Chapter Eighteen: Robby... Lawrence?

"Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up. It could still be simple."

~Never Grow Up (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift~

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Revised: July 9, 2022

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

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Zion's POV

Somehow I ended up getting roped into a day at the beach with Hawk, Miguel, Bert, Demetri, and Moon. Moon is growing on me, sure, but Demetri was a last-minute addition to the group and I'm not excited to spend the day with him.

We get there, but Miguel is late. Hawk has Cobra Kai merch in everything from the volleyball to t-shirts - he bought me one and gave it to me as a surprise earlier today. We're trying to find a spot to play volleyball.

"That bikini is adorable, Z," Moon compliments my dark blue bikini.

"Thank you," I smile proudly. 

"She has the body for it," Hawk smirks. 

"What about you, Mr. Abs?" I ask and he flexes.

"We get it. Can we just play volleyball?" Demetri asks, annoyed. We reach an empty net and set our stuff down.

"I'm with Z," Hawk says and I smile.

"I thought we could be partners," Demetri says glumly.

"She's my girlfriend," Hawk argues.

"Like I haven't noticed," Demetri mutters.

"We're on a team together, Demetri," Moon says optimistically.

"I guess," he says and grabs the ball. We wait for him to make the first move and it takes him forever to serve.

I get into position, waiting for the moment the ball goes over the net. But it never comes. Demetri's serve hits the net and I sigh in irritation. Demetri looks like he doesn't know what happened; what happened is he is as useless in sports as the water boy. This boy has no game in more ways than one, not that I'm surprised in the slightest.

"Mulligan. Send it back," he says.

I'm not big into sports, but I played soccer for a few years and I actually played volleyball for a season. Even though I was way better at soccer than volleyball, I still know the basics. Obviously Demetri doesn't.

"There's no mulligans in volleyball," Hawk says. 

"Says you," the dark haired boy argues.

"This isn't golf, Demetri. And it's also not rocket science," I tell him and he ignores me the best he can.

"Water break," he says.

I look at Hawk with a frustrated expression and he's just as confused. I see Bert is annoyed, too. Moon is smiling, probably finding this amusing somehow.

Demetri grabs a towel and I see two girls walk past him and do a double take. Wow, they're really hot. I see Hawk notices, too. I watch to see what they want.

"Cobra Kai?" the one girl asks and I realize Demetri picked up the Cobra Kai towel. "You guys won that karate tournament, right?" I wait for Demetri to admit he isn't in Cobra Kai because he's too much of a coward.

Demetri looks unsure a moment and then I see him stand up a bit straighter with fake confidence, "Um, the All Valley? The Rumble in Reseda? Yes, uh..." I watch as he leans on the volleyball net supports to be cool, "We, uh, we certainly did."

We? I turn to see Hawk not reacting and I am about to when he pulls my hand. I look back at his face and see him motioning for me to just let him have this one. For Hawk, I do and stay quiet.

"Cool. We're gonna go for a swim, but maybe play with you later?" this girl asks boldly. 

"Pfft, most def! Uh, that means most definitely," Demetri says and I internally facepalm. Like I said, no game.

The girls giggle and walk away, leaving me to stare in confusion at the interaction I just witnessed. 

"Look at you, player," Moon giggles supportively. She's nice and all, but she's too nice

 She walks away and Hawk finally speaks up, "It'd be nice if you actually earned the Cobra Kai cred you're so happy to take." Demetri watches the girls walking off into the distance. "When are you ever gonna sign up?"

"I don't know. I'm kind of enjoying the gain without the pain," Demetri says, gesturing to the girls.

"You do know that if they come back to play with us they'll see how bad you are this, right?" I ask and he frowns.

"That is when I fake an injury," Demetri says, causing Hawk to smirk a little. I want Hawk to have friends, don't get me wrong, but Demetri?

"Hawk," Miguel walks over to us.

"Hey, there's the man," Hawk says and they do their bro handshake.

I give Miguel a side hug when I see he's still frowning. He smiles briefly and then his expression falls again as we pull away.

"No. No more of this. Look, it's a beautiful day out, the beach is packed with babes..." I slap his arm and he turns to me, "Yeah, like you didn't notice." I press my lips together in a smile and we both laugh a little. "That's what I thought. Anyway, dude, no more sulking about Sam."

"I'm not sulking about Sam. It's about Sensei," Miguel says and I look at him in question now.

"Is this about his rap sheet? My parents read it online. I think it makes him more badass," Hawk says and I can tell by Miguel's expression this isn't what it's about.

"It's about him and Robby Keene," Miguel says and I freeze. I know he said it's about Sensei and Robby, but I momentarily panic he found out about me being in contact with him.

"W-What about them?" I ask, hoping somehow Miguel has no idea.

"Sensei Lawrence is his father," Miguel says and I stare in shock.

"There's no way," I say almost too quickly.

"Dude, that's crazy," Hawk says in disbelief.

"I live across from Sensei, as you know, and I ran him some food and saw Robby's picture on his fridge," he explains.

"Are you sure, Miguel?" I ask and Hawk turns to me.

"You didn't know about this, right?" he looks at me almost accusatorially. 

"What? No! Robby never talks about his dad," I say, leaving out the ugly things Robby has called him and said about him, just incase Miguel is right. "Talked," I correct my tense to clear suspicion.

"I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it had to be him," Miguel sighs.

"Are you guys ready for another round?" Moon yells. I turn to her with a nod.

"I'm doing a deep search on this later," Hawk whispers before we walk back over to Demetri, Moon, and Bert.

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The next day, I'm stretching in the dojo with Hawk and Miguel.

"So, I did a deep dive online and you were right. Sensei's definitely Keene's father," Hawk says. Miguel sighs.

"I just don't understand why he wouldn't tell us," Miguel says, hurt. He has a better relationship with Sensei than Hawk and I. While I would like to know him better, I feel like I just couldn't get attached to another person; it's one more person who can leave.

"I don't know. but it explains why he gave us shit for kicking Keene's ass in the tournament," Hawk says. "Show no mercy, unless it's his son. Then we gotta be pussies."

"You did pull his shoulder out of its socket," I say and Hawk and Miguel look at me wide-eyed.

"You're defending him? I thought you said you were done with Keene," Hawk says.

"I said you're the only one for me. Robby and I are still friends," I say and Hawk looks angrily at me and Miguel stares in confusion. "I-I mean, we were still friends after we broke up and I assume we still are now," I try to save it. Okay, if Hawk is mad at that, maybe I just won't mention me hanging out with Robby ever.

"You guys," Aisha interrupts us, "have you seen the commercial?"

"What commercial?" I ask.

"Sam's dad started his own dojo and he disses Cobra Kai," Aisha says angrily. She hands us a phone which Miguel takes and I lean over his shoulder with Hawk.

"Now you can learn the secrets of Okinawan karate - true karate - by joining the Miyagi-Do team. Don't be a snake in the grass. Be a champion," Daniel LaRusso says in the commercial and I feel myself filling with rage. Who does this guy think he is? "Tweet us at #Miyagi-Do. And all lessons are free. That's right, free. Because at Miyagi-Do, it's not about the money. It's about the karate."

A group of students has gathered around us at this point.

"Wait, why are we paying for karate if this guy's giving it away for free?" I hear someone ask. I turn to see one of the ginger twins spoke up.

"Because we won the All Valley. His only student didn't," I say, even though I know it wasn't that fair of a fight.

"Yeah, they're a bunch of pathetic pussies," Hawk stands up and asserts his dominance, causing the students to cower.

"Listen up. We're filming a commercial. Miss Robinson, grab your phone," Sensei walks in followed by Mr. Kreese. He scans his eyes over us, "Mikey," he says to some boy with long brown hair, "you wanna be in a commercial?"

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Once we're set up, Sensei gets to work on the commercial, "There's a lot of talk going around the Valley about free karate. But everybody knows in that in life you get what you pay for."

He points to the phone camera Aisha holds, "You wanna really kick the competition?" He turns to Mikey and kicks a bonsai plant to pieces, causing the boy to wince as he lets out a loud, "HAI!" He collects himself and turns back to the camera, "Then you need to get your ass over to Cobra Kai. Screw that lame meditation bullshit. What you need is bone-crunching, face-smashing, good old American karate. Hai!" He punches a dummy, causing its face to invert.

I share a look with Hawk and Miguel, knowing this commercial is much better than LaRusso's.

"Enough about self-defense. Learn self-offense. Don't be a pussy. Join Cobra Kai and let me teach you the way of the fist."

"And cut," Aisha says.

"All right. We get it?" Sensei asks.

"I think so," Aisha smiles.

"All right, great. Just make sure the Cobra Kai snake comes in at the end, all right? I want it to really pop," Sensei begins to walk back to the back room. "Make it chrome. And throw Thunderstruck under it." My dad loved AC/DC and I feel a bittersweet feeling rush over me.

"I'm pretty sure the rights for that song will cost too much," Aisha says and I frown.

"No, I already own it. Cassette's in the car," Sensei says and I smile in amusement. "Oh, and put one of those hash browns at the end, you know? Like, 'Hash Brown Team Cobra Kai' or something. And then send it to the internet!" It's funny how he doesn't know technology. Honestly, he reminds me more and more of my dad.

I think memories of him have just been flooding back since Hawk's dad came into town. Things I suppressed are resurfacing and I know I should be happy to remember the good times, but it makes me sad. I'm missing my dad extra this summer because now there's no school to serve as a distraction.

Plus, my birthday is tomorrow and I'll spend it without him. And the one year date since his death is approaching with his birthday just following it. He died before he could turn 50, before he could see me graduate high school; it's not fair.

Life isn't fair. I need to push my feelings aside.

"Zion Ambrose?" a voice says and I snap out of my thoughts to see Miguel and Hawk looking at me.

"Huh? Why did you use my full first name?" I ask defensively.

"You weren't listening to us. Are you okay?" Miguel asks me. I nod, now wanting to think about anything else before I cry.

"Fine. What's up?" I ask.

"We're going to talk to Sensei," Hawk says. 

"Okay, let's go," I say.

Hawk grabs my hand and gives me a look of concern, "You're sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," I say, getting a little angry.

"I just care about you, Z," he clarifies.

"I know. I just... am ready to ask Sensei," I say and follow them into the back room, dropping Hawk's hand.

"Sensei, can we talk to you about something?" Miguel asks.

"If it's about the infomercial, I know," Sensei says.

"It's not about the commercial. It's about Robby Keene," Hawk says, not even making eye contact with Sensei.

I look up to see him staring at us in surprise. "What about him?" Sensei asks and looks over to Miguel.

"I saw his picture on your refrigerator," Miguel answers. "I wasn't snooping, but... we know he's your son."

"That's why you got mad at us after the tournament, right?" Hawk asks.

"Is that what you think?" Sensei asks us, his eyes moving from Miguel and then back to me.

I shake my head lightly, knowing that Hawk had good reason to be upset at Robby, but both of them hurting his shoulder was the wrong move. And I think deep down Hawk and Miguel know it, too.

"Yeah, Robby's my son. But that has nothing to do with how I run my dojo. It's also none of your damn business, do you understand?"

The world I know shatters around me. Sensei Lawrence is really Robby's dad? The one I heard awful things about, the one I always despised for what he did to him, the one who abandoned his son on day one is this man in front of me?

"Yes, Sensei," Miguel and I say in unison.

"But... but Sensei, I-" Hawk tries to argue.

"'But, but, but' nothing. Get out. You three clean mats for the rest of the week," Sensei says.

I nod, hating that I'm getting in trouble and can't do shit about it. Hawk and I bow to leave. We pass Mr. Kreese on the way out, his eyes scanning us as we walk away. I go back into the main part of the dojo to grab my things since class is over when a flashback hits me.

A/N: Flashback to about nine months ago begin.

"Why did you take so long at the grocery store?" my mom yells at me the second I walk in the door. I set the groceries on the counter, hanging my head as I respond.

"I didn't take much longer than usual," I say.

"Bullshit. And you didn't take out the trash," she says. I see the familiar empty cans of beer on the ground. 

"You never told me to take out the trash. You usually get it," I argue. She steps closer to me and I prepare for what I know is coming.

The slap is hard, stinging the entire left half of my face. I hold in tears.

"Mom, you were drinking again. I think you-"

"I don't need to know what you think, you whore. I don't need to know what anybody thinks. The one person who I would listen to is dead!" my mom weeps hysterically. I don't know if I can even help her. I want to and I want her to be better, but I just don't know.

"I loved Dad, too. He meant everything to me, but-"

"I'm taking your phone for the night. Or longer. We'll see if you learn your lesson," my mom says.

"Mom, please-"

"Give it to me," she yells and I take it out of my back pocket and hand it to her. She smiles smugly and waltzes drunkenly back to the couch to get even more wasted. I stand in shock a moment, not even able to understand what I did wrong. But I must have done something to upset her. I didn't mean to.

A/N: Flashback end.

"Z?" a voice says and something grabs my hand. I react immediately, grabbing their arm and flipping whoever this is to the ground. "OW!"

I take in my surroundings. I'm okay. I'm at the dojo. I look down and see Hawk in pain. Wait, I did that? I didn't even realize I spaced out.

"I'm so sorry!" I say and he sits up, accepting my extended hand to get back up.

"You've gotten pretty good at that," he says.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," I say.

"Who did you think I was? I was trying to get your attention again. This is the second time today. Do you want to talk about it?" Hawk asks.

I look away, not meeting his eyes. "No, Hawk. I don't," I say.

Hawk uses one hand to turn my face to look at his, our eyes connecting. I see him worried. "Z, I know something is bothering you. Talk it out with me." I see people are still in the dojo and he pulls my face to focus on him. It reminds me of what I did with him after his fight with Robby when he wouldn't open up to me.

"Can we do this at home... er, your house?" I ask, not wanting anybody to eavesdrop.

"Sure. I just wanted to check that you're okay," Hawk says.

"I am," I say and Hawk looks at me skeptically. "I am now."

"Ready to clean the mats?" Miguel asks with a fake enthusiasm. Hawk gives me a quick peck on the lips before dropping his hands.

"Sure. I'd like to thank you two for making this happen," I say sarcastically and Miguel shrugs with a smile.

"You didn't have to come along," he says.

"And not support my best friend and boyfriend? Of course I came along." 

"And it's always us over Robby Keene," Hawk whispers with a smile. I roll my eyes. 

"What are you three doing? Get the mats cleaned!" Sensei yells and we stop talking and get to work.

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"Are you ready to tell me now?" Hawk asks me after dinner.

I lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling fan. He surprisingly just got done getting the gel out of his hair. Now it's just one big pile of blue fluff. Well, faded blue fluff.

I turn to him as he sits down, "We need our hair re-dyed."

"I guess so. I don't know what color, though," he says.

"I don't know, either. I think pink is too girly. I want something a bit more badass... like a total wild card," I say and he looks like a lightbulb went off in his head.

"Green?" he asks me and I laugh.

"Green? Seriously? No," I say.

"But hear me out. Like, a bright, neon green," Hawk says in fascination.

"Hawk, from now on you are not allowed to pick out your own clothes," I state.

"Come on, Z. It's something cool for you," he says.

"If it's so cool then you get it," I say.

"I'll only get it if you do. We can match," he laughs.

"Oh, no. We are not going to be that couple," I say sternly. We laugh a moment until Hawk's face turns serious again.

"You're trying to distract me. Let's stay on topic. I want to know what's wrong," Hawk says.

"Do I have to tell you? I really don't want to get all emotional," I say. Hawk looks at me with a look challenging me to tell him. "So, I didn't want to make a big deal about it, but tomorrow is my birthday."

"What? Not a big deal? Z, that is a big deal."

"I don't want it to be. This will be... the first one without my dad," I admit. I've been pushing it away, but now I feel the need to tell him.

"Oh," he nods. "That must be hard." I nod. "I'll make sure it's the best birthday ever. Promise."

"Thank you," I reach over and kiss him.

"But that's not all, is it?" he knows me too well.

 "Okay, fine. So... coming up is also the one year of... my dad's passing."

"I'm so sorry, Z," Hawk says.

"It's okay. I'll be fine. I just... have been having memories flood back to me, good and bad," I say.

"About your dad?" he asks me.

"Um, about everything. My dad for one, and that's been brought on by small things," I say.

"Like what?" Hawk is interested and I try to breeze through it without having to get emotional.

"Like... Axe body spray, dad jokes, not being familiar with the internet, and crap like that," I explain.

"Oh... Was this because of my dad?" he asks with a frown.

"A bit, but also Sensei Lawrence," I admit.

"I'm sorry, Z. I wish I had thought about how my dad coming here would impact you, given your history," he says regretfully.

"No, Hawk, it's fine. It wasn't just your dad. I also started remembering things about my mom. That's why I flipped you today. I had a bad memory in my mind and I got spooked," I say awkwardly.

"Yeah, you really put everything you had into that one," he massages his shoulder and I sigh.

"I am really sorry."

"Don't be. You've had a rough life, Z. You can be a little rough back at it."

"That is very wise of you," I sit up and kiss him.

He grips my waist, pulling me closer. I push my tongue into his mouth, our lips moving in sync as I try to control my breath. He pulls away for air and I follow suit, then moving to straddle him when a noise comes from the door. I jump slightly, looking over to see his dad at the doorframe

"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt," he says awkwardly as I move off of Hawk in embarrassment. "Your mom made brownies."

I look down and wait for him to walk away after Hawk says, "Okay. Be down soon." I hear his footsteps leave and Hawk and I sigh.

"Wow, we can't do that with the door open ever again," I say.

"Buzzkill," Hawk mutters.

"Come on. I really want brownies," I stand up and pull his hand to follow me. I'm also glad we could stop talking about my emotions because it's the last thing I wanted to do.

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A/N: I wasn't even going update again this soon, but I just thought I would because season 3 is so close to releasing! Are you planning on binging it? I think I will.