chapter twenty, new person, same old mistakes

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          Hours had passed since Izzy got home from Cobra Kai, she cleaned her hand and was holding a ziploc bag full of ice on her knuckles. She sat in the living room with a hoodie on to keep her warm while the apartment was freezing, there was a frown on her lips as she looked down at her hand.

          She couldn't stop thinking about everything that happened at Cobra Kai and it made Izzy's head hurt, because all it did was scare her. But after tonight, Izzy was sure that Miyagi-Do was where she belonged. This must've been some fucked up goodbye from Cobra Kai.

          The apartment was quiet, but then there was a series of eager knocks on her front door that startled Izzy. She glanced up, looking at the door with her eyebrows furrowed. The impatient knocking continued and Izzy set the bag of ice down on the table in front of her and got to get the door.

          The moment she swung the door open, the person standing on the other pushed past Izzy and went inside, "Tell me you aren't in Cobra Kai again."

          Izzy turned her head, her eyes on Miguel who looked angry yet concerned, and it confused Izzy. Before she could even say anything, Miguel continued, "Please tell me. Look me in my face and–and tell me that." He asked the girl who stared at him.

           Izzy shook her head. "No.. no. I'm not in Cobra Kai. Who the hell told you that?" She questioned, closing the front door.

          "D–Demetri heard some student at Cobra Kai talking about it at his job—fuck, it doesn't matter, okay? Why are they saying you're back at Cobra Kai?" Miguel sounded stressed, like the last thing he wanted was for Izzy to go back to the place he knew she hated most.

          If she did end up going back, he was ready to get her out, again. Broken up or not.

          The girl opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She shook her head, like Izzy didn't know what to tell him. She was scared of him finding out about Silver paying the referee, or Riley attacking her, or what happened earlier. Miguel waited for her to say something, to say anything, but she didn't.

          "I'm–I'm sorry that I came over here when you need your space, but Izzy, I–" Miguel paused, looking at the girl, thinking about his next few words, "I don't want to see Cobra Kai hurt you. Again."

          Izzy felt tears form in her eyes as she heard him talk, because he was too late. She just shook her head, "Miguel, you need to go–" Izzy started, but the boy caught a glimpse of her hand and he froze for a second.

          She was quick to realize he noticed and a sigh left her lips, moving her hand slightly behind her back to hide it. It was quiet as Miguel's eyes shifted to Izzy's face and she avoided eye contact.

          "Izzy.. what happened?" His voice was lower and sounded worried, remembering when he found her in her bathroom the night of prom, and he immediately got an awful feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Miguel's eyes quickly scanned the room, and it was almost a relief that he didn't see any alcohol anywhere, but he noticed the bag of ice and he looked back at Izzy. She looked like she had so much to tell him, but couldn't find the right words to say.

          "Did someone do that to you?" Miguel then asked, a certain protectiveness coming out of him, but Izzy quickly shook her head.

          "Miguel, please go. You–you just need to leave me alone, okay?" Izzy was trying her hardest to fight the tears, her voice was shaky and it sounded like she was lying, like it was the fear of Cobra Kai talking.

"Why are you pushing me away right now? Izzy, you're hurt. I.. I can't walk out of here without knowing what happened. I won't." Miguel explained and she could tell he was getting frustrated.

Izzy inhaled a deep breath, quickly wiping away a few tears that slipped out of her eye when she blinked. "It–It was Cobra Kai, okay? I went there after you and Robby dropped me off and they–they made me break stone.." Izzy trailed off, her voice shaking as she explained it. "Are you happy?" She rhetorically asked now that he knew.

"Oh my god, Izzy," Miguel took a step toward Izzy, but she took a step back, glancing over at him to meet his eyes. "They didn't do anything else, did they? Izzy, I swear–"

Izzy hesitated, wanting to tell him about Riley and that what she did was the reason why Izzy wanted a break in the first place, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew it would just add more salt to the wound. So, Izzy just shook her head, but Miguel couldn't tell if she was lying or not.

"No. No, I–" This was all too much for Izzy and she felt overwhelmed, "Please don't worry about me, okay?"

          Miguel looked at her for a second, his eyebrows slightly furrowing. "Why.. why did they make you break stone?" He asked her, trying to make sense of what she went through.

          A sigh left Izzy's lips as the two stared at each other, "I don't know, it was some fucked up way to prove I was a champion and all it did was give me a hurt hand." There was a quiet laugh that left Izzy's lips, but Miguel didn't think it was as funny.

          She glanced away as they fell into a silence, Miguel feeling like this was all of his fault for some reason. He wanted to help Izzy, he wanted to drop everything and worry about her, but Izzy was pushing him away and she wouldn't tell him why. And before, Miguel would be the first person she would've gone to. Miguel just wanted to know why, but Izzy seemed too scared to tell him.

         "Who did it? I mean, who was the one that made you break it?" Miguel then asked, taking a step toward Izzy again and this time she didn't move, "I'll tell Sensei's and they can do something–or I'll do something myself, Izzy–"

          "No," Izzy was quick to cut him off, "Please don't tell anyone." Izzy muttered, looking down at her knuckles before her eyes shifting to see Miguel staring at her hand. "I don't want this to be a big deal and I–I didn't even want you to find out." She explained, watching his eyes move to look at her.

          "Wait, why.. why didn't you want me to find out?" He sounded offended, because a part of him was.

          Izzy let out a frustrated huff, "Because, Miguel, I knew you would do this. I knew somehow you would find out, and you would come over, and do.. this." Her voice raised slightly and Miguel just looked confused by her words.

          "'This'? What am I doing? Caring about you?" Miguel questioned, her voice getting slightly louder, "I can't just not care about you, Izzy, I–" He shut himself up, but Izzy didn't seem to catch what was about to slip out of his mouth.

          The girl gestured to him, "You're reminding me that you exist. Everywhere I go, you're always somewhere. It's frustrating, Miguel, because.. because now you're standing here when I.. don't even know if you're the first or last person I want to be seeing right now." Izzy explained, talking quickly as her emotions began to take control.

Miguel processed what she said for a few seconds, but then he nodded at her words like he understood, but he almost looked sad. "You want to forget I exist?" He asked, knitting his eyebrows together.

Izzy quickly realized how her words came out, and it must've seemed like she wanted to forget about him and what they have—when it was the complete opposite. The girl shook her head, but a nervous laugh came from her lips.

"No, no, Miguel. I–I didn't mean it like that, I just–" Izzy cut herself off, stumbling over her words and briefly closed her eyes. She realized that she had probably fucked everything up even more. "I don't want to forget, I don't even think I can, I–"

All Miguel could do was nod, "No, yeah, it's fine. I know what you meant. I'm sorry for coming over here," Miguel cut her off with an apology, "I'll leave you alone." He sounded like someone had just ripped his heart out and tore it in half.

Izzy watched as he walked past her, she wanted to stop him and tell him the truth, but she felt angry and Izzy couldn't tell if she was mad at herself, or Cobra Kai, or even Miguel. She was angry and she felt like she was officially at rock bottom.

Miguel opened the front door and glanced back at Izzy who was staring at him, "I'll see you later." He muttered dryly with a forced smile on his lips and walked out of the door, shutting it behind himself.

The girl stood in her place, feeling her lip quiver the moment she tried to stop herself from crying out of anger, or heartbreak, or both. All she could do was grab her bag of ice and lock herself in her bedroom, shutting herself out from reality.

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          Seeing Miguel for the first time after what Izzy assumed to be a fight, it was a lot more tense than she expected. It was easy to stay away from each other, though, because with the Sekai Taiki giving a chance for Miyagi-Do to have a spot, they all had to be on their best behavior.

          Miyagi-Do also seemed to get bonus points for having a Cobra Kai champion, apparently that was a good thing.

After practice though, all of the students were invited over to the LaRusso household and Izzy felt like an intruder for some reason. She currently stood on the front porch by herself, hearing the commotion going on inside after showing up a little late. Izzy glanced at the doorbell and reached over to press it, hearing the loud sound come from inside.

          It didn't take long for the door to swing open, but Izzy wasn't expecting Sam to be the one to answer the door. "Oh," Sam muttered, "Hey, come in." She told the other, opening the door wider.

          "Thanks," Izzy forced a smile to her lips as she walked inside. "Nice house," She said, observing the LaRusso home as Sam stood by her side.

          A laugh came from Sam and it made Izzy look over with furrowed eyebrows, "Thanks. Uh, they're all in there deciding which boy should represent us in the fight, then they'll talk to us." Sam explained.

          Izzy nodded, her eyes shifting elsewhere as an awkward silence filled the air, until Sam spoke again to Izzy's surprise. "Do you want to go wait out back? The kitchen is crowded with boys, it's kind of annoying." Sam asked.

         The sudden kindness from Sam confused Izzy, but she just nodded and followed Sam to the backyard where the two girls sat down at a table out back. They were both quiet, not really knowing what to say, and Izzy has never felt more awkward in her entire life. They did not like each other, or at least that's where Izzy thought they stood, but something felt different.

           And to Izzy's surprise, again, Sam suddenly apologized. "I'm sorry for how I treated you when you and Miguel were dating.. or fake dating," Sam shrugged, letting out a quiet laugh, "After the tournament, I was so angry that I lost, especially to you, I felt so.. unbalanced." Sam explained.

          "Yeah, I know how that feels." Izzy muttered.

          Sam continued talking, "I thought you were going to be just like Tory, so I guess.. I was threatened by you.. or jealous or something." The LaRusso girl sighed, her eyes elsewhere as Izzy stared at her.

          Izzy noticed the scar on Sam's upper arm from the short sleeve she was wearing and it made Izzy remember the scar she currently has on her arm from Riley. She wore another cardigan again, over the sundress she had on, because Izzy was hiding the scar to avoid anyone finding out about what actually happened.

          "Um, is that from the fight at the school?" Izzy spoke up, pointing to her arm, and Sam's eyebrows knitted together as she looked down at where Izzy was pointing.

          "Oh, yeah. I was really insecure about it when it first happened, but.. I accepted that it'll never go away, so I have to own it." Sam sighed, looking over at Izzy who seemed like she was contemplating something from the look on her face and how quiet she was.

          A sigh left Izzy's lips as her eyes trailed from Sam's scar to her face. "Can I show you something?" She asked quietly and Sam replied with a simple nod.

          Sam watched as Izzy took the cardigan off, setting it on her lap, and then turned her arm outwards, and Sam noticed the long scar on Izzy's arm. The LaRusso girl tensed up and let out a quiet breath, "Oh my god, who did that to you?" Sam asked, her eyes on the scar.

          Izzy hesitated for a second, but if there was one person she felt like would understand, it was Sam.

          "Riley. Yeah, she's in Cobra Kai now and that psychotic bitch broke into my apartment and attacked me last week." Izzy shrugged, explaining like it was normal. "I couldn't even tell Miguel."

          This was all deja vu for Sam, because she had gone through the same thing with Tory. Sam just shook her head as her eyes moved to look at Izzy's face. "Is that why you broke up with him?" Sam asked quietly.

          All Izzy could do was nod, going to put her cardigan back on, not wanting to look at the scar any longer. "Yeah. I don't know if they were trying to scare me into going back to Cobra Kai, or to break up with Miguel, or both. Either way, it worked." Izzy shrugged, leaning back in her chair.

          "But you didn't want to break up with him," Sam thought out loud and Izzy nodded.

          "I really didn't, but Cobra Kai–Riley–forced me to." Izzy explained, "And we had this.. sort of fight a few days ago and I feel like I just messed everything up. I can't even tell him the reason I broke up with him is because Riley attacked me. He'll–he'll freak out. He freaked out when he saw my hand." Izzy held her hand up to show her bruised knuckles, but Sam immediately looked concerned.

          Izzy noticed her facial expression change when Sam saw her hand. "Oh, shit, yeah. They–they made me go back to Cobra Kai to break stone. Apparently lo–" Izzy stopped herself before she said the word, quickly disguising it, "–liking, really liking, a boy makes you weak." She explained.

           "Izzy, I am so sorry," Sam apologized and it seemed genuine and real, "You're not going back there.. right?" She asked.

An uneasy laugh came from Izzy, but then she shook her head. "No, I–I'm not going back there, probably like ever. I really like Miyagi-Do so far." Izzy confessed.

A smile appeared on Sam's lips, "Wait until my dad makes you start from the beginning. You'll be doing 'wax on, wax off' in your sleep." Sam laughed, her words causing Izzy to smile and knit her eyebrows together.

"'Wax on, wax off'? Ew, that sounds miserable." Izzy joked, watching Sam nod through her laughter.

They both fell into a comfortable silence, but then Sam glanced over at Izzy. "I think you should tell Miguel about what happened with Riley. It doesn't have to be tonight, and I know it's hard to talk about it, but.. Miguel really cares you, Izzy." Sam explained.

          "And he seriously likes you. I think he might even love you." Sam then said and it made Izzy sit up a little bit, a million questions popping into her mind.

They were interrupted by the sound of the back door opening, both of them turning in their chairs to see their three Sensei's walking lit to them. "We've been looking for you two." Mr. LaRusso spoke.

Now Izzy won't be able to get what Sam said out of her head.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. We just came out here to wait until you guys were done." Sam explained to her dad who looked surprised that Samantha LaRusso and Isobel Vera were getting along.

Izzy let out a sigh then spoke up after the other girl, "So, who'd you end up choosing out of the boys?" She asked.

"Miguel and Robby both agreed to have Hawk represent us," Johnny explained, "So that leaves it up to you two ladies." He pointed to the two girls who shared a look.

"It'd be pretty badass if Cobra Kai's champion was now representing us, just saying." Johnny then explained, looking over at Izzy who quietly laughed at his words.

Chosen Toguchi nodded, "No pressure." He spoke, but he made it sound like there was a lot of pressure.

Izzy opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out and she looked over at Sam who was smiling at her. The LaRusso girl nodded her head, like she thought Izzy deserved to have this moment against Cobra Kai and whoever they chose for their female fighter. Izzy smiled back at the girl as she thought about it for a few more seconds.

"Uh," Izzy huffed, looking back at the three Sensei's staring at her, "I'd love to–" She was cut off by Johnny letting out a quiet 'hell yeah' with a fist bump.

"But.. I think Sam should be the one to fight." Izzy told them.

Sam was surprised as she looked at Izzy, usually Sam would've been mad that they wanted Izzy, but she did win the All Valley so she expected them to want her. Sam didn't expect for Izzy to give the fight to Sam.

"Seriously?" Sam questioned, her eyes on Izzy who looked over at her and nodded.

"Seriously." Izzy confirmed, she wanted to say it was because the whole All Valley was rigged and Sam could've won just as much as Izzy could have. But Izzy didn't say that. "I had my moment at the All Valley. Sam deserves hers." Izzy told them.

          If you told Izzy before she ran off to Mexico that she and Miguel would be broken up (despite still being in love with him) and that she'd be friends with Samantha LaRusso, she would have called you delusional. A lot of other mean insults things too.

          "What do you say, Sam?" Mr. LaRusso smiled at his daughter who was taken aback by what Izzy had just done.

          "Yeah! I mean– yes, I can do this." Sam nodded, earning a smile from the three Sensei's and even Izzy as well. She looked over at Izzy and told her 'thank you' with a look on her face, and Izzy nodded as a way to say 'you're welcome'.

          Who knew having an enemy turn into a friend was such a refreshing feeling? It gave Izzy a little bit of hope, because maybe she hasn't hit rock bottom just yet.

When they all went back inside of the LaRusso house, Izzy wandered around trying to find the bathroom, and she had strayed too far to ask anyone where it was. She really underestimated how big this house seemed to be. Izzy reached a hallway and came across a shut door, going with her instinct that it belonged to the bathroom.

Just as she went to open it, whoever was inside opened it as well and startled Izzy, but she couldn't tell if it eased her nerves or made them worse when she saw it was Miguel.

          "Oh," Miguel muttered, smiling a little bit when he saw Izzy, but quickly stepped out of the bathroom and moving into the hallway.

"Sorry, I didn't know where the bathroom was and this house is huge, so.." Izzy trailed off.

Miguel let out a nervous laugh, "Well, it's–it's right here." He gestured to the bathroom.

Izzy nodded, "Yeah–yeah, I noticed." A small smile appearing on her lips, letting out a quiet sigh.

Neither of them really knew where they stood right now, but there was a tension in the air that couldn't seem to go away. Izzy hated it, she wanted to go back to when she could sit next to Miguel and be happy. It was a different type of heartbreak when you're forced apart from the boy you're in love with, bonus points if was a psycho bitch was the reason for it.

          "Uh, are you fighting in the Sekai Taikai?" Miguel asked, but Izzy shook her head.

           "No. They wanted me to, but I let Sam have it. I think we're kind of.. friends now." Izzy told the boy, making a face like it was unexpected and a shocked expression came across Miguel's face, Izzy nodded to tell him she felt the same way.

         "Wow, I never thought I'd live to see the day." Miguel joked, smiling a little bit when he saw the corner of Izzy's lips twitch upward into a smile.

A sigh left Izzy's mouth as she shrugged, "I don't know, I feel like we both would kick some ass if it was us two doing it." She admitted, both of their eyes on the other.

His smile just grew wider hearing her words. "You think so?" Miguel questioned her, his eyebrows furrowing together.

          Izzy crossed her arms over her chest, "I know so." She answered.

Miguel couldn't wipe the smile on his face, it felt like how it used to be—how it was supposed to be. But then Miguel remembered that they were broken up and a huff left his lips as his smile slowly faded. But then he noticed Izzy's arms crossed over her chest.

"How does your hand feel?" Miguel then asked, his voice was more soft, like he was still worried.

"Oh," Izzy muttered, "It's fine. It's better, I guess. I've been taking care of it." She reassured him.

A small smile reappeared on his lips and he nodded, "Good. If you need anything, I'm–I'm here, always. You know that. Even right now, with your space and all.." Miguel trailed off, feeling himself begin to ramble and a deep breath came from his mouth.

Izzy muttered out a quiet 'I know' with a grin on her lips. Miguel glanced behind him, then back at Izzy, "I should probably head back. I'll see you soon?" Miguel asked the girl and watched her nod before he turned to leave down the hallway.

Just when she was beginning to feel hopeful, reality had to kick her in the face, and she no longer felt like the Isobel Vera she was months ago. And Izzy couldn't tell if that was good or bad.

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authors note.
the closer i get to finishing this book, the more sad i get because i'm attached to this fic and show. i need season 6 NOW.

but like what if i made an au prequel with this book and wrote izzy into season 1-3, i'm really thinking about it

sam and izzy became friends and everyone cheered <3

( gif made by saevrz )