Like A Phoenix ➳ Cobra Kai

Trouble in Paradise (20)

As the sun began to set, Demetri used his former boy scout training to make a campfire on the beach. While the friends disbursed across the different areas of the beach, Kat, Yasmine, Moon, Aisha, and Sam settled down near a bonfire separate from the others.

Still resting comfortably on the beach, Kat curled up near the bonfire with a towel draped around her shoulders. She couldn't help but stare blankly at the crackling fire as little ashes sprung into the air and drifted from sight.

In the distance, Robby fiddled with the soccer ball, tossing it as he gazed longingly at Kat and her friends. He gently kicked the ball towards the girls, causing it to hit the log of the fire and startle Moon.

"Oh," she exclaimed as her heart pounded with surprise, "that scared me." She laughed at the motion. "I would get the ball, but I am too tired."

Kat snorted, humored by Moon's reaction. She threw the towel that kept her warm and stood up to retrieve the ball near the logs. Taking it in her hands, she flipped it around and walked to Robby, who she assumed lost it. "I believe this is yours? How do you, um-do the kick thing?" Kat asked, trying to bounce the ball on her knee.

"I was taught to concentrate on using one leg at a time," he replied as his leg elevated with the rise and fall of the ball. "Here, give it a try," Robby insisted, handing Kat the ball.

Kat did as told and juggled the volleyball-turned-soccer ball on one leg at a time, and once she felt comfortable, she switched legs. "I think I'm doing it!" She bubbled with a bright smile.

"You're a natural," he laughed.

From a distance, the blaring sound of the other Cobra Kai's approaching grew louder by the second, only to be muffled by the sand at their feet.

The laughter shared between Kat and Robby quickly died down upon seeing Kat's boyfriend, Hawk, glaring at Robby with a burning flame boiling in his narrowed eyes. Throwing the beach towel he had draped around his neck, Hawk charged at Robby with his fists clenched in tight knots at his sides.

"Who the fuck do you think you are, Keene? You're here—" he motioned between Kat and Robby, "flirting with MY girlfriend!" He dryly chuckled, but not an ounce of humor gleamed in his eyes, only fury. "Oh, sorry... Or should I say, Robby Lawrence?" Hawk sneered mere inches from Robby's race.

The beach fell silent, and everyone, even bystanders, stopped in their tracks to see the commotion. Instead, the only sound was the shifting winds blowing through the beach.

"Eli..." Kat warned, her lips pursed into a firm scowl. "He was just showing me how to play soccer," she emphasized. "You're overreacting!"

Without glancing at Kat, he screamed, "I know what I fucking saw!" Hawk then directed his anger back to Robby. "You would think with all the hot chicks in the world. You'd have some sense to lay off of mine." He snarled.

Robby scoffed at Hawk's angered expression. He felt himself growing beet red. As his heart began to beat like a drum in his chest, Robby could feel himself losing control of his rage. "It's not like that...." Robby trembled, gritting his teeth in agony.

"No, I think I know exactly what's going on." Hawk snapped, his lips curled in a tight-knit smile. "You don't know boundaries, do you?" He turned his glossy, narrowed eyes at Robby. With the jealousy and anger boiling inside, Hawk couldn't control his emotions and shoved his palms against Robby's shoulders, sending him tumbling down with a thud.

"You fucking bitch—" Robby challenged. He wanted nothing more than to beat Hawk's ass. His fists drew to strike a blow at Hawk, who was fast enough to catch the sudden movement. Robby's eyes lit up in panic upon seeing Hawk grab his clenched fist and squeeze, draining the color from his ashen knuckles.