Chapter Eight: Escape

"Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away."

~Blown Away by Carrie Underwood~

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Revised: July 4, 2022

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

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Zion's POV

I wake up the next morning in Eli's, well, Hawk's guest bedroom with a content smile on my face. Last night was wonderful and I don't think anything can break my mood. I'm so happy.

To make it even better, I smell something delicious from downstairs: cinnamon rolls. I haven't had a cinnamon roll since I stayed at Katie and Brian's house. I roll out of bed, put my messy hair up, and grab some things to shower.

I know this happy, normal life won't last forever, but I have to make the warm water and comfy beds and non-abusive lifestyle last. I go to the shower and wash up very quickly.

Then, I go back into my room and change. I head downstairs to see Hawk at the table with his hair already gelled up nicely. The mohawk shows off his side profile that he's been hiding.

"Good morning," I say.

"Morning," he smirks when he sees me.

I sit at the table across from him, grabbing a cinnamon roll.

"Good morning, Zion," his mom walks in from the kitchen with some milk and orange juice.

She wasn't thrilled with the mohawk, but she knows it makes her son happy and that's what matters. Still, you can sense a little tension. She knew about the mohawk before last night, but she was very upset at us for coming in so late; however, she still gives me a place to sleep and I'm very grateful.

"Morning, Mrs. Moskowitz," I say.

"I have to go to work again. Have a good day, you two. Love you, Eli," she goes over to him.

He cringes at the name and when she goes to kiss his head, he recoils. She looks at him for a moment, surprised at his attitude. He looks at me and I nod as if to say that it's all right. He then turns back to her as she settles for a hug and whispers into her ear. Then, she runs out the door and I give Hawk a smile.

"You don't need to be embarrassed around me," I reach across the table and place my hand on his.

"I'm not embarrassed," he says defensively.

"Oh yeah? Is that why you were turning bright red?" I ask and he stands up, challenging me.

"You want to go, Z?" he asks from the other side of the table.

"All right, Hawk," I step away from the table and circle opposite of Hawk.

He runs at me and I give a good swing his way, purposely missing. Then, I take my leg back and trip him. He falls back on the hardwoods and groans.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say and reach out to help him up.

"No, it's fine. We should stop," he accepts my hand. "I don't want anything broken for my mom to find. We can't have her thinking you're influencing me, can we?"

"Hm," I move closer to him, "you say that like it's a bad thing."

He holds me by my waist and kisses me lightly. He looks at me like I'm something special; I look at him because he is special. He's taking control of his life and it's inspiring.

"So, do we just keep this under wraps for now?" I ask him in terms of our... whatever-you-wanna-call-it.

"I guess so. Whatever you'd like to do, Z," he shrugs.

"I really do love that name," I say.

"We'll go legally change our names today," he laughs.

"Okay," I shrug and pull him in for a kiss.

"You know, I was thinking I'd do something today. Alone. Can you drop me off?" he asks.

"Are you cutting class?" I raise an eyebrow.

"This is important."

"Fine. But you'd better not get caught," I say.

"That's where you come in. Just cover for me," he says.

"Cover for you how?" I ask.

"I don't know. Make something up. Say that I had a doctor's appointment," he shrugs.

"Mhm, and where are you really going?" I ask.

"That is a surprise," he smirks and walks out.

I set the plates in the sink and put the drinks back in the fridge. Then, I grab another cinnamon roll and follow him out to my car.

I drive him where he directs and eventually we make it to the mall.

I turn to him in confusion, "Are you going shopping?"

"Not exactly," he smirks.

"Hawk, will you be safe? Is everything okay?"

"Z, relax. I'll be fine," he assures me with a peck on the cheek. "Pick me up after school."

I smile to myself. He's an idiot. I just hope he stays safe.

⭒⭒⭒

"So, where's Eli?" Demetri asks at lunch. I'm sitting with Miguel, Demetri, and Aisha. Covering for Hawk is hard.

"Um, he said he had an appointment," I shrug. "And he goes by Hawk now."

"What? That's ridiculous. Why does he go by that?" Demetri asks.

"Oh, you'll see," Miguel smiles.

The three of us all share a look. Demetri is going to flip out about the hair change. He thought it was crazy when the school added strawberry milk to the menu.

"So, did you end up staying at his house?" Miguel asks.

"You stayed at his house?" Aisha asks.

Demetri looks at me in shock, "You stayed at his house?"

"Yeah, my mom has been out of town," I mumble. "And, I did. It went well." I try not to blush as I think of us at the beach.

"Please tell me you didn't do anything," Demetri looks at me.

I choke on the water I'm drinking. Miguel looks in shock and Aisha raises her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

It's then that I realize Demetri means exactly what I think he means. He's actually kind of dirty-minded if you think about it. He keeps bringing up stuff like hand jobs and sex. You wouldn't think it since he doesn't get any action, but he is. He's just annoying at this point. I wonder if that rumor influenced him in any way.

"O-Oh, no, that didn't happen," I answer.

They all relax - Demetri most visibly. So what if it had? I mean, it didn't, but it's none of their business.

"So, I'm thinking of asking Sam out," Miguel changes the topic.

I should've known sooner based on the way he looks at her and fought for her.

"Don't even get me started on Sam," Aisha rolls her eyes.

"What's wrong with Sam?" I ask again. I thought all of us were cool after the fight.

"We used to be friends. Not anymore," she says.

"Didn't she drop Yasmine and Moon?" Demetri asks.

"She did, but I won't go back just like that. I need to find trust for her again," Aisha says.

"That's right. Know your worth." We high five.

"I'm just so nervous," Miguel says.

"You know what Sensei says. Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy," I smile, causing Miguel to smile.

"You're right. Thanks, Zion," he says.

"Actually, I'm not going by Zion anymore," I announce and my friends look at me weird.

"Oh, don't tell me that since Eli is going by Hawk that you're going to go by Woodpecker or Turtle or something" Demetri rolls his eyes.

"No, I'm just shortening my name. Call me Z." I try not to get defensive.

"Z? That's it? Why would you come up with that name?" Demetri asks.

"Well, I didn't. Hawk did," I say. Demetri gives me a really weird look in response.

"It's badass. Way to flip the script," Aisha smiles.

"Thanks. Anyway, Miguel, good luck with Sam," I smile at my best friend.

⭒⭒⭒

I pull up to the mall after school and text Hawk I'm here. He let me know it was taking longer than anticipated. After a few minutes, he comes out.

"Hey, Z," he gets in.

I eye him suspiciously, "What were you doing all day?"

"It's a surprise. For later. When I have you all together," he teases me.

"This had better be a good surprise."

"It will be," he says as I drive towards Reseda. "So, how was school?"

"Well, it was hard covering for you, especially in front of Demetri. He kept asking questions and he wasn't too keen on our name changes," I say.

"He'd better get used to it," Hawk smirks. "How did the others take it?"

"I think it went well. Aisha said 'Z' was badass and Miguel was just worrying about asking Samantha LaRusso out the whole time," I say.

"So, I didn't miss a bunch," he shrugs.

"I'll have to tell Sensei Lawrence I'm not interested in being called by my birth name anymore, whether it be Zion or Ambrose. I just want to be Z," I say and Hawk smiles.

"He'll love it," he nods.

"I hope so."

⭒⭒⭒

I walk into Cobra Kai with Hawk and I meet up with Miguel and Aisha. I don't see Sensei anywhere.

"Hey, where were you today?" Miguel asks.

"Appointment," Hawk shrugs.

"Where's Sensei Lawrence?" I ask.

"In his office, preparing for class," Aisha says.

I nod and share a smile with Hawk before walking into his office.

"Sensei Lawrence?" I ask and he looks up from his desk.

"Miss Ambrose, how can I help you?" he asks.

"I'm flipping the script."

"Glad to hear it. How?" he asks, looking me over; I assume he's looking for any difference in physical appearance.

"A name change. I don't want to be called 'Miss Ambrose' or 'Zion' anymore. Just 'Z,'" I say.

"Just 'Z,' huh?" he asks. "What else?"

"'Z' is all, Sensei," I say.

"Flipping the script is about becoming a badass. I like the name. Nice work, Z," Sensei uses my new name.

"Thank you, Sensei," I say excitedly before walking back out to the dojo.

Hawk looks at me with a smile, "How'd it go?"

"Awesome," I give him a side hug.

"Class," Sensei Lawrence walks out and we all fall in attentively.

"Yes, Sensei," we all say.

"If you do not have one, grab your gi from the box. Mr. Diaz, Z, please hand them out," he says.

Once they're all passed out and everyone has changed, we go back into our rows and Sensei instructs us.

"Junbi!" he yells. "Bow." We do so. "Fighting positions."

Sensei Lawrence assesses my stance, nodding and then goes beside me to Hawk. I see him looking nervous as Sensei looks him up and down. He kicks Hawk's leg forward and he grunts.

"Stabilize your base, Hawk. Keep your balance full rotation when you strike," Sensei demonstrates and Hawk is determined to get it right.

"Yes, Sensei," Hawk says and tries his best, adapting the critique.

Sensei turns away, seemingly satisfied and I give Hawk a smile, receiving a smirk in return. When he's fighting, he's so hot. Why are people so hot when they fight?

"Did you just flinch, virgin?" I hear Sensei say to one of the smaller boys in the class. He moves on to another person and they flinch. "Holy shit. We got a room full of flinchers."

"Yes, Sensei," almost everyone besides Aisha, Miguel, and I say. I look at Hawk, who shrugs.

"That was not a question!" Sensei yells. "Raise your hand if you've never been punched in the face."

I look around and everyone except Miguel, Aisha, and I raise their hands.

"Put your hands down. All your lives, you've been avoiding fights so you don't break your nose or lose a tooth. This concussion nonsense. So, there's only one solution and that is before you leave this dojo, each and every one of you is gonna take a punch, very hard, to the face. Z and Miss Robinson, line them up. Un-flinch this group."

"Yes, Sensei," we nod.

I look to Miguel for support. He shrugs and I step to the front, deciding on where to start. Hawk gives me a worried look and I go to the boy next to him. I'd really rather not punch Hawk. Maybe Aisha can do that for me.

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We're going through the last bit of punches and Hawk still stands in line. Aisha punches a guy and he goes down, letting out a loud noise of pain.

Miguel walks into the office where Sensei is and I get ready to punch the next guy up. The loud sound of contact is kind of satisfying.

He falls to the ground, but gets back up. Aisha then punches someone else. He goes down and now the next person steps forward: Hawk.

"You have to do it," he whispers.

I nod, knowing I can't give him special treatment, "No hard feelings?"

I get into position and punch him square in the face, sending him toppling to the ground as the rest of the class gasps. I guess trying to not give him special treatment went too far.

"He's okay," Aisha tells them.

I see him groan on the ground and sit up, "I'm okay. It's just a tooth."

I help him up worriedly, "Your tooth? Really?"

"No, it's fine," he gives me a smile and all his teeth are intact.

"Don't scare me like that," I say too loudly.

Aisha and the rest of the class look at me.

"I don't want to have to pay for someone's dental bill," I backtrack.

They all accept the lie as Hawk just smirks at me knowingly.

⭒⭒⭒

After class, Hawk and I drive back to his house. It's early enough now that his mom still isn't home, so that means we're here alone. I'm still not sure what we are, but I love being with him and kissing him and I think he feels the same way. But, Hawk just had that big transformation and I don't want to pressure him into anything too quickly.

"What would you like to do, Z?" Hawk asks me.

"I don't know. What should we do?" I ask.

"I have a few ideas," he smirks.

I blush and am caught off-guard when he turns away and goes to the other room. He comes back in with some movies.

"I have every Marvel movie. I grabbed Iron Man 2, The Winter Soldier, Civil War, and all The Avengers movies, since Black Widow is your favorite."

"You remembered," I smile.

"Or is that too nerdy?" he second guesses himself. "Because we can-"

I walk over to him and kiss him to shut him up.

"Marvel is a fantastic idea. Can we watch the first Avengers?"

"Sure," he says.

We walk into his nice living room, this being the first time I've really spent time in here. He settles onto the couch and pats next to him. I sit by him as he sets it up. Then, he turns out the lamp and pulls me closer into him.

It's insane. I haven't felt this safe and secure with anybody in a long time. But, Hawk makes me feel safe.

I hold him by the waist even tighter, not wanting to let him go. His arm is wrapped around my back and he pulls a blanket over us to keep me warm.

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The movie is almost over when his mom comes in. I'm half asleep now and just about to pass out on Hawk's chest.

"Look at you two," his mom remarks and he shushes her.

"Mom, she's asleep," he says.

He thinks I'm asleep; well, I might as well be.

"Oh, sorry! You're just so cute," she whispers.

"Mooom," he whispers in annoyance.

"Is she your girlfriend, Eli?" Mrs. Moskowitz asks and I await his answer.

"I-I... We'll go to bed soon. Please just go upstairs," he tells her and I hear her footsteps walk away. I feel his hand massage my back to soothe me. I wish I were his girlfriend. I could get used to nights like these.

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I wake up the next morning to find myself somehow back in my bed. Well, the guest bed Mrs. Moskowitz gave me. I roll out of it, realizing it's a bit later than usual for me to get up.

I just tie my hair up, not bothering to shower this morning. I take off my shirt to switch it out and realize I'm still all out of clothes. I don't want to have to go back to that abusive hellhole for them or any of my other stuff, but I'll have to someday. I check my bag again desperately.

"Z, are you ready for school-"

The door bursts open to Hawk and I gasp in shock. I don't have a shirt on, just a bra. He stares in shock for a moment and then covers his eyes.

"I-I'm so sorry. I should've knocked."

I see him close the door, almost falling on the way out.

I throw my old shirt back on and run after him, "Hey, it's all right."

He still covers his eyes after he turns back to me.

"Hawk, I'm decent."

He then uncovers his eyes timidly. It's sweet.

"I was looking for a shirt for today, but I'm all out," I explain.

"Hold on," he says.

I look at him in question and I think maybe he'd go steal something else from his mom's closet, but instead he goes into his room. I stand in the hall awkwardly until he comes back out with a shirt and some sweatpants.

"Here."

"A-Are these yours?" I ask as he holds them out to me.

"Yeah," he says, only a hint of nervousness in his voice. "I figured you could wear them. They smell like me."

I smile at Hawk, grab them, and bring him in for a peck on the lips. I can feel how much we cherish each kiss with each other. 

"Thank you," I smile and walk back into the guest room.

I change into them and I have to roll the sweatpants waistband a few times to fit. The t-shirt fits very well, though.

I set the clothes and sheets to the side; I'll do some of their laundry later to help out Mrs. Moskowitz.

I walk out of the guest room, but Hawk isn't there. I go downstairs and see him at the door, ready to go.

"I'll admit you look pretty hot in my clothes," he says and I smile as I pull out of his driveway and towards school.

⭒⭒⭒

As we walked into school, everyone looked at Hawk in awe. I guess I forgot he had yet to unleash his badass mohawk on our school. I have to admit, the looks girls gave him made me jealous. Even when we split paths for class, I was a bit nervous.

But, now it's lunchtime and he smiles as he comes over to me. We aren't officially anything, but I know he likes me for now and that's good enough for me to back off on the jealousy. I'm not really the jealous type, anyway.

Hawk sits beside me and Demetri looks like he may be having a heart attack at the sight.

"Eli?!" Demetri asks in disbelief.

"That's 'Hawk' to you," he tells his friend.

Demetri isn't sold.

"Why did you decide to get a blue mohawk? And rename yourself? Is this a midlife crisis? Blink twice if you need help," Demetri says and I can tell Hawk isn't pleased.

"I think you need help, Demetri," Hawk growls.

"Hey, guys," Miguel sits down.

"Hey," I smile at him and Aisha then joins us, too.

"You approve of this?" Demetri asks Miguel, Aisha, and I.

"Of the mohawk? Most definitely," I shrug and see Hawk smirk in my peripheral vision.

"What are you wearing?" Demetri asks. I realize it's directed at me. "I've seen that shirt before."

I glance down at the shirt that has the Avengers' logo on it, "It's a pretty generic shirt." I wonder if Demetri knows it's Hawk's.

"No, it's from Eli's closet," he says.

I curse internally as Aisha gasps with a smile. I look at Miguel and he looks at me in confusion.

"You're wearing his shirt?" Miguel asks me.

"Actually, the whole outfit is from my closet, besides the shoes," Hawk says behind me and I turn to him, blushing as he smirks. "And she looks damn hot in it."

"We need to talk later," Aisha whispers to me as I turn beat red. Miguel smiles over at me in amusement.

"So, what? Is she just staying at your house?" Demetri won't shut up.

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" Hawk asks. He's getting a bit aggressive.

I place my hand on his and he looks back at me, chilling out some.

"It's just... different," he says timidly. I'm nervous for someone to ask if we're a couple because we hadn't really discussed that, but instead I get Miguel changing the subject again.

"I'm asking out Sam today after school," he looks over at the table Sam is at with who I assume is a new group of friends. It's a small table and she doesn't look super happy. "I just hope she says yes. Sensei said not to accept defeat, so let's hope this goes well."

"She'll say yes, Miguel. You're awesome," I say and he turns to me with a smile.

"Thanks, Zion," he says.

A hand moves to my thigh: Hawk's. I look back to realize he's jealous.

"Just call me Z," I remind him.

Demetri rolls his eyes, "Just go blow all your money on that sports car already and get this midlife crisis over with, you two," Demetri says.

I roll my eyes with a smile as Miguel laughs. Hawk doesn't really laugh until he realizes it was a joke. Then he laughs, a little forced. Why is he being like that to Demetri? Demetri isn't my favorite, but Hawk is his best friend. I'm sure everything is fine.

⭒⭒⭒

We make it to Cobra Kai that afternoon and I whisper to Hawk, "Hey, we were all together earlier. Why didn't you show your surprise then?"

"Because I knew Demetri would snitch," he says and I look at him in question.

"Wait," I yank his hand back, "did you do something illegal?"

Hawk doesn't really answer and I widen my eyes.

"Would you like me less?" he asks.

"What kind of question is that? You didn't kill anyone, did you?" I ask and he shakes his head, smirking.

"You'll see, Z," he laughs and we go over to Aisha and Miguel.

"Class," Sensei Lawrence walks out and we fall in.

"Yes, Sensei," we say.

"I have something to deal with in my office today, a couple of calls and things. Stretch out and I'll be back soon," he walks away and we all nod.

The four of us sit together as I do stretches that I vaguely remember from when I did beginner's gymnastics years and years ago. I'm actually quite flexible.

"I didn't know you could do that," Aisha says in awe as I go into a straddle split almost perfectly. Hawk and Miguel turn to me with shock on their faces.

"Wow," Hawk is enticed and I smile.

"I had no idea you were so flexible, Z," Miguel says as he shifts through his bag for his water.

"I honestly have no clue how I got this way. Good genetics, I guess," I laugh and lean all the way forward, stretching my hamstrings. "How did asking Sam out go?" I ask my best friend.

"Well, she said no, but then she said yes," Miguel says and I look at him in confusion.

"What does that mean?" Hawk asks, still looking at me stretching.

I smile at the attention, changing to a butterfly stretch.

"She said no to a date, but yes to being just friends hanging out," Miguel explains.

"Never accept defeat," I smile, proud of him. "Unless it's a 'no means no' situation."

"Duh. Now I just need to figure out where. I need somewhere romantic, but not too romantic," Miguel explains.

Aisha rolls her eyes, really hating the topic of Sam.

"You could take her to get tattoos," Hawk says with a smile and then looks over at me.

I share a glance with Aisha, wondering what he means by that.

"What?" Miguel asks.

Hawk hops up, "I know a guy. He just hooked me up with this bad boy."

He undoes the top of his gi and I stare in awe as he reveals a huge blue hawk tattoo on his back with a blue mohawk.

"Oh," Aisha laughs.

"Oh shit," Miguel says.

"Holy fuck," I say. It's beautiful and really attractive. Tattoos in general are attractive. My ex had a few; we ended on good terms, but it was short-lived. When I was with her and her friends, I got a tattoo. It's on my hip and not quite a tramp stamp; it's just something that boosts my confidence and I really like it.

"That is badass," Aisha says and I nod.

"Right? Fourteen hours in the chair," Hawk says cockily and then he flexes in the mirror.

I can't help but look at his body, surprised to actually see some muscle there.

"Is this what your surprise was?" I ask and he turns back to me.

"Sure was. Was it worth it?" he asks me and I nod.

"Wait," Aisha speaks up. "Are your parents okay with that?"

"Oh, they have no idea," Hawk turns around and puts his gi back on. "Definitely going to have to wear a t-shirt until college. Probably longer. Please don't tell them."

Eli comes back out and sits down timidly. I take his hand with a smile.

"Uh... any other suggestions?" Miguel turns to Aisha and myself.

"Don't look at me," Aisha says. "Sam and I used to be friends. We're not anymore."

"Okay, but I need your help," Miguel says.

"Fine. Um, I know that she likes chocolates and astronomy," she says.

"I could work with that," Miguel nods.

Before I get my turn to speak, I hear Sensei yell from his office.

"BANNED? What are you talking about?" he asks.

Miguel is up before I can be and runs into the office. Then I hear slamming from the office and we sit in silence a moment uncomfortably.

"So... your honest thoughts?" Hawk looks at me.

"Well, I am a bit disappointed you didn't kill somebody," I kid and he smiles, "but the tattoo is hot." He raises his eyebrows.

"Wait, really?" he asks and I nod.

"Z, can we have that talk?" Aisha interrupts us and I excuse myself from Hawk to go to another part of the dojo.

"What's up?" I ask.

"I should be asking you that," she says and I raise my eyebrows. "You and Hawk flirt all the time, you sleepover at his place-"

"In a guest bedroom," I say.

"...you check him out when he's shirtless, and you show up to school today in his clothes. Are you guys dating?" she asks me and I sigh, looking over at Hawk.

"I would love to be dating him," I say and she smiles, "but he hasn't really made a move. I mean, we've kissed, sure, but he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend."

"So?" Aisha asks me and I look at her in confusion. "Strike first. Strike hard. Ask him out. It's 2018. Go for it."

"I just don't want to mess it up," I say and she smiles.

"Just try it. The way he looks at you... I'd be damned if he said no," she says and I perk up at that.

"O-Okay. I'll ask him soon, then," I say. "Thanks, Aisha."

"No problem. You can pay me back by giving me some of your flexibility," she jokes.

⭒⭒⭒

I'm a bit anxious, I'll admit it. I'm waiting for the right time to strike first and ask Hawk out.

"Are you okay?" he asks me. I've been silent the whole way back.

"Y-Yeah, just thinking about my mom and everything I left there," I say.

Yes, I've also been thinking about her and how I'll get my stuff back from her house. If I go back, she could see me and keep me there because she's technically my legal guardian still.

"Oh," Hawk says. "I can go get your stuff for you."

"I would love that," I say, "but she'd probably freak out at some stranger in her apartment."

"I'm pretty tough," he says and I nod.

"I know, Mr. Fourteen-Hour-Tattoo," I laugh.

"Here, I'll text my mom and we'll go there together now. I'll be your backup," he says.

"Are you sure?" I ask and he nods.

"Of course. I'm here for you, Z," he says.

"O-Okay," I say and drive back towards Reseda.

I park in the parking lot, memories of the night Miguel found me freaking me out flooding back.

Hawk senses my tension and puts his hand on mine. I turn back to him and smile.

"Courage," is all he says and I nod.

I step out of the car with my keys, opening the door to this house. I walk in, scared of my mom jumping out at me like in a horror movie. Nothing. All the lights are out. I turn them on. Nothing. I walk back outside and look for her car, but it isn't there. I wave to Hawk to come in, hoping he can help me move my things.

"Where is she?" he asks.

"Probably working, but she may get off soon," I say worriedly.

I walk him back to my room and start to pile my clothes out of my drawers and back into the boxes from the move as quickly as possible. Hawk is looking at pictures of me as a child.

"Is this your dad?" he asks.

"Yeah," I say, realizing I hadn't thought about him in a while. I'm almost forgetting his face. I never want to forget that face.

"You look like him," Hawk says.

That's a big compliment, considering my mom is a bitch. I'm too emotional to respond, so Hawk helps me box some of my decor. I grab some rainy day money to take with me.

We move a few boxes out to my car, the back filling up quickly.

"There are like two or three left. I'll go get them," Hawk says and I nod.

I turn to head back to sit in the car and right behind me is my mom. Shit.

"What are you doing here, you piece of shit!" she yells drunkenly, stumbling towards me.

"M-Moving out," I say, my voice wavering a bit.

"Moving out? Moving out? No fucking way you're moving out. Come back inside and unpack your goddamn car!" she screams at me and I back away.

"Mom, you aren't thinking clearly-"

She throws her beer can at my car and starts sobbing like a maniac.

"This is your fault! It's your fault we're like this! It's your fault your dad died," she screams hysterically.

Honestly, I know she's lying, but the words still cut deep. Then she laughs and slaps me, grabbing my hair and dragging me behind her inside. I scream and that's when my mom opens the door to Hawk. He's pissed. He looks between me and my mom.

"Let go of her," he says coldly.

My mom turns to me, releasing my hair, surprisingly.

"Oh, I see," my mom slurs. "You came here with your boyfriend to move out, huh?" She turns around and punches me this time, making me stumble back. I won't hit my mom. I won't. "What? Did he get you knocked up, you slut?!"

"What did you call her?" Hawk moves over to defend me. He isn't on offense because she's my mom, but he will be if she continues this. His arm is out to keep me back from my mom. Or, to keep my mom away from me.

"He's defending you!" she bursts out laughing.

I shake a bit as she stumbles into the house. She kicks out my last box that Eli set down when he came to defend me and then turns back.

"Never come here again, slut!" The door slams and I jump, terrified. I'm surprised I'm flinching.

Suddenly arms wrap around me and I jump back. I know it's only Hawk. I know Hawk wouldn't hurt me. Eli would never hurt me. But I just can't take it right now.

"Where are your keys?" he gives me my space. I point to the ground where I dropped them. He picks them up and gets into the drivers seat. "Get in." I get into the passenger's side and he pulls out of the complex, driving back to his house.

I feel myself wanting to breakdown. I had been doing so well, but abuse really does take a toll on you. What I wouldn't do for my dad to be alive right now. I'm just glad karate is there as a distraction. And Hawk. I don't know where I would be without him. My dad meant everything to me and the hole in my heart since he passed away is now being filled again by my new friends.

I won't lose them for anything.