Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

101 - This Taught Me Love

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Parker POV

I love working for the LaRussos. I do. And I love when I can work with the mechanic team, because I love fixing things. It was relaxing, in a way. It was nice to feel like I could fix at least one thing in my life.

I'm tired again, though. My body aches and my hands sting. I have to re-bandage them. As I get out of my car with my bag and walk out to the pavilion, I find myself at a stand-still. Up the stairs and I get to my apartment, where my dad is... below that, is Mr Lawrence's apartment, where I spent the night last night, but Robby said he was staying with his mom, and I was welcome, but he'd have to send me the address. I told him not to worry about me. He said that's not possible. Across the way is the Diaz apartment, where Miguel is... all three are places I've slept and felt safe at one point... but all three have their setbacks. I can't just stay with Mr Lawrence if Robby isn't there, that would be weird. I can't just go back to my apartment... not with my dad there. I just... can't... And I can't stay with the Diaz family after what happened with Miguel...

Te amo...

My heart pangs. I love fixing things... lights, sinks, cars... bonsais... I'm the wire... I keep things together... I fix things... and now? This- me and Miguel- is broken... I have a chance to fix it... and I can't give up that chance. We've both said things I know we regret; things that I know we want to explain and talk through. I don't want to lose Miguel as a friend. We went from rivals to friends. I stuck with him through paralysis. He stuck with me through complicated emotions involving romance and feelings. We've stuck with each other through the better part of this karate war. He was there for me when even Sam and Robby weren't. At the skating rink... after my summer tae kwon do tournament... through the first semester when Robby was in juvie... he hurt me... but he's hurt me before... I forgave him then... and I'm willing to forgive him again... I have to fix this...

Before I know it, I'm at the Diaz's door, hand hovered at the door to knock. Dai, Reyes, just do it... you need to... you need to fix this... not hesitating any longer, I knock on the door. That was kinda soft; I hope somebody heard it. Miguel appears in the doorway. Ay dios... he doesn't look great... clothes and disheveled. Posture defeated. Eyes puffy. He's been crying. He said Sam was mad at him... and he said he wanted to talk about it... oh no...

"Sorry, is now a bad time?" I ask, voice a little unsure, but gentle.

"No! No, no, it's- it's the perfect time... I could really use you right- not use- I don't mean it like- I just- I don't want you to think I'm using you... I want to apologize to you and make everything right... a lot has happened and I really- I just really need you right now..." Miguel says, growing quiet at the end. I'm almost certain that something happened with Sam now. I'm still upset with him. But right now, the Parker Reyes he needs isn't the one that holds grudges and never forgets all the bad things that have happened to her. He needs the Parker Reyes that cares about her friends. The one that knocked on his door to make things right. The one that fixes things. The wire. I nod a little. He nods back, then lets me in, closing the door behind me.

He leads me through the hall and to his bedroom. I pause a moment in the doorway.