ROBBY WAS A PERFECT SLEEPER.

He didn't snore, he stayed on his side of the bed, never hogged the blanket, wasn't clingy to the point where Hayden felt suffocated.

Hayden found herself awake again, her body too used to the early mornings from years of conditioning. Her gaze wandered to him without much thought, landing on his face.

He looked... peaceful. Almost like he didn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders for once. His jaw, so often clenched from anger or frustration, was relaxed. His breathing came slow and even, his chest rising and falling in rhythm. His hair fell messily against his forehead, and his long lashes fluttered lightly, caught in some dream she couldn't see.

It was a strange contrast to the version of him the world usually saw. Here, he was just Robby— not the kid who'd been pushed too far too often. Not the fighter.

For a second, she let herself linger in that moment, her hard exterior cracking just enough to let in something softer.

But Robby's voice shattered the quiet, low and laced with amusement. "Are you watching me sleep?"

Hayden froze, her stomach flipping. He hadn't moved, hadn't even opened his eyes, and yet he'd caught her off guard. "No," she said quickly, clearing her throat and looking away to hide the warmth spreading across her face. "You had a bug on you."

"A bug," Robby repeated, opening one eye as she gently smacked his forehead. He raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unconvinced but amused enough not to push it. "Right. Thanks for saving my life."

"Don't mention it," she said dryly, shifting to sit up against the headboard.

All she could think about was training. The All Valley. Winning.

The idea of it burned in her chest. It would be proof that she wasn't a screw-up. It wasn't just about the trophy. It was about proving something—not just to herself, but to everyone who had ever doubted her. Everyone who thought she was a screw-up, a failure, just another lost cause. She wanted to make them choke on their words.

She wanted to shove it in the LaRussos' faces. After everything they'd done—the way Amanda got Logan fired, how Daniel always looked at her like she was a ticking time bomb, how Sam acted like she was untouchable—she wanted to stand on that mat, look Sam in the eye, and take her down.

Not just beat her—dominate her. Leave no doubt in anyone's mind. Hayden wanted to be the one standing in the center of the mat, hand raised, while the entire valley watched and knew she was the best.

For once in her life, she wanted to win at something. Not just win—earn it. She wanted to stand on that mat, hand raised, and know she was the best. No one could take that from her.

"Why're you up so early?" Robby's groggy voice rasped out, snapping her from her daze.

Hayden froze for a second, caught off guard. "I'm always up early." she said, brushing it off.

Robby turned over, propping himself up on one elbow to look at her. His hair was a mess, his face still soft with sleep, but his eyes were sharp. "You're thinking about the tournament."

She didn't answer at first, just shrugged and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I need to train," she finally said, her voice quiet but firm.

Robby sat up fully now, watching her. "Hayden, you've been training nonstop. You barely let yourself rest. You've got this—you know that, right?"

Hayden turned to face him, crossing her arms. "I still have a lot to prove."

"To who?" Robby asked.

"To everyone," she snapped, the words coming out sharper than she meant. She exhaled, forcing herself to calm down. "To the LaRussos. To Kreese. To my mom. To myself. I don't care. I just need to win."

Robby frowned, his brow furrowed. "Why do you care so much about what the LaRussos think?"

Hayden's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing. "Because they've looked down on me from the start. Amanda got Logan fired from the only job she could keep, and Daniel acts like I'm some kind of walking disaster. He turned you in. And Sam—" She cut herself off, her fists clenching.

"What about Sam?" Robby asked carefully.

"She's everything I hate," Hayden said, her voice low and full of venom. "She walks around like there's no consequences for what she does. She's fucked with me time and time again. I'm sick of it. She acts like she's better than everyone because she grew up with money and Daddy's dojo. She thinks she's untouchable." Hayden looked Robby in the eye, her expression hard. "I want to be the one to beat her. I want to look at her across the mat, take her down, and leave no doubt that I'm the champion. I want everyone to know I earned it. That I'm the best."

"You don't have to prove anything to anyone—"

"Yes, I do," she snapped, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself. She looked away, exhaling sharply. "You don't get it, Robby. People expect you to be great. No one expects that from me. If I win—" She cut herself off, her jaw clenching.

Robby frowned, his brow furrowed. "If you win... what?"

Hayden looked at him, her expression hard but her voice softer now. "If I win, it's mine. No one gave it to me. No one handed it over because they felt sorry for me. I earned it. And everyone who doubted me? They'll have to choke on their words."

Robby stared at her, his heart aching even though he knew she'd hate him for feeling that way. She was so determined, so angry, and he understood why. But all he wanted was for her to see what he already saw—that she was already more than enough.

"Then win," he said simply. "But don't kill yourself trying." He was quiet for a moment, studying her. "What if it's not Sam in the finals?" he asked. "What if it's me?"

Hayden rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "If it's you and me in the finals," she said after a beat, "I'm not going easy on you."

"Good," Robby replied, leaning back against the pillows. "I wouldn't want you to."

Hayden studied him for a moment, trying to gauge if he was serious. "I mean it, Robby. I don't care that we're... whatever this is. I'm not letting you win."

"I know," he said, his voice steady but with a flicker of something in his eyes she couldn't quite place.

Hayden nodded, satisfied, and turned to grab her training gear. She didn't notice the way Robby's gaze lingered on her as she moved around the room.

Because what he didn't say—what he wouldn't say—was that if it came down to them, he wasn't sure he'd be able to fight her the way she deserved. Not because she needed his help, but because the idea of seeing her win, of seeing her shine in front of the whole valley, was worth more to him than any trophy.

And he hated how much he wanted it for her.

—

"Aits!"

"Kyo!"

"Aits!"

"Kyo!"

"Aits!"

"Kyo!"

The dojo echoed with the rhythmic shouts as Hayden and Robby led the class through forward strikes.

Sweat dripped down Hayden's forehead, her focus razor-sharp. Each movement was calculated, as though she were already facing an opponent. Every block, every strike had to be perfect—there was no room for error. She couldn't afford to lose. Not at the All Valley.

She didn't even hear the bell chime as the door opened. Her mind was locked on her goal: to dominate on that mat. To prove herself. To prove everyone else wrong.

"Mr. Keene! You have a visitor!" Kreese's voice cut through the air, making everyone stop mid-movement.

Hayden glanced toward the door, where a boy stood nervously, his hands fidgeting at his sides. He looked no older than thirteen, his wide eyes darting around the room as if the weight of all the attention might crush him.

"You know him?" Hayden asked Robby, her brow arching.

Robby shook his head, his expression puzzled.

"I—I'm Kenny. My brother, Shawn Payne, said you could help me." The boy's voice was quiet, shaking slightly with nerves.

Robby's eyes widened slightly at the name. "I didn't know Shawn had a brother. Is he out?"

"No. That's why I'm here," Kenny said, glancing at the floor. "These a-holes at school keep hassling me. One of them knows karate, so—"

Before he could finish, Kreese stepped forward, his sharp gaze locking onto the boy. "This is a dojo. You're interrupting my class."

Kenny flinched, his shoulders hunching. "I—I'm sorry. I didn't know," he stammered, fear evident in his voice.

Hayden frowned. Something about the kid reminded her of Eli, before he became Hawk—shy, timid, and constantly on edge. That same look of someone who was used to being pushed around.

"Sensei," Robby interjected, glancing at Kreese. "Shawn Payne was one of the toughest guys in juvie. He kicked my ass more than once. If this is his brother, he's worth giving a shot."

Kreese folded his arms, his piercing eyes assessing Kenny. "In the real world, we fight our own battles. Cobra Kai can teach you how—but first, you have to prove you're worthy."

Kenny swallowed hard, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "How do I do that?"

"Take your shoes off," Kreese instructed, his voice cold and commanding. "Get on the mat."

Kenny hesitated, the fear plain on his face. But then he took a shaky breath and began unlacing his sneakers.

Hayden watched him closely, her lips pressed into a thin line. The kid was terrified, but he was stepping up anyway. She had to give him credit for that.

As Kenny approached the mat, she caught Robby's eye. His expression was calm, but she could tell he was rooting for the kid.

Maybe Kenny would make it. Maybe not. Either way, Hayden knew this was just the beginning for him—and that Cobra Kai would either make or break him.

—

"All right, Mr. Payne."

The class shifted to their knees around the mat, forming a tight semicircle. Kenny stood awkwardly in the center, clearly uncomfortable.

Hayden could see the nerves rolling off him in waves. His hands fidgeted at his sides, his eyes darting nervously between Kreese and the waiting circle of students. The kid looked like he might puke.

"Let's see what you've got... Mr. Park!" Kreese called, his tone sharp.

Hayden's jaw clenched as Kyler sauntered forward, a cocky smirk plastered across his face. She glanced over at Robby, who caught her eye and gave her a small nod, as if to say, Just let it play out.

Kyler cracked his neck dramatically as he stepped onto the mat, the popping sound loud enough to make Kenny flinch. Hayden resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"But—how am I supposed to fight if I haven't had any training yet?" Kenny blurted, panic evident in his voice as his wide eyes darted to Kreese.

"To be a Cobra Kai, you have to have killer instinct," Kreese replied, his expression unreadable.

Kyler's smirk widened as he assumed his fighting stance, clearly enjoying the intimidation factor. "Don't worry, kid. I'll go easy on you."

Hayden snorted softly, shaking her head. Kyler wouldn't know easy if it hit him in the face.

"Fighting positions," Kreese instructed.

Kenny hesitated before raising his fists, his stance riddled with mistakes. His feet were too close together, his elbows flared out awkwardly, and Hayden nearly cringed when she saw his thumb tucked inside his fist. She bit back the urge to shout corrections—this wasn't her fight.

"Ais!" Kreese shouted.

Kyler lunged forward with exaggerated force, his fists raised high. Kenny squealed and stumbled backward, his sneakers skidding off the edge of the mat.

Laughter erupted from the circle.

Hayden's jaw tightened as her eyes swept the room. Tory chuckled beside her, Kyler's friends howled obnoxiously, and even a few younger students snickered at the scene.

But then her gaze landed on Robby. His face remained neutral, his eyes fixed on Kenny. It was a small thing, but it eased some of the tension in her shoulders. At least someone wasn't laughing.

Kyler strolled back to the center, his laughter tapering off as he gestured at Kenny. "Get back on the mat," he taunted. "C'mon, dude. Don't make it too easy for me."

Kreese folded his arms. "It's all right, Mr. Payne. Try again."

Kenny hesitated, his shoulders sagging, but he stepped forward again. He raised his fists, though his stance was no better than before.

"Ais!"

Kyler wasted no time. He lifted his leg, feinting a kick, and Kenny panicked again, squealing as he scrambled off the mat.

The laughter was louder this time, ringing in Hayden's ears.

Her nails dug into her palms as she glared at the others. It wasn't funny. None of it. Not when she'd been in Kenny's shoes—bullied, humiliated, and desperate for a chance to prove herself.

"Enough," Kreese barked, silencing the laughter. "The All Valley is just a few months away," he continued, his voice hard. "We don't have time for losers—or cowards."

Kenny stood frozen, his face pale as Kreese dismissed him with a flick of his hand.

The bell rang as the door opened, signaling Kenny's exit. Hayden glanced toward it, watching as the boy slunk out, his shoulders hunched.

Beside her, Robby let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. She could tell he was frustrated, maybe even angry at how things had gone.

Hayden chewed on her lower lip, her thoughts drifting. She knew she was supposed to be focused, with one goal in mind. She didn't have the time for side tasks.

She watched Kenny scatter away from the dojo in humiliation, trying to push down the need to help him and show him how to deal with the shots being thrown his way.

She didn't have time for it.

—

Hayden glanced down at the address on the back of Kenny's backpack strap, looking back up at the house.

"This is it," Robby said, intertwining his fingers with hers.

She nodded once, "Okay, we're only here to return the backpack. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less." She said out loud, but she didn't know who she was trying to convince. Robby or herself.

Robby stared at the girl in amusement, letting a light laugh escape his lips before nodding and knocking on the door.

The door swung open almost immediately, and there stood Kenny, his eyes widening slightly when he saw them.

"How'd you know where I live?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

Robby held up the backpack, twisting the strap to show Kenny his own address written there.

Kenny nodded, sighing as he took it. "Thanks."

"How's Shawn? Still getting out this summer?" Robby asked, tucking one hand into his pocket while keeping his other firmly intertwined with Hayden's.

Kenny's expression darkened as he looked down at the ground. "Not anymore. They gave him an extra month 'cause he spit in a guard's face."

Hayden frowned at that. Kenny looked like he was carrying the weight of his brother's actions on his own small shoulders, even though it wasn't his fault.

"Okay," Robby said with a wry chuckle. "Yeah, sounds like him. Hope it was the guard in the computer lab."

Kenny didn't laugh. Instead, he shook his head, his hands stuffed deep into his sweater pockets. "It's my fault," he mumbled.

Hayden tilted her head, her focus shifting entirely to the boy. "What do you mean?"

Nothing more went completely out the window.

Kenny hesitated, then let out a heavy sigh. "Shawn had some bad friends at school. One of them tried stealing from my parents. I caught him, and the guy came at me. Shawn got between us and... he beat the guy pretty bad. He was just defending me, but now he's gone, and I've got no one."

Hayden's chest tightened. She didn't want to relate to him, but she couldn't help it. She thought of Logan, how her sister had always stepped in when she was in over her head— until she wasn't there anymore. Hayden had learned how lonely it felt when the person you depended on was gone.

"That's why I was hoping you could—" Kenny started again, but Robby cut him off, shaking his head.

"Look, I can't be your tutor," Robby said firmly. "I've got to focus on the All Valley."

Kenny's gaze dropped to the ground as he nodded, clearly trying to act like it didn't bother him. Hayden felt Robby's grip on her hand tighten slightly, but she kept her focus on Kenny, her heart tugging in a way she wished it wouldn't.

A loud ding from Kenny's phone broke the moment. Kenny pulled it out hesitantly, his shoulders stiffening as he read something.

"What is it?" Hayden asked, catching the way his expression fell.

"It's nothing," Kenny muttered, his voice barely audible.

"Come on, let me see," Robby said, holding out his hand.

Kenny hesitated but eventually handed the phone over. Robby unlocked the screen, and Hayden leaned closer to watch as a video played.

The clip showed Kenny approaching his locker, completely unaware that someone was filming him. As he opened it, gallons of milk spilled out, drenching him from head to toe. Laughter erupted in the background, loud and cruel.

"Oh my god!" the voice behind the camera cackled before the screen flashed with a caption: Got milked?

Robby let out a deep sigh, tilting his head back as he clicked the video off.

Hayden clenched her jaw, feeling the protectiveness in her spike. It was the way she'd always been. Feeling the need to stick up for kids who couldn't defend themselves.

Cobra Kai couldn't take that away from her. And she couldn't drown that part of her out. No matter how hard she tried.

Kenny just stood there, his shoulders slumped, looking more defeated than ever.

Hayden closed her eyes briefly, the image of the video burned into her mind. She thought of Eli, Demetri, and Miguel. How they were tormented by Kyler until she said something.

She let out a long breath before turning to Kenny. "Okay," she said, "We'll help you."

Kenny's eyes lit up with hope, but Robby frowned, looking at her. "Hayden, we—"

"We'll help him," she said again, cutting him off. She turned to Robby, her expression firm. "It doesn't mean I'm losing focus. The All Valley is still the goal. But this?" She gestured to Kenny. "This kid deserves a shot. Just a shot. We can give him that."

Robby sighed, running a hand through his hair. Then he looked at Kenny and nodded. "All right. I'll show you a couple of moves."

Hayden smirked faintly, lifting Robby's hand to kiss the back of it—a quiet thank-you.

Kenny smiled at both of them, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you. Really."

Hayden's gaze softened, but only for a moment. The All Valley was still her priority, but helping Kenny didn't mean she had to take her eyes off the prize.

—

"Ais! Ais!" Robby stepped forward again, but, just like the other times, Kenny yelped and scrambled back, nearly tripping over his own feet.

Hayden sat on the edge of the trampoline, arms crossed loosely over her chest, watching the scene unfold with an analytic expression.

Robby let out a frustrated sigh, dragging a hand through his hair as he returned to his starting position. "We'll run it again. I'm not gonna make contact, okay? But that means you've got to stay in the fight. No backing out." He pointed firmly at Kenny. "Bow."

Kenny hesitated, his face still full of uncertainty, before placing his hands at his sides and bowing.

"Fighting stance," Robby instructed, squaring his own shoulders and holding his fists up.

Kenny mirrored him, but his stance was riddled with flaws. He sighed and walked over to adjust Kenny's position.

"Elbows in," Robby muttered, pushing Kenny's arms into place. "You're leaving yourself wide open."

Hayden finally stood and walked over, circling Kenny like a predator inspecting its prey. She crouched slightly, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. Without a word, she nudged his feet further apart with her boot.

"You'll lose your balance like that," she said flatly, her tone cool and steady. Then she reached out, tapping the side of his fist. "Thumb goes outside. Break it like that, and it's useless."

Kenny adjusted quickly, nodding under her watchful gaze.

Robby tilted his head toward her. "Anything else?"

"Yeah," she replied curtly. "Stop slouching. You look like you're about to fold." She poked his shoulder with two fingers, making him straighten up instinctively.

"Good." She stepped back, her arms returning to their crossed position as she gestured at Robby with her chin. "Your turn."

Robby rolled his shoulders, stepping forward again. "All right. Remember, always look your opponent in the eye."

Kenny nodded, exhaling slowly.

"Ready? Fight."

He advanced, testing Kenny with a feint. Kenny flinched, his hands flying up defensively as he backed up.

Robby sighed, stopping in his tracks. "You know, I'm not sure that I buy you're Shawn's brother."

"Well, Shawn was always big and strong, okay?" Kenny snapped, clearly frustrated. "All I can do is run."

Hayden's expression didn't change, but there was something hard in her eyes as she stepped closer. "So use it," she said simply.

Kenny turned to her, confused. "What?"

"Your speed," she clarified, her voice steady and cold. "You're not big, and you're not strong. But you're fast. Faster than him." She nodded toward Robby. "You use that, and you don't run away. You run at your opponent."

Robby raised a brow but didn't disagree. "She's right. Speed's an asset. Instead of using your speed to run away from your enemies, use it to run at them.  If you stop wasting it on retreating and use it to close the gap, you might actually give someone trouble."

Hayden's eyes stayed locked on Kenny, and after a moment, she added, "And stop thinking about what you're not. Doesn't matter how strong someone else is. Focus on you."

Kenny blinked at her, the words sinking in as his stance tightened slightly. For the first time, he didn't look so defeated.

"Let's go," Robby said, nodding toward the center of the yard. "Try again. Bow."

Kenny bowed quickly, his movements a little sharper this time.

"Fighting stance," Robby instructed.

Hayden stood off to the side, silent but watchful. Her sharp gaze tracked every movement, ready to step in and fix his form again if needed. For now, though, she stayed still, her presence enough to keep Kenny on edge and focused.

Robby took a step forward, throwing a quick jab. Kenny hesitated but held his ground this time. Hayden's lips quirked slightly—almost a smile, but not quite.

"Better," she said softly, just loud enough for Kenny to hear.

The fight continued, with Robby pushing Kenny just enough to test his limits. Hayden remained on the sidelines, her sharp eyes catching every flaw and correcting them in her blunt, no-nonsense way.

It wasn't much, but it was progress. And for now, that was enough.

—

Hayden sat cross-legged on her bed, the glow of a lamp casting long shadows across the walls of her room. She leaned against the headboard, a book resting on her lap. Robby was sprawled out at the foot of the bed, his back against the wall, idly flipping one of her spare karate belts between his hands.

The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was comfortable, like they both knew words weren't necessary.

After a moment, Robby broke the quiet. "So... what's the deal with Kenny?" he asked, keeping his tone light. "I've never seen you so... I guess invested in someone."

Hayden didn't look up from her book immediately. She flipped a page, the rustle breaking the stillness, before finally speaking. "You saying I'm not a team player?"

He smirked. "Just earlier you were saying that the All Valley's your top priority. And now you want us to mentor this kid."

Hayden leaned back against the headboard, her gaze distant. She took a moment before answering, her voice low and even. "I see myself in him."

That caught Robby's attention. He sat up a little straighter, tossing the belt aside. "How?"

She exhaled through her nose, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the book beside her. "When I was his age, I didn't have anyone, either. Logan was... gone, in her own way. Too busy fighting her own battles to fight mine."

Robby stayed quiet, sensing this wasn't something she talked about often.

"I was alone," she continued, her tone steady but with a faint edge. "Bullied. Angry. Stuck in this constant cycle of feeling like I didn't matter to anyone. And when you feel like that long enough, you start to believe it." She paused, her jaw tightening slightly. "Kenny doesn't deserve that. No one does."

Robby leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees as he studied her. "So you're trying to break the cycle?"

"Something like that," she said simply, glancing over at him. "If I can help him avoid going through what I did, I will. Doesn't mean I'm gonna hold his hand or make it easy for him. But I'm not gonna let him think he's on his own."

Robby nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"

She arched a brow. "Yeah? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means... you act like you don't care about anything, but you care about everything," he said, his voice soft. "More than most people I've met."

Hayden looked at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she didn't say anything. Then, quietly, she replied, "Maybe. But don't expect me to admit that again."

Robby chuckled, shifting closer to her. "Your secret's safe with me."

She gave him a sidelong glance, her lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Better be."

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're a good person, Hayden. Whether you want people to know it or not."

Her eyes flicked to his, holding his gaze for a beat longer than usual. "Don't push it."

He leaned in, pressing a light kiss to her temple. "Too late."

Hayden didn't pull away, but she didn't let the moment linger either.

Robby glanced down at the book in her hands. The Lord of The Flies.

He smiled faintly. "Read it to me?" He murmured quietly, looking at her through his lashes.

She looked at him, pausing for a beat. Like she was searching his eyes for something. An answer or the missing peace of a puzzle. He couldn't tell.

But eventually, she inhaled. "The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon."

—

Hayden stood between Robby and Tory, her arms crossed as she watched Kyler spar with one of the newer recruits. The guy didn't stand a chance. Kyler slammed him into the mat with ease, jumping up and flexing his arms like he was the main event.

"That's right!" Kyler bellowed, grinning smugly. "Do that all day!"

"Good job, Mr. Park," Kreese said, his approval laced with faint amusement.

The bell above the door chimed, drawing Hayden's attention. She glanced over, spotting Kenny stepping inside with a determined expression. Her lips twitched into a small, almost imperceptible smile as she nudged Robby.

He followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "Kid's back," he murmured.

Tory leaned in, her smirk sharp. "Look who's here for round two."

Hayden rolled her eyes, ignoring the jab and keeping her focus on Kenny. She believed in him, even if no one else did.

Kenny stepped forward, shoulders squared. "I want another shot."

Kreese raised a brow, then chuckled darkly. "I'm sorry, I don't have time to waste on weaklings."

Hayden's gaze hardened. "Give him another chance, Sensei," she said coolly. "Maybe he'll surprise you."

Kenny shot her a grateful glance.

Kreese studied her for a beat, then nodded slowly. "Alright. On the mat." His eyes scanned the room. "Mr. Park, make this quick."

Kyler swaggered forward, his grin plastered on like it was glued there. "You got it, Sensei."

Kenny stepped onto the mat, taking a deep breath and raising his fists. There was a fire in his eyes Hayden hadn't seen the day before.

"Fight!" Kreese barked.

Kyler charged immediately, a loud grunt tearing from his throat. Kenny hesitated for a split second before retreating off the mat, his fear getting the better of him again.

Hayden exhaled through her nose, her jaw tightening.

Kyler spun around, laughing like he'd already won a championship. "Look at him, running to mommy. Bye, you little bitch!"

The rest of the dojo erupted in laughter. Hayden flicked a glance at Robby, who was glaring at the crowd with a clenched jaw.

Kenny stood at the edge of the mat, his fists trembling at his sides. He ground his teeth, his eyes narrowing as Kyler turned his back.

Before anyone could blink, Kenny darted forward, swinging his arm and connecting a punch squarely with Kyler's jaw. The laughter stopped immediately.

Hayden's lips quirked into the faintest smirk. "Kid's got speed," Tory murmured beside her.

Hayden nodded slightly, keeping her expression neutral but pleased. Through her peripheral vision, she noticed both Tory and Robby watching her.

Kyler stumbled back, clutching his face. "What the hell? He hit me when I wasn't looking! That's some bullshit!"

Hayden stepped forward, her voice low but cutting. "Go run to mommy, you little bitch," she said, mocking him without raising her tone.

Kyler's face twisted in rage, and he took a step toward her, his fist clenched. Hayden didn't flinch, stepping forward herself, ready to meet him head-on.

Before she could make a move, Robby held her shoulder and Tory had already put a hand out to prevent Kyler from getting any closer.

"You're right," Kreese said, his tone measured. "He didn't line up. That won't count as a point."

Kenny's face fell, and he looked to Kreese, his voice wavering. "I—I'm sorry. I didn't know the rules."

"That was your one chance," Kreese said coldly.

Kenny hesitated, his shoulders slumping as he turned toward the door.

"Where are you going, Mr. Payne?" Kreese called out, his tone sharp. He glanced at Hayden, then at Robby, before returning his gaze to Kenny. "Take your spot."

Kenny froze, then turned back around, his face lighting up with a mix of relief and pride. He fell into line with the other Cobra Kais, his fists raised and his stance solid.

Hayden glanced at Robby, and without a word, they exchanged a subtle fist bump. Her expression didn't change, but the glimmer of pride in her eyes said enough.

authors note.
this chapter was also had to write but i think it'll get easier as i keep going lmao BYE