therunawaystudent

[therunawaystudent]

I mean, we could stop by each one and weigh our options. Venus for an interstellar laser rock show, then off to Mars for our basketball game (and saying hi to the Rover of course), and to top off the trip we could take that storm watching date up to 11 :p

And when were ready, come back to earth I guess.

Think anyone will notice we're gone? :p

Space

[therunawaystudent]

@chickskickasstoo Where's a good place to relocate do you think? :p

Space

[therunawaystudent]

Why are you doing this? I told you, you may have a concussion. 

10 Things I Hate About You (1999) dir. Gil Junger

[therunawaystudent]

Leunam

[therunawaystudent]

[therunawaystudent]

Awe! We can't have that. We'll have to name that one too :3

Tell Anthony and your mom I say hi :)

Text to: Sam (F)

Hey. Just thought I'd text you since I'm in the states again. I brought you back a little something.

I'll be home in the next few days, if you wanna see me. I miss you.

@chickskickasstoo

[therunawaystudent]

Why not both? :) I can fill you in on my trip while we hang out at the beach, and we can chill around the mall for a bit later on.

And now Señor Octopus will have a friend :3

Text to: Sam (F)

Hey. Just thought I'd text you since I'm in the states again. I brought you back a little something.

I'll be home in the next few days, if you wanna see me. I miss you.

@chickskickasstoo

[therunawaystudent]

You have no idea how happy that makes me :p I land back in LA tomorrow, you wanna do something then ? :)

Text to: Sam (F)

Hey. Just thought I'd text you since I'm in the states again. I brought you back a little something.

I'll be home in the next few days, if you wanna see me. I miss you.

@chickskickasstoo

[therunawaystudent]

Text to: Sam (F)

Hey. Just thought I'd text you since I'm in the states again. I brought you back a little something.

I'll be home in the next few days, if you wanna see me. I miss you.

@chickskickasstoo

[therunawaystudent]

The adventure continues. ✈✈

I'll be home soon.

[therunawaystudent]

"No, you're wrong. I blamed you for trying to take her away, which you admitted to! Big difference!"

"And excuse me, taking advantage?? Oh my god, when did I say that?! Oh wait I know, never! Stop taking what Tory told you and twisting everything I say because you feel guilty about it. I didn't say you took advantage of me! I never have! I'm not gonna be responsible for things other people have said."

"Oh, and a snake? Really, Robby? Ever since you started hanging onto Sam's dad you've been all holier than thou about everything, man. I mean seriously, you can't act like you're the victim in every situation or that everything we did, was for me, take some goddamn responsibility instead of blaming me!"

"You're the only one who didn't talk to me at all! I said I wanted some space from the dojo, from all the bullshit. But that doesn't mean don't talk to me at all. That was your decision."

Talk with Robby and Miguel

“Robby, sit down.”

(Robby): What’s up?

(Sighs.  He isn’t going to like this.) “Carmen and Diaz are coming over to talk.  You two can’t keep up this fighting stuff.”

(Robby):  “I’ve got nothing to say to him.  And I haven’t been fighting with him.  I haven’t talked to him in days.  Not since his little work girlfriend tried to start some shit with me.  I’m done.  I don’t care if I never see him again.”

“Well, then sit there and listen to what he has to say because you two are killing your Dad with this shit.  It ends today.  Understand me?”

(Robby): “Yeah.  Whatever.  He can talk.”

(Rolls eyes and goes to answer the door.)

@nursejoylove @therunawaystudent

[therunawaystudent]

"Hijo de puta!"

(shoves off Carmen and walks towards Robby) "I do not! Not my fault that you've got so many parental issues that you can't even have normal relationships with people."

"At least I actually admit when I'm wrong, I don't just deflect blame and think everyone else is responsible! I already set Tory straight and talked to Sam, I told her exactly what happened and what I did. You seem to think I'm this manipulative asshole for some reason. You insult Sam and then you threaten to beat me up for disrespecting her or some bullshit like that. You have zero self awareness, and the emotional range of a goldfish! You're so detached from everything it's no wonder you drive all your friends away. You're genuinely depressing and you should probably get some professional help."

Talk with Robby and Miguel

“Robby, sit down.”

(Robby): What’s up?

(Sighs.  He isn’t going to like this.) “Carmen and Diaz are coming over to talk.  You two can’t keep up this fighting stuff.”

(Robby):  “I’ve got nothing to say to him.  And I haven’t been fighting with him.  I haven’t talked to him in days.  Not since his little work girlfriend tried to start some shit with me.  I’m done.  I don’t care if I never see him again.”

“Well, then sit there and listen to what he has to say because you two are killing your Dad with this shit.  It ends today.  Understand me?”

(Robby): “Yeah.  Whatever.  He can talk.”

(Rolls eyes and goes to answer the door.)

@nursejoylove @therunawaystudent

[therunawaystudent]

"Fuck you! You know I really envy the people who haven't met you yet! I wish I'd never spoken to you."

Carmen: "Miguel!"

"Mama, ¿por qué estamos aquí? ¡Vea cómo él me está embromando! (continues speaking rapid Spanish)

Talk with Robby and Miguel

“Robby, sit down.”

(Robby): What’s up?

(Sighs.  He isn’t going to like this.) “Carmen and Diaz are coming over to talk.  You two can’t keep up this fighting stuff.”

(Robby):  “I’ve got nothing to say to him.  And I haven’t been fighting with him.  I haven’t talked to him in days.  Not since his little work girlfriend tried to start some shit with me.  I’m done.  I don’t care if I never see him again.”

“Well, then sit there and listen to what he has to say because you two are killing your Dad with this shit.  It ends today.  Understand me?”

(Robby): “Yeah.  Whatever.  He can talk.”

(Rolls eyes and goes to answer the door.)

@nursejoylove @therunawaystudent

[therunawaystudent]

"See, this is why it's impossible to talk to you. You admitted to me once that you tried to screw things up before, so why should I think that you wouldn't try to now!"

"You certainly had a lot to say over text! Should I bring up all the crap you willingly say to me in private? I can't stand this. You're only calm in from of other people, and then everyone says I'm overreacting! You're a hypocrite who fakes being nice!"

Talk with Robby and Miguel

“Robby, sit down.”

(Robby): What’s up?

(Sighs.  He isn’t going to like this.) “Carmen and Diaz are coming over to talk.  You two can’t keep up this fighting stuff.”

(Robby):  “I’ve got nothing to say to him.  And I haven’t been fighting with him.  I haven’t talked to him in days.  Not since his little work girlfriend tried to start some shit with me.  I’m done.  I don’t care if I never see him again.”

“Well, then sit there and listen to what he has to say because you two are killing your Dad with this shit.  It ends today.  Understand me?”

(Robby): “Yeah.  Whatever.  He can talk.”

(Rolls eyes and goes to answer the door.)

@nursejoylove @therunawaystudent

[therunawaystudent]

Between mouthfuls of food, I tell Sam as much as I can, and some assumptions I made. It’s not like sensei told me everything, far from it.

“Um, I think as long as he did karate, since he was around thirteen, I think.. he never mentioned anyone else, but I know he stopped training with him, for whatever reason, before he turned 18. This would also explain his methods when I first got started, he gradually eased up once more people joined though, and he probably realized that constant insults don’t make for good pre-workout.”

“Okay, I’m gonna tell you something but you can’t repeat it, okay?” She nods, interest piqued. “So, about Dr. Ali... he really, really liked her, but I know for sure that she wouldn’t have dated him, and been as in love with him as he said, if he’d been the same person he was when your dad met him. I just know it. It sounds like he did the same thing with us, turned us into people we weren’t. I mean... look at me. This could have easily gone a whole other way if I fell into what Kreese was pushing. Eli did, and look what happened.”

“Last year, after some students had quit and I kinda let him know I felt about the insults, and the pushiness, he gave us all a speech on how Cobra Kai helped him to change, helped him to be tough, but maybe he took it too far. He was Cobra Kai’s start pupil, so he was probably pushed to be ruthless.”

I feel like there’s way too many similarities here. History repeats itself? Apparently it all but fully recycles itself, but if a different package every time.

“Kreese is just, a terrible, terrible person who should not be allowed to teach kids, or teenagers... or anyone. He needs a reality check.” (with humor) “I always hated how he’d compare life to war, like dude, lighten up. We’re kids, training for karate, this isn’t actual military work.” 

We share a few giggles, and she changes the topic to something (someone) I hadn’t thought about today. 

“So how did Robby get involved in all of that?”

Robby. Um...

(flatly) “Protecting me. When all that stuff was going down and sensei ditched out on the dojo and I was running around trying to fix it all while Kreese was hellbent on stalking me and Aisha until we said yes, he came to the dojo one day, to help me find the papers...” 

There’s a pang in my chest. And then we... became friends?

“And um, he joined the dojo with me when Kreese inevitably forced his way in there. I was dumb enough to allow it, and he got hurt because of me.” I laugh a little, but nothing is funny about what I just said. “Miguel Diaz, the worst friend ever.”

Learning Balance on This Shaky Mountain

Things are quiet for a few moments…no crisis, no drama…our breathing and hearts beating, the only sound in the apartment…and it’s nice. *takes a deep breath* “Okay, well two of the three biggest things in Miyagi Do are breathing and balance. As much as I miss and at times am still mad at Dad…I can’t do anything to change the fact that he’s not around. So I have to find a way to balance his absence with Mr. Lawrence being back, right?”

“I mean you, Aisha, Mom and Robby…he’s connected to all of you, I can’t keep dodging him *remembers hiding in the kitchen at Robby’s, when his grandfather died* or walking a tight rope whenever he’s concerned, afraid that I’ll blow it and say the wrong thing.” *sighs* “If you like him so much, he can’t be all bad. I have to find something about the guy, something real that isn’t skewed by others’ views or experiences, that I can be okay with or…I’m gonna lose it.”

*picks up the comics* “Maybe something in these…or if I can ever remember what else I saw in his room…”

@therunawaystudent

[therunawaystudent]

Drunken Conversations

I'm a little tipsy, but it certainly doesn't stop me from punching the bag so far is nearly falls off the hook it on. I'm so upset, but the adrenaline is fading little by little, being replaced by a calmer, slowly-receding anger. Me and Hawk pass around a bottle of gin as we both sit in his basement, both of us on one of the Moskowitz's big leather couches.

"I fucking hate him. Why did I ever even trust him?"

Hawk: "We all mistakes. But, I was right from the beginning, then."

"Yes, yes you were."

Hawk: "Can you tell me about the drunk stuff now? Like, please tell me you guys were both drunk. I'm not even kidding dude, I'll fuck him up so badly for you."

I think a while. I didn't think of it as him taking advantage at the time, but maybe Tory was right? We learned about that in class too, if you're drunk, consent is non existent, right? We learned that. Although, what happens if both of us were drunk? Does the rule still apply? This is too much deep thinking for semi-drunk me.

"I... I uh, we were both pretty drunk, I guess. I was more drunk though, probably."

Hawk: "I think you need to get your story straight. I mean, you know I'm always on your side, but if he didn't do anything, it's kind of fucked to say he did."

"I didn't though! Tory did! I didn't say he did. All I said was, that we got drunk and he kissed me and all the stuff that happened before, like when we were in sensei's apartment looking for stuff..."

Hawk: "Was there more to that than what you told me? That ya'll got drunk and looked at nudie mag that uh, wasn't even like, Playboy or anything, but an ancient Sports Illustrated? And he told you some stuff about his shitty mom and you told him some stuff about your shitty dad?"

“Uh..."

Hawk: "Uh? I'm asking you, was that it or what?"

"Ugh god. I don't know... I mean not really... a little bit? The first thing that kinda happened was after I sat down on the couch, I guess I sat like, really close to him or something... I can't fucking remember, he put his hand on my leg, and I was, 'okay, this is happening' but I didn't really think too much of it?"

Hawk: "Oh, well, um–"

I cut him off in my haste to explain. "I was having fun and then he kissed me while we were at the bar. That's it. Oh right, and then we shared a bed and I ran out the next morning... mostly cause I was late for school."

Hawk: "Well, I know Sam isn't as uh... emotional as Moon is, but I'd have gotten my ass creamed for some of that 'can't wait to see you at work, meet you out back' stuff she's been posting."

I groan. My head suddenly hurts again. "Yeah, I know that now... about Tory. I think I gave her the wrong impression... I'm gonna text her, ask her what the fuck."

Hawk leans over to look. "Maybe you ought to wait until you can type properly."

I wave him off. "No, I'm fine. I wanna ask her now."

Hawk: "Alright."

For a few minutes I tap away, and we're mostly quiet until he asks me something else.

Hawk: "Just so I know... did you share a bed like me and you share a bed or, like Moon and I used to share a bed?"

I don't get it. "What’d you mean?"

He looks at me. "Well, I mean... Did you just sleep with the intention of sleeping, or was it like... with the expectation of something else too? Like, I hate to ask this, but did you want... something to happen?"

"I... I'm not sure." This is embarrassing. "I mean, maybe I did. I don't know. He asked to kiss me again after the first time, when we were in bed and I said... ugh, I can't remember really... I think I said like 'if you want'. I wasn't sure about it. You get it?"

Hawk: "Yeah, I get it. And what did he say after that? Did you do anything else?"

"No. I mumbled something and went to sleep."

Hawk: "Well, there ya go. I don’t need to kick his ass.. yet, Unless he does something else stupid, then I can."

“Sure. I say, half hearted and hoping sincerely that nothing else comes of him hating me now. We can just hate one another like before, like nothing had changed. Except we now hate each other for very different reasons. 

I take a few sips from the bottle were passing back and forth, pleasantly fuzzy headed. "Can I tell you something?"

Hawk: "At this point man, I think you could tell me anything."

"It felt kinda nice, being wanted like that. He said I was pretty, that I was cute, all these things that felt fucking great to hear. After Sam and I broke up I barely even got looked at, do you know how nice it feels to have someone look at you that way? I fell for it. I mean, obviously you do, duh. That was a stupid question..."

Hawk (smiling): "Yeah, a little bit. I'll tell you something, though. You can do that. You just can't, dude. It's not fair. When Moon dumped me it was shitty. I know that feeling, I do. I missed it too, but you gotta deal with this shit better, man. You can't just fall for everyone that gives you attention... Cause then what happens when you don't actually want them? Just the attention?"

"I even told him that."

Hawk: "Told him what?"

"That I wasn't sure whether I liked him, or liked... the nice stuff he was saying. I fucking told. him. that."

Hawk: "Relax, dude. I believe you."

I put my head between my knees. I feel like I'm gonna start bawling. I think I've cried quite enough for everything in the past year, no more crying. "Sam's gonna hate me."

Hawk: "She loves you man, she can't hate you."

I bring my head up. "How do I know that? Maybe this'll be the the time she finally says she's done for good. He already took her away once, he can probably do it again." My heart rate speeds up again. I'm hating him all over again, the brief moment of guilt replaced with a quiet, seething rage. "He would, you know. He would take her away from me, just to get the last laugh."

Hawk: "Miguel she ain't gonna leave you because of him."

"She did once–"

Hawk shrugged. "She left cause you hit her, dumbass. And acting like a coked-out bull. Just don't pull that no mercy shit in front of her and you should be fine."

"But–"

Hawk (louder): "No."

I look at him.

"Chicks don't like that, Miguel. Really, take it from me. Moon dumped me because of that stupid fight with Demetri. I was mad at him, and I knew I had the upper hand. She said that she didn't wanna date a bully, and then she left... said I was getting too much for her. I always thought that was bullshit before... but honestly I think she's right. You can't just constantly be angry all the time for every little thing. You gotta pick your battles. You know who told us that? Sensei Lawrence, he told us that a while ago. He said you don't wanna live your life just saying no mercy, and he's fucking right, dude."

He takes a few more mouthfuls of gin, and I listen to him go on and on, feeling much too stupid to much of anything.

"Like, for fucks sake all it did was get me dumped by the only girl I ever loved, nearly suspended from school, in major trouble with my parents, and you in the fuckin' hospital."

“I’m sorry.” I say.

Hawk: “Why’re you sorry? You didn’t do this on your own, I just hope you know that this thing with Robby is gonna come between you and Sam, and I’d really hate to see a repeat of the canyon.” He laughs a little bit, now. “And you moping around for damn near forever.” 

That makes me smile, just a little. “Yeah... man, I never thought you’d be the one telling me to calm down.”

Hawk: “I know! Look at me providing sound advice. Maybe Moon’s peace talks finally got to my head.”

We stop passing the bottle around, already halfway empty just between the two of us, and sit in down on the floor while we lay on the couch, while the TV plays a movie neither of us know the name of. I feel a little better, at least for now. I can talk to Sam tomorrow, in person. Sort all this out. 

“Thanks for this, man. I really appreciate it.”

He pats my shoulder. “No biggie. Just remember that I’m on your side, wherever the outcome. If you and Robby don’t talk again then I won’t talk to him either, it’s not worth it. I was friends with you first, anyway, it’s only fair.”

“As bad as this is gonna sound, that’s a relief to hear. It’s gonna be weird with Sam for a bit, he is in her life like, pretty permanently now.”

He laughs. “Oh shit, I nearly forgot about that, Uh, good luck sorting that out, but remember what I told you, just try to keep the peace between you are her.”

“... You think she’ll still wanna talk to me?”

He shrugs. “Sam’s an easygoing chick, she’ll understand. Just, make sure to talk it out. And... if in any case that it’s not, you know me and Aisha and Demetri, we’ll be here for you no matter what.” He pats my shoulder again, letting his hand linger. “It’ll be okay.”

scene collaborated with @curiousdamage