Heartbreak Weather, Eli Mosko...

LII.                                                    Heartbreak Weather

      The fight between Eli and Robby was a something they had been waiting for, for a long time. The two boys had been competing with each other since the tournament last year. They'd been competing for the glory and for the same girl. But Robby got his closure. He understood that Odessa was in love with Eli and he was okay with it. But that wasn't all it was about. Eli and Robby had a rivalry that went beyond falling in love with the same girl. For Eli, it was personal. Robby attacked him. It was also because he wasn't being able to finish the fight last year due to his idiotic ways. But he was different now. Better. He wanted to prove it once and for all.

Odessa stood in front of Eli as he prepared to fight robby. "You feel good? Nervous?" she frantically asked while rubbing his knuckles.

Eli shook his head and bounced slightly on his feet.  "Nope. Not at all. . ." He trailed. ". . . Okay, maybe a little."

She smiled and let go of his hands so that she could cup his face. "Don't be. You're going to be great. And win or not, i'm so proud of you."

He leaned into her touch. "I love you."

"I love you more," she replied and kissed his lips.  "Good luck, E."

She ran back to her side and he watched her, sighing in content. Oliver clapped him on the back with a chuckle. "C'mon lover boy, you gotta fight to win."

"Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over. It's finals time!" Daryl shouted. "Due to all the three dojos still having competitors, Cobra Kai will be fighting twice for a chance to be crowned grand champion.  But, if Miyagi-Do or Eagle Fang wins both matches,  the title is theirs! Ooh, high drama!" He laughed into the mic. "Up first, the boys' fight!"

Odessa clapped loudly as Eli stepped into the mat.  "Oh god, why did he just get hotter?" She muttered, her eyes scanning his confident body language.

Grayson rolled his eyes at her.

Eli and Robby locked eyes. It was the last battle of Hogwarts with Voldemort and Harry. They had been waiting for this moment. 

"This is going to be so good." Hailey smirked and leaned against her boyfriend.

The two boys each threw a kick at each other. Robby threw punches at Eli, backing him into the corner but the boy was quick to avoid them.

"C'mon, babe, you can do this!"  The blonde girl shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth.

"Let's go, Hawk!" Oliver shouted from beside Demetri.

Robby's fist collided with Eli's chest, earning himself a point.

Eli called for a time out. Robby knew all of Eli's moves and it was nearly impossible to compete against him. He ran off the mat to his Sensei. "He knows all of my moves. He trained at Miyagi-Do way longer than me." He said to Daniel.

Daniel looked at his other students, contemplating on what to do. 

"You were in Cobra Kai longer than him," Oliver pointed out.

Mr. Larusso snapped his fingers. "That's right. You each know each other's karate better than anyone. Put him on defense." He instructed.

Eli smirked and bowed at him before returning to the mat. Eli side kicked Robby and threw his fist at him.  When his throws were dodged, Eli threw another side kick at him, making Robby faulted but quickly recover.  As if they had the same idea, they both went for a high kick and Eli kicked his foot in Robby's chest.

"Yes! Yes!" Odessa shouted like a mad woman and grabbed onto Hailey, both of them jumping up and down.

"Way to go, Eli!" Thalia said into her hands.

Eli lunged forward and did a spin kick but Robby grabbed his ankle and made him fall. The Cobra Kai threw a kick at him but Eli backed up quickly and avoided it. They each went back and forth with their kicks and Eli hit Robby but he was able to dodge it,  neither getting a point. They knew each other's moves like clockwork. Eli did wax on, wax off to block Robby's throws. The tie of Robby's gi was beginning to come undone but he paid no attention to it. 

Odessa had her nails digging into Hailey's arm as they watched intensely.

Robby threw a side kick at Eli but he held his hands up, blocking it. Their kicks were dodged and they went back and forth. Odessa's stomach was tightening in knots. Eli grabbed Robby's open gi and dragged him to the floor. The buzzer went off, making everyone snap out of their intense gaze. They had went over their time. 

"Unbelievable!" Daryl yelled out ran onto the mat.  "These two amazing competitors have reached their three-minute time limit in a one-one tie! Which means their championship match will be decided, for the first time since 1985, by sudden death overtime!"

Thalia's hand touched her forehead. "Oh, my god." She breathed out and suddenly remembered back to when she was in the stands during the 1985 All Valley.

The tension in the room grew as the audience roared in cheers. Robby and Eli were amazing fighters. It could honestly go either way with them. But Odessa knew Eli deserved it. He had went through so much shit and he deserved to feel like he overcame all the obstacles people threw at him. But Robby also deserved to feel like he accomplished something he had been chasing all his life; respect. 

The boys were ordered to go to their Sensei's. After getting talks from both of them, Eli was more than ready. He walked back to the center of the mouth but not before meeting his girlfriend's eyes. She gave him two cheerful thumbs up and he responded by blowing her a kiss.

Robby tried tying back his gi but couldn't find his tie.  In frustration, he ripped the top of his gi off his body and threw it to Tory.

Oliver's eyes immediately widened. "Damn." He turned to Demetri. "Why couldn't you have done that?"

Demetri narrowed his eyes. "Oh, shut up."

Eli blinked at his action and slowly looked at the ref. All he did was shrug. He quickly untied his gi, his back tattoo and the butterfly tattoo on his chest on display, and he reached back and threw it to Demetri.

"Now this I can get by." Odessa hummed in approval.

Johnny cringed. "Oh god, please shut up."

Robby immediately threw a kick at Eli and jumped up in the air. He was angry. He kicked his leg at at boy and fell to his bent leg, doing a high back flip. Eli bent backward on the mat and flipped back up.

"What is this? The olympics?" Hailey muttered to herself.

"Let's go, Eli!" Odessa shouted into her hands.

Eli charged at Robby and he grabbed onto him, the Cobra Kai twisting them and they both landed on the mat with a hard smack. Robby held Eli down and raised his fist. But he stopped. His eyes met Kenny, who was cheering for him to end it. While he was distracted, Eli kicked his face and made him fall to the side.

Odessa didn't understand why Robby seemed like he was hesitating.

Eli threw punches at him but Robby was quick to dodge. But he was just standing there. Eli threw another kick but he dodged; neither getting a point. Everyone could see the Miyagi-Do was starting to get tired. Robby motioned for Eli to come at him and he did a side kick, dragging Robby down to the mat and kicking his foot in his chest. He had won.

Odessa let out a loud scream and beamed in happiness. Her and Hailey shook each other and screamed at the top of their lungs. The audience stood out of their seats and roared with cheers. She ran in Demetri and Oliver's direction and they all clutched onto them as they screamed as well.

Everyone immediately ran on the mat and circled around the winner. Odessa jumped in his arms and Eli's arms tightening around her waist as he spun them around. "You did it! You did it!"

"I did it!" He yelled triumphantly.

"Your boys championship, Eli Moskowitz!" Daryl announced.

Eli got handed a large trophy and held it up to the audience. "YEAH!" he shouted in victory and the audience went crazy again.

Odessa grabbed his face and kissed him hard, making the cheers get louder. She pulled away and smiled largely. "i'm so proud of you!" She shouted in his face.

Eli responded by pulling her into him again, kissing her passionately with the trophy rested in his other hand.

Oliver cupped Demetri's face and kissed him as well. When he pulled away, Demetri looked at him with wide eyes. "What was that for? I didn't win."

He shook his head. "I just wanted to kiss you." He admitted loudly over all the cheers.

Demetri shrugged. "Works for me!" He responded and pulled him in again.

Odessa cracked her knuckles as she stood on the side of the mat, waiting for her fight to start. The Eagle Fang's stood to the side. "My money's on Odessa," Mitch said to Devon.

"It better be. She's your fucking teammate." Hailey hissed after she heard him.

"I don't know. Nichols is on a warpath." Devon informed.

"Johnny." Said Daniel as he walked across the mat.

Johnny walked up to him reluctantly. "What do you want?" He sneered.

The man sighed. "Odessa needs our help."

"What are you talking about?"

Daniel motioned to her. "Look at her."

They looked over to see Odessa pacing back and forth on the mat with Eli and Oliver trying to hold her shoulders down to keep her from moving. She was talking really fast and they could see the fear in her blue eyes.

"I'm not saying she can't win because I know she can. But look what Tory did to Sam. She's out for blood and I don't want Odessa to go through what she went through."

"I don't need your help." Johnny stated stubbornly. Odessa's my student. She can handle anything?"

"Can she?" Daniel questioned, unconvinced. He sighed. "Look, we may be set in our ways, but these kids, they're still growing. They can learn from both of us and use what we teach them to create their own way. I was scared of the influence you were having on Sam. But seeing Odessa, I see now that some of what you teach can be good sometimes. And i'm sorry I didn't realize that sooner." He apologized to the man.

Johnny's face softened when he came to a realization. "I'm sorry, too. I saw you and Miguel bonding and I freaked out. And then I got so afraid that Odessa was going to do the same. I was afraid of losing that connection. But now i'm paying the price for it." He confessed. "If you want to help me help Dess win, then, I won't oppose."

"Let's call it Miyagi. . . Fang. . . Uh, just for today." Said Daniel.

Johnny looked over his shoulder at Kreese and Silver. "Let's do this." He declared.

Eli stood with Odessa and he was helping her with her punches. She was an absolute nervous wreck and it showed in her movements. "How're you feeling?" He asked.

She nodded shakily. "Uhh, good. Slightly feel like throwing up, but, I can suffer through it."

"Just remember that you're one of the best fighters here. You think with your head. She's thinking with vengeance. You got this in the bag," he encouraged her.

She threw two more punches and dropped her hands. "You think so?" She asked with a deep breath.

"I know so." He confirmed. He leaned in and kissed her. "Now, get out there and kick her ass so we can be the All Valley champs together."

She smirked slightly and he gave her another kiss before jogging back to the Miyagi-Dos. Hailey and Grayson joined her sides. "You ready to win this?" She questioned.

"I'm kinda scared." Odessa admitted.

"Good. That means you're a human." Said Grayson. "She's just a cold blood snake."

"Rip her fucking head off." Hailey said more violently. She grinned. "Good luck out there, babe."

"What better way to cap off this exciting exhibition of karate than with a final match for the ages?" Daryl shouted. "Representing Cobra Kai, the queen cobra herself, Tory Nichols!" He broadcasted and pointed to Tory.

The audience cheered for the girl. Tory stood on the side with her team.

"Coached by her Sensei's John Kreese and Terry Silver. And representing Eagle Fang karate, the defending champion and most badass girl in the valley, Odessa Beaumont!"

Nearly the entire room cheered for her. It gave her a certain rush of confidence hearing her name being cheered. Odessa scanned the crowd and she grew confused when she couldn't find Miguel.

"Coached by her Sensei Johnny Lawrence who I just been informed will be joined by Sensei Daniel Larusso!"

Odessa's eyes nearly widened out of her head. She quickly looked at Johnny and he only smirked.

Daniel walked up to Daryl and whispered something to him before walking off.

"Oh, I stand corrected. . . fellow two-time All Valley champion, Sensei Johnny Lawrence!"

Odessa laughed and clapped. "Hell yeah!" Grayson hollered.

Daniel and Johnny stood by Odessa and they gathered around. "Ready to kick some ass, Dessi?" Johnny asked her.

Odessa quickly nodded. "Yes, Sensei. As long as you guys are on the same page."

"Defense or offense, we just want you to win and do your best." Daniel told her with a smile.

She blinked and grew a smile. She looked at Johnny. "Thank you for believing in me. For not giving up on me when I gave up on myself. You're the greatest teacher I've ever had, Sensei." She spoke genuinely and hugged him by his torso.

Johnny smiled and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Daniel stood to the side and watched the interaction with a heartwarming smile.

Odessa pulled away from him and smiled at Daniel. "I know there's been a lot of rocky times, and things haven't always gone the way they're supposed to, but, I still think you're a great Sensei. Sam's lucky to have you."

The ref called for Odessa and Tory to come to the mat and she smiled at them one last time. The Senseis watched her walk onto the mat. "She's a great kid," said Daniel.

Johnny nodded firmly. "Yeah, she is."

"Just like her mother. And her father." Daniel added and looked his way.

A smile formed on the corner of his mouth. "Do your thing, Odessa!" He shouted at the girl.

All of Odessa's friends shouted her name from the sidelines. She stood in front of Tory, her hands shaking but she squeezed them into tight fists. Tory stared back at her with harsh eyes but her facial expression was unclear.

"Ready? Fight!"

Tory kicked at Odessa and the blonde kicked at the same time, causing their legs to collide with each other. The Cobra Kai attempted to lean down and sweep her legs but Odessa was quick to do a tornado kick and her foot swiped across Tory's face.

"Point, Beaumont!"

""Let's go, baby girl!" Shouted Thalia from the stands.

Odessa walked back to the center with heavy breaths. Tory was staring at her with perplexingly.

"Yeah, baby!" Eli cheered and clapped for her.

When the fight started again, Tory tried to swing at her again. Odessa was quick to duck under her arm as they switched sides. She kicked at her and Tory grasped her leg and twisted her ankle, making her spin and Tory kicked her foot into her back. She quickly balanced herself and turned around but Tory's foot collided with her nose. 

"Point, Nichols!"

"Fuck!" Grayson cursed and threw his arms down.

Johnny ran a hand through his hair and sighed out id frustration. "It's okay, Odessa." Daniel called out and clapped for her.

Odessa groaned got up from the mat. She tightened her ponytail and stared at Tory with a hatful look on her face.

"Score's one-one!" The referee announced.

She did a side kick and Tory quickly blocked it. She then threw her fist in her direction but the Cobra Kai grabbed her wrist and threw her over her shoulder,  her head banging on the mat. 

"Hey, this is karate, not MMA!" Johnny shouted angrily.

"Point, Nichols! Two-one!"

"Mother fucker!" Odessa hissed in pain. She rolled over on her side and got up from the mat with a stumble. She looked at the Miyagi-Do's and Eagle Fang's and they were all watching her with worried stares. 

Eli gave her an encouraging nod. "Just focus, Dessi. You're doing great, okay?" He called out.

"Beat her ass!" Hailey added,  loudly.

"That too!"

Odessa breathed in and out and channeled all the techniques Daniel and her Sensei had taught her. Tory charged at her and kicked her foot but Odessa did wax on and blocked it. The Cobra Kai then threw a punch and she did wax off to counteract it. Daniel was smiling from the side that she was using his techniques.

Tory glared at her and lunged forward, attempting to kick but Odessa grabbed her foot and dragged her forward, her hand colliding with Tory's shoulder and dragging her to the mat — kicking her in the stomach.

"Point, Beaumont! Score's two-two! The next point wins!" The referee announced.

"Yes, Odessa!" Daniel shouted with a loud clap of his hands.

"Come on, girl. You got this!" Oliver shouted out into his hands.

"Ready? Fight!"

Tory kicked her but Odessa chopped her foot downward with her hand. She then twisting on her back foot to kick her and the blonde blocked it with her other hand. She kicked at Tory but the girl ducked under her leg and wrapped her arms around Odessa pulling her in. She pushed forward in attempt to get her to let go.  Odessa threw a punch and Tory ducked down but Odessa was able to hit her in the side. 

The crowd cheered loudly but the ref shook his head,  waving his hands.  "No point, out of bounds!"

"What?" Odessa yelled in disbelief.

"Come on, ref!" Daniel shouted angrily.

"She went out after she got hit!" Johnny yelled as well.

"Are you blind?" Her mouth hollered out in anger.

The two girls got back to the center.  Odessa lunged in anger, kicking at Tory but was blocked. She ducked when Tory swung her fist over her head. The Cobra Kai attempted to kick her but Odessa hit her foot. When she saw an open shot, she thrusted her fist forward in the direction of Tory's chest but the girl was able to block to punch with her arm.

"Block, no point!" The ref shouted.

She cursed under her breath. Tory threw a kick at her and Odessa blocked in. Counterattacking, she punches high and low but Tory was able to block them precisely. With a grunt, Tory threw another kick at her and Odessa did wax on to block it.  She yelled out in anger and did a spin kick, hitting Tory in the shoulder but she was able to quickly dodged it.

"Block. No point!"

Dammit." Odessa hissed and wiped the hair out of her sweaty face.

"Come on, Odessa!" Thalia cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.

"Just focus, Beaumont!" Johnny shouted out after her with his hands settled on his hips. He was shaking with nerves. "Come on, Christian. Pray wherever you are." He muttered to himself.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats watching the girls fight intensely. Odessa lifted her leg but Tory grabbed onto it, dragging her to the mat and she flipping her over her head. Quickly recovering, Odessa grabbed Tory's shoulders and flipped over her, rolling her on top of her and attempted to hit her in the chest,  but the Cobra Kai girl's elbow collided with her nose.

"Warning, elbow to the face!"

"Fuck!" Odessa cursed loudly and held nose,  feeling a warm substance on her hand.

"Warning? That should be a point deduction!"  Johnny shouted at the man with anger on his voice.

"Go to your sensei's." 

"You ref's suck!" Oliver commented in anger and Demetri quickly hitting him on the arm to shut him up.

Thalia immediately got up and came rushing down the stands.

Tory's eyes were wide as she stared down at the bleeding girl. "I didn't mean to." She shook her head quickly. "It was an accident."

Odessa scrambled to her feet and stumbled as she walked off the mat while holding her nose. Eli rushed up to her and cupped the sides of her head. "Here. Let me see. Let me see." 

She took her hand off her nose to show the blood running down and onto her lips. Thalia came to her side and cringed when she saw the blood. "Can I get some tissues over here!" She ordered loudly.

Oliver and Demetri ran to get a box of tissues. "Keep your head down, blondie. Keep your head down." Said Johnny and he rubbed her back.

Odessa leaned her head down and watched the crimson clover drip on the floor. Eli pulled the hair that was fallen out of her ponytail out of her face. He took the hair tie out and gathered her hand into his hands. He put it into a new pintail.

"Okay, we got them!" Demetri announced while holding up a box of tissues.

Oliver took one out of the box and lifted Odessa's head up. He pressed it to her nose.Are you okay?" He asked while his brown eyes scanned her blood face.

She nodded slightly. "I'm fine. That just hurt like a bitch."

"Nothing can stop this one." Grayson laughed and patted her shoulder.

"Are you okay to keep going?" Thalia questioned her daughter.

Odessa took another tissue because the other one was covered in blood and she held it to her nose. She nodded in response. "Yes."

"That fucking cheater." Hailey hissed and shook her head in anger.

"She said it was an accident."

"Is everything okay?" The ref asked them.

Odessa nodded again. "Yes, everything okay." She gave him a thumbs up. "I'm ready."

"If you get dizzy, just walk off the mat." Eli told her and used another tissue to wipe the blood off her face.

She smiled at him, revealing the tiny bits of blood still on her teeth.

"Ladies, to the center please." The referee announced.

Thalia kissed the top of her head. "Good luck, Angel Face."

"Let's go, Dess!" They all shouted and clapped for her.

Odessa walked to the center of the mat and twitched her nose in pain. When she stood in front of Tory, a sudden feeling of anger combined with adrenaline chilled her bones. She glared at the girl and raised her fists. When the whistle blew, Tory lunged forward and Odessa kicked her leg. She jumped back quickly and she stood there, staring at her harshly. Odessa held one of her hands back over her shoulder and one in front of her as the two circled each other. She thought about all the damage Tory had done. She got Miguel hurt, almost traumatized Sam, and she was with Robby when they attacked Eli. She wasn't a vengeful person but right now, all she wanted to do was kick Tory's ass.

Tory threw another kick and Odessa quickly hit her foot to block it. She blocked her punches high and low and attempted a side kick but Tory dodged it. She threw another punch but the Cobra Kai grabbed her arm in attempt pull her in and jab her. Odessa blocked another punch and successfully kicked Tory in the side. The Cobra Kai did the same thing. Tory attempted to kick her in the front of her body but Odessa held her arms in front of her blocking it. She then bent down and did a spin kick and her food collided her foot with Odessa's stomach, causing her to stumble back and fall to the mat.

"Point, winner!" The ref announced and held up Tory's hand.

Tory looked distraught at what just happened and got up, staring down at the girl with big eyes. "Odessa, are you okay?" She quickly asked.

All Odessa could do was stare at her. Before she could say anything, the Cobra Kai team ran on the mat and lifted Tory up in victory. Sadness visibly appeared on her face and she got up from the mat. Johnny and Daniel retrieved her and their hands pressed to her back. "It's okay, Dess. You did your best." Johnny tried to cheer her up but it was no good.

"Give it up for our new and second female champion,  Tory Nichols!" Daryl shouted into the mic and held up the trophy.And the winner of the grand champion trophy and still the baddest dojo in the Valley, Cobra Kai!"

Eli stared his girlfriend sadly and held his arms out.  Odessa walked into them and wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face in his shoulder. He rubbed her back. "Don't be upset. You did amazing. I'm so proud of you."

The others surrounded her and put their hands on her back.

Silver took the mic from the man. "Thank you! Thank you! We couldn't be prouder of our hard-won victory.  And we're just as proud to announce we'll soon be opening Cobra Kai franchises throughout the entire valley. So every one if you young men and women here can be part of our championship dojo." He announced to the crowd of people.

Everyone started chanting Cobra Kais name. Oliver glared. "You know, I used to think he was hot but now I want to kick his ass." He sneered.

While his team was celebrating, Robby stared at his father who only gave him a somber stare. He then saw Odessa wrapped in Eli's arms. He could see her shoulders shaking, indicating to him that she was crying. 

Her Sensei's gathered around her. "Odessa, please don't cry." Daniel spoke as if he was taking to his own daughter.

"I'm sorry," she cried into Eli's shoulder. "We've been training so hard and I failed."

Johnny and Eli looked at each other and he carefully took her out of his arms. "No, you didn't fail. You only made me, your mother, and everyone else prouder of you. You went out there and fought like the badass you are. Screw a trophy. I'm proud of you."

She let out another small cry and wrapped her arms around his waist. Johnny let out a silent sigh and looked at Daniel, who looked defeated as well. He saw Thalia come down from the stands again and she was just as heartbroken as her daughter.

Odessa pulled away and looked around. "Where's Miguel?" She voiced.

Thalia and Johnny looked at each other but could only shrug. "I don't know, baby." Her mom responded when she joined them.

Her lips started to tremble again. "I'm sorry." She repeated quietly.

"Dess." They called her name but she ignored them and took off running. Eli followed after her, shouting out her name as well.

Odessa didn't say a word the whole way back to her house. She had changed into a pink hoodie and sweatpants. Her nose was bruised from Tory elbowing her and she was tired. Extremely tired. She leaned her head against the window of her mom's car. Thalia glanced at her every so often. She opened her mouth to try and say something but she was unable to form words. They were both sad. Thalia was only disappointed because she knew how much winning meant to Odessa. She worked so hard for so long only for it be wasted.

They walked into their home and Thalia turned on the light. "Cheer up, Angel Face. Why don't I make you your favorite?" She said while walking into the kitchen.

But Odessa didn't answer. She collapsed on the couch and touched her bruised nose. She flinched. All she wanted to do was sleep.

Thalia's phone started to ring and she took it out of her pocket. "Hello?" She spoke. "Hey, Carmen – wait, Carmen, slow down," she said as Carmen spoke really fast on the other line.

Hearing her, Odessa got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen.

"No, Miguel's not here," Thalia told the woman. She looked at her confused daughter and only shrugged. Her face slowly fell at what Carmen told her next. "Oh my – does Johnny know?"

"What's going on?" Odessa questioned but got no response.

Her mom's face drained of color. She lowered the phone from her ear. "Dess, did Miguel say anything to you at the tournament?" She asked.

She blinked rapidly. "Uhh, he was asking me questions about my dad. H-He was really upset the whole day. I kept asking if everything was okay but he just said he was fine. What's going on, mom?"

"Honey, Miguel's gone." Thalia stated.

Odessa blinked again and she jerked her head back. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" She relayed quickly.

"He left his mom and grandma a note saying that he's going to look for his father. Baby, his father lives in Mexico—"

She suddenly felt dizzy and Odessa touched her forehead. It was like she couldn't breath.

"Dess, baby?" She heard her mother day.

"I-I can't breath." She stuttered and put a hand on her tight chest. She felt a burning sensation. "Mom, I can't breath."

"Odessa!" Thalia called our and gripped her arms.

"Why would he just leave like that? He promised that he wouldn't leave?" Odessa cried and backed away out of her grasp. She clutched her blonde hair. "I need to get out of here."

"Odessa—"

"I can't breath!" She repeated louder and ran to the front door. Her mom shouted her name again. She flung the door open and ran outside, her vision blurry and her breath rigid.

"Odessa."

Odessa froze. With her hand clutching her chest, she looked up and it felt like the world had stopped spinning. All she could hear was the sound of her own shaky breaths.

Thalia came running out of the house and she froze. Her jaw dropped to the ground.

Odessa blinked her eyes and her vision cleared. She looked into a pair of eyes that she never thought she would see again. "Dad?"