❝ i'm trying to get over it, remember? ❞

―

NATHALIE CLENCHED HER JAW.

She stared ahead of her, her eyes glaring at the boy who stood next to the door of Cobra Kai. Eli stared back at her before his eyes quickly darted away, looking down at the ground to avoid Nathalie's gaze. Eli glanced up as if he were trying to see if she was still staring his way. Upon realizing that she was, he quickly turned his head to look at Demetri, who stood next to him.

Flora placed her hand on Nathalie's shoulder, causing her to turn her head. "Nattie, just ignore him. He's just here to learn karate, okay?"

"I can make no promises," Nathalie responded.

"Is that the guy who said that it was your fault that—" Sebastian started to question.

"It was him," Nathalie said, interrupting him before he had the chance to finish his sentence.

"The guy who said what?" Oliver asked, looking around at the three other teens with a confused expression. "What was Nathalie's fault?"

"I'll tell you later," Sebastian whispered in his best friend's ear before she turned to look at Eli. "He looks harmless, Nattie. I mean, look at him; he's like a lost little puppy."

"He might look like a lost puppy, but don't let that fool you. He can be mean," Nathalie replied.

"I'm so lost," Oliver sighed.

When Johnny arrived and unlocked the doors to the dojo, Flora pulled Nathalie by the hand, guiding her to the door. Sebastian and Oliver walked behind them, entering the dojo. The four of them waited for Johnny and Miguel to enter first before stepping inside. Flora still pulled Nathalie by the hand.

"I'm going, I'm going," Nathalie said as she pulled her hand out of Flora's grasp. "Stop pulling me."

Once they had changed into their gis, Nathalie was sparring next to the office with Flora. Sebastian and Oliver stood on the other side of them, doing the same. Nathalie kept glancing at Eli from the corner of her eye.

"Hey, what's up with you? Everything okay?"

Nathalie stopped sparring with Flora and turned to look at Miguel, who stood behind her sparring with Aisha.

Nathalie shook her head. "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

Miguel raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you sure?"

"Is this about Eli?" Aisha chimed in.

Nathalie crossed her arms and sighed, about to respond, before Johnny stepped out of the office and interrupted her. Nathalie never thought she would, but she found herself thanking Johnny for choosing that moment to start class.

"Quiet!"

The chatter in the dojo came to an abrupt silence as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Face front."

Nathalie turned, standing next to Miguel. Next to her stood Flora, and then Sebastian and Oliver. Johnny walked through the lines of students, observing each and every one of them.

"Nice shirt," he said to Demetri.

Demetri grinned, looking down at his shirt. "Thanks."

"I'm joking, it sucks," Johnny retracted his comment.

Demetri's face fell.

Johnny moved on, stopping in front of a long-haired boy who was smiling at him. "Word of advice. If you got shit for teeth, don't smile."

The boy immediately stopped smiling, staring down at the mat. Nathalie and Flora exchanged glances with each other.

"God, it makes me feel like a virgin just looking at you," Johnny said to another boy as he walked by him.

He kept walking, continuing to scan the room. "When I look around this dojo, I don't see Cobra Kai material. I see losers; I see nerds. I see a fat kid with a funny hat with his tits popping out. But in my short time as a sensei, I've also seen some miracles."

He glanced over at his six students, who stood at the front of the dojo. Nathalie nodded her head at him, while Sebastian and Oliver turned to look at each other, both smiling at the fact that Johnny was partly referring to them.

"So, maybe there's some hope for you yet," Johnny continued. "But first, I need to see where you're at. So everybody, fall in!"

Confused chatter filled the dojo, puzzled by what he meant.

"That means line up," Johnny clarified.

The group of potential students began to line up behind the six. Nathalie placed her head in her hand and shook her head.

"No, not... not line up in a line. Lines! Get in lines."

"You mean like rows?" Demetri asked.

Johnny covered his face with his hands. "Ugh."

As practice progressed, Johnny taught the new students the proper fighting stance before he moved onto basic jab punches and kicks.

"Fighting positions," Johnny instructed. "Jab punch. Nope, wait till I say go. Hiyah!"

Nathalie and the others punched the air in sync with each other as Johnny instructed them to.

Johnny walked around the dojo, stopping behind a boy and grabbing his shoulders to fix his stance. "Come on. Stand straight. Plant your feet in there. Hiyah!"

"Come on, Tits, you can do better than that," Johnny said to another student. "You got weight, use it. Ready? Hiyah!"

Johnny stopped at the front of the mat.

"Hey, Lip," he spoke. "Yeah, you. The one with the freaky lip. Who do you think I'm talking to?"

Nathalie, Flora, Sebastian, and Oliver all turned their heads long with their fellow students to look at Eli. The boy looked up at him, his eyes darting around the room as he noticed everyone staring at him.

"Excuse me, uh, Mr. Lawrence," Demetri began to defend his friend.

"Sensei Lawrence," Aisha corrected him.

"Okay." Demetri chuckled at her before diverting his attention back to Johnny. "You really shouldn't make fun of someone's physical appearance."

"Oh, is that so?" Johnny asked. "So, I'm not supposed to mention his lip at all?"

"Well, yeah," Demetri answered.

"Maybe that's what they teach you in school, but in the real world, you can't expect people to do what they're supposed to do," Johnny responded. "You hear that, Lip? If you can't handle someone making fun of you, how are you gonna handle an elbow to the teeth?"

"By calling the police," Demetri suggested.

"Dude..." Miguel whispered at him as he shook his head. "Knock it off."

"What?" Demetri asked, continuing to defend Eli. "He does realize the Nazis lost the war, right? Why should I be scared of him? Because he's got a snake on his wall? It's not like he's a teacher who can give us a bad grade. We're paying him. He works for us. It's not like he can actually hurt us."

Johnny made his way over to Demetri, causing the students around him to move out of the way.

Natalie sighed, rolling her eyes at the boy.

"Oh, shit," Miguel mumbled under his breath.

"He's going to get his ass kicked, isn't it?" Oliver questioned.

"Language," Flora scolded him, but then started nodding her head. "But yes. Yes, he is."

"Are you done?" Johnny asked Demetri.

"What?" Demetri questioned.

"Hit me," Johnny said. "Go ahead, hit me. Strike me right here."

Demetri sighed, hesitating before he got into a fighting position. He attempted to punch Johnny, but the man smacked his hand away.

"Harder," Johnny instructed.

The entire class watched as Demetri tried again, only to have his hand smacked away once more. Demetri winced at the hint.

"Is that all you got, princess?" Johnny ridiculed him.

Demetri tried for the third time, giving it all he's got as he tossed his fist in the air to punch the man in front of him. Johnny grabbed ahold of his wrist, causing Demetri's fist to stop. He flipped Demetri into his back, causing the boy to hit the mat with a light thud as the others gasped.

"Let that be a lesson to all of you," Johnny told the rest of the recruits.

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"Hey, Nat, could I ask you something?" Miguel asked.

The two teens were walking back towards the garbage can, both having come outside to take the trash out at the same time.

Nathalie nodded. "Yeah, sure."

Miguel gulped, looking down at the shorter girl. "About earlier, about what Aisha said, what'd she mean when she asked if it was about Eli? It's just that you also get so weird when anyone mentions him or Demetri. Did something happen between you two or—"

Nathalie flung the bag of trash into the can. "Don't worry about it. It's none of your concern."

Miguel stared at her, blinking. Nathalie walked away, leaving the boy by himself. Miguel tossed his bag into the garbage can before he started jogging to catch up to her.

"I'm sorry I asked," Miguel apologized. "I was just curious. That's all, but I get it. It's none of my business. Can I just ask one more thing? I swear it has nothing to do with Eli."

Nathalie rolled her eyes, stopping in the middle of the courtyard. "What?"

"You remember when you told me that you weren't the kind of person I wanted to be associated with?" Miguel asked her. "That people would get the wrong idea?"

"Yeah," Nathalie said with a nod. "I remember. I told you I didn't want you getting wrapped up in my shit."

Miguel nodded. "Right. Well, I wanted to tell you that you're wrong."

"What?" Nathalie asked. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't care what kind of idea people get," Miguel told her. "Whether you like it or not, Nat, you're my friend. People can have their opinions about you and believe what they want to, but they don't matter. A few rumors are not going to make me form an opinion about you."

"That means a lot; thanks, and I appreciate it," Natalie replied. "But, uh, I thought we were long past that? I mean, that was months ago."

"I know," Miguel told her. "I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I've got your back. Even though you don't need it. You've made it pretty clear that you can handle yourself."

Nathalie chuckled. "Thanks, Miguel. I've got your back too."

A smile spread across Miguel's lips. "Thank God, because, no offense, I'm scared to death of being on your bad side. You might be tiny, but boy are you mighty."

Nathalie laughed, smacking Miguel on the shoulder playfully with the back of her hand. "Watch yourself; this tiny but mighty girl takes karate lessons."

Miguel laughed with her. "Well, I should get back inside. My mom's probably wondering what's taking so long."

"All right," Nathalie replied. "I'll see you around."

Miguel nodded. "See you around. Say hi to Seb for me and Flora and Oli if they're over. Marisol too."

"They are," Nathalie responded. "And will do."

Miguel smiled at her one last time before he turned the doorknob and walked into his apartment. Nathalie did the same, going through the door and walking into the kitchen to wash her hands in the sink.

Marisol sat down at the kitchen table, looking over her work schedules. "Hey, everything okay?" she asked, looking up at Nathalie.

Nathalie nodded her head as she dried her hands. "Yup. I was just talking to Miguel. He says hi."

"He's a good kid," Marisol said, looking back down at the papers in front of her. "How's karate going, by the way? Sebastian and Oliver sure seem to be having a blast. Flora too, surprisingly."

"Where is Flora?" Nathalie asked as she sat down next to her sister.

As if she knew that they were talking about her, Flora came walking into the room. "I was in the bathroom."

She took a seat at the table next to Nathalie and pulled her phone out of her pocket.

"Anyway," Nathalie said, turning back to Marisol. "Karate's okay. I'm learning a lot, which is good, I guess."

"Yeah, up until today," Flora mumbled without looking up from her phone.

Nathalie kicked her in the shin, causing Flora to groan in pain. She reached down for her leg, rubbing it gently with her hand.

"Ow!" Flora exclaimed. "What was that for?"

Marisol looked at the two girls, confused about what had just happened. "Did something happen at the dojo today? Is there something I should know about?"

"Other than the fact that her arch nemesis joined Cobra Kai today," Sebastian said, coming out of nowhere.

Oliver trailed behind him. The two boys began rummaging through the cabinets in search of food. Nathalie rolled her eyes at her brother.

"Get out of the cabinets. We just ate dinner twenty minutes ago," Marisol scolded them before turning back to Nathalie. "What's this about an arch nemesis?"

"He's not my arch nemesis," Nathalie replied, crossing her arms. "He's just...someone I hate."

"And why do you hate him?" Marisol questioned.

Nathalie sighed. "He said something about mom and dad."

Marisol raised an eyebrow. "What about mom and dad?"

Nathalie's eyes darted to the ground. "It doesn't matter."

"Nattie, stop deflecting," Marisol told her. "What did he say about mom and dad?"

Nathalie shook her head. "It really doesn't matter."

"You've held onto it since the seventh grade, Nattie," Flora chimed in. "And you get angry every time you see him. It does matter."

Marisol placed her hand on Nathalie's shoulder. "Nattie, please tell me."

Nathalie sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine. You want to know what he said?"

Nathalie sat up straighter, looking Marisol in the eyes. Nathalie took a deep breath and then exhaled.

"He said it was my fault that mom and dad abandoned us," Nathalie told her. "He said it was all my fault because I was too much for them to handle. He said it seemed like I made it my personal mission to challenge them. I was twelve. Twelve! And he told me that it was all my fault."

Tears are streaming down Nathalie's face. Marisol stood up and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"It wasn't your fault, Nattie," Marisol reassured her. "Mom and dad leaving wasn't your fault. You might have challenged them, but it wasn't your fault."

"He's said he's sorry so many times, but I just..." Nathalie sobbed into Marisol's chest. "I can't—I can't forgive him. He was so mean..."

"I'm sorry, baby," Marisol said to her younger sister. "But please know, it was not your fault."

"So, does anyone here know where he lives?" Sebastian asked suddenly.

"Yeah, Seb and I will totally go punch him in the face if we need to," Oliver added. "That little nerd won't know what hit him."

Marisol glared at them both, giving them her signature look.

Nathalie let out a soft chuckle, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "No, it's fine. Thank you, though. I just need to get over it. Put it all behind me."

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Nathalie, Flora, and their brothers stood in the dojo, waiting for class to begin. Nathalie was sparring with Flora when she noticed Eli walking through the door. Miguel had been telling the group that Demetri wasn't planning on returning. Nathalie assumed that meant Eli wouldn't be either by association. It was rare to see one without the other.

"Are you okay?" Flora asked.

Nathalie nodded her head. "I'm trying to get over it, remember?"

"Easier said than done, huh?" Flora asked.

"You're telling me," Nathalie replied.

"Okay, everybody. Fall in," Johnny said as he entered the room, looking around at his students. "Where is everyone? Crater-face? Nose ring? Slingshot?"

"They quit, Sensei," Miguel told him.

"Are you serious?" Johnny asked.

Johnny paused as if he were trying to think of what to say before he began speaking. "I mean, good. That was a test. I wanted to see who the quitters are. Not you guys. You're in it to win it, all right? You could be at home playing your iComputers, playing your video games, eating candy. Instead, you're here, doing pushups, learning how to fight. Lip. Look. Even Lip's tougher than those guys. He's no quitter."

"Could you please not call me that?" Eli spoke up.

"Excuse me, what?" Johnny asked.

"I said, could you please not call me that?" Eli repeated.

"Um, I'll warm 'em up, Sensei." Miguel tried to defuse the situation before it became worse.

"No, no, no, Lip has something he wants to say," Johnny spoke as he walked towards him. "Sorry, speak up, Lip. Or is your tongue messed up too? Are you one of those challenged kids?"

"Um, the doctor said I could be on the spectrum," Eli responded, avoiding eye contact with him.

"I don't know what that is, but get off it pronto. All right?" Johnny replied. "And if you don't want me to call you Lip, then don't have a weird lip. Can't you get surgery for that?"

"I was born with a cleft lip," Eli explained. "This is the scar from the surgery."

"You mean it was worse before that? Or did the doctor just screw up?" Johnny questioned. "Because if this is the after photo, then that sucks, man. You should sue."

"Can we just please change the topic?" Eli asked.

"You don't think I want to?" Johnny asked. "It's tough when it's right in front of me. You wanna be something other than a nerd with a scar on his lip, then you gotta flip the script. Okay? Get a face tattoo or gouge your eye out. We'll call you Patch, all right? No, don't do that one. You'll still look like a freak."

Tears started to fill Eli's eyes. He walked off the mat and began sniffling.

"Oh, great, really? Another quitter?" Johnny asked.

Nathalie sighed, glancing at Flora. She didn't want to admit it, but she felt bad for him. She always did when someone made fun of him for his lip. Despite how much she hated him, she never said anything about his lip, knowing that it was outside of his control.

────────────

The next day, Nathalie stood in the dojo once again. As class began, there was no sign of Eli. She figured that what Johnny had said finally got to him and that he had decided to quit. While she felt bad for him because Johnny had been so harsh on him, part of her was relieved.

"Guess he's not coming," Flora whispered.

Johnny walked out of the office, telling them to fall in.

"Three more absences, Sensei," Miguel informed him.

"Bunch of pussies," Aisha scowled.

"No, it's my fault," Johnny spoke. "Since you joined Cobra Kai, I have been hard on you. I've called you names. I've humiliated you. Some of you I've hit. And for that, I don't apologize. Cobra Kai is about strength. If you're not strong enough on the inside, you can't be strong on the outside. And right now, you're all weak. And I know that because I was you. I used to have no friends."

"Shocker," Nathalie muttered under her breath.

"What was that, Runt?" Johnny asked her.

"Nothing, Sensei," Nathalie replied.

Johnny stared at her for a few seconds before he continued his speech. "I used to be the weirdo kid. Not that weird, I still hooked up with babes and all, but... The point is, I wasn't always the badass sensei I am today. Just like a cobra, I had to shed my loser skin to find my true power. And you guys will too."

The bell above the door jingled, causing everyone to turn their heads.

"Welcome to Cobra Kai," Johnny called out.

Nathalie's eyes widened when she saw Eli enter the dojo, his hair spiked up in a blue mohawk. She turned to look at Flora. The girl sported the same shocked expression as Nathalie.

"Holy shit!" Oliver and Sebastian spoke at the same time.

Nathalie and Flora didn't even get into them for using inappropriate language. The two girls were too shocked to even think about it.

"Eli, what happened?" Miguel asked.

"I'm flipping the script," Eli replied.

"Wait, are you the kid with the lip?" Johnny asked, pointing at him as he addressed the entire class. "Nice cut, bro. You see that? Doesn't matter if you're a loser or a nerd or a freak. All that matters is that you become badass."

Johnny turned to look at Eli. "Hawk. Fall in."

Hawk slipped off his shoes before stepping on the mat. He claimed a spot next to Nathalie. She looked up at him, her heart racing in her chest. Hawk stared down at her, an undeterminable look in his eyes.

Nathalie didn't know why, but she had a feeling that this sudden change was not going to be good.

— EMILIA'S NOTES

okay so because i'm impatient, i wanted to reveal what eli said to nathalie that made her hate him so much. i was going to reveal it at the very end of the season but i gave it to y'all now.

your curiosity can now be put to an end. however why he said it still remains...i really hope this wasn't a let down or anything like that.

now that eli is hawk, the entire relationship between him and nathalie is going to change. he's done apologizing and it's only going to be painful from here.

also we get flora x moon content soon! I REPEAT WE GET FLORA X MOON CONTENT SOON!!!

anyway, thanks for reading. sorry that it took so long to get another chapter out.