𝙅𝙐𝙉𝙀 2018, eli moskowitz/hawk

03

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 / ❛ cobra kai ❜

[ episode six, quiver ]

Marlee sat on the edge of the pool, her feet lazily kicking in the water, sending ripples across the still surface. The sun was warm against her skin, and the faint sound of cicadas buzzed in the background. She held her phone in one hand, scrolling aimlessly through Instagram with the other. Everyone seemed to be somewhere today—Sam had gone radio silent after their awkward-but-heartfelt ride, Jace was off doing who knows what, and her brother Ryder had bailed earlier, claiming he had "important plans."

Marlee sighed, switching from Instagram to her contacts list. She scrolled through the names, her thumb pausing every now and then on someone she hadn't spoken to in a while. Too many friendships had fizzled out since last year, and the ones that were left felt... complicated.

Eli? She stared at his name for a moment, her mind flashing back to the cafeteria earlier that week. Things had felt almost normal between them—just for a second. But did that mean she could just text him, out of the blue?

Her thumb hovered over the screen before she scrolled past his name. Maybe not.

Sam? She considered it. They were talking again, sort of. But then Marlee thought about how much Sam already had on her plate with Kyler and the rumors. It didn't feel right to drag her into a lazy afternoon just because she didn't want to be alone.

Marlee groaned, flopping back onto the warm concrete. The phone rested on her stomach, the contacts screen still open. She stared up at the clear sky, the corners of her mind tugging at a thought she'd been trying to ignore.

The fight in the cafeteria had been... something. Watching Miguel go up against Kyler and his pack of meatheads had sent a weird buzz through her. Not just because it was entertaining—though it totally was—but because it reminded her of something she hadn't felt in a long time. That rush of standing up for herself, of taking control, even just for a moment.

And yet, here she was, sitting by her pool with no plans, no energy, and no idea how to fix the mess her life had turned into.

She exhaled, clicking on Jace's contact and typing out a text.

Marlee: What are you up to?

Jace: At home. Bored as hell. You?

Marlee: Come over. Bring something to drink.

Jace: On my way. Be ready for greatness.

Marlee rolled her eyes but couldn't help smile. She set her phone down and leaned back on her hands, letting the warmth of the sun sink in. Maybe this day wasn't a total waste after all.

About ten minutes later, Jace strolled through the side gate with a bottle of lemonade and a bag of gummy worms in hand.

"Your majesty," he said with a mock bow, holding the bag out to her.

Marlee snorted. "Wow. Gummy worms. Truly a feast fit for royalty."

Jace plopped down beside her on the pool deck, opening the bag and popping a worm into his mouth. "Hey, these are elite snacks. Don't knock it till you try it."