In My Blood (Eli Moskowitz/Hawk FF) (Cobra Kai)

Chapter 17: All Too Well

Author's Note: It would probably help to listen to Taylor Swift's "All Too Well" while reading this. It's what I based this off of. It screamed Zelena and Hawk to me. For this chapter, the italicized words will be memories. And the bold italicized words will be Zelena writing. ☺️

Chapter 17:
Zelena's POV

A huff passes through my lips that immediately press tightly together in a thin line to avoid outwardly cussing Miguel in front of the student body lining the halls. Though I couldn't fully blame him for being unable to be here as early as me due to his grandmother not driving and his mom needing to be in multiple places at once, I still had a part of me that despised him for leaving me "unsheltered" from Demetri. I'd been avoiding him since our front porch conversation that I cut short when he'd asked if I would take Hawk back-forgive him . I didn't have an answer - well I did, but I didn't want to based upon the hope glimmering in his eyes. He had a big dream I wasn't ready for just yet.

And my talk with Mr. LaRusso only made that MORE apparent. It was too complicated. Our last fight made it complicated.

Chatters in the hall momentarily drown out the echoes in my own head and each step grows easier. A hand clamps itself onto my shoulder, gripping it tight enough so I can't go anywhere but not tight enough to cause me any true harm. A shaky exhalation stutters between my slightly parted lips to calm myself from the scare though the erratic beating in my chest does not quell- not even slightly. The familiar concoction of mint, ink, and vanilla I choke on, but it's the jasmine tinge that weakens my knees. Ice runs through my veins, freezing every movement my brain commands me to take. "Good to see you back on your feet, Z."

Stumbling away, my back thuds against the locker front like his words had pushed me away. I suppose in some capacity, they had. Hawk's eyes soften only slightly and once again I see Eli. His gaze draws to the floor and his new Cobra Kai buddy speaks up. I had seen him a handful of times around school in the halls but never shared a class with him or took the time to speak to him. "Sensei would be happy to see you back at the dojo." Kreese's face etches itself in my forefront thoughts, his lips lined into a snarl as his threat continues to fall from them. "Don't start the war. You will lose."

Continuous snapping grows louder, pulling me from the volatile recollection and back into the present. The Cobras around Hawk share a laugh and by their eyes focused solely on me, I know it is at my expense. Hawk's hand returns to his side the second he notices my conscious return to the present. "Are the doctors sure the doctors checked you for possible brain damage?" He jokes, earning more laughter from the rambunctious group.

I swallow hard, forcing the tears that are threatening to rise, back down to hide my own internal fragility. The unpleasant return of Hawk, episode 136. What shitty thing could he say now? "Hey, back off!" Samantha shouts, causing attention in the hallway to turn onto the group of us.

"God, you just don't know when to quit. Do you, Eli?" Demetri adds fuel to the flame growing in the green-blue hues of our old friend's irises. The lanky beanstalk watered with sarcasm stands in front of me to shield me from the dark knight powered by my heartbreak.

Samantha situates herself beside him and both stand tall to be physically intimidating though not fully stanced for a fight they want. I pull myself together enough to sneak my way around Demetri and squish between the two walls of dojo students beginning to form. Hawk and his Cobra Kai pal step closer to make their own presences known when I spot Counsellor Blatt ambling around the corner. My arms shoot out on either side of me, my left palm pressing against Demetri's chest while my right palm presses against Hawk's chest to temporarily contain the fire. "Look, whatever pissing contest this is, needs to stop now. Otherwise we will all have Saturday detention that isn't punitive but rehabilitative. And none of us want that." I look to Demetri knowing he is more logical between Hawk and himself. Even between him and Sam.