Cobra Kai: Season Five: Burning Resolve

Part 51: Friends, No Matter Our Different Codes May Be; Eli "Hawk"

Dedicated to @Robby2Keene, @NewYorkDoll, @CamrynKissel, @LOVESTODOODLE, @Krystal1601, @madi658, @Suz1020, @milkxlawrence, and @lovercrazythings6 for their amazing support of my Cobra Kai stories! I really couldn't do this without all of you :)

And a special thank you to @AbbyWatson4 for the extra appreciation of Eli and Demetri's friendship. Your comments and votes mean the world to me! Thank you :)

"I still can't believe Yasmine's party ended so poorly," commented Chris, apologetically as they waited for Sam to grab the last of her remaining school books from her nearby locker.

"Please don't remind me or Yassy might hear and then, I'll owe her another present," pleaded Demetri, whisper-shouting, worriedly.

"Luckily for you, we'll be going to college soon enough so you can ditch her then," joked Devon, sarcastically.

Eli had met all of his best friends in these very walls (aside from Demetri, of course) nearly three years ago. It was hard to believe he'd come so far from the bullied, shy kid he was when he first entered the school's metal doors.

I've only gotten this far because of all of them, especially Demetri.

There was no one he owed more of his happiness to than his Binary Brother who'd put up with him, even at his worst times. Who believed in him at his worst times, too.

I just hope he feels the same way after I tell him my decision about college.

"Honestly, I'm just amazed I even survived high school in general, though unfortunately most of my Superman t-shirts didn't," added Demetri, sadly shaking his head.

"They're flying high just for you, man," reassured Eli, placing his hand on Demetri's shoulder, understandingly.

They all laughed as they walked out of the school's open doors, barely taking notice of their fellow students' pointing.

If they're gonna talk, let them talk because I don't need everyone to like me.

Eli took a deep breath, breathing in the soft breeze that filled the world around him. The summer sun shone down so brightly it nearly blinded the people below it, several car bumpers reflecting rays of light onto the concrete pavement in the parking lot. Eli made a mental note to talk to Daniel and see if he could buy a car soon from the dealership.

I wonder if he gives a student discount?

"Meet you guys at the dojo?" confirmed Sam, smiling happily.

All of the students were very excited to see what Daniel had planned for their training later that day because he'd asked them to meet him at the old burned down Miyagi dojo.

"Wouldn't miss it," replied Eli with just as much enthusiasm as his friend.

It felt nice knowing he and Sam were honestly friends now. Not to say that they weren't before, but it'd always felt by extension either from Demetri or Miguel, like their connection wasn't really whole yet.

If I ever feel lost again, I know who to call first for advice.

Slowly, the group of friends dispersed throughout the wide parking lot until only Eli and Demetri remained, sitting on a wooden school bench beside one of the many surrounding palm trees.

"Are we always the last people to leave this place?" Thought Eli aloud, watching the remaining few students exiting the already almost vacant space in front of them.

"Pretty sure we are, but at least we get this place to ourselves," Sighed Demetri, relievedly.

Cool might not have been exactly the first word that came to mind when people thought of Demetri but Eli always had.

I like to think we make our own version of cool.

"I still can't believe that in less than four months, we'll be walking the magnificent halls of Yale! The two Binary Brothers conquering another school or rather, a chance to get to do it again for the first time," declared Demetri, practically bouncing off the bench with excitement.

His smile was so big that Eli could barely see the brown eyes he'd known since childhood.

Here goes nothing...

"There's something I have to tell you," stated Eli, his eyes intently staring at his red sneakers.

He didn't have the heart to see his best friend's expression when he told him the news about their future. About his future.

"Did Moon hear something about Yassy and I?! I thought everything was going so well!" Exclaimed Demetri, his mind immediately jumping into an even more panicked state than it usually resided in.

"No, it's nothing like that," reassured Eli, quickly dismissing his friend's worries.

Demetri breathed another sigh of relief, nodding for him to continue.

"I don't know if I want to go to Yale," admitted Eli, painfully shutting his eyes at his own words.

"What do you mean? It's been our dream college since we were kids?" Questioned Demetri, confusedly.

Eli used the palm of his hands to push himself to his feet before starting to pace around, thoughtfully.

"I know it was, it is, but this year's been so crazy for all of us and I, I just think it might be best for me to stay in LA and figure things out for myself before jumping right into college," explained Eli, apologetically.

There were several moments of quiet silence, only the buzzing bees occupying the otherwise noiseless afternoon air. He hated seeing Demetri so upset, but deep down, he knew that telling him the truth was the best decision he could make.

I would rather hurt him by telling the truth than lie to him about how I honestly feel. I already know how that works out for us.

"If that's what you want then, I'm okay with it, too," stated Demetri, finally breaking the silence.

"Really?" Asked Eli, looking up at his friend in surprise.

"Of course! I mean, there's no one I'd rather go to college with than my Binary Brother but, if being in LA allows you to find your inner Luke Skywalker then, who am I to say no," replied Demetri, the large smile returning to his supportive face.

"Thank you," smiled Eli back, throwing an arm around Demetri's shoulder before pulling his friend into a tight hug.

"But I do ask one favor in return," added Demetri, mysteriously.

Eli raised an eyebrow, curiously.

"You have to help me set up my college dorm because there's no way anyone will believe me if I say I know karate, but if I have someone like you there with me..." explained Demetri, knowingly.

"Deal," laughed Eli, rolling his eyes playfully at his friend's conclusion.

I really do have the best Binary Brother I could ever ask for.