╔.𖥸. .════════════════╗

𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬

chapter thirty-one
think I know where you
belong (think I know it's
with me)

╚════════════════. .❀.╝

THE DAY OF the All Valley came quick after prom, and Alyssa could officially say she was nervous.

It was now or never. This was their chance to take Cobra Kai down, to stop the massive wave of hatred that swept through the Valley. And now, standing behind a curtain waiting to be called, a gi adorning her body and her pink hair tied back into French braids that went into pigtails, it all felt so real.

Alyssa's only source of comfort at the moment was Eli to her right and Sam to her left. Eli was in the midst of a quiet conversation with Demetri, but his presence was in the front of her mind. Their night together was still fresh in her mind, and after it, they had practically become inseparable. It was almost like by crossing that line in their relationship, they had become even closer.

"You look glowy," Sam told her, snapping Alyssa out of her thoughts.

Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "Glowy?"

"Yeah. Ever since prom, something's been different about you. What's up?"

Okay, so maybe Alyssa hadn't told Sam about what happened. Trust her, she wanted to, but Sam hadn't had the best experience at prom. With Tory and Robby there, her and Miguel had been nothing less than rocky. Alyssa didn't want to tell Sam about her romance-filled night to make her feel worse.

"Hawk," Sam called, making Alyssa blink. "Don't you think Ally is glowing like a ray of sunshine lately?"

Eli glanced at her, and she glared when she saw the smirk on his face — he knew it was from him. "Oh, absolutely. What's going on with you?"

"I hate you both," Alyssa mumbled.

"That's—"

"Finish that sentence and I'm body-slamming you on that mat even though we're on the same team, you motherfucker."

"Ally," Sensei LaRusso lightly scolded.

She sighed. "Sorry. I'm a little on edge."

Before he could say anything else, the crowd cheered loudly from outside. Alyssa snuck a glance at the wall. It was time.

"Ladies and gentlemen . . . you've been waiting a long time, but we're finally here," Daryl, the announcer, said, his voice slightly muffled from them being farther away. "Dojos from all across the Valley have been training for a year for their shot at glory. You ready to meet 'em? You? You? All right. This Sensei and dojo need no introduction. He took the All Valley by storm in 1984 and '85 and quickly became one of the greatest underdogs in the history of the sport. Last year, this dojo came out of nowhere and made it to the finals. They've got some new fighters, and they're ready to show the world that they're the best around. Give it up for Miyagi-Do Karate, led by two-time All Valley champion Daniel LaRusso!"

Sensei LaRusso stepped out into the smoke first, and they all followed. They jogged around the mat to their place. All of them slotted into line. Alyssa snuck a glance up at the bleachers and immediately spotted her mom and Jackson sitting next to Mrs. LaRusso and Anthony. She smiled softly and turned back to face the mat.

"This next dojo took last year's title. But they're under new management. Can they reign supreme once more? And last year's runner-up. He may be wearing a new gi, but one thing's for sure. Robby Keene and his team are ready to strike. Hailing from Reseda, defending champions, and still the most badass name for a dojo, here comes Cobra Kai!"

Silver and Kreese stepped out into the smoke, followed by their dojo. Alyssa kept her face set — they didn't deserve her applause or her reaction. She already had a reaction by tossing punch at Robby, anyways — which she still felt good about.

"And finally . . . this dojo is making their All Valley debut, though you'll recognize a few familiar faces. Every year, a new dojo rises up the ranks. Does this newcomer have what it takes to win it all? Please welcome Eagle Fang Karate, led by Sensei Johnny Lawrence and defending champion Miguel Diaz?"

Eagle Fang then came out of the smoke. Alyssa let a small grin overtake her face at the sight of Miguel. She remembered how proud she was of him at the last All Valley . . . besides him hurting Robby's shoulder even further to win. That was a conflicting time in her life.

"At the end of the day, only one of these dojos can be crowned Grand Champion," Daryl continued. "Welcome to the fifty-first annual All Valley Under Eighteen Karate Tournament!" The crowd went absolutely wild. "It's karate time."

They disbanded to stay with their dojos and practice a bit. Alyssa stood in front of Eli, her fists raised while his palms were put out so she could practice. Sam stood close to her, approving her moves and commenting a bit on how it could be better.

"Miyagi-Do's, bring it in," Sensei LaRusso said, and they all formed a line in front of him to listen. "Some of you have been here before, and for some of you, it's your first karate tournament. I still remember my first All Valley, where I stood here proudly with my Sensei and where I faced down the bullies of Cobra Kai. Now getting here hasn't been easy. There've been some bumps in the road, to put it mildly. Remember what's at stake. If Cobra Kai wins, our dojo closes for good. But we're not gonna let that happen, are we? Of course not. Because we have something that Cobra Kai doesn't. We have Miyagi-Do. So let's get out there and show Cobra Kai what we're made of. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Sensei," they chorused.

After a short warmup — where she witnessed Sam and Miguel sneaking very sad glances at each other, and couldn't help but notice that Miguel looked hopelessly upset, which made Alyssa sad that she couldn't help him right now — the competition began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to begin our skills competition," Daryl announced. "Up first, Demetri Alexopoulos from Miyagi-Do Karate, who'll be showcasing the kamas."

Alyssa watched proudly as Demetri moved around the mad, slashing the kamas around with precise movements. He absolutely crushed it. Others went as well, including Devon — Eagle Fang's girl champion — breaking boards, Chris breaking concrete slabs, Kenny — the one kid she had run into at the drive-in — breaking boards, and Miguel showing his own movements.

"Are you kidding me? What a way to start the skills competition. Clearly, Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang came to play. But with such a tight spread, it's still anyone's game."

Sam then went with her sais, Robby showed off his gymnastic skills, Tory had a sword, and Eli broke boards. Alyssa had watched with bated breath for that one, but in the end, Eli hadn't broken the last board because it was up too high — aka Nate was on top of Chris' shoulders. Kyler had also broken concrete slabs with his head. For what reason, Alyssa didn't fucking know.

"And just like that, Miyagi-Do has been snake bit as Cobra Kai takes the lead, with our qualifier rounds up next," Daryl stated.

Alyssa let out a deep breath and looked up at the leader board. Sure enough, Cobra Kai was first, followed right by Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang being at sixth.

"I can't believe Cobra Kai beat us in skills," Chris complained.

Sam crossed her arms. "I thought we had that in the bag."

"It's my fault," Eli cut in. "I couldn't break the last board. I'm really sorry."

"No," Alyssa insisted. "That board shouldn't have been that high. Don't apologize."

"Okay, forget that, okay?" Sensei LaRusso told them. "You all did great. Besides, we're right on their heels. This is far from over."

"Ladies and gentlemen," a new announcer then voiced, and Alyssa turned to see him standing in the middle of the mat. "The male and female division qualifiers are about to begin. And with them, we enter a new era! That's why we need a very special guest to kick things off. Let's give a big All Valley welcome to multi-Grammy-award winning, international superstar, Carrie Underwood!"

Alyssa's jaw fell open in shock as she watched Carrie Underwood, literally the Goddess herself, walk out onto the mat.

She hit Eli's arm multiple times, not believing her eyes. "Dude, dude, dude, that's Carrie Underwood."

Eli chuckled at her. "I know, Lys."

"Do you know how many times I've screamed the words to Before He Cheats?"

Sam nodded. "Can confirm."

"Hello, All Valley!" Carrie greeted. "I am so honored to be here. I didn't see a lot of karate growing up in Oklahoma, but you guys know I love to compete, just like these wonderful young men and young women. One thing I have learned is that everyone gets their shot, their chance in the spotlight. Everyone gets their moment. This one's yours."

She then put on an incredible performance of The Moment of Truth, which Alyssa enthusiastically sang along to, before Carrie left and it was time for the preliminary rounds. If Alyssa was being honest, the preliminary rounds were an absolute blur of punches and kicks. All she focused on was fighting, and winning, and winning she did. Even when her muscles burned and she felt sore, she pushed through and made it to the end, which meant she would be heading into the quarterfinals.

The dojos that made it stood on the stage with their Sensei and members. Alyssa, Sam, Hawk, and Demetri were lined up together. It seemed strange, and maybe by some miraculous force of the universe, that Alyssa had three of the most important people of her life up there with her.

"All right, folks," Daryl said. "We've witnessed some great fighting today. But you ain't seen nothing yet. Because we have arrived at the quarterfinals! Which means things are about to get intense. Of the eight boys and eight girls on this stage, one of each will be named All Valley champion. And then we'll tally all the points to determine which dojo has earned the title of Grand Champion. And since the points get higher in each round, it's still any dojo's game. So you keep your eyes on this here blue mat, because we are just getting started!"

The boys and the girls were to take turns alternating. Miguel went first, obviously winning his match. Devon then went up against Tory, and Tory won in a clean-sweep.

"And with that, Eagle Fang's hopes of winning Girls All Valley Champ have gone up in smoke."

There was another boy's fight before Alyssa's turn. Sam gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze before she faced her opponent on the mat. Alyssa won the first round, then the second, then the third, which meant she advanced. She felt a large smile be placed on her face, because holy shit, she was winning.

Alyssa felt her heart race a little faster, though, and it wasn't from Eli giving her a celebratory kiss on the cheek when she came back. It was up to her and Sam now. She suddenly felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. Alyssa shook that thought away for now as she focused on the fight going on between Demetri and another boy, but she knew when it came down to it, her and Sam would have to fight each other.

"Alexopolous has Robson on the ropes," Daryl began. "Which of these fighters will advance? Miyagi-Do or All Star Karate?"

In the end, Demetri got the point.

Eli smiled brightly. "Yeah, Demetri!"

Alyssa clapped for him. "Let's go, Dem!"

"Newcomer Demetri Alexopolous is heading to the semis!" Daryl exclaimed.

"Your little friend's lucky he didn't have to face Cobra Kai," a infuriatingly familiar voice stated from behind her.

Alyssa rolled her eyes and turned around. Standing there was Kyler, looking all fucking smug with a band of Cobra Kai's around him. However, he wasn't there for her. Kyler was focused right on Eli. A surge of white-hot anger

Kyler held me down, Eli's voice echoed in her head. He had been the one to give Eli that horrid bruise around his neck and helped with that whole assault. Alyssa clenched her jaw.

"Can't say the same for you though, Lip," Kyler taunted. "Gonna make you kiss that mat."

"Oh, fuck off, Kyler," Alyssa complained. "What is up with your obsession of Eli kissing something? Is it some kind of perverted fantasy you have?" She found slight satisfaction in the way Kyler's smirk fell off his face. "Leave."

Alyssa watched Kyler leave for a moment before turning back to Eli. Her face softened when she noticed him staring at the ground, his hands locked behind his back.

"Just ignore him, E," Alyssa urged, reaching out and touching his elbow softly. "He's being a bully, as per usual. Guys like him never change, but you did."

Eli shrugged. "But . . . I just don't know who I am these days."

Alyssa gave him a knowing look. "I know you think that mohawk defined who you are, but it doesn't. Not in the slightest. And not to say I didn't love it, because I did. I know you did that purple for me, by the way."

He sighed, his cheeks flushing red. "Was it that obvious?"

"It only was when Moon pointed it out, and I remembered you asking me my favorite color." She squeezed his elbow a little. "Eli, do you think the only reason I kissed you that night was because of your hair?" Alyssa then paused, her eyebrows knitting in thought. "Okay, it may have been a factor. But there was a much more pressing reason why I decided to kiss you. It was your confidence — not that snarky arrogant kind you had when you were just absolutely insufferable, but the kind that made you brave enough to break away from Cobra Kai."

"And yet I lost my confidence." Eli's eyebrows knit in confusion, and almost hurt, when she let out a small giggle. "You're laughing at me."

Alyssa shook her head, her face feeling warm. "No, sorry, it's just, uh . . . I think the guy in my bedroom after prom would beg to differ."

Eli's cheeks splashed with even more pink. "That was different."

She tilted her head at him. "Am I really the only thing that you're confident about?"

"I mean, yeah. Things are always changing, but the one thing that's stayed constant is you. Even when we were in that period where I was a complete asshole."

"Karate has also stayed constant. I know the whole Cobra Kai to Eagle Fang to Miyagi-Do was changing, but it shows that you have a passion for karate." Alyssa gave him a knowing look and pointed at the mat. "So I want you to bring back that guy who gave me the best night of my life and show Kyler exactly how confident you can be."

He blinked. "The best night of your life?"

"Hell yeah, babe. Did you not hear Sam earlier? About how I was glowy? That's because of you."

Eli cleared his throat. "It was the best night of my life, too."

"Glad we're on the same page with that," Alyssa stated. "But we need to be on the same page with this, too."

This might've not been about karate anymore. Alyssa wanted Eli — not in that way (. . . okay, maybe that way), but in the way where she wanted him to be hers. If Alyssa was truly the one thing he was confident about . . . well, why not fucking full send it?

"You need confidence?" Alyssa asked, and Eli blinked at her in confusion. "Here, I'll give you confidence."

Alyssa didn't express it with words. Instead, she took the front of his gi in her hands and pulled him down to her level, instantly pressing their lips together. Her hands then trailed up to hold either side of his face, and Eli relaxed into it, resting his hands on her waist.

Daryl then started to speak again, making them break apart. "Next up in the quarterfinals, it's Kyler Park of Cobra Kai versus Eli Moskowitz of Miyagi-Do."

Alyssa looked back at Eli, forcing him to look back at her, too, because she moved his face with her hands. "Okay, listen to me."

Eli nodded, looking slightly dazed. "I'm listening."

"You're going to go out there."

"I'm going to go out there."

"You're going to absolutely destroy Kyler."

"I'm going to absolutely destroy Kyler."

"And then you're going to come back here and kiss me again."

"I'm going to—" Eli started to repeat, but then he stopped, blinking. "Huh?"

Alyssa gave him a small smile. "You heard me. Go win that fight. I'll be waiting."

"Will you still kiss me if I lose?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Guess you'll have to find out." Alyssa let her left hand drop and leaned up, kissing his cheek. However, she paused for a moment, her lips right by his ear. "And I may or may not have a lot of other dresses in my closet."

Alyssa pulled back, letting her other hand drop as well, only to see a determined look settle on Eli's features. She smiled, slotting back into her place in line next to Sam as Eli went up to Sensei LaRusso.

Sam nudged her with her elbow, a glint in her eyes. "What was that?"

Alyssa shrugged. "Gave him some confidence. It was also ridiculously attractive."

Eli then jumped onto the mat, his fists clenched by his side. Alyssa recognized the tension in his muscles, begging to be released by fighting. A part of her was smug, like yeah, bitches, I did that.

"How much confidence did you give him?" Sam questioned. "He looks amped up."

"Just enough," Alyssa responded casually.

She then watched before her own very eyes as Kyler got absolutely destroyed. Eli didn't even let Kyler get a hit in. Alyssa didn't bother to hide the pride on her face from it.

"What . . . just happened?" Sam inquired, almost shocked and her eyes wide.

Alyssa smiled. "He won, that's what." She then raised her voice to a shout. "Go, Eli!"

He looked over at her, seemingly stuck in a trance as the ref still held his arm up. Alyssa kept smiling excitedly, clapping her hands together proudly.

Eli jogged back over to their side. He then hopped down and took her face in his hands, instantly pressing his lips onto hers again. Alyssa immediately kissed him back, resting her hands on his arms. Eli kissed her for a couple more moments before pulling away and looking back down at her.

"Wanna be my girlfriend?" Eli asked.

Alyssa nodded with a smile, her heart pounding against her chest. "Yeah."

It then switched back to the girls' side. Alyssa, still riding on the high of being a girlfriend now, Eli's girlfriend nonetheless, looked back at the board. What she found shocked her for a moment. Her and Sam were going up against one another now.

"Uh-oh," Alyssa commented, laughing slightly. "Ready to square up, LaRusso?"

Sam jumped and turned at her with a grin, playfully punching her shoulders. "Bring it on, Liu."

Alyssa giggled for a second. "Hey, now." She then took Sam's hands in hers and looked at her seriously. "I know we both love each other very much, but . . ."

Sam caught her drift and nodded — both of them would be fighting to win. "I know. But at least it'll be one of us, right?"

"Right." Alyssa squeezed her hands. "But I want it to be you. That doesn't mean I'm letting you win, but if I do beat you—"

"Okay, we're spiraling in circles." Sam squeezed her hands back. "Let's just do our best. Miyagi-Do is making it either way."

"Our next quarterfinal match will be Samantha LaRusso of Miyagi-Do Karate and Alyssa Liu of Miyagi-Do Karate," Daryl announced.

The two smiled at each other before stepping up onto the mat. Alyssa went on one side, but not before high-fiving Sam. They bowed to the ref, then to each other, before raising their fists.

It didn't matter who won. Like they said earlier, Miyagi-Do was in the finals either way. But also like they said earlier, both girls were fighting to win. Alyssa and Sam kept their playfulness and friendship out of it and just went for it. Alyssa won round one and two, but then Sam kicked up the offense, which was something she wasn't expecting. Sam got two points, making them even. And in the end, Sam pushed forwards and beat Alyssa.

Even though she wasn't making it to the end, Alyssa was still proud of herself. She had fought hard, and she had fought well. And she loved that Sam was the one to make it out of the two of them. She could prove herself now. The offense just made her confused. Not that she didn't expect it from Sam, because she seemed a little on-edge, it just wasn't how they usually trained. It all became clear. Sam had been using Eagle Fang's training.

Their was a final fight between Kenny and Robby to determine who would be advancing. Alyssa had watched as Robby's anger overtook him, which she still wasn't used to seeing, and he ultimately beat Kenny. It was now time for the semifinals, and as per usual, the boys were going first in a fight that was sure to be similar to Alyssa and Sam's.

"And now, our first semifinal match will be Miguel Diaz of Eagle Fang versus Eli Moskowitz of Miyagi-Do," Daryl voiced.

Sensei LaRusso patted Eli on the back. "All right, don't forget to breathe out there, all right? How you feeling?"

"I'm okay," Eli answered. "Not exactly thrilled to be fighting my friend. Now I know what Lys felt."

"It doesn't help that nobody's ever beaten Miguel either," Demetri added.

Alyssa slowly looked over at him. "Are you stupid, or something?"

Demetri succumbed under her gaze. "Sorry, shouldn't have said that out loud."

"At least you know how he'll fight," Sam said. "Because Johnny taught you too."

"Listen, don't forget your blocks," Sensei LaRusso instructed. "Stay patient, all right? You got this."

Eli looked over at her, almost pleadingly. "Lys?"

She smiled gently at him and put a hand on her shoulder. "You're going to do great." She pressed up onto her toes and kissed his cheek. "Good luck, baby."

First time using that nickname. It must've done something inside Eli's head, because when the ref called Miguel and Eli up, he got on that mat with determination etched on his features. The two shared a small conversation and a fist bump before bowing, and the fight began.

Eli dodged all of Miguel's attacks, and Miguel had managed to kick Eli down, but it counted as a block so he didn't get the point. Alyssa felt her breath hitch in her throat as Miguel ran forwards, spun himself around, and jump into the air. It seemed like time slowed down as Miguel spun through the air. However, just as he lifted out his leg to kick, something went wrong. Miguel cried out in pain and he fell to the mat.

"Sensei!" Miguel screamed, utterly agonizing.

The sound of his body hitting the mat echoed throughout Alyssa's mind, and everything went kind of fuzzy for a second. All she could see right now was the image of Miguel's broken body on the stairs at school. She placed a hand on her chest, feeling the rise and fall of her breathing. The common symptoms of her about to have an absolute panic attack came, but then there were gentle hands placed on her cheeks, and everything came back to focus.

She blinked. Eli was standing in front of her, his blue eyes worried. She glanced over her shoulder to see medics carrying Miguel away, Sensei Lawrence right by his side. Alyssa felt her breathing slow down a bit. Guess she wasn't over the school fight as much as she thought.

"We lost you for a second," Eli stated in a soft voice, just loud enough for her to hear. "What happened?"

"Uh, sorry," Alyssa said, her mouth feeling very dry. "It just — it reminded me of . . ."

She didn't have to say anything else. Eli already knew what she meant. He immediately pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her frame. Alyssa buried her face into his chest, letting the sound of his heartbeat calm her down as she hugged him back.

•─•°•❀•°•─•

I'm actually crying like deadass how did they get carrie underwood to come on the show

also sorry for not writing much fighting scenes I got bored but you get it