𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼 / ❛ kyler ❜

[ episode five, counterbalance ]

The sun was already high, casting a golden glow over the backyard as Marlee sat at the outdoor table, picking at her pancakes. Her brother, Ryder, was next to her, already digging into his food with one hand while scrolling through his phone with the other. Their parents were in the kitchen, the scent of bacon and eggs filling the air, while a couple of their aunts and uncles chatted nearby, sipping coffee and catching up.

It wasn't unusual for family to gather on weekends, but Marlee still felt a bit out of place. It was hard to shake the feeling that the version of herself everyone remembered didn't exist anymore. There were moments when she could almost pretend everything was normal, but then she'd catch herself slipping back into the quiet, withdrawn shell she had become over the last few months.

"You're not eating," Ryder said through a mouthful, his eyes still glued to his phone. "You sure you're okay?"

Marlee rolled her eyes, reaching for her juice. "I'm fine. Just not really hungry," she muttered, trying to sound casual.

Ryder shrugged, shoveling more food into his mouth. 

Marlee gave him a sideways glance, then flicked her gaze to their parents, who were busy chatting with Aunt Carla about some new home improvement project. Everyone else seemed wrapped up in their own little world.

"Seriously, though, you've been super quiet lately. Is everything okay with you?" Ryder asked again, this time putting his phone down and giving her his full attention.

Marlee hesitated. She wanted to tell him everything—the rumors, the isolation, how she'd been feeling, but she wasn't ready to put those feelings into words just yet. Instead, she shrugged. "Just tired. It's been a long week."

Ryder raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. He was never one to make a big deal out of things. "Okay then," he said with a grin. "If you're not gonna eat, I'll take your pancakes."

"Help yourself," Marlee said, pushing her plate toward him. "I might go for a swim later. You wanna join?"

"Yeah, sure," Ryder said, already digging into her pancakes. "Just try not to drown yourself, okay?"

Marlee smiled faintly at his teasing, watching as he piled up more food onto his plate. 

.・゜゜・・゜゜・

Marlee pulled into the parking lot of the Mexican place, the hum of her car's engine fading as she parked near the entrance. She had just come from the shops, grabbing the last few ingredients her mom forgot for cinnamon rolls. Ryder had been insistent on getting lunch early, so she figured she'd save her parents the trouble of cooking twice.

As she shifted her car into park, a loud beep sounded from behind her, making her jump. She furrowed her eyebrows, glancing in the rearview mirror and going forward a bit.

Before she could react, a loud thud followed by a scream reached her ears. Her heart dropped. "Holy shit," she whispered under her breath, swinging the car door open and stepping out.

As she walked toward the front of her car, she saw Sam, who quickly scrambled to her feet and brushed off her dress, looking embarrassed.

"I'm fine—sorry," Sam stammered, her face flushed red. She gave Marlee an awkward smile, clearly not thrilled about the situation.

Marlee stood frozen for a moment, her jaw slightly hanging in disbelief. The collision wasn't exactly the most ideal way to bump into her ex-best friend, especially after everything that had happened. Her mind buzzed, but the words stuck in her throat.

She glanced back over her shoulder and saw Moon and Yasmine sitting in Moon's car with the back door wide open. The two girls looked out, their expressions shocked as well.

"What the hell are you doing?" Marlee spoke, her face scrunching in confusion. 

Marlee sat in the driver's seat of her car, the food for Ryder in her lap, her mind racing as she drove away from the parking lot. Sam sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window, her shoulders tense, as if she was trying to avoid the reality of the situation. The silence between them stretched on, heavy and uncomfortable. Sam was explaining the situation to Marlee. "Now Kyler's telling everyone all this stuff that didn't happen, and I don't know what to do anymore."

Marlee's grip tightened on the wheel, her jaw clenching slightly as she kept her eyes on the road. "Doesn't feel good, does it?" she said quietly, her tone sharper than she expected.

Sam's eyes dropped, guilt washing over her. She shook her head, the weight of the situation finally settling in. "No... it really doesn't."

Marlee kept her gaze straight ahead, the sound of the engine humming between them. The tension lingered in the air, but it wasn't as suffocating as before. After a moment, Sam spoke again, her voice small.

"I'm sorry, Marlee. I really am. I didn't mean for any of it to happen. I—I shouldn't have listened to him."

Marlee finally glanced at her, her eyes softening just a little. She nodded, though there was still some hesitation in her gaze. "I get it," she said, her voice quieter now. "Just... don't let him do this to you. I made that mistake."

Sam nodded, looking down at her lap, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the hem of her dress. "I know. I... I'm trying to fix things. I just don't know how yet."

Marlee didn't respond right away, just letting the silence fill the car for a moment. Then she turned onto a side street, the streetlights casting soft shadows across the dashboard.

"You'll figure it out, Sam," Marlee said, her voice calm.

Sam's head tilted slightly as she looked at Marlee, her expression softening a bit. "Thanks. I... really appreciate it."

Marlee turned into Sam's neighborhood, the familiarity of the area doing little to ease the tension still lingering between them. The weight of the situation hung in the air, but the silence between them wasn't as uncomfortable as it had been before.

As they neared Sam's house, Marlee slowed down, glancing at her from the corner of her eye. Sam sat with her hands folded in her lap, her eyes staring out the window, but there was something different in the way she held herself now. She wasn't as defensive, and the guilt in her eyes seemed to have softened a little.

Marlee pulled up to the curb and stopped in front of the house. "Well, here we are," she said, glancing at Sam one more time.

Sam nodded, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. She looked at Marlee, her face softened by a mix of relief and regret. "Thanks again, Marlee. I know it's probably not easy for you to even talk to me right now," she said, her voice quiet.

Marlee shook her head, a small, almost sad smile on her lips. "It's not like I'm mad at you," she replied, shrugging. "Just.. you gotta stop letting Kyler control everything."

Sam gave her a faint smile, but it quickly faded as she looked at the house. "I know... I know. But it's hard, you know? When everyone just... believes him."

Marlee didn't say anything for a moment, thinking. "I get it," she said finally, her voice steady. "But you'll be alright. You're stronger than you think."

Sam nodded, then glanced at the door of her house, clearly torn between going inside and staying out for just a bit longer. "Thanks," she said again, her voice a little more hopeful. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll figure it out."

Marlee just gave her a quick nod, her expression softening. "Good. Take care of yourself, Sam."

Sam hesitated for a second before opening the car door. "I will. You too, Mars. Seriously, thanks."

With that, Sam stepped out of the car, pausing to give Marlee one last look before walking up the driveway toward the front door.

Marlee watched her for a moment, her hands resting on the wheel. Once Sam had disappeared inside, Marlee put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb, glancing one more time at the house as she drove off.

That was one way she didn't expect her morning to go.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・

Marlee grabbed a piece of fruit from the canteen line, biting into the apple as she scanned the room for a place to sit. The cafeteria was bustling, and she wasn't sure if she was up for another awkward lunch, but she didn't want to sit alone either. She passed by a table of unfamiliar faces before heading toward Jace. As she turned, her elbow accidentally bumped a tray, sending a juice box toppling over.

"Shit, sorry," she muttered, leaning down to pick it up. She froze when she saw who it was.

Eli.

They hadn't talked in ages, not since she ghosted him. She stood up, handing him the juice box with a tight smile. "Didn't mean to knock that over."

Eli looked up at her with an unreadable expression. "It's fine," he said, voice a little flat. "Happens."

Marlee shifted, unsure what to say but she knew she had to say something. She cleared her throat. "How've you been?" she asked, the words feeling clunky.

He glanced at her briefly before glancing back at his tray, his hands resting on it. "Fine. You?"

"Same," Marlee replied, a bit too quickly. She stood there for a moment, unsure of whether to keep talking or just walk away.

"How's everything with your.. friends?" Eli asked, his eyes flicking to the table where she use to sit, then back to her.

It stung a little, the reminder of the people she'd lost touch with over the past few months. "Fine. I guess. Everything's.. fine," she said, her voice trailing off. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. It had been hard to get used to being alone, especially after everything that happened with her old group.

"Cool," he said quietly. A soft smile tugged at his lips, and she couldn't help but mirror it. His smile had that effect on her, like it was something easy to catch. She missed that about him.

"Anyway," she started, "I'll see you later."

"Yeah," Eli replied, his tone still neutral.

She hesitated, then turned to leave. Then she realized what was happening around her. Sam had pushed Kyler's tray off the table, standing defiantly in front of him with her arms crossed. "Oh, shit, never mind," Marlee muttered to herself, shaking her head. She couldn't help but smirk as she sat down next to Eli, their legs brushing against each other.

"Hey, guys," Kyler shouted, his voice booming through the cafeteria. "You know that billboard with a big-ass dick on it? I guess Sam takes after her dad."

Laughter erupted around them, and Kyler's smirk grew as his friends egged him on. Marlee felt the familiar pit form in her stomach. She hated seeing Sam embarrassed like this, because she knew just how it felt. Without thinking, she stood up, ready to say something, but before she could, someone else beat her to it.

"Hey, Kyler," Miguel spoke, dropping his tray at Aisha's table and walking towards him. "Why don't you shut the hell up and stop being such an asshole?"

Marlee's jaw slightly dropped as she watched Miguel step in. "Go, Miguel!" she laughed, her eyes widening in admiration. Eli glanced at her, eyebrows raised.

"Um, no," Demetri said dramatically from the other side of Eli, casting Marlee a judgy look. Marlee shot him an eye roll.

"You want another beatdown, Rhea?" Kyler taunted, shoving Miguel forward, his friends standing up around him. "I'm ready for your lame-ass karate this time."

Miguel stumbled back, but recovered quickly. "It's not lame-ass karate," he retorted, just as Kyler swung a punch at him. Miguel caught it effortlessly, then landed a solid punch to Kyler's nose. "It's Cobra Kai."

Blood immediately started dripping from Kyler's nose, and the fury in his eyes was clear. He lunged at Miguel, tackling him onto the table, then dragging him onto another. Kyler got him in a chokehold. Marlee felt a surge of adrenaline and, without thinking, grabbed a tray and slammed it into the back of Kyler's head. The grip on Miguel loosened, and Marlee could hear him shout, "Thank you!"

Before she could sit down, Kyler's friends grabbed her, tossing her onto the table as well. Marlee winced, but quickly righted herself, eyes focused on the scene unfolding in front of her.

Miguel grinned at her, then turned back to face Kyler, who was still reeling from the blow. He delivered another punch, sending Kyler stumbling back, then kicked him in the back so hard he crashed to the floor.

Brucks was the next one to come at him, but Miguel was too quick. He tripped Brucks, knocking him to the floor before grabbing a tray and swatting at the rest of Kyler's group. One by one, they came at him, but Miguel dodged, blocked, and returned every hit.

Marlee couldn't help but smile as she watched, perched on the table, her eyes never leaving him.

Brucks scrambled to his feet, charging at Miguel along with two other guys. Miguel, ever the strategist, jumped onto a nearby table, then launched himself off it, knocking the trio to the ground with swift, precise hits.

Kyler stood up again, rushing toward Miguel. But Miguel had a different plan. He climbed onto a table, used it to get the height advantage, and swung the tray into Kyler's face, sending him crashing down to the floor.

The cafeteria erupted into cheers, and Marlee was left with her mouth hanging open. "Legend!" she shouted, standing up from the table. Her eyes locked with Miguel's, who shot her a grin as the crowd around him cheered.

Suddenly, a voice barked, "Hey! Get down from there right now!" Counselor Blatt stormed in, pulling Miguel off the table and dragging him out of the cafeteria.

Jace hit Marlee on the shoulder, his voice full of excitement. "That was dope!"

"I know!" Marlee grinned, still in awe of what she had just witnessed.