"How's your Mom holding up?" Miguel asked, making Hawk briefly glance at his friend who sat in the passenger seat.

"Okay, you know, considering—" he shrugged and returned his attention to the traffic, slowing down for the red lights. "I mean, she's crying and stuff— but I think she's kinda relieved too. At least now she knows why Dad was away all the time, and why he was so fucking cranky."

"And you?" Miguel hesitated before continuing. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Hawk muttered, realizing that he sounded just like everyone who said I'm fine when in reality, they weren't fine at all. "I am. I'm glad to finally get rid of that asshole."

A short silence followed his words, as if Miguel wanted to say something, but then decided not to - which Hawk greatly appreciated. They were in his car, driving to school. Picking Miguel up meant a longer route and waking up 15 minutes earlier, but Hawk didn't really mind it. He knew that if Carmen was working the morning shift, Miguel would have to take the school bus - which always sucked. Miguel still didn't have a license, and even if he had - it wasn't like Carmen could afford to buy another car.

So at least a couple of times a week, Hawk picked Miguel up and drove to school with him and Demetri. He tried to act all cool about it, but some days it really hit him - the fact that he actually had friends who wanted to sit in the car with him, who cared about how he was doing, who wanted to spend time with him.

After everything he had done, it was a fucking miracle.

"Mom asked to let you know that you and your Mom are welcome to have dinner with us any day you want," Demetri said from the back seat. "Or every day. You know how much she loves cooking, it's no trouble at all. She also called your Dad with pretty bad names, which I'm not going to repeat, even if I do wholeheartedly agree with her. To be honest, I wasn't aware that my Mom had such words in her vocabulary."

"Yeah, well, my Dad has that effect on people," Hawk replied with a sigh.

"Have you heard anything from him?" Miguel asked.

Hawk swallowed, a sudden emotion getting caught in his throat. The memory of what Dad had said on the beach - deformed, disappointment, never normal - was still heavy on his chest. He was angry at Dad for everything that had happened, he was incredibly happy that Dad was leaving - but still, it hurt that Dad hadn't even bothered to call or text him. Not an apology, not an explanation, nothing. A small part of him had hoped that Dad would have seen how hurt he was, that there would have been even a small flicker of humanity in Dad— that maybe even if he was leaving them and getting divorced with Mom, he would have wanted to keep in contact with him, but—

Stupid. It's never going to happen. He never cared about me and he's just happy he doesn't have to pretend anymore.

But from the deep, dark waters, painful memories slithered toward the surface - memories of Dad when he had still been just a kid. Dad helping him ride a bike, laughing, his hand on his shoulder. Dad taking him to baseball games, buying him an ice cream sundae at the mall, Dad reading a comic book to him— and it hurt so much that all that was gone now, gone and tarnished and destroyed, and maybe none of it had been real in the first place. Even the good memories he had of Dad, would now never be the same.

It was one thing to lose Dad, but to lose the memories too, was somehow even worse. It felt like losing parts of his soul.

Hawk was thankful for the fact that he was the one driving - it gave him an excuse to not answer right away, to wait until that emotion had passed. He was happy that Mom was finally divorcing Dad. He was happy. He was better off without that piece of shit.

"Haven't heard from him, but whatever. It's not like I wanna talk to him." His words came out a bit tense, sharp, and harsh. A short silence followed them. "I'm just glad he's gonna be gone for good. Mom said he's coming to get his things sometime this week."

"Oh, so you're not moving away after all?" Demetri asked, sounding pleased. "I guess I speak for all of us when I say that's the best possible outcome."

"Yeah. Turns out Dad was full of shit. All that talk about how his money paid for the roof over our heads… it wasn't even true. Mom says she can afford to keep the house, no problem."

He didn't tell what Mom had added, though - that things would be tough. She would have to use all her savings, and Hawk would have to choose if he wanted to keep his car or his bike - they couldn't afford both now. For some years to come they would have to count every penny - there would be no vacations, no expensive gifts at birthdays or Hanukkah, no fun weekend getaways or anything like that—

But Hawk didn't even care. He was so fucking happy that they didn't have to move, that he could stay in his home, in his room, in their house that was just across the street from Demetri's, that he would have gladly given up more than just his bike and his birthday gifts. In fact, he had told Mom he would get a job and start helping with the expenses.

He was now the man in the house and he needed to start acting like it. It was his job now, to take care of Mom.

Thinking about Mom felt like a knife twisting in his gut, and he quickly pushed that thought away. He wasn't going to think about her now, her hurt, her tears— he wanted to keep them at arm's length, to be able to somehow get through this day.

Instead, he started thinking about Sky.

God— he couldn't believe it was really true. The kisses, making love, her words "I love you too—" That memory took his breath away and made his heart thump painfully against his ribs. His fingers gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter.

How was it even possible that the best thing in his life was happening at the same time as the worst? How was it possible to be this fucking ecstatic about one thing, and so incredibly sad and angry about something else?

It felt like his chest would collapse.

Hawk glanced at Miggy, and then at Demetri through the mirror, and licked his lips nervously. He hated keeping this a secret. More than anything, he wanted to tell his friends about what had happened but—

"Please, can we keep this between us—" Sky had pleaded, tears in her eyes. "Can you– can you promise not to tell anyone yet?"

No matter how hard, he wasn't going to break her trust. Not again. So, he had to keep quiet about the most amazing thing that had happened to him since forever, at least until Sky'd had chance to talk with Cody and dump him.

After that, they could finally get back together for real.

And this time Hawk would do everything right. He would take Sky on dates, on amazing dates, romantic walks on the beach, and stuff like that— whatever she wanted. He would buy her gifts - cute plushies and chocolates and… something really pretty? He wanted to give her golden bracelets and diamond rings and—

Yeah, right. With what money? Even if I got a job, Mom's gonna need all the money I can make. I can't afford to spend it on Sky.

Suddenly he remembered the phoenix pendant he'd given her, and his heart twisted painfully in his chest. If only he still had it— he could give it back to Sky.

A symbol of his love for her, It had been expensive - he had spent the majority of his savings on that thing. She had fucking loved it, had worn it all the time - until the horrible day when she had ripped it off and thrown it onto the floor in the middle of the scattered Lego blocks.

When Hawk had gone to the cafeteria the next time, the Legos and the pendant had been gone. The janitor had probably thrown them into the trash, or maybe someone had stolen that pendant. That thought brought a bitter taste to Hawk's lips, even if it had happened months ago.

He wanted to be able to give her more gifts like that - things that made her smile, that made her eyes sparkle with joy and love. Sky had adored that pendant. It had looked amazing on her too, resting between her collarbones, the golden tail feathers curving downward, always drawing Hawk's eyes to the valley between her small, beautiful breasts—

Her breasts.

Suddenly his mouth went dry with wanting. All too clearly he remembered how her boobs felt as he grabbed them, kissed them, sucked them so hard that she whined and whimpered. The softness of her skin, the perfectly round shape of her tits, and Oh God, her nipples - hard like cranberries on his tongue—

"Hawk—!" Miguel's voice cut through Hawk's pleasant daydreaming, and abruptly he dropped back into the driver's seat. "Where are you going? You turned the wrong way."

"Shit," Hawk cursed, his cheeks heating. "Sorry. I was— distracted."

"It's okay," said Demetri with a kind, understanding tone. "We get it. With everything that's going on with your parents, not to mention the tension between the dojos— plus the fact that we have that math test tomorrow. Have you even started studying for that, Eli? If you want to, you could come over tonight after karate, I could help you."

"Yeah, okay, maybe."

Hawk gripped the steering wheel harder with his sweaty palms, and made a U-turn at the next lights, heading back towards the school. He was only half-listening to Demetri who was still going on about the math test and how he found the teacher's instructions somewhat insufficient. Math test - right. Hawk had forgotten all about it. At this moment, some random math test meant absolutely nothing to him. What he really wanted wanted to do, was to talk to Sky.

He hadn't seen her since walking out of her house the day before yesterday, and the need to be with her was growing by the minute. He was very much aware of the fact that they needed to talk about what had happened, and about what they wanted to happen. Hell - Hawk knew exactly what he wanted - he wanted to tell her he loved her, every fucking day. He wanted to take her hand in public and call her his girlfriend. He wanted to take her on fucking amazing dates and then carry her into his bed and make love to her again and again and again, making up for all the time lost—

Jeez— stop thinking about the sex already. Can't get a boner now. Gotta go to school—

Determinedly he pushed the image of Sky's naked body off his mind. This wasn't the time or the place to be thinking about that— besides, he had a feeling they wouldn't be having sex again anytime soon. She still needed to dump Cody, and even after that— Hawk suspected that she'd want to take things slow.

It was fine by him. He'd wait as long as she asked him to. Though, from previous experiences, he had a hunch that when she said she wanted to take things slow, that decision didn't usually last long. Like when they'd been on the break and he had flown to Italy to meet her - she had said she wanted to take things slow - and yet in less than a week, he'd been fucking her in the bathroom of the villa. Or when they had gotten back together after the school fight, and she had said she wanted to start over - well, only a couple of days after that she'd been giving him handjobs in his basement while watching Antman.

So maybe he wouldn't have to wait for long this time either. Besides, she had said she loved him— That thought made a smile tug at the corner of Hawk's mouth as he finally managed to drive to the parking lot of the school, find an empty spot, and park the car.

"You coming to the dojo today?" Miguel asked, gathering his things, when Hawk turned off the engine.

"Sure. Why wouldn't I be?"

Miguel shrugged. "I don't know. If your Mom needs your help with something."

"Dude, I'm not quitting karate just because my parents are getting divorced."

Hawk opened the door and stepped out of the car thinking about what Miguel had said. The dojo— would Sky be there? God, he hoped she would— but she had said she'd meet Cody today after school, so maybe not—

He didn't see the punch coming.

One moment he was standing next to his car, thinking about Sky, and the next he was spitting blood onto the ground, barely able to stay on his feet.

Groaning, he straightened just in time to block the next punch, and the next one, trying to back away from his attacker, but Cody's fists were fast and hard and ruthless - it took all Hawk had to not get hit.

"Stop it—!" He yelled, blocking yet another fierce strike - wax on, wax off -moves already coming to him as naturally as breathing.

His back hit the car, but Cody just kept coming at him and the fierce elbow strike was so fast Hawk barely managed to block it. He shoved Cody away, managing to push the other boy off balance which gave him a moment—

"Cody, stop!" That was Miguel, who grabbed Cody's arm trying to intervene. "What the fuck are you doing?"

Cody ripped his arm free and pushed Miguel back with force. "Stay out of this! He slept with my girlfriend—!"

"What?" Miguel frowned in disbelief. "No he didn't—"

The weight on Hawk's chest was crushing. He hated that feeling, the guilt and the anger that took his breath away. Sky had wanted no one to know, and now—

Cody was making a fucking scene, it wasn't just Miguel and Demetri who witnessed things fall apart. There was a whole crowd around them, kids shouting and pointing fingers, some already filming with their phones, attracted to the fight like birds of prey, feeding off Hawk's misery and the delight of witnessing sudden violence.

He had to stop this, he fucking had to, before it was all over social media—

"I'm sorry—" he groaned. "I didn't mean to. It just—"

"Don't tell me it just fucking happened!" Cody yelled, his voice breaking. "Don't tell me you're sorry! You fucking asshole! You had no right— no right – to touch her!"

Sudden anger roared in Hawk's chest.

"Well t's not like I forced her!" He spat the words out. "She fucking wanted it! Maybe you just couldn't keep her satisfied!"

Cody's only reply was a wordless cry as he attacked again, managing to break free from both Miguel and Demetri. Hawk staggered back, but Cody's kicks and punches were fierce, fast, unhinged, and no matter how hard Hawk tried to defend himself, he was still getting hit, he tasted the sharp copper of blood on his lips.

That fucking asshole—

I have to finish this—!

His fist met Cody's nose with a sickening crunch, blood poured out of his nostrils, painting his face red as he staggered back a couple of steps.

"She fucking loves me!" Hawk yelled, spitting blood and anger. "She said so! She loves me, not you, so back the fuck off—"

"Shut up! You fucking liar—"

Cody's kick landed on Hawk's gut, throwing him against the car, knocking the air out of his lungs. His ears were ringing, he didn't even hear his own rage and pain-filled groan as he pushed himself off the car and retaliated.

And then they were on the ground, wrestling and punching each other like in the worst kind of a street fight. This wasn't karate anymore, or Muay Thai, all the techniques had flown out of the window. They were rolling on the ground, spitting blood and curses, fists meeting faces, guts, ribs.

He was on the top, pushing Cody down on the cold, hard ground, his fist was hammering his face, he was panting, groaning, breathing anger in like fire, he was burning with rage—

Someone was screaming, screaming so hard it hurt his ears, and grabbing his fist that was just about crash into Cody's face.

"Don't hurt him! Don't hurt him! Stopitstopitstopit—!"

Sky.

Oh God—

His fist stopped in mid-air, blood dripping from his knuckles to the ground next to Cody's face which was bruised, cut and painted red.

Arms grabbed Hawk from behind and pulled him off Cody, and he let that happen. He fell heavily on the ground on his ass, fighting to catch his breath through the pain that radiated through his body. The burst of anger was dying, being replaced by a cold, sickening feeling of regret.

Cody was lying on the ground, his chest heaving with pained, strangled breaths. The tears that ran down his face mixed with the streams of blood that poured from his nose, from the cuts on his cheeks. His lips were drawn back, revealing the sharp, bloodied teeth.

"You should have just killed me—!" He sobbed. "You should— should've just killed me— I'd rather be dead— than be without her."

Hawk felt his words like a punch in the gut. He wanted to say something, anything, that he was sorry, that he hadn't meant to cause this, that he didn't want to kill Cody, he never had—

But his mouth opened and closed without any words, and then Miguel and Demetri were dragging him up onto his feet, and some of Cody's friends were helping him— the fat kid who was the editor-in-chief of the school paper helped Cody up and started leading him away from the scene, and it was over.

In the middle of the parking lot, stood Sky. Her slender shoulders were shaking and tears were running down her face as she grabbed her bloodstained backpack that had fallen to the ground, and ran to her car.

She didn't look back as she steered away, tires screeching.