❝ cobra kai never dies. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

IT was 8:15 AM, and Reina stood at Miguel's apartment door, a container of fresh-baked brownies in hand. The thought of being late for school briefly crossed her mind, but it didn't matter much at that moment. Her attendance was important to her, but when it came to her friends—especially Miguel—it always took a backseat. As she shifted her weight from foot to foot, she couldn't help but wonder how he was doing after everything that happened. She had texted him this morning to check on him, but seeing him in person felt like something she needed to do.

   The door opened, revealing a beautiful, tanned woman with curly hair dressed in scrubs. Reina hesitated for a second, but quickly regained her composure.

   "Hello, I'm Reina. Miguel's friend. I just came to give him some of my get-well brownies," she said with a polite smile, offering the container as a gesture of kindness.

   The woman's face softened immediately, her expression warm. She returned the smile and opened the door wider to let Reina in. "Oh, you're Reina. Miguel's mentioned you a lot. It's nice to meet you. I'm Carmen, Miguel's mom."

    Reina felt her heart ease a little. It was comforting to know that Miguel had spoken about her, even if only in passing. She followed Carmen into the apartment, immediately struck by the inviting scent of home-cooked food wafting from the kitchen. The apartment was modest but cozy—just the right amount of lived-in warmth. Framed family photos decorated the walls, and amidst them, a few snapshots of a younger Miguel stood out—his smile wide, his eyes full of mischief, a stark contrast to the pain she had seen in him lately.

    Carmen led her into the living room where Miguel lay on the couch, his eyes closed, a grimace on his face. He had a band-aid over his eyebrow and a bruise on his right eye that made his usually handsome face look battered. Even in this state, though, there was something about him that Reina couldn't ignore. Despite the obvious pain, he was still Miguel—still someone who, in his own way, had a way of making her heart race.

    "You can set the brownies on the coffee table," Carmen said, as they approached the couch. "Miguel woke up about an hour ago."

   Reina was about to respond when Miguel's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he seemed dazed, like he wasn't sure where he was. As his vision focused, he suddenly attempted to sit up, groaning in pain as he did so. "Damn it!" he muttered, clutching his side.

   Carmen moved quickly to his side, gently pushing him back down. "Miguel, be careful, cariño," she chided, concern evident in her voice.

   Miguel, despite his discomfort, looked up at his mom before shifting his gaze over to Reina, his eyes widening in surprise. "Reina?" he murmured, his voice thick with disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

   Reina gave him a soft smile and set the brownies down on the coffee table. "Hey, Miggy." She walked over to his side, her heart unexpectedly lifting at the sight of him, despite how battered he looked.

   Miguel tried to straighten up, his expression filled with a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. He could feel his heart race—part of him couldn't believe Reina had come to see him like this, especially when he didn't want anyone to see him so weak. When she texted him earlier this morning for his address, he didn't think she would actually pop up. "I, uh, don't look so good right now..." he admitted, wincing slightly as he spoke.

    Reina sat down on the couch next to him, brushing aside his attempt to downplay his condition. "You're recovering like a champ to me," she replied, her voice warm and reassuring. She noticed a half-drunk cup of orange juice on the lamp stand and the ice pack on his stomach, both attempts to ease his pain, though neither seemed to be working well.

    Miguel's lips curled into a lopsided, tired smile, despite his exhaustion. "Don't lie to me, Reina," he joked weakly, though the humor in his voice barely masked his discomfort. "I look like a damn zombie right now." He winced again as he tried to adjust himself, the pain in his side flaring up.

   "I've seen worse," Reina replied with a nonchalant shrug, though her eyes betrayed the understanding that her words carried more than just casual confidence.

   Miguel raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of her blasé tone. This was Reina, after all—always full of surprises, even in the most unexpected of moments. Despite the ache in his side, he couldn't resist teasing her. "Oh really? And who have you seen that looks worse than me right now?"

   Reina's smile faded for just a moment, and she grew quiet. "My cousin, Dre," she said softly, her voice tinged with something far more serious. "After he... uh, he almost got his knee broken..."

    Miguel's smile slipped, his attention shifting from his own pain to her words. He saw the change in her demeanor—the subtle shift that marked the beginning of a memory she wasn't quite ready to share. The tone in her voice said everything, and suddenly, Miguel understood. This wasn't just about a bruise or a scrape—it was about something deeper, something that had stayed with her for years.

   His heart squeezed with sympathy as he realized that what she was telling him wasn't just a casual story. "God, Reina... I'm sorry," he murmured. "That must've been awful."

   Reina's fingers gripped the fabric of the couch cushion, her eyes focused on her lap as she took a steadying breath. "You know how I was acting weird a few days ago at the cafeteria when you were asking me to join your dojo..." she started, her voice quieter now. "It's because of that. The reason I don't like martial arts, and why I don't ever want to get involved is because I know how ugly it can get. I've seen firsthand how fighting dirty can break you... not just physically, but emotionally too."

    Miguel's expression grew serious as her words sunk in. The pain in his side seemed to momentarily fade, replaced by a growing realization. He had always thought that Reina's resistance to martial arts was because of fear—maybe injury, maybe disinterest—but this was something far more personal. "Holy crap..." he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "What... happened, Reina? To your cousin?"

    She sighed, her chest tightening as she relived the memory. "His opponent... he was trying to break Dre's knee, but all he managed to do was badly injure it. Every time I look back at that fight, all I remember is Dre's screams of pain when that guy was practically beating on his damn leg. I was eight when it happened, and you know how most memories blur together as you get older? That one never has. It's like it's burned into my brain."

    Miguel's heart ached as he pictured it—the violent struggle, the desperation in Dre's voice, the fear Reina must've felt. The weight of her words settled in his chest like a heavy stone, and he felt a surge of compassion for her. It made sense now why she had such an aversion to fighting. She had seen firsthand the kind of damage it could cause, not just to the body, but to the spirit. "God, Reina..." he murmured, unable to fully express the depth of his sorrow for her. He shifted on the couch, reaching out to place a gentle hand on her shoulder, his touch a silent offer of support. "I had no idea..."

Reina nodded, a tear escaping her eye despite her best efforts to hold it back. She quickly wiped it away. "It's just... it still feels like it happened yesterday sometimes. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dump that on you."

Miguel squeezed her shoulder gently, offering her a soft smile. "Don't apologize, Reina. You don't have to carry that alone. I'm here, okay?"

Before Reina could respond, Carmen stepped into the room, looking over at the two of them with a warm, knowing smile. "You two be careful on your way to school, okay?"

Reina nodded, feeling the weight of the moment lift just a little bit, but her heart still heavy with the memories she had just shared. As she stood up to leave, Miguel followed her gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. This wasn't just about bruises and pain; it was about trust, and healing, and the unspoken bond between two people who truly understood each other. Once outside, Reina fell into step beside Miguel as they walked toward school. The crisp morning air brushed past them, but the weight of the conversation hung between them, thick and heavy.

"Just promise me you'll never fight dirty," Reina said, her voice soft but firm. She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face as if trying to make him understand the gravity of her words. "Seeing a person I love on the end of the stick is bad enough, but seeing someone I know do it... I'd feel so hurt."

Miguel felt the sting of her words, the vulnerability in her tone reaching deep inside him. His heart twisted as he saw the sincerity in her eyes, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He knew the weight of what she was asking; it wasn't just about a fight—it was about trust, integrity, and the kind of person he was choosing to become.

He slowed his pace, his gaze dropping to the ground for a second before meeting her eyes again. There was no avoiding it now. "I... I promise," he said, the words slipping out of him more easily than he'd expected. But even as he spoke, a gnawing doubt crawled under his skin. The mantra of his Sensei, the very teachings that had shaped his way of thinking for months, echoed in his mind: "Strike hard. Strike first. No mercy."

Miguel swallowed hard. He couldn't ignore the tension inside him, the pull between what Reina was asking of him and the cold, calculated approach his Sensei had instilled in him. Could he really follow through on this promise when everything he'd been taught in the dojo pushed him toward the opposite? No mercy. It was a hard concept to reconcile with the gentler, more empathetic side Reina was calling him to embrace.

Reina, seeming to sense the shift in his mood, studied his face for a moment, then exhaled, her body relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Miggy," she whispered, her voice soft with relief. A small but grateful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I know you'll keep your word."

Miguel nodded, but the weight of her smile only seemed to deepen the unease swirling in his chest. He'd promised. But the promise felt fragile, as if it could crumble under the pressure of his conflicting desires. The teachings of Sensei Lawrence were ingrained in him (despite the fact that Sensei said he was done with the dojo), and Miguel couldn't just erase them. Use anything to win. Was he willing to let go of that mindset for the sake of his relationship with Reina?

As they continued walking, the silence between them felt different now—heavier, more charged. Miguel wasn't sure if he could fully live up to the promise he'd made. But for Reina, for the person who meant so much to him, he couldn't let her see the internal struggle. He had to believe, at least for a moment, that he could be the kind of man who didn't fight dirty—for her.

But deep down, a quiet voice warned him that the road ahead wouldn't be so simple. Would he be able to reconcile the fight for his own values with the pull of his Sensei's teachings? The answer wasn't clear, and for the first time in a long while, Miguel wasn't sure where this path would lead him.

    _______________

    "SO THAT'S IT? No more karate?" Demetri asked, his voice echoing in the library where the group of six sat around their usual table doing some studying.

Miguel sighed, his expression downcast. "I guess so."

    "It's probably for the best," Demetri said, attempting to lighten the mood. "It was starting to boost your confidence."

   Reina shot him a disapproving glare, clearly unimpressed with his remark. "Isn't that a good thing?" Miguel challenged, a hint of defiance in his tone.

    "No. What has confidence ever gotten anyone except a black eye and a backpack tossed in the trash?" Demetri argued, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair.

    "Demetri, you're such a pussy, I swear," Caridad chimed in, shaking her head with a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

    Eli, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "Well, I thought it was kind of cool how you stood up to Kyler," he said, glancing at Raegan, who smiled encouragingly.

    "Are you insane? Let me ask you this: what's the best superpower anyone could have?" Demetri asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    "Super strength," Miguel replied eagerly.

    "Wrong. It's invisibility. A distant second would be super speed to run away fast," Demetri corrected, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Run away from who?" Kyler interjected, swaggering over with Brucks. He casually placed a hand on Eli's shoulder, squeezing slightly. "Here he go again," Reina groaned, rolling her eyes in frustration.

    "Whom. It's the object of a preposition," Brucks corrected with a smug grin. "Remember English class?"

    "We were just leaving," Miguel said, urgency in his voice as he and the others scrambled to stand up. "Hey, where are you going?" Kyler interjected, stepping forward and grabbing Eli by the chin, forcing him to look up. "Oh, look at this freak," he sneered, eyeing Eli's scar with contempt.

    "Hey, leave him alone!" Raegan shouted, her voice firm and resolute.

    "Oh. Oh, shit! What kind of girl would ever kiss this?" Kyler jeered, his laughter ringing out alongside Brucks'. They exchanged smug glances, reveling in their cruel amusement. "And I don't even know why you beautiful ladies sit with these losers," he said, a smirk plastered across his face.

    "Because they're more of a man than you and Brucks will ever be," Caridad shot back, her tone sharp and unwavering. She paused for effect before adding, "I don't know about Demetri, though." Her words prompted Demetri to glare at her, a mix of embarrassment and irritation flickering in his eyes.

    "Leave him alone, Kyler," Miguel spoke up, his voice steady as he stepped forward. Kyler glanced at him briefly before releasing Eli, who staggered back, relieved.

    "What'd you say?" Kyler asked, narrowing his eyes with a smirk. "You haven't had enough, 'Rhea?" Kyler questioned, with Brucks hitting Miguel on the shoulder with a book, the sound echoing in the tense atmosphere.

    Reina quickly grabbed the book from Brucks and lifted it, her expression fierce. "Try that again, and I'll throw this at you," she threatened, making Brucks raise his hands in surrender. He was bigger than her, but her menacing look still scared him.

    Kyler then shoved Miguel's head aside. "Get the hell out of here, man," he taunted, while Brucks pushed Eli out of the way. "Hey, you don't want this," Kyler said, reaching for Demetri's backpack.

    "No, come on. Not the trash!" Demetri protested, panic rising in his voice as he lunged for it. "I just threw a... yogurt in there."

    "Now it's double-dipped," Kyler mocked while Demetri took the backpack out and left the library. So now it was just Kyler, Brucks, and the three girls. "I'm serious, ladies. You shouldn't be hanging around a bunch of pussies," Kyler taunted with a mocking grin. Without hesitation, Caridad delivered a sharp kick to his groin, making him double over in pain. At the same time, Reina threw a book at Brucks, who jumped back in surprise.

    "Hey! Only I get to call them that!" Caridad exclaimed, her smirk widening as she glanced at Kyler holding his crotch and groaning in pain. "And stop using that fake black accent, Kyler! You're from Irvine." Raegan scolded before turning to walk away with Caridad and Reina. As they made their exit, Reina spotted Samantha LaRusso peeking out from behind the bookshelves. Samantha's impressed gaze seemed to convey that she wasn't upset with them for standing up to her boyfriend, Kyler.

    _______________

    REINA's dad Charlie, had returned from one of his long hauls a few days ago. The joy of his arrival felt like a beacon, cutting through the heavy atmosphere that had lingered in their lives. Now, the three of them were seated at Smashburgers, their favorite restaurant, the familiar smell of fried food filling the air, and the buzzing chatter of other diners creating a warm, inviting ambiance.

    Charlie, with a broad smile on his face, beamed at his two daughters. "Alright, let's dig in! I missed my girls, and I definitely missed these burgers," he announced enthusiastically, gesturing to the steaming plates before them.

    Estrella, her eyes shining, took a bite of her double cheeseburger. "Daddy, this is the best! Did you get the loaded fries?"

    "Of course! We can't come here and not get fries," Charlie chuckled, digging his fork into the pile. "What have you two been up to while I was gone?"

    "Besides missing you?" Reina grinned, rolling her eyes playfully. "Not much. School has been... school." She took a sip of her Coke, glancing over at Estrella, who was bouncing in her seat with excitement.

    "Oh! I did something really cool!" Estrella declared, her mouth full of burger. "Lia and I got best friend bracelets! Look!" She held out her wrist, showcasing the dazzling matching bands that sparkled in the light.

    "Those are adorable!" Terry exclaimed, smiling. "Was it a surprise?"

    "Yep! We both chose each other's. Mine has a little heart and hers has a star!" Estrella beamed. "We even took a picture and said we're best friends forever!"

    Charlie chuckled. "Sounds like you two are up to something good. I'll bet you and Lia will end up causing all sorts of trouble together."

    "Hey! We're just having fun, Dad!" she protested, laughing. The atmosphere was light and filled with the sound of family bonding, and Reina felt a sense of normalcy wash over her. "What about you, Reina?" Charlie asked, turning his attention to her, leaning forward with interest. "Oh, actually, I made a new friend at school," Reina said, a shy smile creeping across her face.

   "Really? What's she like?" Charlie asked.

    Reina's heart raced at the moment of vulnerability. "Uh, actually, it's a he," she corrected, biting her lip.

    Charlie's expression shifted slightly, a protective instinct igniting in him. "Oh, really? What's he like?"

    "No, dad, it's not like that!" Reina protested, her cheeks warming slightly. "His name is Miguel, and he's new in Reseda. He's really into karate and is actually super cool! We hang out after school sometimes."

    Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Karate, huh? That's impressive. Is he into fighting or just the discipline?"

    Reina relaxed a bit. "Both, I guess. But he's really chill. We talk a lot about movies and music too. It's fun."

    "I've always wondered if you'd ever want to try martial arts, Reina," Charlie said. "Did seeing Dre's tournament back then inspire you at all?"

    Inspire her? More like repulse her.

    "Nahhh," Reina shook her head. Her father knew how upset she was when Dre got injured during the tournament, thanks to his opponent playing dirty. He'd been right there, shielding her from the scene. No eight-year-old wants to see their big cousin-someone they idolize-hurt like that. What he didn't realize was that the trauma from that day still affected her years later.

    While the tournament pushed Raina away from martial arts, it only deepened her father's interest in the sport. Reina picked at her burger, trying to focus on the conversation around her, but memories of that day creeped in. The sound of the crowd, the thud of Dre hitting the mat, and the panic in her chest-it all felt too fresh.

    Charlie continued, unaware of her inner turmoil. "I mean, it's pretty intense, but it can be empowering, you know?"

    "Yeah, I guess," Reina replied, forcing a smile. She wanted to share in their excitement, but the thought of practicing martial arts made her stomach churn. Charlie chimed in, "Dre won that tournament, remember? He came out on top despite everything. It was incredible to see."

    Reina nodded, but the victory felt like a bittersweet reminder. "That's awesome for him," she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. She admired Dre's success but couldn't shake the anxiety that still lingered.

    "Maybe one day you'll give it a shot," Charlie suggested, playful but earnest.

    "Maybe," she said, though the word felt heavy on her tongue. Deep down, she hoped they could understand that her fear wasn't just about the sport; it was about the memories it stirred. As they munched on burgers and fries, Estrella finished her drink and stood up to refill it. "I'll be right back!" she called as she dashed toward the soda fountain.

Once Estrella was out of earshot, Reina leaned in closer to her dad, her smile fading slightly. "Um, Dad? Can I talk to you about something?"

    Charlie looked up, his demeanor shifting to one of concern. "Sure, sweetheart. What's on your mind?"

    With a deep breath, Reina decided to spill the truth. "You know how I got that strange text a while back from Mami? Well, there's been more..." She hesitated, glancing around to make sure Estrella was out of earshot. Charlie's expression hardened slightly as she continued. "She reached out to me again and said she wanted to talk. It kind of shook me up."

    Charlie's jaw tightened as he nodded. "Yeah, it can't be easy dealing with that. I've had a few attempts to contact me through her-she's trying to get back in touch after all this time."

   Reina's heart sank. "You too?"

    "Yeah," he admitted, looking thoughtful. "I think your grandma must've given her our numbers when we visited in Honduras. I didn't think she'd reach out to you, though."

    Reina's ran a hand through her hair, her thoughts racing. "What do I do if she tries again?"

    Charlie sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's up to you, baby girl. Just remember what happened last time and stay strong. You and Estrella deserve better. If you want my advice, I'd say we keep our distance."

    "I know," Reina's said softly, feeling the weight of her father's protective nature. "But... part of me wonders if things could be different."

    Charlie gave her a sympathetic look. "Unless she's committed to change, it's a dangerous road to think that way. Just promise me you'll think about what's best for you and Estrella, okay?"

    Reina nodded, her heart heavy but reassured by her father's presence. They talked longer about Miguel and school, the subject helping to lift the tension as Estrella returned with her drink, her bright smile lighting up the table once again.

    "Did I miss anything?" she asked, plopping down and digging into her fries. "Just girl talk," Charlie said with a wink, earning him a playful eye roll from Reina. The rest of the meal passed with laughter and stories, but the undercurrent of their conversation lingered in Reina's mind.