21

                                        

                                              
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chapter twenty-one


MADDIE


"Hey King Cobra."
As I walk into the Cobra Kai dojo, memories flood my brain. This was my first ever dojo, and now its all coming back. 
"Hey Killer Cobra," Miguel laughs as I join him on the mats. "It's all coming back, isn't it?"
"Yup," I sigh out, dropping my bag in the corner and joining him on the mats. 
The first time I joined Cobra Kai, I had no idea of the hell it would bring me. But I'll admit, I wouldn't have all the great things I have now. I wouldn't have an All Valley trophy in my room. And despite Silver paying the ref, I won fair and square. Sam didn't score a single point. I wouldn't have medals of karate winnings and I wouldn't have all the friends I have now. 
"You ready for training?" Miguel asks. 
"We're here and we're going to have a great time," say, pulling the door to the new karate dojo in town open. I'd heard things about it from my friend Miguel, and after incidents with my friend Aisha, and comments made about me, I thought we should suck it up and try it out. "Seriously, what could be so bad?"
Beside me, Aisha nods, stepping into the dojo in front of me. As soon as we step in, the dojo does not look anything like it's pictures online. It's in a run-down strip mall with the windows boarded and the paint peeling. 
I had heard impressive things about Cobra Kai from Miguel, and had been interested. I already can do springy flips, and have got combat skills from fighting my older brother, so Sensei Lawrence is probably so excited to meet me. 
Joking, I'm terrified from the other things I've heard about him. And the looks of this dojo in particular. But, I couldn't be like Demetri and be scared to try something new out. I was the rebellious friend, which is why I'm the only one who showed up for Miguel and paid an interest in his karate. 
"No yoga till five," the tall blonde man wearing a gi calls out towards us. Johnny Lawrence, I immediately recognise. "No matter how badly you need it?"
As I'm halfway through waving to Miguel, I stop, furrowing my eyebrows at him. "Excuse me?"
Timidly, Aisha stand behind me, her voice shaking. "We're not here for yoga. We're here for karate. We saw your website and saw there was supposed to be a session on today."
"I appreciate you coming in today, but there are no girls in karate."
"Pardon?" I scoff. "How old are you, man."
"It's the same reason women aren't in the army. It doesn't make sense."
"It actually does make sense considering half the people that fight for our country are women," I reply. "Just tell us your a sexist and don't make up some bullshit excuse."
Before he can snap back, Miguel brings him to the office out back. I turn straight to Aisha. "God he's—"
"Oi, lippy, shut it," Johnny snaps as he walks back into the room. Beside him, Miguel rolls his eyes. 
Crossing my arms over my chest, I narrow my eyes at him. 
"After further discussion, I've decided to allow you to fight. But if you want to be in Cobra Kai, you can't act like girls."