𝙅𝙐𝙉𝙀 2018, eli moskowitz/hawk

09

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 / ❛ led me on ❜

[ episode ten, no mercy ]

The group stood outside the building, the cool morning air thick with anticipation. Miguel was completely zoned out, throwing sharp, rapid punches at the air. His recent breakup had clearly taken a toll.

"Yo, Miguel, calm down, man. Save some for the tournament," Hawk said, glancing at him. Miguel ignored him, his fists still flying.

Marlee walked up, her jaw tight, eyes set straight ahead. Her presence shifted the dynamic immediately. She came to a stop next to Aisha, the silence that followed her arrival louder than anything anyone could have said.

Hawk's eyes flickered toward her, the smirk he usually carried faltering. "Mars," he started, his voice tentative, almost hesitant.

She didn't so much as glance his way. "Don't," she said curtly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Aisha, standing between them, raised an eyebrow as she glanced between the two. "Uh, what's going on here?"

Hawk took a step closer, his voice low. "Marlee, can we just—"

She turned her head sharply, finally looking at him, her gaze like ice. "What part of 'don't' don't you understand?"

Hawk blinked, taken aback by her tone. The look in her eyes almost made him hesitate. "Come on. I've been trying to talk to you—"

"You mean trying to justify your bullshit?" she cut him off, her voice rising slightly, earning curious glances from the others.

"Whoa, okay, what the hell happened?" Aisha asked, looking between them."

"Nothing," Marlee said firmly, stepping closer to Aisha as if to shield herself from the conversation. "It doesn't matter. Let's just focus on the tournament."

"Doesn't matter?" Hawk repeated, his voice tinged with frustration. "Marlee, you're acting like I—"

"Like you what? Lied to me? Led me on? Hooked up with someone else? Take your pick, Eli."

The use of his real name hit like a slap. Hawk's jaw clenched, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. He glanced around, noticing the group watching them now with a mix of curiosity and discomfort.

"Hey," Aisha said gently, putting a hand on Marlee's arm. "You don't have to do this here, use your anger for the tournament."

Marlee took a deep breath, her hands curling into fists at her sides. She stepped back, putting more distance between herself and Hawk, her expression carefully guarded.

Hawk's brows were knit together as he gazed at Marlee, regret flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, to explain himself, but every word he thought of felt like it would only dig the hole deeper.