"HOW ABOUT WE WORK ON THE QUADRATIC FORMULA?"

Everything Miguel was saying was going in one ear and out the other. His words blurred together, her focus slipping as exhaustion weighed heavily on her body. Every muscle ached, her limbs felt like they were made of lead, and a deep soreness sat in her ribs from the brutal training session with Silver the night before. But she wouldn't let it show. She refused to.

Miguel was watching her. She could feel it.

She didn't look up right away, keeping her expression unreadable as she forced her shoulders to relax. He was probably waiting for her to admit something was wrong, waiting for her to let her guard down. But that wasn't going to happen.

"Are you good?" His voice was casual, but there was a weight behind it—concern he was trying to mask.

"I'm fine." The response came quick, clipped.

Miguel didn't look convinced. He leaned back, studying her like she was some puzzle he couldn't quite figure out. "You don't look fine."

Hayden's jaw tightened. "Well, I am."

Miguel exhaled through his nose, clearly not buying it. His eyes flickered to the bruises on her arms, partially hidden by her sleeves, and then back to her face. "Did something happen?"

"No."

There was a beat of silence. Miguel wasn't stupid. He knew when someone was trying to shut him out, but that didn't mean he was going to let it slide. Not with her.

His gaze lingered on the way she was holding herself—too stiff, too rigid. Like she was trying not to let any pain show. "Did Silver do this to you?"

Miguel felt a little irritated at the idea of what Hayden's was going through at Cobra Kai. He knew she was strong and independent, she didn't need anyone looking after her. But knowing that Robby was probably well aware of the hell Hayden is going through and he couldn't care less made him want to punch him over and over again.

Hayden didn't respond right away. She turned a page in the book, even though she hadn't read a single word. "It's just training," she muttered.

Miguel scoffed under his breath, shaking his head. "That's not training, Hayden. That's punishment."

She exhaled slowly, closing her book and finally meeting his gaze. "No one's forcing me to do anything, Miguel."

He stared at her for a moment, searching her face. She was impossible to read sometimes, but not to him. Not right now. She might not have admitted it, but she was exhausted. Beaten down, physically and otherwise. And she was too damn stubborn to say it out loud.

"You think you have to do this, don't you?" His voice was quieter now, like he wasn't sure he wanted to say it out loud. "Like if you push yourself hard enough, you'll finally be good enough for them."

Hayden's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes. A hesitation.

"I'm already good enough," she said, but it didn't have the usual edge to it. Like she didn't believe a word she was saying.

Miguel studied her, leaning forward slightly, his voice dipping lower. "Then why are you letting them destroy you?"

Her breath hitched for half a second—so quick anyone else would've missed it. But Miguel didn't.

She looked away, her fingers gripping the edges of her book a little too tightly. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

Silence.

Hayden was good at shutting people out. But Miguel knew that wasn't the same as not wanting to let them in.

Her head snapped up, her eyes cold. "I can handle it."

Miguel held her gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, instead of arguing, he softened—just slightly. "I know you can," he said quietly. "But that doesn't mean you have to destroy yourself in the process. You don't have to stay there," Miguel continued, his voice softer now, more careful. "You know that, right?"

Hayden didn't respond. She didn't know how to. It wasn't that she didn't hear the concern in his voice—it was that she didn't know what to do with it.

Miguel sighed, running a hand through his hair. He decided to let it go for now, shifting the conversation before she shut down completely. "So, uh... prom is coming up."

Hayden blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. She tilted her head slightly, wary. "And?"

Miguel chuckled under his breath. "And... are you going?"

She scoffed, shaking her head. "Probably not."

"Yeah," he said, almost like he expected that answer. "Figured."

She finally glanced at him, catching the small smirk on his face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Miguel shrugged. "Just... doesn't seem like your thing."

She rolled her eyes. "It's not."

Miguel nodded, but there was something else in his expression. Something like hesitation.

"My mom is making me go," he admitted after a moment. "With Sam."

Hayden stilled. Her fingers curled slightly against the pages of the book, but she didn't look up right away. It wasn't surprising—of course he would somehow end up going to prom with Sam. Of course, that's how it was supposed to be. But something about hearing it out loud made something sharp twist in her chest.

She clenched her jaw. "Makes sense."

Miguel watched her closely, his eyes flickering to the way her muscles tensed, the way her fingers curled into a fist without her realizing. He wasn't sure what he expected her reaction to be, but the way she went still—it told him something. Even if she didn't want it to.

His voice softened. "Hayden—"

"I'm fine," she cut in, sharper than she meant to be.

Miguel exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "You always say that."

"Because it's true."

Miguel didn't push any further. He just studied her, the silence between them stretching. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes now, the way she was holding everything together by sheer force of will. And for the first time, he wondered how much longer she could keep doing it before something gave.

After a long moment, his expression shifted. No more pushing, no more arguing—just something quiet, something steady.

"Just... take care of yourself, okay?" he said, his voice softer now. "Even if you think you don't need to."

Hayden didn't respond right away. She just let the words hang there, like she wasn't sure what to do with them. Then, finally, she gave a small nod.

It wasn't much. But it was something.

—

The rhythmic sounds of fists striking pads echoed through the dojo as Hayden and Robby sparred, their movements sharp, precise. She was quicker than she had been the last time they trained together, but she was also more worn down. Robby could see it—how she favored her right side slightly, how she was just a fraction of a second slower in resetting her stance.

She was hurting.

She'd never admit it.

Robby ducked under her high kick, smirking. "You getting slow on me, Sanders?"

Hayden exhaled sharply, resetting. "You wish."

She came at him again, relentless despite the fatigue weighing on her limbs. He countered smoothly, catching her wrist and twisting it just enough to throw her off balance. Before she could react, he swept her legs out from under her.

She hit the mat hard, letting out a small grunt as she landed on her back.

Robby hovered over her, still gripping her wrist, his smirk softening slightly. "That's twice now."

Hayden narrowed her eyes. "Get off me."

He chuckled, releasing her hand and stepping back as she pushed herself up. "You know, if you keep letting me win, I might start thinking you like me."

She rolled her eyes, brushing loose strands of hair from her face. "It's called being delusional. Can you spell it?"

Robby rolling his eyes, a faint smile at his lips before trailing his head down. "You're tired because someone's been pushing themselves too hard." He didn't say Silver's name, but they both knew who he meant.

Hayden didn't respond, instead rolling her shoulders and getting back into her stance. "Again."

Robby gave her a long look before raising his fists. They went at it again, exchanging blows, slipping in and out of each other's space with ease. He could feel the tension in her movements—not just from exhaustion, but from something else. Something she wasn't saying.

So he decided to poke at it.

"So, everyone's talking about prom. And you have yet to mention it." he said casually between strikes.

Hayden scoffed, barely missing a beat as she ducked a punch. "Not going."

Robby shrugged, "Yeah, I figured you'd say that." Robby spun, blocking her next kick. "But what if you had a reason to?"

Hayden frowned slightly, resetting her stance. "I don't."

He smirked. "You could."

She tilted her head at him, giving a small laugh. "You asking me to prom, Keene?"

Robby tilted his head, still grinning. "I mean, technically, I don't even go to your school, so it wouldn't really be a school thing. Just a thing."

Hayden didn't respond, just kept her eyes locked on him.

Before Robby could respond, a slow, amused clap cut through the air.

Both of them turned to see Terry Silver approaching, a smirk on his face, hands clasped behind his back. Hayden tensed, it was barely visible to the naked eye but Robby noticed it.

He noticed everything Hayden did. He stepped just a little bit closer to her, out of instinct.

"Now this is interesting," Silver mused. "I was just thinking how Cobra Kai could use some good PR." He stopped a few feet away, studying them with that sharp, unreadable gaze of his. "Two of my top fighters making an appearance at prom? That could be very beneficial."

Robby's jaw tensed. "Didn't realize this was a business move."

Silver chuckled. "Everything is. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourselves."

Hayden rolled her eyes, resting her hands on her hips.

"You know, I have to admit, you clean up well, Keene. With the right suit, you and Sanders could make quite the statement."

"You want to make our prom about Cobra Kai?"

Silver chuckled. "I'm trying to make sure my students represent Cobra Kai with the status they deserve." He glanced at Hayden. "And don't worry about the details, Sanders. I'll take care of everything—your dress, his suit, the ride. You'll go in style."

Hayden felt something twist in her stomach. She didn't like this. She didn't like Silver pulling the strings, like they were his little showpieces.

But Robby was watching her now, and his smirk had turned into something softer. Something almost... teasing.

"So," he said, tilting his head. "What do you say, Hayden? You and me? Prom?"

Hayden was stuck between a wall and a hard place. Because on one hand, the smile on Robby's face at the mere thought of just going to prom with her made her heart swell just a bit. And it made it hard to say no.

And on the other hand, she hated giving Silver what he wanted. But, alas, she forced a small smile, nodding.

Silver grinned. "Sounds like a done deal to me."

_

The afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting slanted shadows across the couch where Hayden sat, legs tucked up under her. The TV was on, but neither of them was really watching. Some old action movie played in the background, the kind Robby usually made sarcastic comments about, but today he was quiet.

Mostly because she was.

He glanced at her from where he sat on the other end of the couch, his arm draped lazily over the backrest. She was leaning against the cushions, eyes half-lidded, her fingers barely twitching against her knee. Not asleep, but close.

She looked drained.

Not just tired—he had seen her tired before, had even watched her push past exhaustion like it didn't exist. But this was different. This was like she wasn't even here.

Like she was somewhere else entirely.

Robby exhaled through his nose, stretching his legs out before nudging her foot lightly with his own. "You alive over there?"

Hayden blinked, like she had only just remembered he was there. "Huh?"

He tilted his head. "I said, you alive?"

She rolled her eyes, leaning her head back against the cushion. "Barely."

Robby frowned, studying her. She was still in workout clothes—black leggings and a loose hoodie that did little to hide how much weight she had probably lost from training too hard.

"Y'know, prom's supposed to be fun," he said after a moment, keeping his tone light. "A night where we don't kill ourselves with training or worry about whatever bullshit Cobra Kai is throwing at us next."

Hayden hummed, noncommittal.

Robby narrowed his eyes. "We are still going, right?"

"Yeah."

"That sounded real convincing."

She sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "Yes, Robby, we are going."

"Right, but are you actually gonna be there, or just physically present while your brain is still stuck in Silver's training dungeon?"

She shot him a look, but she didn't deny it.

Robby sighed, shifting so he was facing her more directly. "Look, I know you've got this whole 'tunnel vision until I win' thing going on, but for one night—just one—I don't want karate to get in the way."

She didn't answer right away.

She just sat there, her fingers curling and uncurling against the hem of her hoodie, like she was considering it.

Robby softened his voice. "Promise me?"

Hayden finally looked at him, really looked at him, and for a second, he thought she might brush it off, might give him some halfhearted answer just to get him to drop it.

But then, after a long pause, she nodded once. "Okay."

Robby gave her a lopsided smile. "Okay?"

She sighed. "I promise. No karate. Just prom."

"That sounded so painful for you to say," he teased.

She rolled her eyes, but he caught the way her lip almost twitched, like she was fighting back a small smirk.

Robby leaned back against the couch, satisfied. "Good. Because I kinda wanna enjoy our date night without worrying about you passing out from exhaustion."

Hayden scoffed. "It's not date night."

"Yeah, it is," he said, grinning. "I mean, we're going together, we're dressing up, we'll probably dance—"

"Probably not," she muttered.

"—and I'll tell you how good you look, which, spoiler alert, I already know you will—"

Hayden rolled her eyes, but this time, the smirk slipped through, just barely.

Robby nudged her foot again, gentler this time. "Just let yourself have fun, alright?"

She exhaled, and for the first time in a while, he saw a little bit of the weight in her shoulders ease. She crawled over to him, her back leaning against his chest as they stared at the TV. She absentmindedly began to twist his rings around his fingers, nodding.

"Yeah," she said quietly. "Alright."

Her mind began to drift other places, and she couldn't help but let Miguel cross her thoughts once or twice. And the guilt consumed her because she hadn't told Robby yet.

She sucked in a sharp breath.

Robby was about to say something else when she shifted, stretching out her legs a little, her expression shifting just slightly—like she was thinking about something, like she was about to say something she didn't really want to say.

He caught it immediately. "What?"

Hayden hesitated.

That alone put him on edge. Hayden wasn't the type to hesitate. If she had something to say, she said it. If she didn't, she stayed silent. This in-between? That wasn't her.

Finally, she spoke. "I've been behind in school."

Robby blinked. "Okay...?"

She shifted again, crossing her arms, avoiding his eyes now. "I needed a tutor."

He didn't say anything, just waited for her to keep going, that weird tight feeling already forming in his chest.

She exhaled, like she wanted to get it over with. "It's Miguel."

Robby went still.

A beat of silence stretched between them.

Hayden didn't fidget, didn't backtrack, didn't try to soften it. She had just dropped it between them like a weight, something for him to pick up and carry.

Robby let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening before he finally spoke. "And how long has that been going on?"

"A while," she said simply.

He nodded once, glancing away, tongue pressing into the inside of his cheek.

"It's only for about an hour. We don't talk about anything outside of math. I don't let him. I just.. felt like you should know."

He wasn't stupid. He wasn't about to act like she had done something wrong—he wasn't the kind of guy who told his girlfriend who she could and couldn't hang out with. And it wasn't like she and Miguel were friends or anything. This wasn't some secret betrayal.

But still.

It stung a little.

She could've told him. At any point. And the fact that she hadn't—that she had kept it to herself, had waited until now to say something, like it was some throwaway piece of information—yeah. That part got to him.

"You gonna say something, or just sit there?" Hayden asked, her voice unreadable.

Robby ran a hand over his face, exhaling before looking back at her. "I mean, I could sit here and be all pissed about it, but I feel like that's a waste of time."

Her brows furrowed slightly, like she wasn't expecting that answer.

Robby just shook his head, his voice quieter now. "I just wish you told me sooner, that's all."

Hayden was quiet for a moment. "It's just school."

"Yeah, I get that," he said, eyes flicking over to her, searching for something. "But you've been distant for a while, Hayden. Training, school, everything—it's like I barely see you anymore. And now I find out you've been hanging out with Miguel this whole time? I dunno. Feels like I'm the last to know what's going on with you."

Hayden didn't respond right away.

When she finally spoke, her voice was a little quieter. "I wasn't trying to hide it."

Robby studied her, seeing the way her shoulders had tensed slightly, the way she was pressing her fingers against her knee again like she was grounding herself.

She wasn't lying.

She just didn't know how to let people in.

Robby let out a slow breath, then shifted closer, just enough to bump her knee lightly with his own. "Just... don't shut me out, okay?"

She hesitated again, but then, finally, she nodded. "Okay."

Robby gave her a small smile, and this time, she didn't roll her eyes.

—

Robby had been in plenty of fights, but nothing had ever knocked the wind out of him like this.

Hayden stood at the base of the staircase outside her apartment, her dress smooth and sleek, hugging her in a way that was both effortless and completely unfair. The deep green satin fabric contrasted against her skin, and the slit up the side gave her an edge that was undeniably her. She wasn't trying to be flashy. Wasn't trying to impress anyone.

And that's what made it worse.

She wasn't even trying, and yet Robby couldn't breathe.

His mouth went dry. His brain blanked. He had no idea what to say.

Silver had spared no expense. The suit he had picked for Robby was sharp—perfectly tailored, dark with green accents to complement Hayden's look. The car waiting outside was a showpiece, the whole night already laid out in a way that screamed Cobra Kai makes an entrance. But none of it mattered.

Not when Hayden looked like that.

She reached the bottom step, adjusting the silver clasp around her wrist, the only piece of jewelry she wore. Simple. Elegant.

Deadly.

"You clean up well," she said, glancing at him briefly before looking away.

Robby huffed out a breath, shaking his head. "You have no idea."

Her brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't press it.

Robby was still stuck. Still caught in the moment.

She looked beautiful.

And she had no idea what she was doing to him.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before stepping forward, offering his arm. "Guess we should get this over with, huh?"

Hayden eyed his arm for a second before slipping her hand around it. "Guess so."

His heart did something weird. Something he wasn't ready to deal with.

Because for the first time in a long time, he wasn't thinking about the fight.

He was just thinking about her.

—

The low hum of the car engine filled the space between them. Streetlights flickered past, casting long shadows across Hayden's face as she stared out the window. Robby glanced at her, one hand on the wheel, the other drumming idly against his thigh.

She looked different. Not in an obvious way—her hair was still pulled back in that effortless, careless way she always did it, and she still wore the same expression she always did: blank and thoughtful all at once. But there was something beneath the surface. A weight in her shoulders. A stiffness in her movements.

She wasn't herself.

And Robby hated that he knew exactly why.

"Y'know," he started, keeping his voice light, "we haven't had a night to ourselves in a while."

Hayden didn't look at him. "Yeah, training and all."

"Yeah, I've noticed."

Silence.

He exhaled slowly, tightening his grip on the wheel. "How much training have you been doing?"

Hayden still didn't look at him, but he caught the way her fingers curled slightly in her lap. "Not that much." She lied.

That answer didn't sit right with him. It wasn't just that he hadn't seen her much lately—it was the fact that, when he did, she looked like this. Like she had nothing left in her but still refused to stop.

"Hayden," he said, this time more serious. "How much?"

A beat. Then, finally, she sighed. "A lot."

Understatement of the year.

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Training for the tournament, or for self-destruction?"

Hayden didn't react at first. Then she turned, finally meeting his gaze, her expression strained. "It's fine, Robby."

He didn't believe that for a second.

"You look exhausted," he said plainly. "And don't try to tell me it's nothing, because I can see it. I see you."

She held his stare, but there was something guarded in her eyes, like she wasn't sure if she wanted to argue or just let it go.

Robby sighed. "Look, I get it. Silver's got you on some next-level training schedule, and you're trying to be ready for All Valley. But at what point is it too much?"

Hayden didn't answer right away. Her gaze flickered away, back out the window, her jaw tightening ever so slightly. He recognized that look.

It was the same one Hayden wore when she was doing something she didn't understand the extent of. When she was doing something reckless and didn't care for the consequences until after.

"You don't understand," she muttered.

He let out a quiet scoff. "Try me."

Hayden exhaled through her nose, staring ahead. "It's not about too much or too little. It's about doing what it takes. You should know what it's like. Doing whatever it takes to win."

Her words struck something in him.

He knew that mindset. Lived it.

It wasn't just about winning—it was about proving something. To yourself. To everyone else.

"Hayden," he said, softer now. "You don't have to prove anything."

She didn't move, didn't react, but he could tell she heard him.

She swallowed once, barely noticeable, then said, "I'm not proving it to them."

Robby's jaw tensed.

She meant herself.

And for the first time, he understood.

This wasn't just about winning the tournament. It wasn't even just about getting stronger. It was about not feeling weak. Not feeling like she could lose. Not feeling like there was a version of her that wasn't enough.

Because deep down, maybe she wasn't convinced she was.

Robby turned his attention back to the road, exhaling slowly.

"You're gonna be ready," he said eventually. "I know that. You know that. But if you run yourself into the ground before you even get there, what's the point?"

She didn't answer, but something in her posture shifted. Not much. Just enough for him to notice.

"What happened to no karate?" She muttered, almost grumbled.

He chuckled, nodding. "Fair point." He glanced over, reading her expression carefully. "So, prom."

Hayden blinked, as if just remembering where they were headed. "What about it?"

"You excited?"

She gave him a flat look. "Do I look like I'm excited?"

Robby huffed a quiet laugh. "Figured as much."

She leaned back against the seat, exhaling slowly. "I didn't even wanna come, to be honest."

He nodded. That didn't surprise him. "So what changed your mind?"

She hesitated. "You."

The word was simple. Plain. Like it wasn't a big deal. But something about the way she said it made his chest tighten just a little.

She watched him for a second, something unreadable in her gaze. Then, quieter, she said, "Why did you wanna come? Prom doesn't seem like your typa thing."

Robby let out a small breath of laughter. "You seriously don't know?"

Hayden tilted her head slightly, waiting.

His grip on the wheel tightened, then relaxed. "I wanted to go with you. Take you to your prom."

Silence.

For once, Hayden didn't have a quick response.

Robby glanced at her, and for a second, she wasn't just the unshakable fighter, the girl who never let anyone in. There was something else in her expression—something softer, something hesitant.

She turned away first, looking out the window. "It's just a dance."

"Maybe," Robby said, voice lower now. "Or maybe it's just an excuse to spend time together, away from all the bullshit."

He didn't know if she had a response to that, but he wasn't expecting her to.

Instead, he reached over, letting his fingers barely brush against hers where they rested on her knee. Not a full hold, not even really a touch. Just enough for her to know he was there.

She didn't pull away.

Instead, she leaned into it. Her fingers grazed his gently, until he rested it on top of hers in a swift move.

He looked at her, his eyes glazing over in a soft haze. And for once, her expression matched his, meeting his gaze.

She would let herself be soft tonight.

Robby managed to bring that out of her somehow.

—

The second Hayden and Robby stepped through the doors, the energy in the room shifted. Heads turned. Conversations faltered. The music kept playing, but it might as well have faded into nothing with the way people were staring.

Silver had made sure they arrived in style—pulled up in a sleek black car, walked in like they owned the place. But none of that mattered. Hayden didn't care about the attention. She never did.

Robby, though? He noticed everything.

He noticed the way the room seemed to pause. The way a few guys nudged each other, whispering under their breath as they eyed Hayden. The way some of the girls shot quick glances at him, their expressions flickering with something between curiosity and surprise.

And then there was Miguel.

Standing by the punch table with Sam, his easygoing expression now tight with something Robby recognized immediately—jealousy.

His grip on Sam's hand twitched, and she wasn't much better. Her eyes flickered between Robby and Hayden, her jaw set, her lips pressed together in a tight line.

Robby felt a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. He had won this round.

Hayden, of course, didn't even acknowledge them. She walked beside him, her posture as sharp and effortless as ever, like she hadn't just turned half the room upside down without even trying. She wasn't here for a scene. She wasn't here for them.

She was just here because she said she would be.

Robby leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "I think we broke Miguel."

Hayden didn't know where she stood with Miguel. Truth be told, she was starting to feel too exhausted to be mad anymore. She was using every last bit of energy to make sure her body didn't give out on her on the dance floor.

She didn't know how to tell Robby that she wasn't okay, though. So she pivoted.

Hayden shook her head, forcing a chuckle. "Is that the highlight of your night?"

"It makes my top three." Robby chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. It was too corny to say seeing her come down the staircase was number one, but it was.

That didn't mean he couldn't enjoy this.

"Come on," he said, guiding her toward the center of the room. "Let's give them something to really talk about."

—

The night had blurred into a haze of flashing lights and the hum of conversation, but in this moment, it was just the two of them.

The slow, sultry notes of Careless Whisper drifted through the speakers, the song wrapping around them like a ghost of something unspoken. The crowd around them faded, nothing more than a blur of sequins and murmured conversations.

Robby's hands rested lightly on Hayden's waist, pulling her in just enough so that he could feel the warmth of her against him. She was stiff at first—always a little tense, always ready for a fight. But after a second, her hands found his shoulders, and she let him guide her into the rhythm.

She didn't dance often. He could tell. But she followed his lead anyway, quiet and steady, her body moving in time with his.

She looked beautiful.

He had thought it the moment he saw her tonight, and he thought it even more now. The way the dim lights caught on her dress, the way her dark eyes flickered with something softer than usual, something hesitant. She looked like a girl who had spent so long being steel that she had forgotten what it felt like to just be.

And god, did it do something to him.

He took a slow breath, his fingers brushing lightly against the fabric at her back. "Not bad for date night, huh?"

Her eyes flicked up to him. "You're really sticking with that?"

He grinned. "We're slow dancing to Careless Whisper, Hayden. If that's not date night, I don't know what is."

She rolled her eyes, but there was no real bite to it.

The music was slow, but their swaying was even slower. Hayden wasn't really focused on keeping rhythm—she didn't think Robby was either. It was more about the fact that they were here, together, in a rare moment where nothing else really mattered. No training, no rivalries, no fights. Just them.

She wasn't much of a dancer, never had been, but somehow, swaying in Robby's arms didn't feel awkward. It felt... easy. Natural. Like muscle memory.

Still, there was a weight in her chest. A part of her that wasn't entirely here.

Her body ached from weeks of nonstop training. Her mind felt stretched thin from trying to balance it all—karate, school, expectations she wasn't sure she even wanted to meet. And yet, here she was, pretending like she wasn't completely drained, pretending like she wasn't wondering if maybe—just maybe—she was in too deep.

But Robby had always been observant. He could see through her defenses, even when she thought she had them locked tight.

Robby grinned, tilting his head as he looked down at her. "So, what's the plan, Sanders? You gonna be a sensei one day? Carry on the Cobra Kai legacy?"

Hayden snorted. "Not a chance."

He smirked. "Good, because I don't think I could take that seriously."

She huffed, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "I want to be a social worker."

It slipped out before she could think twice about saying it. She wasn't sure why she told him—maybe because she was too tired to filter herself, maybe because part of her wanted to be heard.

She felt him pause, just slightly. His grip on her waist didn't falter, but she could tell he hadn't expected that answer.

"Seriously?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

She nodded, her gaze drifting past him, landing on nothing in particular. "Someone's gotta help kids like us."

Robby didn't respond right away. Something about the way she said it made his chest tighten.

He had never really thought about what she'd do after this—all of this. Maybe because he hadn't really thought about what he'd do either. But imagining Hayden—a fighter, a warrior—fighting for something bigger than herself? It made sense. It suited her.

It made her uneasy, having her own words hang in the air like that. She had spent so much time guarding herself, keeping her future vague, keeping her wants to herself. But now she had said it out loud. And Robby was listening.

She felt the way his fingers traced slow circles against her back, like he was letting the thought settle.

Then, just when she was about to brush it off—make a joke and change the subject—he grinned.

Robby grinned, thumb brushing the skin of her back. "So how many kids are we having?"

Hayden blinked, clearly caught off guard. "What?"

"You know, since you're gonna be saving the next generation and all," he teased. "Might as well start planning."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't plan on having kids."

"Okay, fine. So just us, then. No kids, big house, maybe a couple of dogs."

Hayden eyed, still trying to figure out where he was going with this. "...Where exactly is this house?"

Robby hummed like he was giving it real thought. "Not too big—just enough space. Maybe somewhere with a view."

"So... a regular house?" she deadpanned.

"Hey, I'm trying to be romantic here."

Hayden snorted, shaking her head. "This is what you consider romantic?"

Robby smirked. "I mean, it got you talking, didn't it?"

She rolled her eyes, but the teasing edge of his voice made something in her chest loosen, just slightly.

She was trying her hardest not to think about the fact that she was discussing her future with someone so openly. Something she never thought she'd ever do.

She wasn't used to thinking about the future. At least, not in ways that weren't survival-based. She had spent so long focusing on the now—on training, on fighting, on proving herself—that there was never room for someday.

But standing here, in his arms, with his voice all smooth and certain, it was too easy to picture it.

She could see it.

Maybe not a big house, but something with space, something that didn't feel suffocating. A place with warmth. Something steady. A place to land.

She let out a breath, barely above a whisper. "No white picket fence."

Robby's brows lifted slightly, like he was surprised she was actually entertaining this. But his smirk widened. "Okay. No picket fence. What about a porch?"

Hayden rolled her eyes. "Why would we need a porch?"

"For summer nights," he said smoothly. "Sitting outside, drinking something cold, watching the stars..."

She huffed, but she could feel her lips twitching again. "You're so full of it."

"What? It's a nice picture."

She let out a scoff, but for some reason, she didn't shoot him down this time.

He must've noticed, because his grip on her tightened just a little, pulling her closer.

"So no kids," he mused. "What about pets?"

She hesitated. Then, with the tiniest smirk, "One dog."

Robby grinned like she had just given him the winning lottery numbers. "A big one?"

"Not too big," she said. "But something that listens."

His grin didn't fade. "So... basically the opposite of you?"

She nudged him—not hard enough to actually push him, but enough for him to know she was done playing along.

Still, she could feel his eyes on her, watching her like he was still soaking this moment in, still holding onto the fact that she let herself imagine this with him.

Maybe she was holding onto it too. Just a little.

Robby exhaled, voice dropping softer. "You know, I like this future."

She hesitated, fingers tightening slightly where they rested against his shoulder.

He said it so easily. So surely.

Like he already knew, deep down, that whatever her future was—he wanted to be in it.

Hayden swallowed. She wasn't ready to say something like that. Not yet.

But she didn't pull away.

And when the song started to fade, she let him keep holding her.

—

She didn't know how Robby managed to convince her to go to the after party Stingray was throwing. But he did.

And the bass from the speakers rattled the walls, drowning out most of the drunken chatter and laughter in Stingray's overcrowded house. The air smelled like cheap beer and sweat, and bodies moved in every direction, making it easy for Hayden to slip away unnoticed.

She wasn't in the mood for this.

Parties had never been her thing, and the longer she stayed, the more the noise got under her skin. She found herself near the back door, leaning against the frame, sipping on a half-warm soda she wasn't even sure was hers. The cool night air seeped in from the open window, offering a momentary reprieve from the chaos inside.

That was when Miguel found her.

"You look like you'd rather be anywhere else," he said, voice low but edged with amusement.

Hayden barely glanced at him. "You'd be right."

Miguel took that as permission to step closer. His gaze flickered over her, and she knew he was assessing—taking in the exhaustion she was trying to hide, the bruises she couldn't.

"Been training hard?"

She scoffed lightly, but it didn't hold much humor. "Something like that,"

Miguel exhaled through his nose. He didn't say what he was really thinking, but she could feel it. The weight of his concern. The tension of knowing but not pushing—yet.

There was something about Miguel that always made it harder to lie, even by omission. He had this way of looking at her, like he saw through the walls she spent years building.

And yet, she still kept them up.

"You going home soon?" he asked after a beat.

"Probably."

He nodded, like he expected that answer. "With Robby?"

Hayden clenched her jaw slightly but gave a stiff nod.

Miguel hummed, his gaze drifting for a moment before settling back on her. "You ever think about leaving Cobra Kai?"

Her eyes snapped to his.

There it was. The question he'd been waiting to ask. The one she had been avoiding.

She let the silence stretch between them, took another sip of her soda, and finally answered, "No."

Miguel's expression flickered—barely noticeable, but enough. He didn't believe her.

"Really?" he pressed. "Because it doesn't look like you're thriving over there."

She let out a slow breath, shoulders stiff. "Not your business, Miguel."

He studied her, and for a moment, she thought he might push harder. But before he could, a familiar voice cut through the haze of the party.

"There you are."

Hayden turned just as Robby appeared, weaving through the drunken crowd with the kind of effortless ease that made him impossible to ignore. His brows pinched slightly when he saw who she was with, but his expression smoothed over in an instant.

Miguel, on the other hand, barely concealed the flicker of irritation in his eyes.

Robby's gaze shifted between them before settling on her. "I was looking for you."

Hayden didn't hesitate. She nodded, stepping away from the doorframe. "Let's go, then."

She could feel Miguel watching her, but she didn't look back.

Not when she passed him, not when Robby slid a hand against the small of her back to guide her through the crowd. Not even when she heard the sharp intake of breath behind her, the silent tension thickening like a storm cloud ready to burst.

But she didn't need to look to know that once she was out of earshot, they would have it out.

—

"I'm gonna get another beer. You want one?" Robby yelled toward Hayden over the music, who was trying her hardest not to let the pain show in her face.

Her arms ached, bruises were scattered all over her body, her face hurt from pretending to smile, her head with thumping loudly in her ears.

She was tired.

"No, I'm okay." She shook her head, leaning against the nearest wall.

He tilted his head at her, examining her and eyes softening. "You wanna go?"

She could tell he didn't. So she shook her head. "We'll stay a little longer."

Robby hesitated, but eventually nodded and stalked off toward the cooler, eyes zeroing in on Miguel.

His jaw clenched, walking over. Miguel spotted his immediately, rolling his eyes.

For a moment, it was silent, both just staring at one another. More like glaring.

"You really think you've got a shot?" Miguel scoffed, arms crossed as he stared at Robby. The music thumped around them, but neither of them seemed to hear it now.

Robby smirked, unbothered. "I know I do."

Miguel's jaw tightened. "She deserves better than all this."

"Oh, and you're the one who decides that?" Robby's voice dropped slightly, something sharper lacing his usual easy confidence. "She doesn't need you telling her what's good for her."

Miguel's hands curled into fists at his sides. "You think I don't see what's happening to her? The way Silver treats her? The way you let it happen?"

That got under Robby's skin. His smirk disappeared, and something dark flickered across his expression. "You don't know a damn thing about what's going on."

Miguel huffed a humorless laugh. "I know she's not the same. I know she's exhausted, and not just from training. I know she barely even looks like her anymore." His voice sharpened, a blade meant to cut. "And you're just standing by, letting it happen."

Robby took a step forward, voice low and firm. "Don't act like you're some hero here. You don't know what she needs."

Miguel's glare didn't waver. "And you do?"

Robby's jaw clenched.

The unspoken words hung heavy between them. Neither willing to back down, neither willing to say what they both knew—Hayden was slipping. And one of them had to be right about how to help her.

Finally, Robby exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. "You're wasting your breath. Just because you're tutoring her doesn't mean nothing. She's with me."

Miguel's eyes darkened slightly, but this time, he didn't argue.

Robby took his silence as a win, turning away and disappearing into the crowd.

But Miguel wasn't stupid.

He had seen the cracks forming in Hayden's walls. The flicker of doubt in her eyes, the way she had hesitated before answering him.

Robby could pretend he had already won.

But Miguel wasn't so sure.

—

Hayden slowly poured the punch into her plastic cup, but a hair on the back of her neck shot up. Her eyes narrowed, feeling someone's gaze burn into the back of her head.

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Sam LaRusso.

Of course.

She could practically feel the other girl's eyes on her as she made her way through the crowd. Sam was always in the right place at the wrong time. Or maybe Hayden was just too tired to care about avoiding her.

"Hayden," Sam said, her voice sharp, like they were picking up right where they'd left off—enemies. No fake niceties. No forced pleasantries. Just two girls who didn't belong in the same space, both trying to outdo each other every chance they got.

Hayden didn't even bother responding at first. She kept her gaze fixed forward, her arms crossed.

"You look like shit," Sam added, blunt as ever, her tone laced with the kind of coldness only Sam could muster.

Normally, Hayden would've snapped back, would've found a way to jab at Sam's pride the way she always did.

But tonight, something was different. Her muscles ached, her head felt fuzzy, and the exhaustion was sinking in deeper than she wanted to admit. She wasn't in the mood for a fight, especially not with her.

Instead, Hayden let out a short breath and finally turned to face Sam. She could see the flicker of surprise in the other girl's eyes before it quickly morphed back into the usual cool indifference.

"I'm fine," Hayden said, her voice a little too clipped, a little too defensive. The words felt hollow in her throat, but she said them anyway.

Sam took a moment, her gaze scanning Hayden with more focus than usual, and for the first time, Hayden saw something that almost resembled concern—before it was buried again behind the usual walls Sam kept up.

"You sure?" Sam asked, her tone still edged with that familiar condescension, but there was something else beneath it now. "You look like you haven't slept in days."

Hayden's jaw tightened. "I've been busy." The words left her almost without thought, like a reflex. She didn't owe Sam anything. She didn't owe anyone an explanation. Not anymore.

But Sam wasn't buying it. Not completely.

Her eyes flicked to Hayden's arms, then back to her face. "You have bruises," Sam said flatly, not bothering to hide the fact that she had noticed them.

For a moment, Hayden's heart skipped. Sam's gaze lingered on the marks Silver had left, the ones from his relentless training sessions. If even Samantha LaRusso could look past her hatred for her and see the dark purple bruises, she wondered what everyone else was thinking.

She suddenly felt naked.

Hayden clenched her fists at her sides, but she didn't pull her sleeves down. She didn't try to hide it.

"Well karate isn't necessarily a non-contact sport, so." she muttered, avoiding Sam's stare.

Sam's lips twitched, but she didn't push the subject further. Instead, she let the silence stretch between them. They were so different, so fundamentally opposed, that even moments of uneasy peace like this were awkward at best.

Finally, Sam huffed, the faintest hint of annoyance returning. "You don't have to act like you're invincible all the time, you know. I know what Silver's putting you through. He put my dad through the same exact thing."

Hayden was silent for a moment, her shoulders stiffening. Sam had no idea what it took to keep up this front, to stay strong when everything was crashing down.

"What do you care? You hate me. And I hate you just as much." Hayden said, her voice low but cold. "I'm fine. Leave it."

For once, Sam didn't argue. Instead, she gave a small, tight smile, one that was almost an apology in disguise.

"Yeah, sure," Sam said, rolling her eyes but not in her usual biting way. "You're fine."

It was the closest thing to understanding they'd ever come to in their entire history of hating each other. It was brief, but it was there.

Sam turned to leave, but then she paused, her gaze lingering on Hayden for just a second longer. "Take care of yourself, Hayden."

It wasn't much. It wasn't a breakthrough. But it was the first time Sam LaRusso had said something that wasn't aimed at cutting her down. And for some reason, that left Hayden feeling uneasy. Like there was something she wasn't seeing.

Hayden didn't reply. She didn't need to.

Instead, she watched Sam walk off into the crowd, blending back into the chaos of the party, and Hayden was left with nothing but the hollow feeling in her chest. The bruises, the exhaustion, the constant pressure to prove herself—it all seemed heavier in that moment.

The fight was wearing her down. And Sam's words, for some reason, made her wonder if maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to keep fighting everyone.

But then she shook it off. She had nothing to prove to Sam. She had nothing to prove to anyone. She just had to keep going.

Even if it meant doing it alone.

—

Miguel wasn't trying to eavesdrop. Not really.

He had been making his way through the packed house when he overheard her voice. Tory. He hadn't planned on stopping, but something about her tone—sharp, determined—made him pause just out of sight near the kitchen.

She was talking to Piper, casually leaning against the counter with a red cup in hand.

"I swear, Silver's been working me hard," Tory was saying, rolling her shoulders as if shaking off the weight of it. "Extra sessions, one-on-one training. He says I have everything it takes to be Cobra Kai's female champion."

Piper raised a brow. "Damn, that's big. But, didn't he wanna make Hayden his champ? That's why he's been training her really hard. I heard he wipes the mat with her almost everyday. Kicks her around the mat basically. And she just takes it."

Tory tilted her head. She hadn't spoken to Hayden in a few days, they've both been training with Silver apparently. She narrowed her eyes, the All Valley was important to her. Just as much as it was to Hayden.

She didn't have much in her life, couldn't have much in her life. But she could have this. She would win it if it couldn't be someone else.

"Yeah, well, he's been helping me almost everyday now before class." She shrugged with a scoff, "He must see something in me if he isn't kicking me around."

"Yeah, that's intense." Piper let out a low whistle. "So, then, why is he even training Sanders in the first place?"

"Double the chance at winning? I don't know," Tory shrugged, even though she definitely had an idea. Silver could've been working her to the ground so that she was an automatic elimination come All Valley.

Then it would mean Tory's a guaranteed trip to the All Valley.

Still, she didn't feel right. This didn't feel right.

"Maybe."

Tory scoffed. "Yeah, well, he expects results. If I don't deliver, I'll be replaced. But I'm not gonna let that happen."

Miguel felt his stomach drop.

Female champion.

He already knew how brutal Silver's training methods were. He'd seen what they did to people. What they had done to Hayden.

Hayden.

She had been killing herself training under Silver, pushing herself to the brink every single day. If Tory was right— if Silver had already picked her to be Cobra Kai's female champion— then where did that leave Hayden?

Miguel didn't hesitate. He had to tell her.

—

Hayden watched from a distance as Robby talked to the some of the guys from Cobra Kai. Kyler was so obnoxiously loud she could basically hear the conversation.

What everyone would be showcasing during the talent segment at the All Valley, what they would do after to celebrate, who they would potentially face.

It was quieter out here, away from the crowd, away from the noise in her own head.

She didn't turn when she heard footsteps behind her.

"I need to talk to you," Miguel said, his voice serious.

She exhaled slowly before glancing at him. "Okay, talk."

Miguel hesitated, watching her carefully, as if gauging whether or not to say what he was about to. Then—

"I just heard something. Tory said Silver's been training her one-on-one. He told her she's going to be Cobra Kai's female champion."

Silence.

The words cut through her like a blade.

Something in her chest caved.

For a moment, she didn't react. She just stared at him, her face void of anything. Not anger. Not betrayal. Not even pain. Just... nothing.

Because if she let herself feel it—if she let the truth of his words sink in—it would unravel everything.

She had bled for Cobra Kai. She had given everything for Silver. She had destroyed herself for this. And it had been for nothing.

A slow exhale left her lips, but her limbs felt frozen, her body locked in place. The room around her blurred, the voices and music warping into an eerie, distant echo. It was like the world had shifted, like everything she thought was real had been nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion.

She had been so blind. She had been so stupid.

Hayden had played the role perfectly—Silver's soldier, his perfect weapon. She had become everything he wanted her to be. And in doing so, she had lost herself.

She had lost everything.

Her fingers twitched at her sides, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't know what to do with herself. She had no fight plan, no counterattack, no clear next move.

She just stood there.

Breathing.

Existing.

And for the first time since she had stepped into Cobra Kai, she felt powerless.

She swallowed hard, her mouth dry, her head pounding.

Finally, she turned to Miguel, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you sure?"

Miguel nodded, and the weight of that confirmation nearly crushed her.

Her throat tightened.

She should be furious. She should be storming out of this house, demanding answers, ready to burn Cobra Kai to the ground for playing her like this.

But she wasn't. She just felt... hollow.

Like something inside her had snapped, and now there was nothing left.

A long silence stretched between them before Hayden finally moved, stepping past Miguel without another word.

She needed to be alone. She needed to think. Because if everything she had fought for was a lie—

Then what the hell had any of it been for?

For a second, Hayden didn't move. Didn't breathe.

She just stared at him, expression unreadable, but Miguel could see it. The way her fingers twitched slightly at her sides. The way her jaw clenched just a little too tightly.

Miguel's brows furrowed. "Hayden, you've been killing yourself training for this."

She didn't answer.

Because he was right.

She had bled for this. Every second of every day, she had given everything to Cobra Kai. More than she had to give. And Silver—he pushed her. Broke past her limitations and boundaries.

And now...

Hayden inhaled slowly through her nose, forcing down the bitter taste of betrayal curling in her throat.

It wasn't fair.

After everything.

She had earned it.

She should've seen this coming. Silver didn't care about loyalty. He cared about results. And if he had decided Tory was a better bet—if he had already made up his mind—then where did that leave her?

Disposable.

Miguel watched her carefully. "Hayden..."

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I was never going to be good enough."

Miguel's expression twisted. "Are you serious? Hayden, you are good enough. Don't ever say that."

Hayden shook her head, but the movement was slow, almost uncertain. "Maybe if I'd put in more work—"

Miguel's jaw tightened. "No. There is nothing you could've done differently, Hayden. Silver is so sick and twisted that he didn't realize a good thing when he had it."

She hated how much that stung.

Silver she could've expected this from. He was a manipulator, a strategist. He always had a plan, and if Tory had become the better investment, then Hayden was just another piece he was willing to sacrifice. That was how he worked. That was how the world worked.

But Tory.

Tory had never said a word.

Never once mentioned she was getting extra training.

And Hayden had trusted her.

They understood each other. Fought for the same things. Bled the same way. And all this time, she had thought they were fighting together.

Now she wasn't so sure.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides, nails biting into her palms.

Had she been played this whole time?

She thought back to every moment she had spent pushing herself past her limits, breaking herself down because Silver told her she had to. The exhaustion, the bruises, the absolute hell she had gone through just to prove she was worthy—was it all for nothing?

Her stomach twisted.

She swallowed down the anger rising in her throat, but it burned.

Because it wasn't just betrayal.

It was humiliation.

She had believed Silver. She had believed Tory. She had believed in Cobra Kai. And now, standing here, she wasn't sure what the hell she was supposed to believe anymore.

Hayden exhaled slowly, steadying herself.

"Are you lying? Cause it's not funny." She turned to him, and Miguel took a small step back at the glint in Hayden's eye. Emotional, wild, and full of rage.

Nothing like the Hayden she'd go look at the stars with.

"I'm not lying. I wouldn't lie about this."

Hayden didn't respond.

Because if she did, the cracks might start to show.

And she wasn't ready for that.

Miguel searched her face for something—anything—but she was already slipping back into that untouchable, unreadable place he couldn't reach.

Until she finally made a decision. One that she knew she wouldn't be able to take back. One that would change the course of everything she's ever worked for these last few months.

"Can I ask for a favor?" She managed out, clenching her fists at her sides.

Miguel nodded frantically, "Of course. Anything."

"Okay, this stays between us."

authors note.

This chapter is 9k words long chat DAMN

anyways dont hate me for what im boutta do next chapter MIGHT be out tonight or tomorrow