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The California sun beat down relentlessly as Imogen Lee stepped out of her grandmother's small house and into the unfamiliar streets of the San Fernando Valley. The heat here was unlike anything she had experienced in her hometown of Portland-thick, dry, and all-consuming. It had been just over a week since she moved in with Grandma Lee, and the adjustment was proving harder than she'd anticipated. Life here seemed so fast-paced and loud, and she felt like a ghost slipping unnoticed through her new environment.

Her grandmother had suggested she take a break from unpacking and explore the area. There was a spa nearby that was known for its relaxing atmosphere, and while Imogen wasn't usually one for spas, the idea of escaping the oppressive heat for an afternoon sounded appealing. She packed her bag, threw on a sundress, and headed out, determined to distract herself from the heavy weight of homesickness.

The spa was easy to find, tucked away on a quiet street lined with palm trees. The moment she stepped inside, the scent of lavender and eucalyptus wrapped around her like a warm blanket, and the soft hum of ambient music seemed to whisper, Relax. You belong here.

Imogen took a moment to breathe it all in, feeling her shoulders loosen for the first time in days. She was scanning the room for an open spot to sit when her eyes landed on a girl in the far corner. The girl's head was tilted downward, her long, blonde hair falling like a curtain around her face as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Even from a distance, Imogen could see the red puffiness of her eyes and the subtle shake of her shoulders.

Something about the girl drew Imogen in. She looked so utterly alone, and Imogen knew that feeling all too well. Without thinking, she found herself walking over and sitting down across from her.

"Hey," Imogen said softly, trying not to startle her. "Are you okay?"

The girl looked up, her blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She sniffled and gave a weak smile, quickly wiping at her face. "Oh. Uh... yeah. Sorry, I didn't mean to-" she gestured vaguely at herself. "Make a scene or anything."

"You're not making a scene," Imogen assured her. "I just... thought maybe you could use someone to talk to."

The girl hesitated, then let out a shaky laugh. "That obvious, huh?"

Imogen smiled. "A little."

"I'm Moon," the girl said, extending a hand. "Sorry you had to meet me like this."

"Imogen," she replied, shaking Moon's hand. "And don't apologize. We all have our moments."

Moon studied her for a moment, as if trying to gauge if she could trust her. Finally, she let out a long sigh. "It's my ex. Eli. Well, Hawk. He goes by Hawk now. We broke up a while ago, but seeing him around... it just kind of stirs everything up again, you know?"

Imogen nodded, even though she didn't know. She'd never had an ex, never been in a relationship that could leave her feeling this raw and vulnerable. But she understood pain when she saw it, and she could see that Moon was carrying more than just heartbreak.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Imogen asked.

Moon hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know. I just... I thought we were good together. But he changed. He started caring more about what other people thought of him than about me. And now he's with Cobra Kai, and I don't even recognize him anymore."

Imogen tilted her head. "Cobra Kai? What's that?"

Moon gave a small, bittersweet laugh. "Oh, right. You're new here. Let me guess-someone's already told you how big karate is in the Valley?"

Imogen nodded. "Yeah, but I didn't think it was that serious."

"It's a lot more intense than you'd think," Moon said. "Especially with all the rivalries between the dojos. Miyagi-Do, Cobra Kai... it's like a never-ending battle for dominance. And Hawk-Eli-he's right in the middle of it."

Imogen listened as Moon poured her heart out, nodding and offering quiet encouragement when needed. By the end of their conversation, Moon's tears had dried, and a small smile had returned to her face.

"Thanks for listening," Moon said as they walked out of the spa together. "I didn't realize how much I needed that."

"Anytime," Imogen replied. And she meant it. There was something about Moon that made her want to stick around-to be the person she could lean on, if nothing else.

Over the next few weeks, Imogen and Moon started spending more and more time together. They met for coffee at the local café, strolled through the farmer's market, and even tried a yoga class at Moon's insistence. Imogen quickly realized that she looked forward to their time together more than anything else in her new life. Moon's optimism and free-spirited nature were like a breath of fresh air, and Imogen found herself opening up in ways she hadn't with anyone else.

One afternoon, while they were lying in the park and watching the clouds drift by, Moon turned to her with a mischievous grin. "So, have you thought about trying karate yet?"

Imogen raised an eyebrow. "Karate? Me?"

"Why not?" Moon said, sitting up and crossing her legs. "You'd be great at it. You've got the focus, the determination. Plus, Miyagi-Do isn't like Cobra Kai. It's all about balance and inner peace. It's... kind of beautiful, in a way."

Imogen hesitated. "I don't know. I've never really thought of myself as the karate type."

"Trust me," Moon said, her eyes sparkling. "You should at least give it a shot."

Imogen couldn't resist Moon's enthusiasm, so the next day, she found herself standing in front of Miyagi-Do. The dojo was unlike anything she'd expected-peaceful, serene, with a koi pond and a sense of calm that seemed to emanate from every corner. Daniel LaRusso greeted her warmly, and as he explained the philosophy of Miyagi-Do, Imogen felt something click. This wasn't just about fighting; it was about finding balance and strength within herself.

She started training the very next day, and though it was challenging, she found herself loving every moment of it. The discipline, the focus, the camaraderie-it all gave her a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in a long time.

And every time she walked out of the dojo, sweaty and exhausted, Moon was there waiting for her with a bright smile and a bottle of water. Imogen couldn't help but smile back, her heart fluttering every time their eyes met. It wasn't long before she realized what that feeling was: she was falling for Moon. And judging by the way Moon's hand lingered on hers a little longer each time they said goodbye, she had a feeling the sentiment was mutual.

Imogen pulled up to Miyagi-Do in her grandma's old car, the sunlight reflecting off the polished hood. She stepped out, squinting in the bright afternoon light as she took in the scene. The property was picturesque, with the iconic bonsai trees and serene koi pond she'd heard Moon describe. But something was off. People were bustling about, carrying buckets and mops, sweeping up debris, and scrubbing graffiti off the walls of the outdoor dojo.

Her curiosity piqued, Imogen wandered closer, her sneakers crunching on the gravel. She stood at the edge of the chaos, watching the group work in tense silence. She couldn't help herself. "Looks like a tornado came through here," she said lightly, trying to make conversation.

Heads turned sharply in her direction. A boy with dark hair and sharp features stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You think this is funny?" he said, his voice tense. "Were you one of them? Did you help do this?"

Imogen blinked, taken aback. "What? No! I don't even know what you're talking about!"

"Cobra Kai did this," the boy snapped, gesturing to the mess. "Don't play dumb. If you're with them, you can leave right now."

Imogen's cheeks flushed with frustration. "I'm not with anyone," she shot back, crossing her arms. "I just moved here a few weeks ago! I've never even met anyone from Cobra Kai. I only came here because Moon told me about this place, and I thought it sounded cool."

At the mention of Moon's name, another girl-a brunette with a strong, determined face-stepped forward. Her expression softened slightly as she studied Imogen. "Wait... Moon told you about Miyagi-Do?"

Imogen nodded, her irritation still simmering but beginning to ebb. "Yeah. She said this place was all about balance and defense. I thought it sounded like something I'd want to try."

The girl exchanged a glance with the boy, then turned back to Imogen. "You're Imogen, aren't you?"

Imogen tilted her head. "Uh... yeah? How do you know my name?"

The girl's lips curved into a small smile. "I'm Sam. Moon's one of my best friends. She's been talking about you nonstop the past few days."

Imogen felt her face heat up at the implication. "Oh," she said, suddenly self-conscious. "Well, that's... nice to hear."

The boy-Robby, as Sam later introduced him-still looked suspicious but less so than before. "Sorry," he said grudgingly. "It's been a rough day. Cobra Kai trashed the place last night, and tensions are high."

"Understandable," Imogen replied, glancing around at the mess. "This... really sucks. I can help, if you want."

Sam's smile widened. "We could use all the help we can get."

Imogen rolled up her sleeves and joined in, grateful for the chance to prove herself. As she worked alongside the Miyagi-Do students, she realized this wasn't just about karate-it was about a community coming together in the face of adversity. And maybe, just maybe, she was about to find her place in it.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

im excited for this fic and i hope it doesn't flop :)

she'll see hawk very soon...he will be not shy like she knew he was

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)