Different But Same (Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz)

XXIX. A New Era

Lainey stood on the grass at Miyagi-Do with her sister. They were doing stretches. Daniel and Johnny had moved aside to talk to one another for a few moments.

Lainey inhaled deeply and stopped what she was doing, Sam caught onto this.

"Lainey, what's up?" Sam asked.

The truth, Lainey's mind rushed back to the events of last night. Her head was pounding. The thought of karate not being able to protect her scared her. But she wouldn't admit that to her sister. She shook her head and changed the subject.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Lainey asked.

"Probably working out a strategy of how not to kill one another," Sam responded.

Lainey chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Eli asked as he walked over with Demetri.

"Just something Sam said."

"Oh?" Eli replied.

"You want to know?" Lainey asked.

Eli nodded. "Sure."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Does he have to know everything?"

"That's why his hair is so big, it's full of secrets," Lainey responded.

Demetri sniggered. "Did you just reference Mean Girls?"

"Did I just get compared to Gretchen Wieners?" Eli chuckled.

Lainey smirked. "You did."

"I'll take it."

"It's so fetch!" Lainey laughed.

Sam rolled her eyes. "Can you stop?"

"Uh no!" Lainey giggled in response.

Eli pulled Lainey aside, they walked to the bottom of the dojo out of sight. Eli placed his hand on her face. His eyes examined her bruised cheek and the light markings that formed on her neck from where Corey tried to hurt her. Eli knew he hurt her, and that's what made him so angry.

"How are you holding up after last night?" Eli asked as he brushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "Did you take a warm bath like I suggested?"

Lainey nodded. "It helped relieve the pain."

"I'm glad." Eli smiled lightly. He took her hand in his and examined her knuckles. "Does it still hurt?" he asked.

"Kind of. My neck too."

Eli frowned.

"I look like an idiot." She inhaled. "At least last time I was in hospital so it had a chance to fade."

"It reminds you that you overcame him again, alright? You are better than him," Eli reminded her.

"But that's the thing I didn't. It was you." Her breath hitched in her throat.

"Lainey."

She looked into his eyes, he pulled her towards him and kissed her gently.

"W-what was that?" she stuttered. Her erratic breathing ceased.

"I distracted you and prevented you from having an attack," Eli explained.

"A panic attack?" Lainey asked with wide eyes.

"Yes."

"Jeez, another thing to add to my list." She let out a pathetic laugh as Eli took hold of her hands.

With a nod, he kissed the top of her hand. "All better."

Lainey smiled. "Thank you, Eli. For everything."