CHAPTER 16:
Grandpa-granddaughter day.
Quinn

"Thank you for not telling your mother about this."

I meekly nodded and crossed my arms, wondering where we were headed as we walked down a sidewalk and turned the corner.

Kreese found me leaving Miyagi-Do, but I cleared up that I was just there for my friend Sam. If Miguel or Aisha found out that I was training in secret with Sam and Robby then I'd lose more friends, and I've already lost too much. He wanted to prove that he would never support what Jesse did to my mom, and wanted to be a good grandfather.

So that's why I'm walking with him.

Despite Robby warning me that my mom wouldn't lie about him being dangerous.

If only you knew the rest, Robby.

"I know that look," He spoke up.

"You're thinking of a boy. It's how Kristen would look when she used to crush on Johnny."

Oh, I don't think it was him she was crushing on.

"Who is he?" Just to satisfy him, I took the cap off my pen and started writing.

"We met a few days ago. His name is Robby, and he's really sweet."

"Robby, huh?" He chuckled to himself.

"Well, I won't ask anymore. I know girls like to keep to themselves about these things. . .you know, my Betsy did this too," He tapped on my notepad.

"I found her notepad talking about a guy she liked, exchanging it with her friends. She was your grandmother," He smiled fondly at the memories.

Mom doesn't have any stories about her.

She died when mom was a year.

"If you want to know more about your grandmother, I wanted to ask why you didn't come back here," And that's when I realized that the place we walked to was the Cobra Kai dojo.

No.

He's in there.

I quickly nodded no, stepping away from the door and wanting absolutely nothing to do with whatever went on inside.

"As you may know, I was a sensei myself, and Johnny has strayed far from tradition. He wants my help, and who else would be better than to prove my loyalty and determination to than my own granddaughter?" He explained.

He does know more about this stuff.

Maybe he'll make Mr. Lawrence calm down a bit.

Maybe Hawk isn't here today.

__________

God fucking damnit.

I sat in the corner of the room, completely avoiding eye contact with everyone as Kreese made himself right at home at Johnnys side.

I can feel him staring.

"Quinn," Kreese spoke up, "come up here."

I nodded no.

"You can watch closely as Mr. Diaz warms up the class. Perhaps you'll learn something," As hard headed as I wanted to be, I forced myself to face Hawk and walked up beside Kreese.

Miguel bowed and immediately focused in on teaching the class.

"Fighting positions!" Everyone got into their stances, not even hesitating.

It's drilled into them.

"Front kick, hyah!"

Again, no hesitation.

"Force strike, hyah!"

It's so. . .in sync.

"Side dab, hyah!" Miguel being the funny guy he is, and everyone knowing this, they all dabbed and I found myself smiling.

It's so wholesome.

They get to have fun once in awhile to-

"What the hell was that?" Mr. Lawrence demanded, his tone making him sound embarrassed.

Nevermind.

"We were just messing around. We have eleven and a half months until the next All Valley," He explained with a shrug.

"Yeah, we already know how to kick ass," Hawk smirked.

More like get disqualified.

"Oh really? So, you know everything? There's nothing left to learn, huh?" Mr. Lawrence asked a rhetorical question, and he kept looking back at Kreese.

Almost for approval.

Exactly how close were they?

Until Aisha broke out in laughter, trying to contain herself but Mr. Lawrence made his way towards her.

"What's so funny, Miss. Robinson?"

"I'm sorry sensei, you just wouldn't understand," She giggled.

"Try me."

Oh no.

"It's a snake do," The class caught onto her joke and laughed quietly to themselves. They already had an inside joke and understanding of one another, knowing not to take everything so seriously.

Something I wanted.

"What's a snake do?" But when those words escaped, everyone got their arms and hand into position and started making hissing sounds.

But when I glanced at Kreese, he seemed very unimpressed.

"Quiet!" Mr. Lawrence shouted.

Is he that loud everytime?

"Five a.m. tomorrow morning, corner of Fulton and Reymer. You don't show, and you're off the team. Class dismissed," And he marched right into his office.

Was that a. . .temper tantrum?

But for a karate sensei?

Just as I went to follow Kreese, a hand grabbed my shoulder and I turned around to face him.

Should've run faster.

"Look, I know you don't want to talk to me right now, but I know it was your birthday yesterday. So, I got you this," He handed me a box and despite expecting maybe a drawing of the middle finger, or some kind of mean joke, it made me gasp.

"Technically, my mom bought it, but I picked it out so it still counts. . .do you like it?" I held up the dainty golden ring in the shape of a snake, and it had gorgeous emerald eyes.

My favorite stone.

Did he remember or is this just coincidence?

"I do," I signed, smiling brightly.

"But, I can't accept this," He frowned.

"Why?"

"You're still Hawk, and I want this to be a genuine gift from Eli. From the heart. I don't want you to think this means I forgive you."

"Then," He held it in his hand, letting out a sigh.

"Just take it as a birthday present. From a stranger," He mused, slipping it onto my middle finger and I couldn't help but admire it.

"Besides, who says I was giving up that easily?" He went back to his cocky self.

"Well, if that's the case, I want you to know that I still hate you," I signed with a teasing smile, my heart becoming warm at his gesture.

"Ooh, fiesty. You wound my soul. . .kitten," I couldn't even react to what he just called me because Kreese called for me and I quickly abandoned him so that he wouldn't see my burning face.

"I hope you're enjoying today."

A bit more than you know.

///
Obviously, Hawk bought her the gift to get on her good graces without actually apologizing. We don't stan. A little. But just wait till Robby sees the beautiful little ring and wonders where she got it from.