TWENTY
the monumental moments in life

❪ tw: strong language, mentions of alcoholism, mentions of violence, mentions of injury, mentions of sexual assault, and mentions of death ❫

COBRA KAI
(season 3, ep 8)

IT NEVER DAWNED on Scarlett how strong of a person she was. How she could go through all this pain and would still be standing no matter how much it hurt. It was like it was in her blood.

She was currently at an AA meeting and she has hit her four month sobriety mark and she invited a few people to hear her speak. She never really liked public speaking before but she built up the courage. "My name is Scarlett and I'm an alcoholic." Scarlett looked out into the crowd, clutching the paper in her hands. "Hi, Scarlett."

"I've never really spoken before mostly because I didn't feel too comfortable telling a bunch of people my issues but that's the point of a support group. I'm 16 and I started drinking when I was 14 after I was sexually assaulted at a party. After that, I felt small. And I went home and downed my mom's bottle of champagne. I lost a friend and I almost got into a car accident and after that, I realized that I didn't want this to become a problem but it felt so good to me. It quieted all of my thoughts and I felt like I didn't have problems anymore but I was just developing a new one." Scarlett began.

"After that, my mom sent me to rehab for a month and I went to AA but then I stopped going to meetings last summer because I started a new hobby. I joined a karate dojo and it was the best thing that has ever happened to me even though it caused some issues. Overall it's something I never want to give up. I'm sure you all heard about the school fight at West Valley high. I was in that fight and I'm close friends with the boy that fell from the second story. And that was the worst day of my life. I didn't even care about my injuries from that I cared about my friend and the fear of him dying consumed me completely. And I wanted to drink so I couldn't think of it but I didn't. But, now he's way better."

"I almost drank again two months ago after I got into a big argument with...someone who was really close to me. I really wanted to, but someone stopped me and he helped me get help. I've been in therapy since September and I'm officially four months sober." The crowd started to clap after she spoke those words. "And I would like to thank a few people. I'd like to thank my Sensei, Johnny Lawrence for never giving up on me, believing in me, giving me confidence, and being the father figure in my life." Scarlett looked at Johnny who was sitting in the front row with Miguel with a smile on his face.

"I'd like to thank my mother and sister for sticking by my side and never being disappointed in me. I'd like to thank Miguel Diaz for being like a brother to me and always encouraging me. My best friends Moon, Cleo, and Doni for doing nothing but showing me the love I need. My therapist, Nova. Without her, I would be a mess. And lastly, someone I would not like to name for personal reasons. Even though he's not in my life anymore he did change my life in a positive way and I will always thank him for defending me and being my shoulder to cry on. Thank you."

THE HALLS WERE quieter than usual. Scarlett walked in between Miguel and Doni as they went to their next class and their conversation was interrupted by Miguel's gaze moving elsewhere. Scarlett gave him a look before she looked where she was looking and she made eye contact with Hawk. Her face fell, lips slightly parting and Doni just put a hand on her back and they kept walking.

"Oh, sorry." Scarlett heard a familiar voice and turned her head, now looking at Sam who Miguel just bumped into. "I'm sorry, Sam." Miguel apologized. "No, I'm sorry, I should've been watching where I was going." Sam argued. "M-me too." Miguel slightly stuttered, looking at her. "Do you smell tension?" Doni whispered to Scarlett which made her chuckle.

     "So, uh congratulations on being back on your feet! Literally." Sam smiled. "Thanks." Miguel smiled back. They stared at each other for a while and Scarlett felt physically uncomfortable. "Ahem." Scarlett cleared her throat causing Sam to look over. "Hey, Scarlett. Doni." She waved. "Hi." They said in unison.

"Anyway, I'll let you guys get back to your friends." Sam gestured to Hawk and the Cobras. "They're not our friends." Doni shook his head, quickly denying it. "Not after what they did to you guys." Miguel finished his sentence. "Uh, we have to get to study hall." Miguel mentioned, thinking that would be the end of the encounter. "I'm actually headed that way too." Sam smiled. "Are we third and fourth wheeling?" Scarlett looked up at Doni as they walked behind them. "Feels like it."

They kind of tuned out their conversation and Scarlett suddenly heard heavy breathing and shuffling. "Yasmine!?" Sam's voice was laced with shock and they all turned their heads. Scarlett's jaw dropped as she watched Yasmine pull herself off of Demetri. "Holy shit." Doni said with wide eyes. "Hey. Um...We were just, uh..." Demetri stammered. "Doing study work." Yasmine made up an awful excuse. "Yup." Demetri nodded.

     "So you two are..." Sam trailed off. "What? Ew. Ew! No. Like I would ever date this freak." Yasmine said before she took one last look at Demetri and walked off. "Whatever, Cruella. Why don't you go kill a bunch of dalmatians?" Demetri raised his voice as she walked further down the hall. "I am 101% in love!" Demetri sighed before he walked behind Miguel. "I think I'm traumatized." Scarlett said dramatically.

     STUDY HALL WAS basically just a free period. You would just go in the library and do whatever so, Scarlett left the table that she was sitting at with Miguel and Doni. She started to wander around, looking for a new book to read as Lana Del Ray sang through her earbuds.

     Sam had been meaning to talk to Scarlett for a long time now and she honestly blames herself for her sexual assault. She dragged her to that party and wasn't there to protect her from that guy because she was talking to other people instead of sticking by her best friend's side as she should have. She missed her a lot. Their dads knew each other so they were friends since middle school. Scarlett hung out with her and Aisha a lot but Sam grew apart from both of them and eventually they did too until they ended up in the same dojo.

     Scarlett felt a tap on her shoulder and her hand went up to her earbud, taking it out as she turned her head. Her eyes locked with Sam's blue ones. "I was wondering if we could talk." Sam played with the ring on her finger. "Okay." Scarlett nodded, fully turning her body to her.

"So...what did you wanna talk about?" Scarlett questioned even though she has an idea. "I wanted to say sorry for everything I did." Sam replied. "It's not your fault." Scarlett shook her head. She always put the blame on herself for the falling out she was the one that started the argument. "You may think that but it is I should've been there for you and even after that whole thing I should've supported you but I just ran away." Sam let out a breath.

     "I went to your AA meeting." She mentioned. "How did you—" Scarlett began to speak before Sam cut her off. "Your mom was talking to mine about it and I went but I left right after your speech." She explained. "You could've said something."

    "I know."

     "I was a bad friend, I regretted it for so long. I'm sorry, Scarlett. For everything." Scarlett never hated her and she always hope she could have her friend back. "You know I didn't really mean those things I said to you, right? I was angry and really drunk." She laughed which made Sam smile. "It's okay. Really, it is." Scarlett reassured. "Friends?" Scarlett held her arms out. "Yeah, friends." Sam nodded, wrapping her arms around her waist.

THE ALL-VALLEY was canceled and Scarlett was devastated. She did this all for her dad. She did it because he dreamed of seeing one of his children competing mostly because he knew his girls were strong and could be an inspiration for many other girls.

Miguel had a plan and Scarlett definitely wasn't going to turn it down. "You sure about this?" Scarlett asked nervously. "Very." Miguel nodded as they listened behind the doors. "It is clear this karate tournament is causing division and rivalry in our community. You gentlemen...have made an excellent case today as to why this tournament should not continue." Counsel-person Roberts spoke and Scarlett's eyes went wide. "Wait!" Miguel opened the door and Scarlett followed behind him.

They stopped in front of the podium and Miguel slightly leaned down to the microphone. "My name is Miguel Diaz. This is Scarlett Cross. We were both in the school fight. I was the one kicked off the second floor. You know, uh...I thought I was gonna be paralyzed. I relearned how to stand. I relearned how to walk. And we want the tournament to continue." "We are very happy for your recovery, young man. But I'm afraid you don't understand..." Counsel-person Roberts said before Sam decided to speak up.

"Yes, he does." Sam interrupted, standing up from her seat. "We're the ones getting hurt. We're the ones fighting. Our voices should matter the most. And we want a place where we can compete, fairly and safely." Sam said as she walked towards the two. "You all may know my father. Xander Cross." Scarlett moved closer to the mic. Her father was really well known in the Valley, he did a lot to help and used to be on the All-Valley committee. "We couldn't forget him."

"I joined karate for him. I did all of this for him. And it was the best decision I've ever made. I was finally in a place where I felt like I belonged and I learned who I really was. I finally got the confidence that I dreamed of. Without my sensei, I would just be a scared little girl. He did everything for me and I wouldn't have become the person I always wanted to be. He reminds me more and more of my father every day and once my father told me that he wanted to see me or my sister on the mat and I finally had the opportunity to do that for him and it's being taken out from under us." Scarlett ranted.

     "When I first moved here, I was bullied. I realized there's no escaping it. Some kid will always want to steal your lunch money, give you a wedgie, or give you a swirlie." Miguel began. "A swirlie?" Counsel-Person Roberts questioned. "It's when you dunk someone's head in the toilet and flush it. Pretty funny, actually." Johnny stood up. "Sensei!" Miguel scolded him and Johnny quickly sat back down.

"Instead of burying your heads in the sand, pretending that bullying doesn't exist, or that you could get rid of it, you need to teach kids how to defend themselves." Miguel continued. "Physically and mentally. Because sometimes the scars you can't see are the ones that hurt the most."

     "Karate is about discipline. It's about inner strength. It's about confidence. These are lessons you can use for the rest of your life. And we all joined to learn these things." "Scarlett lectured. "Look, I don't know where I would be today, or who I would be today, if it wasn't for my sensei. We don't need this tournament to do cool kicks or sell tickets, we need it to show the bullies of the world that we're not afraid. It's called the 'All Valley' because it's for everyone, to give everyone the chance to show what they can do, to fight, to become a champion. And we deserve that chance."

     "To be honest, I don't get the Valley's fascination with karate. But...if it means that much to all of you, and you're willing to sign waivers stating that the city is not liable, then...the All-Valley Under-18 Tournament is officially back on." She announced. "Yes!" Scarlett jumped up, a smile spreading across her face. She engulfed Miguel in a tight hug before she looked back at Johnny. "We did it." Scarlett wrapped her arms around him. "No, you did it. You're an amazing kid you know that?" Scarlett really did love Johnny and he loved her. She never thought that a man who wasn't her father would ever make her feel so cared for.

     SCARLETT STARES DOWN at the engraved stone that read "Xander Cross. Father, husband, and friend to all. 1977-2008." Scarlett kneeled down, picking up the old flowers and replacing them with the new, red roses. "Hi, dad. It's been a little while." She sat down beside the tombstone. "I'm pretty sure you know everything but, I'm finally doing everything that you dreamed of and I hope you're proud of me. Because, I'm actually really proud of myself."

"And I really wish you were here right now, more than ever. You would've been so supportive and you would've loved all of this. And you and my Sensei would've been best friends."

     "I've been missing you a lot lately." Scarlett sniffled as she wiped a tear from her cheek.

     His death was always something difficult for her especially because she was so young and now, she was just happy that she could think about him and smile instead of breaking down. She stayed there for a while, not saying a thing, just being there with him.

     As she walked back her car she felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket. She reached for it and her face lit up from the screen as she looked at the notification. She stopped moving when she saw the message.

     hawk: can we talk?

a/n: this was a little rushed but the finale of this act is going to be split in two and it's a lot and y'all are about i get the first part right after I edit it so it will already be out by the time most of you read this.