chapter sixty-one:
❛ rattled (1) ❜

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STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
i'm sorry for all the notifications but us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up but votes are not... its hard for my motivation!

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Clementine stood in the middle of Miyagi-Do, brushing a few stray curls out of her face as she surveyed the setup for Alison's surprise birthday party. It had taken hours, but the place was finally starting to come together. Twinkling string lights wove through the branches of the trees, casting a warm golden glow over the courtyard. A long rustic wooden table sat in the center, draped with a lace tablecloth and overflowing with wildflowers in mason jars. She'd scattered colorful cushions around the space, creating a cozy, bohemian vibe that she knew Alison would love.

She let out a satisfied sigh, wiping her hands on her shorts. All that was left to do was hang up the last of the fairy lights and-

"Boo."

Before she could react, strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

Clementine screamed, nearly knocking over a potted plant as she whipped around-only to see Robby, grinning like an absolute menace.

"You ass!" she gasped, swatting at his arm as her heart slammed against her ribs. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Robby laughed, effortlessly dodging her weak attempt at hitting him. "What? No appreciation for my impeccable stealth skills?"

"You're lucky I didn't throw something at your head."

"I'd just dodge it."

Clementine glared, crossing her arms. "One of these days, I will get you back for this."

Robby smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

She huffed, rolling her eyes. "You're so annoying."

"And yet..." His arms snaked around her waist again, pulling her flush against him. "You love having me around."

Clementine narrowed her eyes, pretending to be unimpressed even as her heart did a stupid little flip. "That's debatable."

Robby just grinned before leaning in, his lips brushing against hers in a way that was infuriatingly gentle. Clementine exhaled, her resolve immediately crumbling as she melted against him. He kissed her slowly, like he had all the time in the world, and her fingers instinctively tangled into his hair, tugging just slightly.

His lips curved into a smirk against hers. "Missed me?" he murmured.

She barely had time to register what he said before-

"Ahem."

Clementine froze mid-kiss, groaning against Robby's mouth before pulling back.

"Are you kidding me?" she muttered, turning around to see none other than her father, standing at the entrance with a takeout bag in one hand and a look of mild dad disapproval.

"I came back with food," Caleb said dryly, lifting the bag.

Robby, completely unfazed, leaned against the table like nothing had happened. "Hey, Caleb."

Clementine sighed, stepping away from Robby and grabbing the takeout bag. "Uh, thanks, Dad." She set it down before shooting him an unamused look. "You could've texted me before walking in."

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "Why? So you'd have more time to make out before I got here?"

Clementine's face burned as she busied herself opening one of the containers. "So... how's Tyler doing? You said he found a lead?"

Caleb's expression shifted slightly, and he nodded. "Yeah. Looks like he's finally getting somewhere this time."

Robby let out a low whistle. "Man, your aunt really disappeared. And your brother is determined to find her."

Clementine sighed, shaking her head. "Well, Tyler thinks he wants to be a-uh-" She snapped her fingers, searching for the word. "What's that job where people find missing people?"

"Private investigator?" Robby offered.

"Yeah! That." She nodded. "And Anastasia's somewhere in London with her mystery boyfriend we've never met."

Caleb ran a hand through his hair. "She probably doesn't want to be found, Clem. She did this once before when your mom was a teenager. Just vanished for a couple years. Then she popped back up like nothing happened."

Clementine frowned, processing that. "Wait-seriously?"

Caleb nodded. "Packed up, left, no contact, no explanation. Just... gone. It took years before she came back, and even then, she never really talked about it."

A thought suddenly clicked in Clementine's mind. "Oh! I just remembered-there were some boxes in the attic with, like, old garden stuff! There might be some decorations or supplies that would be perfect for the party."

She turned to Robby, eyes bright with excitement. "Come with me?"

Robby smirked. "What, afraid of the attic ghosts?"

Clementine narrowed her eyes. "No, but you are taller and stronger, so if there's, like, a heavy box or a giant spider, you can deal with it."

Robby chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough. Lead the way, Clem."

Alison stepped out of the boutique, balancing multiple shopping bags in her arms, and shot Eli a highly suspicious look as he gestured toward yet another store.

"Babe, let's go in here," Eli said, nodding toward a vintage record shop across the street.

Alison didn't move. Instead, she stared at him, eyes narrowing. "Okay, what's going on?"

Eli blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I mean we've been shopping for, like, three hours. And you hate shopping," Alison pointed out, shifting the bags in her hands. "Like, really hate it. You whined for a solid hour the last time I took you to the mall, and that was for a single store."

Eli shrugged, trying to act casual. "Maybe I'm just... growing as a person."

Alison let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You? Growing?" She shook her head. "No. No way. Something is up."

Eli internally cursed. Alison was way too sharp for this. He needed to stall-and fast.

"I just... thought you deserved a treat," he said, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear in a move he hoped would distract her. "You never splurge on yourself."

Alison snorted. "I splurge all the time."

"Okay, but today is extra special," Eli said smoothly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he steered her toward the record shop. "I just wanna spend time with you. And you love old records, right?"

Alison stopped walking, digging her heels into the pavement. "Eli."

Eli froze. The way she said his name-it was the I-know-you're-up-to-something tone.

She tilted her head, studying him like a puzzle she was about to solve. "Are you distracting me from something?"

"What? No!" Eli said way too quickly.

Alison's eyes narrowed further. "You totally are."

Eli panicked. He sucked at lying to her. She could always tell when he was bullshitting. His mind raced for a solution-

-and then he did the only thing he could think of.

"Hey, check out this record!" he blurted before grabbing her hand and practically dragging her into the store.

"Eli!" Alison yelped, stumbling forward as he tugged her inside.

"C'mon, let's just look around a little longer," Eli said desperately, praying to any higher power that Clementine would text him soon that everything was ready.

Tory had just finished tucking Brandon into bed for his afternoon nap when a loud knock-knock-knock rattled her front door. She sighed, already exhausted from the long shift she pulled this morning, and trudged over. When she swung the door open, Jackson was leaning casually against the frame, arms crossed, smirking like he owned the place.

"Well, howdy there, darlin'," Jackson drawled, tipping an imaginary hat. "Ain'tcha a sight for sore eyes?"

Tory raised an unimpressed brow. "What do you want, cowboy?"

Jackson pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense. "Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"You're not my friend," she deadpanned.

"Well, ouch." He grinned, completely unfazed. "I'm here to see if you're comin' to that there shindig Clementine's puttin' together for Alison. Gonna be a real nice setup-flowers, twinkly lights, whole nine yards."

Tory's face twisted slightly. She had heard about the party, but she already resigned herself to not going. "Yeah, I can't," she said with a shrug. "No one can watch Brandon."

Jackson clicked his tongue. "Ah, now see, that just don't sit right with me. You mean to tell me yer gonna miss out on all the fun just 'cause of that? That don't seem fair, sugar."

Tory folded her arms. "Well, that's my life."

Jackson scoffed and shook his head. "Nah, see, that's where yer wrong." He straightened up, flashing her a mischievous grin. "'Cause I got me a real good idea."

Tory sighed. "I dread to ask."

"You bring the little feller with ya."

Tory blinked. "What?"

Jackson smirked. "Ain't no rule sayin' ya can't bring 'im. I mean, hell, it's a garden party, not a cage match. He'll love it. Flowers, fresh air, folks bein' all happy-what's not to like?"

Tory hesitated. "I don't know..."

Jackson leaned against the doorframe again, giving her a knowing look. "Now, Tory, lemme ask ya somethin'-when's the last time you got to do somethin' for yourself? Huh? You're always runnin' 'round workin' or takin' care of yer brother. Ain't you earned one night to let loose a little?"

Tory shifted uncomfortably because, yeah, she had been feeling burnt out lately. And it was just a party...

"...You really think it's fine to bring him?" she asked, still uncertain.

"Darlin', I know it is." Jackson grinned. "Besides, if anybody's got a problem with it, they can take it up with me. And trust me, they won't wanna do that."

Tory exhaled slowly, her resolve crumbling. "Fine," she muttered. "I'll go."

Jackson clapped his hands together. "Atta girl! Now, go on and get yer best dress on. We got us a party to attend."

The attic smelled of dust, aged paper, and forgotten time. The dim glow from the single exposed light bulb cast long shadows against the wooden beams, making the space feel both cramped and endless. Clementine climbed over an old chest, brushing cobwebs from her jeans as she scanned the boxes stacked haphazardly around them.

"This place is a disaster," she muttered, coughing slightly from the dust swirling in the air.

Robby, crouched by a pile of old storage bins, smirked. "Yeah, well, you did say you never come up here."

"Because it's creepy," she pointed out, nudging a battered shoebox aside with her foot. "And probably haunted."

Robby snorted as he rifled through a box filled with miscellaneous junk-old yearbooks, faded holiday decorations, a broken clock. He pushed those aside and reached for something buried beneath them, pulling it free. "Oh, look at this."

Clementine turned to see him holding up something small and delicate-a flower crown, woven from faded fabric flowers and soft green leaves. Despite the dust, the petals still held some of their original vibrance.

"Aww," she said, an unexpected warmth filling her chest. "That's actually really pretty."

Before she could react, Robby stepped closer and gently placed it on her head. His fingers brushed through her curls as he adjusted it, tilting his head to admire his work. "There," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "Now you look like some kind of woodland princess."

A slow, warm blush crept across Clementine's face. She rolled her eyes, but the way her lips twitched gave away the truth. "Shut up," she mumbled, pretending to focus on the boxes again.

Robby just grinned. "What? It suits you."

Shaking her head, Clementine bent down to shift another stack of boxes, her fingers dusting across the tops as she skimmed the labels written in faded marker. Her hand froze when she spotted one near the back. The words, though faint, sent a shock through her entire body.

MARY KATZ.

Her breath caught. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

"Robby," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Something in her tone made him immediately straighten. "What is it?" he asked, stepping toward her.

She reached out hesitantly, her fingers trembling as they traced over the name. "That's my mom's name."

Robby's expression shifted, his playful demeanor vanishing. "You wanna open it?"

Clementine swallowed, nodding wordlessly. With unsteady hands, she lifted the lid, her heart pounding like a drum.

Inside, neat stacks of papers, folders, and bound documents lay undisturbed, preserved over the years. Some were yellowing with age, others crisp as if untouched. She sifted through them carefully, her breath hitching when she came across a thick folder bearing the insignia of a hospital.

She stared at it for a moment before flipping it open.

Her eyes scanned the words, her stomach dropping with every line.

Cause of Death: Postpartum Hemorrhage.

The air in the attic suddenly felt thick, suffocating. Clementine felt like the ground beneath her was tilting, like she was floating outside of her own body.

She had always known her mother died giving birth to her. It was a fact spoken in hushed tones, something people knew but rarely discussed. But now, seeing it spelled out so clinically, so starkly, made it real in a way it had never been before.

Her hands shook as she clutched the folder tighter.

"Clem..." Robby said softly, kneeling beside her.

She sucked in a ragged breath. "She bled out." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "She-she was alive. And then she wasn't. Just like that."

Robby didn't say anything. He just watched her, his face etched with something between pain and helplessness.

Clementine's vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. "I never even got to meet her." Her voice cracked, the words breaking under the weight of her grief. "I never got to hear her voice. I never got to know what she smelled like, or what kind of things she loved, or if she would've called me some stupid nickname."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she angrily wiped it away with the back of her hand. "It's not fair."

Robby moved before she could say another word. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him, holding her tight.

"I know," he murmured against her hair. "I know it's not."

She clung to him, pressing her face into his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of him-clean soap, something faintly warm and woodsy.

"I just wish I knew her," she whispered. "I wish she was here."

Robby tightened his hold, his hand rubbing slow, comforting circles on her back. "I know, Clem," he murmured. "I'm sorry."

For a long time, they just sat there, surrounded by boxes of the past, tangled in the weight of what had been lost.

Eventually, Clementine pulled back slightly, looking up at him through glassy eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice hoarse.

Robby lifted a hand, gently brushing away a stray tear with his thumb. "Always."

They stayed like that, close, the attic's dim glow casting soft shadows around them. Even surrounded by the past, Clementine felt a little less alone.

The ice cream parlor was bustling with the sounds of laughter, the hum of conversation, and the occasional clang of metal scoops against tubs of frozen flavors. The air smelled like sugar and waffle cones, a comforting contrast to the warm afternoon outside. Alison sat across from Eli in one of the small booths, absentmindedly stirring her half-melted scoop of cookies and cream.

"Eli, we've been out all day," she sighed, setting down her spoon. "Can we please go home now?"

Eli, mid-bite into his rocky road cone, hesitated for a fraction of a second before forcing a casual shrug. "Yeah, totally. Just let me call my mom first."

Alison frowned. "Call your mom? Since when do you check in before heading home?*"

"Uh... since now?" he said, already pulling out his phone. "You know how she gets sometimes. Just wanna make sure she's not, like, freaking out or whatever."

Alison squinted at him, suspicion creeping in. "She literally lets you do whatever you want."

"Not all the time," Eli shot back, already backing away from the table. "Just gimme a sec."

Alison watched him go with a raised eyebrow but didn't push. Yet.

Once he was out of earshot, Eli tapped Clementine's contact and held the phone to his ear. It rang twice before she picked up.

"Hey, Cle-"

All he heard was a muffled sniffle. His brows furrowed. "Clem?"

There was a brief silence before a different voice came through the receiver-Robby.

"Just go straight to Miyagi-Do," Robby said, his tone firm but low. "We'll meet you and Alison there."*

Eli's stomach tightened. "What happened?"

"Just do it, Hawk," Robby said, and before Eli could push for more, the line went dead.

Eli lowered the phone, exhaling sharply. Whatever had happened, it was bad.

He ran a hand through his hair before schooling his expression into something neutral and heading back to the table.

Alison perked up when he approached, but her eyes narrowed slightly when she saw the way he was clenching his jaw. "Well? Are we going home?"

"Change of plans," Eli said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "We're heading to Miyagi-Do."

Alison blinked. "Why?"

"Uh..." He hesitated, scrambling for an excuse. "Because... uh... I left my wallet there earlier."

Alison folded her arms. "No, you didn't. We haven't been there all day."

"Okay, fine." Eli sighed dramatically. "Robby needs my help with... with a thing. You know how he is. Always too proud to ask directly.*"

Alison tilted her head. "A thing?"

"Yeah, a karate thing," he said quickly, gesturing vaguely. "Super important. He said it was life or death."

Alison rolled her eyes but stood up. "Fine. But if I find out you're lying, I'm making you buy me another round of ice cream."

"Deal," Eli said, forcing a grin as they headed out. He just hoped whatever was going on at Miyagi-Do wasn't as bad as he feared.

The tires screeched slightly as Clementine pulled into the Miyagi-Do parking lot, barely giving the car time to stop before she shoved the door open and bolted out. Robby sighed, running a hand through his hair as he followed after her.

"Clem, slow down," he called, watching as she sprinted toward the dojo entrance like her life depended on it.

"No time!" Clementine yelled back, her voice frantic. "Alison and Eli are gonna be here any minute, and everything needs to be perfect before she walks in!"

Inside the dojo, everyone was already in place, adjusting decorations and making sure every last detail looked exactly the way Clementine envisioned. String lights were draped between the trees, casting a warm, magical glow over the space. Garlands of flowers and vines wrapped around the fences, giving the entire area a dreamy, enchanted garden feel. The long wooden table in the center was covered in fresh flowers, candles, and delicate vintage dishes. Everyone had followed the dress code, wearing bohemian, garden-inspired outfits-flowy skirts, earthy tones, flower crowns. It looked like something straight out of a fairytale.

Clementine clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Okay, listen up! Alison and Eli are almost here, which means we need to get in position now."

The group moved quickly, scrambling to hide behind trees, under the porch, anywhere they wouldn't be seen. Moon adjusted a flower crown on her head and gave Clementine a thumbs-up before crouching behind a bush.

Robby stepped beside Clementine, watching her carefully as she exhaled, trying to calm herself. He could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she was gripping her hands like she was still worried something might go wrong.

"Babe," he said gently, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Relax. This is amazing. Alison's gonna love it."

Clementine sighed, nodding. "I just want this to be special for her, you know? She deserves something good."

Robby smiled at her, squeezing her hand. "It's perfect. Now, come on, we gotta hide before-"

The sound of footsteps made Clementine's eyes widen. She didn't even need to turn around to know it was them. "They're here! Everyone shut up!" she whispered harshly before quickly ducking behind a tree with Robby.

The door creaked open, and the second Alison and Eli stepped inside, the entire group jumped out, voices exploding in unison-

"Surprise!"

Alison's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes going impossibly wide as she took in the scene. "Oh my God," she breathed out, her voice filled with disbelief. "Are you serious right now?"

Clementine grinned, stepping forward. "Welcome to your garden birthday party, Ali. What do you think?"

Alison's eyes darted between the glowing lights, the floral decorations, the long table, and the people she loved most all gathered around her. She turned back to Clementine, blinking back tears. "Clem... this is amazing."

Clementine let out a relieved laugh. "Good, 'cause I was this close to losing my damn mind trying to make it happen."

"You even made everyone dress up like hippie woodland creatures just for you," Eli added with a smirk, adjusting the flower crown someone had stuck on his head.

Alison let out a breathless laugh, still processing everything when Clementine suddenly grabbed a fork and clinked it against her glass. The sound rang out, and everyone quieted, turning their attention to her.

"Alright, before we get into the whole partying thing, I wanna say a few words about the birthday girl."

Alison rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh god, here we go."

Clementine smirked before her face softened. She looked at Alison, really looked at her, and felt that familiar warmth of love and gratitude settle deep in her chest.

"Ali, I joke around a lot, and I don't get all mushy too often, but tonight's special. You're special." She took a deep breath before continuing, her voice steady. "I still remember the day we met, back when we were just little kids. I was protesting for an extra ten minutes of recess, 'cause obviously, we deserved it."

A few people chuckled, already knowing how relentless Clementine could be.

"And I saw you sitting there, watching me like I was crazy. And, naturally, because I have no sense of personal space or self-preservation, I grabbed your hand, dragged you into it, and made you chant with me."

Alison shook her head, laughing. "And we got in trouble for it."

"Yeah, we did," Clementine grinned. "But that was the moment I knew-I had just met my twisted sister."

Alison's eyes shined with unshed tears as she laughed.

"We've been inseparable ever since," Clementine continued, voice growing softer. "Through every bad day, every stupid fight, every dumbass boy we've wanted to deck in the face. You have been by my side through it all, and I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for that."

Alison sniffled, blinking rapidly. "Oh my god, Clementine."

"I know, I know," Clementine teased. "I'm amazing. But seriously, Ali, I love you like you're my own flesh and blood. You are my sister in every way that matters. And I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you, because if anyone deserves happiness, it's you."

Clementine raised her glass, eyes locking onto Alison's. "So, happy eighteenth birthday, Ali."

The room erupted in cheers as Alison let out a choked laugh, quickly wrapping her arms around Clementine in a tight hug. "I love you, Clem," she whispered.

Clementine hugged her back just as tightly. "I love you too, Ali. Always."

Moon sniffled dramatically. "I love both of you!"

And just like that, everyone was pulled into a chaotic, laughter-filled group hug, celebrating the girl they all loved, the girl who finally got the birthday she deserved.

The night had settled into a soft, golden glow under the string lights, casting everything in a warm, dreamlike haze. The garden was alive with laughter, the scent of flowers lingering in the air as the birthday celebration slowly shifted into something quieter, more intimate.

Moon stood near the center of the space, microphone in hand, as she started singing. Her voice was soft and airy, floating over the crowd like a lullaby. The melody was slow and sweet, the kind that made people want to sway in each other's arms.

One by one, couples began to drift onto the dance floor-really just the open space beneath the trees-but it didn't matter. The magic was in the moment.

Robby turned to Clementine, a small smirk playing at his lips as he extended his hand. "Dance with me?"

Clementine raised an eyebrow. "You slow dance?"

"I do now," he said, taking her hand without waiting for an answer.

She let out a soft laugh but didn't resist as he pulled her closer, one arm resting comfortably around her waist while the other held her hand. They swayed gently, moving in sync as if they'd done this a thousand times before.

Clementine tilted her head up at him, eyes shining under the lights. "You're actually pretty good at this."

Robby shrugged. "I'm just following your lead."

She rolled her eyes playfully, then rested her head against his shoulder. His grip on her tightened slightly, holding her like she was something precious, something worth protecting.

"I like this," she murmured after a moment.

He smiled against her hair. "Me too."

Nearby, Alison and Eli were dancing as well, though Alison had her arms loosely wrapped around his neck, swaying more than actually dancing.

"You know," she teased, "I never thought I'd see Hawk slow dancing. Thought it'd be too soft for you."

Eli scoffed. "First of all, Hawk wouldn't. But Eli?" He grinned. "He's full of surprises."

Alison laughed, resting her forehead against his. The moment was perfect-just the two of them, wrapped up in each other, the world fading away.

Eli swallowed hard, his heart hammering against his ribs. He hadn't planned to say it tonight, but now, looking at her, feeling the warmth of her in his arms, he knew there was no point in waiting.

"I love you," he said suddenly, the words slipping out before he could second-guess them.

Alison's breath hitched, and for a second, she just stared at him, wide-eyed. "You-"

"I love you," he said again, more sure this time. "I don't know why I waited so long to say it, because I've felt it for a while now. You mean everything to me, Ali."

Alison blinked rapidly, a slow, radiant smile spreading across her face. "Eli..." She shook her head, laughing softly before tightening her arms around his neck. "I love you too."

His grin was instant, unstoppable. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Eli exhaled, his forehead resting against hers as they swayed under the twinkling lights, lost in their own little world.

Clementine, still dancing with Robby, caught sight of them and smiled. "Took him long enough," she whispered.

Robby chuckled, spinning her slightly before pulling her back into his arms. "Yeah," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. "But some things are worth the wait."

The evening was winding down, but the garden was still buzzing with energy, the air alive with laughter and music. The party had been everything Alison could've hoped for and more. As she wandered away from the dance floor, she found herself gravitating toward the food table. The spread was full of colorful treats, from cake to fresh fruit, and the scent of everything was mouthwatering.

Alison grabbed a cupcake, her fingers still slightly sticky from dancing. She hadn't even realized how much she missed the calm, quiet moments like this-the kind where she could take a step back, away from the crowd, and just breathe.

"Hey, mind if I join you?"

Alison turned to see her older sister Sierra standing beside her, a soft smile on her face. Sierra had always been the more grounded one-collected and put together, even in the chaos of life. Alison found herself grateful for her presence.

"Of course, come on over." Alison nudged a plate of sliced fruit toward her.

Sierra picked up a strawberry, inspecting it before popping it into her mouth. She glanced over at Alison, who was still holding the cupcake in her hand but hadn't taken a bite. "How's everything going? How're you feeling about tonight?"

Alison hesitated, looking down at the cupcake. It felt like such a simple question, but her emotions were tangled up in the night. "I'm really happy, I guess. This party... it's been amazing. It's just... everything feels so overwhelming sometimes. You know?"

Sierra nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I get that. Birthdays, parties, people expecting things from you... it can be a lot. But you're doing great, Ali. I'm proud of you."

Alison smiled softly, her lips pressing into a faint smile as she wiped her hands on her dress, not sure how to explain the complex mix of emotions swirling inside her. "I guess... I just don't want everything to change, you know? I've spent so much of my life trying to find my place, and now everything feels like it's moving too fast."

Sierra reached over, squeezing her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Change can be scary. But you're not doing it alone, okay? You have me, you have everyone here. And yeah, things are shifting, but that's just life. You've got this."

Alison sighed, feeling a mix of gratitude and a twinge of anxiety. "I don't know... sometimes I just feel like I'm pretending to have it all together, especially when it comes to the people I care about. Like with Eli. I don't want him to see me as a mess."

Sierra raised an eyebrow. "You're not a mess. You're figuring things out, just like the rest of us. And Eli? He's crazy about you, Ali. He sees the real you, and he likes you just the way you are. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Alison looked at Sierra, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was hard to see herself the way others saw her, but hearing Sierra's reassurance gave her a sense of calm she hadn't expected. "Thanks, Sierra. I needed that."

Sierra grinned, popping another strawberry into her mouth. "Of course. You're my little sister. I'll always have your back. And when you're ready for that conversation with Eli about how you feel, I know you'll be able to do it."

Alison nodded, her heart still fluttering but with a renewed sense of confidence. "Yeah, I think I'm starting to feel ready. Thanks, really."

"No problem, Ali. I know you'll figure it all out. You always do."

Alison took a deep breath, giving Sierra a small smile before grabbing her cupcake again, ready to dive back into the celebration. With her sister's words ringing in her ears, she felt just a little more at peace with herself-and with the journey ahead.

The music was soft in the background, the scent of fresh flowers still lingering in the air. Clementine stood by the food table, chatting casually with her dad, Caleb, as they surveyed the crowd. The night had been going smoothly, and her dad had been in good spirits, laughing and enjoying himself.

Clementine's gaze shifted across the room, her eyes catching on a familiar face. Jackson. He'd just walked in with Tory and her little brother, Brandon. As always, Jackson's confident, easy-going demeanor filled the room. But something felt different today. Clementine's smile faltered as she caught Jackson's eye, then flickered toward Tory. She smiled at Tory, but her face hardened when her eyes moved to Jackson. She wasn't sure if she could forgive him yet, but there was something about tonight that made her want to at least hear him out.

"Dad, I'll be right back," Clementine said, nudging Caleb lightly before stepping away. She crossed the room to where Jackson stood with Tory, her heart pounding despite herself.

"Clem!" Tory said, grinning widely, though her smile faltered slightly when she saw the look on Clementine's face.

"Hey, Clem," Jackson added with a half-nervous smile, adjusting his flannel shirt and running a hand through his messy hair.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Clementine asked, looking straight at Jackson.

Jackson raised an eyebrow, glancing between her and Tory. He could see the weight behind her question. "Sure thing," he said, giving Tory a quick look that said he'd be right back. Tory nodded and walked away with Brandon, leaving Clementine and Jackson standing alone.

Once they were away from the others, Clementine's tone softened, though her guard was still up. "So, what are you doing here, Jackson?"

Jackson scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, kicking the dirt under his boots like he was still trying to find the right words. "I know you probably ain't gonna like this, but... I'm sorry for everything that happened, especially at the Sekai Taikai. My grandpa-Kreese, he... he made me do it."

Clementine blinked, still processing his words. "Kreese? He's your grandpa? Are you kidding me?" Her voice was filled with disbelief, though a small part of her couldn't quite shake the thought that, in some twisted way, it made sense. "I still can't believe you're tied up in all that Cobra Kai stuff. After everything, Jackson? You're telling me you didn't have a choice?"

Jackson's eyes fell, his shoulders slumping as he let out a frustrated breath. "I didn't. I didn't want any of this, Clem. Not the way things ended with us, not what I did. But when you're raised in that kinda world, you don't exactly get to make all your own choices. That's not an excuse, though." His gaze met hers with a mix of sincerity and regret. "I'm really sorry."

Clementine was quiet for a moment, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. She could feel the weight of the years between them, the broken friendship and the anger that still lingered deep down. But she couldn't ignore the fact that Jackson seemed different now, like he was trying to make things right.

Before she could respond, she heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, what's going on?" Alison's voice was gentle but curious as she approached, her brow furrowed. "Why is he here?"

Jackson, who had been expecting her question, took a deep breath before speaking. "I just... I wanted to apologize. For everything. I messed up, and I really want to fix things. I know I don't deserve it, but... I wanna be friends again."

Alison glanced at Clementine, then at Jackson, her face unreadable for a few moments before she let out a sigh. "You're just... trying to do better, huh?" She looked at Clementine again. "I get it. You know, everyone makes mistakes. But holding onto anger doesn't fix anything. Trust me."

Clementine blinked, surprised by the quiet wisdom in Alison's words. Her best friend wasn't one to shy away from calling people out, but there was something zen about the way she approached things-something peaceful in her words.

"Maybe we can start over," Clementine said, after a beat, her voice calmer than before. "But it's not gonna be easy, Jackson."

Jackson's face lit up, relief flooding his features as he took a step forward. "I'll take whatever I can get, Clem. I just want to make it right."

"Yeah, me too," Alison added softly. "But we're not forgetting everything all at once. It'll take time."

Clementine smiled, her shoulders finally relaxing as she let out a small sigh. "I guess that's fair. Just don't mess it up again, Jackson."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said with a grin.

"Alright, alright," Clementine laughed, the tension easing from her chest. "Now that we've got that out of the way, let's go get some cake. You guys are officially not the worst."

Jackson grinned, a weight lifted from his chest as he followed them back into the party, finally feeling like maybe-just maybe-things could start to fall into place.

Clementine and Robby pulled into the driveway, the night air cool and quiet. The streetlights flickered softly as they got out of the car, their footsteps crunching on the gravel. They exchanged a glance as they approached the front door of her house. Everything seemed normal, until Clementine unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"Tyler?" Clementine called out, her voice steady, though a sense of unease bubbled in her stomach. "You home?"

There was no answer. Robby followed her inside, the soft creak of the floorboards echoing in the otherwise silent house. Clementine's heart raced as she made her way through the living room. And then she saw it.

Tyler.

He was slumped over on the couch, his body twisted in an unnatural way. His face was bruised and swollen, and his clothes were torn. Blood stained the collar of his shirt, and his breathing was shallow, uneven.

Clementine's breath caught in her throat, her hands trembling. "Tyler!" She rushed to his side, her heart hammering in her chest. "Tyler, wake up! What happened?" Her voice cracked with panic as she shook him gently.

Robby stepped forward, his face pale as he knelt beside them. His eyes darted around the room, trying to make sense of the situation. "Clem, we need to get him help," he said, his voice urgent. "He's been hurt."

Clementine's mind raced, a thousand thoughts flooding her head. She couldn't understand what had happened, or who could have done this to him. Tyler wasn't the type to get into something like this. He was strong, determined-he wouldn't let himself get hurt like this without a reason.

"Robby, I need you to call 911. Now," Clementine said, her voice firm despite the panic twisting in her gut. She could feel the cold sweat gathering on her palms as she checked for a pulse. It was faint, but it was there.

Robby immediately grabbed his phone, his hands shaking as he dialed the number. "Come on, come on," he muttered under his breath as he waited for the operator to pick up.

Clementine stayed close to Tyler, brushing his hair away from his face as tears welled up in her eyes. "Tyler, please, don't do this to me," she whispered. "Please wake up."

The 911 operator finally picked up, and Robby quickly explained the situation, giving them the address and what he knew about Tyler's condition. As he relayed the details, Clementine felt the panic begin to rise. She could feel herself on the edge, her mind flashing to all the worst-case scenarios.

"Please, Tyler," she whispered again, her voice breaking. "You can't leave me like this. Not now. Not after everything."

Robby hung up the phone and turned to her, his face etched with worry. "They're on their way. They'll be here soon. Just hang in there, okay?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle but firm, offering whatever comfort he could.

Clementine nodded, but her eyes never left her brother. Tyler's breathing was still shallow, but it seemed to be slowing. Her heart ached in her chest, every part of her screaming for him to wake up, to be okay.

"I don't know what happened," Clementine said, her voice barely a whisper as she turned to Robby, her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and fear. "Why would he be like this? Who could have done this to him?"

Robby knelt beside her, his hand finding hers and squeezing it tightly. "I don't know, Clem. But we'll figure it out. We'll make sure he's okay."

The sound of sirens grew closer, echoing in the quiet of the night, and Clementine's breath hitched as the paramedics arrived. She moved aside as they rushed into the room, taking over, their hands swift and practiced as they worked to stabilize Tyler.

Robby stayed close to her, offering quiet words of reassurance, but Clementine couldn't stop the tears that streamed down her face. The fear of losing him-of losing someone she loved so much-gripped her heart in a way she hadn't expected.

"Everything's going to be okay," Robby said, though his own voice was shaky. He didn't believe it, but he knew Clementine needed to hear it.

The paramedics worked quickly, getting Tyler onto a stretcher and preparing to transport him to the hospital. Clementine followed them out of the house, her legs feeling weak beneath her. She kept her gaze locked on Tyler, not daring to look away for even a second.

"Tyler, please," she whispered to herself. "Just wake up. Please come back to me."

Robby walked beside her, his presence a quiet source of comfort, but even he couldn't take away the overwhelming fear that filled the air. Tyler was hurt, and they had no answers. But Clementine wasn't about to give up on him-not now, not ever.

They got into the ambulance, and the doors slammed shut. As the vehicle sped off into the night, Clementine could only pray that her brother would make it through this-whatever it was-and that they would all be okay.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

a cutesy filler chapter (until the end) cause i dont want this book to end fast </3

ooo i wonder what must have happened to tyler when he got home from london....

few things.
1. i cant remember if i had alison and eli says ily to each other yet...
2. i need to get more depth on clementine not having a mother figure 🙁
3. i realize i haven't really shown alisons sister that much or tyler and sierras relationship SO OOPSIES on my part
4. im trying to figure how to bring anastasia back into this story🥲
5. i also forgot if jackson apologized for being in cobra kai with his grandpa...or not
i hate how messy this is... for these subplots😭😭

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STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
i'm sorry for all the notifications but us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up but votes are not... its hard for my motivation!