𐙚˙ ༘ ⋆｡ ˚( DECODE ! )
❛ AUNT ELLEN ❜
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE !

"CHARLIE, CHARLIE!" Monique whispered urgently, her fingertips tapping gently against Charlie's shoulder. A low groan escaped Charlie's lips as she blinked awake, her mind sluggishly registering. 

"Come on, you're going to be late for school!" Monique urged again. Charlie's head tilted toward the alarm on her table, and her heart raced as the numbers read 7:36.

With a quick gasp, Charlie bolted from her bed and dashed to the bathroom. Her morning routine had to be cut short slightly though managed to fit most of it in.

Finally, she stood before the mirror, giving herself a quick once-over. Satisfied with her reflection, she flashed a grin and flung open her bedroom door.

She walked into the living room and snatched her keys, before her eyes caught sight of Monique talking with someone at the kitchen counter. The figure sat with their back turned.

"We have company?" Charlie called out, slinging her bag over her shoulder and tucking the keys into her back pocket.

The woman turned, and Charlie's heart leapt. "Aunty El?"

Monique's sister, Ellen, had arrived for a surprise visit, something Monique had conveniently not mentioned.

"Charlie!" Ellen exclaimed, sliding off her seat and enveloping Charlie in a warm hug. They swayed together, laughter bubbling between them. "What are you doing here?"

"I was supposed to come earlier," Ellen explained, pulling back to look at Charlie's face. "When I heard about everything going on, I thought it would be nice to see you all. But the plane tickets were a nightmare!"

Charlie smiled, reminiscing about the last time they'd seen each other. Ellen was only seven years older than her niece, and their bond had always been a little tighter than the one between Ellen and Monique, thanks to their similar ages. So Charlie had been devastated when she heard Ellen was moving to England three years ago.

"Wow, I see you've slightly picked up the English accent!" Charlie teased, stifling a giggle as she noted how some of Ellen's words sounded with that blend of American and English.

Ellen raised her eyebrows playfully. "I think I sound much cooler now."

Charlie burst into laughter, but then her gaze shifted to the clock behind Ellen. Her smile faded as the realization hit her. "I wish I could stay and chat longer, but I've got school."

"Oh, shit! Right!" Ellen chuckled, quickly leaning over the counter to grab her car keys. "Come on, I'll drive you."

"Do you even remember how to drive here? Dont the Europeans drive on the left?" Charlie quipped, a teasing smirk dancing on her lips.

Ellen playfully nudged Charlie's head with her hand as they exchanged goodbyes with Monique. Just before stepping outside, Charlie halted. "Wait here!"

She sprinted back to her room, grabbed the notes Hawk had borrowed her, and stuffed them into her backpack before dashing back out.

The drive to school was short but they managed to cover a lot of things that happened while ellen was away.

As they pulled up to the school, Charlie's gaze flickered to the steps, spotting Demetri waiting for her. Hawk soon joined him, and she sent them a small smile. But as she turned back to Ellen, she noticed her aunt glaring at Hawk.

Charlie's heart sank; it was clear that Monique had filled Ellen in on the drama involving the boy.

"He's okay now, Aunty El," Charlie reassured, glancing back at Hawk, who was trying to keep a smile on his face at her aunt. "He's really trying."

"Just be careful, alright?" Ellen shrugged, planting a kiss atop Charlie's head, "Now, off you go, peasant."

Charlie laughed, climbing out of the car and giving Ellen a grateful wave before walking toward the boys.

Demetri's brow furrowed as she reached them. "Was that your aunt?"

"Yep! She's visiting for the weekend." Charlie explained, the three of them beginning to walk inside the school. "You should hear how she sounds now."

"I didn't think you could pick up on an accent that fast," Hawk chimed in, raising an eyebrow. Charlie shrugged, mirroring his gesture, "Me neither."

Demetri halted in front of his classroom, glancing back at them. "Right, this is me."

"Bye, meat!" Charlie and Hawk called out in unison, watching him disappear into the history lesson.

As Charlie and Hawk continued walking, an awkward silence enveloped them, neither knowing how to bridge the gap. Charlie stretched out her arms, searching for something to say.

Her eyes suddenly brightened with inspiration. "Oh, here you go!" she exclaimed, pulling her backpack around to hand him the chemistry notes.

Hawk smiled down at her, his fingers gently brushing against hers as he accepted the papers. He tucked them into his own bag, and they fell back into silence once more, the tension hanging thickly in the air.

"So, how's your aunt?" Hawk asked out of the blue, breaking the quiet. Charlie appreciated the distraction, as her next class was on the far side of the school and she still had ten minutes to kill.

"She's okay, a nice surprise," Charlie replied, a grin creeping onto her face. "Though she's not too happy with you."

Hawk's expression faltered, embarrassment creeping into his features. "That's fair."

Charlie tilted her head, a hint of sympathy blooming in her chest, even if she knew she shouldn't feel it. "I didn't tell her. Mom explained everything while she was in rehab — Aunty El just couldn't come down until today."

"Are you happy she's here?" Hawk asked. He had seen the stormy side of Ellen in previous years; one minute she was a ray of sunshine, the next, like she was out to get you.

Charlie stared down at her shoes as the memories swirled in her mind. "Yeah, definitely. It's been years since anything like that happened. Surely she's changed."

"Well, is there anything I can do?" Hawk asked as they navigated through the crowded locker corridor.

She pondered for a moment before a playful smile crept across her face. "You could walk me to math."

His grin widened at the suggestion, and he nodded eagerly as they passed the restrooms.

"Just gonna pop in there, and then we can go," Hawk said, gesturing toward the door. She waited patiently outside, folding her arms while her eyes scanned the corridor.

Just then, Nathaniel and Bert emerged from the bathroom, and she smiled down at the two, "Hey, guys!"

"Hey, Charlie," they said in unison before walking away.

"Ready?" Charlie asked as hawk walked out of the bathroom, "yep."

Though, just as they began to walk away, something caught her eye. A figure stepped out of the bathroom— a boy, the same one Robby had been talking with yesterday.

He wore a frightened expression, his eyes darting around, and Charlie's gaze fell to the Cobra Kai shirt clinging to his torso. "It's you," she murmured, more to herself than anyone.

The boy looked up, his eyes wide, taking in the sight of her and Hawk. He didn't say anything, instead he quickly turned away, that same scared look remaining on his face.

"You know that kid?" Hawk asked as they resumed their walk. Charlie shot glances over her shoulder, watching until he disappeared from sight.

Turning back to Hawk, she shrugged. "Uhm, not really. He was talking to Robby outside Alyssa's house yesterday."

Hawk nodded before they reached her classroom, pausing to face each other. "Thanks." She muttered.

"No problem." The smile that broke across Hawk's face was infectious, and Charlie found herself grinning back.

Her eyes wandered inside her classroom as she hesitated before finally giving in, "Meet up at lunch?"

His grin widened, lighting up his features, and he nodded enthusiastically as she stepped inside the classroom.

One day at a time.

【☆】★【☆】

CHARLIE SAT BESIDE ALYSSA IN HER DAD'S TRUCK, as they made their way to the outdoor cinema. Hawk was in the backseat with Miguel, while Demetri and Sam squished into the very back.

Alyssa maneuvered the truck into a parking spot with the boot facing the screen, before turning the engine off and hopped out, "Okay, come on and help me sort this out."

The group clambered out, walking to the back to unfold the truck's flat seat.

"So, who's grabbing the food?" Miguel asked, climbing on and offering a hand to Charlie, Sam and Alyssa as they followed suit.

"I'll go," Hawk volunteered, glancing back at the group.

Charlie leaned back, stretching her arm but failing to reach the blanket she had brought with her. She turned to Hawk, who was already halfway out. "Could you grab the blanket for me, please?"

With a nod, he swung the door open and retrieved the blanket. But instead of handing it over - he draped it around for her. She grinned at him as he asked what everyone wanted to eat.

They each chimed in with their wants, careful to consider what Hawk could manage to carry. After mentally noting everything, he turned and headed off to gather the food.

Alyssa nudged Charlie's shoulder, wiggling her eyebrows when hawk was fully out of sight. Charlie smirked, brushing off the teasing. She leaned her head against Sam's shoulder, and her legs draped lazily over Alyssa's lap.

Time drifted slowly by until Charlie's brow furrowed. "Hey, where's Hawk? He should be back by now."

"I don't know," Miguel said, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Maybe he needs help with all the stuff."

The group turned to Charlie, and she rolled her eyes. "I'll go."

The girl hopped off the truck and pulled her sleeves over her hands against the evening chill. Her eyes swept the crowd until it landed on Hawk, Nathaniel, and Bert, who were gathered around the same boy from before.

"What's going on?" Charlie asked, walking up beside Hawk. She glanced down at the mess of popcorn, candy and everything else sprawled on the floor. "Is this yours?"

The boy nodded sheepishly. She let out a sigh and fished out a few notes. "How much was it?"

Hawk's hand shot out to stop her. "Charls, no. He should've watched where he was going."

"Yeah, same goes for you," Robby chimed in as he made his way over. Charlie shot him a glare - she was standing on what she said earlier.

Kenny retreated behind Robby as Hawk stepped closer to the group. "Look who it is."

"You betrayed Miyagi-Do. Traitor!" Nathaniel shouted, as more Cobra Kai students began to gather.

"Oh, there's a traitor here for sure," Tory declared, striding over with a smirk. Charlie met her with a glare that could cut glass. "He's gonna get what he deserves."

"Yeah, right," Charlie laughed, but her heart raced as Hawk shot her a small smile, their own friends also joining around them now for protection.

"I don't think so. Not if I have anything to say about it, princess." Sam mimicked the nickname with a smirk.

Every teenager from both sides glared at the other while Demetri strolled over, oblivious to the situation. "Hey, guys! Can you believe they have Mr. Pibb and Dr. Pepper?" His cheerful tone faded as he registered the stares directed at him. "Oh, crap. Not another rumble."

"Careful, LaRusso. Your mommy isn't here to play peacemaker," Tory taunted, her eyes narrowing at Sam.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam snapped back, her voice sharp.

"Guys, stop, okay? We can't do this. We'll see them on the mat," Miguel intervened, trying to diffuse the situation, but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Oh really?" Robby leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. "You remember what happened the last time we fought, right?"

"You mean when he had you face down on the floor, and you only beat him because he showed mercy?" Charlie tilted her head, the words slipping out before she could stop them. Perhaps not her best decision, but she was tired of being the quiet observer.

Miguel's expression darkened, also clearly affected by what robby had said, "Okay. Meet us at the baseball diamond in thirty minutes. No weapons."

"Yeah, we won't need them," Tory retorted, her smirk widening.

As Charlie and her friends began to walk away, she raised her voice just enough for Tory to hear. "I'm sorry, hasn't she used a weapon every fight she's had with you?" she quipped, turning to Sam, who snickered in agreement.

The group broke into a laugh and Charlie began to realise that for too long, she had let others dictate her reactions, and tonight, that would change. No more standing on the sidelines — she was ready to claim her space, whether it meant confronting her brother, her old friend, or anyone else.

【☆】★【☆】

THE GROUP NOW ALL SAT IN THE TRUCK, patiently waiting for the thirty minutes to pass by. Each member fidgeted, stealing glances at the pitch, their eyes glued to the entrance. Suddenly, the Cobra Kais walked in with confident glares.

"I don't get how this is gon—" Charlie started, but her words were quickly cut off by the unexpected spray of the sprinklers drenching their group.

Laughter erupted from the truck, except for Charlie and Sam. Hawk leaned back, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. "Dude, genius move! We didn't even have to throw a punch!"

"My favorite kind of victory," Demetri added, chuckling as he pointed at the drenched teenagers.

Charlie leaned slightly in her seat, her brow furrowing deeper as she shared a look of uncertainty with Sam.

As the truck drove away from the place, Charlie couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this victory would backfire on them.

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

a very long one apologies - wanted to get the whole outdoor movie scene in one chapter

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