Chapter Six: Hawk

"You may be right; I may be crazy. Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for. Turn out the light; don't try to save me. You may be wrong - for all I know - but you may be right."

~You May Be Right by Billy Joel~

⭒⭒⭒

Revised: July 3, 2022

Warnings: abuse, domestic violence, sexual harassment/assault, language, violence, and other mature themes

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

My new gi is a white karate uniform with a cobra on the back. For the first time since I've been here, I feel like I belong.

Our trio stands at the front and I glance back at Eli and Demetri with a smile. I hope Sensei Lawrence isn't too hard on them, especially on their first day.

I'm about to go over and talk to them when someone yells, "QUIET!"

Everyone is scared a moment and I have to admit even I was caught off guard.

"Face front."

We do so. Sensei looks out and over the group of teenagers.

"Nice shirt," he walks over to Demetri. I see he's wearing a bright green t-shirt with the symbol for pi on it.

"Thanks," Demetri says.

"I'm joking. It sucks," Sensei says. I mean, he's not wrong. Sensei walks over to this guy I've never seen before. "Word of advice. If you've got shit for teeth, don't smile." Then he moves on to this tiny kid. "God, makes me feel like a virgin just looking at you."

He continues to walk around; I don't care for his attitude too much. He's going to turn these people away.

"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."

I share a look with Miguel and we both are in shock now at how rude Sensei Lawrence is being to the new people.

"But in my short time as a sensei, I've also seen some miracles," he looks to Aisha, Miguel, and myself. "So, maybe there's some hope for you yet. But first I need to see where you're at. So, everybody, fall in!" We don't move. "That means line up."

Reluctantly, the class shifts into single file lines behind the three of us in gis.

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

"You mean, like 'rows?'" Demetri asks.

Sensei covers his face with his hands in frustration, "Yes, yes, in rows. Now."

We spread out as I stand beside Miguel wearily. It's obvious none of us have any idea what we're doing. I wish Sensei Lawrence would give us a break.

"All right, we all know punching, right? The positioning? Legs spread out, dominant hand in the back to get ready and punch," he demonstrates. Some of them nod. "Fighting positions." We all mock the stance he was in. "Jab punch."

Miguel nods at me as we get into position. I check on Eli and he's in position, but I get distracted when I see a few people are already punching.

"No, wait 'til I say go. Hiyah!" We all begin to punch the air. "Hiyah! Hiyah! Hiyah! Come on. Stand straight. Plant your feet in there. Hiyah! Are you sure you're right-handed? Hiyah! Hiyah! Come on, tits, you can do better than that. You got weight, use it. Ready? Hiyah! Hiyah! Hiyah!"

Sensei comes back front and nods and Miguel, Aisha, and myself's form.

"Hey, Lip." I freeze and turn around to Sensei looking at Eli. "Yeah, you. The one with the freaky lip. Who do you think I'm talking to?"

Miguel and I look at each other and I'm debating if I should defend Eli or not.

"Excuse me, uh, Mr. Lawrence?" Demetri asks and I get a sinking feeling.

"Sensei Lawrence," Aisha speaks up.

"Okaaay. You really shouldn't make fun of somebody's physical appearance," Demetri says.

"Oh, is that so?" Sensei asks and I press my lips together before I say something to interject that I'll regret. "So, I'm not supposed to mention his lip at all?"

Eli looks upset as Demetri continues, "Well, yeah."

"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. All right? You hear that, Lip? If you can't handle someone making fun of you, how are you going to handle an elbow to the teeth?" Sensei asks.

Eli looks down in shame. I want to help him, but Sensei has a point. The real world is cruel.

"By calling the police," Demetri says and I mentally facepalm so hard.

"Dude. Knock it off," Miguel says my thoughts. Not everyone has the police as a safety net.

"What? 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," Demetri won't shut up and I see Sensei beginning to look upset at the loss of respect in his dojo. "We're paying him. He works for us. It's not like he can actually hurt us."

Sensei Lawrence steps forward, through the students, to right in front of Demetri.

"Oh, shit," I glance at Miguel when he says that and he looks about as panicked as me.

"Are you done?" Sensei asks.

"What?" Demetri looks at him in confusion.

"Hit me," Sensei says. Eli and I share a look of concern. "Go ahead, hit me. Strike me right here."

Demetri tries. Weakly. Sensei pushes his punch down with no effort at all.

"Harder."

Demetri tries again and lets out a weak groan when he fails.

"Is that all you got, princess?"

I look at Miguel, who just shakes his head. Demetri tries again and Sensi Lawrence takes his arm and flips Demetri onto the mat.

We all gasp in shock and Eli looks a bit scared and backs up from Sensei.

"Let that be a lesson to all of you."

⭒⭒⭒

"So, what did you think...?" I ask nervously as I drive Eli back to his house after karate.

"I was a bit scared at first about Demetri getting hurt, but it was pretty badass," Eli says and I smile.

"Are you coming back with me tomorrow?" I ask.

"I'd like to," Eli nods, looking down.

"I'm really sorry Sensei made fun of you," I say awkwardly.

"It's not the first time," he shrugs and I pull into his driveway.

"Hey, don't worry what they think. I think you're awesome," I put my hand on top of his. I've really felt a strong connection to Eli for some reason.

"Do you want to sleep here again? My mom is making lasagna," he asks.

"Um," I contemplate, thinking about how nice his mom is, but how I don't want to intrude, "thanks, but I have to get back home and check that my mom is all right."

"Okay. Good luck," he says.

"Thanks. I'll see you in school," I say and drive away, heading towards Reseda.

As much as I dread going home, she's still my mom and I need to make sure she didn't die of alcohol poisoning.

I pull into the parking spot of the apartment complex and go into the house. It's trashed... even more than usual.

"Mom?" I ask.

Suddenly, a figure emerges from the hallway's shadows, "What the hell are you doing back here?"

"I-I came to ch-check on you."

"Check on me? I thought I made it clear when I kicked you out that I don't want you here. I've been worried and you come to check on me? Not telling me where you are for days? Who do you think you are?" she yells and I hang my head low.

"I was just w-worried," I stutter.

She comes closer to me and grabs my chin, "Look at me. I don't need your concern. I don't need your thoughts. I don't need your prayers. I don't need you."

I push her off, but not too aggressively, "Mom, I think you do need me and this depression is becoming a problem. You're hurting me."

"I told you," she grabs a glass bottle and throws it at me, just barely missing, "to get out!" She throws another that I dodge and then she breaks down in hysteria.

I don't want to leave her like this, but I'm so terrified that I run out the door and to my car. I lock the doors and just burst out into tears. I can't go back to Eli's, not like this.

A knock comes on my window and I jump and scream, terrified that it's my mom.

When my eyes focus, I see Miguel standing there. I wipe some tears and open my door in shock.

"M-Miguel?" I ask.

"Hey, are you okay? What are you doing here?" he asks me.

"Me? What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I was out running back from the mini-mart and heard some loud banging and screaming and then I saw your car, so..." he shrugs. "Are you okay? Zion?"

"No... I'm not okay. I'm a fucking wreck," I sob.

"It's all right. Come with me," he offers.

"What?" I ask.

"My mom and Yaya won't mind. Just come stay with us. I'm right across the street," he says.

"Miguel, that's ridiculous," I say.

He looks into my car and I know he sees my pillow and overnight things. I sigh when I know I can't lie to him anymore.

"You need a place to sleep and it's pretty late right now. Come on."

I turn on my car, "Get in, then." He rushes over to the passenger's seat as I try not to cry again.

We drive across the street and park in an apartment complex very similar to the one I was at. I'm very thankful he isn't asking a bunch of questions, though I'm sure I'll have to explain it later. I don't deserve people like him and Eli in my life.

"Mom," Miguel walks into the apartment and I follow with my bag in hand.

"Miggie?" a woman walks in. I am scared at first, but then I see her warm smile.

"This is my friend, Zion. She needs a place to stay," Miguel gestures to me.

"Zion. I've heard so much about you," his mom steps forward and it causes me to step back.

I clutch my bag tightly in embarrassment as she steps away. She looks at me like I'm a wounded animal, but I don't particularly mind since I can tell that she cares.

"Um, of course you can stay the night. We need to find you a bed-"

"She can sleep in mine. I'll stay on the couch," Miguel offers.

"No, that's fine. I can sleep on the couch," I interject.

"Nonsense. Miggie, go change your sheets," the woman instructs.

Miguel gives me a smile and walks out. I refuse to meet Miguel's mom's eyes and look at the floor. I'm a burden for being here.

"I'm Carmen. Can I get you anything to eat?" she offers sweetly.

"Oh, no I already ate, thanks," I say softly.

"Okay. Miguel talks about you a lot," she says. "I was worried he wouldn't find any friends, but now it seems he has a best friend."

"Oh, well, he's a great... best friend to have," I give her a half-hearted smile.

Suddenly, some woman comes in speaking Spanish and I try to translate, but she uses words I've never used before and talks way too fast. I'm a little overwhelmed with her presence as she looks at me judgmentally.

"Okay, it's set up," Miguel comes back out. "Oh, Zion, this is my Yaya."

"It's nice to meet you," I greet her.

She says something else in Spanish and Miguel blushes and his mother smiles. I think she called me beautiful? I can't really tell.

"Well, you can go ahead and settle in bed. Sleep well. Miguel is out here and I'm across the hall from you if you need anything," his mom says.

"Thank you so much," I say quietly and follow Miguel back to his room. I see it's barely decorated from the recent move, like mine, but it's clean.

"Hey, seriously, I'm here if you need anything," Miguel grabs my arm.

I hold back my instinct to flinch and nod. I'm only really used to Eli gently touching me and everyone else has seemed to be a threat, but not Miguel.

"Thanks," I say and meet his kind smile.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Miguel." I set my stuff down.

⭒⭒⭒

The next morning, I drove Miguel to school to absolve his mom of the trouble. They're all so nice, but I want to do something to repay them for their kindness.

Now, we walk through the hallways together between classes. I'm headed to Spanish 2 and Miguel is going to biology or something.

"Do you know if Eli is coming back to karate?" Miguel asks me.

"He mentioned it." I remember his excitement for it. "Have you spoken to Demetri yet?"

"I did, but no, he isn't coming back," he shakes his head.

"I know Sensei gave him a hard time, but you have to have a thick skin for stuff like this," I say.

"It was a pretty brutal flip. At least, to Demetri," Miguel defends. "So now he considers us his personal bodyguards."

"Oh, how wonderful," I laugh as we make it to my locker.

"I have to go, but I'll see you around," Miguel shoots me finger guns.

"Okay," I smile and he walks down the hallway.

I open my locker, grab my books, and close it to get to Spanish. I find two open desks and save one for Eli.

I set my stuff in the chair and I see him come in. He has that sad look on his face as usual, but it brightens a little when he sees me and sits down.

"Hey," I say.

He gives me a smile in reply, "Hi."

He's still shy, I guess. He doesn't have to be with me, but that's his level of comfort and I respect it. 

"All right, class. I'll come by to collect your homework," the teacher announces.

My face falls and Eli nudges my hand, probably seeing the look on my face.

"Um, I forgot we had any," I explain. I was so focused on karate and my mom and being at Miguel's that I totally spaced.

He nods with a sad look on his face as he passes his sheet to the teacher.

Mr. Vasquez looks at me in question, "Miss Ambrose, where is your sheet?"

"I-I-"

"She probably left it at Walker's," some dude yells and gets some laughs.

I sink into my chair. Eli grips my hand under the desks in support. I squeeze his hand in return tightly. I hate this school.

"That's enough. Miss Ambrose, your paper?" Mr. Vasquez asks me again.

"I forgot to do it," I admit.

"I see." He looks frustrated and then starts in on a lecture. "Okay, then let me remind all of you that this is a course to get your ready for college and the real world. Forgetting your work is unacceptable and so is failing a language course."

I hear people whispering about me; I want to run out, but that's a coward's move. Instead, I bare through it and squeeze Eli's hand in support; he doesn't seem to mind.

⭒⭒⭒

"Okay, everybody, fall in," Sensei comes out.

The good thing is I rule at the dojo with Miguel and Aisha. Here nobody makes fun of me.

"Where is everyone?" The numbers have dropped drastically since class yesterday, but Eli still managed to come. "Crater face? Nose ring? Slingshot?"

"They quit, Sensei," Miguel frowns.

"Are you serious?" He's upset. "I mean, good." He changes his tone. "That was a test. I wanted to see who the quitters were. Not you guys. You're in it to win it. You could be at home playing your iComputers, playing your video games, eating candy. Instead, you're here. Doing pushups and learning how to fight." Sensei looks around and then points. "Lip. Look. Even lip's tougher than those guys. He's no quitter."

"Could you please not call me that?" Eli speaks up. I smile slightly that he's standing up for himself, but quickly look at Sensei worriedly.

"Excuse me, what?" Sensei asks.

"I said, could you please not call me that?" Eli repeats and I stare in shock at him standing his ground. It's awesome.

"Um, I'll warm him up, Sensei," Miguel says so he can be kinder about it.

"No, no, no, Lip has something he wants to say. Sorry, speak up, Lip. Or is your tongue messed up, too?" Sensei walks toward him.

"Sensei-" I try to interject and save Eli.

"Save it, Miss Ambrose," he yells at me and I'm taken aback. I hate being yelled at. "Are you one of those challenged kids?" I widen my eyes.

"Um, the doctor said I could be on the spectrum."

"I don't know what that is, but get off of it pronto," Sensei says. I pick at my nails and try not to interject again. "All right? 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. This scar is from the surgery," Eli explains.

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

I nudge Miguel to say something because Eli looks kind of terrified right now.

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

"You don't think I want to? It's tough when it's right in front of me. If you want to be something other than a nerd with a scar on his lip, 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," Sensei says.

I see Eli beginning to tear up. Sensei is taking this way too far with our friends. Miguel is offering zero help.

Eli walks out and I curse under my breath.

"Oh, great, really? Another quitter?" Sensei Lawrence asks.

I walk after where Eli went without a second thought.

"Miss Ambrose, where are you going?" he calls.

I ignore him before going out the back door to find Eli on his phone, no doubt texting his mom.

"Eli?"

He turns to me, tears streaming down his face. I go over and immediately wrap him in a hug. He lets it all out on my shoulder, sobbing. I shush him and try to comfort him as best I can.

"I'm just so sick of being picked on," Eli sobs.

"I know, but eventually people will get used to it," I say.

"No they won't," he says, pulling out of the hug.

"Demetri seemed to and so does Miguel... And I did."

He looks at me with his big eyes. In them, I see pain. Years and years of taunting has caused him this pain. It's infuriating.

"Do you think he's right? That I need to 'flip the script?'" Eli asks me.

"No, Eli. You don't have to change yourself. You're amazing as you are," I say.

"But... I-I don't want to keep living like this," he says sadly.

"If," I sigh, "changing something about yourself would help you and you're doing it for you and only you, then I say go ahead. But don't do it for Sensei Lawrence or Demetri or any other asshole at school. Do it for yourself."

Eli nods, "Thank you, Zion. I don't know what I would do without you."

⭒⭒⭒

Miguel comes back out to my car after talking to Sensei about going easier on our new students. Eli left when I went back into the dojo and I've texted him, hoping he's okay. The good news is that he seemed happier when he left. I haven't gotten a text back yet, but I shouldn't worry. Eli is going to be fine. He's strong.

"Well?" I ask Miguel.

"I don't know if what I said worked or not," he shrugs. "How's Eli?"

"He seemed okay, but he hasn't text me back since he left."

"He's pretty tough," Miguel says as I back out and drive to his house. "So, you going to stay over?"

"Well, only if that's okay with you and your mom and your Yaya," I say.

"Of course it is. You're my best friend," he smiles.

I smile to myself. Yeah, that's awesome. I have a best friend here.

"So... you and Eli, huh?" he smiles mischievously.

I look over at him in surprise, "Um, what... what about us?"

"You looove him," Miguel taunts me.

"Shut up!" I slap his arm.

Miguel laughs, "Don't be ashamed of how you feel. You guys are cute together."

"I don't know if it's the right time to focus on getting into a relationship," I admit. "My home life isn't so great... and, uh, I just started a new school and karate, so I'm busy."

"I think he likes you."

I look at him in question, "He said that?"

"No, but I can tell," he shrugs. "But, I get it if you're too 'busy.'"

⭒⭒⭒

"Do you like enchiladas, Zion?" Carmen asks me as we sit at the table for dinner.

"Yeah," I nod with a smile. "I'll eat anything. Thank you." 

"Mom works really hard at her job, so sometimes I help my Yaya make dinner," Miguel explains.

"Let's pray," Carmen holds out her hands.

I look at Miguel in confusion and he nods for me to pray with them. I grab Carmen's hand and his hand as Yaya blesses our food.

I'm not a religious person; I never was and I never will be. I just don't think some higher power who truly cared about me would've taken my dad from me so cruelly and left me with my awful mother.

When the prayer is over, we all say, "Amen." I do my best not to look awkward when we do so. 

They all begin to eat and I grab my fork, but Miguel speaks up. "It's really spicy, so be careful."

I look at him in question as Yaya practically inhales her food. I give him a smile of gratitude as I put a little bit on my fork.

"Oh," I gasp a few seconds after it hits my tongue. I reach for some water and take a few sips to calm my tongue. 

"That's why I only put the spicy sauce on part of your enchiladas," Carmen speaks up. "The green one is mild."

"Thank you," I smile as I rotate my plate to that half.

"Niñas blancas," Yaya says with a laugh. 

I share a smile with all of them because she's right. I'm definitely not used to spicy things.

"And for dessert," Miguel stands up excitedly and walks into the pantry, "we have..." I turn around and expect some homemade Mexican dessert. "Oreos!"

He sets them on the table with a bright smile that's infectious. Yaya looks very excited and Carmen looks happy, though admittedly tired, as well.

At the end of dinner, I help to stack plates and scrape dishes.

"Carmen, I can do that," I say as she washes down the dishes.

"Nonsense, mija. You're our guest," she tells me. 

"Please, let me help," I tell her. She nods with a gracious smile and we clean all the dishes and pots and pans in record time.

"Sleep well," Carmen says as she reaches out her arm for a hug but thinks better of it halfway through. Then, she wanders into her bedroom.

I'm glad she recognizes that I'm just not ready for a bunch of physical touch after all my mom's put me through this week alone.

"Goodnight and get out of my room," Miguel groans from the couch.

I wander to his room and turn over my shoulder, "Goodnight, Miggie."

⭒⭒⭒

Sensei comes out of the back room to see me, Miguel, and Aisha a little worried. Eli hasn't showed or texted or been at school.

Me and Demetri are especially worried, though I've found it hard to talk to him. Demetri has made it clear that he's Eli's best friend and I'm just a new friend. I don't think he meant to be rude, but it's sometimes hard to tell with Demetri.

I just want to know where Eli is or at least if he's okay.

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

"Bunch of pussies," Aisha says.

"No, it's my fault. Since you joined Cobra Kai, I have been hard on you. I 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 on the inside, you can't be strong on the outside," Sensei Lawrence says. "And right now you're all weak. And I know that because I was you." I'm taken aback that he was weak. "I used to have no friends. 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."

Suddenly, the door opens. "Welcome to Cobra Kai."

I see Miguel's shocked face and I turn to look, too. It's a guy with a bright blue mohawk.

No, it's Eli with a bright blue mohawk?!

"Eli, what happened?" Miguel asks, as I'm rendered speechless.

"I'm flipping the script," Eli gives me a tiny smirk.

He stands differently, his clothing more form-fitting, and everything about him just radiates confidence. It's attractive, to say the least.

"Wait, are you the kid with the lip?" Sensei asks. "Nice cut, bro. You see that? It doesn't matter if you're a loser or a nerd or a freak. All that matters is that you become badass."

Miguel and I smile. Eli looks so happy. Wow. Maybe we can shed our skin and find our power, just like Sensei said.

"Hawk," Sensei uses a new nickname, "fall in."

Eli takes off his shoes and stands next to me on the mat, his game face on.

"Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it?"

"No, Sensei," Eli says confidently and I hold in a smile as Sensei walks by me.

"Pain does not exist in this dojo, does it?" Sensei Lawrence asks.

"No, Sensei," I say.

"Defeat does not exist in this dojo, does it?" he asks Miguel.

"No, Sensei," Miguel says.

"Class, are you ready to learn the way of the fist?" Sensei asks.

"Yes, Sensei!"