chapter forty-four:
❛ peacetime in the valley (2) ❜

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Clementine could feel the weight of the tension suffocating her. She silently cursed herself for agreeing to this group date in the first place. What was she thinking? She glanced around at the others—Alison and Eli had both opted out, leaving her to navigate this mess alone. Across from her, Sam and Tory sat stiffly, exchanging subtle glares, while on her other side, Robby and Jackson seemed ready to burst into a competition of who could flex their muscles harder.

Frustration bubbled up inside Clementine, and she needed an outlet. She took a deep breath and marched over to the Punch Out game, eager to release some of her pent-up energy. Squaring her shoulders, she clenched her fist and swung at the padded glove with all her might. The satisfying *thwack* echoed in her ears as the impact reverberated up her arm, her tension instantly melting away.

She looked up at the screen, and a rush of pride filled her as the number 981 blinked back at her. She'd just beaten Robby's score of 868. Clementine couldn't help but grin as she pumped her fists in the air.

"Hah! Take that!" she shouted triumphantly.

Robby, Miguel, and Jackson all laughed at her excitement. "Nice job, Clem. My strength is in my legs, but your strength's clearly in your fists," Robby said, smiling at her proudly.

Clementine smirked and gave him a playful nudge. "Guess I win this round."

"Congrats, Clem. You sure showed that machine who's boss," Jackson chimed in, his thick country accent adding a lazy charm to his words.

Clementine shot him a grateful smile, but couldn't miss the subtle side-eye Robby was throwing Jackson's way. The tension between them was obvious, but she tried to brush it off for now. No use fanning the flames when she already had so many fires to put out.

Jackson turned toward Tory next, giving her a polite nod. "M'lady, your turn," he drawled, tipping an imaginary hat with a grin.

Tory crossed her arms and shook her head. "I'm good," she replied flatly, her voice tinged with boredom.

Clementine and Robby exchanged a quick glance, both reading the situation instantly. Tory wasn't budging, and the awkwardness was intensifying.

"Me too," Sam added quickly, her tone awkward as she stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jeans, avoiding eye contact with Tory.

Clementine sighed inwardly. This was going to be a long day.

"Okay, how about the batting cages? I heard there's a new fast pitch," Miguel suggested, trying to keep the group engaged. He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly hoping this idea would break the tension.

"Sure," Sam muttered, her voice still awkward, but she gave a small shrug as if trying to be agreeable.

Clementine felt the weight of the situation fall on her shoulders again. She glanced over at Jackson, silently pleading for his help. If anyone could salvage this, it was him. Plus, if she could just nudge Jackson and Tory together, maybe it would help alleviate some of the tension—and it might even get Jackson to stop pining after her.

"What 'bout you, Tory?" Jackson asked, his Southern drawl smooth as honey as he turned his focus to Tory. "Batting cages sound like fun?"

Tory sighed but gave a small nod. "Sounds fun," she replied, though her voice was laced with indifference.

Clementine smiled softly, squeezing Robby's hand as they started walking toward the batting cages with the group. Before she got too far, she glanced back at Jackson and gave him a thumbs-up, hoping her silent encouragement would give him the boost he needed.

Jackson caught her gesture and flashed her a grin before turning back to Tory. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair before speaking. "Ya know," he began, his country twang unmistakable, "I can tell there's a lotta tension floatin' 'round here."

Tory glanced at him, her expression neutral but guarded. "Well, Sam was my enemy," she said bluntly, her tone sharp as ever.

Jackson chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, I picked up on that," he said with a knowing smile. "I know this whole setup ain't exactly ideal, but from what Clem's told me, you seem pretty cool." He rubbed the back of his neck again, looking almost sheepish. "And if I'm bein' honest, this whole group date thing? It was Miguel's idea. Figured it'd be a way to get everyone to stop avoidin' each other."

Tory's expression darkened at his words. Her voice was sharp as she snapped, "I'm not avoiding Clementine."

Jackson raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that clearly said he wasn't buying it. "I meant Sam," he said, his tone casual, but there was a note of understanding in it.

Tory huffed, clearly irritated by the conversation. "You don't know anything about it," she muttered, her arms crossing tighter over her chest.

Jackson, however, remained unfazed. "Maybe I don't. But I've known Clem since we were little, and if there's one thing I know, it's that she's good at pickin' out people. She and Alison thought you and I might hit it off, so I reckon there's somethin' to that." He smiled at her, his gaze steady. "I mean, this group date probably wasn't either of our ideas, but I figure we might as well make the best of it."

Tory let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You're way too country for me," she said with a smirk, though there was a bit of humor in her tone this time.

Jackson grinned, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I can change that," he teased, his Southern charm shining through as he leaned in slightly, his smirk widening.

For the first time, Tory cracked a genuine laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. "I doubt that," she said, but her voice was lighter, and for a moment, they shared a rare moment of humor.

As they started walking toward the batting cages, side by side, Jackson glanced over at her with a playful gleam in his eyes. Maybe, just maybe, this group date wouldn't be a total disaster after all.

Clementine and Robby walked away from the group, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path as they moved toward a quieter area of the park. The sounds of laughter and conversation faded behind them, leaving them in a space where they could speak freely.

Clementine took a deep breath, her resolve firm. "Robby, I need you to give Jackson a chance," she said, turning to face him. Her eyes were earnest, and she placed a hand on his arm to emphasize her point.

Robby's brow furrowed in confusion and frustration. "How am I supposed to give him a chance when he kissed you when you were in Tennessee?" His voice was edged with irritation, not aimed at her, but clearly distressed by the situation.

Clementine sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Robby, he apologized for that. He was honest about why he acted out. He's been in love with me since we were little. I understand why he did what he did. He was confused and hurt, and he messed up."

As the words left her lips, Clementine realized that mentioning Jackson's past feelings for her might only fuel Robby's frustration. His face tightened, and he looked away for a moment, clearly struggling with his emotions.

"Seriously, Clem?" Robby's voice was laced with frustration. "You're telling me this now, after everything that's happened?"

Clementine stepped closer, her voice softening as she reached out and gently touched his arm. "Please, Robby. Just try to get along with him. He's new to the valley, and he's staying with his sick grandmother. He's not the same guy he was before."

Robby let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. "Ugh, fine," he said begrudgingly. "I'll try to get along with him."

Clementine's face brightened with relief. "Thank you, Robby," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "It means a lot to me. I know it's not easy, but it's important."

Robby managed a small, weary smile, though his expression still carried a trace of frustration. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect me to become best friends with him overnight."

Clementine chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'm not asking for miracles. Just a chance to start fresh."

Robby's steps faltered as he caught sight of Kenny across the park. Clementine, who had been walking alongside him, noticed his sudden stop and followed his gaze. There, at the Hoop Fever game, stood Kenny, who was engrossed in the action but visibly distant from the surroundings. Jackson, Tory, Sam, and Miguel also halted, their attention drawn to the scene.

Jackson, breaking the silence, asked with genuine curiosity, "Who is that kid?"

Clementine glanced back at him, her expression mixed with concern and familiarity. "That's Kenny. The kid Robby and I tried to help," she explained, her voice carrying the weight of their past efforts.

Robby, his eyes still locked on Kenny, looked pensive and a little sad. Clementine turned to him, her concern deepening. "Is he still not talking to you?" she asked softly.

Robby's shoulders slumped slightly as he shook his head. "No," he replied, his tone carrying a sense of defeat.

Jackson, sensing the gravity of the situation, spoke up before Clementine could. "You should give it 'nother shot. Try talkin' to him again," he urged, his southern drawl adding a layer of earnestness to his suggestion.

Robby considered Jackson's advice, a flicker of hope lighting up his eyes. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said, nodding thoughtfully. "He needs to know there's another way besides the shit Silver was feeding him."

Clementine nodded in agreement. "True. Plus, he can't keep sending your calls to voicemail forever," she added, trying to offer a bit of encouragement.

Robby took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "I'm gonna be right back," he said, addressing the group with a determined tone. The others nodded in understanding, sensing the importance of this moment for Robby.

As Robby started to walk away, Clementine watched him navigate through the bustling crowd. His figure grew smaller as he approached Kenny, who remained oblivious to his approach. The park, once filled with light-hearted chatter and laughter, now seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting to see if this attempt at reconciliation would bear fruit.

Jackson, Tory, Sam, and Miguel exchanged glances, the earlier tension momentarily forgotten in light of this new, more hopeful development. Clementine, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension, kept her eyes trained on Robby, silently wishing for a positive outcome.

Jackson had just returned with a tub of ice cream, the kind that's always a crowd-pleaser. He handed out spoons and set the tub down on a nearby bench, and everyone gathered around to share while they waited for Robby. Clementine scooped up a generous portion and took a bite, savoring the cool, creamy treat.

"This is yum," Clementine said, her eyes lighting up with pleasure as she scooped another helping.

Jackson, with a playful glint in his eye, reached over and swiped Clementine's spoon. He took a big bite of the ice cream, leaving Clementine's mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Hey!" Clementine exclaimed, her tone half annoyed, half amused.

Jackson grinned, his southern drawl thickening. "Sorry not sorry, Clem. Just couldn't resist," he said, the smirk on his face unmistakable.

Clementine rolled her eyes but couldn't help but chuckle at Jackson's antics. Miguel, trying to steer the conversation away from the lingering tension, spoke up.

"So, I mean, it's our senior year, right? College is right around the corner. Kinda crazy to think about," Miguel said, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Sam rubbed the back of her neck, looking thoughtful. "Yeah, it does feel like just yesterday we were dissecting fetal pigs in biology class. Now we're talking about college and our futures. It's a lot to handle. I'm just a little overwhelmed, to be honest. But it'll be easier once I hear back from Stanford," Sam rambled, her anxiety clear as she glanced around the group.

Miguel held up his fingers crossed in a hopeful gesture. "Fingers crossed," he said with a nervous chuckle. He then turned to Clementine and Jackson, who looked somewhat awkward. "What about you guys?" he asked.

Clementine, with her usual confidence, answered first. "I'm not going to college. I'm gonna join the military," she said firmly. Sam's eyes widened in surprise.

"That's amazing, Clem!" Sam exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Clementine beamed at the compliment. "Thanks, Sam. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while now."

Jackson then spoke up, his accent more pronounced as he explained, "Well, I ain't headin' to college either. Gonna be a horse trainer at Clementine's grandparents' ranch. That's where my heart's at."

Miguel nodded, appreciating the honest answers. He then turned to Tory, who had been quiet and reserved.

"What about you, Tory?" he asked, trying to include her in the conversation.

Tory gave him a sad smile. "It's kinda hard to get into anywhere when you spent almost a year on probation," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and resignation. The atmosphere grew heavier with the weight of her words.

Clementine, feeling the growing awkwardness, sunk down into her chair and blew a raspberry. She exchanged a sympathetic glance with Sam, who nodded in understanding.

"Right," Miguel said, his tone slightly deflated as he tried to navigate the uncomfortable silence.

"Um..." Jackson began, his brow furrowed as he searched for something to say. Not finding the right words, he took a spoon and dipped it into the ice cream, shoveling a mouthful in to buy himself some time. He looked around at the group, hoping the situation would ease on its own.

Clementine's gaze swept across the arcade, catching sight of Robby, who was standing with Kenny and another figure towering over them. She tensed, her instincts flaring, and immediately stood up, her heart racing. "Who's that?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she rushed toward Robby. Jackson, Tory, Sam, and Miguel followed closely behind, their faces mirroring Clementine's apprehension.

By the time they arrived, Kenny and the unknown guy had already walked away. Robby turned to face his friends and his girlfriend, his expression troubled. "It's Kenny's brother. I met him in juvie. He told me to leave Kenny alone," Robby said, his voice tinged with frustration and sadness.

Clementine stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Robby's back. "Yo, don't let him get to ya, alright?" Jackson said, his drawl thick and comforting, his countryism evident. "Ain't no way he's gonna tell ya what to do."

Robby hesitated, unsure of how to respond or what actions to take next. Clementine squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "Do whatever you need to do, Rob. We've got your back," she said firmly. Sam, catching Clementine's determined look, nodded in agreement, with Tory soon following suit. The three exchanged a resolute glance, united in their support for Robby.

Robby managed a faint smile, visibly touched by their solidarity. "Okay. Thanks, everyone," he said, the gratitude clear in his voice.

Miguel stepped forward, his tone supportive. "We're here for you, man. Just remember that."

Robby gave a nod, appreciating their backing, and then turned to walk away again. Clementine watched him go, feeling a mix of worry and hope, knowing he had his friends behind him no matter what.

Outside, Clementine, Jackson, Tory, and Sam watched as Kenny threw a punch at Miguel, who quickly retaliated by slamming Kenny to the ground. Clementine's heart raced as she rushed forward, stepping onto the baseball bat Kenny was reaching for. "Seriously, Kenny?" she quipped, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Jackson moved up beside her, his demeanor calm yet firm. "Yo, kid, step down," he said, his country accent thick and unwavering. Kenny, fuming, glared at them. "Out of my way, Katz, and whatever your name is. I don't wanna hit a girl," Kenny snapped, his tone filled with irritation.

Clementine and Jackson exchanged a knowing glance before breaking into laughter. "That's sweet," Sam's voice rang out, drawing Kenny's attention. She and Tory had joined Clementine and Jackson. "But don't worry. You won't," Tory added, her voice steely and resolute.

Kenny's glare intensified as he lunged forward, but Clementine quickly grabbed his arm and swung him around. Jackson, unsure of how to handle the situation due to his lack of karate skills, took a step back, watching with wide eyes. "Kenny, you have a place at our dojo. Everyone has a home at Miyagi-Do. It doesn't matter what happened," Sam reasoned, trying to de-escalate the situation.

"It matters to me," Kenny retorted, his anger palpable. As he advanced, Sam and Tory grabbed his wrist, but Kenny yanked them forward. Clementine gasped and waved Jackson over. "I don't know how to fight like this," Jackson admitted, his country drawl evident.

"Ken, let them go. We're just trying to help you," Clementine pleaded, trying to reason with him. As Kenny attempted to punch Sam, Jackson lunged forward and shoved him back. "The name's Jackson," he said with a thick country accent, crossing his arms with determination.

Kenny tried to escape in different directions, but Tory and Sam blocked his path. Grunting with frustration, Kenny made another attempt to run, but Clementine shoved him into the fence. Shawn, Kenny's imposing brother, loomed over them, and Clementine's eyes widened in alarm. Shawn's dark glare and his towering presence made her take a step back.

"That's it, little bro. Let's go," Shawn said, his voice commanding. Clementine shared a shocked glance with Jackson, both of them taken aback by the situation. "What? No, no, I'm not going anywhere," Kenny protested, staring at Shawn in disbelief.

"Yes, you are. Security's coming. We're done," Shawn warned him. Clementine realized then that Shawn was trying to protect Kenny from a path that could lead him back to juvie, understanding the gravity of the situation. She watched as Shawn pulled Kenny away, his firm grip indicating that he was determined to keep Kenny out of trouble.

Robby and Miguel approached, with Robby letting out a sigh. "Well, that could've gone better," he said, his tone reflecting his frustration.

"Could've gone worse," Miguel replied with a reassuring smile. Clementine turned to Jackson, her gratitude clear. "Thanks for having my back," she said sincerely.

"'Course, Clem," Jackson responded with a grin, his country accent adding a touch of warmth to his words.

Robby, feeling a pang of jealousy, tried to push aside his feelings as he watched Clementine interact with Jackson. Despite his own emotions, he forced a smile, happy to see Clementine and Jackson's growing friendship.

Sam turned to Tory with a proud smile. "You picked up Miyagi-Do pretty fast," she complimented.

Tory attempted to suppress her smile but couldn't help it. "Yeah, well, I fought you enough. I guess some of it must've rubbed off," she joked, earning a chuckle from Sam. The tension eased slightly, and the group began to settle back into a more relaxed mood, their camaraderie slowly returning as they moved forward.

The next day, at Miyagi-Do, Clementine and Alison were warming up and stretching before their training session. They chatted casually as they stretched their legs and loosened up.

"You won't believe how awkward the group date was yesterday," Clementine said, her tone light. "Jackson kept trying to act all charming, and Tory was, well, Tory. But you know what? I think Jackson and Robby are finally getting along. And even Sam and Tory seemed to be getting along better by the end of the day."

Alison raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? That's great to hear. How did things go with Kenny?"

Clementine nodded. "Kenny's brother showed up and caused a scene. Robby was feeling pretty down after the encounter, but Jackson and the rest of us had his back. It was a rough moment, but I think it really helped Robby and Jackson bond. And even Sam and Tory... they had a chance to connect."

As Clementine continued, Alison's eyes widened, and she nudged Clementine with her elbow. "Speaking of which," Alison said, nodding toward the entrance.

Clementine followed her gaze and gasped. There, walking into the dojo, was Kenny, looking calm and collected. Right behind him was Robby, his face lit up with a warm smile. Robby approached Kenny, extending his hand in a gesture of peace and friendliness.

Clementine's heart skipped a beat as she watched the two interact. Robby's expression was genuine, and Kenny seemed to be responding positively. The sight was unexpected and uplifting, a clear sign that some of the tension from the previous day was starting to dissolve.

Alison smiled, catching Clementine's excitement. "Looks like things are moving in the right direction. Sometimes a little bit of effort can go a long way."

Clementine nodded, her gaze fixed on Robby and Kenny. "Yeah, it really does. I'm so glad to see this."

As Robby and Kenny continued their conversation, Clementine felt a renewed sense of hope. It seemed that even the most challenging relationships could mend with a bit of understanding and support.

ASH SPEAKS!

ohhh i love writing jackson

i cant believe im on season 6 of this fic...and this book has been up for almost a year???? ahhhh!!!

thank you so much for 48K views on this fic!!

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