Heartbreak Weather, Eli Mosko...

LV.                                                 Heartbreak Weather

Whenever someone in the core four texts in the group chat to meet at their usual spot, you always go. And you get there quickly. And usually when it involved Odessa, it was pretty important. After suffering through an anxiety attack alone in her bedroom, she decided it was time to come clean to her friends about her dad. She was mainly worried about Oliver, for he had been through it all. He resented Christian just as much as anyone else.

The three friends walked into the restaurant together and saw Odessa sitting at a table alone. "We got your message, blondie. What's up?" Grayson announced and they sat down.

"Yeah, what did you need to tell us?" Followed Oliver.

"Let's order first. You might want to be full for this."

They ordered their food and while Odessa was watching them eat, her stomach twisted in knots. She was beyond nervous. The spent the whole morning debating on if telling them was the right idea. Her dad went back to his apartment and her mom didn't ask her any questions on what happened yesterday. Not that she minded. She didn't want to talk about it anyway.

But she told her friends everything. They were her safety net. That didn't stop her from fidgeting with everything on the table because it was one of her nervous tics.

Grayson sipped his almost empty Sprite. He burped out loud. Hailey gave him a grossed out look. "Excuse you." She said with a scoff.

"Okay, Dess. What's up?" Oliver asked his friend.

They stared at her expectingly. Odessa popped each of her fingers individually and then they latched around the hair tie on her wrist, which was red from her constantly snapping it all day. "Uhh. . ."

Hailey noticing her jittering. "Is this about Miguel? Is this about Miguel? I promise, Dess, he's gonna come home any day now."

Odessa shook her head. "No,  it's. . . it's not about Miguel." They continued to stared at her which made her even more nervous. "Okay, um. . . after the tournament, mom and I went home. Carmen called and told us that Miguel had left to go to Mexico. I freaked out about it and I felt like I was having a panic attack so I went outside and. . ." She paused when she realized how fast she was talking. "My dad's back."

All of them went stiff. Hailey's jaw dropped and she quickly covered her mouth. Grayson and Oliver looked at each other and immediately, he saw the anger flare in Oliver's eyes. "Just like that? He showed up just like that?" Questioned Hailey.

She slightly nodded.

"What the fuck. Why is he here?" Grayson cursed out of anger.

"He said he's been in rehab for the past year. Said he's been trying to find me and mom. Said he was at the All Valley—"

"Wait, wait, wait. He was there?" Oliver interrupted and sat up on his chair. His face began to turn as red as his hair. "That's fucking bullshit.  He doesn't have to right to come into your lives after what he did."

Odessa squeezed his bicep. "I know. Believe me, I know."

"What did Thalia say?" Hailey quickly asked.

"S-She's just as confused as I am. He said he wants us to give him another chance,"

"Hell no. He asked you for money and then fucking left you. You don't deserve to go through that again."

Grayson touched her arm and she sucked in a deep breath.

Odessa went quiet. She stared down at her shaky hands. "We're here for you, okay? You don't have to go through this alone. You or your mom." Said Oliver, a lot calmer, but he was still pissed off.

She nodded and smiled weakly.

"It's good that you told them. At least you don't have to carry that burden."

"I guess. They got so mad. Especially Oliver." Said Odessa. She was lying on her bed with her phone pressed to her ear, Eli on the other line, laying in the same position on his bed.

"That just means he's protective. He should be. I feel the same way."

She smiled slightly. "I just don't know what to do. I've been begging for him to come back for three years now and now that he is, I don't want to be around him."

"It's understandable. He can't just show up like that and expect you to be all sunshine and rainbows. You went through a lot because of him. Don't feel guilty."

"But I do. That's the thing," she replied sadly. "I broke down in front of him and basically said he was the worst father."

"You're just mad, okay? He understands. You shouldn't have to feel guilty or ashamed for how you feel. You're the daughter. He should be the one trying to win back your trust."

Odessa rested her arm against her forehead and groaned. "I know, I know, that's what I told him. It's just. . . I know he's been in rehab. He's clean now.  Maybe I should at least try?" She groaned again. "I don't know."

"That's your decision, baby." Eli replied. "He's your dad. You deserve to have him in your life. Don't feel pressured to make a decision, okay? I'm here if you need any help."

She smiled to herself. "Thank you." Odessa felt her phone vibrate and looked to see Miguel's name. Her eyes widened and she sat up. "Uh, hey babe,  someone's calling me. I'll call you right back?" She said frantically and felt her hand begin to shake.

"Sure. I love you."

"I love you." She replied and hung up on him. She quickly answered the other phone call. "Miguel?"

Thalia sped all the way to Receda. Odessa chewed on her thumb nail anxiously. Her foot tapped harshly against the floor board of her mom's car. She was incredibly pissed. She was also relieved that he was back home and safe. When the mother and daughter arrived at the apartment complex, Thalia parked her car and they got out. Without knocking, Odessa walked into the home and froze at the door when she saw Miguel standing in his kitchen with Rosa.

He instantly smiled when he saw her. "Dess."

She stood there silently. Carmen and Johnny stood to the side and waited for her reaction. Thalia came running behind her and she sighed with relief when she saw him safe. "Miguel." She smiled.

"Thalia!" He said back and they met in the middle. He hugged her tightly.

"I've missed you, sweet boy. Don't ever take off on me like that again! You scared me to death."

Odessa shifted her weight on one hip. She still didn't say anything. When they pulled away. Miguel looked at his friend and started to get nervous when she just stood there.

They pulled away and Miguel looked down at Odessa. He started to get nervous when she just stood there and stared at him. He definitely knew she was angry. But to his surprise, she walked up to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I'm so happy you're safe." She uttered.

Sighing with relief, Miguel hugged her back. "I'm happy to be back. I'm so sorry I took off. I wanted to tell you."

She pulled away and smiled at him. Then,  a switch went off and she grabbed one if the pillows from the couch and started hitting him with it. "You asshole!  Why would you do that!" She shouted.

"What—Dess! Odessa!" He shouted back and shielded his face from the pillow.

Carmen and Johnny moved away from the couch and the adults watched in shock. Odessa pushed him backward onto the couch and continued to beat him with the plush pillow. "I was worried sick about you, you jerk! I hate you!"

"I'm sorry!" Miguel exclaimed and curled into a ball on the couch. "Stop hitting me!"

"No!"
Thalia turned to his mother with wide eyes. "Should we stop them?" She asked quickly.

Carmen only smiled. "No. I've missed this."

After the pillow fight ended, Odessa and Miguel took a walk outside. "Okay, now that I got all that out of my system, tell me how it went." She said to him.

"Well, it's was. . . eventually," Miguel started. "I, uh, I found my dad."

Her eyes went soft. "You did?"

He nodded slightly. "He. . . He has a family."

Odessa frowned at his words and motioned for him to sit down on the sidewalk. They sat down and she nodded her head for him to continue.

"He didn't even know I existed," Miguel trailed. "I saw him with his family and I felt so terrible. I tried hinting to him that I was his son but things just didn't work out. Then he said. . ." he paused and spaced out.  Odessa laid a hand on his shoulder. "He said he doesn't regret anything."

All the anger she felt was gone. "Oh Mig, i'm so sorry."  She muttered with remorse

He shook his head. "I realized going to look for him was a mistake. I just. . . I wanted to see him for the first time. I wanted him to know me."

She scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Miguel. He doesn't deserve you."

He laid his head on hers. "I'm sorry I left like I did.  I really did want to tell you, but, I didn't know how. I didn't want to ruin the All Valley for you. But I swear, you almost made me stay."

She grinned. "Yeah?"

He nodded. "Yeah. You're my best friend."

She lifted her head again and smiled slightly. "I know you've been struggling for a while but I didn't know it was so bad that you felt like you had to leave. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be." Miguel shook his head again. "It's not your fault. I had to figure out things for myself. But now I know what's important."

"What's that?"

"My friends. My mom and yaya. Johnny. Karate. Sam. And you are and your mom."

Her heart warmed and she put her hand on his shoulder again.

"Holy shit, babe. You have a needle in your nose." Eli exclaimed with wide eyes.

"No shit." Odessa groaned and winced in pain when the woman slid the needle out of her nose and put the stud in. Following through with her and Hailey's plan,  Odessa went with Eli to the tattoo place to get a nose ring. Like he promised, Eli got the tattoo he planned to get.

"It looks so good!" Hailey squealed from the chair beside her.

"Wow, i'm shocked you didn't try to punch her."  Oliver laughed from where was seated by Miguel.

Odessa rolled her eyes. "I'm not that dramatic."

The tattoo artist finished up Eli's tattoos. "Sweet. Thanks,  Aurora. Tell Rico I said hey."  He smiled and fist bumped the woman. He stood up from the seat and walked over to Odessa to examine her nose ring. "Wow, babe, it looks great."

"Am I ever wrong?" Hailey questioned with a smirk.  "Don't bother answering. I know i'm not."

Grayson rolled his eyes. "Oh, brother."

Odessa grinned and looked at the tattoo on El's chest.  "It looks great." She said with a wide smile

"Wow, man. You are really going all in on Miyagi-Do,  huh?"  Demetri said and examined the tattoo as well.

"It's a lotus flower," Eli explained with a chuckle.  "Symbolizes a new beginning, which is what I have now."

"Love that." Oliver commented with a nod.

"And right here. . ."  He trailed and walked back over to Odessa. He showed her his hand. ". . . Is for you."

She took his hand and smiled when she saw a small butterfly tattoo on the inside of his finger. "Why'd you get this?"

"For you, of course. Now I have two for you." He was referring to the small butterfly he had on the other side of his chest.  He never got it covered up.

"Awww, that's so sweet," Hailey gushed. She hit Grayson on the arm. "Gray, get a tattoo for me."

He shook his head. "Yeah, not happening."

"He's afraid of needles." Oliver mentioned to the others. He heard Miguel let out a quiet sigh from beside him. He turned his head. "You good, bro?"

"Yeah, uh, tired from the trip is all." Miguel answered and they stood up to join everyone else.

"Well, I mean, yeah. You spent how many hours in a car with Robby?" Eli questioned with a small chuckle.

"I've never seen you around him for more than two minutes without a John Wick style fight breaking out," Demetri added.

"Yeah, but for Sensei's sake, i'm trying not to let it get to that point."

"Better than me," said Grayson. "Dude puts me in a wheelchair and i'm shoving him into the ocean."

They looked at him weirdly.

"What?"

"He deserves it." Said Oliver after looking away from his friend.

"He says he done with Cobra Kai, though. So we'll see how that goes." Miguel mentioned.

"That's a good step in the right direction." Odessa stated, trying to lighten to mood.

The boy's phone went off and he took it out of his pocket. "Is that Sam? She finally text back?" Eli asked his friend. 

"Yeah. Says she wants to, uh. . . talk tonight." Miguel responded.

In unison, all the guys sucked in a breath. "What did she say exactly?" Eli asked for confirmation. 

"Like word for word." Oliver added in.

"We should talk tonight."

"Oh boy, you're in trouble." Grayson whistled and Hailey hit him again. "Ow!"

"He's right. You're in deep." Demetri agreed.

"I mean, she's right. We should talk. Last time we spoke, we had a huge fight."

"Usually when a girl texts you we should talk, it's usually code for I want to break up."

Eli nodded. "Trust me."

Odessa scoffed quietly.

"What? It is?" Miguel asked frantically.

"Not all the time!" Hailey intervened. "Sometimes when I text Grayson we need to talk, i'm usually just trying to get him to come over and hang out."

"So, Sam just wants to hang out?"

"Most likely."

"Take Dess for example," Eli announced and motioned to his girlfriend. "She's big on communication. Maybe Sam does just want to talk?"

Odessa nodded and hummed. "He's right. I am."

" O, no, we need more information," Demetri disregarded and took Miguel's phone. Oliver went over and stood beside him, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. "Uh, we should send a trial balloon. something that outs the ball in her court."

Oliver's eyes widened. "Nice sports analogy, babe."

"Thanks. Uh, how about can't wait to see you tonight?Um, how are you?" He thought out loud and started typing on Miguel's phone.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Odessa asked from where she was sitting.

"Don't worry, Dess. I'm a master at text talk," Oliver said with a wave of his hand. The phone went off again and the boyfriends quickly looked at the text. "She said i'm okay.," he read out loud and whistled. "Oh boy, she's pissed."

Grayson had stood up and went to join them, leaving Odessa and Hailey sitting in the chairs. Hailey scoffed. "I love how they think they know more about girls than we do."

"Let's just let them crash and burn," Odessa responded.

"You need to do something to turn this around, stat." Demetri insisted.

"What do I do?" Miguel asked.

"Jump out of an airplane." Oliver confirmed. He received weird stares from the all. He shrugged.  "What? Self sacrifice is the ultimate form of love."

"That's your solution? Romeo and Juliet style?" Demetri questioned with narrow eyes.

The girls had enough. "Okay, you guys are reading too much into this." Hailey spoke and she and Odessa finally stood up.

"Hailey and I are going to the spa with the girls. We can just talk to Sam while we're there and see how she's feeling."

They boys glanced at each other. "Yeah, that could work." Grayson nodded.

"Good idea, Dessi." Said Oliver with a proud grin.

"It's not like we're girls or anything." Hailey said sarcastically.

He titled his head, also sarcastic. "You are? Couldn't tell."

"Fuck you."

"Suck my dick."