"I didn't know you wore glasses."

Flynn's head snapped up to the source of the noise, finding Miguel in disheveled clothes, gawking at her. She rose her fingers to said glasses, pushing the round tortoiseshell spectacles up. "And to what do I owe the pleasure, Miguel? You're not sick of me yet?"

The Diaz grinned, flashing his teeth as he slid into the booth with her. "Sorry I ran off this morning. I didn't realize how late I'd slept in and I didn't want my ma to freak out."

"Didn't you tell her you were staying at Hawk's?" She questioned with an arched brow.

"Yeah, but I usually don't sleep in all the way until noon."

"It's cool," she shrugged with a half-smile, setting down the book she'd been cradling in her hands. "I just figured after a night of intense bonding over weed, you could at least close my window back. Also, you did not need to sneak out like that. My parents weren't home."

"Hey, I had no way of knowing," Miguel shot back. "But yeah, I should've just tried the door. Getting off your roof from the second floor was the scariest moment of my life."

"And yet you somehow survived and decided to come stalk me at work?" She pressed with a smirk. "You're obsessed with me."

"Okay, no," he chuckled, eyeing the cars moving outside. "I just got really paranoid that my mom could, like, sense I'd gotten high last night. So I just found an excuse to leave. And now I can try one of your delicious lattes."

Flynn couldn't suppress a snort. "Miguel, you are not a latte boy. You are a mocha frappuccino with extra whipped cream boy."

His mouth quirked into a side grin. "Damn. I guess you got me. But hey! Maybe I'll try something new." He leaned forward, resting his crossed arms against the tabletop. "But seriously. The glasses?"

She shrunk back against her seat, jolting at the mention of them again. "I dropped one of my contacts into the drain this morning like a dumbass. But yeah, call me four eyes."

"They're cute," he murmured, the smile on his lips making Flynn's insides melt into sludge. "I mean, I should've known. We already discussed how you're a giant ass nerd. The fact that you're reading on your break is another piece of evidence."

"Oh, okay. Make fun of me for being literate and scholarly and academic," she scoffed, holding her book to her chest.

He shook his head with a small laugh. "What are you reading?"

"A Man Called Ove," she read off the title to him, admiring the cover for a beat. "It's about a grumpy old man who befriends his neighbors and learns to stop being so depressed."

"Oh." Miguel nodded with growing eyes. "Wow."

"Whatever," she snickered, slapping his arm with the paperback. "I get it. You're not into books."

"No! I mean, yeah, I don't think I could ever be someone who reads for fun, but...I didn't even know you were?"

"Um, I don't really have time during the school year the way I do during the summer," she answered as she slid out of the booth, retying her apron. "So I only get to really geek out and read when school's not happening. But yeah, I dig reading."

"Cool."

"Okay, well, now that you basically stole away the rest of my break...let's see about one of those lattes, huh?" She rested her hands in the crevice of her hips, beaming at him. "I'll use my customer service voice on you."

Miguel tipped his head back as he bellowed out a note of laughter. "Oh God."

Kyra was watching the exchange with a knowing look, her dark eyes shimmering as Flynn rounded the counter and joined her at the station again. "Girl, you are down so bad."

"Let's please not do this right now," she groaned, though she found it impossible to wipe the shit-eating grin off her face.

"Well, I mean. We're gonna talk about sooner or later. Because, bitch. You are fucking giggling like a schoolgirl over him!" Kyra whisper-screamed, ducking her head behind the espresso machine so Miguel couldn't see. "He's your friend from karate, right? How long has this been going on?"

"Look, I promise I will relay all the details but we have like seven thousand things we have to do right now," Flynn muttered, accepting order slips from the machine. "And I have a latte to make."

Miguel and Hawk were in the midst of a low-intensity sparring match when the dojo doors exploded open. Daniel LaRusso charged in with a mask of undeniable fury, veins bobbing to the surface of his skin. Everyone rose from a kneeled position to their feet, staring at the infuriated man in awe.

"The hell do you think you're doing?" Johnny snapped, trying to reel in the shock from his gaze.

Daniel's voice was icy with hatred. "Like you don't know."

"Take your shoes off the mat. You're disrespecting my dojo."

"You're seriously gonna talk to me about disrespecting dojos after what you just did to mine?" He snarled, shuffling closer to the blond man.

Flynn felt her eyebrows shoot up her forehead, dread beginning to pool in her gut. Whatever had happened, it was enough to make Daniel come here and confront Johnny in person

"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything to your dojo."

"Just like you didn't slug one of my employees, huh?" Daniel fired back, shaking his head with a bitter chuckle. "You know, part of me actually felt bad for you at one point, but you make it so easy to remember who the bad guy is in all of this."

Johnny just took the words with a bowed head, the malicious smile he aimed at the mat growing deeper with every jab.

"You call yourself a sensei? You don't even know what a sensei is! A sensei mentors! A sensei...elevates! He doesn't teach destruction and disrespect!" Daniel slurred, becoming emotional as he staggered towards Johnny.

Johnny reacted with fire, slinking forward until their faces were inches apart. "I already said I don't know what you're talking about LaRusso," he growled through gritted teeth. "And you don't know what you're talking about either."

"Yeah, well I know you don't..." Daniel's voice wavered, his eyes growing wet with grief. "You don't earn the Medal of Honor by stealing it!"

Cold horror dipped into Flynn's system, her jaw muscles growing taut with a mixture of disgust and rage. Her body buzzed with static as her gaze drifted over everyone and landed on Hawk.

The mohawk boy was never that good at hiding his feelings. He wore a painting of guilt that complimented the new black eye crested on his left cheekbone.

She remembered everything in that moment. Demetri's Yelp review. Hawk's violent reaction to it. And now Daniel storming in, claiming someone trashed his dojo and stole Mr. Miyagi's Medal of Honor. Flynn didn't know much about Daniel, but after a few family dinners with him, she knew one thing: Mr. Miyagi was everything to Daniel.

Her teeth clamped down on one another like iron as she glared at Hawk. She could fucking kill him.

"Let me tell you one thing about your sensei," Daniel drew away from Johnny, now addressing the students. "He might teach you how to fight, but he doesn't know a thing about what it truly takes to win at life. If you want to help yourselves before it's too late, the doors of Miyagi-Do are wide open."

Johnny trudged forward again, regarding Daniel with disgust and disbelief. "You think you can come in here and poach my students?"

"And what are you gonna do about it?" Daniel held out his arms, lifting his chin up at the blond. "You know I'm not gonna strike first."

To everyone's surprise, Johnny retreated a few steps back. "I'm gonna be a bigger man," he said.

"Yeah," Daniel huffed, almost breathless. "We'll see about that."

The front door hadn't even closed before Chris left the mat, grabbing his bag and shoes. He headed for the entrance with low shoulders, receiving a mix of shocked glances and glares.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Johnny snapped.

"What the hell, Chris?" Mitch spoke up.

Chris eyed his friend with a droopy look of defeat. "I never liked it here," he muttered before ambling for the door.

To everyone's surprise and horror, more students peeled away from the group. They gathered their belongings in tense silence before making it out the door.

Flynn's chest began heaving in irregular breaths, fire licking up her cheeks as they turned an enraged hue of red. Half of the existing Cobra Kai class disappeared through the double doors, but Flynn could only keep her gaze squared on Hawk.

She could feel her vision dotting black with fury, hands balling into bone white fists at her side. Eventually, Hawk's gaze met hers, and he crumpled at the sight of her knowing anger.

Yeah. She was gonna beat his fucking ass.

Johnny dismissed class early. Flynn knew by the storm brewing in his arctic gaze that everyone would be paying the price for what just happened tomorrow.

She was across the room in mere seconds, hand wrapped around Hawk's elbow until her nails dug into the white fabric of his gi. "You and me...we are fucking going somewhere to talk this out."

Hawk swallowed, stiff and perturbed by the waves of hot fury rolling off her. "How do you know I had anything to do with that?"

"Don't fucking try to play games with me right now," she hissed under her breath, barely suppressing the urge to slap him. "Get dressed. And meet me at my car."

"But—"

"You are not in any place right now to protest," she leaned in close to his face, peering at him with deadly eyes. He conceded.

Miguel stood by her belongings as she retreated back to them, straining to keep her wrath under control. His arms fanned out on either side, watching her seething expression with concern and reasonable confusion. "What's going on, Flynn?"

"What's going on is I'm figuring this out," she huffed, slapping her black T-shirt over her shoulder. "And I'll fill you in when I do. Promise."

"You think it was Hawk?" Miguel leaned towards her, his voice hardly above a whisper. If she wasn't so outraged right now, she might have swooned over their closeness.

"You don't?" She challenged, though her tone lightened up when she looked at him. He wasn't the one she was angry with, after all.

"I...I don't know," he scoffed in disbelief, wiping at the sweat on his brow. "I guess I'm just hoping it's not true."

"Me too, but honestly? I think I already have our answer." She heaved a sigh as she rose from her gym bag. "I'll text you, okay?"

Hawk was already waiting by the trunk of her car, holding his backpack in a tight grip. She scowled at him as she stepped into the sunlight, shoving him forward with her palm to his chest. "Get in. I need to make a call real quick."

"Where are we—"

"Get the fuck in!" She shouted, jabbing a thumb at the passenger side of her car. "And you're not to ask any questions right now, motherfucker."

"Fine," he uttered, earning himself another murderous glare as he slipped inside the vehicle.

Flynn rolled her eyes, unlocking her phone as she began to pace the sidewalk. The dial tone rang for a moment or two before, thankfully, the person answered.

"Hello?" Moon spoke cautiously, and for good reason. Flynn never really called.

"Hey, Moon," the Wilder started, speaking in a gravely tone as she fought her hardest to keep the anger out of it. "I, um..." She paused, rethinking her choices. "Are you okay?"

"W-What? Why?"

"Um...Hawk. Did he...?" Flynn felt herself rendered mute.

She could hear Moon let out a heavy sigh, followed by shuffling sounds as the girl moved. "Trash Miyagi-Do? That's why you're calling right?"

"Yeah. But are you okay? You sound upset."

"Yeah, um," there was a long pause. "We broke up."

"Oh my God, Moon..."

"No, it's okay. I'm okay. But, Flynn...it's really bad. I don't even know who he is anymore."

Flynn continued to drag her feet along the pavement, pacing and running disgruntled fingers through her hair during the call. She listened with a deepening nausea as Moon relayed the details to her, until she was sure she was going to drive Hawk to a discreet location and murder him.

"Okay, thank you. Seriously. I'll take care of it. And please, Moon. If you need anything, you can call," Flynn finished, sympathy grappling her as she listened to the despair in Moon's voice.

"Thanks, Flynn. And give him a good ass kicking for me. I know you can."

"And will," she reassured. "Thanks again."

Flynn could hardly look at him as she slid into her car, shoving her keys into the cup holder. When she met his gaze, her eyes turned black. "I'm gonna fucking line the walls of your house with pipe bombs."

Hawk shifted in his seat, sucking in a short breath. "Um...where are we going?"

"You'll see," she muttered. "I wanna show you something."

They drove in bone-chilling silence, with only a small hum from the radio as she kept the volume low. She didn't even make the effort of putting on Spotify, too occupied with rehearsing what she'd say to him when they got there.

Finally, they arrived.

Her car slunk against the gravel road, eventually sputtering to a stop near a ditch. Hawk peered out the window with furrowed eyebrows. "Why are we at a railroad?"

"Get out," she spat, yanking her door open.

Hawk crawled out of the car, stalling his imminent death. But Flynn only padded forward, her facial features softening with a reminiscent glow as she approached the railroad. Past the tracks was a stretch of forest that seemed to beckon her. 

She stopped at the base of the tracks, studying them and the undergrowth beyond with a bitter smile. "Just on the other side of these woods is where my old group home was. I used to sneak up here and lay on the tracks when I needed to get away."

Hawk stood a few feet back, hands shoved into the deepest pit of his pockets with his arms stiff. He listened with anticipation, blinking at her in bewilderment.

"You don't know this but, at the home, I was bullied. By the older kids. And yeah, you knew that. But you don't know how. They didn't just insult me. They would trash my shit. Tear up my homework, burn my books," a scornful laugh fell out of her. "One time they took literal dog shit and smeared it across the walls of my room when I wasn't looking. I don't even know how they got that."

"And yeah, they were violent too. When I'd go to school, they used to take advantage of how crowded it'd get at the buses at the end of the day to jump me. They'd grab me, drag me behind some building, and beat the ever living shit out of me. They'd call me names, make fun of me , and they...they'd call me slurs. I guess everyone caught on to me being queer before I even knew myself. It was because of those days I got stronger. Taught myself how to fight and defend myself. And it's the same reason why I got into karate. To be stronger. So hopefully I'll never be as defenseless as I was against those kids."

Hawk listened wordlessly, his expression shifting from fear to remorse as she recalled her past.

She turned back to him, arms folded over her torso. "I know I'm a pretty violent person, Eli. I know that I am a product of my past. But one thing I've always tried to remind myself is when violence is necessary, and when you're just being an evil asshole. Those kids were bullies. Bullies I swore I'd never be anything like."

She swaggered towards the mohawk boy, smiling at him despite the wetness growing in her eyes. Her chest cramped with the pain of revisiting such horrible memories. Without waiting another moment, her hand rose like a whip and cracked across Hawk's face, leaving a red indent where her palm had met his cheek.

"You are a fucking bully, Eli," she spat through grimaced teeth, vision blurring with the threat of a real tears. "You fucking trashed their dojo. You...you vandalized his car. You wouldn't know this, but that car was the first gift Mr. Miyagi ever gave to Daniel. Back when Daniel was dirt poor living with just his mom and he had nothing. That car means everything to him. And then you...you stole the Medal of Honor? Fucking vile."

She backed away, turning to bat her tears with the bottom of her palms. "And you did all of that, because what? Sam and Robby beat your ass when you threatened to hurt Demetri—your friend—over a Yelp review?" 

Hawk danced back and forth between his feet, eyes darting everywhere but at her. "Flynn, listen—"

"You do realize that you are becoming exactly the kind of person you used to hate? The people that made you hate yourself. Look, I'm glad," she swallowed, hating how watery her voice sounded. "I'm glad that Cobra Kai has given you confidence. Because it used to break my heart the way you saw yourself. But you have literally become the bully you used to be afraid of. How can you even look at yourself knowing that?"

Hawk said nothing, head drooping as he stared at the grass below.

"This isn't you, dude. At least I hope it fucking isn't. Because I will not be friends with a bully. You can go hang out with Kyler if that's who you are. But you better get your shit straight, and never pull a stunt like this again. Otherwise I will give you two matching black eyes. Personally, I think Robby was very generous for only giving you the one." She stormed towards him again, waiting until he drove his blue eyes into hers before she continued. "And you better fess the fuck up for this. Don't drag all of us down with you. Got it?"

He swallowed, managing a nod before his gaze sunk down again.

"Good," she barreled past him, their shoulders knocking together as she marched back to the car. "Now I would leave you here, but I honestly would hate myself and be going against everything I just said to you if I did. So I'll take you back to your car. And you're not gonna say anything to me, because frankly, I can't do this with you right now."

Thankfully, he listened, and didn't try any pathetic attempts for an apology as they drove back.

The worst part about all of this was that Flynn somehow knew this was only the beginning.

Today 3:42 PM

finn
he fucking did it
him and chris and mitch

meeg
oh my god???
are you serious?

finn
yep

meeg
did you beat his ass...

finn
and we are about to have to do like a million drills tomorrow bc of his ass
replying to meeg
well yeah duh
i mean really i just gave him a good slap
mostly just lectured him
makes me sad to know he's like that now

meeg
are you okay?
I can't believe he did that either
like I knew he was mad about the Yelp review but not that much

finn
ig i'm okay
i probably shouldn't be this upset about it but bullying is a big deal to me ig
and like he was NASTY to that dojo omfg
he literally spray painted daniel's car
oh and also the yelp review isn't why he did it that was just the start

meeg
wtf!!
wait can we call

finn
yeah just give me a sec

meeg
no worries just call me when you're ready

The next day of training was exactly like Flynn thought it would be: hell on earth. She was reaching into the hundreds on her burpee count before Kreese finally called a two minute break. Her and Miguel sauntered to their own corner of the room to shoot pointed glances at Hawk. Or in Flynn's case, deadly glares.

"It doesn't look like he's giving up," Miguel muttered, swiping the back of his hand against his sweaty brow. "Should we just tell Sensei?"

Flynn shook her head, guzzling from her water bottle. "Nah," she replied. "I'm not a snitch. He's gotta do it himself."

The pair observed in bewildered silence as Hawk approached Kreese, the two speaking with bowed heads. "Wait, what the hell is that about?" Miguel panted, eyes narrowing into small slits.

Flynn scoffed, sinking her face into her sweat towel for some temporary relief. "Of course that fucker knows. He's probably the one that encouraged Hawk to do it."

Miguel shifted next to her. "Maybe."

Kreese dragged everyone into the back room to continue their grueling workout. Flynn couldn't focus on anything except the searing aches in her arms as she flung ropes up and down.

"He's not gonna let up," Miguel winced out, immense pain evident in his tone. His comment was directed at Flynn, the two sharing a sweaty and knowing glance. Even the Wilder girl was beginning to doubt how far she was willing to go just to prove she wasn't a snitch. Maybe that would change today.

"I bet it was shit breath," Tory panted, tossing a bitter look at Mitch.

"Hey, screw you!" Mitch pushed himself to his feet, glaring at the Nichols girl.

"What'd you say?" The brunette hissed, letting her ropes drop before drawing closer to the boy.

"Wanna do this right now?" Mitch challenged, his body careening towards her.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Hawk and Miguel wedged themselves between the pair, though Tory didn't put up much a fight. They were all exhausted.

"Stop!" Kreese roared, earning every pair of frazzled eyes in the room. He prowled about the room, gripping the waistline of his gi. "Would you really like to know who did it?"

A small, but heavy beat. Kreese stretched out a single, bold hand.

"It was Hawk."

Flynn felt her heart skyrocket into her throat, her gaze slamming into Miguel's with shock. Hawk's eyes fluttered to the ground for a shameful moment before they shot up again, scanning the others and daring them to try something.

"And it was Diaz."

Miguel's head shot around so fast, Flynn thought he might break his neck. The Diaz's face crinkled into silent bewilderment, still panting to catch his breath.  Flynn watched the older sensei through narrowed eyes, wondering where he was going with this.

"And Wilder."

She could feel her vision hardening into a glare as the older man's preening eyes settled onto her figure. Her jaw grew taut with hate and defiance, hoping she could somehow communicate to him what she knew to be the truth.

"And Robinson. And it was Nichols, Chubs, Red..." Kreese continued his gradual pacing. "When one of you makes a move, you all make a move. You live and you die...with the consequences and the spoils. Because you are all Cobra Kai."

"What are you talking about?" The words sputtered out of Flynn before she could think. Her body stiffened as she felt the air turn colder, every head moving to face her. Despite the bile rising in her throat, and the impossibly cold stare of Kreese, Flynn lifted her chin.

"'You live and you die'? With all due respect sir, it's just a karate class. I don't think any of us are planning on dying. And honestly," Flynn drew forward, feet scuffing the hard floor as she felt her confidence surge. "Everything you're saying right now sounds like a load of bullshit. I didn't wreck Miyagi-Do. I know I didn't because it's not what I stand for, and that shouldn't have to fall back on me just because somebody else here did. I know it doesn't, actually.

"So all this talk? Well, I think it's just fluff. Poetical bullshit because you're trying to protect someone." And Flynn hoped he could feel the fire in her gaze as she spoke again. "Someone who doesn't deserve that protection."

Kreese reveled in her words for a moment, the only sounds carrying in the room belonging to scattered murmurs and whispers. Flynn refused to look anywhere else, her hazel eyes pinned on the older man in front of her.

"It seems like you've learned a lot from Sensei Lawrence," Kreese began, hands resuming to their restful place at his hips. "And sure. This class is designed to help you win a tournament. But what are you gonna do when the real world intervenes? When people start beating you down? Don't you want to be able to fight back?"

"I already have," Flynn bit out, bristling at the slight insult. "And I will again. Every time. But I also know when there isn't a need for violence. That karate is about building yourself up as a fighter, not turning yourself into a war machine. That's what makes me stronger."

Kreese's thick eyebrows furrowed together, his untimely gaze sweeping up and down her figure again. Her nose crinkled at the obvious examination. His lips curved into a sneer, delighted by her discomfort.

"You know, Wilder, you are a strong fighter," he conceded, though she was not assured by the compliment. "But you don't have a strong will. You don't have what it takes. You can't do what must be done or see why. And until you're able to see that...I think you should leave."

Flynn exhaled from her nostrils, lifting her head back and shifting her eyes to the ceiling. Something between a choked gasp and a bitter laugh caught in her throat, her mouth peeling back to show a toothy smile. "Of course."

"That's an order, Wilder." Kreese barked, tone sharpening into something meaner. "Don't come back until tomorrow, when I hoped you've learned your lesson."

"Whatever," Flynn scoffed, running a handful of curled fingers through her matted hair. "Y'all have fun with this poorly disguised military propaganda," she spat at the crowd, briefly touching eyes with Miguel before shuttling past him. Whether it was from shame or anger, or both, she couldn't handle whatever was brewing in those dark eyes of his.

"What the—can he do that?" Miguel cried as the Wilder burst out of the room, looking at Hawk.

"I just did. And if anybody else wants to challenge that, you're welcome to join her," Kreese declared. "Main dojo. Five minutes. Your real training begins."

Miguel fled the room, parading through the doorway just in time to catch the back of Flynn as she thrust herself through the doors with no hesitation.

He could feel her name die on his tongue as she disappeared.