eli patiently waited, a silent sentinel in this pivotal moment. He understood that this wasn't about him and Marisol; it was a deeply personal journey she needed to undertake. The car became a cocoon of anticipation, holding space for her emotions and the weight of familial ties within the confines of the prison walls.

A palpable tension enveloped the room as Marisol and her mom locked eyes. Marisol's jaw clenched, a silent reflection of the emotions churning within. The weight of unspoken history and unresolved issues lay heavy in the air. In a moment charged with bitterness, Katherine broke the silence with a question that hung like a bitter cloud, "¿Qué quieres?" Her tone, laden with resentment, echoed through the room, adding another layer to the complex dynamics between mother and daughter.

TRANSLATION: What do you want?

Marisol's gaze bore into her mother with an intensity that mirrored the depth of her emotions. Her words spilled forth, charged with a mix of anger and pain. "Yo jodidamente te odio, ¿sabes eso?" The accusation hung heavy in the air, accusing her mother of a grievous act. "Usted... usted jodidamente me secuestró," she continued, revealing a dark chapter that had left both her and Mila scarred.

The weight of their shared trauma became evident as Marisol pressed on. "Y tú, nos tienes a Mila y a mí traumatizados. ¡Me despierto de pesadillas por ti!" Nightmares haunted her sleep, a testament to the profound impact of her mother's actions. "Y Mila está aterrorizada por el abandono," she added, exposing another layer of the emotional wreckage left in the wake of their tumultuous relationship.

Marisol's revelation took a poignant turn as she shared, "No solo eso, sino que heredé tu trastorno bipolar." The weight of inherited struggles added complexity to an already fraught conversation. With a final plea, she questioned her mother's maternal role, asking, "¿Por qué no pudiste ser una buena mamá y preocuparte por nosotros?" The longing for maternal care echoed in her words, underscoring the unfulfilled yearning for a mother who could provide solace and security.

TRANSLATION; I fucking hate you, you know that? You- You fucking kidnapped me. . . and you have me and Mila traumatized. I wake up from nightmares because of you! And Mila is terrified of abandonment. Not only that, but I inherited your bipolar disorder! Why couldn't you just be a good mom and care about us?

With an exaggerated roll of her eyes, Katherine dismissed Marisol's presence. "¿Solo endurecer? ¿Es para eso que viniste aquí? ¿Para gritarme?" Her tone dripped with condescension as she scoffed, challenging Marisol's motives. The dismissive attitude fueled a rising tide of anger within Marisol.

Fueled by frustration, Marisol leaned forward, her hand connecting with a sharp, resounding slap against her mother's face. The physical impact mirrored the emotional collision between mother and daughter, a visceral expression of the unresolved tension that lingered between them.

TRANSLATION; Just toughen up? Is that what you came here for? To just yell at me?

Katherine winced, cupping her cheek as disbelief painted her features while her gaze remained fixed on Marisol. The cop in charge found the situation amusing, bursting into laughter at the unexpected turn of events. Despite Katherine's indignant look, he couldn't stifle his amusement.

"You gonna let her do that?" Katherine questioned with a mix of incredulity and defiance, her shoulders lifting in a nonchalant shrug. The cop, still chuckling, responded, "You probably deserved it." His declaration hung in the air, a blend of amusement and judgment adding to the tension in the room. The dynamic between mother, daughter, and the observing cop formed a complex tableau of emotions and reactions.

Amused, Marisol settled back into her seat, a chuckle escaping her lips. "Mira, estás en prisión por hacer cosas malas, y yo estoy aquí sin traje de salto..." Her words carried a hint of sarcasm, a contrast drawn between their situations.

Leaning forward, a smirk played on Marisol's lips as she continued, "Porque no soy una mala persona como tú, ¡y en realidad tomo mis malditos medicamentos!" The declaration of her own virtue, coupled with a jab at her mother's choices, was delivered with a mixture of defiance and satisfaction. Laughter bubbled up, escaping from Marisol in a cathartic release that underscored the absurdity of their circumstances.

TRANSLATION; See, you're in prison for doing bad stuff and I'm out here with no jump suit. . . because I'm not a bad person like you and I actually take my fucking meds!

A sly smile crept across Katherine's face as she raised an eyebrow. "¿Estás segura de eso, Marisol? Estás actuando bastante maníaco. ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que los tomaste?" Her words held a malicious undertone, casting doubt on Marisol's stability and punctuating the tension in the room. The insinuation lingered, challenging Marisol's assertion and deepening the psychological struggle between mother and daughter.

TRANSLATION; You sure about that, Marisol? You're acting pretty manic. When's the last time you took them?

Marisol furrowed her brow, mentally retracing her steps to the last time she took her medication – a few days ago, during that memorable poolside day. As she pondered, Katherine couldn't help but snicker at the contemplative expression on Marisol's face.

"Conozco ese look... han pasado unos días," Katherine remarked, her tone a mix of mockery and knowing. "De lo que aprendí estando en la articulación, tomarlos. Es mejor hacerlo. Te estás volviendo maníaco, y honestamente no quiero verte en las noticias corriendo a través de un estacionamiento con solo tu ropa interior," she suggested, the advice laced with a combination of experience from her time in confinement and genuine concern for her daughter's well-being. The ominous image painted by Katherine's words added an urgency to the conversation, highlighting the potential consequences of neglecting essential medication.

TRANSLATION; I know that look. . . it's been a few days. From what I learned being in the joint, take them. It's better to. You're becoming manic, and I honestly don't wanna see you on the news running through some parking lot with just your underwear.

Marisol's eyes rolled dismissively. "¿Hablando por experiencia, Katherine?" she quipped, injecting a hint of sarcasm into her tone. As the words lingered, Katherine leaned forward, her fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table.

"I'm not joking. Take your meds," she asserted with a sharp edge, the command slicing through the air. Marisol blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the forcefulness of her mother's directive. The charged atmosphere in the room intensified as the weight of the conversation hung between them, a clash of wills and unspoken concerns.

TRANSLATION; Speaking from experience, Katherine?

The cop sighed. "Times up, Cervantes!"

With a subtle wink, Katherine gracefully stood up, acknowledging the unspoken order to leave. A few minutes later, Marisol emerged from the building, having completed the checkout process, and slid into Eli's waiting car.

"How did it go?" Eli asked, his curiosity evident. Marisol shook her head, a mix of frustration and amusement on her face. "Terrible... I did slap her though. Cop didn't care," she confessed, a mischievous giggle escaping her lips as she leaned her head back. Eli's eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Danggggg," he exclaimed, capturing the unexpected turn of events with a single expressive word.

With a soft gaze, Marisol ran her hand through her hair, a contemplative look in her eyes. "I wanna go home," she breathed out, the weariness of the day evident in her voice. Eli nodded in understanding, a silent acknowledgment of her desire. He started the car, the engine purring to life, and they began the journey away from the prison, enveloped in the quiet ambiance of the car.

—

ash speaks!

I feel so bad. I just realized I barely wrote about so many characters with Marisol in this book. My plan is for Season Six that she bonds with everyone‼️‼️‼️