THE CLOCK TICKING REPEATEDLY PISSED HAYDEN OFF.

This entire ordeal pissed Hayden off in general.

Hayden sat stiffly in the chair, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. This was her first therapy session and it felt like everything was putting her on edge.

The office was too bright. Too clean. The air smelled like lavender and something vaguely artificial, like someone had tried too hard to make the place feel calming.

She wasn't calm.

She didn't even want to be here.

The woman across from her-Dr. Morgan, according to the degree hanging on the wall-watched her with careful, patient eyes. She was older, maybe in her late forties, with short blonde hair and a calm demeanor that irritated Hayden for some reason.

"So, Hayden," Dr. Morgan said, her voice light but steady. "What brings you here today?"

Hayden exhaled slowly, staring at the floor. Because my mom and Amanda think therapy is the best option.

If it were up to Hayden, therapy would be her absolute last option. She didn't know what the first would be.

Pummeling Silver to the ground and beating him senseless, maybe.

She didn't say that, though.

Instead, she shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm just... dealing with some things."

Dr. Morgan nodded, as if that vague answer was enough. "What kind of things?"

Hayden's fingers dug into her arm. "Karate. Life. Whatever."

Dr. Morgan hummed. "Your mom mentioned you just competed in the All Valley tournament. That must have been a big deal."

Hayden's jaw tightened. She glanced at the door, already calculating how long it would take to leave. "I guess."

Dr. Morgan waited. Hayden didn't add anything else.

"Can you tell me about it?" she prompted.

Hayden's shoulders tensed. She didn't want to talk about it. Didn't want to relive it.

So, she shrugged again. "Well, I lost, so."

Dr. Morgan tilted her head. "And how did that feel?"

A flare of irritation sparked in Hayden's chest.

How do you think it felt?

She shifted in her seat, tapping her fingers against her arm. "It fucking sucked."

"Because you lost?"

Hayden flicked her gaze up at her in disbelief.

Is this bitch for real?

Dr. Morgan's expression was calm, waiting.

She hated that.

"Because I should've won." The words left her mouth before she could stop them. "I did everything I was supposed to. I trained harder than everyone else in that tournament. I pushed myself to my limit every single day-" She cut herself off, breathing through her nose.

Dr. Morgan didn't push. She let the silence sit between them.

Hayden scowled, looking away. "I don't even know why I'm talking about this."

"Because it matters to you."

Hayden clenched her jaw, staring at a speck on the floor.

Dr. Morgan leaned forward slightly. "You put everything into something, and it didn't turn out the way you wanted. That would be hard for anyone. But it sounds like this was more than just losing a match."

Hayden swallowed.

She wanted to argue. Wanted to tell her that it was just about the match. That she wasn't weak enough to care this much.

But it wasn't that simple.

She wasn't sure it had ever been that simple.

Still, she stayed silent.

Dr. Morgan studied her for a moment, then leaned back. "That's okay. We don't have to get into everything today."

Hayden flickered her gaze up at her, wary. "Then what's the point of this?"

"The point," Dr. Morgan said, "is that healing takes time. You don't have to tell me everything right away. But you do have to be honest-with me, and with yourself."

Hayden exhaled through her nose, looking away again.

She didn't know how to be honest about any of this.

But, for some reason, she didn't get up and leave.

And maybe that was something.

-

Hayden barely made it two steps into the house before she heard the quiet, muffled sniffles.

Her body tensed.

For a moment, she didn't move. She just stood there, gripping the strap of her bag as she listened.

Mom?

The thought sent a sharp pang through her chest, and before she could talk herself out of it, she followed the sound.

She found her mom sitting at the kitchen table, her head in her hands, shoulders shaking.

Hayden's heart twisted.

"Mom?" Her voice was quieter than she intended, but Esme still jolted, quickly wiping at her face as if that would erase the evidence.

"Hey, sweetie." Esme forced a small smile, though her eyes were still glossy. "How was therapy?"

Hayden stared at her for a moment. The guilt in her mother's voice was almost palpable.

She shifted on her feet. "It was fine." A beat. "Are you okay?"

Esme let out a quiet, watery laugh, shaking her head. "I'm supposed to be asking you that."

Hayden frowned.

Esme inhaled sharply, rubbing at her temples. "I just..." Her voice wavered. "I feel like this is my fault."

Hayden stiffened. "What?"

Esme finally looked up at her, and the pain in her eyes made Hayden's stomach drop.

"I pushed you into Cobra Kai," she whispered. "I let Kreese get into my head. He told me you needed discipline, that you needed structure, and I-" She swallowed hard, shaking her head. "I fell for it. I let him sell me on something that ended up hurting you. And if I hadn't-"

"Mom." Hayden cut her off, her voice firmer now. "Stop."

Esme blinked at her, lips parting slightly.

Hayden clenched her fists. "You didn't force me into anything. Yeah, you thought it was a good idea, but I made my own choices. I went back. I trained with Silver. That was me. Not you."

Esme exhaled shakily, her gaze flickering over Hayden's face.

Hayden hated this. Hated the way her mom looked at her like she'd failed her somehow.

Because the truth was, Hayden had made her own choices. And she was the one who had to live with them.

Esme wiped at her eyes again, sniffling. "You don't go out anymore," she murmured. "You don't talk to anyone. You just stay in your room."

Hayden looked away.

She hadn't even realized how much she'd withdrawn.

Her mother sighed. "I just want to know you're okay."

Hayden swallowed, forcing herself to meet her gaze. She hesitated, then said the first thing that came to mind.

"My friends are meeting up at the waterpark later."

Esme's brows lifted slightly. "Are you going?"

She hadn't planned on it.

But looking at her mom now, at the concern etched into her features, Hayden found herself nodding.

"Yeah," she lied. "I'm going."

Esme searched her face, eyes softening just a bit. "Okay."

Hayden stepped forward, placing a hand over hers. "Mom, I am okay. It's just... taking some time. Just... give me some time."

Esme exhaled slowly, squeezing her fingers.

"Just promise me one thing?" she murmured.

Hayden nodded.

"Don't shut me out."

Hayden's throat tightened.

"I won't."

Esme gave her a watery smile.

Hayden tried to believe her own words. Everything was gonna be fine.

-

Hayden didn't know where she fit in.

She was a traitor at Cobra Kai. A loser at Miyagi Do.

If it were up to her she'd lock herself in her bedroom the entire summer.

The waterpark was loud-too loud.

Hayden regretted coming the second she stepped through the entrance, the scent of chlorine and sunscreen heavy in the air. Kids screamed, water splashed, and the sun blazed down on her skin as she weaved through the crowd, already looking for an escape route.

She should've just stayed home.

Exhaling sharply, she made her way toward a quieter area, away from the crowded slides and wave pools. She just needed a second. One second to breathe.

But then-

"Why're you alone?"

Her spine stiffened.

She turned, already knowing who she'd find.

Robby Keene stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, the sunlight catching on the damp strands of his hair. He looked... different. Or maybe she was different.

She studied him carefully. "You know me. Just need a breather before I join everyone else in the fun."

Robby huffed a quiet laugh, nodding. "You never change."

She turned her gaze back to the water. "That's funny. Feels like that's all I've been doing lately."

Robby didn't answer right away, but she could feel his eyes on her.

Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was just there. Like them.

Finally, Robby shifted, turning slightly to face her. "I owe you an apology."

Hayden raised a brow. "Okay,"

Robby exhaled through his nose, nodding. "For how I treated you at the tournament. I was an asshole."

Hayden tilted her head. "No arguments here."

Robby sighed, glancing down before looking back at her. "You were right, Hayden. About all of it."

She stared at him, stunned.

"I let Cobra Kai get to me," he admitted, shaking his head. "I had so much anger inside me, and Silver knew exactly how to use it. And by the time I realized what was happening... it was too late."

Hayden swallowed, the memory of him fighting Kenny flashing in her head. That look in his eyes. Cold, detached-someone she hadn't recognized.

"But you got out," she said quietly.

Robby nodded. "Yeah." He huffed a quiet laugh, but there was something heavier in his eyes. "I should've listened to you. I was too pissed at the world to see what was happening right in front of me."

She froze.

"I saw them."

Her breath hitched slightly, but she kept her expression blank.

"Saw what?" She played dumb.

"The bruises, Hayden." His voice was quiet but firm. "On your back. Your shoulders."

She exhaled slowly through her nose. "Not your problem."

"The hell it isn't," Robby snapped. "I should've seen it sooner. I should've listened when you tried to tell me what Cobra Kai was doing to you." His voice sharpened, and when she finally met his gaze, she saw it. The guilt. The self-hatred simmering just beneath the surface.

Hayden clenched her jaw, fingers curling against her arms. "You were in it too deep. Just like I was."

"That's not an excuse." His voice was rough, laced with guilt. "I defended them. I defended him. And all that time, Silver was using you as a punching bag, and I didn't even see it."

Something in his tone made her look at him.

Really look at him.

And for the first time since the tournament, she saw it-remorse. Not just for what happened to her. But for what Cobra Kai turned them both into.

Hayden swallowed. The weight of everything-the tournament, the betrayal, the exhaustion of constantly fighting-pressed down on her all at once.

She didn't know how to carry it.

"You told me what Cobra Kai was doing to you," he said, shaking his head. "And I didn't listen. I defended them. I let Silver get in my head, and I turned my back on you when you were just looking out for yourself."

Hayden looked away, her throat tight.

She didn't want to have this conversation. Not here. Not now.

"You were just doing what you thought you had to," she said stiffly. "We both were."

"No," His grip on the railing tightened. "I should've helped you. I should've seen it sooner."

She let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "And what would you have done, Robby? Punched Silver in the face?" She shook her head. "I made my choice. You made yours."

Robby exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "That's the thing, though. I didn't make a choice. I just let it happen. And now, looking at you-"

He trailed off, gaze darkening as it flickered over her again. Not in the way it used to. Not like he was admiring her.

Like he was haunted by what he hadn't seen before.

Like he hated himself for it.

"I hate him for what he did to you," he muttered. "But I hate myself even more for not stopping it."

The words landed heavier than she expected.

She swallowed, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. "It's over now."

"Is it?"

She didn't have an answer for that.

A beat of silence went by. Comfortable, not awkward or stuffy. It was just them two, staring at one another after the Cold War.

Hayden shifted her weight, watching Robby as he leaned against the railing, the sun casting a soft glow over his face. There was something lighter about him now, like a weight had finally been lifted. He didn't look so angry anymore.

"Robby?" She finally broke the silence.

"Yeah, Hayden?"

"I'm glad you got out."

Robby's smile faltered, just slightly. His lips parted like he was going to say something, but then he just looked at her. Really looked at her.

The warmth in his eyes wasn't something she was used to seeing anymore.

After a moment, he exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Me too."

Hayden nodded, crossing her arms. The weight in her chest hadn't disappeared, but it felt a little easier to carry.

Robby nudged her shoulder lightly. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you actually cared about me."

Hayden rolled her eyes, but beginning to walk away. "You wish."

He chuckled, trailing after her, but there was something softer beneath it. Something real.

And things between them didn't feel so broken anymore.

-

Hayden lay stretched out on a lounge chair, earbuds in, soaking up the sun. The heat pressed against her skin, and for the first time in what felt like forever, her mind was quiet.

Then, the commotion started.

Even through her music, she heard the shouting. It was impossible to ignore. She sighed, cracking one eye open and pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head.

Of course.

A mix of Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do students had gathered near one of the slides, voices raised, bodies tense. A fight hadn't broken out yet, but it was only a matter of time.

She sat up, pulling her earbuds out just as a shadow passed by her-Robby, making his way toward the fight. A second later, Miguel followed.

Hayden didn't move at first, just watched them go.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw her.

Tory.

Their eyes locked, and just like that, the world narrowed.

It was the first time they'd seen each other since the All Valley. Since their fight. Since Hayden had walked off the mat, bruised, exhausted, and empty.

Tory's expression was unreadable-no smirk, no glare, just... something.

Hayden didn't let her own expression waver. Didn't react. Didn't move.

But she felt it.

A shift. A weight. A silent, unspoken understanding.

Then Tory looked away, and the moment was gone.

Hayden rolled her shoulders, pushing herself up from the chair and walking toward the crowd. She wasn't rushing-wasn't about to act like she cared enough to get in the middle of whatever pointless fight they were about to start-but she wasn't about to ignore it either.

"You stay out of this!" Robby's voice cut through the noise, his eyes locked on Miguel.

Miguel squared his shoulders. "Don't-"

Then came the sharp, piercing sound of a whistle.

"Enough! All of you!" A lifeguard stormed over, arms crossed. "One more stunt like this, and you're all out of here."

Hayden watched the way the tension barely deflated. The way Miguel and Robby's fists stayed clenched. The way Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do were still wound so tight it could snap at any second.

She shook her head. Stupid.

"Okay, clearly we can't coexist in peace, so let's find a solution," Miguel said, trying to salvage what little sanity remained.

"Splitting the park didn't work," Hayden muttered. "So that's out."

"We can't fight, or we'll get kicked out. So what are we supposed to do?" Mitch complained, looking around for ideas.

"Let's just go." Robby's voice was lower now, but it was directed at her. Like he knew none of this was worth it. Like he wanted her to walk away with him.

"No."

Miguel and Tory spoke at the same time. Neither of them wanted to leave. Neither of them wanted her to leave.

Hayden glanced between them, exhaling through her nose.

"How about a race?" Bert suggested.

The tension broke, slightly, as people exchanged glances.

Hawk was the first to step up, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, I'll go." He turned toward Cobra Kai with a challenging smirk.

Tory's lips curled upward. "So will I."

Kyler grinned like an announcer at a boxing match. "Champ versus champ!"

The words hit Hayden like a gut punch.

Champ.

She stared down at her feet. There was no escaping it. No avoiding the reminder.

One mistake. That's all it took.

The dojos started to break apart, leaving just her, Robby, and Miguel standing in the space between them.

She looked at Robby first. Then Miguel.

Neither of them spoke, but she could see it-Robby's quiet concern, Miguel's unreadable hesitation.

Hayden rolled her shoulders back, shoving her hands into the pockets of her hoodie.

"This is a waste of time," she muttered, turning on her heel and walking off.

-

The air was thick with tension as everyone gathered around the pool. Hayden stood at the edge of the pool, arms crossed, sunglasses shielding her eyes as she watched the so-called "solution" to the dojo war unfold.

Hawk and Tory both climbed into their tubes, adjusting their grip as they prepared to launch. The energy crackled between them-rivalry mixed with ego, each determined to prove something.

"3!" Kyler called out.

Tory rolled her shoulders. Hawk cracked his neck.

"2..."

Hayden exhaled, already knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"1! Let's go!"

A splash of water erupted as both of them launched forward, kicking fiercely to gain momentum. The crowd on either side of the lazy river erupted in cheers, split between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do loyalists. Hayden remained unmoved, eyes following the race to the end.

Tory gained an early lead, using strong, controlled movements to glide ahead. Hawk struggled for a moment, trying to gain traction. It was close-too close. But then, just as Hawk started closing the gap, his tube slowed, jerking slightly to the side.

Hayden's eyes narrowed.

Before Hawk could recover, Tory surged forward and splashed into the pool first. Cobra Kai erupted in cheers, Tory raising her arms victoriously, smirking at Hawk as she climbed out of the pool.

Hayden barely reacted. But she saw it before anyone else did-the way Hawk looked down at his floaty, then back up with realization.

"What the hell? You guys cheated," Hawk scoffed, lifting his tube above his head. "There's a hole in my tube!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Cheaters! Cheaters!"

Someone from the crowd started chanting, and soon, the entire waterpark joined in, the energy shifting from excitement to hostility.

Eli climbed out of the pool, holding his deflated tube up, his gaze locking onto Kenny. "Dipshit, I know this was you."

Kenny scoffed. "What're you gonna do about it?"

Hayden's eyes flickered between them. Kenny stood his ground, his jaw tight, arms flexing. Eli took a step closer, shoulders squared.

Eli smirked. "I'm not gonna strike first if that's what you think." His voice dropped, taunting. "You don't have the balls to anyway."

The second the words left his mouth, Kenny snapped.

He swung.

Eli was ready. He dodged just in time, causing Kenny's punch to miss. "Is that all you got?" Eli laughed.

Kenny held up his fists, throwing multiple punches that Eli managed to block.

But, finally, Kenny landed a punch that jerked Eli's face to the side.

He didn't stop there, kicking his foot out to hit Eli's side but Eli caught it, twisting it and bringing his elbow down in one fluid movement.

A blur of movement and Robby was there.

He was in the middle before anyone could react, forcefully shoving Eli back, sending him splashing into the pool.

Miguel moved before Hayden even had time to react, running up from behind Robby and pushing him forward. "Hey! Watch yourself," Miguel warned, voice tight.

Robby didn't hesitate, stepping into Miguel's space, voice low and sharp. "You wanna go?"

And just like that, the air was suffocating.

They were inches apart, fists clenched, their rivalry simmering into something dangerous.

Hayden moved before she could stop herself, stepping between them, hands pressing against their chests.

"Chill, that's enough." she muttered, her voice low.

Neither of them backed down immediately. Their eyes burned into each other's, neither willing to be the first to step away.

Then-

A shrill whistle.

"Hey!" The same lifeguard from earlier stormed toward them, face red with fury. "Everybody get out and leave the park immediately! I mean it, everybody out now!"

The chaos seemed to halt for a second, everyone frozen in place as the words sank in.

And then, just like that, the entire waterpark was groaning, people glaring at the group as they grabbed their things and started filing toward the exits.

Hayden exhaled, stepping back from Miguel and Robby. The weight of it all pressed against her skull-the fighting, the drama, the constant tension.

It was exhausting.

She rubbed her temples, tuning out the arguing, the frustrated voices around her.

It was too much.

Too much noise. Too much rivalry. Too much everything.

Without another word, she grabbed her skateboard from the nearby rack, slinging it under her arm.

She didn't look at Miguel. Didn't look at Robby. Didn't look at anyone.

She just walked.

Because if she didn't get away from all of it now, she was going to lose her mind.

-

Miguel had been searching for Hayden the second they got kicked out of the waterpark. He knew she didn't like being in the middle of the drama, but he'd hoped to catch her before she got any further.

When he spotted Moon and the others near the parking lot, he approached them quickly.

"Have you guys seen Hayden?"

"Oh, she dipped," Moon said casually, adjusting her sunglasses. "Once everything went down, she looked frustrated. I saw her leave on her skateboard. I think she was tired of the drama."

Miguel exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. "Yeah, me too," he muttered to himself. His frustration only doubled when his gaze landed on someone standing near the edge of the parking lot.

Robby.

Miguel clenched his jaw, watching the other boy with narrowed eyes.

"I'll catch up with you guys later," he said, already walking away before they could ask questions.

Robby barely had time to react before Miguel shoved him.

"Hey!" Miguel was already in his space, eyes burning with something sharp and unrelenting. "I could've sworn Sensei said you were out of Cobra Kai."

Robby steadied himself, leveling him with a glare. "I'm not in Cobra Kai."

"Yet you're always on their side every time they start fights?" Miguel shot back. "And you're dragging Hayden into their mess. She doesn't need to deal with that right now."

Robby's eyes flickered, something unreadable flashing across them before they hardened again. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about. And leave Hayden out of this."

Miguel scoffed, stepping closer. "Look, I know you think just because you came down to Mexico, that means you're a good guy now. Well, guess what? You're not."

He shoved Robby again, harder this time.

Robby didn't hesitate. He shoved Miguel back just as aggressively. "Well, look who's talking." His voice was sharp, laced with something dangerous. "And let's get one thing clear-I didn't go to Mexico for you. I went for Hayden and Hayden only."

Miguel's expression darkened, his blood running hot.

"You're lucky she wanted to stick around and find your lost ass," Robby continued, voice full of resentment. "I would've left you if it were up to me. I only stayed for her."

Miguel saw red.

"Nobody asked you to go anywhere," he shot back, his tone edged with something possessive. "Hayden is a big girl, she doesn't need you looking after her."

Miguel shoved him again.

Robby didn't let it slide.

This time, he shoved Miguel with enough force to send him stumbling back. "And what? She needs you?" He let out a short, humorless laugh. "You think she actually needs you?"

"Seeing as I'm the one who saw what Cobra Kai was doing to her and you just stood by and watched, yeah."

It was obvious they were both close to swinging, with their fists balled and jaws clenched, glaring at one another. It wasn't about Cobra Kai. It wasn't about karate.

This was about her.

Neither of them were willing to back down.

It was heated, reckless, full of raw emotion neither of them wanted to admit to. Jealousy, anger, possessiveness-all of it boiling over after months of resentment.

Johnny had barely pulled up when he caught sight of Robby shoving Miguel out of his space and Miguel lunging forward to give a shove back.

"Son of a bitch," Johnny muttered, throwing his truck into park before jumping out.

The second he got close enough, he grabbed the back of Miguel's shirt, yanking him away. "Hey! Stop it! I want you guys to get along! We're all friends now."

Miguel shook his head, "No, we're not friends."

"We never will be." Robby added, glaring at Miguel one last time before the two teens stormed off in opposite directions.

Johnny didn't know much about how the rivalry started between Robby and Miguel, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together.

He knew he heard Hayden's name being thrown around one too many times for this to just be about Cobra Kai versus Miyagi Do drama.

That's when an idea started brewing.

And everyone knew if Johnny had an idea... trouble was about to follow.

authors note.
yeahhh i have no words other than i skipped class today and bedrotted all day :)