THE WAY WE BREAK || cobra kai

Johnny had barely opened the door before Shannon stepped up, eyes searching the apartment with excitement. She didn't move to come in—just stood there with a soft smile as she looked for Tessa. "Hey," she said gently, her smile fading slightly when her gaze met Johnny's. "Where's Tessa?"

"I don't think today's a good day," Johnny said, shifting in the doorway. He looked worn out, his eyes tired and his shoulders heavy, like the weight of the last few days had finally caught up to him. His voice was lower than usual, tinged with something close to defeat. "She's been locked in her room since last night. Won't talk to me. Won't eat."

Shannon frowned, biting the inside of her cheek. "Can I try?"

He hesitated, but then stepped aside and nodded. "Yeah. Maybe she'll talk to you."

Shannon walked down the short hallway, pausing in front of Tessa's bedroom door. She knocked twice, gently.

"Go away, Dad!" came the muffled groan from inside. "I'm not hungry!"

Shannon hesitated, her heart aching at how hoarse and tired her daughter sounded.

"It's not Dad," she said gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

She turned the knob and pushed the door open, just enough to peek inside. The room was dim, curtains drawn tight. Clothes lay in piles across the floor, and a crumpled sketchbook rested near the foot of the bed, pages slightly curled. Tessa was a small shape beneath the blankets, curled tightly, her face turned away and buried in her pillow.

Shannon stepped inside slowly, her voice trying to sound light. "That's kind of a bummer," she teased, "because I was thinking we'd get breakfast."

Tessa stirred. Her head lifted slightly, her hoodie pulled over most of her face, and for a moment, she just stared—blinking like she wasn't sure if Shannon was really there.

Then, her voice came small and uncertain. "Mom?"

Shannon nodded, trying to smile through the ache in her chest. "Yeah. It's me."

Tessa sat up more, the light catching the healing bruise beneath her eye and the cracked edge of her bottom lip. Shannon's smile faltered the moment she saw it—her breath hitched, her heart breaking quietly in her chest.

"Why are you here?" Tessa asked, her voice tired, guarded.

Shannon hesitated for a beat, then slowly crossed the room and lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. She didn't reach out—didn't try to touch her. She just sat there, close enough to show she cared, far enough to not push.

She ran a hand through her messy hair, trying to gather the right words. Her voice was quiet, honest. "After rehab, I kept asking myself who I wanted to be when I walked out. And the answer was... your mom. Not in name, not just on paper—but really your mom. The kind who shows up. The kind who sticks."

Tessa didn't answer. Her eyes stayed fixed on her lap, fingers absently tugging at the stretched cuffs of her sweatshirt like she was trying to disappear into them. Her face was unreadable, but her silence was loud.

Shannon gave a small, tentative smile. "I was thinking maybe... chocolate chip pancakes? Like when you were little. Just you and me. What do you think?"

Tessa didn't answer right away. Her eyes met Shannon's for a moment, then quickly dropped, her fingers twisting in the hem of her sleeves. But then, quietly, she nodded.

Shannon stood, offering her hand—not forcing it, just there if she wanted it.

And after a long pause, Tessa reached for it.