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MARISOL SAT OUT ON THE WHOLE KOI POND THING WITH DANIEL. Battling inner turmoil, she found solace in the confines of her room, where she cocooned herself under the covers. The muffled world outside was interrupted by the creaking of her bedroom door. Slowly lifting her head, she discovered Eli standing there. Startled, she emitted a soft gasp, arms reflexively shooting up, and she clicked her tongue in surprise. With a mix of curiosity and concern, she inquired, "What compels you to be here?"

Eli's gaze bore a tinge of concern. "You were absent from practice yesterday, and it left me worried. The exercise we had scheduled could have been quite helpful," he conveyed, his voice carrying a sense of genuine concern. In response, she dismissed his concern with a nonchalant eye roll. "I don't require any exercises," she retorted sharply, her tone edged with frustration.

A sly smirk etched across his lips as a newfound idea sparked in his mind. "Get dressed, rendezvous in my car. I've got something in mind," he urged her, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. Unperturbed, she chose to ignore him, seeking refuge under her pillow, determined to shut out the outside world.

Eli's frustration ignited a fierce glare. "Marisol!" he bellowed, his voice laced with exasperation. She raised her eyes to meet his, a hint of disbelief in her expression. "Please," he pleaded, casting a look of desperation her way. With a reluctant groan, she surrendered to his request, tossing her blanket aside and briskly getting off her bed. He maintained his gaze on her, prompting a raised brow from Marisol. "Get out!" she erupted, channeling her irritation into action by flinging a pillow in his direction, a physical manifestation of her insistence on solitude.

He raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture before making his exit, ensuring to close the door behind him. Meanwhile, she let out a scoff, navigating through the disorder in her room to unearth some clean clothes. Once dressed, she descended the stairs and overheard Mila's snickers resonating from the living room.

Upon reaching the bottom, she observed Mila and Anthony wrapped in a cuddle on the couch, prompting an eye roll at the sight. Dismissing the scene, she stealthily made her way to the door, locking it securely behind her. Out in the open, Eli awaited her in his car, adding a layer of anticipation to the unfolding scenario.

Gracefully settling into the passenger seat, she shot him a curious glance. "So, what's the grand plan?" Her question hung in the air with an unamused expression and tone. Eli's lips curved into a mischievous smirk. "I'm taking you to get tattoos," he revealed, inciting a mirrored smirk on Marisol's lips.

"Hell yeah! Now that's my kind of agenda. I've got a multitude of ideas," she exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable. With a spirited gesture, she raised her hand, and Eli responded with a satisfying high-five, sealing their shared excitement for the impending tattoo adventure.

Marisol meticulously chose a collection of tattoos. As she settled into the chair, a battle of wills ensued to suppress any sounds of pain. Eli, noticing her struggle, offered a concerned look. "Are you managing okay? It's quite a few tattoos," he remarked, attentively watching her navigate the ink-inflicting process.

Marisol responded with a muted hum, accompanied by a small, stifled groan betraying the discomfort. "I... I'm fine," she reassured, her words punctuated by moments of vulnerability as the tattoo artist worked on adorning her chest with a constellation of stars.

Eli nodded in silent understanding as Marisol closed her eyes, seeking comfort by gripping Eli's hand, a gesture that stirred a flurry of butterflies in his stomach. Rico, ever observant, noticed the subtle blush coloring Eli's cheeks and responded with a cheeky wink.

As Marisol felt a small tear trail down her face, Eli couldn't resist a cocky smirk. Playfully nudging her in the arm, he taunted, "Crying?" Her eyes rolled in response. "No! My eyes are just watering," she retorted, defending herself with a hint of humor, which elicited a snicker from Eli.

Rico clicked his tongue, signaling the completion of his work. "Alright, all set. Let me clean up and apply a protective cover, and then we'll move on to your hand," he informed her. She nodded, stealing a quick glance at Eli.

"You look really pretty, you know," Rico complimented, and Marisol responded with a humble hum. "I guess," she replied, punctuating her response with a wink and a small, playful grin. Rico's tone shifted to a more serious note. "I wanted to ask, why didn't you come to practice yesterday?" he questioned, his lips forming a slight frown, displaying genuine concern.

Rico began working on her hand, his focus shifting with inspiration. Marisol cast a hesitant gaze toward Eli, grappling with the challenge of expressing her feelings. Her mental health had been a struggle, intensifying since the December altercation and escalating further when her mom kidnapped her and her sister.

A gap of uncertainty marked her response. "I guess I couldn't get out of bed," she admitted, grappling with the internal struggles that had kept her confined. Eli regarded her with an odd look, concern etched across his face. "I really do think ther—" he began, only to be swiftly cut off by a piercing glare from Marisol.

"No. I don't need therapy. I don't need to be weak," she snapped, her words laced with defiance, shutting down any suggestion of seeking help. Eli looked at her with a mixture of disbelief and concern. Her demeanor, sharp and reminiscent of the intensity in Cobra Kai, made him question whether she was truly at home or still caught in the Cobra Kai mindset.

Emerging from the tattoo parlor, Marisol's joy manifested in a delightful squeal. "Oh my god, they look so good!" she exclaimed, her grin lighting up her face. Eli chuckled softly, appreciating her excitement. "You look really good," he complimented, a genuine warmth in his tone.

Turning to him with a playful grin, she expressed another desire. "I kind of want a smoothie?" She pointed to the nearby 7-Eleven. Eli's gaze shifted between the store and her, and he responded with a small nod, silently agreeing to the idea. The duo set off towards the convenience store, anticipating a refreshing treat after the tattoo adventure.

The gentle chime of the doorbell echoed as they entered Seven-11, and Marisol eagerly made her way to the smoothie machine, Eli in tow. Swiftly grabbing a cup, she expertly layered it with the enticing blend of blue raspberry and cherry flavors. Meanwhile, Eli took the initiative to handle the payment, seamlessly completing the transaction.

"You didn't have to, Eli," Marisol voiced her appreciation, the sentiment clear in her eyes as they met his. The simple act of getting a smoothie together felt like a shared moment of camaraderie in the wake of their tattoo adventure.

He waved off her concern with a reassuring smile. "It's fine," he said, wrapping his arm around her for a comforting embrace. Marisol took a sip of her smoothie, clicking her tongue in delight. "Yum," she declared with a snicker.

Exiting the Seven-11, Eli walked at a measured pace while Marisol skipped out and twirled in a burst of spontaneous joy. This abrupt shift in demeanor left Eli growing more suspicious. One moment, she appeared weighed down by emotions, and now she was radiant, dancing around. The contrast raised questions in Eli's mind about what might be happening beneath the surface of Marisol's seemingly upbeat facade.

Eli completed the drop-off, leaving Marisol to enter her home. Inside, she found Natasha and George at the table, both wearing expressions of concern. Marisol furrowed her brows, folding her arms across her chest. "What's wrong?" she questioned, her tone a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Natasha tapped the seat next to her, signaling for Marisol to join them. As Marisol sat down, Natasha gently took her hand. "We're worried about you. You haven't really been talking to us much these past few months. I know I've been busy with work," Natasha began, her words tinged with both care and guilt, hinting at the concern that had grown in their absence.

Marisol turned her gaze to her dad. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes shifting to Natasha as George clicked his tongue, exchanging a glance with his wife. "We're considering taking you to the doctor. We think you might have bipolar, like your mom," he admitted with a mix of concern and honesty.

Marisol's eyes widened in disbelief, and she shot up from her seat, pushing the chair almost against the wall. "I don't have bipolar! I'm fine," she protested, her voice laced with both defiance and distress. Tears welled up in her eyes as she vehemently denied the suggestion.

George gave her a knowing look, his expression gentle yet resolute. "Marisol, I think you do. I really hope you don't inherit my alcoholism, but I've been observing signs of bipolar disorder in you for years. It wasn't severe until that fight at the LaRusso house. It triggered something in you," he explained, unveiling a concern that had silently grown over time.

Marisol vehemently shook her head. "No, you just think I'm crazy!" she shouted, frustration evident in her tone. Natasha reached out, gently taking Marisol's hand to capture her attention. "Please, just listen. Let us get you tested," she pleaded, her tone filled with concern. Marisol scoffed lightly, a mix of skepticism and reluctance lingering in the air.

She locked eyes with her dad. "No! I'm going to Eli's. You can't stop me," she sneered, the defiance evident in her voice as she grabbed the doorknob. Casting a final, challenging glare at Natasha and her dad, Marisol made her exit, the tension in the room hanging thick in the air.

Marisol dialed Eli on her way to his place, but he didn't answer. Upon reaching his destination, she observed his car was missing. Puzzled, she checked her phone and found a text from him, unraveling the reason behind his absence.

Eli: Sorry, I won't be home. My mom wanted me to go see my grandmother in the hospital. Maybe go to Miguels?

A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she pulled out of Eli's driveway, navigating the road with a sense of purpose. The drive across town to Reseda lay before her. Drawing closer to Miguel's house, her attention was captivated by a bar along the route. Memories of Eli giving her a fake ID surfaced in her mind, and she found herself staring at the establishment.

Swallowing hard, she parked her car, wrestling with conflicting thoughts. Her dad's worry about her inheriting his alcoholism echoed in her mind, yet the allure of a single drink whispered its tempting invitation. Marisol stood at a crossroads, contemplating the potential consequences of succumbing to the momentary escape offered by that bar.

Marisol battled with the troubling impulses that plagued her mind, questioning their origin and feeling a sense of urgency to seek help. She dismissed the fleeting thought of the bar, recognizing the need for support. Determined, she got back into her car and drove to Miguel's, aware of his mom's nursing background.

Upon arrival, a surge of anxiety propelled her out of the car. With a quick turn of the ignition, she sprinted to Miguel's door. Knocking urgently, Miguel opened it to be met by the sight of a visibly distressed and sweaty Marisol, her appearance reflecting the inner turmoil she was grappling with.

"Marisol, are you okay?" Miguel questioned, a furrow of concern marking his brow. Marisol shook her head, a mixture of distress and vulnerability etched on her face. "Is your mom here?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion, tears pooling in her eyes. Miguel, sensing the urgency, opened the door to reveal his mom at the table behind him.

"I need your help. I... I think I have bipolar, but I don't know for sure," Marisol stammered, her words echoing with the weight of uncertainty as she laid bare her struggles in that crucial moment of reaching out for support.

Carmen offered her a knowing look. "Come in, come in. Sit down beside me," she directed, and Marisol nodded, following her instructions. Carmen then turned her gaze to Miguel. "Mijo, please go to your room. This is something personal," she requested with a tone that conveyed the need for privacy.

Without hesitation, Miguel made his way to his room. Despite his genuine concern for Marisol, he recognized the importance of giving her space to open up to his mom.

Carmen shifted her focus to Marisol, acknowledging Miguel's departure by glancing at his closed bedroom door. "I've been experiencing a lot of bipolar symptoms. Impulsivity, mood swings... basically all of the above," Marisol confessed, her words carrying the weight of her struggles. Carmen maintained a compassionate gaze, creating a space for Marisol to share her feelings openly.

Carmen hummed thoughtfully. "Okay, well, if I'm being honest, Miguel has shared with me what's been going on, and I find myself leaning in that direction too. But..." She trailed off, her honesty hanging in the air as Marisol eyed her intently. "What?" Marisol prompted, seeking more information.

She sighed with a touch of sadness. "I'm just a nurse. I can't make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. You need to see a doctor, preferably with your dad," she explained gently. Marisol nodded, accepting the advice. "Okay, fine," she conceded, recognizing the importance of seeking professional help.

Carmen cast her a sympathetic glance. "Would you like to stay here for the night?" she inquired, prompting Marisol to offer a quick nod. "Yes, please," she replied, a pleading look in her eyes. Carmen clicked her tongue. "Okay... MIGUEL! Help Marisol find a blanket and pillow! She's staying the night," Carmen called out, arranging the necessary accommodations for Marisol's overnight stay.

A sense of relief washed over Marisol. She recognized that this marked a significant new step in her life.

—

ash speaks!

Okay I lied. I only wrote one chapter of Mila, Kenny and Anthony. I'm gonna make a sperate book for them!! I don't know when it'll be out though...

I'm kinda wanting to put Marisol in Cobra Kai too... but I'm not sure about that. But I hope you enjoyed this short chapter. Again I am only trying to spread awareness!!

Heres what her tattoos look like: