chapter fifteen:
❛ beach club ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

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sunny bounced on her toes, excitement bubbling inside her as she and moon made their way to the beach club. it was a perfect sunny day, the sky a bright blue canvas overhead, and the sound of waves crashing on the shore filled the air with a refreshing melody. moon, her sister and spiritual guide, walked beside her, radiating positivity with every step. "i can't wait for our sister's day!" moon exclaimed, her voice melodic. "just you and me, soaking up the sun and letting our spirits shine!"

as they strolled through the bustling beach club parking lot, sunny's phone buzzed in her pocket. pulling it out, she glanced at the screen and saw demetri's name. she raised an eyebrow, curious but also slightly worried. "hey, it's demetri. i should take this," she said, stepping aside as she answered the call.

"sunny! you won't believe what just happened!" demetri's voice came through, frantic and panicked. "i just got punched by kreese! i asked if i could join cobra kai, and he punched me! i have stitches!"

sunny's eyes widened in disbelief. "wait, what? kreese? the old guy who used to run cobra kai? why would you even ask him that?"

demetri continued to ramble, oblivious to her confusion. "yeah, i know! it was so stupid! and then i called eli for help, and you won't believe what he said! he just called me a pussy and hung up! can you believe that? i mean, i thought he'd be supportive!"

sunny shared a look with moon, who was observing the conversation with wide eyes, her face a mix of concern and sympathy. it wasn't entirely surprising, though. ever since eli had transformed into hawk, he had been increasingly annoyed with demetri and their old friendship. "demetri, i'm so sorry. that's messed up," sunny said gently, trying to process his frustration.

"thanks, sunny. i really appreciate it," demetri sighed. "i just don't know what to do. i feel like i'm losing my friends."

moon, ever the optimist, chimed in with a comforting suggestion. "maybe you could meditate or do some yoga? it could help you center your energy and find peace with everything going on."

demetri paused for a moment, seeming to take the advice to heart. "yeah, i'll think about it. thanks, moon. you're always so... zen," he said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"sunny," she nudged her sister gently, "you should talk to eli about this. he needs to know how demetri feels."

"yeah, i'll talk to him," sunny agreed. "i'm really sorry, metri. i'll do my best."

"you can try," demetri said, his voice tinged with skepticism, but it was clear he appreciated the support.

moon stopped in the beach club parking lot, and sunny noticed demetri's voice fading from the phone as the call ended. just as she was about to dial eli's number, moon placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "sunny, wait. before you talk to him, remember that sometimes people need space to grow. just be gentle with him, okay?"

sunny nodded, taking moon's advice to heart. "you're right. i'll be careful."

as they walked toward the beach club entrance, the vibrant sounds of laughter and music filled the air. suddenly, they stopped short when they saw an employee confronting robby keene, johnny lawrence's son, a guy they both recognized from school. the employee's voice was raised, full of authority. "i'm calling the cops! you're a delinquent, and i'm removing you from this property!"

sunny's instincts kicked in. "hey! what's going on?" she shouted, stepping forward with moon beside her, ready to defend robby.

the employee turned to them, momentarily taken aback. "this guy doesn't belong here! he used to steal and-"

"stop!" moon interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "you can't judge someone for their past. everyone deserves a second chance."

sunny felt the same conviction. "yeah! robby isn't that person anymore. we all make mistakes."

the employee sighed, his posture shifting as he realized he was outnumbered. "i... i'm sorry," he said, his authority wavering. "i just... it's company policy."

robby looked between them, clearly surprised by their defense. "thanks, guys," he said, a mix of gratitude and confusion in his eyes. "it's just... i have a rough past, and people keep bringing it up."

"what was that all about?" sunny asked gently, trying to understand.

robby glanced around, hesitant but finally deciding to share. "before i met mr. larusso, i got into a lot of trouble. i used to steal and do stuff i'm not proud of. people don't let me forget it."

sunny stepped closer, her voice soothing. "you've moved on from that. that's not who you are anymore."

moon nodded vigorously. "exactly! you're on a new path now, and it's important to focus on where you're going, not where you've been."

as they spoke, moon's attention was suddenly caught by someone across the parking lot. "hold on, i see sam! i'll be right back," she said, glancing at sunny before rushing off to greet her friend.

sunny turned her focus back to robby, who looked uneasy. "listen, i know who you are, and i also know you're johnny lawrence's son. that might complicate things with eli and miguel," she began, her tone gentle yet direct.

robby's expression shifted, concern creasing his brow. "you know about that?"

"i've seen how eli and miguel reacted when they found out," sunny replied, her heart aching for him. "i don't really know you, and i don't take karate, but i get it. i understand why you and your dad never mentioned it."

robby exhaled slowly, tension easing slightly as he met her gaze. "yeah, it's complicated. i don't have a good relationship with my dad," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

sunny felt a wave of empathy wash over her. "that must be tough. it's hard when family relationships are strained. just know that you're not alone in this," she reassured him, warmth flooding her heart.

"thanks, sunny," robby replied, his expression softening. "i appreciate you standing up for me."

they stood together in the parking lot, the bustling beach club surrounding them, but for a moment, it felt like they were in their own world-a place where past mistakes didn't define them, and new friendships could blossom in unexpected ways.

sunny stepped into the cool, inviting waters of the pool, feeling the warmth of the sun on her back as she dipped beneath the surface. the refreshing sensation washed over her, momentarily easing the weight on her shoulders. she floated for a moment, letting the buoyancy cradle her as she closed her eyes and tried to push away the stress that had been building up. after a few moments, she resurfaced, shaking her hair out and pulling out her phone.

her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed eli's number, each ring echoing in her ears as she mentally prepared herself for the conversation. the water lapped gently against the pool's edge, a soothing sound in stark contrast to the tension she felt in her chest.

"what do you want, sunny?" eli answered, his tone casual and almost dismissive, as if she was interrupting something more important.

"eli, we need to talk," sunny began, her voice steady despite the knot tightening in her stomach. she took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. "it's about demetri."

"what about him?" eli replied, his disinterest evident. "that nerd is just being a pussy. he can't handle kreese."

sunny's eyes widened, disbelief flooding her senses. the anger and frustration began to boil over. "are you serious right now? you're just going to dismiss him like that? he's your friend!"

"he's not my friend, he's just a liability," eli snapped, his tone sharp and unyielding.

sunny felt her heart race, emotions swirling inside her like a storm. she wasn't a yeller; that wasn't who she was. but the frustration poured out of her in a way she hadn't intended. "eli, how can you say that? he just got punched by kreese! he's hurting, and you're just throwing him away like he doesn't matter!"

the silence on the other end of the line hung heavily, and for a brief moment, she thought maybe he would understand. but instead, he retorted, "he's weak, sunny. he always has been."

sunny's chest tightened, and her voice wavered, filled with emotion. "you're not being fair. he's scared, and he needs you to be a friend right now! it's not easy for him, and you know that!"

"i didn't mean it like that-" eli started, his voice softening slightly.

"no, you obviously did!" sunny cut him off, her voice rising a notch, tinged with desperation. "he's not the only one struggling right now, and you know that! you have to support him, not just abandon him because he's not as tough as you think he should be!"

eli's tone shifted as if he was finally realizing how upset she was. "i'm sorry, sunny-"

"save it!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the water as she abruptly hung up the call, her heart pounding in her chest. the action left her feeling hollow, and she took a deep breath, fighting back tears. she floated on her back, staring up at the cloud-dotted sky, her mind wandering into a daydream.

in her imagination, she saw eli standing tall, no longer the hardened hawk but rather the kind-hearted boy she had once known. he stepped away from cobra kai, shedding the aggressive persona like a snake shedding its skin. they were laughing together in the sun, free from the burdens of their current lives, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt right.

but her daydream was abruptly shattered by a loud clash followed by a surprised gasp. sitting upright, she squinted toward the commotion near the snack table, her heart sinking at the sight. sam was covered in pudding, looking utterly bewildered, while the snack table lay in a crumpled heap around her, remnants of the food scattered everywhere. it was clear that something had happened-something that involved force.

"sam!" sunny called, concern bubbling over as she hurried out of the pool, water splashing around her feet. she rushed over, her heart racing as she took in the scene. moon stood nearby, wide-eyed and watching with concern, her usually cheery demeanor overshadowed by the chaos.

"oh sunny! this mean girl tory pushed sam!" moon exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief and frustration.

sunny knelt beside sam, helping her to her feet. "what happened?" she asked gently, brushing pudding from sam's hair and clothes, the sweet smell mixing with the lingering scent of chlorine.

"i don't know! one minute i was just trying to grab a snack, and the next-" sam stammered, her eyes darting around for any sign of tory. "it was like she just... shoved me."

sunny felt a surge of protectiveness. "that's so uncalled for! you didn't deserve that!" she turned to moon and the twins who were still hovering nearby, concern etched across their faces. "thank you for checking on her," sunny said earnestly, looking them in the eyes. she could see the worry in their expressions, the shared empathy in a moment like this.

"no problem," one of the twins replied, still looking shocked.

"come on, sam. let's get you cleaned up," sunny said, her voice softening as she looped her arm around sam's shoulders. they walked together, moving away from the chaotic scene, sunny still processing her earlier confrontation with eli. the tension weighed heavy on her heart, but she knew she had to be there for sam.

as they moved away, sunny glanced back at the remains of the snack table and felt a spark of determination. even if things were messy with her friends, she wouldn't let the negativity linger. she would stand by her friends, no matter how complicated things got. in that moment, she resolved to talk to eli again-because friends deserved better than to be dismissed. and as long as she had her friends by her side, there was a glimmer of hope that things could still change for the better.

maritza was lounging on the couch, her feet propped up on the coffee table as she watched her little sister, sofia, draw. sofia was deeply engrossed in her artwork, her brow furrowed in concentration as she carefully colored a picture of a unicorn. maritza chuckled to herself; at six years old, sofia had an imagination that was already more vibrant than half the adults she knew. she smiled as she watched sofia's tiny fingers move deftly across the paper, creating a world only she could see.

just as maritza was about to reach for her phone to check the time, the doorbell rang, cutting through the peaceful atmosphere. maritza glanced at sofia, who merely shrugged, still focused on her coloring, her little tongue poking out in concentration.

"guess i'll get it," maritza muttered, rolling her eyes playfully as she stood up. she walked over to the door, smoothing down her shirt and adjusting her hair before opening it. standing on the other side was demetri, who looked like he had just survived a bout in the ring.

"wow, did you actually fight or something?" maritza quipped, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. her eyes swept over the stitches on his nose, clearly an indication of his latest adventure-or misadventure.

demetri frowned, frustration evident in his voice. "no, that crazy old guy at cobra kai did this to me! and you know what eli said? he called me a pussy!" he replied, exasperation spilling out with every word. he couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and anger as he recalled the incident.

"cobra kai has changed miguel and eli," maritza scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "i mean, eli was this sweet boy that sunny fell in love with, and miguel was a sweet boy too. now he's just... angry all the time. it's like they've both been possessed or something." her tone was laced with genuine concern as she thought about her friends.

demetri rolled his eyes, exasperated. "you're making this about you when i was the one who got punched and had to get stitches!" he shot back, his tone defensive but still tinged with humor. he shifted on his feet, feeling like he was being overshadowed in his own story.

just then, sofia, who had been quietly listening from her spot on the floor, piped up with wide, innocent eyes. "if you can't handle a punch, maybe you shouldn't be doing karate!" she chimed in, her voice ringing with the kind of confidence only a six-year-old could possess.

demetri stared at sofia, incredulous. "ugh, there are two of you?" he groaned, throwing his hands up in mock defeat. the idea of facing not just maritza's sharp tongue but also sofia's candidness was more than he had bargained for.

maritza laughed, shaking her head at demetri's reaction. "welcome to the family," she teased, her smile widening as she leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. she always enjoyed the dynamic they shared, each jab layered with affection.

"great, just what I needed-more critics," demetri muttered, though he couldn't help but grin at the absurdity of it all. he stepped inside, shaking his head as he brushed his fingers over the stitches on his nose, a reminder of the day's chaos.

"well, you brought this on yourself," maritza shot back playfully, a teasing glint in her eyes. "what did you expect showing up looking like that? a hero's welcome?"

"i thought i'd get some sympathy points," demetri replied, attempting to muster a sad face. "clearly, i was mistaken. it's not like i went out looking for trouble. it just found me!"

"sympathy? for you? not a chance!" maritza teased, her laughter filling the air, lightening the atmosphere. she glanced back at sofia, who was now giggling uncontrollably at the unfolding drama, and her heart warmed at the sight. "i mean, come on! you've got stitches on your face. that's practically a badge of honor in your circle, right?"

"yeah, sure," demetri replied sarcastically. "i can see it now: 'demetri, the heroic nerd with a nose that's seen better days.'" he rolled his eyes again, but he was secretly amused.

"hey, if it helps, you can always spin it into a cool story about how you took down an old man in a karate duel," maritza suggested, winking at sofia. "maybe add some dramatic flair-like a slow-motion montage of you dodging punches."

"please, if anything, it was the old man who dodged me. he caught me completely off guard. next time, i'll make sure i'm ready," demetri replied, half-joking, though the embarrassment lingered beneath the surface.

"sure, and the next time he swings at you, i'm sure you'll magically transform into a karate master," maritza replied, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "just make sure you don't end up with more stitches. i can't handle two of you at once."

"ugh, i get it! i'm a disaster," demetri groaned, leaning against the doorframe, feigning annoyance while a smile tugged at his lips. "can't a guy just come visit without getting ridiculed?"

"not when you show up looking like that!" maritza shot back playfully, a teasing grin spreading across her face.

demetri sighed, still smirking. "well, at least i get to say i survived a fight. kind of makes me cool, right?"

"sure, if you consider getting punched by an old man cool," maritza replied, her laughter ringing out as she turned to lead him further inside. she loved the banter they shared, a constant push and pull that never failed to brighten her day.

"hey, at least i'm not the only one who's got stitches," demetri said, following her into the living room. "i've got a whole new look going on here."

"oh, yes, very stylish," maritza replied sarcastically, trying to suppress her laughter as she pointed at the stitches. "you should consider it your new signature style. very trendy."

"you think i should market it? 'the demetri'-stitches included?" he joked, earning another round of laughter from maritza and sofia, who was now fully engaged in their banter.

as they settled into a lighthearted conversation, the laughter filled the room, pushing away the shadows of the day and reminding them that even amidst the chaos of teenage drama, moments of friendship and laughter could still shine through. maritza felt a sense of comfort as they reminisced about their shared experiences, knowing that together they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

ASH SPEAKS!

NOO ELI AND SUNNY BREAK UP NEXT CHAPTER💔💔💔

i plan on sunny joining karate soon!!! and more jade and martiza as well :)))

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