Tessa Keene was a sweetheart through and through- pure-hearted, kind, and incapable of cruelty. She didn't have much, but she had Robby, and that was all she needed. He was her rock, her safe place, the one person she could always count on. But when...
The dojo was silent as they stepped inside, the door clicking shut with a finality that echoed through the space. The familiar mix of sweat and mat cleaner lingered in the air, and somewhere above, a quiet creak broke the stillness. Kenny moved with none of his usual energy. His shoulders sagged beneath an invisible burden, something he hadn't found the words for yet. Instead of heading for the locker room or reaching for his gi, he walked over to the bench against the far wall and sat down, letting his backpack fall to the floor with a soft thud.
Robby, who had been following just behind, tossed his duffel in the corner and studied him for a second before speaking. "You've been pouting the whole way here," he stated, crossing his arms. "What's up?"
Kenny didn't answer at first. He stared at his shoes, scuffing one lightly against the floor. "I was at the high school today and these older kids started messing with me," he explained sadly, finally glancing up at Robby. His voice was quiet, almost like he hated to admit it out loud. "This one guy told me I should quit Cobra Kai."
Robby's posture shifted, his arms falling to his sides as the protective instinct kicked in. "Who was he?" he asked, concerned.
"I don't know," Kenny said, shaking his head as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "He had this spiky red hair." Kenny sighed heavily, staring down at the floor again. "That's not even the worst part—remember that girl I told you about? I don't think she's my friend anymore."
"The one that let you sit with her friends at lunch?" Robby asked, already piecing things together.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "She was really nice too. I don't get it."
Robby sank down beside him, elbows on his knees, hands clasped loosely. He glanced at Kenny, then stared ahead. "Sometimes people change up on you," Robby said, his voice calm but steady. "Doesn't always mean you did something wrong. But if she really was a good friend, then it's worth giving her the benefit of the doubt. Ask her what's going on. Don't just walk away unless you know for sure."
Kenny's eyes stayed glued to the floor, his fingers picking at the edge of his sleeve, his thoughts racing. He knew exactly what was going on.
Tessa didn't like Cobra Kai.
It stung more than he wanted to admit. He didn't want to admit out loud that the one person who'd actually made him feel seen—who gave him a spot at her lunch table—had pulled away because of the place that had made him feel strong for the first time in his life.
Robby's words lingered in Kenny's mind.
Maybe he could show her that Cobra Kai was more than just fighting. It was about strength, confidence, and finding a place to belong. He could show her that Cobra Kai wasn't all bad—that he wasn't bad.
The sun was low, casting a golden haze over the quiet street, warm light stretching long shadows across the pavement. Tessa's skateboard rattled as she kicked into a flip trick—and slammed into the ground. She let out a frustrated groan, palms scraped, knees stinging, but none of it hurt more than the ache twisting in her chest.
She tried and failed again.
Her jaw clenched, not from the pain, but from the building frustration crawling under her skin. She brushed the gravel and rocks from her hand, grabbed her board, and got back up.
"You're flicking too early," a voice called out from behind her. "Use your back foot to push the board up more."
The sound of his voice hit her like a punch—her focus snapped, her timing off. Tessa flinched, her weight shifting wrong, and the board shot out from under her. She hit the pavement hard—knees and hands skidding across the rough concrete.
"Shit," she muttered, wincing as she pushed herself up, her hand bleeding. Her face twisted in pain as she spun around to face him.
"You almost had it, though," he said, his voice softer than he intended, almost hesitant.
Tessa looked away from him, quickly pushing herself to her feet. She bent down to grab her board, her movements sharp, and muttered under her breath, "Didn't ask."
Robby's shoulders dropped, and he took a step back, visibly deflated. "Tess... come on," he said quietly, his voice full of regret.
She let out a dry, humorless laugh, her eyes narrowing as she finally turned to face him. "No," she snapped, her voice harsh. "You told me to leave you alone. So I did. I did exactly what you asked."
Robby opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, she cut him off.
"Why are you even here?" she asked, her tone biting.
Robby exhaled, looking away for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "I need to talk to Dad," he replied quietly.
Tessa's face remained unreadable as she nodded, pulling her lips into a tight line. "Right." She shook her head and turned away before he could say anything else.
Tessa slammed the apartment door behind her with a force that made the walls shudder. Without a second thought, she threw her skateboard down onto the floor, the loud clatter echoing through the room.
"Tessa?" Johnny's voice called from the kitchen, startled. "Hey—what's going on?"
But she didn't even slow down. Her face was flushed, eyes shining with barely contained rage. Her jaw was clenched, teeth grinding behind tight lips. She shoved her bedroom door open and slammed it shut so hard the frame rattled.
Tessa stood frozen for just a second—arms locked tightly across her chest, like she was physically holding herself together. Her chest heaved, nostrils flaring, her whole body trembling—not with sorrow, but with pure anger.
She paced like a storm bottled in too small a space, then snapped—spinning and kicking her backpack. It rolled a few feet away, then fell limp. Her hands curled into fists, nails biting into her palms as she moved in tight, angry circles.
And when she finally dropped onto her bed, it wasn't out of exhaustion—it was to stop herself from breaking something else.
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authors note!
Ughh I'm trying to get through all this drama so I can make her happy :/
