Chapter Sixty Seven
Primadonna

SYDNEY CRACKED HER knuckles until they couldn't be cracked anymore.  The pressure leading up to her fight was stressful and she grew angrier and angrier the more she saw Piper's cocky attitude from across the mat.  They weren't that different.  Piper was a gymnast and Sydney was a dance,  but Sydney also had been in karate longer.  She had the upper hand,  the Cobra Kais just didn't know it yet.

She was practicing her punches with Johnny to pass time.  "Hi yah!"  She yelled and spun around,  kicking the glove he was holding.

"Nice!"  He praised.  "You should have no worries,  Frenchy."

"I'm not,"  she agreed and sucked in a deep breath.  "That cocky little bitch doesn't know what's coming."  She seethed.

"Our next quarter finalist march will be Sydney Benoist of Eagle Fang Karate and verses Piper Elswith of Cobra Kai!"  Daryl announced.

The Eagle Fangs cheered for their teammate and Miguel took her by the arm.  "You're going to do great."  He promised her.

She looked up and him and smiled.  "I know."  She declared and walked onto the mat,  meeting Piper in the middle.  She put on her game face.

"Face each other.  Bow."  The ref instructed.

Sydney bowed but her eyes never left Piper's.  "You can do this,  Syd!"  Johnny said from behind her.

"Let's go,  Sydney."  Miguel clapped encouragingly.

"Ready?  And fight!"

Piper stepped forward and kicked her leg and Sydney used her forearm to block it.  Bending down and blocking a punch,  Sydney used her free hand to punch Piper in the stomach,  earning her a point. 

"One-zero!"

The Eagle Fangs immediately cheered and she could hear her parents hollering her name from the crowd.  "That's my girl!"  Caroline shouted while clapping happily.

"Let's go,  Syd!"  She heard Demetri and the other Miyagi-Dos cheer for her as well.

Piper's cocky attitude visual deflated and it only made Sydney's confidence rise.  She smirked and got back in her fighting position.  When the were told to go again,  the Brit lunged forward immediately with her hands raised.  Piper stepped back on her right foot and blocked her punch with her hand.

Sydney grunted and attempted to do a side kick with her leg foot but Piper grabbed it and threw it back down,  causing Sydney to stumble and the Cobra Kai used to opportunity to lift her leg and kick the girl in the face.  A string of oohs came from the crowd and Sydney grabbed her face in pain,  feeling anger start to sizzle in her bones.

"Score's one-one!"  The ref announced.

"It's okay,  Sydney.  Don't get discouraged!"  Johnny shouted out and the girl turned around to face him.  Her face was bright red from the hit and anger.

Sydney locked eyes with Miguel and he gave her a soft nod,  telling her that it was okay. She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eye briefly to collect herself. When she turned back around, she glared at the other girl.

"You know, Robby said you're the only reason Eagles Fang would stand a chance here," she told her. Her smile was very passive aggressive. "Maybe he got that wrong, too."

Sydney's gaze darkening. "We'll see about that when I knock your teeth out in a minute." She threatened her raised her fists.

"Ready?" The ref asked. After a minute, he shouted out. "Fight!"

She channeled in all the anger.  Every ounce of hate she felt for the Cobra Kais.  When she heard the word,  she let out a loud cry and ran forward,  her fists and Piper's clashing together.  Sydney backed her up almost to the edge of the mat and Piper found a way to duck under her arm when she lifted it.  The Brit spun around quickly and listed her forearm,  blocking the punch that was coming.  She ducked under her arm and moved to the other side.  Letting out another cry,  Sydney stepped back on her left leg and spun around with her right leg rasied, her foot colliding with Piper's face and where her mouth was.

"Point, Benoist!"

"Yes!" Miguel hollered with excited eyes. "That's my girl!"

"Whoo-hoo!" Sam cheered loudly from where she was standing.

Piper looked distraught. She quickly looked back at her team but only got blank stares. She stepped back to her spot and raised her hands again.  They went at each other again and Piper kicked her leg up.  Sydney quickly bent her upper body backwards and she dropped to the ground,  swiping her legs from under her.  When Piper fell to the ground,  Sydney stood back up and stomped her foot onto her stomach.

"Point,  Benoist!"  The ref announced and took her hand,  raising it in the air.  "Winner!"

"YEAH!"  The Eagle Fangs collected cheered and the crowd went crazy as well.  "That's how you do it!"  Johnny shouted out proudly.  Sydney ran off the mat and they gathered her in a group hug.  "You did it!"  Miguel hollered and pressed his face into the side of her head.

Her heart warmed at the praise and she looked over her shoulder,  seeing the disappointment on the Cobra Kias faces.  She smirked until she looked at Tory and it dropped when she saw the glare she was giving her.

Sydney leaned against Miguel as the next fight was about to start.  She was shocked to learn that it Robby verses Kenny.  The boy looked up to Robby.  She had no idea if it would end in a good way or a bad way.  The pair of cobras walked to the middle of the mat.  "How do you think this'll play out?"  She asked Miguel.

He eyed the two on the mat.  "Robby's protective over him.  He won't hurt him."  He stated,  fully believing it.

Kenny was a good fighter.  Robby taught him well.  Everybody in the room watched their fight intensely.  It was very clear that Robby was going easy on him.

"He's going easy on him.  It's not a fair fight."  Sydney whispered.

Miguel looked down at her.  "Wouldn't you do the same with me?"

She scoffed.  "Please,  I'd have you on the mat in a second."

"Oh,  I'm sure."  He hummed and poked her in the side.

One thing Sydney grew to know about Robby was that he was very easily influenced.  He believed one thing until somebody told him differently,  and then he slowly made his way onto that side.  She witnessed it many times.  He used to hate anything that had to do with Cobra Kai,  and now,  he was one of them.  A part of her hated him for it.  The other part of her wondered how badly he was hurting inside that he made the decision to switch sides.

They called for a timeout and Robby's whole demeanor changed after he had a talk with Kreese.  His expression was dark and his brows were pinched together.  The ref called for them to come back to the mats.  Sydney leaned more into Miguel and started to get an unsettling feeling in her stomach. 

Before anyone could blink,  Robby let out a loud cry and kicked Kenny in the face,  knocking him to the ground.

"Oh my god."  The Brit muttered in shock and looked up at Miguel,  who's stare was settled on his sworn enemy.

Kenny stood back up again and rubbed his jaw.  He stared at Robby in surprise.  The older boy cracked his neck and stood back in his spot.  When they went again,  Robby was mainly using his legs.  Kenny was able to block one of his kicks and back away to keep from behind him but Robby wasn't backing down.  He successfully hit Kenny in the chest and sent him tumbling to the ground again.

Kenny sprinted towards him with his fist but Robby moved out of the way.  The young boy swung his arm and he ducked down in time,  pushing Kenny forward to the other side of the mat.  He didn't receive a point.  That's when Kenny started to get mad.  He raised his fists challengingly.  When they were told to go again, he grunted and kicked his leg.  Robby was able to move to the other side and kick the younger boy in the back.

"This is getting crazy."  Sydney muttered and slowly shook her head.  She could see by the look on Johnny's face that he felt the same.

"It's like he's trying to prove a point."  Mitch said from the other side of her.

The entire arena gasped when did a spin in the air and kicked Kenny in the face again and a loud yell of anger came from him.  Sydney put a hand over her mouth in shock,  her eyes staring at the younger boy that was on the ground in pain.  He held his bleeding nose and let out noises of discomfort.  He ran off the mat past his team. 

For a split second,  she could see the regret on the boy's face.

Miguel was in the semi finals and Sydney was ecstatic.  She gave him all the encouragement she had in her.  "Stay focused,  play fair,  and please win,"  she told him and adjusted his gi.

He smiled down at her.  "You haven't lost faith in me yet,  have you?"

"I never will."  She declared and leaned up on her toes,  kissing me quickly.  She cupped his face in her hands.  "I love you."

"Love you."  He replied and kissed her back.

"Okay,  okay,  they'll be plenty of time for that later,"  Johnny said and got between them,  pushing them way by their heads.  He pointed to Miguel.  "You stay focused."

"I'm completely focused."

"Completely,"  Sydney agreed.  She pointed a finger at her boyfriend.  "Tell him anywhere but the face."

He smiled at her.

Daryl announced the next fight between Eli and Miguel.  "Alright,  you can do this,"  Johnny started.  "You've beaten Hawk before.  Remember that killer instinct.  Take his ass out."

Miguel flashed his head at him.  "What?"  He questioned.  "Take his ass out?  Hawk is my friend."

"He's fighting for Larusso.  He picked his side,"  Johnny declared sternly.  "Who's side are you on?"

Sydney listened to their conversation.  She looked at Johnny from the corner of her eye.  He was eager to win against Daniel that he didn't care about anything else.  The team witnessed the attitude since the beginning.  It was always about the rivalry between Johnny and Daniel.

Only recently,  it was putting a strain on Miguel.  "Who's side are you on?"  He counteracted.

Johnny's face fell slightly.  "What do you mean?"

"Gentlemen,  take your positions."  The ref announced.

"I'm on your side,  Diaz.  Always."  Johnny promised him but the boy didn't seem to want to hear it.

Sydney put her hand on Miguel's shoulder but he shrugged it off and walked onto the mat.  Her smile fell into a frown and she slumped her shoulders.  Johnny stepped closer to her and stood by her side.  "He'll be fine."  He swore to her.

She didn't respond and stared ahead of her.

"Finally,  a worthy opponent.  Not gonna hold back,  right?"  Eli asked when the two friends stood on the mat.

Miguel shook his head.  "No."

"Good,  neither am I."  He smirked.  "I'm sure Syd would kill us both if he we did."

They did their handshake and backed away from each other.  "Good luck,  guys!"  They heard Sydney shout from where she stood.  When they began,  the Brit gripped onto Bert nervously. 

Miguel took the lead and threw his arm back,  Eli blocking it quickly.  Grunting,  the Miyagi-Do ducked under his arm and Miguel gripped the sleeve of his gi,  kicking Eli in the stomach.  He let go and Eli spun around.  Miguel charged forward and their fists collided with each other. 

Sydney chewed on her nails nervously.  Miguel and Eli were the two best fighters she knew.  It could go either way.  She nearly gasped when they both jumped in the air and kicked at each other.

"Nice,  Diaz!  Nice!"  Johnny shouted at his student.

"Good job,  honey!"  The British girl cheered.

They swung at each other with heavy grunts until Miguel was finally able to kick Eli in the torso only for the boy to block it.  He fell to the mat and slid back.  "No point.  Continue!"  The ref instructed.

"I'm going to have a panic attack."  Sydney breathed out and tightened her grip around Bert.

Suddenly,  everything was in slow motion. The air in her slowly evaporated. Deja vu came in flashes and she suddenly remembered how her chest closed during the school fight. She remembered that horrible feeling of dread that filled her heart. She felt locked in the same nightmare she had to endure all those weeks. It was that same, stupid game. But it was real and she was there gasping for air in complete fear.

The sound of Miguel's back hitting the mat made her feel sick, the same sickness she felt after what happens at school. But this time, she could scream. "Miguel!" She found herself yelling out with terror.

Cries of pain came from the boy and Eli and the ref dropped down. "Stay here." Johnny ordered the girl, knowing exactly what she was thinking, and he sprinted onto the mat.

Sydney moved to follow after him but Mitch grabbed her arm, shaking his head no. Straggly breaths and gasps came from her and she began to feel light headed. "No, no, no." She muttered and covered her mouth.

"Sensei!"

She couldn't go through it again. She barely made it through the first time. She remembered the horrible anxiety she endured throughout Miguel's injury. The pills she had taken. How they all thought he was going to die. She knew now that she was completely in love with him, and it took him almost dying for her to finally admit it. She couldn't do it again. Sydney sat on the edge of the mat with her hands gripping the side of her head, her knee bouncing up and down.

They had taken Miguel out on a stretcher to the medical room in the building. He said he couldn't feel the lower part of his body. Johnny made her promise to stay there, for he wanted her to focus on the tournament, but now all she felt was nauseous.

Eli walked across the mat to the other side and sat beside her. "Hey," he spoke gently.

"What if it happens again? For real this time. What if he can't walk?" She asked frantically and lifted her head, the fear in her eyes now on display.

"It's not going to happen, Syd," he denied with a shake of his head. "This is Miguel we're talking about. He's strong—"

"You saw how he was the first time around," she interrupted. "He was miserable. How do you think he's going to handle this?"

"He has you," the boy continued. "He has you, and us, and his family. That's what'll get him through it."

The Brit sighed and closed her eyes. Her mind was completely off the tournament. All she could think about was how much pain Miguel was in.

Eli put a hand on her shoulder. "Go see him." He told her.

She shook her head. "I'm not—"

"You're his girlfriend," he declared. "You're apart of his family. They're not going to say no to you. It's kind of impossible."

Sydney cracked a smile and looked at him. Eli gave her an encouraging nod and squeezed her shoulder before getting up and going back to the Miyagi-Dos. Her eyes followed him for a second before standing on her feet. She moved past her teammates and exited the arena. She walked down the empty hallways until she found the medical room. She saw Rosa and Carmen coming down the opposite way. "Carmen, Rosa," she spoke.

"Oh, Sydney," Carmen breathed out and opened her arms, the girl instantly walking into them. "He's going to be okay, sweetheart." She said while rubbing her back.

Sydney sighed in relief. "Oh my god."

"The nurse said he just pulled a muscle. But he's going to be okay," the mother continued and pulled back out kept her hands on her arms. "You have no idea how much you being here means to us."

Her eyes began to water from the emotions. "I'm always going to be here." She promised. She looked at Rosa. "Siempre."

"Oh, chica encantadora." Rosa told her and put a caring hand on her back.

"Go ahead and see him honey." Carmen said.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am."

The mother and grandmother left to go back inside the arena and Sydney hesitantly walked down the rest of the hallway. She paused when she saw Johnny come out of the medical room. "Hey," she spoke.

"I figured you wouldn't listen to me," he replied with a sigh.

She shrugged. "You know me better than that."

"I guess I do," he hinted a smile. He motioned his head to inside the room. "Go ahead." He stopped her before she could continue. "Wait, um. . . Could you maybe convince him to keep fighting?" He asked of her.

Sydney furrowed her brows. "What do you mean? He doesn't want to?" She asked and her eyes flickered to the room.

"There's something going on with him. He won't tell me but I know he'll tell you," he explained. "Just. . . work your girlfriend magic for me, please?"

The Brit didn't say anything but she blinked and gave him a nod. Johnny decided that was enough for himZ. He patted her on the back and moved around her to head back into the arena.  Sydney entered the doorway of the room and saw Miguel sitting on the bed table.  "Hey,"  she announced softly.

He looked up.  "Hey.  How'd you get in here?"

She smirked.  "Don't worry,  I didn't pull the cousin card.  Your mom said I could come in."  She explained and walked into the room.  "How are you feeling?"

He only shrugged,  his facial expression permanently glum.  "I'm okay,"  he answered quietly. 

His off putting attitude had been worrying her since they got here but now it was worse.  "You've been acting weird the entire day,"  she told him and stood in front of him.  "Please,  tell me what's wrong."

"There's nothing wrong,  Sydney—"

"You're lying.  I always know when you're lying."

"Will you stop—"

"No,  I won't stop!"  She interrupted loudly,  making him go silent.  "I'm not just your girlfriend,  Miguel,  I'm your best friend.  Best friends worry about each other and I'm worried about you!" She paused and took a deep breath. "I love you. Let me help you."

Miguel stared at her. There was an intense feeling of guilt and sadness that he had been trying to hide from her. It clawed at him, burned his throat, and caused his eyes to water. He didn't want to hurt her but he was hurting himself. "There's things I want to tell you, Syd, but I don't know how to," he admitted with misery in his voice.

Her face dropped. "You don't know how?" He had never been able to not talk to her about things. That was their promise to each other; to tell each other everything.

The secrets he held captive in his heart casted a dark cloud over his head. This was a girl who he trusted with his life, and she trusted him, but his demons kept him from being able to be truthful with her and that killed him. He kept reminding himself that he loved her. "I'm tired of trying to be the best for everybody," Miguel revealed. "Sensei wants me to be something I'm not. My mom, yaya—The only thing I've ever known how to be is your boyfriend. It's come so easy. But. . ."

"But?" She repeated with a break in her voice.

He felt a pain in his stomach when her eyes glazed over. What am I doing? What am I doing to her? "I don't want to keep going on fighting for other people. I. . ." He choked on his words. "You know that I love you, Sydney."

"But?" She said again and when she blinked her eyes, the tears began to fall. Her throat burned terribly and she found herself slipping back into the nightmare.

His lips and hands trembled. He stared into her glossy eyes and knew whatever he said next was going to break her heart, but he thought breaking it to her this way would hurt way less than what he actually wanted to say. "I'm sorry." Was all he could say and his voice slipped into the void.

Her ears and lungs filled with water. For years, she swallowed her anger and pain like poison. She gulped it down so it wouldn't hurt anyone. Only her. Even when her agony burned to wrath and a billion bombs went off inside her, she still said nothing. But she was burning herself out from the inside and the blood in her ran cold. But she didn't feel anger, she didn't feel agony, she only felt desolate. The waves came crashing down. Sydney left the room without saying a world and Miguel's face curled somberly when she disappeared.

There was a reason she didn't get close to people. There was a reason she isolated herself from those around her and masked her anger with wrath for other people. It's because of this, this feeling right here. It was a burn like no other. She felt as if she was in the middle of a burning house. She felt completely detected from her body. She absolutely hated the effect that he had on her. He changed her, made her go soft, all for the love she let in to now disappear. Red and blue was all she could see.

When she entered the arena, eyes turned to her. Her face was cherry red and tear streaked but she didn't cry. "Sydney?" Bert said out loud but she did not respond.

Sydney stood viable by the mat. Tory stood on the opposite side of her. "Hey. Syd, what happened?" Johnny voiced and stood beside her.

Again, she didn't respond. His voiced made the red overtake the blue. She could feel everyone around her whisper and try to figure out what was going on with her. Sydney blocked them all out and kept her eyes on Tory. The waves crashing over her grew higher and higher. Eli had won his fight against Robby, it being the best fight of the night, earning the boy the title of the boy's champion. She reminded herself to congratulated him later.

It was the fight everybody had been waiting for. The tension between them was too high to continue being bottled up. It was the fight the British girl was yearning for. Johnny turned to her again. "I don't know what's happening with you, Frenchy, but this is your moment. You've been waiting for this. You've been working hard. Don't let her get in your head." He encouraged her.

Sydney looked up at him. He saw her fire in her eyes and he took a step back. "Don't worry about me." Was all she said.

Their names were called and Sydney and Tory stepped onto the mats. The once best friends glared at each other. "That was a quite a tumble Miguel took," Tory spoke, her voice taunting.

"Say one more thing about him and I'll break your jaw." She threatened.

Tory was ruthless. She fought dirty. Sydney fought fair. The tension between them made everybody nervous, especially her friends that knew the history with them. Sydney wanted nothing more than to finally put her in her place.

"And fight!"

With a loud grunt, Sydney lunged forward and kicked her leg out. Rory quickly stepped back and used her knee to block it.  The Brit thre her fists forward,  low,  and high,  and Tory was able to block them all.  A large wave of anger overcame her and she spun around,  letting out a loud cry and her foot collided with Tory's face. 

"Point!  Benoist,  one-zero!"  The ref called out.

"Yes!"  Both Johnny and Daniel shouted out,  the teams and the crowd cheering.  Alexander and Caroline stood up from their seats and practically bounced on their feet.

Tory stared at the girl in disbelief.  Sydney only flickered her eyebrows up,  challengingly.  Though she expected the girl to fight aggressive,  she didn't expect to feel so much hatred from her.

The ref had them get back in their spots.  Sydney bounced on her feet with her fists raised.  "Ready?  And fight!"

Rory let out an angry grunt and kicked her leg in her direction.  Sydney jumped back and avoided getting hit and quickly swung her fist forward.  She backed Tory up a few steps until the Cobra Kai ducked under her arm and moved to the other side of the mat. With loud grunts,  the opposing teams kicked at each other and when Sydney raised her arm up,  Tory lifted her leg and flexed her foot,  kicking her in the side.

"Point,  Nichols!  Score,  one-one!"  The ref announced

Sydney huffed angrily and squeezed her fists.  The adrenaline mixed with her anger and caused her to start shaking.  She retook her spot and caught Johnny's eye,  her sensei nodding encouragingly.

"Ready?  And fight!"

Tory stepped back on her left foot and kicked her right one,  the Eagle Fang using her hand to block it and she raised her fist,  punching Tory in the shoulder only for her to block it.  The Cobra Kai bared her teeth and backed her up by her fists.  Sydney was able to block every punch,  but they were coming quickly,  and Tory grunted loudly;  she swung her arm to the side and Sydney ducked down to avoid being hit.  Unfortunately,  she didn't move away quickly in time,  and Tory's elbow lodged itself into the middle of her chest.

Sydney had asthma attacks on numerous occasions.  When her anxiety levels increased,  she lost control of her breathing and there were many times where she felt as if she was drowning for air.  She stumbled to the ground and it felt as if someone was sitting on her chest.  Gasps came from everywhere in the arena.  She couldn't catch her breath.  She felt as if the walls were closing around her.

"Warning.  Elbow to the chest!"  The ref announced.

"Warning,  are you joking?"  Daniel shouted at the red.

"That should be a point deduction!"  Johnny snapped and he quickly ran onto the mat.  "Hey.  Hey,  Syd,"  he stammered and dropped to his knees beside her.  "Look at me.  Look at me,  okay?  Just breath."

"I-I can't,"  she choked on her words and held her throbbing chest.

Her friends watched in worry and Tory's expression fell.  "Out of my way.  I said out of my way!"  The voice of Caroline Beniost shouted from the crowd.  She pushed past the people in the stands and rushed down the steps.  They watched as she ran onto the mat.  "I'm here.  Right here,"  the mother announced and dropped to her knees on the other side of her daughter.  She held up an inhaler.  "Here,  Syd,  here."

Sydney's shaking hand took the inhaler and held it to her mouth,  sucking in all the air she's could.  She felt like she was drowning.  Every emotion hit her at one time and she closed her eyes.  She covered her face with her hand to block people from being her cry.  "Hey,  Frenchy,  what's wrong?" Jonny asked and hovered above her.

"I don't know if I can do this."  She whimpered behind her hand.  She tried holding everything in but the lack of air in her lungs made it feel as if somebody was clawing at her and everything in her unraveled.

"Hey,  you listen to me,"  Caroline told her and leaned over her.  "You are the strongest person I know.  You've worked your ass off for this.  You can't give up now."

"Listen to your mom,  Sydney.  I believe in you,"  Johnny told her,  keeping his voice low.  "You've worked too hard to give up now.  Make all of us proud,  Frenchy."

The teenager lowered her hand and revealed her teary eyes.  The blonde man nodded his head firmly.  She looked at her mom and the British woman smiled encouragingly.  She had the support to continue,  but her heart was shattered like glass.  She felt useless.  But she wouldn't give up.  She leaned up and took their hands.  They hoisted her up everybody in the arena cheered for her.

"Go Sydney!  Whoo!"  Demetri hollered at the top of his lungs.

"You got this!"  Eli and Sam followed along and the Miyagi-Dos and Eagle Fangs changed her name encouragingly.

Sydney wiped her tears and mouthed a thank you to Johnny and her mom.  Caroline quickly went back to the stands and the sensei squeezed her shoulder.  Sniffling,  she went back to her spot and Tory stared back at her,  the anger in her slowly decreasing.  "Are you okay?"  She asked.

"Don't act like you care."  Sydney snapped.

"Ready?  And fight!"  The ref shouted.

The Brit lunged forward with a kick and her and Tory switched sides.  Sydney channeled in everything she learned from karate and dance.  When Tory charged at her,  she lifted herself on one foot and spun around,  lifting her leg high in the air and it hit Tory in the cheek.  She stopped herself gracefully,  the door she used to kick her curling behind her. 

"Point,  Benoist!  Scores two-one!"

"Yeah!"  The cheers from her friends and teammates exclaimed.  "Yeah,  Sydney.  Whoo!"

Tory and the Cobra Kais stared at the girl in shock.  She paid them no attention and steadied her breathing.  They got back in their spots and Tory's eyes blazed with fire.  When they were told to continue,  the Cobra Kai kicked at her.  Sydney used her arm to block her leg.  When Tory outstretched her arm,  she grabbed a hold of it and turned her upper body 180 and she flipped Tory over her onto her back. 

"Ooh!"  The crowd gasped at the movement.

Tory grunted and rolled over before her foot could come down on her.  She jumped to her feet and they faced each other again.  She cried out and lunged at Sydney with her fists.  Sydney leaned back and dodged them but when she went in for a punch,  Tory grabbed her arm and kept it in place,  using her other fist to hit her in the ribs.

"Point,  Nichols! Scores two-two.  Next point wins!"  The ref shouted out.

Sydney held her ribs in pain.  Her whole body felt like it was on fire.  She couldn't keep track with all the emotions that were currently playing out in her head.  Miguel,  Johnny,  and now Tory.  It was all too much.  She felt exhausted.

But it was one more point.  One more point and she would be named the girl's champion.  She needed to push a little more.

"Timeout.  Go to your sensei's."  The ref instructed.

Sydney rested her hands on her hips and made her way back to her team.  They gathered around her.  "Syd,  you're doing great."  Devon encouraged her.

"Thanks,"  she breathed out.  "I'm exhausted.  She's really good."

"Yeah?  Well you're better,"  Johnny stated and put a hand on her shoulder.  "Listen to me.  You have one last fight.  I know you've got it in ya.  Don't let those cheating assholes get in your way."  He uplifted her.

The Brit nodded tiredly.  "I can do this.  I'm Sydney fuckinf Benoist!"

"Hell yeah,  you are!"  Mitch shouted and they hollered. 

Sydney chuckled and the ref called for her and Tory to come back to their spots.  Tory looked unsure of herself.  It was like she was battling something in her mind.  The ref called out for them to fight and both girls lunged at each other.  They both kicked their legs and their feet collided together.  Sydney spun around and kicked her in the stomach but she managed to block it with her arm.

"Block,  no point!"

Sydney thought about all the shit she had put them through.  The school fight,  the drama with Samantha,  the breaking into the Larusso home.  Tory caused them so much pain with destruction.  That's what Cobra Kai was.  She needed to do this for her friends,  for her team,  and for herself.  When Toey threw a punch,  Sydney grunted loudly and blocked it with her hand.  She did it again,  and again,  and again.  They switched sides on the mat and Sydney spun around like she was in a dance,  her leg swinging out and Tory ducked under it.

The Cobra Kai lunged forward to punch her and Sydney leaned back,  kicking her legs upward and she did a back handspring.  When Tory came for her,  she ducked under her lifted arm and swiftly moved back to her side of the mat.  Tory bared her teeth with anger and kicked her leg again.  Sydney blocked her kick with one as well and threw her fist outward.  The other girl grabbed ahold of her arm and threw it downward. It was a battle.  A battle between a friendship lost.  A battle of betrayal and heartbreak.  She had seen this film before and she didn't like the ending.

It all came back to her Tory bend down and her leg outstretched,  colliding with her stomach and she fell to the mat.  It was over. 

"Point.  Winner!"  The ref shouted and raised Tory's arm in the air.

But Tory didn't seem to register it.  She stood over her old friend with worried eyes.  "I'm sorry,  Sydney."  She uttered out.

Sydney narrowed her eyes and tried to catch her breath.  The Cobra Kais surrounded their champion and engulfed her with hugs.  Johnny and Daniel walked onto the mat and helped the girl up.  "It's okay,  Syd."  Daniel spoke.

"You did great."  Johnny uplifted her.

She didn't stay to even hear the announcement.  Her ears once again filled with water and she pushed by everyone,  ignoring the ones who shouted out her name.  There was another big wave that crashed over her and she ran outside the arena to the lobby.  A loud cry finally unraveled unraveled from her throat.

The car ride home was silent.  Sydney received texts from all her friends congratulating her for doing a great job.  She couldn't respond back.  She felt completely lost.  Her parents looked at her with worry from the mirror.  When they got home,  she threw her bag on the couch and sat down with a huff. 

"Stop beating yourself up,  sweetheart.  You did great,"  Caroline told her and sat beside her on the furniture.

"I should've focused.  I got distracted."

"Distracted from what?"

Alexander came into the house with an envelope in his hand.  "Syd,  this was in the mailbox.  It had your name on it,"  he told the girl.

Sydney narrowed her eyes and took the white envelope from his hand.  Sure enough,  her name was written on the front and her stomach dropped because she knew that handwriting.  Shakily,  she tore it open and unfolded the letter.

Dear Syd,

      There was never going to be an easy way to do this.  I knew whichever decision I chose was going to hurt her and I'll forever hate myself for doing this to you.  You deserve so much better.  You've always been the number one person I go to for advice and when I need help.  Unfortunately,  this is something I could t talk about with anybody.  Not even the person I love most.

I know that you're aware of the situation with my father and how I've never met him. I'm sure you're confused as to why my interest in my has suddenly sparked. It complicated. I wish I knew how to explain it but I can't right now. All I know is that I have to find it. Letting you go like this was easier than just leaving without saying a word to you and have you worry about me when you shouldn't. Or maybe I'm an idiot and have it completely wrong.

I love you undeniably. From the first day I saw you, I knew it was you that would change my life forever. But things have been different recently. I'm different. I don't know how to explain it correctly. You don't deserve someone who is unsure of his feelings. You deserve the world and that's something I don't know that I can give you. I've hurt you so many times and I can't forgive myself for that. I've kept so many things bottled up inside me so that you wouldn't have to worry about me but it's gotten to a point where I'm killing myself on the inside. I can't love you and destroy myself at the same time. Neither of us deserve that.

Please don't worry yourself to death over me. I know how you are. I'll be back before you know it. I don't know if you'll forgive me or hate me but you'll always be my best friend. I'm always rooting for you.

Love, Miguel

A scream ripped from her throat. She felt her mom grab her as her legs felt weak. The screams turned into cries and Sydney collapsed on the couch. "I hate you," she choked. "I hate you so much!" She cried at the top of her lungs and her head fell on her mom's shoulder.

How did they go from two young kids in love to nothing? How did the love at first sight disappear? How did forever turn into nothing? Something so flawless was now ripped at the seams. How was it so easy for him to drop everything and just leave, leave her like it meant nothing to him?

They say intense love always leads to mourning and the angel of death flies above her, creating a black bank of clouds.

HOLY SHIT THIS CHAPTER IS LONG

I apologize greatly for the long awaited update. I didn't mean to leave my favorite couple like that. . . or, ex couple???

y'all are going to hate me for this but it's all apart of the plot and season 5 will be about miguel figuring out how big of an asshole he is and the mistake he made by breaking up with such a bad bitch

also, I just had to incorporate the letter at the end. I mean, it's a staple at this point