ੈ✩‧₊˚˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡*ೃ༄
*ੈ✩‧₊˚๓คՇƈɦﻝกց รƈคɼร⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄 —

MILA KNOCKED ON MARISOLS BEDROOM DOOR. Marisol, hearing a familiar voice, assumed it was her sister. "Come in!" she yelled over the pulsating beats of "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift, echoing through the room. Marisol glanced over her shoulder, confirming her sister's presence as she surveyed the transformed space.

"You changed your room?" Mila inquired, taking in the alterations. Marisol hummed in response. Engrossed in painting, a therapeutic endeavor recommended by Dr. Alderman, Marisol explained with a monotone, her eyes fixed on the canvas. "Dr. Alderman suggested I should... change my room and start painting." The air in the room held a subtle tension, reflecting Marisol's attempts at therapeutic self-discovery.

Mila's observant eyes took in the details of Marisol's transformed room. Taylor Swift posters adorned the walls, and a vanity near the bedroom door held a meticulously arranged makeup collection. The open closet showcased neatly hung clothes, with hoodies stacked on a nearby shelf. Crafting supplies adorned the desk, sharing the space with Marisol's own workspace. Tapestries adorned both the walls and ceiling, and the room was bathed in a calming blue glow from LED lights. Above Marisol's bed, a poignant picture of their dog, Belly, served as a tangible reminder of a heart-wrenching loss – having to give her away.

A hush enveloped the room, lasting for several minutes until the melodic strains of Taylor Swift's "Delicate" broke the silence. Intrigued, Marisol cast a subtle glance in Mila's direction. "So, what's up?" she inquired, her question accompanied by a light-hearted laugh that dispersed the lingering quietude.

Mila let out a contemplative sigh, the subtle scuffing of her feet marking her journey to the edge of Marisol's bed, where she gingerly seated herself. "I find myself in need of some insight...about a guy," she admitted with a hint of vulnerability. Marisol's eyes widened, registering the revelation, and her jaw responded with a gentle descent. "Oh my god?" she exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and amusement playing on her features as she struggled to contain an emerging smile.

A rosy hue painted Mila's cheeks as she reminisced. "Kenny and I... we kissed," she admitted, the words escaping with a mixture of hesitation and vulnerability. Marisol, caught off guard, blinked in astonishment. "Did you just confess to cheating on Anthony?" she asked, her gaze sharpening with a hint of disbelief, her features sculpting into a stern glare.

Mila's eyebrows lifted in a mix of surprise and defense. "No, it's not what you think! Anthony and I broke up. He said he's dealing with a lot and needed a break. I called Kenny over because I needed someone, and he— he kissed me," she explained, her words carrying a blend of explanation and uncertainty. Marisol's expression softened, her lips curving into a sympathetic frown as she absorbed the complexity of Mila's situation.

The furrow between the older Cervantes sister's eyebrows deepened. "Oh, damn. I'm sorry to hear that. Uh... Did you find any enjoyment in the kiss?" she asked delicately. Mila responded with a shrug, her uncertainty evident. "I don't know, to be honest. It just didn't carry the same weight, you know? I have strong feelings for Anthony, and Kenny has always been more of a friend," she explained, her eyes wandering to the floor, grappling with the challenge of articulating her emotions.

Marisol hummed knowingly. "Until now?" she completed for her.

"Yeah," Mila replied, exhaling softly as she nodded.

Marisol's expression shifted, and she nervously bit her bottom lip before speaking. "Well... if I'm being honest, I think you and Anthony make a better pair. Kenny can be a bit of a handful; just a friendly warning, Mils. I know he's your friend... or whatever, but in Cobra Kai, he's pretty cocky," she shared, not realizing she had just disclosed her own connection to Cobra Kai.

Mila's lips parted in stunned realization. "Wait a second... Are you seriously in Cobra Kai?" she questioned, her eyes widening with a touch of panic as she processed the unexpected revelation.

Marisol mentally cursed herself, a momentary hesitation before she stammered out, "No." Mila swiftly hopped off the bed, her fists balling up in frustration. "What the hell, Mars? Why? You know what they did to Eli!" she yelled, her voice carrying a mix of anger and disappointment, her eyes searching Marisol's for an explanation.

The paintbrush slipped from Marisol's fingers as she stood up, facing Mila with urgency. "I know! I understand, okay? But you don't get it! So much has happened to me in the past year and a half. I just want... I just want to feel something— I don't know! I can't put it into words. Please, Mils, try to understand," she pleaded, desperation etched across her face as she sought understanding from her friend.

Mila slowly unclenched her fists, her expression a mix of frustration and confusion, her nostrils flaring. "No, I don't understand. Why are you doing this? You saw what happened to Eli in Cobra Kai!" she yelled at Marisol. In response, Marisol shook her head defiantly. "I'm not Eli! I'm not going to get a haircut and dye my hair," she declared, throwing her arms out in a gesture that exuded an unwavering sense of self-assurance, despite Mila's concerns.

Mila's eyebrow arched in skepticism. "Marisol... You did cut your hair. You did dye your hair. This isn't like you. You're acting out of character!" she pointed out, her tone a mix of concern and frustration, as if trying to bring Marisol back to her senses.

A sinking feeling gripped the elder Cervantes sister's heart as her younger sibling branded her as crazy. With a glare, she clenched her jaw tightly, a mix of frustration and hurt evident in her eyes. "Get the hell out of my room! You have no right," she shouted, her pointing finger expressing both accusation and desperation, tears welling up in her eyes, as emotions reached a boiling point.

Mila fought to restrain the tears in her eyes. She hesitated, not wanting to push Marisol further over the edge, but the anger simmered within her. She had every right to be upset; Cobra Kai was a toxic environment.

Mila's eyes widened in shock. "You have to leave Cobra Kai. It's a toxic environment! The manipulations, the lies— it's really bad in there. I don't get why you joined! You saw what happened to Eli, and you promised you'd never join," she urged, her voice carrying a mix of desperation and disbelief, hoping to break through to Marisol and make her reconsider her choices.

Marisol let out a light scoff. "Never say never," she quoted, crossing her arms defiantly. Mila's expression shifted to one of disbelief, a taken-aback look crossing her face. "I can't believe you right now," Mila declared, shaking her head with a mix of frustration and disappointment. She turned on the heels of her feet, walking away to process Marisol's unexpected response.

The door echoed with Mila's forceful slam as she left. Marisol, overcome with frustration, let out a loud groan and impulsively punched the nearest thing – her own painting. A gasp escaped her lips, eyes widening in shock as the impact became clear. She sank to her knees, hands clutching the damaged artwork, a mix of regret and turmoil etched across her face as she grappled with the consequences of her impulsive release of anger.

The painting was a portrait of Sophie, meticulously crafted with care and anticipation for her upcoming birthday on August 23rd, 2000, a mere month and a half away. Marisol had envisioned showcasing this artwork prominently on a wall in the living room, a heartfelt gift for her friend. However, in a moment of frustration, the masterpiece now lay crumpled in her hands, the realization of its ruin weighing heavily on Marisol's regretful heart.

Marisol lay in bed, head resting on her pillow, seeking solace in TikTok to escape the harshness of reality. Indifferent to the messages flooding her phone, including those from Eli and Peter, she remained engrossed in the digital world. Concerned for her well-being, Eli reached out to Mila, who reluctantly shared the unsettling news. Eli's response, upon learning, was far from content; he was deeply unhappy.

As a knock reached her ears, Marisol sat up, sniffled, and welcomed entry with a hesitant, "C-Come in." The door creaked open, revealing Natasha. Despite the emotions weighing on her, Marisol's lips curled into a soft smile. "Hey, Nattie," she greeted warmly. Natasha sighed, closing the door behind her before settling on the bed. "We need to talk," she stated with a sense of urgency, the weight of the impending conversation palpable in the room.

Marisol's once-present smile waned as Natasha gently clasped her hand. "I'm worried about you, Sol. Mila told me that you're in Cobra Kai now?" Natasha questioned, her head tilting to the side, concern etched across her features. The room held a tense silence as Natasha awaited Marisol's response, the weight of the conversation palpable in the air.

Marisol grappled with hesitation, her attempt to find the right words mirroring the weight of her internal struggle. "I'm sorry," she croaked, sensing Natasha's growing concern. "I can't leave! Sensei Silver is genuinely terrifying. He— he's not someone you can just walk away from, Nat. I don't know what he might do. You have to understand. He approached me, practically manipulating me, but the fear of what he could do if I declined was overwhelming. I've heard stories! And... Tory warned me; she said he's a dangerous man. I can't just walk away, Nat! Please, you have to understand," Marisol cried out, tears streaming down her face, her plea echoing in the room as Natasha stared at her in shocked silence.

A surge of anger fueled her desire to confront him, but Marisol restrained herself, recognizing that the timing wasn't right – not yet. This was a battle that required the collective strength of her dad, Johnny, Chozen, and Daniel. "I understand... But, Sol, there's no need to be worried. I'll protect you," Natasha reassured, exhaling softly. She squeezed Marisol's hand gently, her eyes reflecting a promise of steadfast support in the face of the looming threat.

Tears traced a delicate path down Marisol's cheeks. "Do you want a hug?" Natasha asked gently, and Marisol responded with a soft hum, her sobs escaping between the sounds of her breath. As Natasha enveloped her daughter in a tight embrace, tears continued to stream down Marisol's face. In that shared hug, the weight of their collective grief became tangible, the burden of loss pressing upon them both.

Natasha's arms served as a lifeline, offering solace and support as Marisol struggled to come to terms with the challenges she faced. Held within the embrace, they remained locked in a poignant moment, clinging to each other amidst the shared sorrow. The outside world seemed to dissipate as they held onto this shared sanctuary, finding solace in the midst of their emotional storm.

Tears welled up in Natasha's eyes as empathy washed over her. Marisol, almost like a daughter to her, evoked a profound sense of compassion. This emotional connection wasn't unique to Marisol; Natasha felt a similar deep bond with Mila. Both young women had been significant influences in her life. Witnessing Marisol, who felt like a true daughter in many ways, in tears stirred a profound sense of remorse within Natasha. The weight of their emotional struggles tugged at her heart, reinforcing the maternal connection she felt toward them.

Marisol sought solace on the patio, inhaling deeply as she gazed up at the sky, her mind occupied with contemplative thoughts. Seated with her knees drawn up to her chest, a furrowed brow revealed the weight of her reflections. Just then, Eli's car entered her street, catching her attention. Her heart skipped a beat, and a genuine smile transformed her expression. In that moment, as Eli's presence drew near, the simplicity of having him by her side seemed to fulfill a profound need within her.

The Shooting Star necklace Eli had bought for Marisol the day before held the intention of providing comfort during her challenging times. Eager to present her with the thoughtful gift on that day, his plans took an unexpected turn when a call from Mila altered the course of his day. Frustration and irritation simmered within him as the change in plans added another layer to an already turbulent situation.

As Eli stepped out of his car, an angry expression etched across his face, Marisol's initial smile dwindled. "Hey, Eli. You okay?" she inquired with a puzzled look, watching him approach with hands shoved into his pockets. "No, I'm not okay." His response carried a bitter tone, and he gritted his teeth, revealing a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. The atmosphere shifted, and a shadow of tension cast a pall over what had initially seemed like a routine encounter.

Furrowing her eyebrows, she looked up at him. "W- What's up?" she stammered, observing as he rocked back and forth on his heels, his harsh glare aimed down at her. The disparity in height became striking as he towered over her while she sat on the patio. The subtle swaying of his posture and the intensity of his gaze created a tense atmosphere, underscoring the gravity of the moment.

"Why did Mila call me in a panic, crying that you joined Cobra Kai?" He confronted her directly, leaving Marisol momentarily speechless. As she parted her lips, a mixture of emotions played across her face, searching for the right words to explain herself in the face of his direct and unexpected inquiry. The weight of the situation hung in the air as she grappled with how to respond to the concern and confusion evident in his eyes.

"I don't understand, Marisol... Why did you? I mean, Cobra Kai is manipulative! You saw what happened to me. I know you've been going through a lot, but I can't excuse your actions anymore. This is absolutely insane," he exclaimed with an expression of panic and disbelief. The weight of his words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation sinking in as he addressed her decision to join Cobra Kai, drawing attention to the manipulative nature of the group and his own experiences.

Marisol's frustration etched across her face as she frowned. "Why doesn't anyone fucking understand!" she gritted out. Eli shook his head, trying to grasp the complexity of her situation.

"I get one part of it. You... You've been confused about your karate skills, and with Miyagi-Do and Eagle-Fang being closed, that was a struggle. Not only did Mila tell me all this, but so did Sam. She informed me as soon as she found out, and, admittedly, I didn't believe her. However, when Mila told me this... I believed it. Sensei LaRusso saw you leaving Cobra Kai after talking to Tory? What the fuck is going on with you?" he lectured, his tone conveying a mix of concern, frustration, and a genuine desire to understand Marisol's circumstances.

Anger ignited in Marisol, her nostrils flaring with visible frustration. With a nonchalant shrug, she delivered a cutting statement, "You know what... I don't think this is gonna work, Eli. I can't be with someone who won't accept me for being in Cobra Kai." The words slipped out, and regret quickly shadowed her features as she realized the impact of her declaration. The weight of the moment hung in the air, leaving both of them grappling with the implications of her impulsive statement.

Eli let out a frustrated huff, "Hey, I never said I didn't accept you," his hurt tone resonated. "I just don't like what Cobra Kai stands for. You know that. But I care about you, and I don't want to be the reason we break up. Can't we find a way to make this work?" His words carried a mixture of pain and sincerity as he bared his inner conflict, expressing both his disapproval of Cobra Kai and his genuine desire to navigate a solution that would allow them to stay together.

"I don't know, Eli," she replied, the weight of sadness evident in her voice. "I just feel like I've changed... I thought I could make it work, but it's just too hard. Maybe you're right; we should just call it a break for now. I need to figure my shit out." Her words carried the burden of self-discovery and the realization that the relationship had become an intricate puzzle she needed time to unravel. The atmosphere hung heavy with the bittersweet acknowledgment that they both needed space to navigate their individual paths.

"I understand," Eli's voice carried a gentle understanding. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here for you when you're ready." His frown deepened as he started to walk away, but a compelling concern drew him back to face her. "But please, think about leaving Cobra Kai. It's a bad place to be in... Especially with your meds, the stress could cause it to go off balance," he pleaded, a tone of genuine worry underlying his words. Turning back with a sense of sadness, he walked away to his car, leaving behind the weight of his heartfelt request.

Tears welled in Eli's eyes as he settled into his car, the weight of the situation evident in the heaviness of his heart. Driving away with a sense of sadness, he grappled with the difficult decision he had just made. Deep down, he held onto the belief that Marisol would ultimately make the right choice, and they would find their way back to each other as they always did.

Meanwhile, Marisol pushed herself up, her face stained with fresh tears. The weight of the day's events lingered heavily on her shoulders. Slamming the door shut behind her, she stomped upstairs, each step resonating with the echoes of a tumultuous and emotionally draining day. The air carried the remnants of a relationship strained by conflicting choices and the need for self-discovery.

Marisol stormed into Mila's room, forcefully swinging the door open. Mila glanced over, her expression nonchalant. "What do you want?" she rolled her eyes, pulling her blanket off and facing Marisol. Marisol, fists clenched at her sides, glared at her younger sister.

"How could you do that?" she demanded, the tremor in her voice betraying the anger beneath. "I trusted you, and you went behind my back, telling him all that stuff? You had no right!" The room crackled with the tension of betrayal and accusation as Marisol confronted Mila, the weight of shattered trust hanging heavily between them.

Mila shrugged, her gaze shifting away. "I was just really worried about you," she muttered softly. "He seemed like he could really help, you know?"

Marisol's frustration boiled over as she snapped, "He's not supposed to know about that! You had no right to spill everything to him. What if Mom and Dad find out? Do you even realize the trouble I could be in?"

"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," her sister said defensively, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "I just wanted to help, you know?" She tried to explain her intentions, but Marisol quickly cut her off, her tone filled with anger. "Well, you didn't help," Marisol retorted sharply. "You made things worse, and now I can't trust you anymore."

With those words hanging in the air, Marisol turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving behind a hurt expression on her sister's face. Marisol retreated to her room, collapsing onto her bed and unleashing her emotions into her pillow, screaming as tears streamed down her face. The truth was finally out, and its weight was overwhelming.

—
ash speaks!

I told you this would be a depressing chapter. . . This season is a whole ass rollercoaster from here.

I'm gonna try and get this book done soon, but I'm gonna miss her so much. . . Season Six is already being delayed due to the writer strike and I'm so sad cause I don't know how long that will be until I can write my fav girl again:(

Anyways, drink some water and eat something!! Love you guys<3

Thank you so much for 10k and all the support on this book:)

QUESTION; what would you like to see with Marisol and Peter?? I kinda added him in out of no where last minute and I have nothing planned with him😭😭😭