chapter twelve.
the old karate kids

tw: self harm & panic attacks
💔

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COBRA KAI
season three episode two

Clementine dashed into the hospital, the rapid click-clack of her boots echoing through the sterile corridors. With a sense of urgency, she repeatedly pressed the elevator button, her impatience evident as she rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Come on, come on," she muttered to herself, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment. Finally, the elevator doors slid open, and she stepped inside, relief washing over her as she clicked on the button for Floor 3, where Miguel was recovering.

As the elevator ascended, Clementine's heart raced with anticipation. She couldn't wait to see Miguel, her emotions running high as she imagined his face when he saw her.

Stepping out of the elevator, Clementine made her way to the front desk, where the receptionist looked up at her inquisitively. "Hello, how may I help you?" she inquired, noting Clementine's heavy breathing.

"I'm here to see Miguel Diaz," Clementine informed her, her voice tinged with urgency. The receptionist frowned in response. "Are you family? The doctor is only allowing family members at the moment," she explained, causing Clementine's lips to part in surprise, ready to respond, when someone spoke up beside her.

"She's family," Carmen interjected, appearing at Clementine's side and offering her support in this critical moment.

Clementine's eyes widened in surprise at Carmen's unexpected gesture of familiarity. She had only met Carmen once before, briefly, when she had picked Miguel up for karate that one time.

Feeling Carmen's arm wrap around her, Clementine allowed herself to be led, a mix of curiosity and gratitude swirling within her. As they walked together, Carmen's smile was warm and reassuring.

"I'm glad you came... Miguel was asking for you. He said he remembers your scream and he was worried about you," Carmen explained, her words bringing a flood of memories rushing back to Clementine's mind.

Frowning slightly, Clementine couldn't help but recall that terrifying moment when Miguel was kicked off the balcony at the school, and she let out a scream of horror. The fact that Miguel still remembered and cared about her well-being despite his own injuries touched her deeply, strengthening her resolve to be there for him in his time of need.

As Clementine entered Miguel's room, she was met with the sight of tears glistening in his eyes. Carmen nodded to them before leaving to find her mother, leaving Clementine alone with Miguel.

Approaching him slowly, Clementine's heart ached at the sight of Miguel's tears. "I'm so sorry. I wish I wasn't fighting Hawk and I was there to stop him... this is all my fault. If I was there, maybe I could've got through to Robby," she sobbed, her own tears cascading down her cheeks.

Miguel reached out and took Clementine's hand, his own eyes moist but his voice steady. "I... It's not your fault. Robby showed No Mercy. I tried to stop him, but he kicked me off. This is not our fault," he asserted firmly, his words carrying a sense of conviction.

Clementine frowned, her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. "Robby... he didn't mean to... I really hope not, but they haven't found him yet..." she trailed off, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she glanced at Miguel.

His expression hardened as he stared at the wall. "I hope they find him and he gets put behind bars," Miguel declared, his tone resolute.

Clementine's jaw clenched at his words. "That's my boyfriend, Miguel!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in defense of Robby, despite the weight of the situation.

Miguel's gaze remained fixed on his lap as he spoke, his voice heavy with frustration and sorrow. "Right... I'm sorry. I'm just mad... the doctors said I might not be able to walk again," he explained, his words carrying the weight of his uncertain future.

Clementine's eyes widened in shock at his revelation. "Oh my god... I'm sorry too," she replied, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Taking a deep breath, Clementine spoke again, her tone softening. "Let's not fight, okay? Robby's going to juvie no matter what. And... and the last time I saw him was a few days after I got out of the hospital," she explained, her words trailing off as she recalled the tumultuous events of the past few months.

Miguel looked up at her with a mixture of confusion and concern. "Wait, what? What did he say? And what happened to you? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry for Clementine's well-being.

Clementine had been concealing her injured hand behind her back the entire time, but now she slowly revealed it, displaying the evidence of her recent altercation with Blaire. Miguel's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of her bruised nose and broken hand.

"Oh my god... I didn't even notice until now," he exclaimed, his concern evident in his voice as he reached out to gently inspect her injuries.

Clementine gave a small smile at his reaction. "Yeah, I got into a fight with Blaire and ended up with a fractured nose and a broken hand," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact.

Miguel's laughter bubbled up at her straightforward admission. "Well, I'm glad you beat up Blaire. She's a real..." he started, but Clementine finished his sentence with a smirk. "Dick-wad," she interjected, causing Miguel to burst into laughter.

•••

Clementine hopped off her brother's bike and dropped it on the porch, feeling the weight of the conversation with Miguel still lingering in her mind. Searching for her keys, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, only to be met by her dad's stern gaze.

"I got a call from school... you gave someone a wedgie? What is this?" Caleb questioned, his arms folded across his chest as he confronted her about the incident.

Rolling her eyes, Clementine remained silent, attempting to brush past her dad and head upstairs. However, Caleb blocked her path, determined to address the situation.

"We are gonna talk about this, Clementine. I'm back. I'm not going back, I'm gonna be your dad. I got a job as a PEDS surgeon at the hospital," he informed her, his tone serious as he revealed his plans for the future.

Clementine's glare intensified as she processed his words. "So now, you're gonna actually be involved in Tyler and I's lives? I barely know you! I love you, Dad, I really do, but I barely know anything. Now I'm hearing you knew Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso back in the day? I barely had a mother or father figure my whole life! Tyler was taking care of me. I barely even see Anastasia. She's always at her fucking boyfriend, Todd!" she exclaimed, her frustration and resentment pouring out in a torrent of words.

Caleb was rendered speechless by Clementine's outburst, unsure of how to respond to her pent-up emotions. Her laughter cut through the tension, but her words hung heavy in the air as she stormed upstairs, leaving Caleb to grapple with the weight of her accusations.

As Clementine made her way towards her room, she passed her brother's open door. Tyler glanced up from his desk chair, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Clementine walking past.

"Hey, you stole my bike. I had to walk home!" he yelled after her, his frustration evident in his tone.

Clementine rolled her eyes in response, flipping him off before slamming her door shut behind her, cutting off any further arguments. Inside her room, she let out a frustrated sigh, the events of the day weighing heavily on her mind as she sought solace in the privacy of her own space.

tw ahead, you may skip to the •••

As Clementine's mind raced and her emotions overwhelmed her, she felt herself beginning to spiral. Sliding down her bedroom door, she succumbed to the weight of her thoughts, her heart pounding against her chest with each panicked beat. Running her hands through her hair, she struggled to catch her breath, the intensity of her emotions threatening to consume her.

Bringing her knees up to her chest, Clementine began to cry, the tears flowing freely as she grappled with her worries about Robby's whereabouts. She felt a sense of helplessness and fear gnawing at her, unable to shake the overwhelming sense of dread that gripped her tightly.

Slowly standing up, Clementine felt herself stumble, her dizziness adding to her distress. Leaning on her desk for support, she continued to cry, her hands trembling uncontrollably as she struggled to hold back her tears.

Looking down at her shaking hands, Clementine's heart sank as she confronted the scars on her arms, a painful reminder of her struggles with self-harm. Despite making progress and avoiding therapy, the past two weeks had been particularly challenging for her.

Opening her drawer, Clementine retrieved the razor she had been hiding, her mind clouded by anguish and desperation. Sitting on her bed, she hesitated before pressing the blade to her skin, her lip bitten so hard that it drew blood. As the pain seared through her, she quietly sobbed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she repeated the action, each cut a release of pent-up emotions and inner turmoil.

Finally, as the realization of what she had done washed over her, Clementine reached for a bandage and wrapped it around her bleeding arm, a silent testament to the invisible battles she fought within herself every day. Pulling her sleeve down to conceal the evidence of her pain, she lay back on her bed, feeling the weight of her struggles pressing down on her like an unbearable burden.

•••

Caleb's worry for Clementine weighed heavily on his mind as he climbed the stairs to her room, only to find it empty, her absence adding to his growing concern. With both his children already at school, Caleb let out a sigh of frustration, realizing he couldn't confront Clementine about their fight just yet.

Heading downstairs, Caleb intended to grab a beer to soothe his nerves, but his plans were interrupted by the persistent ringing of the doorbell. Irritated, he swung the door open to find Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence standing on his doorstep, their presence sparking a surge of anger within him.

"What the hell are the two of you doing here on my fucking property!?" Caleb shouted, his voice laced with hostility as he glared at the unexpected visitors.

Daniel met Caleb's glare with a steely gaze of his own, his expression serious and resolute. "We need your help. Johnny's kid is missing, your daughter's boyfriend, and we want to find him so he can turn himself in and get a lighter sentence. And I bet you would do this for your daughter because she's probably worried sick for him," he explained, his tone firm and determined.

Caleb's jaw clenched as he considered Daniel's words, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Reluctantly, he nodded, his resolve firm despite his lingering animosity towards the two men before him. "Fine, but after this, I want nothing to do with either of you," he declared, his finger pointing accusingly at them before turning his gaze to Johnny. "And you keep your fucking son away from Clementine."

"Deal."

•••

Caleb settled into the backseat of Daniel's car, idly scrolling through TikTok on his phone to pass the time. Chuckling at the funny dance videos, he found himself momentarily distracted from the seriousness of their mission.

As Johnny stirred awake in the front passenger seat, Daniel held up a protein juice, offering it to Caleb with a grin. "Hey. Got you a juice," he announced, his tone light-hearted.

Caleb's laughter filled the car as he eyed the beverage skeptically. "What is that crap?" he scoffed, his amusement evident as he declined the offer.

Ignoring Caleb's remark, Daniel turned his attention to Johnny, who had taken the juice and inspected it with bleary eyes. "Advil's in the glove compartment," Daniel informed him, his focus on ensuring Johnny was comfortable.

Johnny wrinkled his nose at the sight of the juice. "Looks like sewage," he remarked, prompting another round of laughter from Caleb.

"Suck it up. If we find Robby, you might wanna be awake," Daniel suggested, his tone more serious as he reminded them of the importance of their mission.

"Well, drive faster then. Feel like I'm in a rocking chair," Johnny remarked, his impatience evident as he cracked open the juice and swallowed the pills he found in the glove compartment. Grimacing at the taste, he scrunched his nose in disgust.

Caleb couldn't help but chuckle at Johnny's reaction. "Is it sour, Lawrence?" he teased, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at Johnny.

Johnny shot him a glare before turning his attention to Daniel. "Was this your idea, Katz?" he demanded, his tone laced with irritation.

Caleb shrugged nonchalantly, wearing a smug expression. "Maybe," he replied, enjoying the banter as they continued on their journey to find Robby.

Johnny, in an effort to stay awake, rolled his head slightly and reached for the radio controls, tuning in to some 80s music and cranking up the volume. Caleb couldn't help but bop his head along to the beat, enjoying the nostalgic tunes.

However, Daniel quickly intervened, shutting off the music with a sharp command. "Knock it off," he snapped at Johnny, his attention returning to the road with a sense of urgency.

Caleb chuckled at the exchange, unable to resist teasing Daniel. "You must be really lame if you can't drive with music on," he remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Daniel shot him a stern look, emphasizing the seriousness of their mission. "We're on a mission," he reminded them firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument as he refocused on the task at hand.

"What are we supposed to do, drive all day looking for a van?" Johnny questioned with frustration evident in his voice, expressing doubts about their search strategy.

Caleb's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Johnny's comment. "Hold on, hold on, I thought we were looking for Robby, not a stupid van?" he interjected, directing a glare at Daniel.

Daniel sighed, understanding their confusion. "We are... but he took my van from my dealership, which means he might have it," he clarified, hoping to convey the significance of their lead.

Caleb rolled his eyes skeptically. "He probably ditched that thing already," he remarked dismissively, unconvinced that focusing on the van would lead them any closer to finding Robby.

Daniel sighed, acknowledging the uncertainty of their situation. "Well, we are hoping a mutual friend can point us in the right direction," he explained, his tone tinged with a hint of hope amidst the challenges they faced.

Caleb and Johnny exchanged suspicious glances as Daniel's statement caught them off guard. Caleb's attention was drawn to the window, where he noticed they were passing by a rehab center at a slow pace.

"What the..." Johnny began, his voice trailing off as he processed the unexpected sight.

Caleb couldn't help but snicker at the situation. "You guys have a mutual friend at a rehab center that might know where this kid might be?" he asked incredulously, his suspicion evident in his tone. The idea seemed far-fetched to him, and he awaited Daniel's explanation with skepticism.

As Daniel parked the car, Caleb wasted no time in getting out, eager to stretch his legs after the journey. However, Johnny stumbled out of the car, eliciting laughter from Caleb.

"God, how long has it been since I've seen you?" Caleb chuckled, his amusement evident as he glanced at Johnny.

Johnny shot him a glare, clearly unamused by Caleb's reaction. "Last time I saw you was the last day of senior year, and you punched me," he grumbled, recalling the altercation with a hint of resentment.

Caleb smirked at the memory, not bothered by Johnny's reproach. "Ah, good times," he remarked casually, his smirk widening as he reminisced about their past encounters.

As the trio made their way inside, they passed by people engaged in various activities such as yoga and painting.

"Lots of hippies," Caleb remarked, nudging Daniel in the side and wiggling his eyebrows mischievously.

Daniel rolled his eyes at Caleb's comment, his focus on the task at hand. "Stop joking around," he admonished, his tone firm as he urged Caleb to take the situation seriously.

Caleb let out an exasperated sigh, muttering "Lame," under his breath as he followed Daniel further into the facility, begrudgingly refraining from further jests.

Johnny surveyed his surroundings with curiosity, taking in the serene atmosphere of the facility. "This is what rehab is like?" he questioned, his voice tinged with surprise.

Daniel nodded in confirmation, pushing open the entrance door and gesturing for Johnny to follow. "This is one of the best rehab facilities in the country," he explained, highlighting the quality of the establishment they were entering.

As two girls walked by, batting their eyes at Caleb, he couldn't resist the opportunity to flirt. "Hey, ladies," he greeted them with a wave and a flirtatious smile, even mouthing 'Call me' as they passed.

However, Daniel was quick to intervene, grabbing Caleb's arm and pushing him forward alongside Johnny. "Focus, both of you. We're here on business, not pleasure," he scolded them, reminding them of the seriousness of their mission and urging them to maintain their focus.

A staff member approached the trio with a warm greeting. "Welcome to Malibu Canyon Recovery," she said, her gaze focusing directly on Johnny. "You're doing a very brave thing," she commended him, her words causing a moment of surprise for Daniel and amusement for Caleb.

Johnny's reaction was immediate, his pride evident as he shook his head in denial. "What? No, I'm not checking in. I'm no quitter," he declared confidently, his determination clear despite the staff member's assumption.

Caleb couldn't help but snicker at Johnny's response, finding humor in the situation as he exchanged a glance with Daniel.

"I understand. It can be hard at first," the staff member replied sympathetically, offering understanding to Johnny's refusal. She then turned her attention to Daniel, offering reassurance. "Don't worry, he'll get used to it," she assured him with a smile, her confidence in Johnny's eventual acceptance evident.

Caleb couldn't resist adding his own commentary, smacking Johnny on the back and chiming in sarcastically. "I'm sure he will," he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm as the women walked away.

Daniel chuckled at the exchange, finding amusement in Caleb's sarcasm as he walked away with a laugh, followed by Johnny and Caleb. "Yeah, laugh it up, LaRusso and Katz," Johnny muttered, his irritation evident as they continued on their mission.

As they approached the woman at the table, Daniel called out her name, prompting her to look up and stand up with a smile. She greeted Daniel warmly and exchanged a hug with him before turning her attention to Johnny and Caleb.

Johnny and Caleb approached cautiously, and Caleb cleared his throat to draw attention. Shannon glanced at Johnny, offering a reluctant greeting. "Hi, Johnny," she said with a hint of reservation.

Johnny nodded in acknowledgment. "Hey. You look good," he remarked, trying to maintain a polite tone.

Shannon's gaze shifted to between Daniel and Johnny, noticing Johnny's battered appearance. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You... too," she murmured, acknowledging Johnny's condition with a mixture of concern and sympathy.

Caleb raised an eyebrow at the exchange, then interjected with a gasp of realization. "Oh! This is Robby's mom," he exclaimed, his surprise evident as Shannon turned her attention to him with furrowed brows.

Shannon regarded Caleb with curiosity. "Hi, who are you...?" she trailed off, prompting Caleb to introduce himself somewhat awkwardly. "My daughter Clementine is dating your son," he explained, rocking on his heels nervously.

Shannon's reaction caught Caleb off guard, but he reciprocated the hug warmly. Despite his frustrations with Robby, Caleb recognized Shannon's genuine warmth and decided to refrain from saying anything rude about her son.

"It's so nice to meet you! Robby adores Clementine," Shannon exclaimed with a grin that stretched from ear to ear, her joy evident in her expression.

Caleb chuckled in response, appreciating Shannon's positive demeanor despite the circumstances.

Shannon let out a sigh, clearly taken aback by the unexpected circumstances. "When Daniel said that he wanted to talk about Robby, I really wasn't expecting to see the two of you together... and with our son's girlfriend's dad..." She trailed off, her thoughts reflecting her surprise.

Johnny nodded in understanding, acknowledging the unusual situation. "Yeah, well... whatever it takes to find our son," he stated firmly, emphasizing their shared determination to locate Robby regardless of the circumstances.

Shannon's expression turned somber as she explained her desire to search for Robby herself, only to be advised against it by her life coach.

Johnny couldn't help but react with disbelief, his amusement evident in his laughter. "Your life coach?" he exclaimed, earning a nudge from Caleb.

Caleb intervened, defending Shannon's decision and sharing his own experience. "Shut up, Lawrence. It actually helps. I got one once when I had a drug problem back in college, and it set me off to the military," he explained with a hint of tension in his voice, recalling his past struggles.

Johnny rolled his eyes in response, though he remained silent, choosing not to argue further.

Shannon shot Johnny a pointed glare, unimpressed by his dismissive attitude. "You know what, Johnny, rehab has done wonders for me, and from what it sounds like, the same with Caleb. It works for a lot of people, actually," she asserted, her tone firm as she defended the benefits of rehab.

Caleb interjected to remind Shannon of his name, to which she nodded in acknowledgment before redirecting her attention back to Johnny.

"Glad you're doing better, I really am. But I don't need a rehab vacation," Johnny retorted defensively.

Shannon countered Johnny's remark with a hint of sarcasm. "That's because your idea of a vacation is going to some monster truck show," she argued, prompting a playful banter between them.

Johnny defended his preference with a grin. "Hey, Truckasaurus was badass. You loved every minute of it," he insisted.

Shannon scoffed in response. "I was faking!" she exclaimed, to which Johnny replied confidently, "Bullshit. I know when you're faking."

Caleb chuckled at the banter between Johnny and Shannon, but Daniel's interjection brought their focus back to the urgent matter at hand.

"Guys. Guys! We just really need to know if you have any idea where Robby might've gone with the car, you know him the best," Daniel urged, emphasizing the importance of their insights into Robby's potential whereabouts.

Shannon's explanation left Caleb and Johnny puzzled, prompting Caleb to inquire further. "What Dimwits?" they both asked simultaneously.

Shannon described them as one resembling Chris Brown and the other having a vague Latin appearance, eliciting a shared look of recognition between Daniel and Johnny.

Caleb, still trying to grasp the situation, questioned their familiarity with the individuals. Daniel confirmed their acquaintance with a scoff. "Yep," he replied, emphasizing his knowledge of the duo.

Johnny expressed frustration at their involvement. "Great. Tweedledumb and Tweedledumbass. How are we supposed to find those dirtbags?" he remarked casually, while Daniel sighed in response. "I know where they are," he admitted, indicating a potential lead in their search for Robby.

•••

As they waited at the table, Johnny couldn't help but comment on their surroundings. "Worse than rehab, nicer than jail," he remarked, assessing the atmosphere. Daniel nodded in agreement, acknowledging the peculiar middle ground of the prison setting.

Daniel took the opportunity to remind Johnny and Caleb of their roles in the upcoming conversation. "Just let me do all the talking. Goes for you too, Caleb. You don't know them. They're probably gonna try and pry information out of you because they've never seen you before," Daniel explained, emphasizing the need for caution.

Caleb, unfazed, responded nonchalantly with a mouthful of food. "Sure, whatever. I got my chips," he said, holding up his bag of chips, much to Daniel's dismay. "We're not selling bimmers to soccer moms. This is my world, follow my lead," Johnny retorted, asserting his authority in the situation and prompting a roll of the eyes from Daniel.

As the cop approached with two guys in tow, Caleb couldn't contain his laughter. "Holy shit, he does look like Chris Brown!" he exclaimed, pointing at one of them, which earned him a sharp glare from the guy, Trey. Ignoring the warning look, Caleb continued, "Shut up, dickhead," Trey snarled, his voice dripping with contempt.

Feeling provoked, Caleb rose to his feet, his hands slamming down on the table, the sudden motion drawing attention. "Boy, shut yo mouth! Don't disrespect your fellow veteran!" Caleb's voice boomed with authority, causing Trey to roll his eyes in annoyance.

"Sorry," Trey muttered, acknowledging his mistake as Caleb settled back into his seat, his glare conveying his disapproval of Trey's disrespectful behavior.

Johnny snapped his fingers in Trey and Cruz's faces. "Hey, morons!" he exclaimed, causing Cruz to shoot him an offended look. "Hey, what?" Cruz retorted, while Daniel stepped in. "We're looking for Robby," he explained, but Trey couldn't help but laugh. "If y'all two, minus that guy," he pointed at Caleb, "are the search party, I'd say he's screwed."

Cruz and Trey erupted into laughter. "Start talking, or you'll be drinking your toilet wine through a straw," Johnny leaned forward, his tone laced with a threat. Trey gasped sarcastically, "Ooh! Robby's daddy talking a big game, ain't he? Does it look like we're scared of you?"

"You should be."

Cruz gave Johnny a skeptical look. "I don't think so, man. Look at your face. Seems like you already got your ass beat," he chuckled, prompting Caleb to stand up with a glare, his hands smacking down on the table. "Enough! Cut the bullshit. Tell us everything you know about Robby," he demanded, causing Trey and Cruz to stop laughing and look terrified, quickly apologizing.

Johnny gave Trey and Cruz an offended look. "What the hell? You listen to him and not me?" he asked incredulously. "He's a vet! I don't wanna disrespect," Trey explained, trying to justify their reaction.

"And he ain't no punk ass bitch," Cruz mocked, a smug grin on his face. Johnny's expression turned to one of pure fury as he clenched his fist. Without a moment's hesitation, he raised his hand and delivered a brutal punch right to Cruz's nose. The crack echoed in the room as Cruz stumbled back, clutching his bleeding nose in shock.

Caleb's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but then he burst into uncontrollable laughter, the sound mingling with the crunch of the chips he was munching on. "Johnny, what the hell!" Daniel scolded, rushing to Cruz's side to check on him.

Cruz, now sporting a nosebleed, looked back at the cop for support, his expression a mix of pain and disbelief. "He just hit me!" he exclaimed, but the officer simply shrugged indifferently, prompting Caleb to laugh even harder, tears streaming down his face.

As Cruz turned back around, Johnny smacked him again, eliciting another giggle from Caleb. "I don't even know what's going on, but I'm loving it!" Caleb commented, nudging Daniel in the side, who rolled his eyes in response. Daniel smacked Johnny's arm. "Enough!" he shouted, trying to diffuse the situation.

Cruz's nose was now bleeding profusely, and he held his nose, staring down at his blood-stained hands in disbelief. "Damn!" he exclaimed, feeling the pain intensify. "Better start talking. I can do this all day," Johnny threatened, his tone menacing. Trey intervened, holding his arms out to block Cruz. "No. Hey, hey, hey. It's not necessary. Cool. All right?" Trey said calmly, trying to calm the situation.

After a moment, Johnny leaned back, relenting. Trey sighed, deciding to spill the beans. "Look, we all used to scam people at Tech Town in Panorama City. He knows how to get by around there. All right?" Trey raised his eyebrows as Cruz continued to hold his bleeding nose, groaning in pain.

Caleb, growing more serious, got up and threw the chips into a trash bin before walking back over to Trey with a pointed glare. "You better be telling the truth, or we're sending him back alone next time," Caleb threatened, pointing at Johnny, who nodded with a smirk.

"You might wanna get your friend here a tampon," Johnny remarked before getting up and nodding at Caleb and Daniel. Caleb couldn't help but giggle. "I hate the both of you, but this is the most fun I've had in ages," he admitted, unable to hide his amusement.

•••

Back in the car, Johnny sat in the passenger seat, attempting to throw nuts in the air and catch them with his mouth, but he missed more often than not. Daniel glanced over with a glare. "Can you be careful with those? I don't want to be digging them out of the upholstery for the next five years," he whined, feeling anxious about potential messes.

Caleb, sitting in the backseat, couldn't help but groan. "All you do is whine, LaRusso. Loosen up," he snapped, his frustration evident. Daniel rolled his eyes at Caleb's comment, used to his friend's blunt demeanor.

Johnny leaned over, throwing nuts into his mouth and munching on one loudly, deliberately annoying Daniel. Daniel clenched his jaw in irritation. "Thanks," he gritted out, trying to maintain his composure. Taking a deep breath, Daniel decided it was time to address the important matter at hand. "We have to talk about what we're gonna do when we find Robby," he told Johnny, his tone serious.

"He's my son. I'll talk to him," Johnny snapped defensively, but Caleb couldn't help but crack up laughing. "I see how that went. I'm guessing you weren't there much for the kid, huh, Lawrence?" Caleb teased, his laughter filling the car. Johnny's response was to flip Caleb off, his irritation evident.

"Says you. You were in the military. I bet you weren't home much either," Johnny fired back, his tone defensive. Caleb clenched his teeth, feeling the sting of Johnny's words. "Well, I'm doing good for our country, you were probably spraying painting dicks on billboards while being drunk," Caleb snapped, hitting Johnny where it hurt. Johnny fell silent, his retort dying on his lips as he processed Caleb's words.

Daniel's phone rang over the car speaker, prompting Johnny to look around. "Car's ringing," he stated the obvious. Daniel responded to the call by pressing a button on his steering wheel. "Hey, honey," Daniel greeted the caller.

"Ooh, honey boo bear. Did he marry Ali?" Caleb whispered to Johnny, who shot him a sharp glare. "No! He's married to Amanda," Johnny replied defensively, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Uh... Daniel, who do I hear?" Amanda's voice came through the speaker on the other end of the line. "Johnny Lawrence and Caleb Katz," Daniel informed her.

"Oh. Hi, Johnny... and Caleb? Wait, Caleb, as in... Clementine's dad?" Amanda questioned, her surprise evident in her voice. Daniel chuckled at the revelation. "Did I forget to tell you that Caleb was also there back then? He... He was a part of Cobra Kai," Daniel explained, causing Caleb to gasp in shock.

"Barely! I hung out with them a few times!" Caleb quickly corrected, trying to downplay his involvement.

"Hey, Amanda!" Johnny yelled enthusiastically, leaning forward and speaking into the steering wheel. Daniel nudged him. "All right, Johnny. Lean back. Just talk normally," Daniel snapped, trying to rein in Johnny's enthusiasm. "We got a new lead on Robby," Daniel informed his wife over the phone.

"A lead? What are you, Tango and Cash?" Amanda remarked with amusement.

"No, Tango and Cash were narcotics detectives. This is a totally different thing," Johnny interjected, feeling the need to clarify.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My mistake," Amanda replied nonchalantly. "We're on the trail now, we just need to check out this info," Daniel explained, reassuring her of their progress.

Caleb tuned out the rest of the conversation and stared out the window. As he watched the trees pass by, his mind drifted to his fight with Clementine. He couldn't shake the feeling of regret and sadness as he realized how much he had missed in her life. The memory of her not having a Bat Mitzvah because she didn't want to do it without her dad being there weighed heavily on his mind. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of guilt for not being more present in her life.

•••

After finishing up in the gas station restroom, Caleb made his way to the candy aisle, his thoughts lingering on Clementine. He scanned the shelves until his eyes landed on Skittles and Pop Rocks, her favorite treats. With a faint smile, he grabbed a pack of each and then spotted a bottle of Coca-Cola nearby, recalling how she always loved to sip on it during movie nights.

With his arms already laden with candy and soda, Caleb strolled over to the chip aisle, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet store. He reached for a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, remembering how they used to share a bag while watching their favorite shows.

Balancing the snacks carefully, Caleb headed to the checkout counter, the soft chime of the bell announcing his arrival. As he waited in line, he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for missing out on so much of Clementine's life.

Finally reaching the front of the line, Caleb placed his items on the counter and paid for them. "Is that all you want for today, sir?" the cashier asked politely as Caleb swiped his card. "Yep, thank you," he replied, offering a brief smile as he gathered his purchases and headed out of the store.

But as he stepped outside, his heart sank when he saw that Johnny and Daniel had left without him, their car nowhere in sight. "Son of bitches. Now I've gotta call for an Uber," he muttered angrily to himself, feeling frustrated at being left behind once again.

•••

Clementine received a call from Shannon, urging her to rush over to the rehab center because Robby was asking for her. Without a second thought, Clementine bolted out of her class, her heart racing with worry. She didn't hesitate to grab her brother's bike again, knowing it was the fastest way to get there.

Pedaling as fast as she could, Clementine weaved through the busy streets, her determination driving her forward. Finally, she arrived at the rehabilitation center and jumped off the bike, her breath coming in quick gasps. Spotting a girl nearby who seemed to be doing yoga, Clementine approached her urgently.

"Hey, can you watch this bike and make sure it doesn't get stolen?" she asked, her voice rushed. The girl nodded in agreement, and with a grateful smile, Clementine hurried off towards the entrance.

However, as she glanced back over her shoulder, her heart sank when she saw the girl swiftly grabbing the bike and hopping on, shouting, "Freedom!" before pedaling away into the distance. Clementine's eyes widened in disbelief, realizing her bike had been stolen right before her eyes.

Clementine walked into the building and made her way to the back, where Shannon was waiting for her. As she approached, Shannon waved her over, and Clementine's heart skipped a beat. It took her a moment to register that the figure sitting there was Robby, his appearance so changed by his struggles that she almost didn't recognize him. Her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Robby?" her voice cracked as she looked at him, her heart aching at the sight of him. "Clem!" he stammered, his voice choked with emotion as he stood up and threw his arms around her, burying his face into her shoulder. Clementine hugged him tightly, feeling tears welling up in her own eyes.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized between sobs, and Clementine squeezed him even tighter. "It's gonna be okay. I'm here now," she whispered reassuringly into his ear, trying to convey all the love and support she could muster.

In the midst of their embrace, Clementine noticed Daniel LaRusso walking in slowly. "Daniel?" she called out, making Robby break the hug and look over his shoulder. Clementine gently sat in Robby's lap as Daniel took a seat nearby, his expression filled with concern as he looked at Robby.

Clementine wrapped her arm around Robby, feeling a sense of relief at having him close to her. He seemed to cling to her as well, neither of them wanting to let go. Daniel's voice broke the moment, drawing their attention.

"Nice cut," Daniel complimented, but Robby remained silent, his gaze fixed on Clementine. He seemed unable to tear his eyes away from her.

"I'm sorry you've been stuck clearing up my mess... and I'm sorry, Clem, for just leaving you like that," Robby apologized, his voice heavy with remorse. Clementine frowned, feeling a mixture of emotions swirling inside her.

"I forgive you, Robby. I've just been really worried," she replied softly, her words carrying the weight of her concern and love for him. She squeezed his hand reassuringly, letting him know that she was there for him no matter what. "I'll pay you back for the van. I..."

"I didn't think that van was your style anyway," Daniel commented, trying to lighten the mood. Robby continued to stare at the ground, lost in thought. Clementine remained silent, choosing instead to lean her head on Robby's shoulder, finding comfort in his presence as he absentmindedly traced circles on her hand with his thumb.

"I know it must've been rough on your own out there," Daniel spoke up, his voice filled with empathy as he looked at Robby. Robby finally lifted his gaze to meet Daniel's.

"Is Sam okay?" Robby asked, his concern evident in his voice. Daniel hesitated for a moment before responding, "She's... worried about you. We all are. Your dad too."

Robby let out a heavy sigh, mirroring Daniel's own exasperation. "Robby, I need to apologize to you," Daniel said, leaning forward with a solemn expression. Clementine cleared her throat, realizing that this wasn't her conversation to be a part of. "I'll be right back, okay? I'm gonna go find something to drink," she informed Robby, who nodded in acknowledgment. She got up and offered a strained smile to Shannon, who hesitated before returning it.

Clementine walked into the building, her mind racing with worry. She found some bottled water and grabbed one for herself and one for Robby. As she made her way back outside, her heart sank at the sight of Robby in handcuffs. Dropping the waters, she gasped in disbelief.

"What the fuck?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock as she looked over at Daniel with a glare. "What did you do!" she shouted, shoving him back in her anger and confusion. Daniel's frown deepened as he tried to justify his actions. "It'll give him a lighter sentence, Clementine!" he yelled over the commotion.

Ignoring Daniel's explanation, Clementine ran over to Robby, her heart breaking at the sight of him being taken away. "I'm so sorry, I promise I didn't know he was gonna do this!" she exclaimed tearfully, her voice cracking with emotion. Robby glared at her, his trust shattered.

"I don't know what to believe," he grumbled, his voice laced with betrayal and hurt. Before Clementine could respond, Robby was being pulled away, leaving her kneeling on the ground in shock and despair. "I love you!" she blurted out, but Robby didn't respond, his expression unreadable as he disappeared from view. Clementine fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she cried out in anguish, feeling utterly helpless and alone.

Shannon walked over to Clementine and gently helped her up, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting embrace as Clementine cried into her shoulder. Feeling overwhelmed and distraught, Clementine pleaded between sobs, "Please, call my dad."

Shannon nodded, understanding the urgency in Clementine's request. "Of course, sweetheart," she said softly, reaching for her phone to make the call. Holding Clementine close, she murmured soothing words of comfort, offering her support during this difficult time.

ASH SPEAKS!

hi, i know this chapter showed a side of clementine. but this does happen and its real. and if you are going through this, just know that you are not alone and there is a self harm hotline. you can get help!