❛ I like a challenge. ❜

     Mona slept with Sam LaRusso.

She didn't have any regrets about it, and Sam didn't either. But now Mona knew that she would have to explain to Sam the same thing she had told Miguel.

She didn't want a relationship.

Mona woke up before Sam, turning on her side to face the girl.

Sam was still fast asleep, and Mona could not blame her. Last night had definitely been... wild.

She decided to let Sam sleep, checking the time on her phone. Mona had to be at Cobra Kai in a bit for training. But she supposed she could stay in the bed a little while longer.

Mona was scrolling through her phone when Sam woke up, blinking slowly as she came to. Looking over, Mona smiled.

"Good morning, Sammy."

Sam yawned, smiling in a bit of daze. "Hi," she replied, meeting Mona's eyes. She recalled last night, looking up at Mona with admiration.

"Sleep well?" Mona asked, setting her phone down.

Sam sat up, pushing her hair out her face with a sly grin. "I guess you could say that. How about you?"

Mona laughed softly. "I slept just fine. You're good at cuddling."

The LaRusso girl laughed in response, making eye contact with Mona. Sam leaned in slowly, closing her eyes to kiss Mona.

"We need to talk," Mona stopped her, shifting a little.

Sam opened her eyes, frowning. "O-Okay. About what?"

Mona pursed her lips, sighing deeply.

"You remember the other night when I told you I didn't want commitment, right?"

Sam slowly nodded.

Mona continued, "Yeah. It doesn't have anything to do with you, because I really enjoyed last night. But I just... don't want anything serious."

There was hurt in Sam's eyes as she stared at Mona for a moment. Finally, she nodded.

"I-I understand. Totally. Thanks for, um– thanks for being honest," Sam replied.

Mona glanced down. She was surprised by how well that went. She looked back up at once.

"But you know, that doesn't mean we can't continue doing what we're doing," Mona said, tilting her head.

Sam narrowed her eyes. "Elaborate."

Mona smirked slightly. "Well... we could make this a regular thing if you want. Just– with no commitments."

"So you want to be friends with benefits?" Sam returned quickly, arching an eyebrow.

The other girl shrugged. "You said it, not me."

Sam frowned a bit, looking away. Mona watched her, waiting for her to say something.

"I don't know if I can do that," Sam muttered quietly.

Mona remained stoic. "Why's that?"

Sam swallowed, shaking her head. "Because, Mona. I–"

She looked up at Mona, meeting her eyes. "I like you. As in... I want to be in a relationship with you."

Mona raised an eyebrow, leaning back.

"Hold on, let's slow down here. We just met, like– two weeks ago," Mona replied. Sam looked hurt, studying Mona.

Sam inhaled sharply. "So you don't have any feelings for me? At all?"

Mona pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sam, that's not what I'm saying–"

"So then what are you saying? That you only want me around to fuck?"

Mona simply gazed at her. She climbed out of bed at once, Sam leering at her.

"Are you gonna answer my question?" she pressed, standing up as well.

Mona began gathering her things, rolling her eyes. She stopped, facing Sam.

"Why don't we have this talk when you're less emotional, hm?"

Sam scoffed, folding her arms. "No, we can have it right now."

Mona paused, glancing at the ground. She set her bag on the bed, raising her head to look at Sam on the other side.

"Yes, Sam," Mona spoke calmly, raising her shoulders. "I just want to fuck you. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Sam's chin quivered. She pursed her lips, breaking away from Mona's gaze.

"I think you should go," she said quietly.

Mona laughed sarcastically. "Don't worry, I'm already on it."

She finished putting her things in her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. Mona started for the door, then stopped and turned around.

"Just a word of advice, Sammy? Don't be so quick to make assumptions, and maybe then you'll stop fucking up all your relationships."

Mona smiled cynically before opening the door and walking out.

Sam stood there, sniffling a little. She felt like everything was her fault now, and she didn't even know why.

So Sam decided to do something she shouldn't have done.

She was going to try and make Mona jealous.

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     Miguel could tell something was bothering Mona.

She had been particularly quiet at practice, barely exchanging a word with anyone. When Johnny gave them a break, he walked up to her.

"Hey," he said softly.

Mona looked up at him, smiling briefly. "Hey Miggy. What's up?"

He folded his hands behind him. "Not much. Um... are you alright?"

Mona nodded casually. "Yeah, why?"

Miguel shook his head, glancing down.

"No reason. You've just been kinda quiet today."

She laughed softly, nudging him. "You don't have to worry about me. So, what are you doing tonight?"

Miguel's heart skipped a beat. "Uh, nothing," he quickly replied.

Mona raised her head, tapping her chin. "You wanna come over to my house?"

He raised his shoulders, flustered and stammering.

"Oh– I mean, yeah. Yeah, I can," Miguel nodded, clearing his throat.

Mona's lips curled into a small smile. "Cool. I'll text you my address."

They went back to their training after the break was up. Mona was paired up with Hawk today.

"So, why exactly did they start calling you Hawk? Is it because of your mohawk?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Did they start calling you Mona because you look like Mona Lisa?"

Mona paused, dropping her hands.

"In what way do I look like Mona Lisa?"

Hawk shrugged. "I was just asking."

She rolled her eyes, putting her hands back up and throwing a punch.

"My full name is Simone. I've been called Mona since I was little."

He blocked her punches, glancing down. "My real name is Eli," he admitted. "But don't call me that."

Mona halfway laughed. "Eli? Yeah, no, I'm definitely not calling you that. I like the new color, though."

Hawk smiled a little. "Thanks. Your hair is cool too."

"I know," she replied, deflecting Hawk's strike and bringing her own fist around to punch him in the chest.

He stumbled back with a slight groan, laughing. Hawk looked over at Miguel and Tory who were sparring together, but they both had eyes on Mona.

Hawk stepped closer to Mona, leaning in to whisper something.

"I think Miguel and Tory are both into you. Well– I know Miguel is into you."

Mona glimpsed to the side at the two, then looked back at Hawk with a smirk.

"Did he say something?" she questioned.

Hawk chuckled. "That's an understatement. Every time we have a conversation it's 'Mona's the prettiest girl ever' and 'She's so hot and funny and smart.' It gets annoying, honestly."

Mona started to laugh, glancing over at Miguel. He met her eyes as she did, smiling at her. While he was not paying attention, Tory kicked him in the stomach.

Hawk started laughing while Mona's mouth fell open, trying to hide her amusement.

After practice, everyone decided to head to their usual restaurant to hang out. Mona had originally thought it would just be her and Tory, but all the other students decided to tag along.

"The hot fudge sundaes here are the best," Tory told her as they sat down.

Mona nodded. "Noted."

Aisha sat beside her and Moon walked up, her face lighting up upon seeing Mona.

"Mona!" she said excitedly, walking around to hug her. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

Mona hugged her back, then Moon took a seat beside Tory.

"So, how's everyone been?" she asked.

"Fine," Mona replied, flipping through the menu.

Tory cut in, "Yeah, how are things going with you and your girlfriend?"

Mona cut her eyes up at Tory, almost saying something snarky in response.

"Why? Jealous?" she remarked flirtatiously, looking back over at Moon. "I don't have a girlfriend."

Tory rolled her eyes. "Please. If I wanted you, I could get you."

Aisha and Moon watched as Mona and Tory stared at each other, almost daringly.

"I like a challenge," Mona remarked, tilting her head.

They stared at each other tensely, until Aisha interjected, "Geez, why don't you guys just make out already?"

Mona looked up as the waitress approached, doing a double take.

"Cat," she smiled. "How's it going?"

Cat glanced down at her. "You just can't stay away, can you?"

"Not from my favorite waitress in the whole world, no," Mona replied, grinning. Tory glanced between them, raising an eyebrow.

Cat smiled to herself. "You guys ready to order?"

"Yeah," Mona replied. "I'll take a hot fudge sundae."

The others ordered and Cat took their menus. As she was beginning to walk away, Tory loudly said, "So, Mona, how many girlfriends is that you have?"

Mona halfway glared, smiling up at Cat as she glanced back with a confused face. She turned to Tory at once.

"So that's how you're playing it?" Mona questioned, folding her arms in front of her.

Tory smirked. "You said you like a challenge, right?"

Moon furrowed her eyebrows. "So are you guys, like– flirting, or...?"

They both ignored her. Mona looked to her left, seeing Miguel sitting at a table by himself with his laptop in front of him.

She stood up, walking over to Miguel's table and sitting in front of him.

"Hey," he said with a quick smile.

"'Sup," she replied, leaning around to look at his computer. "Whatcha doin?"

Miguel quickly shut his laptop. "N-Nothing."

Mona eyed. "Were you watching porn or something–"

"No!" Miguel covered his face, shaking his head. "No. It was just– this thing I was making for Sam back when I wanted to get back together with her. I was about to delete it."

Mona nodded slowly. "Yeah, you should definitely delete it. If it's so embarrassing that you had to slam your laptop shut."

He rolled his eyes, running his tongue across his teeth. "Anyway," Miguel continued, "why are you over here? Shouldn't you be sitting with the girl group?"

Mona raised a finger. "One, that sounded kinda misogynistic. And two, I can sit wherever I please."

Miguel raised his hands innocently.

"Hey, I'm not complaining. Just wondering."

He tapped his fingers on the table. "So... what time should I come over tonight?"

Mona thought for a moment. "How about seven? My dad said he's got some business stuff to do and I don't wanna be home alone, so."

"Cool," Miguel nodded. "Are we gonna watch movies or something?"

She almost laughed. "Or something."

Mona stood up, walking back to her table as she saw Cat returning with their food. Tory looked over at her as she sat down.

"That looked like a very serious conversation you were having," she commented, eating a french fry.

"Mhm," Mona agreed, twirling her spoon in her sundae. "We were talking about how we're obviously the best fighters at Cobra Kai. Unbeatable, to be honest."

Tory scoffed, knowing Mona was being sarcastic. She rolled her eyes.

"You have yet to go one on one with me, you know," Tory replied.

Mona intertwined her fingers in front of her. "Fine. Thirty minutes, at the park."

"Can I place a bet?" Aisha asked, looking between them.

Mona looked at Tory, who shrugged. She looked back at Aisha. "Sure. I'll put ten on myself."

Tory raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? Alright, hotshot. I'll put down ten too."

Hawk overheard their conversation, walking over.

"Are we betting?" he asked. "What are we betting on?"

"Mona and Tory are gonna fight," Aisha informed him.

Hawk rubbed his hands together. "Aw, hell yeah! When and where?"

"Thirty minutes at the park," Mona replied, finishing off her ice cream with an unnerving amount of serenity.

Miguel approached them, frowning. "...You guys are gonna fight?"

Mona glanced up at him. "Yeah. Something wrong with that?"

He rapidly shook his head, scratching the back of his neck.

"N-No. Nuh uh."

She wiped her hands, eyeing Tory who was staring right back at her.

"I'm ready when you are."

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     The entire dojo was gathered in the park thirty minutes later.

They formed a circle around Mona and Tory like some sort of fight club. And, well– Mona supposed that was kind of what it was.

"I don't know," Chris muttered to Mitch, "I think Tory's more aggressive."

Mitch waved him off. "Mona's got more experience, though."

Mona and Tory stood in the middle, circling around each other. There was a crazy amount of tension between the two.

Miguel stepped forward, sighing. He looked between them, shaking his head.

"Face me, bow," he said dejectedly.

They both did so. "Face each other, bow."

Mona and Tory bowed to each other, holding eye contact. Mona had seen Tory fight enough to grasp a general idea of what she would do.

"Ready?" Miguel spoke. "Fight!"

Tory immediately threw a side kick. Mona dodged it, hitting her leg away. She went forward with strikes, knowing Tory was not the best at defending. Tory pushed her back when she got the chance, kicking at Mona's upper half. Mona ducked, crouching and sweeping at Tory's shin. Tory moved her leg out of the way in time, taking a step back. Mona stood, raising her fists again.

She went at Tory, turning on her heel and kicking at her hip. Tory staggered to the side, her aggressive side starting to show more now. She charged Mona and grabbed her by the shoulders, bringing her knee up to Mona's stomach. Mona grimaced, grabbing Tory's arm while doubled over and twisting her around. With Tory in her hold she kicked her leg out from under her, sending Tory to the hard ground.

Some of the students clamored as Mona dropped down over Tory, raising a fist.

"No mercy!" Aisha shouted, clapping her hands together.

Tory looked up at Mona, and suddenly they both burst into laughter.

Mona stood up, offering a hand to Tory. She took it and Mona pulled her to her feet.

"Winner, Mitchell?" Miguel said with uncertainty, looking between them.

"Yeah," Tory said, glancing over at Mona. She pointed a finger. "But I'll get a rematch."

Mona slowly smiled.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Notes.
mona and sam's argument is the best scene yet, idk why but angst just speaks to me

tory and mona being complicated flirty chaotic besties/gfs??? it's complex but i like it

what y'all think mona and miguel will do at her house 😏

also... i wonder what billy's 'business stuff' could be... hehehehe