Sky was lying on her bed, wearing her new, comfy Christmas sweater and leggings, trying to read a book, but her mind kept wandering.

The shame had a bitter taste. It left her feeling restless, filled with self-loath. With a frustrated sigh, she put down the book and picked up her phone instead, desperate for some distraction - but it did little good. All she could think about was her humiliation.

Of course, she had known Hawk would be at the dojo. It shouldn't have surprised her. She had known he would try to talk to her, that they would have to train together, but she had thought she could find a way to keep her distance. It hadn't been out of malice that she had sat away from her friends during the snack break like Sam seemed to think. It had been a necessity, for no matter how hard Sky had tried to act cool, the moment she had seen Hawk, all her mental preparation had flown straight out of the window.

The sight of his red mohawk had ripped her heart out through her chest.

And how could someone walk and talk and laugh and train without a heart? It had taken a tremendous effort to even stay at the dojo, to breathe the same air as Hawk did.

It had all been for nothing, the day had ended in a disaster no matter what she had tried. If Hawk had only respected her wishes—

But no. He had had to have it his way, like fucking always, and everything had gone straight to Hell. And now all their friends seemed to think it was her fault.

Sky felt like a crazy person. Crying and screaming and revealing her most horrible secrets in front of her Senseis had not been the way she had hoped to spend this day. Besides, it had proved that everything Hawk once had said about her and her stupid issues, was true. She wasn't only a slut - she was also fucking nuts.

Sky swallowed the bitter tears that burnt at the back of her throat and continued scrolling through Insta, to stop thinking about what had happened, but the phone wasn't much of a distraction. The photos only made her feel worse. Miggy had posted another one with Hawk, one where they were sparring in a garden - Sky recognized it as Hawk's backyard - and Hawk was shirtless. The beautiful, lean muscles of his body were like a work of art, it was impossible to look away. Sky remembered how those toned arms felt when he wrapped them around her, she remembered the scent of his skin, the warmth of his body, the way his heart beat under her touch when she laid her hand over the tattoo, her name carved into his skin—

Except that it wasn't there anymore. Hawk had covered that tattoo with another one, a grim reaper of all things. The symbol of love had been replaced with a symbol of death.

It made Sky's stomach turn, and angrily she closed the phone and tossed it away.

Why do I even care? We broke up months ago. Of course, he got rid of that stupid tattoo—

Suddenly Sky missed Cody so much she could barely breathe. She missed the way he held her hand, the way he listened when she talked. She missed the way he looked at her - like she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, like he saw wonders in her, things that were invisible to her own eyes.

Her fingers found the pendant that rested against her skin under the sweater, and she pulled it out. It was smooth and warm to her touch, the shape, and weight already familiar to her.

But it was just a necklace. Cody wasn't here. He was still skiing with his family, a couple of states over, and would only come home tomorrow. The sudden longing made Sky's heart heavy and she went to his Insta profile to check if he had posted any new photos, but the most recent ones were still the couple of shots of him with his siblings on the slope he had posted yesterday. All of them wore helmets, they had ski goggles that covered their eyes, but even if Sky could only see the lower part of Cody's face in the photos, she could tell that he looked happy. He was laughing, his smile was wild and carefree and Sky loved to see him like that.

Of all the people in the world, Cody was the most deserving of happiness.

So how could she call him and tell him how miserable she was feeling? He would leave everything to be here with her, he would leave that luxury cabin they were staying at, the card game nights with David and Leigh, the dinner parties with the rich friends of his parents, the fun he was having on the slope on his snowboard—

What right did Sky have to ask that of him? She was well aware of the fact that things were strained between Cody and his family. The last thing she wanted to do was to ruin this vacation that he seemed to be genuinely enjoying - just to whine to him about how broken-hearted she was after meeting her ex at karate.

He deserved better than that.

"So, how was karate? You feeling okay?" Someone asked, and Sky looked up to notice Dad in the doorway. He stood there in his jeans, a sweater, and slippers, his hands in his pockets, looking cozy and Christmasy, and Sky hated to be the one who was always dragging him down with her stupid issues.

But she wasn't going to lie to Dad. Not again. Not after everything they had been through. So she sat up, leaned her elbows on her knees, and admitted the truth.

"It was a disaster."

Dad frowned. "Oh? Is your head still giving you a hard time? Or the leg?"

Dad's question made Sky feel even worse. Her meltdown hadn't been the only humiliating part of this day - the way she had failed in every exercise was depressing. There was nothing left of the girl who had been the All Valley champion - she was dead and buried and only this pathetic cripple remained. The pity in Johnny's eyes was more than she could take and at one point she'd had to flee to the bathroom for half an hour because some simple spins had made her so sick she had thrown up and cried.

"Both," Sky made a face. "It's useless. I'm never gonna be good at karate again. But that's not all— Dad, Hawk was there."

Dad let out a sigh as he leaned his shoulder against the doorway.

"But you knew he was going to be there. I thought you were prepared. What happened?"

"He wanted to talk. I didn't."

Dad walked into the room and took a seat on the bed next to Sky. There was no judgment in his eyes - and Sky loved him fiercely for that, it was just what she needed. The text conversation she'd had with Sam after she had stormed out of the dojo, had left her feeling miserable. Sam had given her quite a speech that even if she understood that Sky was hurt, it wasn't fair to anyone else that she brought her relationship drama to the dojo. They all just wanted a fresh start, and - as Sam had pointed out - it was enough that their Senseis couldn't get along. They didn't need the students fighting too.

Sam probably hadn't meant it that way, but it made Sky feel like she should just quit. If everyone else wanted Hawk in the dojo instead of her, then maybe she should give them what they wanted. It wasn't like she could do any real karate anyways with all her injuries.

"Want to tell me what happened?"

Dad's tone was gentle, it was kind, it was understanding, and Sky knew she was incredibly lucky to have a father like that. His love was like an endless ocean, he would never abandon her, no matter what she did or said. Talking to him was easy, it was easier now than ever before because there were no lies, no secrets between them - and so she told him the whole story, starting from the moment she had seen Hawk enter the dojo, ending to her humiliating meltdown in front of everyone—

That still made her cheeks burn in shame, as the trembling words fell off her lips.

Everyone had heard. Demetri and Miguel, Sam, Chris, Nate, and Bert—

Now they all knew what had happened between her and Hawk. Now they all knew how stupid she had been, what a stupid slut she was for believing Hawk's lies when he had only ever been with her to get some pussy. It hurt like a knife in the gut, twisting and cutting her insides. And she couldn't help but think that maybe it was easy for everyone else to forgive Hawk, to give him another chance, because they thought she deserved what he had done to her? Maybe they all secretly agreed with the way he had treated her?

Angry tears of shame burnt in her eyes and she drew in a shaky breath after she finished telling her story to Dad and a moment of silence followed.

"Well, that could have gone better," Dad finally said, making Sky roll her eyes.

"You think? Maybe I should just quit. Looks like everyone would be happier that way."

"Don't be silly - you are not going to quit. I know you want to do karate, and that's where all your friends are," Dad stated firmly. "So we're just going to have to find a way to make this work."

"I honestly don't see how it could. Not as long as Hawk is there," Sky muttered. "The moment I see him, I just— It feels like I'm there on his front steps and he's telling me all those— those things again. I can't forgive him. I can't get over it. I don't understand how everyone else can just act like none of it matters—"

Dad sighed. "I know. You have every reason to be upset. I'm not telling you to forgive him or to forget, and I'm sure nobody is trying to force you to get back together with Eli or even to be friends with him. But I have to agree with Sam - you have to find a way to get along."

"Now you sound like Mr. LaRusso," Sky made a face. "He gave me this whole speech about how my emotions are only holding me back and that I need to let go of my hurt."

"Well, to me that sounds like good advice."

"I liked Johnny's advice better."

"Oh? Lord spare me that man's words of wisdom. What did he say?"

Sky couldn't help a small laugh. "That I should kick Hawk in the balls. Maybe I should try that."

Not that Sky was really going to kick Hawk, but she loved Johnny for that suggestion. He had been the only one in that room who had understood her perfectly - her hurt, her anger. For that, Sky wanted to find a way to continue karate. She wasn't ready to give up Johnny's advice, the take-no-shit attitude he could teach her. And who knew? Maybe Johnny was right about this too? Maybe a good kick in the balls would not only make her feel better but also teach Hawk not to be an asshole to girls? Or at least it could make him impotent - which would be great too.

Sky was sure Hawk had slept with a thousand girls since their breakup - and he had probably treated all of them like crap. The way Maya had cried after she had realized Hawk had only used her, still made Sky's stomach turn. That sweet, poor girl had deserved better, just like everyone who had been stupid enough to let Hawk between their legs.

"Look, Sky—" Dad said, and Sky dropped back into the moment. "Kick him if you please, and maybe that'll help with your anger, but we both know it's not the solution. I know this isn't something you want to hear, but… maybe Eli does deserve an opportunity to prove himself. Maybe he does deserve a second chance - not as your boyfriend, but as a human being who's trying to fix what he broke."

"What?" Sky frowned in disbelief. "Whose side are you on?"

"Yours, as always. But I do believe people deserve second chances, especially kids. As they say - just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn't mean they are lost forever."

Sky rolled her eyes at Dad. "Seriously? Who made you Professor X?"

"Well, I used to be a Professor, didn't I? Maybe you should listen to my words of wisdom." Dad continued, unaffected by Sky's stinging tone. "Just hear me out. So, Eli left Cobra Kai. He is trying to change. I thought that was what you wanted - or would you have preferred for him to stay in Cobra Kai forever?"

Why did Dad always have to be so fucking wise? Sky really hated it when he was right. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she drew her knees against her chest, leaning her chin on top of them. "Of course not. I am glad he quit Cobra Kai. But I just— I don't think he's really changed. And I don't trust him."

"It must have been so hard for Eli to leave and to apologize for the mess he caused. I'm sure that if he didn't truly want to change, he wouldn't have quit. And I'm not saying you need to trust him or let him near again. It's okay that you have moved on, and it's healthy that you set some boundaries. But you can try to treat Eli with decency, can't you? To see him as a fellow human being who is struggling. After all - Sky, where would you be if no one had done the same for you?"

Sky looked down to avoid Dad's eyes, as her cheeks heated with shame. Dad, Sam, Miggy, Demetri - they had all forgiven her for all the shit she had done and welcomed her back with open arms when Sky knew they had no reason to do so. But still, there was a difference. What she had done - drugs, suicide attempts - had mostly hurt herself. But what Hawk had done—

Well, he had almost gotten people killed. And even if Sky could one day find it in her heart to forgive what he had done to her - how could She forgive what Hawk and the Cobras had done to Cody? The memory of Cody's bruised face, his bloodstained sheets, was a sharp knife through Sky's heart. Hawk had almost killed Cody, and she couldn't forget it.

"I know he did horrible things," Dad spoke as if he could read her thoughts. "But none of us should be judged merely by the worst things we've done. We all carry both light and darkness in our hearts."

Sky felt the weight of his words in her chest. They formed a knot around her lungs, taking her breath away. Light and darkness, good and evil. Who was she to judge anyone else's character when she was so full of flaws herself?

"You want to watch a movie?" Dad asked then, with a gentler tone, marking this conversation as complete. "We still have that huge box of chocolates, and I could make you a latte? Days of future past seems fitting, I'd say?"

"Don't push it. Your Professor X moment is over," Sky replied and ran a hand through her hair as if it could clear her thoughts. "Besides, I have somewhere to be."

"Oh? And where's that?"

Sky climbed off the bed, and searched for her sneakers under it, found the pair, and stepped in them. The pink color crashed horribly with her red and green Christmas sweater, but she decided not to care. Where she was going, it hardly mattered what she was wearing.

"I need to kick someone in the balls."

I'm back!

Sorry for the delay, life happened.