"And if you don't love me now, you will never love me again. I can still hear you saying you would never break the chain."

~The Chain by Fleetwood Mac~

⭒⭒⭒

A/N: Here we go: the waterpark episode!

Warnings: abuse, addiction, anxiety, biphobia/homophobia, depression, domestic violence, gun violence, language, panic attacks, sexual harassment/assault/abuse, violence, weapons, and other mature themes

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

The first day I'm finally off from work makes me so happy. It's been two weeks of non-stop with the exception of Sundays to spend with my friends and Robby. I have nights with them, too, but it's not the same as a full Saturday of nothing.

"I've got the sunscreen, towels, and tanning oil," Robby says as he grabs the bag from the trunk.

"And I've got our passes for the day and your sunglasses," I set them on his head with a smile.

"We're all set for a fun day in the sun," he kisses me.

I grab his hand and pull him to the gate like a little kid.

"I haven't been to a waterpark in years," I recall.

"I could never afford it," he adds.

"Then, today is going to be an adventure for the both of us. You'll go on the Mega Drop with me, right?" I ask as I look at the giant white slide towering over the park. It's a one-hundred foot drop.

"Definitely," he chuckles.

We scan our tickets and they check our bags at the gate. Once we're safely through, I take in the colorful slides, the kids running around, and all the vendors set up with different foods.

"Ooh, funnel cake," I point out. Robby laughs.

"Where do you want to set up our stuff?" 

"Maybe right by the lazy river?" I suggest. "It's kind of the center of the park." He looks at me in question. "I was excited so I looked up the map last night. It's just a nice day without karate to worry about."

"Yeah, for the first time ever," Robby takes my hand once more and leads us one way into the park.

I redirect him, "It's this way."

"Oh."

⭒⭒⭒

"Can you get my back?" I ask Robby as I hand him the lotion.

"Yeah, hold on," he says as he takes a quick sip of water. "Okay." He takes the bottle from me and puts the sunscreen on my back.

It's a slightly intimate feeling in a public space. I don't even feel self-conscious in my bikini here, though. This is a day with people I don't know, and the only person I care about knows everything about me. I feel safe and confident and happy.

That's when my eyes land on someone: Tory.

Her legs are dangling in the lazy river as she sits on the edge. She looks content, and she's alone.

"Hey," I whisper to Robby when I see her. He looks over. "Mind if I take a second to go talk to her?"

"Of course. Good luck," he tells me.

I walk over, careful not to scare her. I sit beside her and she looks at me in surprise.

"Z?" she wonders.

"I think so," I nod.

She laughs, "Hey."

"Hi. How've you been?" I ask nervously. I'll ease into the conversation about Cobra Kai.

"Oh, you know. Living it up as champion," she nods without making eye contact with me.

The mood sours. "You haven't returned any of my texts."

"Sorry. I hadn't realized." She's lying. 

"Well, I've been wanting to ask if you'd consider taking a break from Cobra Kai, too?"

"What do you mean?" Tory questions. "Wait, you're really gone for good? To join Miyagi-Do?"

"I'm not joining Miyagi-Do. I'm just... getting some distance for a bit," I explain.

"So, you quit Cobra Kai and still try to act like this is normal?"

"I was hoping our friendship was stronger than this," I say nervously. "I mean, with Kreese gone-"

"I'm a big girl, Z. I don't need you to make a decision for me. I don't need you to mess up more things." She hides something in her tone, in her eyes. "If you think you're finding yourself, that's great. I'm really happy for you. But, don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do. All you did was disappear and make beating LaRusso and Miyagi-Do and Johnny that much harder."

"Can't you realize that Sam isn't the enemy anymore?" I question. "What are you rivals over anymore anyway? Miyagi-Do shut down, Miguel is with her, you're with Piper-"

"I don't know what she's holding over you," Tory stands up, "but there is no way you're friends with her and still trying to be friends with me. It's one or the other, Zion. I suggest you figure it out."

She walks away from me and I sigh in disappointment. That was exactly how I was hoping it wouldn't happen.

"You okay?" Robby comes over to me. "I heard a little bit of that."

I stand up, "Yeah. I-I'm fine." I walk by him. "Today isn't for this kind of stuff. I can talk to her more later. She'll come around." She has to.

I walk over to the park's directory and Robby follows. I know he senses something is wrong but doesn't say anything else.

"The line for The Double Dragon shouldn't be too long right now since they just opened," I shrug. "We can start off kind of easy."

"Okay," Robby nods. "Lead the way."

⭒⭒⭒

Eli's POV

"See? This isn't so bad," I tell Demetri as we walk through the park and I look at all the cool rides.

"This is you and Yasmine's idea of fun. I'm not built to tan," he argues with me.

"Miguel is here, too," I remind him.

"So is Moon if you want to, uh, rekindle something?" he asks suggestively.

"Moon and I are done," I tell him.

"Then find some girl here and get over Zion," he tells me. He gestures to the bandage on his nose, "Need I remind you why?"

"She's nothing like she was a year ago," I say. "If anything I just want to get even, especially after she hurt you."

Demetri frowns, "Well, don't look now, but maybe this is your chance."

"What?" I ask and follow where he points.

My eyes land on Robby rubbing sunscreen all over her back. I watch as they smile together.

"I'm not letting them ruin today, too," I sigh in frustration as I turn away with a burning nausea in my stomach.

"Hey," Miguel walks over to us, "you didn't mention Sam being here."

"You didn't mention Zion and Robby being here," I respond sourly.

Demetri defends himself, "I didn't know about either."

"What?" Miguel asks and his eyes focus on the happy couple. "Oh. I-I had no idea."

"I believe you," I shrug.

"Keep tabs on where she is, please. I can't have another black eye," Demetri asks with a frown.

"You should just apologize for what you said," Miguel tells him.

"Actions speak louder than words," I defend Demetri.

"I shouldn't make the first move," Demetri agrees with me and leads me over to Yasmine, Moon, and Sam.

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

Robby and I laugh as we come off The Double Dragon for the second time. This time, we turned backwards. And, at the very end dunked water on us both times.

"Up you go," the lifeguard says as he helps us get the tube out of the water as I pull Robby with me to the exit.

"Do you want to go again?" he asks me.

"Maybe we can take a break for now and go to the lazy river?" I ask him. "You can pick the next thing, though."

"As you wish," he nods and we walk back to our things.

I look at the rides we pass on the way, including the Mega Drop. It looks like such an adrenaline rush; I'm excited to go on it later.

"No way," Robby stops walking.

I turn back to him, "What?"

"I just... I thought I saw someone, but that's not possible," he shrugs. "Never mind."

"You sure?" I check in.

"Yeah, I'm good," Robby nods before continuing walking and taking my hand.

I look around as we walk for anything that may have thrown him off.

"Oh," I say when I see something happening in the opposite direction of where Robby was looking.

"What?" Robby stops again.

"Kenny..." I point. I watch as Eli steps closer to Kenny. "We should-"

"No," Robby stops me. "I know it's hard, but Kenny can handle this. Showing up will just make things worse, especially since he's there."

"But, why are they here today, too? Can't... Can't the universe just let us have one day of peace?"

"Let's go on the Rapid Rafting Ride," Robby points to a ride beside us to distract me.

"Okay," I nod slightly.

As we walk towards the entrance, three people come out the exit: Devon, Bert, and Nate.

"Hey," Devon engages with me as she walks past.

I can see Bert and Nate visibly tense in my presence. That isn't at all what I want them to think of me.

I nod to Devon with a slight smile as Robby keeps walking. Before Devon can talk more, I follow Robby.

"Everyone is here," I mutter. "They hate me."

Robby grabs a tube, seemingly struggling with the fact that they're here, too. "Don't give them that power."

"You're right," I sigh as I help him lift it and we head up the hill.

⭒⭒⭒

Eli's POV

"Come on, guys. Let me go!" I hear a voice scream close to me as I sit out and tan as Demetri reapplies sunscreen for the fourteenth time since we got here.

I sit up when I realize Cobra Kai is hassling someone, "God damnit."

"Aitz!" I watch Kenny kick the tubes and am almost certain that they're starting something with some Miyagi-Fang.

"My man!" Kyler yells when the person goes into the water. "Byeeee!"

"Yessir," Kenny cheers and high-fives all of them.

I can't help myself as I get up and walk over. I hear Demetri behind me, "Oh, no."

"What the hell was that?" I confront Kyler.

"Aw, thaaat was none of your business," Kyler laughs still and tries to shoo me away.

"I'm making it my business," I say as I push his hand away from me.

"Whoa, hey, hey, Kyler, maybe he needs another haircut to remember who he's talking to," Kenny steps in.

I look down on this little runt and laugh. Of course him being trained by Zion and Robby and Cobra Kai would lead to this. "You wanna take me on, kid? I beat Robby, and he fought you. Didn't look much like a fight now, did it?"

"Aw, come on now. You really going to take that from him? From Lip?" Kyler laughs like a hyena.

"Diaz was hurt. Zion beat your ass," Kenny tells me.

"We can see how this goes without rules. Let's see how much Zion and Robby really trained you," I narrow my eyes at him, knowing that this kid has to be their weak spot or vice versa.

"Hey, hey, hey! Back off," Tory rushes between us and pushes both of us back. 

"Hey, stay out of this," I tell her.

"Oh, what's the matter? You scared I'm right, buzzcut?" Kenny laughs.

"Hey, enough," Tory stops him, too. "Unless you wanna get your ass kicked, I suggest you stay on your side of the park. Away from us."

"Me get my ass kicked?" I shake my head. "Not with the runt leading the pack."

"What'd you say about him?" a deeper voice comes from behind me. 

I turn around, ready to repeat what I said, until I see some tall, muscular guy behind me. He looks over six feet tall. I actually get nervous, but I can't show it.

"Oh, buzzcut," Kenny smirks, "this is my brother, Shawn."

"He bothering you?" Shawn moves to stand beside Kenny. I try not to show any fear.

"Stay on your side," Tory threatens and tries to make a deal with me.

I hesitate. There's no way I can take them alone. "Fine. We have better rides on our side anyway." I walk away.

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

Robby and I cautiously look around the lazy river for anyone we may know. All I want is to relax here, but it feels almost impossible with something new around every corner.

"I don't see anyone," Robby decides after a solid minute.

"Zion!" a voice exclaims happily. I know its Moon before even turning fully.

"Hi," I say as she comes over and wraps me in a hug. "Oh."

"Sorry," she backs away. "I should've asked for consent."

"It's fine," I shrug it off as I cross my arms awkwardly.

"Hi, Robby. We haven't officially officially met. I'm Moon," she holds out her hand.

"Nice to meet you," he says wearily and shakes her hand.

"How's your summer been? Jess was telling me you were MIA for a bit there," she continues. I remember now that they exchanged numbers at the tournament.

"Oh, it's been busy," I say for lack of a better word. "We went to Mexico."

"And you brought Miguel back to us," Moon nods. "That must've been so fun." Awkward silence follows. "Well, I'm here with Sam, Yasmine, Eli, Demetri, and Miguel. So, if you want to pop by maybe wait until the Binary Brothers go away. We're set up right by the lazy river." Miguel is here with Sam?

I exchange a worried look with Robby, "Great. Thanks."

"Of course," she smiles. "Oh! Did you ever check out that crystal shop I DM'd you about?"

"No..." I look down awkwardly.

"I'll send it again. I think it could really help balance your chakras," she tells me. "Well, have a fun time!"

Moon walks away just as quickly as she appeared. I stare at Robby in surprise and he just shrugs.

"Is she always like that?" he questions me.

"Always."

"Okay," he chuckles.

"So, I guess literally everyone is here," I frown. "Do you think anywhere is safe?"

Robby looks around, "I'll bet up there is safe."

I follow his gaze to the roof of the fake cabana area where all the rich people hang out.

"I know your thing is roofs," I giggle, "but that's insane."

"It's isolated," he shrugs.

"And away from all the fun parts of the park," I sigh in disappointment. "This is so frustrating. First prom, now this?"

"Hey," he stops me, "I'm not going to ruin today like I did with prom, all right? My love for you is greater than my hate for them. Okay?"

"Okay," I nod and try not to worry.

"That's just fucking adorable," a deep voice laughs and scares the shit out of me.

To the side of us is- "Shawn?" Robby asks with a small, weary smile. That's who he saw.

"Robby Keene," Shawn says without the same amount of kindness. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"How- How are you out of juvie so early?" Robby questions.

"Someone paid my way out. I'm doing community service now, too. My probation officer is a piece of shit but that's only 'cause I aged out of juvie," he explains.

I shift closer to Robby instinctively. I remember meeting him for a moment at the soup kitchen. I also remember that he fought Robby. I also remember that he's Kenny's older brother. Shit.

"That's good," Robby shrugs. "Happy for you."

"Yeah, it's nice. I'm getting to spend more time with Kenny at the dojo."

I swear I feel like I'm going to pass out.

"The dojo?" I squeak out.

"Oh, right. You two wouldn't know," he smiles wickedly. "Silver was the one who bailed me out. I'm in Cobra Kai now."

Robby grabs my hand as I feel everything around me slow down. Shawn narrows his eyes at us like he knows we defected and thinks that we're traitors. There's no way this is real. This has to be a dream.

"This is our side!" a voice screams amongst a bunch of louder ones.

All of us turn around and see a huge group fighting each other. My heart drops as I watch Kenny fight alongside Kyler once again.

"Whoa," Shawn says and rushes over there within the next second.

I step to follow and Robby pulls me back, "Wait, you don't want to go over there and fight."

"This is ridiculous. Someone has to do something. They have to see that Silver is wrong and everything he does and teaches is corrupt," I yank my hand out of Robby's and go around to join the group.

"Hey, hey! Stop!" I see Tory rush over and push the Cobras back, including Shawn.

Robby rushes past me and tries to coax Devon, Bert, Mitch, Nate, Little Red, and a couple others away. I note Eli standing with Miyagi-Do opposite of Cobra Kai.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Miguel goes directly over to Robby. I want to intervene-

"Get back," Eli tries to push me into the Cobras.

"You guys need to stop fighting," I speak up through the chaos to anyone who will listen as I try not to shove Eli back and escalate it even further.

"Get out of here, runner-up," Kyler smirks at me when I step on "their side."

"Yeah, we don't want you," Kenny practically spits at me.

I freeze a moment as I look at him in defeat. He truly hates me.

"Kenny-" Robby comes over.

"You, too! I told you to stay out of my life," Kenny tells Robby. 

A whistle blows as a lifeguard comes over and stops the chaos.

"Stop it! All of you. Or you're all getting kicked out."

I look away from Kenny in dismay.

"I want the purple one!" the little girl screams in excitement...

I glance over at Devon as she keeps glaring at Tory as Piper stands with her. Robby grabs my hand and leads me away from the crowd. My eyes momentarily catch Eli's jealous ones.

"Let's just go," I walk away with Robby worriedly. I can't take much more of this today. I can't give them the power to send me into a panic.

"How about a race?" I hear Bert yell excitedly.

I turn back worriedly when I hear Shawn's deep chuckle. I see him sharing a look of joy with his younger brother. With Shawn there, Kenny will never leave. I feel sick.

Everyone looks at the slide beside them with two different sides to it.

"Yeah, I'll go," Eli agrees.

"So will I," Tory steps in. 

"Karate champ versus special skills champ!" Kyler hypes them up.

"Whoever wins gets the park," she continues.

Miguel looks over at me and Robby with a sigh of disbelief. This is never going to end.

"Deal, but you won't win," Eli smirks.

The two sides divert to their respective areas.

Eli walks past me and Robby, "The Cobra Kai side is over there."

I hang my head in frustration. I whisper to Robby, "I need a minute alone."

"Hey," he calls after me, "maybe get some food, too? You haven't eaten all day."

"Okay," I whisper with a small smile since he cares before wandering off to the bathroom. 

On the way, I pass Eli talking to Mitch, Chris, and Little Red about something. I then walk by Demetri as he sits by Sam with a bandage on his nose and a slight bruise leading up to his eye.

If this is all Kenny sees and hears then I'm done for. I'll always be the traitor fighting with Cobra Kai tactics.

I find the bathroom and automatically feel more nauseous because it's hot and smells like piss throughout.

When I finish, I step out and go to the sinks. I wash my hands as another person emerges from a stall: Yasmine.

"Oh," she frowns in distaste. "It's you."

I stay silent as I finish washing my hands. I have nothing to say and nothing to prove to her.

"It's effing ridiculous how you're so obsessed with hurting Demetri," she continues.

"It's ridiculous how you even tolerate Demetri," I counter as I dry my hands.

"You don't know him," she shakes her head and grabs a paper towel, too. "There's a lot more to him than his nerdiness. A lot." She giggles. "Believe me."

I roll my eyes, "I would've thought a girl with at least some self respect wouldn't date such a misogynistic prick."

"I'm a feminist," Yasmine defends herself. "And anyway, Demetri isn't a misogynist." She takes out some lipstick and applies it.

I stare at her in shock. "Did anyone tell you what he said to me?"

"Mmmm," she blots her lips, "no, but I don't know why that gave you the right to punch him a second time."

"Demetri has continuously called me a slut or slutty or said I 'sleep around' too much or whatever and I got sick of it."

Yasmine almost drops her lipstick as she turns to me and I see her let down her guard, "He said that?"

I frown, "You didn't know?"

"No. I would never use those words - not even about you." I let her get by with the one passive aggressive comment. She shakes her head and runs a hand through her hair. "Why should I believe you?"

"Because Moon and Sam are kind of... trusting me, too," I hesitate to call us friends. "I also think that girls should stick together when we can. Misogyny can lead to other things, you know."

We both shift uncomfortably.

"Well," she flips her hair again, "I hate to say I believe you, but I do. He's said some questionable things about you and some other girls before. I only... I had no idea he called you that."

"Yeah," I sigh in response once she says she believes me. "I'm sick of him saying this shit without any repercussions-"

"And he's lying to me about it," Yasmine frowns. "Thanks for letting me know." She puts back on her cold demeanor and walks out the door.

⭒⭒⭒

Eli's POV

"How did you and Zion get together in the first place?" I overhear Moon ask Robby curiously as I rub tanning oil over my body to make me go faster down the slide.

"Oh, um, we met at a party a couple summers back. We walked down to the boardwalk, kissed, exchanged numbers, all the cliche stuff," he says with a sickening smile.

"That's so cute," Moon gushes.

"Yeah."

"It's so wild that you got back together after so long," she continues. "So, what's your zodiac? Are you two compatible?"

I groan as I step away from them and over to the guys. 

"You ready for this?" Penis Breath asks me excitedly.

"Yeah, definitely," I say, unamused.

"What's wrong?" Demetri questions.

"I just learned something new."

"What was it?" Bert asks curiously. 

"That Zion is even more fake than I thought," I groan. "She kissed me for the first time on the beach, and apparently she did the same with Keene," I add. 

"That must hurt," Penis Breath nods.

"She has her venomous fangs deep in Robby just like she did you," Demetri adds. 

"Make her suffer," Bert chimes in excitedly. "Do something."

"He also has a race to focus on," Penis Breath considers.

"He can do both. Make her regret hurting any of us," Demetri encourages me. It's weird to see him encouraging the fight, but I don't disagree with him.

"I hate her," I admit, "but is it really worth spreading more rumors about her?"

"She fake cheated on you," Bert reminds me.

"And, she spread rumors, too," Penis Breath agrees.

I watch Yasmine walk by Demetri with the cold shoulder. I give Demetri a weird look.

"She gets like that sometimes," he assures me.

I watch Zion come out of the bathroom behind her and walk towards the food stands. I raise an eyebrow skeptically.

"That's no coincidence," Penis Breath states.

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

When I make it back from getting food, I see everyone gathered around the slide for the race.

I take another second to grab a drink of water and calm down with my pretzel.

"Hey," Moon rushes over to me, "can we talk?" She seems genuinely upset about something.

"Sure," I nod wearily. "What's up?"

"Um," she frowns and looks around for anyone who might be watching, "after Eli saw you with Robby, I think he said some things he shouldn't have and things started circulating."

"What are you talking about?" I ask her.

"I tried to stop him..."

"Stop him from what, Moon?" I question worriedly.

"He started spreading more rumors about your relationship," she says softly. "And, well, I think they spread pretty quickly."

"What?!" I ask in shock. "What's he saying?"

"You know that he gets angry easily. A-And for the record, I think you and Robby are cute and I don't care how you got together," she tells me.

"Moon, what did he-" I glance across the park and see Eli getting out of the water and confronting Kenny. "No," I whisper as I set down my pretzel and rush past her to get over there.

⭒⭒⭒

Robby's POV

"Kenny," I catch up to him before he starts handing off tubes. "Hey."

"What do you want?" he asks.

"To talk to you. Just give me a minute," I plead.

"I made it clear-"

"Just one."

He sighs, "Fine."

"Look, I know you think Cobra Kai is best for you. I know you think that Zion and I abandoned you but we wouldn't have left without a reason."

"I know the reason," Kenny stops me. "Sensei Silver told us all about her ego trip, how he wanted her to continue to be a part of the team and instead she wanted the glory to herself. That's why she ditched us and you fell into that trap, too."

"That's not what-"

"But, we don't need you guys," he continues. "Shawn is back and more powerful than both of you. Plus, Kyler brought some friends from West Valley. We're set. You can leave me alone now."

"Zion and I didn't want what happened to happen. You have to believe-"

"Your minute is up," Kenny stops me. "It's over, Robby. The end." He turns away. He turns back with a smile that almost mocks me, "You know, thank you. For bringing me to Cobra Kai. I couldn't have done it without you."

I clench my fists angrily. It hurts. I'm just so glad Zion wasn't here to hear that.

Eli shoves me to the side as he walks by me to grab a tube from Kenny, "Sucks that she's doing it to you, too, Keene." He looks smug.

I want to ask him what he means by that until I remember what I told Zion and glare at him before turning away. That's when Tory walks by and ignores my existence.

I walk back out to the crowd as the chanting starts. I look around for Zion but struggle to find her.

I look around me and see people whispering as they look at me. What the hell is happening?

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

I make it over to the slide right as Eli provokes Kenny, "I'm not gonna strike first if that's what you think. You don't have the balls to anyway."

Kenny swings at Eli and misses. I shove through people to get over to them and get dirty looks. 

Kenny actually hits Eli in the face and he stands in shock. When Kenny kicks, Eli grabs his leg and twists it. Kenny groans in pain.

I rush over and sweep Eli to the ground, setting Kenny free.

"What the fuck?!" Eli groans as he struggles to get back up.

"Are you okay?" I ask Kenny.

"Stay out of my way," he tells me.

Eli kicks the back of my leg and I stumble forward in pain. When he gets up, I turn away from Kenny and look directly at him, "What are you saying about me? More lies?"

"I don't think they're lies," he shrugs. "More like the truth finally coming out. If I knew and Jenna knew, I guess Robby should, too. Especially considering what pattern you have."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I ask in confusion. "What does Jenna have to do with this?"

He smirks, "You have a plan each time you pick up someone new. You kiss them in a special spot, lead them on, and then fuck around with their heart. You did it when you left Robby that summer, you did it when you lied to me, and I'm sure you did it with Dylan and Jess and Jenna and all the others, too."

I hear people laughing and murmuring as he talks. I thought isolating myself at Cobra Kai was hard; now even the Cobras and Kenny are against me.

"You still believe what we had wasn't real?" I ask him. 

"One way or another you're using Robby. If it was real with me, then it wasn't with him," Eli says.

"Are you done?" Robby emerges from the crowd. "You're incapable of letting this go, aren't you?"

"Figured you deserved the truth," Eli smirks.

"This isn't about me. This is to humiliate her, as if you didn't do enough of that when you made a fool of yourself when you spread the rumors that she cheated on you," Robby tells him.

"This is real," Eli shrugs. "And I know it because I remember the messages on her phone that I found. The same night she hung out with you at the boardwalk, she told me she loved me. And the time you lost power in your little apartment and called out for help, she stayed with me and we had sex for the first time. The first of many times." 

The crowd laughs or boos at me as I look between the two worriedly. Robby looks at Eli angrily, but within the next second his eyes drift over to me in confusion and slight worry. He actually believes it.

And, I'm worried, too, because that's basically how it happened, and it makes me feel like a piece of shit. That was never my intent. Eli is manipulating things out of context. I was going to try to meet up with him but instead I-

"And when I opened her phone and saw your apology messages, she still continued to lie to me about you because she cared more about being with me than ever being something real with you."

Robby looks at me sadly as everyone seemingly sides with Eli. I wonder if it's amplified in my mind. Any positive feelings I once had for Eli are gone now. Long, long gone.

Eli turns back to me, "How many other people did you try to fuck behind my back? Or behind his?"

"Okay, listen," I step closer to Eli and try to keep my voice steady so it won't shake. "Maybe I wasn't honest with either of you back then, but we all make mistakes. I didn't cheat on you, and you know that. But, I'm not the only one to blame. How honest were you with Moon?"

"What are you talking about?" he scoffs.

"Did you ever tell her that you were actually using her to get over me? Despite you being the one to breakup with me? Did you tell her that the sunflower corsage you got her for prom was our thing? That you picked that flower just to get under my skin?" I tilt my head to the side knowingly.

"Now you're just making assumptions that this is all about you," Eli shakes his head.

"Bullshit. Miguel told me that," I throw it back in his face. He looks pissed.

"Every second I was with Moon I was so glad I wasn't with a bitch like you," he snaps.

Robby steps in front of me and pushes Eli back, "Don't call her that."

"Right. See, you're defending her now, but she doesn't give a shit about you. About any of us."

I speak up, "It's been almost a whole year since you broke up with me, Eli. Just accept that. Stop blaming me for your mistakes. It's pathetic."

Breathe in. Breathe out.

"And you know? I'm glad I moved on. Now, Robby gives me things I don't think you're even capable of," I make eye contact with him. "Like, he listens to me and trusts me. He respects me and doesn't jump to make or defend misogynistic remarks. He doesn't run at the first sign of danger, either."

I can see the pure rage in Eli's face as I say this and embarrass him. I lose focus on him and glance at Robby and he looks a lot more confident in my loyalty to him now. My eyes glance around at the others who wait for me to say more.

"And he knows how to keep me satisfied. Every. Time," my eyes narrow at Eli and his smug smirk is wiped off of his face.

Everyone laughs and mocks and murmurs. I see Miguel's eyes widen uncomfortably across the crowd; I still don't regret what I said, even if it is a fib.

"She's lying!" Eli shouts to save face.

"You wanted to play that game?" I whisper under my breath. "You forget I'm the champion of it."

I see Piper and Tory standing away from the other Cobras. Eli stands with Demetri and the other Miyagi-Dos. I even see Yasmine, Moon, Sam, and her brother together watching among other random waterpark people.

"You'll never be anything more than a Cobra," Demetri steps forward with a bandage on his nose.

"She's not-" Robby is interrupted as Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai begin to fight again.

"She's a traitor!" "She's not one of us." "We don't want her." Get back!" "Cheaters!" "Pussies!" "Cheaters!" "Cowards!" They only get louder and louder and begin to shove each other more and more.

I look around in a panic to find Robby or Miguel or both because they're the only neutral people I know of who can try and fix this.

My eyes land on Miguel and I try to walk through the crowd to get to him until I overhear a conversation.

"Oh, yeah? Well, she trained you," Eli tells Kenny with a smirk. "You're just as fucked as her."

I turn around to watch him and feel my heart begin to pound in my head again.

"I'll strike first again. Just you wait," Kenny threatens.

"Kenny, don't let him trick you into that," I step in.

He looks between me and Eli in disgust, "I'm not listening to you."

"Don't be mad at her. We're only trying to help you," Robby comes up from behind me.

"This is you guys helping him?" Eli asks cockily. 

"I can defend myself," Kenny argues.

"I just want you to consider what you're doing-"

"I'm only doing what you taught me before you left," he argues with me. "I'm doing what you were too scared to do."

"I wasn't scared."

"You ran away and left us like a pussy! Then, you pulled Robby away, too. You only thought about yourself."

It hits me right in my heart when he says that. All I can remember is how I left Ella. All I can remember is how I keep fucking up.

"It's only because she's right," Robby steps in. "I was wrong to bring you to Cobra Kai."

"Yo, get away from Kenny," Kyler wraps his arm over his shoulder. I feel nauseous.

"Tell him to leave us alone," Miguel comes and backs me up now, too.

"You're a joke, Kyler," I step closer to the group.

"And you're an easy whore. Me and my buddies were always right about you," he laughs.

I see Shawn looming at the back of the group. Starting a fight at the waterpark around innocent people and on the slippery floor and with no backup for myself is the most stupid idea ever. I try to contain it.

I glance back at Robby for reassurance and strength as my eyes catch Miguel glaring at Eli and moving away from him. Eli stands right beside Demetri.

I stare at all of them in disbelief, "Is it so awful that now the woman is controlling her sexuality instead of a man?"

"Doesn't make you any less of a slut," a newer Cobra joins in.

All the Cobras laugh together and I see Robby actually tense with me. 

I take in a deep breath, "Okay, it's time you know the truth about why I left-"

"We know why," Kyler laughs as everyone backs him up, one after the other.

"Silver told us the truth about you," Big Red states. 

"You were mad that you couldn't be on top, so you tried to make it on your own," Edwin speaks up.

"Can't believe you left, too, Keene," Kyler addresses my boyfriend.

"Cobra Kai isn't going to help any of you," I try to reason with them as I defend Robby.

"Yet you still use Cobra Kai's skills when you fight," Shawn steps through finally.

"Silver messes with your minds and-"

"Silver is helping all of us," Kenny tells me. "He actually cares." 

I try not to get emotional, "No, he doesn't. A-And, I do care, Kenny-"

"Stay away from him," Shawn pushes Kenny behind him. "From all of us. He's made it clear he doesn't want you and your weak ass boyfriend near him."

"That's enough," Robby stands by my side.

"Aw," Shawn smiles mockingly, "you can talk for yourself. Good for you."

"How does it feel having your girlfriend fight all your battles for you?" a new Cobra joins in.

I tense guiltily as Robby takes my hand. "That's one of the things I love most about her."

"You know, you're a real piece of shit," Eli gets angry at Robby now and shoves him back to pull our hands apart.

"For existing near my girlfriend?" Robby asks in disbelief, obviously trying not to physically fight here. "Did that hurt your fragile ego, too, Moskowitz?"

"Stop fighting," Moon's voice is barely heard.

"Kenny, please," I call after him as Shawn pulls all the Cobras away.

"The worst part of it all is that I trusted you. Now you're on their side?" he turns back to me in disbelief.

"Ken, go," Shawn pushes his brother away and all the Cobras walk away except for Shawn. He looks down on me, "It's in your best interest to leave him alone. You've put him through enough."

"All I'm saying is that he should be careful with Silver. You, too," I try to explain.

"You come near him again," Shawn threatens, "and you'll learn that you need to be careful with me. Got it?"

I watch him walk away as I try not to breakdown here. 

Ninety-seven. Ninety-four. Ninety-one. Eighty-eight.

I just want an honest, one-on-one conversation with Kenny. 

A conversation like that may cause me to say too much aloud that I hate to even think about. 

A conversation like that would have me start at the beginning.

A conversation like that-

"This is all her fault." I snap back to reality. I turn around and see Demetri pointing at me.

"How is this her fault?" Robby asks defensively.

"She taught that miscreant Cobra Kai," Demetri gestures.

"We taught Kenny karate because he needed self-defense against a bully that we thought was Hawk," Robby states.

"How'd you even know the tall guy?" Miguel walks over with an accusatory tone.

"Shawn and I were in juvie together," Robby says tensely. 

"Let me guess. That's how you two brought Kenny here," Eli realizes.

"I should've known you'd fuck more things up," Demetri's eyes land on me and he actually steps closer to me. "Now you brought that Kenny kid into this mess.  It's only a matter of time before you ruin more. Where does it stop with you?"

I begin to get dizzy, "I didn't mean to-"

"Why is it surprising?" Demetri continues. "You know exactly what Cobra Kai is and does. You have nobody else to blame except for yourself."

My eyes won't focus anymore.

Miguel sighs, "Demetri, it's not her fault."

"He starts fights, bullies, antagonizes, and channels his anger is because of what you guys taught him. Let's face it. He's screwed up now. This is all her fault," he points his finger at me.

My face gets hot as he confirms everything negative I've felt for far, far too long.

"That's enough. Get away from her," Robby defends me.

"Why? I already have a broken nose. What's more?" Demetri continues. 

"I... I..." I stutter as I try to find a response.

"I said that's enough," Robby shoves Demetri away from me. 

Eli stands as Demetri's backup while he continues, "She's worried because it's true."

Tears form and I turn away before they can even see them fall.

"Get out of here," I hear Miguel tell them as genuine worry seeps into his voice.

"We're not in the wrong, Miguel," Eli states. 

"Leave her alone. Now," Miguel defends.

Robby comes over to me and I push him away in embarrassment.

"Go to hell," I hear Eli state. Footsteps walk away from us and the crowd disappears, as well. 

It's just me and Miguel and Robby alone. I turn away from Robby and find myself facing Miguel. 

Miguel sighs, "Zion, they were exaggerati-"

I duck between them and rush to the bathroom so I can collapse alone. 

I walk past families, little kids, other people my age, anyone and everyone. I feel so exposed in this swimsuit; I'm not confident anymore. Anyone can see my vulnerability and take advantage of it. It's like all I do anymore becomes ammo for my enemies to use. 

I close a stall door and lean against the stall's wall as I allow myself to breakdown here.

In and out.

Deep breaths.

Count. 

Find all the colors in the room.

I wish the world around me would melt like it did the other night with Jai and Liv. I wish I could feel that carefree again. I wish life were always that easy.

In and out.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three...

The bathroom's door creaks open.

"Zion?"

"...Sam?"

"I saw you run off after the confrontation with Cobra Kai and Eli and... I thought I'd check in on you," she says sweetly.

"I'm fine," I lie as I take some toilet paper and wipe my tears.

"I know the guys haven't been accepting of you at Miyagi-Do and I'm sorry. I want them to be, but I'm not there anymore so its hard to get them to listen to me. Plus, they have a tendency to be, um..."

"Misogynistic assholes?" I finish for her.

"I was going to say close-minded, but yeah," she says in disappointment. "Do you want to come out and talk about it?"

I hesitate, "I don't know, Sam. I think it's..."

"I guess it is kind of weird since I broke things off with Miguel," she shrugs, "but that doesn't mean we can't be friends anymore, right?"

"Friends?"

"If that's okay...?" Sam hesitates.

I think about what Tory said. She shouldn't be making me choose. I just want the best of both worlds, but it's hard. 

I open the stall door to face her, "Yeah. Friends."

She smiles hopefully, "Good. Maybe you can take a break from karate, too. We can do it together."

I shake my head, "Me not being a part of any dojo doesn't mean I'm going to give up karate. There's always a reason to keep fighting."

"You know," she sits on the counter, "after the tournament, Moon helped me get a therapist. I found that you can keep fighting without doing it physically. Sometimes just fighting the inner workings of your mind is a good workout."

I frown. That's what I'm scared of. "Sam, someone needs to stop Silver."

"Well," she shrugs, "that's what my dad is trying to work on with Chozen. You can focus on yourself."

"Chozen?" I ask in confusion.

"He's another rival from my dad's childhood, but they're friends now," Sam explains. "They're going to take care of Silver and Tory and all the Cobras. You should just take care of you."

I tense as I get deja vu, "Tory isn't your enemy. She's just as much of a victim of Silver as me."

"Tory tried to kill me before Silver even got here," she frowns. "She's on the loose now and the only way to stay out of these things is to not be there for the fight, just like my dad teaches."

"Her and Piper and Kenny are on the verge of seeing everything that's wrong with Silver. Tory is just there, struggling to survive for her family," I tell her. "Kreese's Cobra Kai changes a person. You don't know what it's like to be in there."

"I'm not getting back into this karate drama, Zion," Sam argues. "I won't. I'm already worried enough as it is watching my brother and my dad struggle with it. I can't go back in head-first."

I look down and she gets off the counter in dismay. It's quiet for just a second until the door opens and someone walks in to use the bathroom. She walks into a stall awkwardly as Sam and I stare at each other. 

"I don't understand it," I admit slowly, "but I respect your choice. If I had the financial stability or the support that you do, maybe I'd do the same. But, I don't. So, I can't."

"We can still spend the afternoon here together. I-I don't know about Robby, but maybe-"

"Honestly, I just want to go home," I tell her softly. "It's been a lot." I walk over to the door to leave.

"If you ever want to hang out, just text me," she offers. "Even if it's just a movie night or something. I'm here."

I nod slightly before opening the door and walking out. 

I find Robby sitting with our stuff. He looks up at me, "Doing better?"

"I guess..." I start to pack up the bag and wrap up the pretzel.

"How did it go with Sam?" he asks. 

I look at him and shrug, "I don't know. She's done with karate and Miguel and it makes a lot awkward."

"Oh... Did you want to go on the MegaDrop still?" he asks with a supportive half-smile.

I look up at the ride I had so many hopes for. "No," I frown, "I just want to go home."

⭒⭒⭒

We carry stuff to the car as my mind runs laps around my body. Today has felt like a nightmare. It can't be real.

When we make it to the car, I dig in our bag for the key.

The key.

"Fuck," I say as I take my towel and the sunscreen out of the bag. I continuously dig through it as I struggle to find the key.

"What?" Robby comes over.

"Looking for these?" I turn around and see Shawn holding up my keys as Kyler, Big Red, and a couple others stand behind him.

"Give them back," Robby says.

All my energy is spent and I'm ready to either collapse or set something on fire.

"Do you remember juvie?" Shawn asks. "'Cause I don't remember ever giving you anything that easy. You wanna fight again?" Robby glares. Shawn sighs in disappointment. "Oh, right. You left Cobra Kai. May as well have left karate, too. Weak, little bitch."

"Us leaving makes us stronger than any of you," I finally speak up.

"Looked to me like you were pretty close to crying back there, sweetheart," Shawn chuckles.

"Give me my keys," I say tensely.

"You wanna fight, runner-up?" he makes a mock of a fighting stance.

"Don't," Robby tells me.

"Wanna see if you can really take me down?" Shawn questions. "Maybe if you get on your knees and beg-"

A chill runs up my spine.

"That's enough, Shawn," Robby raises his voice for the first time today.

I begin to shake as I try to stop myself from fighting here, "I said give me my fucking keys."

"You should 'let go' of the traitor's keys," Joey laughs behind him.

"All right," Shawn lifts them up. "Oops." He throws my keys over the fence and back into the park.

I glare at Shawn as Kyler laughs in amusement, "You're a natural Cobra, man!"

The group laughs, pats Shawn on the back, and walks away.

"No..." I groan in frustration when I finally feel in control of my body again.

I rush over to the fence and look between the wooden planks worriedly. They fell into the trash can perfectly.

"Do you see them?" Robby comes up behind me.

I am so close to breaking down again. "I think my spare set is at your mom's."

"I'll call my dad to come get us," he tells me.

I walk to my car door and try many different ways to unlock it. It doesn't even budge.

I kick my car as everything seemingly falls apart. My kick barely even makes a dent into this piece of shit. I kick it again and again.

Robby grabs my arm and coaxes me away from the car, "He's here for Miguel in Lot E. He can come back and help you get your car later."

"Okay," I softly as I give up on anything else today going my way.

He extends his hand and I take it and grip it tightly and close to my chest. 

We walk across the large parking lot. I hear people arguing a couple cars away.

"I don't care!" a shrill voice says to the side of us. "I will not date someone who can't respect women, and I will not let them into my car. You can walk home."

"This is crazy," Demetri follows Yasmine and Moon. "You know me, babe. You know how conniving and vindictive and evil Zion is. This is her slithering between us to break us apart. Do you not remember that she's assaulted me over and over again? Besides, I can't take back what I said, even if it may be wrong-"

"'May?!'" Yasmine asks. She looks at Moon who frowns in response. "Learn from your mistakes, babe. Don't call me anymore."

They get into her car as Demetri is left on his own. She pulls out quickly and angrily before leaving him in the dust, literally.

Thoughts swarm in my head. I'm satisfied and even a little... guilty?

Robby sighs and pulls me to follow him and away from Demetri.

We approach the Eagle Fang van; Miguel is already in the front seat. We climb into the back and Johnny pulls off.

I realize now that I never thanked Miguel for standing up for me. Now isn't the time, though.

"All right. What happened?" Johnny senses the tension.

None of us say anything.

"Oh, come on. Someone say something."

"Everyone went to the waterpark today. Us, Miyagi-Do, Sam, Cobra Kai, all of them," Miguel says.

"And yet you still sided with Miyagi-Do after everything," Robby snaps.

"I didn't side with Eli and Demetri," Miguel shifts around in his seat. "They were wrong. I stood with Miyagi-Do against Cobra Kai."

"You stand with them, a-and then you rely on Zion for help when she doesn't even have the mental capacity to handle your breakup right now," Robby accuses him. "You don't even think about her!"

Miguel is taken aback, "I never expected her to drop everything for me. I even asked her yesterday what was bothering her. I half expected her to say it was something you did-"

"You should know that she doesn't open up that quickly. If you'd think about anyone else but yourself for once, you'd see that," Robby tells him.

"Enough!" Johnny snaps. "You two need to stop fighting. You're friends."

"We're not friends," Miguel argues.

"We never will be," Robby adds.

I curl into a ball in my seat to block out the world. Today is just too much for me. I just want to cry now.

"Do you see what you did?" Robby asks.

"What I did?" Miguel counters. "Oh, please, you were engaging in that fight."

"I had to defend her. They couldn't get away with calling her those names."

"There had to be a better way to deescalate it."

"You did nothing, Diaz. You're constantly creating new problems and drama everywhere you go, and you never fix it yourself."

"And you do? Where's the accountability for the fight at school? 'Cause you haven't said shit-"

"Both of you refuse to even put in an effort!"  I yell angrily.

Johnny swerves for a moment when I scream while Robby and Miguel freeze and look genuinely surprised.

"You jump at the first chance to fight. You don't see any good in each other. If we're ever going to stop Cobra Kai we need to be one, strong force, but I don't even think that's possible anymore."

I take a deep breath in and let it out. Robby and Miguel shift away from looking at each other. It's silent.

I roll back into my curled up position and try not to cry. I wish one thing in my life would go right. I wish they'd get along or Sam would agree with me or Tory would come to her senses or Kenny would break free of Cobra Kai or Silver would just die. 

We drop off Miguel first. He leaves without saying anything.

When we make it to Shannon's, Johnny speaks up, "Do you want me to take you back for your car?"

"Yeah. Let me get the key," I tell him.

I walk inside and awkwardly avoid Robby since it's weird around him now, too. Then, I leave and go back out to the van.

I get in the seat next to Johnny and look out the window.

"I want them to get along. I'm just not sure how to fix this," he tells me. "I thought you being in the middle would make it easier."

"It makes it harder."

"Well," he offers ,"I'm thinking about an Italian intervention."

"What?" I look over at him, not in the mood for his humor.

"I'm going to trick them into going to Olive Garden together," Johnny smiles proudly. "You should come, too."

"Okay," I sigh in defeat. I can't even argue with his seemingly stupid ideas.

When we make it back to the park, I unlock my car and briefly thank Johnny.

He drives away and I'm alone.

⭒⭒⭒

A/N: And this is when it all goes downhill;)