𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 {𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘳𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘪}

• 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 •

𝑫𝒂𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒉'𝒔 𝑷𝑶𝑽:
A male doctor was examining me whilst my parents sat in the corner of the room. Mum was looking at me proudly and dad was holding back tears.

My head was too heavy to move, so it remained on the pillow. The doctor looked at all the screens surrounding me and checks all the shit that was being put into my veins.

I remembered what happened. Hawk and I were fighting and then he kicked me into a cabinet. The last thing I remember clearly was my knee. It was disgusting.

As dizzy as it made me, I made the effort to look at my leg. It was useless as they were both covered by the bedsheet, but I was curious if I had conjured it up by myself.

The doctor saw my movement and ushered me to rest my head.

"Hello Ms James, I'm Dr McKenzie and I have been overlooking your care for the past 5 days. What I've observed is-" the doctor began saying professionally, but I was shocked at one part of his speech.

"What? 5 days? What do you mean?" I asked, my voice surprisingly hoarse. My mum noticed and passed me the plastic cup of cold water. It certainly clenched my thirst, but it hurt my head to lift it. I was being such a pussy right now.

"You have been in a coma for 5 days. Due to the injuries you obtained, this was expected. Do you remember what happened?" Dr McKenzie asked, probably checking if I had memory loss.

"No I don't. I can't remember anything. Who am I? Who are they?" I asked, fake frantically.

My little speech caused my parents to look at each other in panic and for Dr McKenzie to take a deep solemn breath.

I chuckled lowly, not having very much energy for a boisterous laugh. "I'm only kidding. I'm Dahliah James, I'm 16 years old and I'm here because I was in a school fight and was kicked into a glass trophy case. My head was bleeding and I'm 70% sure my knee is fucked." I told the doctor, a ghost of a smirk on my face.

My parents sighed in relief and the doctor looked at me and chuckled, scribbling out his previous notes.

"Very funny Ms James. Now, you've experienced an MTBI, mild traumatic brain injury more commonly known as a concussion. There was some internal bleeding from the contact, but that should be gone by now. The back of your head was cut with some of the glass and we have stitched it up, no hair loss."

I smiled and then grimaced, the thought of the glass in my head freaking me out. Dr McKenzie then stopped writing and looked me in the eyes with as much sincerity as he could master as he explained the much bigger consequence of the school fight.

"You have also caused significant trauma to your right knee. A large shard of glass was removed and had torn a lot of muscles and ligaments, your kneecap was also shattered in the process. With the right amount of rest and rehabilitation, your knee should be fixed in 3-6 months."

I took a deep breath as I tried to let the information sink in. I didn't want to look at it or accept the fact that I would be hobbling around, crippled for the next half year. I looked down at my fiddling fingers, not giving a reaction.

"Should also note that you have some knuckle bruising. If it hurts, we can get you some ice. We would like to keep you here for a week, so Mr and Mrs James, please come outside so we can negotiate and sign some papers." He told me curtly, then turning to my parents who simply nodded and stood up.

When they were out of sight, I lifted the blanket to see my knee. It was wrapped in layers of bandages and tape with a noticeable bandaid beneath it all. Holy shit.

I covered it quickly and let out my sobs. I couldn't feel it, but the reality of everything set in. The school fight, everyone involved and my future. Everything has changed.

I wiped away some tears and looked at my bedside table to see many cards and flowers and stuffed animals. I needed to distract myself, so I read them.

A massive blue teddy bear with a black picnic table pattern bow came with a card. I hugged the beautiful bear and opened the card. It read:

Dear Dahliah,

Thank you for having my back.
I am so sorry that you have to suffer, but please know that you are strong and will get through it.

Lots of appreciation and support,
from Demetri

I smiled as I read the card and hugged the bear close to me. I didn't regret helping him at all and as much as it sucks, I'm glad it's me in here and not him. Demetri, you picked the best bear.

Dear Dahl,

I'm wishing you all the best in your recovery. I have been manifesting it and sent you rose quartz, great for healing.

All my love,
Moon ❤︎︎

She did give me a rose quartz and it was absolutely stunning. I didn't believe in all the spiritual stuff, but I'll take all the help I can get at this point.

To Dahliah,

I am so sorry for what happened to you. I hope you make a speedy recovery and are doing well mentally. I hate to say it, but after the school fight my parents have moved me to a different area and school, so we can't see each other as often. That won't stop us from visiting each other or rather you stalking me from afar. I love you so much and can't wait to see you again!!

Best wishes,
Aisha ☀︎︎

I let a few tears spill over that. Aisha was one of my best friends and now she was gone. Demetri's bear was my greatest comfort at the moment as I held it tightly, powering on through the cards.

I was disappointed to not find a single thing from Tory. I even checked my phone notifications and didn't find anything from Tory. It hurt.

I was about to lay down and become one with my sadness when I saw one card I hadn't opened. Maybe it's Tory!

I ripped it open and read the first word and didn't recognise Tory's hand writing. I sighed and continued reading the card.

Hi Dahliah,

You don't know me, we've never met. I moved to West Valley this year and well, we know how the first day went. I saw you in the fight and thought you were brave and badass for fighting that mowhawk dude. Anyway, my number is there if you ever want to talk about anything. A fresh start I suppose. This sounds like a desperate attempt for friendship, which I suppose it is, but give me a call if you want to.

From,
Nadia Jackson.

I was honestly confused, but kinda happy. Could it have been a psychopathic killer? Sure, but she could also be my new friend. I was too tired to call her now, but I vowed to soon.

I hugged the bear closely as I shut my eyes and the world out. All thoughts left my concussed head and floated around the white room. Two questions arose however.

What did I think of Tory now?

What was I going to name the bear?

One question was far too painful to answer, so I chose the easy one; his name was Demi Lovato, named after Demetri.

I kissed Demi Lovato's soft fur forehead and succumbed to the darkness.

~

I woke up to a feeling of warmth in my hand. I opened my eyes and saw my mum stroking my fingers with her own. She looked incredibly guilty and sad.

"Mum, you okay?" I asked groggily, the nap still having effects on me.

She looked at me, slightly alarmed that I was awake. She used her finger to wipe along the waterline of her eye and sniffed.

"Yes honey, I'm okay. I'm just..." Mum began, her voice quaking,"I'm so sorry. For the arguments, the pushing you to do tennis and not letting you be you. I accept you and love you and I'm sorry it took an incident like this to say it. I don't know what I would've done if I lost you, I can't imagi-" Mum couldn't even finish, she began crying.

My mother and I have always had a complicated relationship. The last year I've felt like I lost all love for both my parents, but hearing my mum cry at my mercy really killed me. I teared up and placed a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up to me, eyes bloodshot with tears. She tried to gather herself and look strong, but her quivering lip and shaky hands betrayed her.

"I'm right here. We've been at each other's throat for a year, I'm tired of it. We're either fighting or not talking, so I want to fix it because I love you. Okay?" I told her, swallowing the lump in my throat begging me to break down in tears.

Mum nodded and wiped away a stray tear. She got up and embraced me in a warm hug. We hadn't hugged in a few months so it was strange, but nice.

After a few moments, we pulled apart and I couldn't help the question to slip out of my mouth.

"What were you and Dad going to tell me?" I asked, regretting it as her face fell.

She opened her mouth to protest the question, but decided against it as she shut her mouth and took a deep breath. No matter how hard she tried to compose herself, it wasn't working.

"You're getting divorced, aren't you?" I said calmly, putting 2 and 2 together. Mum slowly nodded, lips pursed.

I understood why. They fought constantly, couldn't get on the same page for my sake and always brought out the worst in each other. It felt odd, but I wasn't sad that they were divorcing. I felt at peace, knowing they wouldn't torture me or each other anymore.

"It's okay. We'll sort it out." I told mum, grabbing her hand and comforting her.

I sat in the hospital bed with a shrivelled knee, busted head and bruised everything, yet I wasn't the one who was hurting the most in this room. My mother was.

~

It has been nearly my full week at the hospital. I sat in my bed with a cup of jelly in my hand, raspberry of course.

I had been dealing with the emotions of my injury, Miguel's coma, my parents divorce and the lack of Tory. Add that all up and you get a miserable girl who was loosing her fucking mind in a hospital.

So, I called the secret Nadia girl.

I waited impatiently as the phone rang thrice, but then she picked up. "Hello, this is Nadia Jackson, who's this?" She answered.

She had a sweet voice. Nadia spoke clearly and kindly, no superiority or impatience evident in her tone.

"Uh yeah hi. It's me, Dahliah. Dahliah James. Um, I got your card, thanks for the candle by the way it smells really nice." I replied, still eating my jelly.

"Wow, I didn't think you'd call. Um, what can I do for you?" She asked and I could hear the surprise and smile through the phone.

"I'm dying of boredom, you wouldn't happen to want to spend the last 2 hours of my hospital era with me would you? I'll order jelly, my treat." I told her with a smirk.

Nadia laughed at my proposal. "Yeah, I would love to. What's your room number?"

I leaned over to check, nearly falling in the process. A cup of water fell and I was lucky to catch myself before I fell. Thank god she's on the phone.

"Room 45." I replied hastily.

Nadia laughed again, probably hearing my clash. "Okay I'll see you in 15. Please, don't injure yourself in the process."

I rolled my eyes and scoffed playfully. "Yuh-huh, bye Nadia."

"See you soon Dahliah." Nadia said before hanging up.

I was excited to meet her, I was dying in here. My stomach did a little flip as I thought about it, making me all the more confused.

But the 15 minutes came and low and behold, a girl walked into my room. Nadia.

She was stunning. She had clear dark skin that literally glowed and curly black hair. She had plump lips and brown doe eyes with a sharp jawline. Nadia wore a pair of light blue jeans with black high top Vans and a yellow tank top.

"Hey." She said smiling as she walked into my hospital room.

I smiled back at her. "Hey. Come here, I don't bite."

Nadia nodded and sat in the side of my bed. I sat up and looked at her. "So, what's your story?" I asked her.

She looked at me and began to talk. "Well, I'm originally from Delaware but my parents and brother moved here for a fresh start."

I nodded. "First day of school wasn't great was it?" I told her with a smile.

Nadia laughed softly and replied. "No, it was not. Is there some like intense drama or was it a random thing?" She asked and I filled her in.

I told Nadia about Johnny and Daniel's rivalry, Cobra Kai vs Migagi-Do, how Eli changed into Hawk, the whole situationship with Sam, Miguel, Tory and Sam, the party and everything else.

By the end of it, Nadia nodded absentmindedly, trying to wrap her head around everything.

"Damn." Was all she said. I burst out laughing and she followed suit.

"So, do you wanna do karate or anything?" I asked out of curiosity. There was a defiantly a mixed reaction from kids at school. Some people were scared shitless of the karate kids, others wanted to scare others shitless and join karate.

"Oh no, no. I hate all that violence, physical aggression and whatnot. I'm more of an artist type person instead. I play the flute and paint, so I'm in no way karate material." Nadia told me, chuckling at the the thought.

I smiled. "You would like Moon. She's like that, positive vibes and stuff. 'Feel the aura' and all that."

Nadia couldn't hold in her laugher and burst out into boisterous giggles and laughter, immediately making me do the same. She had a fun laughter that's more contagious than most viruses. It was sweet.

𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒚'𝒔 𝑷𝑶𝑽:
I was scared. I had hurt two of the most important people in my life and I was horrified.

I was immediately expelled and the only reason I wasn't in juvie was because I was the primary caretaker for my sick mother.

I was wrecked with guilt and regret. Sam Larusso deserved everything that happened to her, but not at the expense of Dahliah and Miguel.

Nobody knew if Miguel would live and Dahliah had been really roughed up. I didn't send Dahliah a card or try to contact her because that would surely mean the end of it.

I care about Dahliah so much that my heart physically hurts when I think about her being sore and in pain. Because of me.

It took me nearly a full week, but I realised she needed support more than I did. She deserved better.

So here I am, walking into the hospital to go see her.

I hate hospitals because it reeks of sadness and sickness. It drains nearly all happiness, but I knew Dahliah would immediately replenish it.

"Hello, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I hadn't even noticed the smile that graced my lips as I though of Dahliah.

"I'm here to visit Dahliah James, I'm a friend." I told her. I was hoping she was okay.

"Alright, Room 45." She said sending me a quick smile. I had honestly forgotten about the kindness people could show since I had received nothing but grimaces since the fight.

I walked down the hall slowly with my heart pounding. I was nervous to see her and what her reaction would be, but at least she would know I was there for her.

As I approached her room, I heard loud laughter. It was hers.

I smiled and walked up to the door and peeked in the window. There she was, laughing and smiling. She has cuts and bruises on her face, but she was beautiful nonetheless.

I then caught sight of a girl. She was laughing and smiling with Dahliah. My expression then turned sour.

That girl was making Dahliah smile and laugh. I usually do that.

My heart then felt heavy. It was all my fault and there's no way she'd want to see me. She was in there because of me. She was in pain because of me.

I stared at her a moment longer, lingering on the part of my heart that was begging me to go in.

But I didn't.

I turned around and walked away, my hands in my pockets and eyes stinging and burning with tears searing.

I know who I am. I'm good for nothing and I have to fight for what's mine. I'm not a good person like Dahliah. I don't deserve a Dahliah. I don't think I ever did or ever will.

I can't pretend that I'm deserving of a friendship with a girl who drops everything to care for me when I couldn't do the same. She has other friends that can treat her better.

When I came to that realisation, some tears left from my eyes. Seeing Dahliah so injured yet smiling because of another girl just reminded me that all good things come to an end.

She was gone, but she used to be mine.

I couldn't ignore it, like I couldn't entirely ignore the jealousy drilling itself into my heart.

And not in a friends way.
________________________________
A/N
I just quickly wanted to thank everyone for all the votes and 2k reads!?! That's incredible thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.

Also, this is the famous Demi Lovato

Lemme know that you think :))