𐙚˙ ༘ ⋆｡ ˚( DECODE ! )
❛ MAKING AMENDS ❜
CHAPTER TWENTY !

CHARLIE PEDALLED ON HER BIKE, the seat slowly becoming uncomfortable, until finally she arrived at the dojo. She parked her bike on the rack and secured it with a chain, then noticed Hawk and Miguel approaching.

Miguel placed his hand on her head, scrunching it, while Hawk searched her eyes for any signs of hurt. "You okay? I mean, after last night, yo-"

"Nothing happened last night," Charlie interrupted, starting to walk away with the two boys trailing behind her.

Hawk quickened his pace to keep up with her, determined to get an answer. "But your mom, sh-"

"She was asleep when I got there," Charlie interjected once again, not bothering to look back. "That's all that happened."

Hawk knew exactly what she was doing. She had done it before — avoiding her problems, pretending they didn't exist so she wouldn't have to deal with it. It was her usual coping mechanism.

"Oh hey, look!" Charlie pointed towards the crowd of teenagers waiting outside the entrance, attempting to change the subject.

Hawk wanted to press further, knowing her avoidance would eventually catch up to her, and when it did, she wouldn't know how to handle it. However, he understood that she would just dodge his questions. So, he shifted his attention to the people outside.

"Looks like we've got some new students," Miguel remarked, as Hawk patted him on the chest. "Fresh fish."

The three of them started walking over, and one of the boys in the crowd pointed them out, staring at them in awe. "It's the champs."

"Check this out," Hawk said to Miguel and Charlie, as he confidently approached the boys. "Hey, mouth-breathers. Move it."

The boys quickly moved aside and apologized, while the taller one held the door open for them. "I'll get the door."

"So, you guys wanna be Cobra Kais, huh?" Hawk asked, before suddenly lunging forward and making them flinch. "You've got a long road ahead of you."

Charlie shook her head, wearing a smile, as Miguel and Hawk walked inside. She turned to the boys and extended her hand. "Ignore him. I'm sure you'll do great here. I'm Charlie."

"Chris," the first boy shook her hand, followed by the boy next to him. "Mitch."

She thanked them for holding the door and walked in to join Miguel, Aisha, and Hawk. Glancing around as she took off her shoes, she noticed that the room looked different. There was a missing mirror, a burnt wall, and shattered glass in the corners.

Charlie went to go ask Johnny in the office what had happened, but he was already out, "quiet!"

Everyone immediately fell silent and turned their attention towards him.

"The dojo's closed to new students today," Johnny informed them, earning groans from some.

"We just wanted to sign up after we saw the tournament," Chris explained, still hopeful.

Johnny maintained a stern face. "Do I need to say it again? Get out."

They all began slowly walking out, and Charlie gave a half-smile to the two boys she had just met, watching them leave. "Let's go, move it. Come back tomorrow. And bring your checkbooks."

He then turned around and walked towards the front of the mats. "Everyone, fall in."

They complied with his command, and Hawk smirked at Johnny. "Must've been a rager, Sensei."

"Yeah, were you celebrating all weekend?" Miguel added with a smile.

Johnny looked at them, his face serious. "Celebrating what? My students are a bunch of pussies. Diaz, Hawk, up front."

The two boys shared a confused look but walked to stand beside him and turned to face the class.

Charlie already knew what he was about to talk about — it was about Robby. Both boys had targeted him when he was vulnerable.

"Hawk, did you attack your opponent when his back was turned?" Johnny began questioning Hawk, walking behind him.

"Yes, Sensei."

Johnny then turned to Miguel. "Diaz, did you purposely attack your opponent's injury?"

"Yes, Sensei."

"You think that makes you badass?" Charlie watched the two boys stay silent, only looking at each other for an answer, "What's the matter, too tough a question? Maybe you need some help."

"Miss Delaney," Johnny called out, maintaining a formal tone despite her being his daughter.

"Yes . . . Sensei?" Charlie muttered slowly, glancing at Hawk and a Miguel before the blonde continued.

"Two cobras in the jungle. One kills the strongest lion, the other kills a crippled monkey. Which cobra do you wanna be?" He now stood in front of her, looking down and waiting for an answer.

"The one that slays the lion, da-" she started before quickly correcting herself, "sensei."

"Miss Robinson, why is that?" Aisha looked at Johnny with her wear glance, "Because it killed a stronger animal."

"Correct," Johnny yelled, "cobra Kai is about being badass. And the baddest badass is the one who beats his opponent when he's at his strongest. Not when his back is turned, not when he's injured, is that understood?"

"Yes, sensei."

"That means no more cheating, no more fighting dirty." Charlie's view fell on Miguel and Hawk as those words left Johnny's lips, but both boys had their heads down in shame. "from here on out, those are pussy moves and you don't wanna be pussies, do you?"

"No, sensei."

"Good." The blonde nodded approvingly. "that's why I had you wear white belts, we're starting over. Diaz, hawk, 50 push-ups on your knuckles. Ms Robinson, warm them up."

"Yes, sensei," Aisha replied, stepping forward to lead the class. "Fighting positions. Jab punch, ready, jai!"

Charlie joined in with the rest of the group, throwing punches forward. Yet, her eyes wander downward onto hawk. She watched as his arms, the muscles flexing each time he did a push up.

Internally, she let out a frustrated groan. Her best friend and her crush were now an item, and there was nothing she could do about it.

【☆】★【☆】

AFTER THE GROUP WENT TO HAWK'S HOUSE TO WATCH THE MOVIE JOHNNY ASKED THEM TO, Charlie decided to make her way to the Miyagi-do dojo. She had planned to go to their house first, but Sam had sent her a picture of them at the dojo.

She walked round the back, staring at the dojo that had a completely different look to hers. It was neat and inviting, and even had an outdoor part too.

When she reached the back she saw Daniel, Robby, and Sam talking. Daniel was explaining to them that they would be spending more time outside.

"Mr. LaRusso?" Charlie muttered, catching their attention.

"Charlie?" Robby exclaimed, surprised to see her. However, Daniel shook his head, reluctant to speak to her.

"Um, can I speak to you, please?" Charlie ignored Robby's shock and turned to Daniel. After a moment of hesitation, Daniel let out a sigh and told Robby and Sam to go inside.

With crossed arms, he turned to the girl, "You lied to me."

"I know, I know, and I'm really sorry. I didn't even mean to lie to you, or Sam at first but once I started lying it just piled on and on. I wanted my friends to think I had rich parents with successful businesses. But then I grew close to Sam and your family." Charlie rambled quickly, trying to get her words out but he could interrupt her, "I also didn't want to get caught up in this thing you have with my dad."

Daniel nodded, understanding, before placing a hand on her shoulder, "I'm not angry. Well, I was at first, but I understand why you lied."

A wave of relief washed over Charlie, and Daniel pulled her into a hug.

"Here, let me show you some moves," Daniel suggested as they pulled away. Charlie hesitated at first but nodded.

Daniel showed her some defence techniques, starting with the 'wax on, wax off'. The name confused her but after a few seconds she understood.

Most of the techniques Daniel taught her focused on defense, but it would help her in the future considering Cobra Kai's was all about offence.

Charlie attempted to defend herself with the leg movement he showed her, but she lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, making both of them burst into laughter. Daniel extended his hand and helped her up before dusting her off and calling it a night.

He led her to the door and said goodnight. She got onto her bike and secured her helmet. She didn't care how old she got, she was never too old for a helmet.

"Hey, Charls," Robby called out, coming out from the dojo to join her.

Charlie turned around, a smile adorning her face. However, Robby still seemed confused. "What are you doing here?"

"You're not the only kid of Johnny's who was in it with the LaRusso's," she began, placing her hand on the gear. "and lied. I came here to apologise."

Robby nodded, and Charlie's smile widened. She had forgotten to go up to him after the tournament. "You did great at the tournament by the way."

"Thanks," Robby grinned. Charlie's gaze shifted to the shoulder support he wore. "I'm sorry about your shoulder."

He shrugged, well as best as he could without hurting his shoulder, "It's fine. You weren't the one who did it."

"I know, but it was my friends. Have to take some accountability." Charlie explained, but Robby waved it off.

"You don't have to answer for everyone's shitty behaviour, you know?" he told her. This wasn't the first time she took responsibility for others. It had become a pattern, something she did for her father, her friends, her team.

"Yeah, I know," Charlie muttered before realising the time. She hated biking home late at night and wanted to get home as quick as possible. "I should head back. It's getting late."

Robby nodded. "Yeah, of course."

They quickly hugged each other, and Charlie began pedaling away, "You were great too!"

"Thanks!" she yelled back, almost losing her balance when she tried to turn to him.

✧ • • 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 • • ✧ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

I don't know whether to break moon and hawk up before he hurts Demetri so I can write Charlie and him earlier on ( she wouldn't do anything while he's still with moon girl girl of course ) or leave it until when he hurts Demetri and just have moments but nothing much

please don't be a ghost reader

please comment and vote !