chapter forty-three:
❛ peacetime in the valley (1) ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!! COMMENT AND VOTE PLEASE

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It had been a long and strange two months since Cobra Kai was shut down. Clementine's world had shifted in ways she never imagined. Her dad, Caleb, was still sitting in jail, awaiting trial for all the chaos he'd been a part of. That left her brother, Tyler, to step up as her guardian, which was weird but also kind of comforting. At least she wasn't on her own. Tyler had been holding it down, getting a job as a manager at a cosmetics store—surprisingly decent pay—and he was even starting community college soon. Things were starting to settle into a new normal, or at least the closest thing to normal since all the drama.

Today, though, was the first day of senior year. And even though Clementine had a lot on her mind, she still needed to get through the morning.

Her alarm clock shrieked through her room, the sound like a jackhammer to her barely-conscious mind. Clementine groaned loudly, burying her face in her pillow, hoping the obnoxious noise would just stop on its own. But it didn't. After a few long seconds, she begrudgingly dragged her arm out from under the covers and smacked the snooze button harder than she probably needed to.

"Ugh...first day of school," she grumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow. She slowly rolled onto her back, staring blankly at the ceiling, trying to summon the energy to get up. Senior year was supposed to feel exciting, but right now, it felt like a huge mountain to climb, and she hadn't even gotten out of bed yet.

Eventually, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, dragging herself to her closet. Her room was a mix of organized chaos—clothes thrown everywhere, a few art supplies scattered across her desk, but somehow, she always knew where everything was. She pulled out a pair of ripped jeans and her favorite oversized band tee, the one with the faded print from the concert she and Alison had gone to a couple of summers ago. It was soft, comfortable, and just the right vibe for the first day back.

She tossed the clothes onto her bed and shuffled into the bathroom, feeling the weight of exhaustion still clinging to her. As she looked in the mirror, she winced at the sight of her bedhead—her curls were wild and untamed, looking like she'd slept in a windstorm. Grabbing her brush, she yanked it through her hair, trying to get some semblance of control. Once her hair was less of a disaster, she stepped into the shower.

The hot water hit her skin like a blessing, and for a moment, she just stood there, letting it wake her up. Thoughts of the summer flashed in her mind—Tyler becoming her legal guardian, her dad's court case looming, and Cobra Kai being shut down. Everything had changed so fast. She sighed, shaking her head, deciding to focus on the here and now.

After a quick rinse, Clementine stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a towel, and started her morning routine. She slathered on her moisturizer, brushing her fingers across her skin before applying a little lip balm and some eyeliner. She was going for casual today—nothing too fancy. She still felt groggy, though, like her brain hadn't fully woken up yet.

Next, she grabbed her toothbrush, squirted on some toothpaste, and began brushing. The rhythmic motion of it was oddly soothing, and soon enough, her eyelids began to droop. She leaned against the bathroom counter, her head tilting forward slightly. Just a few more seconds, she thought, and then I'll rinse.

Suddenly, a piercing car alarm shattered the quiet, jolting her awake. Her eyes shot wide open, and she blinked rapidly, realizing she had nearly dozed off while brushing her teeth. "What the hell?" she mumbled with a mouth full of toothpaste, spitting it out hastily into the sink.

Still wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she rushed to the window and pulled the curtain aside. Down below in her driveway, Alison was sitting in her car, grinning up at her like she didn't have a care in the world. Clementine squinted at her, completely bewildered by how anyone could be so chipper this early in the morning.

"Oh crap, I'm late!" Clementine yelped, realizing she hadn't finished getting ready. She bolted back to her room, throwing on her jeans and band tee in record time. She quickly grabbed her favorite hoodie, pulling it over her head as she hurried out of her room, grabbing her backpack from where it was slung over the couch downstairs.

She raced out the front door, practically stumbling down the steps as Alison waved at her from the driver's seat, looking *way* too awake for 7 a.m. "Morning, Clem!" Alison chirped, her voice filled with a level of enthusiasm that should've been illegal at this hour.

Clementine threw herself into the passenger seat and stared at Alison in disbelief. "How are you so awake right now?" she muttered, buckling her seatbelt while still trying to wipe the last remnants of toothpaste from her mouth.

Alison shrugged with a huge grin, tapping her fingers excitedly on the steering wheel. "I don't know! It's like a gift or something!" Without waiting for a response, she floored the gas, and the car jerked forward, speeding down the street so fast Clementine was pressed back against the seat.

Clementine gripped the door, her eyes wide with panic. "Alison! Slow down! Jesus Christ!" she screamed over the roar of the engine. "How many Starbucks did you drink?!"

Alison turned to her with an almost innocent smile. "Three espressos!" she said proudly, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as she swerved around a corner at what felt like 80 miles per hour.

"Oh my god," Clementine groaned, bracing herself as the car zoomed down the road. "You're insane!"

Alison just laughed, completely unfazed by her driving or the sheer amount of caffeine in her system. Clementine, on the other hand, was just trying to survive the ride to school, wondering if every day of senior year was going to be this crazy.

As Alison pulled into the school parking lot, the chaotic ride finally came to an abrupt end. Clementine exhaled a deep breath, grateful to still be in one piece. She glanced at Alison, who looked as fresh and energetic as ever.

"You good?" Alison asked with a cheery grin, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Barely," Clementine muttered, shaking her head. "I think my life just flashed before my eyes."

Alison giggled, stepping out of the car with an infectious bounce in her step. Clementine followed more sluggishly, adjusting her backpack on her shoulder and looking around at the familiar sight of West Valley High. It was buzzing with activity as students streamed into the building for their first day back.

"Alright! Senior year, let's go!" Alison practically skipped toward the school entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd. When she suddenly spotted Eli—her boyfriend—leaning against his locker inside, a bright smile lit up her face.

"Eli!" she squealed and without a second thought, she darted ahead, leaving Clementine behind.

Clementine blinked, standing there by herself for a moment, feeling a bit offended. "Wow, okay," she muttered sarcastically to herself. "Guess I'm just chopped liver." She watched as Alison ran up to Eli, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug.

Shaking her head, Clementine turned back toward the parking lot, only to be startled by a pair of arms wrapping around her waist from behind. She let out a startled gasp, ready to swing an elbow until she heard a familiar voice laughing in her ear.

"Jump scare!"

"Robby!" Clementine spun around, playfully swatting him on the chest. "You scared the crap out of me!" But despite her mock annoyance, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Robby grinned, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. "I couldn't resist."

Clementine rolled her eyes but leaned into him, resting her head briefly against his chest. "Have you talked to the school yet?" she asked, her tone softening. "Y'know, to see if they'll let you back since the Diaz family signed off?"

Robby shook his head. "I was waiting for you," he said casually. "Wanna walk me to the office?"

Clementine cracked a grin, nudging him with her elbow. "Smooth, Keene."

"Always," he winked, and they began walking side by side toward the school office. As they passed through the hallways, Clementine couldn't help but notice the curious glances from a few students, the remnants of last year's drama still lingering in the air. But with Robby beside her, she felt a sense of normalcy returning.

When they reached the office, Robby turned to her with a grin. "Wait here?"

"Of course." Clementine leaned against the wall near the door, watching him walk inside.

As she waited, she spotted two familiar faces approaching from down the hall: Devon and Tory. Clementine tensed immediately, her fingers brushing the scar on her cheek—a scar Devon had left during the chaotic fight at Cobra Kai two months ago. It was a reminder she carried every day, a mark of the battle that had changed all their lives.

The tension was palpable as Devon and Tory came to a stop in front of her. Devon shifted awkwardly, glancing at Clementine but not meeting her eyes.

"Hey, Clem," Tory said, trying to break the ice. "You doing alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Clementine replied coolly, folding her arms over her chest. Her gaze shifted toward Devon, the silent tension between them thickening.

Devon cleared her throat, rubbing the back of her neck. "Look, Clementine, I've been meaning to talk to you." She hesitated, her eyes flicking to the scar. "I... I'm sorry. About what happened. That fight—what I did. It wasn't personal. It was—"

"Cobra Kai in your head," Clementine cut in, her voice sharp. "Yeah, I've heard that excuse a lot lately."

Devon winced, but she nodded. "Yeah, but... it's the truth. I wasn't thinking clearly. I just—I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to leave you with... that." She gestured vaguely toward Clementine's cheek, her voice laced with regret.

Clementine narrowed her eyes for a moment, weighing her words. She wanted to stay mad—*should* stay mad—but part of her knew Devon wasn't the same girl who threw those punches two months ago. With a sigh, she rubbed her temples. "Look, it sucked. And this scar sucks. But... whatever. It's done. Just don't expect me to forget it."

Devon swallowed hard, nodding. "I understand. I don't expect you to."

There was a beat of silence before Clementine sighed again, softer this time. "Okay, fine. Apology accepted."

Before the conversation could linger any longer, the door to the office opened, and Robby walked out with a mock-serious expression on his face, his shoulders slumped.

Clementine's heart sank. "Oh no," she said, stepping forward in concern. "What happened? They said no, didn't they?"

Robby looked at her, struggling to maintain his fake somber expression, but then his lips twitched, and a sly smile broke through. He held up a folder labeled "Welcome to West Valley High" with a flourish.

Clementine's eyes went wide, and she let out an excited squeal, jumping into his arms and kissing him passionately. "You jerk! You had me worried!"

Robby chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. "Couldn't resist. Had to keep you on your toes."

Behind them, Devon and Tory exchanged glances and stifled a laugh before Tory waved. "We'll leave you two lovebirds to it," she called out, leading Devon away with a knowing grin.

Clementine barely noticed, too wrapped up in the moment with Robby as she kissed him again, excitement and relief flooding through her. Today was starting to look up after all.

Clementine walked down the hallway with Robby beside her, his arm slung casually over her shoulder. The first day of senior year had officially begun, and the school was already buzzing with the familiar hum of students catching up after summer break. Clementine clutched her schedule in one hand, glancing at the classroom numbers as they passed by.

"You're sure English is your first period?" Robby teased, leaning over to peek at her schedule.

Clementine elbowed him lightly. "Yes, I'm sure. You're not going to keep teasing me just because you got in, are you?"

Robby chuckled, pulling her in for a quick hug as they stopped in front of her classroom. "Nah, I'm done—for now."

She smiled up at him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "I'll see you at lunch?"

"Definitely." He gave her one last squeeze before stepping back, giving her a playful salute. "Good luck, Clem."

"Good luck to you too," she called after him as he headed down the hall.

With a deep breath, Clementine turned toward the classroom door, adjusting her backpack before walking in. As soon as she entered, her eyes scanned the room, and her heart lifted when she spotted a familiar face—Sam LaRusso sitting near the middle of the room, already setting up her notebook and looking lost in thought.

Clementine grinned, making a beeline for the empty seat beside her. "Hey, Sam!" she greeted, sliding into the chair next to her friend.

Sam looked up, her expression brightening when she saw Clementine. "Oh, hey, Clem! I didn't know we had English together."

"Looks like we're stuck with each other," Clementine teased, dropping her bag on the floor and pulling out her notebook. "I'm not complaining, though."

"Me neither," Sam smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "So... did Robby get in? Is he officially back?"

"Yup, he got the green light," Clementine confirmed with a grin. "He even gave me a mini heart attack by pretending they didn't let him in. But he's back—he's already wandering around somewhere."

Sam laughed softly. "That sounds like something Robby would do. I'm glad he's here, though. He deserves another chance."

Clementine nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her at the thought of Robby being able to put last year behind him. "Yeah, me too. It feels like things are finally starting to settle down, y'know?"

Before they could continue, the door to the classroom opened again, and their teacher walked in. He was a laid-back, middle-aged man with messy hair, wearing a wrinkled button-up shirt and sneakers that looked like they'd seen better days. He carried a stack of papers under one arm and had a coffee cup in the other. He set the papers down on his desk and turned to face the class with an easygoing smile.

"Alright, settle down, settle down," he said, waving a hand as the chatter in the room died down. "Welcome to English 12. My name's Mr. Rhodes, and if you're looking for one of those teachers who's gonna lecture at you for an hour straight, you've come to the wrong place."

A few students chuckled, and Mr. Rhodes smirked. "We'll be doing a lot of reading, a lot of writing, but mostly, we're gonna be having conversations—about books, about life, about whatever comes up. So as long as you're engaged and doing the work, we're gonna get along just fine."

Clementine exchanged a glance with Sam, and they both smiled. This was already shaping up to be a pretty chill class.

"Now," Mr. Rhodes continued, leaning back against his desk, "I know it's the first day, and no one wants to dive into anything heavy just yet, so we're gonna keep it light. Let's go around the room, say your name and something you're looking forward to this year. Could be anything—school-related or not."

The students started going around the room, and Clementine leaned back in her seat, a smile tugging at her lips. It felt good to be back, especially with friends like Sam by her side and a teacher like Mr. Rhodes to make things a little less stressful.

This year might just be alright after all.

The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the trees at Miyagi-Do, casting long shadows over the peaceful courtyard. Clementine and Alison sat side by side on the wooden deck, their shoes barely touching the grass as they stretched out their legs. The day had been long, but now that they were settled at the dojo, everything seemed to slow down, the calm energy of the place seeping into their bones.

"So, first day of senior year. How does it feel?" Clementine asked, resting her head against the post behind her, her voice relaxed.

Alison grinned, her usual sunny personality undimmed despite the day's chaos. "Honestly, pretty good! It was fun being back, you know? Seeing everyone again, hanging out with Hawk between classes. I feel like this year's going to be different in a good way."

Clementine nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yeah, I feel the same. It's weird though, not having Cobra Kai hanging over our heads anymore."

Alison stretched her arms over her head, nodding in agreement. "Right? I keep expecting some drama to blow up, but for once, it's just normal high school stuff. Kinda nice, actually."

Clementine chuckled, but before she could respond, they both heard voices calling their names from across the courtyard. Turning toward the koi pond, they saw Robby and Miguel standing there, waving them over. Hawk stood beside them, looking amused, his arms folded across his chest.

Alison raised an eyebrow and gave Clementine a playful nudge. "Looks like they want something. Let's go see what it is."

The two girls stood up, dusting off their jeans as they made their way over to the boys. Clementine could already see Robby's mischievous grin, and she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"What's up?" Alison asked, placing her hands on her hips as they approached.

Robby exchanged a glance with Miguel before stepping forward, his grin growing wider. "We were thinking... how about a group date? Like, all of us together."

Clementine blinked in surprise, glancing at Alison before turning back to Robby. "A group date? Seriously?"

Miguel nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, you know—me and Sam, Robby and you, Hawk and Alison, and we could even bring Tory along."

Alison immediately raised her hand, shaking her head before anyone could get too excited. "Nope. I'm out. There is absolutely no way I'm going on a date where there's that much awkward tension flying around. I mean, come on, Miguel. Do you hear yourself? That sounds like a nightmare."

Hawk, standing beside her, smirked and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, count me out too. The last thing I need is to be stuck in a car with all of you guys sorting through old drama. I'll pass."

Clementine couldn't help but laugh at their reactions, but then her expression turned thoughtful. "Wait, what about Tory? I mean, who's she supposed to go with?"

Alison shot her a knowing look, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Hey, what about Jackson? Didn't you say he has a thing for you? This could be a way to have our old friend finally move on."

Clementine's eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands in front of her. "Jackson? He lives in Tennessee, Ali!"

Robby's smile faded slightly as he raised an eyebrow, a hint of jealousy creeping into his voice. "Hold on. Isn't this the same guy who had a crush on you? You told me about him before, right?"

Clementine shifted on her feet, her cheeks warming under Robby's gaze. "I mean... yeah, he liked me back when we were younger, but it's not a big deal. We text sometimes, but it's nothing. He's like, a thousand miles away."

Robby's expression darkened just a bit, clearly not thrilled by the idea. "You're still texting him?"

Clementine sighed, feeling the need to reassure him. "Robby, it's really not like that. He's just an old friend."

To prove her point, she pulled out her phone and opened Instagram, scrolling to Jackson's profile to show him. But as she landed on his most recent post, her heart skipped a beat, and her fingers froze.

There, on the screen, was a photo of Jackson standing in an airport terminal, a wide grin on his face as he held up his suitcase. The caption read: *"On my way to Reseda to live with my grandma! New adventures await!"*

Clementine blinked, momentarily stunned. "Uh... guys?" She turned her phone around so that everyone could see. "Jackson's coming here. He's... on his way to Reseda."

Robby's jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed at the phone screen. "Great," he muttered, clearly trying to keep his jealousy in check.

Alison let out a delighted laugh, nudging Clementine in the ribs. "Well, this just got a lot more interesting. Guess you've got a new neighbor."

Clementine sighed, biting her lip as she glanced at Robby. "I didn't know he was moving here. I swear."

Robby looked at her, his jealousy still simmering beneath the surface, but then he sighed and shook his head, forcing a smile. "It's fine, Clem. We'll deal with it."

But Alison, ever the instigator, couldn't help but smirk. "So, what now? Do we set Jackson up with Tory?"

Clementine groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Let's just... see how things play out. I can't believe he's moving here."

Robby wrapped an arm around Clementine, pulling her close as they walked back toward the rest of the group. "Don't worry about it. He's just some guy from your past. I'm the one who's here now."

Clementine smiled softly, leaning into him. "Yeah, you're right."

As they settled back with the others, Clementine couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. With Jackson moving to Reseda, things were definitely about to get more complicated.

As Hawk and Demetri stood proudly beside their covered board, anticipation hung thick in the air. Clementine and Alison exchanged excited glances, practically bouncing on their heels as the two boys prepared to unveil the new dojo name.

"It's been a long road, but we're finally all on the same side," Eli said, his voice carrying a sense of determination. "And as a reward? The toughest test any of us have ever had to face."

"The Sekai Taikai is the most prestigious karate tournament in modern martial arts history," Demetri added, his excitement evident. "For over a century, fighters from across the globe have gathered every two years to compete for the title of World's Best."

"If the All Valley is March Madness, this is the Olympics, plus the gladiator games and the kumite from Bloodsport all rolled into one," Eli continued, his intensity matching the occasion.

Johnny, standing beside Alison and Clementine, nodded approvingly. "Yeah," he muttered under his breath, clearly caught up in the hype of the moment.

Demetri began, "If we win—" but Eli quickly cleared his throat, cutting him off. "Excuse me. *When* we win, the spoils will be life-changing."

Alison and Clementine couldn't help but fist-bump, sharing in the moment of confidence.

Eli's expression grew more serious as he continued. "But it's gonna take all of our focus and all the wisdom our senseis have to offer." His eyes darted to Johnny, Chozen, and Daniel, all of whom stood nearby, watching with interest.

Demetri then took over, full of confidence. "Yes, which is why we decided to take at least one thing off your plates. Coming up with our new dojo name."

Alison and Clementine leaned in, eager to hear what the boys had come up with.

"Yes! After some spirited brainstorming and ad hoc focus-grouping, and also a dojo-wide vote, we have a winner!" Eli announced, his excitement infectious.

The two girls bit their lips anxiously, barely containing their curiosity. The air was thick with suspense as Eli and Demetri turned toward the covered board. "We give you..."

In one synchronized motion, they pulled off the tarp.

The reveal was... not what anyone expected. On the board, in bold colors, was a cartoonish version of Mr. Miyagi with a giant head, standing proudly beneath the newly revealed dojo name: Miyagi-Fang Karate.

Alison and Clementine's jaws dropped. They exchanged wide-eyed looks, stifling laughter, unsure whether to applaud or cringe. The name, Miyagi-Fang, was perfect. But the logo... it was definitely something else. Mr. Miyagi's exaggerated, cartoonish head looked both comical and out of place, almost like something from a Saturday morning cartoon.

The dojo erupted in applause, clearly embracing the name. Alison and Clementine, though amused, tried to mask their mixed feelings about the logo as they clapped along.

Clementine sneaked a glance over at their senseis. Johnny was clapping enthusiastically, clearly on board with the entire concept. But Daniel and Chozen? Their expressions were an entirely different story. Daniel's eyebrows were furrowed in disbelief, and Chozen looked like he was struggling to process what he was seeing.

Alison leaned toward Clementine, whispering with a smirk, "Okay, the name? Awesome. The logo? Uh..."

Clementine bit back a laugh, whispering back, "I think Mr. Miyagi would be proud... maybe."

The two girls chuckled quietly as Eli and Demetri stood there, soaking in the approval. Even with the slightly questionable design, the dojo had a new identity. And with the Sekai Taikai looming ahead, it was clear that Miyagi-Fang Karate was ready for the challenge, giant cartoon head and all.

Clementine sat in the passenger seat of Alison's car, tapping her fingers against her phone as she stared out the window. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the parking lot. Alison was scrolling through her playlist, humming to herself, but Clementine's mind was elsewhere. She opened Instagram again, her eyes landing on Jackson's most recent post—a photo of him at the airport with the caption: *"Headed to Reseda to live with Grandma. California, here I come."*

She smirked, unable to resist calling him. She pressed the dial button and held the phone to her ear, listening to the ring as her heart raced a little. It'd been a while since she talked to Jackson, and part of her was curious about how he'd adjusted to California life.

After a few rings, the familiar, thick country accent greeted her. "Well, well, well, if it ain't Clem. What's goin' on, sunshine?"

His voice had that smooth, slow drawl she knew all too well, the kind that always made him sound like he was leaning against a fence post, looking out over an endless field. She chuckled at the sound of it, already feeling more at ease.

"Hey, Jackson. I saw your post—so you're really here? In Reseda?"

"Sure as shootin'," he replied, a grin clear in his voice. "Landed a few hours ago. Grandma's already fed me, and I'm settlin' into her guest room. Feels a bit strange, bein' out here after all that Tennessee dust, but I reckon I'll get used to it."

Clementine shook her head, laughing softly. "Well, welcome to the neighborhood. You picked a wild time to show up, but hey, I might have something that'll make your stay a little more interesting."

"Oh yeah?" He sounded intrigued, and she could practically hear the raise of his eyebrow over the phone. "And what's that?"

"Well," she began, her fingers tapping against her phone screen, "me and my friends are planning a group date this Saturday, and I was wondering if you'd wanna come with us. You'd be going with a girl named Tory."

There was a pause, followed by a thoughtful hum. "Tory, huh? What's she like?"

"I'll send you a picture," Clementine said, quickly pulling up a photo of Tory. She hit send, waiting as it delivered. A moment later, she heard Jackson's soft whistle through the phone.

"Well, hot damn, Clem. She's a looker. You sure she's available?"

Clementine rolled her eyes playfully. "Pretty sure. So, are you in or what?"

Jackson chuckled. "Hell yeah, I'm in. When's this all goin' down?"

"Saturday night," she confirmed, grinning as she thought of how chaotic the group date might be. "You free?"

"Free as a bird, Clem. Tell this Tory she's got herself a date."

Clementine felt a small rush of excitement. Everything was coming together better than she'd planned. "Awesome. Oh, by the way, when do you start school at West Valley?"

"Tomorrow mornin', bright and early," Jackson replied. "Already got the layout from Grandma. Figure I'll try not to get too lost on my first day."

"That's great!" she said. "I'll see you there then. It's gonna be nice having another familiar face around."

Jackson's tone softened slightly. "Yeah, same here. It's been a while since we last hung out."

There was a brief pause before Jackson's voice lowered, almost hesitantly. "How are things between you and Robby? Y'all still goin' strong?"

Clementine's smile softened as she leaned her head back against the seat. "Yeah, we're amazing. He's been really good to me, especially with everything going on. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"That's good to hear, Clem. You deserve someone who's gonna treat you right."

There was another pause before Jackson cleared his throat. "I, uh, also heard about your dad. Word got 'round back home that he got taken to jail... somethin' about goin' AWOL in the army?"

Clementine felt the familiar knot of tension tighten in her chest. She hadn't talked about her dad much, preferring to focus on school and her relationship with Robby, but Jackson had known her family for years. He had a right to ask, and she couldn't dodge it forever.

"Yeah... it's been rough," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "He's still in jail, waiting for his trial. They're accusing him of going AWOL, but Tyler and I have a lawyer working on it. We're hoping things will clear up soon."

Jackson let out a slow, thoughtful sigh. "I'm real sorry to hear that, Clem. I can't imagine how tough that's gotta be for you and Tyler. But you're strong—you'll get through it."

"Thanks," Clementine murmured, her chest feeling a little lighter at his reassurance. "It's been hard, but we're managing. Robby's been helping a lot too."

"Well, you hang in there, alright? If you ever need somethin', you know where to find me."

Clementine smiled softly. "I know. Thanks, Jackson. I'll see you tomorrow at school?"

"You betcha. Take care, Clem."

As she hung up the phone, she let out a long breath, feeling the weight of the conversation slowly lift. Jackson being around was going to make things more interesting for sure, but she was grateful for his support. She glanced over at Alison, who had been listening in, a curious look on her face.

"How's Jackson doing?" Alison asked, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

Clementine grinned. "He's in for the date. Looks like Tory's got herself a country boy."

ASH SPEAKS!

I HAD TO SPLIT IT UP BECAUSE I HAD TO LEAVE U GUYS HANGINGGG
BRO I CANT WAIT TO WRITE THE GROUP DATE HEHE

do we like the new gif banner for s6??

IM ACTUALLY SO HYPED TO BE ON SEASON 6 OF THIS FIC

I CANT BELIEVE I PUBLISHED THIS BOOK ALMOST A YEAR AGO??? THANK U GUYS FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT ON THIS BOOK🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

DONT FORGET TO COMMENT AND VOTE!! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)