chapter twenty-seven:
❛ spying on hawk ❜

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

✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸

The cheer squad's energy was infectious as Sunny stuck her landing from a backflip, her sneakers hitting the mat with a satisfying thud. A round of applause rippled through the gym, led by Moon, who was bouncing in place, her blonde ponytail swishing as she cheered.

"That was amazing!" Moon beamed, her enthusiasm practically sparkling. She handed Sunny a towel. "You're seriously killing it today."

Sunny took the towel with a grin, dabbing at her forehead. "Thanks, Moon. So are you! That pyramid earlier? Flawless."

Moon giggled. "Well, it helps when you've got a good base. Teamwork, you know?"

Sunny rolled her eyes fondly, her twin's boundless optimism never failing to make her smile. But practice had been intense, and she was parched. "I'm grabbing some water," she said, waving Moon off as she made her way to the cooler.

The cool splash of water hitting the plastic cup was a relief, and Sunny sighed contentedly as she sipped. She barely had a moment to enjoy the quiet before Jade sidled up beside her, her phone in hand and an all-too-familiar smirk on her face.

"Sunny," Jade said, her voice tinged with intrigue. "You're going to want to see this."

Sunny arched an eyebrow, setting her cup down as she turned toward her friend. Jade was always coming up with wild ideas, and Sunny could already feel the mischief brewing. "What is it now?"

Jade held out her phone, the screen glowing with an Instagram post. Sunny squinted at the bold text.

"New recruits joining today. Are you ready to be a champion? 🐍💥"

The caption sat beneath an image of eager students lined up outside Cobra Kai's dojo. The sight sent a ripple of unease through Sunny, but it also piqued her curiosity.

"What's this about?" Sunny asked, though she already had a sinking suspicion.

Jade smirked, tapping the screen. "Cobra Kai's recruiting. Looks like Hawk's probably there, strutting around like he owns the place."

Sunny's lips pressed into a tight line at the mention of Hawk. Her ex-boyfriend and former best friend had been a thorn in her side ever since their falling out. She could already picture his smirk and hear his overconfident laugh.

"And what exactly are you suggesting?" Sunny asked cautiously.

Jade's smirk widened. "We go check it out. You know, do a little spying. See what they're up to."

Sunny tilted her head, considering. Spying on Cobra Kai? It was a tempting idea. Especially if Hawk was there-maybe she could finally get some answers or, at the very least, annoy him a little.

"I like the sound of that," Sunny admitted, a small grin creeping onto her face.

Jade nudged her shoulder playfully. "I knew you would."

Before they could finalize their plan, Moon appeared beside them, her eyes narrowing suspiciously as she glanced between her twin and her girlfriend. "What are you two plotting?"

Sunny and Jade exchanged a glance before Sunny replied, "Cobra Kai's hosting a recruitment event. Jade thinks we should go check it out."

Moon's cheerful demeanor faltered, replaced with a hint of worry. "Spying on Cobra Kai? Are you two serious?"

"It's not like we're going to join or anything," Jade said with a shrug. "We'll just see what's going on and leave. No big deal."

Moon crossed her arms, her expression shifting into full-on big-sister mode. "If you're really going to do this, then I have two rules. First, don't even think about joining them. And second, don't get hurt. Seriously."

Sunny chuckled, throwing an arm around Moon's shoulders. "Relax, Moon. We're not reckless."

Moon sighed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Just promise me you'll text me when you get there, okay? I don't want to worry."

"Scout's honor," Sunny said, holding up three fingers.

Jade grinned. "This is going to be fun."

As they packed up their things and headed for the door, Sunny felt a flicker of nerves beneath her excitement. Spying on Cobra Kai wasn't exactly the safest idea, but the chance to see what they were planning-and maybe confront Hawk-was too intriguing to pass up.

Moon called after them as they left the gym. "Just don't do anything crazy!"

Sunny flashed her twin a reassuring smile. "We've got this!"

With that, she and Jade set off, ready to dive headfirst into their latest adventure.

The Cobra Kai dojo was alive with the sounds of sparring-grunts of effort, the slap of feet against mats, and the occasional bark of Kreese's voice cutting through the air. Sunny and Jade crept through the side entrance, slipping into the shadows near the back wall. The dojo was exactly how Sunny remembered it: intimidating and oppressive, a space that seemed to thrive on fear and aggression.

"Okay, we're in," Jade whispered, her voice barely audible over the buzz of activity.

Sunny nodded, her heart pounding as she peeked around the edge of the doorway. She immediately spotted him: Hawk, standing tall in his black Cobra Kai gi, his red mohawk practically glowing under the bright fluorescent lights. He looked... different. His face was sharper, colder, like he had shed any trace of the Eli Moskowitz she once knew.

She swallowed hard, her stomach twisting.

"Alright," Kreese's gruff voice boomed, silencing the chatter of students. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze like steel. "Hawk, you're up."

Sunny tensed.

Hawk stepped forward with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. He adjusted his gi and bounced lightly on his toes, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Brucks," Kreese barked, and Sunny froze.

A taller, broader boy stepped forward, his cocky grin unmistakable. Brucks-one of Sunny and Eli's old bullies. Her breath hitched as memories of his taunts and sneers flooded her mind. He looked different too, more wary than confident, but his trademark arrogance still lingered in the tilt of his chin.

Jade nudged her gently. "Relax. They're just sparring."

But Sunny couldn't relax. Not as she watched Hawk and Brucks step onto the mat, circling each other with a tension so thick it was palpable. The room fell silent, the other students forming a loose circle around the sparring pair.

"Begin!" Kreese commanded.

Brucks lunged first, aiming a wild punch at Hawk, but Hawk dodged effortlessly, his movements sharp and precise. He countered with a quick jab to Brucks' ribs, causing the taller boy to grunt and stagger back.

Sunny's hands clenched into fists at her sides. This wasn't just sparring-it was a dismantling.

Brucks recovered quickly, charging at Hawk with renewed fury, but Hawk was ready. He sidestepped, swept Brucks' legs out from under him, and sent him crashing to the mat with a loud thud.

"Get up!" Kreese barked.

Brucks scrambled to his feet, his face flushed with anger. He threw another punch, but Hawk caught his wrist and twisted, forcing him to his knees. Without hesitation, Hawk followed up with a sharp elbow to Brucks' shoulder, sending him sprawling once more.

Sunny's breath came in short, shallow gasps. This wasn't the Eli she knew. This wasn't the boy who used to spend hours building Lego sets with her or cracking dumb jokes to make her laugh. This was someone else entirely-someone brutal, calculated, and unrecognizable.

The final blow came in the form of a spinning kick to Brucks' chest, sending him skidding across the mat. He didn't get up this time. The room erupted in applause, the other students cheering and clapping as Hawk stood over his fallen opponent, his chest heaving.

Kreese's lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he clapped Hawk on the shoulder. "That's how it's done."

"Class dismissed," Kreese announced, and the students began to disperse.

Sunny couldn't move. Her feet felt rooted to the spot, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.

"Sunny," Jade whispered, tugging on her sleeve. "We should go."

But before they could slip out, Hawk's eyes locked onto Sunny's. His expression softened for a moment, confusion flashing across his face as he took a step toward her.

"Sunny?" he called, his voice hesitant.

Sunny's breath hitched, her body frozen in place. She hadn't expected him to see her, hadn't prepared for this confrontation.

"Sunny!" Hawk called again, louder this time, his tone sharper.

"Run," Jade hissed, grabbing Sunny's arm.

Sunny snapped out of her daze, and the two of them bolted out the door, their footsteps echoing in the hallway. Hawk's voice chased after them, but Sunny didn't look back.

They didn't stop until they were outside, the cool night air hitting Sunny like a slap. She leaned against the wall, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Jade placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice steady but concerned. "Are you okay?"

Sunny shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "That wasn't him, Jade. That wasn't Eli. I don't know who that was, but it wasn't him."

Jade gave her a reassuring squeeze. "We'll figure it out. You're not in this alone."

Sunny nodded, though her heart still felt like it was in freefall. Whatever had happened to Eli, it was bigger than she'd realized-and she wasn't sure she was ready to face it.

The cool night air did little to calm Sunny's pounding heart as she leaned against the wall, her chest heaving. Jade hovered beside her, watching her closely, her hand still resting gently on Sunny's shoulder.

"Hey," Jade said softly, trying to steady her, "he didn't seem mad. Maybe he's just... confused. Like you are."

Sunny shook her head, her voice trembling. "I don't even know who that was in there. That wasn't Eli. Not the Eli I knew, anyway."

Before Jade could respond, the dojo doors swung open with a loud creak, and Hawk-Eli-stepped out into the dimly lit parking lot. His red mohawk caught the glow of the streetlights as he scanned the area, his sharp gaze zeroing in on them.

"Sunny!" he called, his tone not angry but urgent, almost pleading. He jogged over, his footsteps quick and sure.

Sunny froze, her instinct to run kicking in again, but Jade stood her ground. "Just talk to him," Jade whispered. "He looks worried, not mad."

Eli stopped a few feet away, his expression softening as he took in Sunny's wide, frightened eyes. His voice was quieter this time, less sure. "Sunny, wait. Don't go."

Sunny's breath hitched, her body tense as she struggled to find her voice. "What... what do you want, Eli?"

Eli flinched slightly at the use of his real name, as if it caught him off guard. He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck, his confidence from earlier completely gone. "I-I saw you. Inside. You looked... scared."

Sunny crossed her arms tightly over her chest, trying to shield herself from the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "Because I was scared," she admitted, her voice shaking. "Who was that in there, Eli? That wasn't you. Not the Eli I knew."

Eli frowned, his gaze dropping to the ground. "It's still me," he said quietly. "I'm just... different now. I had to be."

"No," Sunny cut in, her voice firmer now. "You didn't have to be this. I know what Brucks did to us-I know how bad it was. But that doesn't mean you have to turn into him."

Eli's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. For a moment, Sunny thought he might lash out, but instead, he let out a long breath and took a small step closer. "I'm not like him," he said, his tone almost pleading. "I'm just... protecting myself. Protecting my friends. You don't understand-"

"I do understand!" Sunny snapped, her emotions bubbling over. "I understand better than anyone because I was there! And seeing you like this-it's like watching you disappear all over again."

The words hit Eli like a punch, and he stumbled back slightly, his face falling. "Sunny..." he murmured, his voice thick with regret. "I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't mean to what?" she interrupted, her voice breaking. "You didn't mean to scare me? To become someone I don't even recognize?"

Jade stepped in, her tone calm but firm. "Alright, let's take a breath. Both of you."

Eli looked at Jade, then back at Sunny, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean for you to see that."

Sunny blinked, startled by the vulnerability in his voice. She opened her mouth to respond but hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"I'm just trying to figure it out," Eli continued, his gaze fixed on her. "I thought... I thought this was what I had to do. To prove I'm not the same weak kid I used to be."

Sunny's heart twisted at the raw honesty in his words. She took a shaky breath, her voice softer now. "You were never weak, Eli. You didn't need to become... this."

Eli looked at her, his eyes searching hers, but before he could reply, the sound of someone calling his name from inside the dojo broke the moment. He glanced over his shoulder, then back at Sunny and Jade.

"I have to go," he said reluctantly, his voice heavy with something unspoken. "But... Sunny, please don't give up on me. I'm still me. Somewhere."

Sunny didn't reply, her emotions too tangled to sort through. She just watched as he turned and walked back toward the dojo, his shoulders hunched.

Jade sighed and placed a comforting hand on Sunny's arm. "That was... intense."

Sunny nodded, her eyes still fixed on the spot where Eli had disappeared. "Yeah," she whispered, her heart heavy with both fear and hope. "It was."

ASH SPEAKS!!!

hawks beginning to realize!!🤭🤭🤭
and he wants sunny back :(

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