Chapter Twenty Six
Primadonna

AFTER FINALLY DECIDING on a training outfit,  and complaining about how weird she felt in Sam's ugly tennis shoes,  Sydney finally joined everyone outside for training.  Her hair that was in loose curls was pulled back into a braid and her bright yellow dress and heels were replaced with black leggings and a light blue tank top.  They were all surprised seeing as they only ever saw her in girly outfits and heels.

"You look like your eight years old again, Sydney." Daniel sat proudly and patted her back.

She grimaced. "Yeah, unfortunately."

"I'm trying to live in the moment where I'm seeing Sydney Benoist in anything other than heels." Demetri commented and rubbed his temples.

she flipped him off with a sarcastic smile.

Sweat pouring down her face,  Sydney watched robby stand in the middle of the dirt and look at everyone standing around him.

"Two!"  Daniel announced.

The boy on robby's left stepped forward and went to swing,  but Robby punched him in the stomach and hooked his leg from the back.  It sent him into the ground with a loud thud. 

Sydney hummed,  feeling impressed.

Robby helped the kid up and got back in a fighting stance.  "Five!"

It was Sam.  The brunette stepped forward and kicked her leg.  Robby did a spin and his leg collided with hers and blocking it.  When he wasn't paying attention,  Sam also did a spin kick and sent a kick to his chest.

"That's my girl."  Sydney smiled.

Same smiled at robby.  "Got you."

"All right,  Demetri's turn."  said Daniel.  "C'mon Demetri,  get in there."

Demetri walked sluggishly to the middle of the circle and took Robby's place. 

"Set."

He got in a stance.  His arms were loose and his feet weren't apart,  making Sydney believe it was going to be a train wreck.

"Three!"

Chris charged toward him but Demetri just stood there.  He received a kick to the gut. 

"Sorry,  Meat.  You gotta block that."  Chris apologized and went back to his spot.

"Six."  Daniel announced.

A boy behind Demetri stepped forward and leg sweeped him,  making Demetri fall onto his back with a loud groan.

Sydney hissed,  feeling the pain.  "This is just sad."

"Ugh!  I hate this!"  Demetri groaned.

"All right,  come on,  get up!"  Daniel urged,  slightly annoyed.

Demetri stood up and panted heavily.

"Can we please take a break?"  Sam pleaded.  "This heat is brutal."

"I haven't even done anything yet and I feel like I'm melting."  Sydney added and rested her hands on her hips.

Daniel looked at all of them,  seeing how they were breathing heavily and covered in sweat.  Their body languages was indicating they were tired.  "You guys wanna cool off?"

Sydney and Sam glanced at each other.

"All right.  I think I can accommodate that."

"I really don't like the sound of that."  Sydney muttered to herself.

Charlie prided himself on being high on the karate raider.  When he was six years old,  his dad put him in karate so that he would have something to do in his free time.  Neither expected Charlie to like it but within the first week,  he was doing better than any of the other kids.  He was a quick learner and surprisingly focused for only being six years old. When he was ten, his dad put him in another karate class with kids that were older than him. Much to their surprise and the sensei's surprise, Charlie was the best in the class.

When he first joined Cobra Kai, he was slightly nervous. Yes, he was good, but he wasn't a kid anymore. He would be training with high school kids instead of ten or twelve year olds. Sensei Lawrence saw his talent right away and accepted him to the dojo. Now, along with Miguel, Charlie was Cobra Kai's top student.

Charlie walked through the open woods holding three black headbands in his hand. He whistled under his breath and looked around cautiously for sight of anyone with a black headband.

"I was afraid it would be us."

Charlie turned around quickly and saw Tory with a large smirk on her face. Three red headbands were tied around her wrists. Charlie smirked. "Ah, I was expecting Miguel."

"Yeah, he's busy kicking someone's ass," she said and walked closer to him. "So, we gonna do this?"

Charlie clicked his tongue and shrugged playfully. "I don't really fight with girls."

"Aww, how sweet," Tory said sarcastically and kept walking closer till she was only a couple inches away from him. She smiled slyly. "Good thing I'm not like other girls."

Before Charlie could do or say anything, Tory kicked him in the knee.  He let out a groan and doubled over but before she could hit him in the stomach,  he grabbed her foot and twisted it so that she a 180 and he kicked her in the back.

Tory turned around with dark eyes and threw a punch his his direction.  She began walking forward,  making Charlie walk backwards and he dodged all her punches.  When he swing his arm,  she reached her leg up and kicked him,  making him cry out in pain.

Smiling,  Tory kicked him in the chest and sent him flying onto the ground,  landing on his back.  While he was distracted,  Tory hovered over him and pinned his wrists down into the ground.  "Gotcha."

Charlie let out a breathy laugh.  "You're good."

She smiled.  "Thanks."

He smirked.  "Not as good as me though." He head butted her,  making her lean up and hiss in pain.  Charlie twisted his body so that she fell to the ground beside him and he quickly straddled her,  holding her wrists down.  "Tired yet?"

Tory struggled against his hold.  "not even close."

When he went to reach for her headband,  Tory used her free hand and knocked it against his cheek and it made him fall to his side.  Tory quickly stood up and when he was still on the ground,  she kicked him in the back and he landed flat on his stomach.

Tory straddled his back so he couldn't move.  Smirking,  she swiftly took the black headband off his head.  "Thank you."

Charlie sighed in defeat.  "I went easy on you."

"Uh huh,  I'm sure,"  she said sarcastically and got up.  she held her hand out for him.

Charlie accepted it and took it.  When she held him up,  he smirked and grasped her hand tightly,  twirling her around so that her back was against his chest.  He wrapped his arm around her neck and squeezed so she couldn't get out.

Tory gasped and grabbed his arm,  thrashing.  "So not fair!"

"There's nothing fair about winning,  princess."  he said and took both the black and red head band from her.  "Only winners and losers."

Charlie let go and she turned around to face him,  panting.  "You're a little cocky,  don't you think?"

He shrugged innocently.  "Just confident.  Is that a crime?"

Tory shook her head.  "Guess not.  How'd you get so good?"

The two began walking the trail.  "My father put me in classes when I was really little.  Turns out,  I'm a fast learner.  I got older and he started putting me in more advanced classes.  I quickly became one of the best.  Besides Miguel,  of course."

Tory grinned.  "Well,  you're better than what I thought you would be."

He let out a small laugh.  "Meaning what?"

She shrugged.  "I don't know.  You're good looking.  Most good looking guys would be afraid to get their face bruised."

Charlie went red.  "You think I'm good looking."

Tory smiled sheepishly but quickly hid it with a smirk.  "Maybe."

The taller boy laughed.  "Well,  how about you?  How'd you get to be so badass?"

Tory's story wasn't as interesting as his.  In reality,  it wasn't much of a story at all.  Just a really bad case of bad luck.  She frowned slightly.  "Story for another time."

Charlie nodded in understanding and they continued walking the trail,  talking the whole way.

"So,  you couldn't take the best of Schochu Geiko,  perhaps you'll find Kangeiko more to your liking."

While the others were holding themselves to warm up from the cold,  Sydney stood normally.  Sshe had spent a lot of time in cold places from traveling with her parents.  She was used to it.

"Are there no geikos that take place in a spa?"  Sam asked.

"I quite like this actually,"  Sydney said.  "I've traveled to Antarctica.  This is nothing."

Demetri's eyes widened.  "You've been to Antarctica?"

She nodded.  "I'll take you next time.  It's quite beautiful."

"It's not about the heat or the cold,"  Daniel shook his head.  "It's about adapting to the environment around you and using that to your advantage.  Look around,  what do you see?"

"Frozen London Broil?"  Chris asked.

"Boxes?"  Sydney added.

"No,  not the meat.  Look past that. I see the exhalation of breath.  The twitch of a muscle.  The shift of a stance.  If you lean into the cold,  it will heighten your senses,"  Daniel explained.  He pointed to the British girl.  "Take a look at Sydney.  She's adapted to the environment and doesn't feel a thing."

"It's about as cold as her heart."  Sam commented.

Sydney awed.  "Thanks,  Sammy."

They looked at her weirdly. 

"You'll anticipate the moment before your opponent strikes and you'll always be ready."  Daniel continued. 

The students nodded and Daniel's phone started to rink.  He pulled it out of his back pocket and read who it was.  His face fell slightly.  Ignoring the call,  Daniel looked at them . "All right,  circle up.  Syd,  you first."

Sydney's eyes widened.  "Uh,  what?"

"You're a perfect example.  You know this stuff.  It'll be good,  I promise."  Daniel nodded and started texting someone.

Sydney looked at him like he was stupid.  "I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Just—Just trust me,  Syd."  Daniel egged on.

Sydney's jaw dropped and she looked at the others.  They only shrugged at her.  She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes.  "Merlin,  okay."

They formed a circle around her.  Sydney wouldn't lie,  she felt awkward.  She wasn't even a member of the dojo.  Plus,  she hadn't done karate since she was kid. She almost felt bad for others but Daniel had faith in her. Sam did too. That must be good for something. But she told Miguel she had no interest in karate and now she was doing karate with Miyagi-Do. It seemed hypocritical.

But Sydney told herself it was just one day and then she could go back to dance. So she sucked it. She got in a stance and tightened her arms. She started walking around in a circle, slow and steady, her eyes glaring at those around her. She kept track of who was in what space and their number.

"Seven." Daniel said.

Sydney immediately spun around and swung her first. Chris ducked down and went to kick her in the stomach but Sydney did a 180 and kicked her foot out, sending it into his chest and pushing him backwards out of the circle.

"Yes! That's what I'm talking about." Daniel said proudly.

She received a lot of wide eyes. Sydney breathed in and out deeply, her own eyes widened in shock. She looked across her at Sam, who smiled proudly.

"Five!"

Robby stepped forward and kicked his leg, attempting to hit her in the face but Sydney karate chopped his ankle. She threw a punch in his direction but he dipped down and quickly blocked her. Robby walked forehand started throwing punches but Sydney held her hands up against her face, keeping her fingers together and blocking them. Finally, she grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm around his back, kicking him in the back.

"Very good Sydney," Daniel clapped. "What did I tell you?"

Sydney smiled proudly and she and Robby high fived.

"Alright, let's get Demetri in there."

Sydney patted Demetri on the back and walked out of line to stand next to Sam.

"All right, here goes nothing." Demetri grumbled. "Literally."

"Set. Six."

Number six walked forward and kicked Demetri hard in the stomach.  Demetri not even attempting to block it.

At this point, Sydney was getting annoyed. "Demetri, you're not even trying."

"Come on, Demetri. Look for the signs." Daniel added. "Focus!  You can do this. Come on, Demetri."

"Oh, you come on! Just give me a second." The taller boy complained. "I can't do it Mr. Larusso. Between the cold and the shouting and the hole in my sock. . . i'm not sure when that happened but it's real uncomfortable."

"Demetri," Daniel started. "You are the most neurotic person that I know."

"Oh, he's pulling out the big words." Sydney whispered to Sam.

"You always expect the worst. But you could use that to your advantage," Daniel encouraged. "It means you anticipate. Think of it like a spidey sense."

"Actually, in the comics they call it spider sense." Demetri corrected.

"Demetri." Sydney said.

He looked over at her.

"Hust listen."

He nodded. "Right."

"Look, Demetri, this isn't about who's fastest and who's strongest. This is about instincts. It's about using what's in here," Daniel continued and pointed to Demetri's head. "You think you could do that?"

Demetri nodded and didn't say anything. 

"All right, let's try it again," the man declared and walked out of the circle. "Remember, anticipate."

Demetri started walking around in a circle. When Daniel called out number two, Sydney walked forward with her fists up. Just as Demetri was turning around, Sydney stepped forward on her left leg and swung her first around.

Instinctively, Demetri grabbed her wrist and threw it down.  Sydney immediately stepped to the side and kicked her leg out but Demetri karate chopped it,  making her drop her leg and throw another punch.  Demetri dodged her throws and when she wasn't paying attention,  He punched her in the stomach,  making her step backwards.

Not even caring that he hit her,  Sydney's eyes widened.  "You did it!"

"I did it! Whoo!"  Demetri cheered.

"Five!" 

Being too content with his victory,  Demetri wasn't paying attention and one of the boys kicked him in the gut.  He doubled over in pain.

"Okay,  that's okay.  Baby steps."  Daniel said quickly.

Sydney clapped and smiled happily.

Sam grinned at her,  making the Brit furrow her brows.  "What?"

Sam shrugged.  "I'm just really happy you're here."

Sydney grinned and wrapped her arms around her,  leaning her head against hers.  They all patted demetri on the back and congratulated him.

"Well done love."  Sydney told him and patted his back.

"Thanks,"  he smiled.  "I didn't hurt you,  did I?"

She shrugged.  "Any other time,  I would probably try and pluck your eyes out but I'll let you have this victory."

Demetri beamed.

"Anyone up for burgers?"  Sydney questioned and they all agreed.

Uh oh,  my girl's getting back into karate.  This isn't good

Sydney and Demetri's brotp is becoming my favorite friendship

How do you guys think Miguel will react?