chapter six:
❛ hawk ❜

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A few days later, the halls were alive with the usual chaos of students heading to their next class, locker doors slamming, and casual conversations overlapping into a buzz of sound. Sunny and Eli walked side by side, their pace leisurely as they navigated through the crowd. Eli, with his hunched shoulders and awkward fidgeting, seemed smaller compared to the confident persona he would one day embrace. His eyes darted around, not fully meeting Sunny's gaze as he recounted the events at Cobra Kai.

"So...uh, I got Demetri to come with me, you know, to Cobra Kai," Eli started, his voice tinged with a mix of nervous excitement and guilt. "I thought maybe it'd help him toughen up a bit."

Sunny, always in tune with the feelings of others, picked up on the hesitancy in his voice. "Really? How'd it go? Did he like it?" she asked, turning her head slightly to get a better look at Eli's expression, her curiosity genuine.

Eli let out a breath, one hand scratching the back of his neck as if he could physically remove the discomfort of the memory. "Uh... not exactly." He laughed nervously, eyes still not quite meeting hers. "Demetri... he got his ass kicked. I didn't think Sensei Lawrence would go that hard, but yeah. He kinda used Demetri as an example for everyone else."

Sunny's eyes widened, her lips forming a sympathetic pout. "Oh no, Eli, that's awful. Poor Demetri. I bet he wasn't ready for something like that at all."

"Yeah... he really wasn't," Eli mumbled, shoulders slumping further. "Now he's totally done with it. Says he's never going back. I didn't mean for him to get hurt."

There was a flicker of guilt in Eli's voice, and Sunny picked up on it instantly. She gently bumped her shoulder against his, trying to lift his spirits. "Don't beat yourself up over it, Eli. I'm sure you were just trying to help him out. Cobra Kai's intense-maybe it's not for everyone."

He finally glanced over at her, the corner of his mouth twitching into a small, appreciative smile. "Yeah, I guess. I just thought...I dunno, maybe it could help him feel stronger or something."

There was a pause before Sunny spoke again, her tone softer. "Are you going back?"

Eli's nerves seemed to settle for a moment as he nodded, this time with a bit more certainty. "Yeah, I'm going back. It's... intense, but I like it. It's not like anything else I've done before. It feels... empowering." His eyes lit up briefly, betraying his shy exterior. "I feel like I'm finally doing something that makes me, you know, not just the quiet guy who sits in the back."

Sunny smiled warmly at that, seeing the spark of confidence he was starting to find in himself. She could tell this was something important to him, something that was helping him break out of his shell, even if it seemed a bit rough around the edges. "That's great, Eli," she said sincerely. "I'm happy you found something you're into."

They walked in silence for a moment before Eli, in a rare burst of courage, turned the conversation back to her. "You should join too, Sunny. I mean, you'd be good at it. You're tough."

Sunny laughed softly, flattered by his suggestion but shaking her head. "I'd love to, but dance would totally get in the way. I've got the showcase coming up in December, and after that, there's another one in May. It's kinda all I can think about right now."

Eli nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor as he fumbled with the strap of his backpack. "Oh, yeah, I get that. You're really good at dancing though. I mean... you're, uh, really dedicated."

Sunny smiled at his shy compliment, knowing Eli didn't dish those out easily. "Thanks, Eli. It means a lot."

They walked a few more steps before Eli cleared his throat, his voice quiet again. "It's kinda nice that Miguel and Aisha are there too, you know? At least I'm not completely alone."

"Yeah, that's good," Sunny agreed, her eyes flickering with warmth as she glanced at him. "You've got friends there. It's not like you're walking into it by yourself."

Eli gave a small smile, but his shy nature took over again, and he shifted his gaze ahead, clearly a little uncomfortable under the weight of the conversation. He was still so unsure of himself, and despite his efforts at Cobra Kai, he hadn't yet shed the nervous, awkward side of him that Sunny found endearing.

They rounded a corner, and the crowd around them thinned out. Sunny could sense that Eli had more on his mind, but she didn't push him. She just kept walking by his side, offering her presence and support in the way she knew best. After all, she didn't need him to be confident or bold-she liked him just the way he was.

Before they parted ways for class, Eli hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to say something else. But then he just nodded at her and said, "Good luck with your showcase, Sunny. You're gonna kill it."

Sunny grinned, appreciating his kind words. "Thanks, Eli. And good luck at Cobra Kai. Just... don't let them change you too much, okay?"

Eli chuckled nervously and nodded again. "Yeah, I'll try."

As he walked away, Sunny watched him disappear down the hall, a small smile lingering on her face. Even though Eli was shy and still finding his way, she had no doubt he was stronger than he realized. And maybe, just maybe, Cobra Kai would help him see that.

Soon Sunny would regret thinking that.

Martiza walked between Miguel and Demetri on their way to class, listening as Demetri recounted his not-so-pleasant experience at Cobra Kai. His arms flailed dramatically as he spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I got yelled at, got my ass kicked, and then gave him my money," Demetri exclaimed, clearly still in disbelief. "You know who lives like that? Hookers!"

Martiza raised an eyebrow at him, rolling her eyes. "Demetri, that's how karate works," she said, her tone half playful, half serious. She had been around martial arts long enough to understand the process, even if Demetri didn't quite get it.

Miguel, walking on her other side, was visibly frustrated. "Exactly, and Sensei Lawrence is not that bad of a guy! You gotta give him a chance. You don't know him like I do," Miguel said, his voice filled with passion as he gestured wildly, trying to make his point. He had seen the good in Johnny's teachings, even if Demetri had only caught a glimpse of the harsher side.

Martiza giggled at Miguel's animated defense of Cobra Kai, while Demetri just scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "That- that's hooker talk," Demetri retorted, shaking his head. "Besides, I don't need to learn karate when I've got you two." He gestured at Miguel and Martiza, clearly satisfied with his decision to let them handle the physical stuff.

Miguel sighed, rubbing his temples, just as they passed a group of students, Kyler among them. Kyler shot them a glare, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto Miguel and Martiza.

The trio noticed, and without a word, Miguel straightened up, his posture a silent reminder of the cafeteria fight. Martiza, sensing the tension, gave Kyler a cold stare of her own. Demetri, though not exactly intimidating, was along for the ride.

Kyler's confidence faltered under their gaze. His face twitched slightly before he stepped back, quickly turning out of the hallway as if he had somewhere better to be.

"See?" Demetri said, pointing at the retreating Kyler. "No one's gonna mess with either of you guys. I don't need karate when I've got you two around."

Martiza and Miguel shared a glance, a mix of amusement and exasperation. Demetri clearly had no idea how different the world could be if he gave it a real shot, but for now, they let him bask in his false sense of security.

Sunny sat at the kitchen table, carefully blending colors together on her art project. Her mom, Elaine, leaned over her shoulder, offering guidance as they worked on the intricate piece for her upcoming class. The table was a mess of paint tubes, colored pencils, scissors, and bits of paper strewn about from hours of creative work.

Elaine dipped a brush into a tiny dab of blue paint and swirled it onto the corner of the paper. "There, that should add some dimension. What do you think?"

Sunny leaned in, squinting at the design, biting her lip in concentration. "Yeah, that looks good. Thanks, Mom. I always get stuck on these little details."

Elaine chuckled and gave her a light nudge. "That's what I'm here for. You've got the vision; I'm just the helper."

Sunny smiled, feeling a little more relaxed about her project. The quiet of the house was comforting, just the sound of their brushes scraping paper and the occasional chirp of a bird outside the window. But the peaceful atmosphere was broken by the sudden, loud chime of the doorbell.

Both Sunny and Elaine looked up in surprise. "Who could that be?" Sunny asked, setting her brush down and wiping her hands on her apron.

"I'll go check," Elaine said, heading toward the front door. As she opened it, her eyes widened in shock. "Eli!" she gasped, stepping aside quickly.

Sunny, still at the table, couldn't see the door but immediately stood up when she heard her mom's alarmed voice. She rushed to the entryway, and her heart dropped when she saw her best friend, Eli, standing there, his face streaked with tears, his lip trembling. He was crying-really crying-and shaking, his hands fidgeting nervously as if he didn't know what to do with them.

"Eli?" Sunny's voice was soft, filled with worry as she approached him. "What happened?"

Eli stumbled inside, his whole body shaking with emotion. His voice cracked as he tried to speak, clearly struggling to get the words out. "It's... it's Sensei Lawrence," he said between sobs, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "He was making fun of my lip."

Sunny's face fell. "What?! He made fun of your lip?"

Elaine, standing nearby, crossed her arms, anger flashing in her eyes. "Making fun of you? That's unacceptable. What did he say?"

Eli took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down but failing miserably. "He said... he said I should flip the script. He was telling me to stop feeling sorry for myself and... change the way people see me."

Sunny blinked, processing the words, her stomach twisting. "That's still awful! He shouldn't have said that to you, Eli. You don't deserve that."

But Eli shook his head, wiping his eyes again. "No, he's right," he said, sniffling and swallowing hard. "I need to stop being... this. I don't want people to keep looking at me like I'm weak. Like I'm just the kid who gets picked on."

Sunny glanced at her mom, unsure what to say. The Eli standing in front of them wasn't the quiet, shy, and sweet boy she had grown up with. He looked defeated, broken down by the weight of all the bullying and teasing, but there was also a strange spark of determination behind his tear-filled eyes.

Elaine took a deep breath and knelt in front of Eli, her tone softening as she asked, "Eli, are you saying you want to... 'flip the script,' like your Sensei said?"

Eli nodded, his voice small and trembling. "Yeah... I think I need to."

Elaine looked up at Sunny for a long moment, exchanging a knowing glance. Sunny felt the tension rise in her chest, but there was also a sense of understanding between them. They both knew Eli had been suffering for a long time, and while this approach seemed extreme, maybe this was something Eli needed to feel better about himself.

Elaine stood up and smiled softly, placing a gentle hand on Eli's shoulder. "Well," she said, her eyes twinkling slightly, "you're lucky I'm a hairdresser."

Sunny blinked, looking between them, confused. "Wait, what?"

Elaine continued, her smile widening. "Let's get your hair dyed. You want a new look? Let's give you one."

Eli's eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise flickering across his face. "Dye my hair?"

Elaine nodded confidently, already forming a plan in her head. "If you're going to flip the script, why not go all the way? You want people to see you differently? We'll make sure they do."

Sunny's jaw dropped. "Mom, are you serious? Dye his hair? This is... this is crazy!"

Elaine turned to her daughter with a calm but firm look. "He needs this, Sunny. Sometimes when people feel powerless inside, changing the outside can give them back some control."

Sunny sighed, her arms dropping to her sides in disbelief. "This is a lot, Mom."

Eli, though still emotional, looked up with a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Do you really think it'll help?"

Elaine nodded. "Trust me, Eli. It's not just about the hair. This is about you taking charge of how you're seen."

Sunny crossed her arms, clearly skeptical but knowing how much Eli needed something to hold on to. She finally sighed, giving in. "Alright, let's do it. But, seriously, Mom... what color?"

Elaine grinned, already pulling Eli toward the living room, where she kept her hairdressing supplies. "I've got just the thing."

Sunny trailed behind them, watching as her mom pulled out a box of bright blue dye from her collection of colors. Eli stared at it for a moment, then nodded as if finally coming to terms with the whole situation.

As Elaine began prepping Eli's hair, Sunny stood back, still unsure but hoping this crazy plan would work. She couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and admiration for her friend. Maybe this was the start of something big for him... maybe this was exactly what he needed to feel stronger.

Elaine ran her fingers through Eli's hair as she applied the dye, speaking softly to him the whole time. "This is your chance to be who you want to be, Eli. Don't let anyone make you feel less than you are."

Eli sat there quietly, nodding, as the blue dye coated his hair. Sunny watched closely, still trying to wrap her head around how everything had changed so quickly. But one thing was certain-when Eli left their house that night, he would never be the same kid who had walked through their door crying.

Eli sat nervously on the edge of the chair, staring into the mirror as Elaine finished rinsing out the blue dye from his hair. The bathroom smelled strongly of chemicals and hairspray, and Sunny leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching with a mixture of fascination and worry.

Elaine hummed quietly as she towel-dried Eli's hair, the vivid blue strands already catching the light. "Well, the color looks great," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "What do you think, Eli?"

Eli stared at his reflection, his eyes wide as he took in the transformation. His hair was now an electric blue, standing out against his pale skin. It was a far cry from the shy, unassuming look he usually had, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn't just... fading into the background.

"It's... awesome," Eli said quietly, almost in disbelief. He ran a hand through his damp hair, feeling a surge of confidence he hadn't known before. But something was missing. Something bolder.

Sunny, still standing in the doorway, raised an eyebrow at him. "You look like a whole new person, Eli. But... are you sure this is what you want?"

Eli nodded slowly, his lips pressing together. "Yeah, it's what I need. But-" He hesitated, glancing at Elaine, then at Sunny. His voice dropped to a sheepish murmur. "I... uh, I kind of want it styled differently."

Elaine tilted her head. "Differently? What do you mean?"

Eli's face flushed slightly as he looked back at himself in the mirror. His fingers drummed nervously on the chair arm. "Can you... can you style it into a mohawk?"

The room fell into an awkward silence for a moment. Sunny's mouth dropped open, and she looked at her mom like she had just heard something completely insane. Elaine blinked a few times, then exchanged a glance with her daughter before turning back to Eli, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion.

"A mohawk?" Sunny asked, trying to stifle a laugh. "Seriously?"

Eli's face grew redder, but he nodded earnestly. "Yeah. A mohawk."

Elaine stared at him, clearly taken aback, but then her lips curled into a slow smile. "Well, I didn't see that coming. But... if that's what you want, Eli, I can make it happen."

Sunny's jaw dropped even further. "Mom, you're actually going to give him a mohawk?!"

Elaine shrugged, still smiling. "Why not? If he's flipping the script, we might as well go all the way."

Eli looked at Elaine with wide, hopeful eyes. "Please?"

With a sigh and a little shake of her head, Elaine grabbed a tub of hair gel from her supplies and began working her magic. "Alright, let's do this," she said, applying a generous amount of gel to Eli's damp hair. She combed it upward, carefully shaping it into a stiff, spiked mohawk. She worked quickly but meticulously, ensuring each strand stood tall.

Sunny stood beside Eli now, watching in a mix of disbelief and awe as her mother styled her best friend's hair into a mohawk. "This is officially the craziest thing I've ever seen," she muttered, unable to hide a smirk. "Eli, you look like a punk rock star."

Eli couldn't help but grin, even as his nerves bubbled up inside him. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his newly blue mohawk standing tall and proud. The transformation was more than just physical-he felt a change inside, a spark of courage he hadn't had before. For the first time, he felt like he wasn't hiding behind his insecurities.

"There," Elaine said, stepping back with a satisfied look. "What do you think?"

Eli stared at his reflection, unable to believe the person staring back at him. "I love it," he whispered, a huge smile spreading across his face. He turned to Sunny, almost expecting her to laugh again, but she just shook her head, a grin pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"Well, I have to admit," Sunny said with a shrug, "you pull it off way better than I thought you would."

Eli chuckled, running his hand carefully through his mohawk, the spikes stiff beneath his fingers. "Thanks, Sunny. And thanks, Mrs. Reynolds. You really think this'll make people see me differently?"

Elaine gave him a warm smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I think it's not about what they see-it's about what you see when you look in the mirror. And if this makes you feel stronger, more confident, then it's worth it."

Eli nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Yeah... I think I was ready to flip the script."

As Elaine finished styling Eli's hair, she stepped back with a proud smile, while Eli admired his blue mohawk in the mirror. He couldn't stop grinning, his newfound confidence palpable in the air. Sunny stood beside him, arms still crossed, but there was a warmth in her eyes, despite her earlier skepticism.

"Alright," Eli said, standing up from the chair, running his hands through his mohawk again. "Thanks again, Mrs. Reynolds. I feel... different. Better."

Elaine smiled softly. "That's what matters. You look great, Eli."

Eli nodded, his gaze flicking to Sunny. There was something lingering in his expression that made her raise an eyebrow. She knew Eli had been going through a lot, especially with the whole Cobra Kai situation and his insecurities, but she didn't expect what was coming next.

Eli took a small step toward her, his eyes locked on hers, and before Sunny could react, he leaned in and kissed her. But this time, it wasn't a shy, fleeting kiss. It was more intense, more deliberate-passionate in a way that left Sunny completely caught off guard. Her eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat as she froze, feeling Eli's lips press against hers with an unexpected boldness.

It only lasted a few seconds, but when Eli pulled back, his face was flushed, and so was Sunny's. She blinked, her mind scrambling to process what just happened, while Eli, slightly breathless, gave her a small, awkward smile.

"Uh... I'll see you tomorrow," Eli muttered, still red-faced, and before Sunny could even respond, he turned on his heel and practically bolted out the door, leaving her standing there, stunned.

Elaine, who had been quietly watching from inside the house, peeked out from the kitchen with a smirk. "Well, that was... unexpected."

Sunny shook her head, her hand slowly lifting to touch her lips, still confused. "What... just happened?"

Elaine chuckled softly, walking over and giving her daughter a teasing smile. "I think Eli's breaking out of his shell. And it looks like you might've had something to do with it."

Sunny looked at her mom, bewildered. "Mom, I don't even know what to say. He just kissed me. Like, really kissed me."

Elaine nodded, a knowing glint in her eyes. "He's getting a little braver, thanks to all that Cobra Kai stuff, and probably thanks to you too."

Sunny's cheeks burned even hotter. "I'm not so sure I like this whole 'new Eli' thing yet."

Elaine laughed, the sound light and playful. "Sunny, you're like me. You like a boy who turns into a bad boy. Don't act like you're surprised."

Sunny's brow furrowed, confused. "Wait, Dad was a bad boy? You've got to be kidding me."

Elaine shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. "Oh, he wasn't always a goody-two-shoes. I helped your dad break out of his shell too, back in the day. Just wait-you'll see what I mean."

Sunny rolled her eyes, feeling even more flustered. "Eli's not turning into some bad boy, Mom."

Elaine just winked. "We'll see about that, honey. Sometimes it takes a little spark to help someone really figure out who they are."

Sunny groaned, her thoughts still spinning from Eli's sudden boldness. "Ugh, you're impossible."

Elaine smiled softly, wrapping an arm around her daughter's shoulders. "Just remember, Sunny, sometimes it's the quiet ones who surprise you the most."

Sunny sighed, shaking her head. "Well, Eli definitely surprised me today. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about this."

Elaine chuckled again. "Just give it time. You might end up liking this new side of him more than you think."

Sunny didn't respond, still too caught up in her thoughts. She couldn't stop thinking about the kiss, about how different Eli had seemed. As much as she didn't want to admit it, maybe her mom was right. Maybe this really was just the beginning of something new-for both of them.

It was lunchtime in the library, and Sunny, Martiza, and Demetri were seated at their usual table, books scattered in front of them. Sunny tapped her pencil impatiently against her notebook, her eyes flicking to the door every few seconds.

"Where the hell is Eli?" Martiza muttered, leaning back in her chair. "He's never this late."

Demetri scoffed, not bothering to look up from his comic book. "Maybe he's still trying to figure out how to gel his new 'do without poking someone's eye out. Guy shows up with a blue mohawk, and suddenly he thinks he's all tough."

Sunny didn't respond, but her stomach churned slightly. Eli's transformation from shy, sweet Eli into the confident, cocky version he seemed to be turning into left her feeling uneasy. She hadn't even processed the kiss from the night before. Now, she was dreading how he'd show up today. He wasn't the same person anymore.

Before anyone could comment further, the library doors swung open, and there he was. Eli, or rather "Hawk," strutted into the room, flanked by a group of girls. Sunny's heart skipped a beat as she watched him stroll in with swagger she never thought he'd possess, the blue mohawk styled to perfection, his shoulders squared like he owned the place.

"Thanks, ladies, for escorting me," Eli said smoothly, flashing the girls a grin that made them giggle and wave before they scattered.

Sunny's jaw dropped. Martiza raised an eyebrow, and Demetri looked like he was about to choke on his own disbelief.

"Uh, what the hell was that?" Martiza asked, her tone sharp. "Since when does Eli-"

"Since when do you have an entourage?" Demetri finished, still staring at Eli as if he'd been body-snatched.

Eli grinned, clearly enjoying their reactions. "Times are changing, Demetri. And for the record, it's Hawk now."

Sunny, Martiza, and Demetri all exchanged bewildered looks. For Martiza and Demetri, this was their first time seeing Eli's new persona, but for Sunny, the transformation still hadn't settled in. She could hardly believe the sudden attention he was getting from all these girls.

Demetri wrinkled his nose, unimpressed. "Hawk? Seriously? What are you, a bird now?"

Martiza shook her head, leaning forward with her arms crossed. "Yeah, no. We're not calling you that. It's dumb."

Eli smirked, the same cocky confidence still glowing in his eyes. "You guys don't get it yet, but you will." He turned his gaze to Sunny, the smirk softening just slightly. "Except for Sunny. She can still call me Eli."

Sunny blinked, feeling the jealousy bubble up in her chest despite her best efforts to squash it. "Oh, really?" she snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. "Guess I should be honored, huh?"

Martiza and Demetri both shot her a glance, noticing the bitterness in her voice. Sunny cursed herself internally. She didn't want to sound jealous-was she jealous? But seeing all those girls fawning over him... it stung more than she thought it would.

Eli, or Hawk, grinned wider at her reaction, clearly enjoying the effect he was having. "Sunny, don't be jealous. I've got eyes for one girl only."

Sunny frowned, confusion flashing across her face. "Who?" she asked, completely oblivious to his hint.

Eli-or rather, Hawk-leaned in a little closer, his voice low and teasing. He shot her a wink. "You'll figure it out."

Sunny felt her face flush as Martiza and Demetri shared a look, stifling their reactions, while she was left sitting there, unsure of how to feel. The confidence radiating off Eli-no, Hawk-was so unfamiliar, and the flirtatious energy was throwing her completely off balance.

"Uh, okay..." Sunny mumbled, her thoughts spinning. She wasn't used to this version of Eli, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or if it just made her more confused.

Demetri finally broke the awkward silence, snorting. "This whole thing is ridiculous. You can call yourself Hawk, but we're still gonna call you Eli, man."

Martiza nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Hawk's not happening."

Eli chuckled, his eyes still lingering on Sunny for just a second longer before he shrugged. "Whatever. You'll come around." He sent one last glance toward Sunny before walking over to grab a seat.

Sunny stayed silent, her mind racing. Eli might have been changing on the outside, but something inside her told her he was still the same person deep down. Still, seeing him like this-so confident and surrounded by attention-it was unsettling. And that wink...

She had no idea what to make of it.

Martiza leaned over, giving her a playful nudge. "I think someone's into you, Sunny."

Sunny groaned, dropping her head onto the table in exasperation. "Don't start."

But she couldn't deny that part of her was wondering just how much Eli-no, Hawk-had really changed.

ASH SPEAKS!

i love writing this book so much guysssss

so i've decided sunny and martiza will not be in cobra kai at all. i have plans for s2! martizas mom will be introduced in season 2:)

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