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Marisol was aware that Sam and Moon hosted a fundraiser for Miguel. When she received a call from Sam, informing her that Hawk had beaten up a fourteen-year-old kid, frustration surged within her. The recent progress in their relationship made this news particularly infuriating. The fact that Hawk targeted someone so young only intensified her anger, providing a clear understanding of why Mila was apprehensive about him being near her.

Marisol stormed up to Hawk's doorstep, her arms tightly crossed, her face a mask of frustration. She knocked on the door with force, the sound echoing through the quiet neighborhood. The door swung open, revealing Hawk standing there, caught off guard.

Before he could utter a word, Marisol swiftly delivered a powerful knee strike to his crotch, causing him to crumple in pain, his groans filling the air. Looking down at him, Marisol's eyes burned with a mix of anger and disappointment. "What the hell?!" Hawk managed to gasp out, his voice filled with disbelief.

Marisol's voice rose, her words dripping with righteous anger. "You actually had the audacity to attack a fourteen-year-old who was just trying to raise money for Miguel's surgery!" she shouted, her scolding gaze piercing through him.

Hawk straightened himself, his breath escaping in a slow exhale. "He's Miyagi-Do. He deserves it," he snarled, his voice filled with venom. Marisol couldn't contain her laughter, a hysterical burst escaping her lips. With a dismissive eye roll, she crossed her arms tightly against her chest. "You're so hypercritical, Hawk. Both your dojo and Sam's dojo are in the wrong. But seriously, beating up a freaking fourteen-year-old!? You're beyond psychotic! You need some serious help," she said, her words laced with a mix of disbelief and frustration, shaking her head in disapproval.

Hawk let out a scoff, his eyebrow raised in a mocking manner. "Yeah, well I can't be a pussy like you," he spat out, his words dripping with contempt. Marisol shot him a piercing look, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and understanding. "Seriously? I'm a pussy for not wanting to fight? You really think it's all about 'strike first, strike hard, no mercy'? Do you even realize how absolutely crazy that sounds?" she retorted, her tone laced with a touch of insult. The tension between them hung heavy in the air as their words clashed, each trying to defend their own perspective.

The red-haired boy clenched his jaw, his fiery gaze fixed on her. "You know, Kreese thought you had potential back at Coyote Creek, but I gotta be honest... all I see is a freaking pussy," he spat out, his words dripping with contempt.

She clenched her fists tightly by her side, her frustration boiling over. "What the heck happened to you? Mila was damn right about you changing. You're not the same Eli who used to cry his heart out over Dobby's death, the one I had to hold and comfort. And you're definitely not the Eli who was shy and actually gave a damn about how our friends felt!" she argued fiercely, her voice filled with a mix of disappointment and anger.

Hawk let out a chuckle, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Oh, so you haven't been talking to Demetri lately? How does that prove I don't care when you don't either?" he taunted, his words laced with a touch of superiority. The tension between them crackled in the air, their words a battleground for their conflicting emotions.

Marisol's frustration reached its breaking point. She could no longer tolerate his snide remarks. With a surge of adrenaline, she unleashed a powerful punch that connected with his jaw, causing him to double over in pain. "You thought I didn't have it in me, huh, Cervantes?" she retorted, her eyes blazing with determination. He winced, clutching his jaw, unable to respond. Marisol's glare intensified as she stood her ground. "I'm not a coward like you," she declared, her voice dripping with defiance.

Without hesitation, she swiftly delivered a forceful kick to his groin, causing him to collapse to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, she mounted him, raining down a flurry of punches upon his face. He desperately tried to shield himself, his voice pleading for her to stop. "Marisol, please, enough!" he yelled, his grip tightening on her arms. As tears streamed down her face, Marisol finally relented, slowly rising to her feet. She towered over him, her gaze filled with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and a hint of sadness.

She struggled to find the right words, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and sadness. "I... I hate what you've turned into," she stammered, her voice filled with emotion. "I don't even recognize the real Eli anymore. All I see is Hawk, and it's tearing me apart. If you dare to come near me, I won't hesitate to strike first. It pains me to say it, but you make me sick." Her gaze burned with rage as she locked eyes with him, her fury palpable. Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away, leaving him to contemplate her words. As she left, Hawk's eyebrows shot up in surprise when she mentioned it was her birthday, a realization dawning on him.

Marisol cautiously entered her dimly lit home, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. With a flick of the switch, the room was suddenly illuminated, revealing a crowd of her loved ones, all shouting in unison, "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" Stunned, Marisol took a step back, her voice trembling as she struggled to process the overwhelming surprise.

Her Aunt Holly approached, gently placing a sparkling princess crown atop her head. As Marisol glanced at Natasha and her dad, a mix of fear and uncertainty washed over her. It had been years since she had experienced the joy of a birthday celebration, ever since the heartbreaking loss of Sophie. Sensing her unease, Natasha gave her a reassuring look, silently mouthing the words, "It'll be okay."

It was evident that Marisol's aunt had gone to great lengths to organize this surprise party specifically for her. As Marisol scanned the room, she recognized familiar faces such as Hollis, Holly, Natasha, her dad, Mila, Demetri, and Sam. However, amidst the crowd, there were also numerous family members whom she hadn't met before or had lost touch with over the years.

In the midst of the excitement, Hollis approached Marisol, a warm smile on his face. "Hey! It feels like forever since we last crossed paths. We haven't had a chance to have a proper conversation since then," he exclaimed, his laughter filling the air. Marisol couldn't help but laugh along, relieved to reconnect with an old friend amid the whirlwind of emotions.

Marisol's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she shot back a sarcastic remark. "Oh, you know, I just couldn't resist giving your mom a piece of my mind for being such a jerk," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Hollis shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I can't say she didn't have it coming, but..." he trailed off, acknowledging the validity of Marisol's response.

Marisol's eyes narrowed with a fierce determination, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and resentment. She didn't care about catching up with Hollis; she had something else on her mind. "Hey, remember that insane day when we decided to hit up

McDonald's? Our moms totally ditched us in the play area to go get wasted next door. Can you believe it? We had to walk all the way back home because they left us behind, got busted for a DUI, and we were found stranded on the side of the road. And remember the thrill of getting a police car ride to the station? Good times. But man, you had it rough, being separated from your mom for a whole month." Marisol cut him off, a mixture of amusement and bitterness in her voice, as Hollis's frown deepened and he tried to interject. Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him to process the memories and emotions that flooded back with her words.

Marisol's eyes narrowed as she spotted Sam in the dimly lit dining room. With a nonchalant air, she approached Sam, her voice laced with curiosity. "Yo, did you have any clue about this?" she asked, her shoulders relaxing. Sam's eyes darted nervously, her arm instinctively moving to cover the scar.

Marisol's gaze lingered on the mark, her eyebrows furrowing with concern. In a bold move, she slid off her sweater, revealing her own scar with a mix of confidence and defiance. "Looks like we're rocking matching scars now, huh?" she quoted, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. Sam's face broke into a smile, a newfound sense of self-assurance shining through. "Yeah," she replied, her voice a bit shaky but filled with a growing determination.

"Hey there, you two gorgeous ladies," Demetri's voice rang out, his words piercing their ears. Marisol and Eli turned to face him, their expressions a mix of disdain and sadness. Marisol mustered up a small smile and spoke with a hint of regret, "Hey, Dem. I'm really sorry for not keeping in touch lately." Demetri let out a heavy sigh, his hand waving in the air dismissively. "Nah, Mars, it's all good. I understand. You've had a lot on your plate recently. I've noticed," he reassured her, his tone filled with empathy and understanding.

Aunt Holly's excitement was palpable as she rushed over, her hand firmly gripping Marisol's arm. Without giving Marisol a chance to speak, she eagerly introduced her to someone special. "Honey, you've got to meet my amazing boyfriend, Jakob," Aunt Holly exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. Marisol couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and curiosity as she turned her attention towards Jakob, ready to embark on this new introduction.

Marisol shot Aunt Holly a skeptical look, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. She shifted her gaze towards the man standing beside her aunt, carefully assessing his appearance. He had an air of maturity and wealth, making Marisol wonder if he could potentially be a sugar daddy. Unable to contain her curiosity, she questioned her aunt, her tone filled with uncertainty. "Wait, you're messing with me, right?" she asked, her eyes darting between Aunt Holly and the man. Aunt Holly furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and replied, "No, why would I be messing with you?"

Marisol's frustration reached its peak as she ran a hand down her face, her exasperation evident. "Oh my god. You're just after his money!" she lashed out at Aunt Holly, her words filled with anger. Aunt Holly glanced at Jakob, quietly instructing him to find someone else to talk to, before turning her attention back to Marisol. "Marisol, I understand you're going through a lot, but insulting me in front of my boyfriend is not okay!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of disappointment and reprimand.

Marisol's laughter echoed through the room, her voice tinged with a mix of amusement and defiance. With a swift motion, she plucked the princess crown from her head, tossing it into Aunt Holly's startled arms. "I don't understand why you're bounding around here, trying to play the role of my mother," she taunted, her words dripping with sarcasm.

"But let me make one thing clear: you will NEVER be my mom. Neither you nor my biological mother can ever replace the woman who truly holds that title in my heart." Marisol's voice grew stronger, her gaze unwavering. "Natasha Kotov-Murphy is my mom. In just four short years, she has shown me what it means to have a mother's love. So, don't even think for a second that you can take her place," she snapped, her words resonating with a raw honesty and unwavering conviction.

Natasha's eyes filled with tears, her understanding of Marisol's words in Spanish deepening the emotional connection between them. Moved by Marisol's vulnerability, she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around her tightly. Marisol's tears flowed freely as she sought comfort in Natasha's embrace, feeling the warmth and love radiating from her. The hug expanded as George and Mila joined in, their presence reinforcing the sense of unity and support.

Amidst the tears and shared embrace, Marisol glanced up, noticing the room slowly emptying out, the aftermath of Holly's abrupt exit. The remnants of their presence, however, were overshadowed by the strength and love of the chosen family surrounding Marisol in that moment.

Sam and Demetri exchanged glances, their desire to provide comfort evident in their eyes. However, they both understood the importance of giving Marisol space during this intimate family moment. With a nod of agreement, they quietly made their way towards the exit, leaving Marisol to her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Hollis leaned against the door frame, his gaze fixed on his mother's agitated state. He watched as she unleashed her frustration by kicking at a nearby bush, the sound of her foot connecting with nature's resistance echoing through the air. Concern laced his voice as he spoke up, his words carrying the weight of honesty and empathy. "Mom, I promise you, she was just here," Hollis earnestly expressed, his voice a soothing presence amidst the chaos.

Holly's face flushed with anger, her eyes narrowing as she turned to face her defiant son. "Don't you dare speak to me like that!" she snapped, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and authority.

Hollis, undeterred by his mother's outburst, shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, his voice rising in defiance. "Ma, you know we don't have a room anymore!" he yelled, his words echoing through the air. Holly let out a groan of exasperation, her frustration boiling over as she kicked the bush once more, a physical release for her pent-up emotions. The tension hung in the air, both mother and son locked in a battle of wills.

Marisol's eyes welled up with tears as she mustered the courage to address her father. "Dad, I... I've been feeling so distant from you lately. It's been hard for me to process everything that happened that night. When you yelled at me and... and hurt me, it hurt more than just physically. I couldn't wrap my head around why you would do that and betray Natasha," she choked out, her voice trembling with a mix of sadness and confusion. Tears streamed down her face, each drop carrying the weight of her pain and longing for understanding.

Mila's voice filled the room with a gentle hum as she mustered the courage to speak. "Dad, I... I need to apologize for always 'breaking' your phone. You know, it's not really me doing it, just an app playing tricks. But deep down, I've been carrying this anger too," she admitted, her eyes filled with a mix of guilt and vulnerability. George's expression softened, his frown turning into a tender smile as he pulled Mila closer, enveloping them in a warm and comforting hug. He planted a loving kiss on each of their foreheads, a silent reassurance that forgiveness and understanding were present in their bond.

George's voice trembled with emotion as tears streamed down his face, his sorrow palpable. "I... I'm so sorry, to all three of you," he choked out, his voice cracking. "I shouldn't have done any of it. I know it can't change anything, but I truly regret it with every fiber of my being." He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination. "I'm going to AA again, to get the help I need for my drinking. I want you guys to know how much I love you. You mean everything to me," he confessed, his words laced with sincerity and a deep desire for redemption.

Natasha's eyes brimmed with a mix of sadness and nostalgia, but she managed to muster a gentle smile. She leaned in, planting a tender kiss on his lips, a silent reassurance of their love. Turning to Mila and Marisol, she enveloped them in warm side hugs, conveying her affection and support. "You know, while we're being honest here, I can't help but miss Sophie so much," she admitted, her voice tinged with longing.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, a brief moment of levity amidst the heaviness. "I can just picture Sophie taking on Aunt Holly, giving her a real thrashing. She never did have any love for her," she reminisced, a mix of fondness and amusement in her tone.

Mila's laughter echoed through the room, a burst of genuine amusement. "Haha! Can you imagine? She'd be all like, 'I'm gonna shove my heel up your ass!' to Aunt Holly. Classic Sophie!" Mila's smile softened, a touch of melancholy in her eyes. "But seriously, I really miss those clicky clacky heels of hers. They were like her signature sound, you know? It's just not the same without her," she reminisced, her voice filled with fondness and a hint of longing.

Marisol, Natasha, and George burst into laughter, their joy filling the room. "Haha! Man, I really miss those red heels, even though they were trouble," George admitted with a sigh, his breath carrying a hint of nostalgia. "I mean, those heels attracted way too many guys' attention, especially when Sophie rocked those super short crop tops," he continued, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his voice. It was always a wild ride with Sophie and her bold fashion choices!

Marisol's eyebrow arched inquisitively, her gaze fixed on her dad. "Dad, you know the drill," she remarked, crossing her arms in a firm stance. He let out a sigh, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "I remember, no more saying it's sexy and too distracting. Men need to learn some self-control," he recited her words back to her. Marisol responded with a small hum and a nod, acknowledging his understanding. "That's right! And hey, nice job with the Spanish, it's really coming along," she complimented, a touch of pride in her voice.

The Cervantes-Murphy family burst into laughter, their joy echoing through the room as they shared a tight embrace. "Oh, shit! I totally forgot something," George exclaimed, his eyes widening with realization. He hurriedly dashed into the kitchen, disappearing for a brief moment before returning with a beautifully decorated cake in hand.

"Happy birthday, Mars!" they all cheered in unison, their voices filled with excitement. Marisol's face lit up with a radiant smile as she saw the cake. "Yay! It's my absolute favorite Mint Chocolate Chip with Orange Sorbet!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her delight. Without hesitation, she dipped her finger into the creamy ice cream, savoring the delectable flavors that danced on her taste buds.

"Make a wish, sissy," Mila whispered to Marisol, her voice filled with sisterly love and support. Marisol obediently closed her eyes, her mind swirling with hopes and dreams. In the depths of her heart, she yearned for one thing above all else - for her and Eli to mend their fractured relationship, and for him to break free from the toxic grip of Cobra Kai.

With a deep breath, she blew out the flickering candle, her eyes fluttering open to the sound of enthusiastic applause from Natasha, Mila, and George. A sense of determination and self-assurance coursed through her veins as she basked in the moment, knowing that she had put her faith in herself and the power of her wish.

—
ash speaks!

i like the idea of me making these original chapters!! i hope you like marisols story so far:)