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𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓, Stella checked out of the hospital, the LAPD caught the drunk driver, and Stella was off on medical leave.

While it was the day of the tournament, Stella decided to stay home, and she would have August and Johnny fill her in on the events.

"How are you feeling?" Janette asked as she brought Stella a cup of tea.

"Still pretty sore, but I'm feeling better." Stella said. "Johnny's been staying with me and he's really helped me out, especially with the bruised ribs, which seems to be his specialty, since it was an ongoing karate injury."

"I'm just so sorry this happened." Janette said as she embraced her granddaughter. "It shouldn't have happened."

"I shouldn't have been so distracted while I was driving. It's just... which everything that's going on, and Terry Silver showing up at my job—" Stella said

"Wait, back up, he showed up at your job?" Janette asked, and Stella nodded. "Sweetheart, why didn't you tell your father?"

"And make matters worse? Grandma, you know dad would have made a scene or worse—" Stella said

"I know honey." Janette said. "With this tournament, we have to prepare ourselves for the worst. Call it a hunch, but something bad is about to happen I know it."

"I know." Stella said as she rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder

"What's that?" Janette said as she noticed a small box in the corner of the room

"Oh, I was going through my spare closet, and I found a box of memorabilia from mom's childhood. Grandma Abilene wanted to keep it, but I just couldn't bring myself to part with it." Stella said

Janette stood up, grabbed the box, and placed it on the ottoman. The two women went through the box together, smiling at the family photos, childhood toys, posters, etc.

There were photos of Ava and Nathan together in early 1989, as well as photos of Priscilla and her sister Kellie.

"I remember this." Janette said as she smiled fondly at the photo of Ava and Nathan in Charlotte in 1990. "Your mom had just won her first rodeo. They were going to use the money and put a down payment down on the ranch."

Flashback
— Fall 1990; Austin, TX

Newly wedded couple, Nathan and Ava parked in front of a ranch. It had a two story house, as well as a guest house.

"What do you think?" Nathan asked as he put the truck in park.

"Oh my sweet Nathan, it's beautiful." Ava smiled as she caressed her baby bump

"Well, it's officially ours." Nathan said as he showed her the keys.

"Are you serious?" Ava asked excitedly

"I don't say things I don't mean babe." Nathan said. "Come on. Let's go take a look."

The couple got out of the car, and walked up to the home, hand-in-hand. Nathan opened the door, and was about to walk inside, but he heard Ava clear her throat, and he turned back around to look at her.

"Humble as it may be sweetheart, this is the first home of our own that we've ever had." Ava said as she clasped her hands in front of her abdomen.

Picking her up bridal style, Nathan carried her across the threshold, with Ava laughing happily. Once they were inside, he set her down on her feet, and the two admired the home.

"So, what do you think?" Nathan asked

"I love it." Ava said as she smiled up at him

Nathan suddenly took her by surprise and gently pushed her up against a wall, and gave her a sizzling kiss, then gently rested his forehead against her's.

"Next to marrying you, this is the happiest day of my life." Nathan said.

"Our life." Ava smiled as she caressed his cheek.

"Ava Walker, as God is my witness, I swear to work harder than any man to give you the life you deserve." Nathan said, and she continued stroking his cheekbone with her thumb. "We'll raise a family, and watch generations after generations of Walker's thrive and prosper."

"I love you." Ava smiled brightly, pure love on her face

"I love you more." Nathan smiled and then pulled her in for another kiss.

End of Flashback

"I was so happy for the two of them when they bought the ranch. Ava talked about how she was so excited to teach you how to barrel race." Janette smiled

Stella wiped her tears and smiled fondly at the photo. "That was the house that built August and I. A lot of great memories, yet, not nearly enough.

──────

Stella sat on the couch, scrolling through her Snapchat feed, when there was a knock at the door. Getting off the couch, the brunette walked to the door and opened it to August, a melancholy look on his face.

"August, I thought you were supposed to be at the tournament?" Stella said, letting her little brother in

"Yeah, I hurt my back, but I'm alright. Sensei doesn't even know I left." August said as he sat down on the couch.

"August, are you all right?" Stella said as she sat down beside her brother

"Well, yes and no." August said. "I just feel like sensei was putting too much pressure on me to win, and it's not fair. I know what you're gonna say because he's your boyfriend, but—"

"August, Johnny might be my boyfriend, but you're my brother. Family comes first." Stella said. "Mom put family above everything and so do I."

"I just need to get away for a while." August said. "I mean, I know I have school—"

"Where do you want to go? You're not leaving without me." Stella said

"Home. I want to go home." August said

"Taking her little brother's hand in her's, Stella gently spoke. "All right. Let's go home." she said

Getting up off the couch, Stella walked to her bedroom to pack her bag and change her clothes. After she was done, she and August walked out of the apartment, and to her father's old truck, which was given to her after her impala was totaled, then made a quick stop by the Reseda apartment complex. After August packed his clothes, he left a note for Janette and Nathan, then the two siblings walked out of the apartment.

"You sure you wanna do this?" Stella said as she and August got in the truck. 

"I've never been more sure of anything sis. Let's go home. Back to where it all began." August said

"All right. You've got it." Stella said as she turned on the ignition, then drove out of the apartment complex, and towards their home state of Texas, leaving the valley and the drama behind.

   ──────

After the tournament, which was won by Cobra Kai, Johnny made a quick stop to the old Cobra Kai dojo, where he and Robby made amends, then the blonde made it home to his apartment. After hearing shouting coming from the Walker apartment, Johnny opened the door to find Nathan and Janette arguing.

"What's wrong? Where's August and Stella?" Johnny asked worriedly

"Show him the note." Nathan said to Janette

"Janette handed the note to Johnny before sitting down on the couch. With shaking hands, Johnny opened and read the note

Dear Dad and Grandma,

I'm sorry for having to leave a note like this, but it's the only thing I could do. After everything that has happened, these last few months were definitely roller coaster; my back injury, rehab, me and Sam, sensei and Mr. LaRusso, Stella's injury.

I thought I could convince myself, that I can power through all of that by focusing on the tournament, and I thought to myself that if I won, everything would work out like it's supposed to.

But I realized I was wrong. Tell Sensei I'm so sorry I bailed on him, for having a shot at winning. His karate helped me grow as person, but I'm still not sure who I wanna be.

For me to figure it out, I think I need to return to my roots, back to where it all began, and Stella too. Honestly, we're scared about going back home, but overcoming that feeling of fear is the fight I have to win, instead of competing for stupid a trophy. We just want to go home, and this is something we need to do on our own. Please try not to worry about us, we'll be safe and be back soon. We love y'all so much.

Love,

August and Stella

Johnny felt his heart stop. No, they wouldn't do this. Stella wouldn't just leave him without a goodbye. Or would she? "This is all my fault." the blonde said

"No it's not, Johnny." Nathan said

"But it is, I pushed August to do things he didn't want to do. I used him for my own benefit, and I hurt him without realizing it. And I wasn't there for Stella after the accident." Johnny said as his breath caught in his throat.

"I called the police. I—I don't know what else to do." Janette stuttered.

"Everything's gonna be fine." Johnny reassured as he stood up. "I'm gonna go find them, and I'm going to bring them home."