chapter twelve:
❛ drive-in ❜

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The vibrant chaos of the kids' birthday party swirled around them as Alessia and Sam stepped deeper into the play place. The walls were brightly colored, covered in cartoon murals, and the air was filled with the sharp sounds of squeaky sneakers and the endless clamor of kids at play. The scent of pizza, sugary cake, and popcorn mingled with the sticky sweetness of spilled soda. Alessia felt slightly overwhelmed, her gaze darting around, trying to take everything in.

She shifted the strap of her bag higher on her shoulder, feeling a bit out of place. Children screamed in delight as they chased each other through an inflatable jungle gym nearby, and parents sat at scattered tables, looking a mix of exhausted and mildly entertained. Alessia couldn't help but feel like a fish out of water.

"Thank you for being here, Alessia," Sam said over the din of the party. She smiled at her, a kind of sheepish gratitude in her eyes. "I didn't really want to come alone."

Alessia nodded, returning the smile. "Of course, Sam. I get it. Plus, Ava is friends with Sheila's kid, so I needed to be here anyway. My sister asked me to keep an eye on her." She pointed across the room toward Ava, her energetic young niece, who was already darting through the maze of inflatable obstacles with wild abandon, her brown curls bouncing as she raced ahead of the other children.

Sam chuckled. "She's got so much energy. I don't know how you keep up with her."

Alessia gave a half-smile, but her gaze lingered on Ava, who was now scaling a slide with fearless determination. "You don't, really. You just try to survive it."

Just then, Sam's mom, Amanda, approached them, a warm but firm expression on her face, holding a small brightly-wrapped present. "Sam, did I really have to come?" Sam asked, her voice laced with annoyance. It was clear she would rather be anywhere else.

Amanda raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "Uh, Sheila's worked for us for ten years. She's practically family," she said, her tone pointed but not unkind. "Besides, you used to love babysitting Cindee when you were younger."

Sam rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, that was when I was, like, twelve. This," she motioned with her hand at the chaotic scene of sugar-fueled kids running around, "is just about the last place I'd like to be spending my Saturday."

Amanda smiled knowingly, not taking the bait. "A lot of people have it worse than you, Sam. Try to keep that in mind."

Alessia remained quiet, plucking at the hair tie on her wrist, a nervous habit she had when she felt out of place. The elastic snapped lightly against her skin as she glanced around the room, the chaotic scene only intensifying her already wandering mind. The noise and the bright lights seemed to blur as her thoughts drifted away. Her fingers tightened around the hair tie as her mind circled back to Robby. She missed him deeply. It wasn't just his absence-it was the way she felt around him, like everything would be okay even when the world felt like it was falling apart. Without him here, there was a dull ache in her chest, an emptiness she didn't quite know how to fill.

She was pulled back into the present when Ava came bounding over, a huge smile plastered across her face. "Hi, Auntie Lessi!" she squealed, wrapping her little arms around Alessia's leg before darting off again, joining the throng of kids by the ball pit.

Sam chuckled, shaking her head at the little girl's antics. "She's so adorable," she commented, her voice soft and affectionate as she watched Ava disappear into the play area.

Alessia smiled, but her attention was slipping again, her fingers still playing with the elastic on her wrist, lost in thought. Robby had been on her mind a lot recently. She hated the distance between them, the way their lives were pulling them in different directions. It was hard not to feel disconnected when all she wanted was to be by his side. She wondered what he was doing right now-was he thinking about her too? Did he miss her the way she missed him? The pit in her stomach deepened as the thoughts swirled.

Suddenly, a sharp nudge to her side brought her back to reality. "Look," Sam said, her voice pulling Alessia out of her daze.

Alessia blinked, following Sam's pointed finger to the small stage set up in the front of the room. There, in all her forced, uncomfortable glory, was Tory Nichols, dressed up as a mermaid. The costume was a mix of shimmering sequins and plastic seashells, complete with a long, sparkly tail that draped across the floor as she stood there, her face twisted into an expression that could only be described as miserable. Tory's arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her usual tough demeanor clashing awkwardly with the whimsical outfit she'd been forced to wear.

Sam's eyes lit up with amusement, a grin spreading across her face. "Did I say the last place I want to spend my Saturday?" Sam asked with a smirk, her tone smug. "I meant the first."

Alessia's gaze softened with sympathy as she watched Tory, clearly mortified, standing in front of the sea of kids. Alessia, ever the peacemaker, waved shyly at Tory, hoping to offer some form of support, but Tory's reaction was far from friendly. Her eyes darkened with hostility, glaring at both Alessia and Sam from the stage, her jaw set in a hard line.

Sam, however, seemed entirely too amused to care. She snickered under her breath. "This is too good," she said, barely able to contain her laughter.

Alessia, feeling more uncomfortable by the second, dropped her hand, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. She cast a quick glance toward Amanda, who was watching the whole exchange with raised eyebrows. They shared a brief look, one filled with mutual understanding and a bit of silent concern. It was clear to both of them that Sam's delight in Tory's humiliation wasn't going to lead anywhere good.

Despite the noise of the party, there was an underlying tension between the three girls that could be felt, like a low hum in the background. Alessia bit her lip and plucked at her hair tie again, the elastic snapping softly against her skin, grounding her back in the present. She could feel something was brewing, a storm beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Sam and Alessia sat in the back, away from the cluster of kids that had gathered around Tory. The room was alive with the chaos of children-brightly colored balloons and streamers hanging from every corner, and the air filled with the unmistakable scent of pizza and sugary birthday cake. The play place echoed with squeals of excitement as the kids ran from the ball pit to the arcade, and Alessia felt out of place. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to focus on Tory's animated story, but her mind kept wandering.

Tory, dressed head to toe in a gaudy mermaid costume, sat on a small stage in the center of the room, telling a group of wide-eyed children a fantasy tale. Her voice was soft, yet carried authority, holding the kids in rapt attention. Even Alessia had to admit, Tory was good at this-her story about a brave prince and a fearsome dragon captured the children's imaginations with ease.

"The prince did everything to climb the mountain," Tory said, using grand hand gestures to emphasize her words, "but the dragon swooped in and carried me away so he could eat me alive!" Her eyes were wide, playing up the drama of the moment. The kids gasped, some even leaning forward in their seats, completely entranced. "But then the valiant prince came to my rescue..."

Alessia smiled slightly at the children's reaction. Her niece, Ava, was sitting cross-legged on the floor in the front row, eyes shining with fascination. But beside Alessia, Sam's smirk was growing by the second, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned back in her chair, clearly unimpressed.

"Is that prince the one you stole from another princess?" Sam asked, her voice cutting through the room like a knife. The tone was sharp, a clear challenge. Alessia's heart sank the second the words left Sam's mouth, and she shot her friend a warning glance. They were at a children's party, for God's sake-could Sam really not hold back for just one afternoon?

Tory's expression hardened instantly, her jaw clenching as she met Sam's gaze. Her fingers tightened around the book she held, but she kept her cool in front of the kids. "The other princess wasn't dating that prince anymore," Tory replied, her voice even, but the tension was thick.

Alessia glanced back at Ava, who was now staring between Tory and Sam with wide, curious eyes. The little girl furrowed her brow, clearly trying to make sense of the situation. "You stole another princess's prince?" Ava asked, her tiny voice incredulous. "That's not cool."

Tory's eyes flicked to Ava, softening momentarily before locking back on Sam. "The other princess didn't want him," Tory said firmly, her words meant for Sam, though she tried to keep the bitterness out of her tone. "Anyway," Tory continued, redirecting her attention back to the group of kids, "the dragon breathed hot fire at the prince, melting his sword. So now, I had to save the prince."

Sam leaned forward, unable to let it go. "Using what?" she taunted, her voice laced with mockery. "A weapon like, I don't know, a spiked bracelet or nunchucks?"

Alessia felt the frustration rising inside her. This was supposed to be a simple favor-a distraction. She hadn't signed up for another round of Sam and Tory's constant rivalry. Sam's teasing had crossed the line from playful banter into something meaner, and Alessia could see the way Tory's posture had stiffened, her eyes narrowing in barely concealed irritation.

Tory's smile had vanished, replaced with a tight-lipped expression that made Alessia's stomach churn. Alessia knew that if this kept going, it would only escalate, and the last thing she wanted was a scene. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her heart pounding with the tension in the air. She glanced over at Ava again, who seemed oblivious to the hostility brewing around her, still enthralled by the story despite the awkward exchange.

But Alessia couldn't sit here any longer. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor, drawing a few curious glances from the nearby kids. She took a deep breath and leaned down toward Ava, forcing a calm smile onto her face.

"I'm sorry, Ava," Alessia said softly, trying not to let her discomfort show. "We need to go."

Ava looked up at her aunt with wide, confused eyes, her small hand instinctively reaching out to clutch Alessia's leg. "What? Auntie Lessi, why?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment and confusion. "I don't wanna go! I wanna hear the rest of the story!"

Alessia felt a pang of guilt. She hated disappointing Ava, but this was getting out of hand, and she wasn't about to stick around and watch Sam and Tory tear into each other in the middle of a children's party. She crouched down to Ava's level, gently brushing a strand of hair from the little girl's face.

"I know, sweetie," Alessia said softly, "but it's time to go. Say goodbye to Cindee, okay?"

Ava's lip quivered slightly, but she nodded, reluctantly getting to her feet. She gave one last glance at Tory and Sam, then ran off to find her friend to say goodbye. Alessia straightened up, her heart still racing, and turned to face Sam. Sam was still lounging back in her chair, arms crossed, her expression smug, as if she had won some invisible battle.

Alessia bit her lip, unsure of what to say. She didn't want to scold Sam in front of everyone, but the disappointment was clear on her face. Without another word, she gave Sam a final look, silently communicating her disapproval, before turning away to gather Ava.

She couldn't help but glance over at Tory one last time. Tory was still on the stage, but her expression was cold, the warmth she had shown the kids replaced by the icy exterior Alessia had come to associate with her. Alessia didn't blame her-Sam had gone too far.

As Alessia and Ava made their way to the door, Alessia could still feel the tension in the room, thick and suffocating. She breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped outside, the cool air hitting her face, and for a moment, she closed her eyes, trying to shake off the stress of the afternoon.

It was supposed to be a simple, easy favor. Instead, it had turned into yet another battleground between Sam and Tory, and Alessia was caught in the middle, unsure of where to stand.

Later that evening, Alessia sat in the backseat of Hawk's car at the drive-in theater, staring out the window as the massive outdoor screen lit up the night. She wasn't really paying attention to the movie-her mind was still stuck on the events from earlier that day. Hawk and Demetri were with her, chatting about the film, but when there was a lull in their conversation, she finally recounted what had happened at the birthday party.

"And I just left after that," Alessia finished, her voice filled with frustration. She leaned back in her seat and sighed. "Tory and Sam will always be at each other's necks, won't they? It's like they don't know how to let things go."

Demetri, ever the comic relief, chuckled as he leaned forward from the passenger seat. "The day those two become friends is the day hell freezes over."

Hawk smirked from the driver's seat but was quieter than usual. His gaze kept flicking toward Alessia when she wasn't looking. The sound of her voice, her presence-being so close to her after all the time that had passed-it was stirring up memories he thought he'd buried.

"Who knows," Hawk said, his voice softer than usual. "Maybe someday they'll get over it."

Alessia scoffed, running her hand through her hair. "I highly doubt that. I'm so tired of it all. Can't we just have one day without drama?"

Hawk exchanged a glance with Demetri, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, *Good luck with that.* The tensions in the Cobra Kai world were far from over, and everyone knew it.

Alessia shifted in her seat, her stomach growling. She perked up suddenly, looking at the concession stand in the distance. "I'm hungry. Wanna go grab some snacks?" she asked, reaching for the car door handle.

Demetri was already out of the car, stretching his legs, but as Alessia was about to follow, Hawk gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her mid-motion. The touch was light, but it made Alessia freeze. She turned back, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Yes, Eli?" she asked, her voice unsure.

Hawk's face was serious, his blue mohawk catching the dim light from the screen as he glanced down at their hands. He hesitated for a second, then finally asked, "Are you and Robby... not together anymore?"

The question hit Alessia like a ton of bricks. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a second, she didn't know how to respond. She hadn't mentioned Robby, not even in passing, and she could see why Hawk would be curious. But the wound was still fresh, and she wasn't ready to dive into that emotional pit again.

"Yeah..." Alessia said quietly, her voice thick. She quickly pulled her hand away, tucking her hair behind her ear to avoid eye contact. "We broke up. I don't really want to talk about it."

Without another word, she slipped out of the car and joined Demetri at the concession stand. Hawk watched her go, his chest tightening. He wanted to say more, but it wasn't the right moment, and he knew it. He sighed, leaning back against the car, running a hand through his hair as he watched her and Demetri walk away.

At the concession stand, Alessia shook off the awkwardness and glanced at the soda machine, already searching for her favorite drink. "No Dr. Pepper?" she muttered under her breath, pouting as if the universe was punishing her with one small disappointment after another.

"Nope," Demetri said, shaking his head. "No Mr. Pibb either. But here," he added, holding out a cup of Sprite and a basket of fries. "I got you Sprite instead, and your fries. Figured you'd need 'em after today."

Alessia took the fries with an exaggerated frown, holding them up like they were a treasure. "Oh, how I missed you," she said dramatically, causing Demetri to snort with laughter.

"I missed you too, Alessia," he joked.

She smirked, her mood lifting just slightly. "Oh, no. I was talking to the fries," she teased, making Demetri laugh even harder.

With their snacks in hand, they made their way back to Hawk's car, but as they got closer, Alessia realized something was off. The closer they got, the more tense the atmosphere felt, like the calm before a storm. Then she saw why.

A group of Cobra Kai students was standing near Hawk's car, including Tory, and to Alessia's shock, Robby was with them. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze, staring across the parking lot at him. Sam, Miguel, and Hawk were already standing there, and the tension between the two groups was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Oh, shit," Alessia muttered under her breath, her stomach twisting with unease. She glanced at Demetri, who sighed heavily.

"Not another rumble..." Demetri groaned, shaking his head.

Alessia's eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief. "Another? What is it with you guys?" she asked, completely exasperated. But she barely got the words out before her gaze locked with Robby's across the parking lot, and her heart sank. He looked different-hardened. And seeing him standing with the Cobra Kai kids sent a fresh wave of pain through her.

Tory was the first to break the silence, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Careful, LaRusso," she sneered at Sam. "Your mommy isn't here to play peacemaker this time."

Sam stepped forward, her body tense, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "What's that supposed to mean?" she shot back, her voice low and challenging.

Tory's smile widened, clearly enjoying the chance to provoke her. Alessia could feel the temperature drop between the two of them, the atmosphere crackling with the threat of a fight. It was all too familiar.

Miguel quickly stepped between them, holding up his hands. "Stop. We can't do this," he urged, trying to keep the situation from escalating.

"Exactly!" Alessia said, her voice rising with a mix of frustration and fear. "You can beat them on the mat. There's no point in doing this here."

But Robby, who had been silent until now, crossed his arms, his eyes cold. "Oh really?" he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Doesn't Miguel remember the last time we fought?"

Hearing his voice again after all this time was too much for Alessia. The emotions she'd been suppressing for weeks came rushing back, and her heart ached painfully. She couldn't stand it any longer. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving the drive-in parking lot behind her.

Alessia stood in