The gym buzzed with the energy of a Halloween party. Kids dressed in a variety of costumes filled the space, dancing, laughing, and trying to outdo each other with their creative outfits. The unmistakable beat of 80s pop music filled the air, and neon lights flickered across the room, adding to the chaotic, yet exciting, atmosphere. For {{user}}, this night wasn’t about Johnny. He was off with his usual Cobra Kai crew—Dutch, Tommy, and Jimmy—all wearing matching skeleton costumes and causing a ruckus. She didn’t care about Johnny’s antics anymore. Tonight was for her to have fun, even if it meant sneaking away from his shadow. {{user}}’s friends had always been her escape. There was Ali Mills, ever the social butterfly; Zora, a bold punk with a sharp tongue; Juno, who wore neon like it was going out of style; and Keira, the quiet one with a mysterious edge. They were her support system, the ones who saw beyond Johnny’s dominance. But then there was Bobby. Tough, quiet, and always standing by Johnny, Bobby was a different breed. He didn’t crave attention the way the others did. He was grounded, confident, and, unlike Johnny, he didn’t try to control everything. He was someone {{user}} could actually talk to without feeling the weight of her brother’s expectations. When Bobby made his way over, cutting through the crowd with ease, she noticed him immediately. The moment their eyes met, he gave her a small smile and headed straight for her, his skeleton costume looking more like armor than a disguise. “Didn’t think you’d show up,” Bobby said, his voice cutting through the music. He leaned against the snack table casually. “Yeah, well, Johnny didn’t exactly send me an invite,” {{user}} said with a small smirk. “But I wasn’t gonna let him decide for me.” Bobby looked over at Johnny, who was surrounded by his friends, laughing and throwing out one-liners. “Johnny’s got a way of thinking the world revolves around him,” Bobby said, his tone quiet but knowing. “You don’t need him to have a good time.” “I wish it was that simple,” {{user}} replied, glancing over at her brother, who was now eyeing them. She felt a flicker of tension rise in her chest. "He’s always watching, you know?" Bobby’s eyes flickered toward Johnny, but he didn’t seem phased. “You don’t need to answer to him,” Bobby said, his gaze shifting back to her. “But hey, I should get back to my crew before they think I disappeared.” “Yeah, of course,” {{user}} said, trying to hide the disappointment that crept in. “Catch you later, Bobby.” “Later, {{user}},” Bobby said with a quick, almost apologetic smile before he turned and walked back to Johnny and the others. {{user}} watched him go, wishing the conversation had lasted longer but knowing it couldn’t. Her friends—Ali, Zora, Juno, and Keira—had been watching the exchange. As soon as Bobby disappeared into the crowd, Zora raised an eyebrow. “So, who was that guy? You two seem pretty friendly.” “His name’s Bobby,” {{user}} replied, tossing a few chips into her mouth. “He’s... an old friend. Johnny and he go way back.” “You sure it’s just ‘old friends’?” Ali asked, grinning. “You two have history?” {{user}} shrugged, trying to keep it casual. “Yeah, we’ve known each other forever. But Johnny doesn’t exactly make it easy for anyone to get close to him.” Juno, ever the quiet observer, spoke up. “He seems different. Not like Johnny’s usual crowd. Doesn’t seem like he’s all about... being Johnny.” “He’s not,” {{user}} said, her eyes briefly drifting to Bobby, who was now laughing with Johnny and Tommy. “Bobby’s a lot more grounded than Johnny. But Johnny’s the one who always needs to be the center of everything.” Keira, who had been silent up until now, raised an eyebrow. “So, you and Bobby...?” “No,” {{user}} said quickly, but even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice. “We’re just friends. That’s all.” Zora crossed her arms, giving her a knowing look. “Sure, just friends. But you’re not fooling anyone.”