That night I had to have about an hour long shower. Which wasn’t good for our hydra bill. Usually I had like- ten minute showers at the most. But the cement all over my body demanded otherwise. I had a habit of playing music while in the shower, that way it was less likely for me to get lost in my thoughts.
I thought I heard the front door open, but I figured nothing of it, getting out of the shower and wrapping a towel around myself. I knew dad was at the dojo tonight so I didn’t worry about getting dressed right away. I went into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, but I came face to face with Miguel in out kitchen
“Holy shit! Miguel!?” I clutched my towel, making sure everything was covered
“Oh fuck- Harley I didn’t think anyone was home- I’m so sorry-”
“What are you doing here!?” I panted, scared out of my mind
“I was just dropping off some extra food, my mom told me to bring and-... well...” It was then I noticed he was holding something in his hands.
When I saw it better I realized it was Robby’s old soccer picture dad kept on the fridge. My eyes widened, reaching forward to snatch away the picture, but my movement was limited in only a towel, and Miguel held it away from me.
“Miguel listen to me-”
“Why the hell, does your dad have a picture of Robby Keene on his fridge!?”
“Miguel-”
“I mean- how did I never see this before!? How did I not know?”
“Dude hold on-”
“I can’t- I can’t believe this- I can’t believe you wouldn’t- ow!” Miguel shut himself up after I punched him in the face
“Will ya shut up and listen to me!” I exclaimed. Miguel sighed, leaning against the counter “Okay… Yes, I know Robby… cause-....” I took a deep breath “Because he’s my twin brother”
“Wait what!?-”
“Ah ah, hey! I’m not done” I stopped him “Yeah he’s my brother, but we’ve basically been separated for years. My mom and dad never got along in the first place, and when they decided to split up for good, mom took Robby, and dad got stuck with me… We’ve really only just got back in contact, and the contact has been few and far between, okay? It’s not like I was keeping it a secret to be malicious or some shit”
“Then why wouldn’t you tell us?” Miguel sighed
“.... Because….. I've never had a group like all you guys. I mean sure I’ve had Dem and Eli-... but not like this… A-and- I couldn’t risk losing you guys” I bit my lip hard, not allowing myself to cry “... yeah” I cracked my neck
Miguel looked at me with a sad look. I didn’t like the pity, but I rathered it then anger. Miguel thought for a second, before opening his arms up. I let out a breath I had been holding in, stepping forwards before freezing.
“I’m still in a towel” I remembered
“Oh- shit right uh-... I’ll- see you tomorrow?” Miguel asked awkwardly
“Yeah” I nodded quickly
With that we both quickly rushed away from each other. Me into my room, Miguel out the door. It collapsed on my bed in an oversized t-shirt, lighting a cigarette right away and staring at the ceiling. I wondered how long it would be until the rest of the guys found out. What would happen? Oh god what’s Hawk gonna think.
~~
The next day a group of us had all decided to meet down at the beach, since we had a day off from training. Of course Hawk had brought the entertainment of a volleyball. So we were deeply into that...
“Uh.. Mulligan, send it back” Demetri cringed after hitting the ball right into the net
“There’s no mulligan’s in volleyball” Hawk reminded
“Says you” Demetri scoffed, walking away “Water break”
Demetri used my Cobra Kai towel to wipe his sweaty face off. Some girls walked by and looked at him. I got defensive for a moment, but realized they didn’t seem hostile
“Cobra Kai? You guys won that karate tournament right?” one girl asked
“Um… The All Valley tournament? The Rumble in Reseda?” Demetri started going along with it “Yes uh… we uh- we certainly did”
“Cool” the girl smiled “We’re gonna go for a swim, but maybe play with you later?”
“Pfftt, mos def” his voice nearly cracked, but he played it off. I was honestly impressed with him “Uh- that means most definitely”
The girls giggled and walked away. As soon as they did I burst out into laughter, hunching over myself.
“Look at you player” Moon smiled as well all walked over to him
Oh yeah, did I mention Moon was here?
“Yeah, it’d be nice if you actually earned the Cobra Kai cred you’re so happy to take” Hawk sassed “When are you ever gonna sign up?”
“I dunno! I’m kind of enjoying the gain without the pain”
“Hawk” a voice came from somewhere else
“Hey, there’s the man” Hawk grinned
I looked over and saw Miguel, we both went over, giving Miguel a shake. He instantly gave me a look and I sighed. I knew this was gonna happen. Miguel’s face was down and droopy, and Hawk noticed
“Oh boy”
“No. No more of this. Look, it's a beautiful day out, the beach is packed with babes. No more sulking about Sam” he ordered
“I’m not sulking about Sam, it’s about Sensei” Miguel mumbled
“Is this about his rap sheet? My parents read it online. I-i think it makes him more badass” Hawk defended
“It’s about him and Robby Keene” Miguel finally got it out of the bag
“Wait what?!” Hawk exclaimed
“Of all the ways to bring it up” I muttered
“Wait, did you know about this?” Hawk turned to me with an angry look, I didn’t like it, it scared me
“Dude you gotta let her explain” Miguel stopped him
I looked down at my watch, cracking my neck trying to stay as calm as I could be.
“It’s getting close to practice” I sighed “Can I explain in the car?”
Hawk still looked mad, Miguel nudged him, making Hawk roll his eyes and nod his head.
~~
After I explained everything in the car, Hawk was still a bit grumpy, but that was better than mad. Once I had mentioned that I had tried to tell him at the tournament he just felt bad. Once again I was bothered by the pity. I didn’t need it, I had never needed anyone’s pity in my whole life.
“I just don’t understand why he wouldn’t tell us” Miguel sighed, he being my father
“I dunno. But it explains why he’s giving us shit for kicking Keene’s ass at the tournament” Hawk mumbled as we stretched on the mats at the dojo
“As unprofessional as it is, you’re probably right” I nodded
“Show no mercy” Hawk reiterated “Unless it’s his son, then we gotta be pussies. Hell- he’s not even like that with Harley, doesn’t give a shit about her”
“Gee thanks” I groaned
“I mean- not to- I’m sorry but-”
“It’s fine” I sighed, cracking my neck “.... I know”
“You guys, have you seen the commercial?” Aisha rushed over to us. We all looked at her confused “Sam’s dad started his own dojo and he disses Cobra Kai”
Aisha handed Miguel her phone and we all watched the commercial. ‘Because at Miyagi-do, it’s not about the money. It’s about the karate’. What the fuck!? When is this stupid rivalry ever gonna end?
“Wait, why are we paying for karate if this other guy’s giving it away for free?” one of the other kids asked
“Because he’s a petty old pussie who’s intimidated by my dad” I got defensive, jumping to my feet
“Harley calm-”
“I am calm Hawk” I growled “Let the goddamn record show! If anyone transfers to Miyagi-do, you’re no longer protected by any of us” I was dead serious, everyone knew it too “Which means you’re free game, and we’ll beat the shit out of you”
I hadn’t noticed, but I was red all over. My hands were bawled so tight they were shaking. Everyone looked… scared of me. That shocked me back to reality, and I cracked my neck, screwing my eyes shut. No no no! What the hell am I doing!? This isn’t me!
“Thank you Harley” My dad’s voice spoke out, coming out of his office “Everybody fall in!” We all did so as dad walked to the front of the dojo “You, stand here- take this. Ms. Robinson get your phone out and film this”
“Yes sensei” she nodded
We all stood in our spots and watched my dad. We’re just fighting fire with fire huh.
“There’s a lot of talk going around the valley, about free karate. But everyone knows that in life, you get what you pay for. You wanna really kick the competition” dad turned to the side, kicking a bonsai tree out of the kids hands… clever “Then you need to get your ass over to Cobra Kai. Screw that lame meditation bullshit, what you need is bone crunching, face smashing, good old american karate” Dad took some hits at one of the dummies “Enough about self defense. Learn self offense. Don’t be a pussy. Join Cobra Kai, and let me teach you the way of the fist”
“And cut” Aisha smiled
“Well that could’ve gone worse” I nodded honestly
“Alright, we get it?”
“I think so” Aisha nodded
“Alright great. Just make sure the Cobra Kai snake comes in at the end, alright?” Dad asked “I want it to really pop. Make it chrome, and throw thunderstruck under it-”
“Dad, I got it” I chuckled “Aisha’s gonna send it to me”
“I’m pretty sure the wrights for that song will cost too much anyway” Aisha recalled
“No I already own it, cassette’s in the car” Dad said matter factly
“No-”
“Don’t even try” I chuckled
“Oh- and put one of those hashbrowns at the end, Ya know like- ‘Hashbrown team Cobra Kai’ or something-”
“Dad. We got this” I assured
“Okay- yeah” he nodded walking into his office
“Harles. You don’t know how to video edit” Hawk reminded
“Yeah I know, but a few hours of willingly playing Crucible Control and I can get Demetri to do whatever I want” I grinned
“Guys” Miguel spoke to me and Hawk “Come on, now”
I sighed, dropping my head down in dread. Hawk wrapped an arm around my shoulder, I leaned into his shoulder as we followed dad into the storage closet.
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