chapter fifty:
❛ benvinguts a barcelona (1) ❜

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Clementine blinked, her thoughts a chaotic swirl as she processed the sight before her. There, standing confidently among Cobra Kai's lineup, were Jackson and Tory. The arena lights gleamed off the bold red and black of their jackets, the Cobra Kai emblem emblazoned across their backs. It was like being hit by a freight train. She'd expected to see Tory-she was always loyal to Cobra Kai, no matter how many times Robby or Clementine had tried to sway her. But Jackson?

Jackson. Her childhood friend. The boy who used to dare her to climb the tallest trees, who always boasted about his karate skills but never showed them off. Memories of summers spent running around her grandparents' farm in Tennessee flooded back to her. He used to talk about his grandpa, the "legend of karate," but it had always felt like a far-off story, something disconnected from reality. Now, as the pieces clicked into place, Clementine's stomach dropped. His grandpa wasn't just some legend. His grandpa was Kreese.

Her eyes darted to the stands, where Alison stood frozen. Her usually bright, expressive face was painted with shock, her hands gripping the railing as if to steady herself. Alison met Clementine's gaze, mouthing, What's going on? Clementine shook her head slightly, unable to form a response. She was too overwhelmed to even process her own feelings, let alone explain them.

Gunther's voice echoed through the arena, but Clementine barely heard it, her focus snapping back to Jackson. He looked at her, his usually cocky smirk replaced with something softer. Regret? Guilt?

"I'm sorry, Clem," he mouthed, the words barely visible, but their meaning cut straight through her.

Clementine furrowed her brows, anger flickering inside her. Sorry? What did that even mean? What was he sorry for-that he was here? That he was part of Cobra Kai? That he hadn't told her? She couldn't make sense of the storm of emotions swirling in her chest. She was angry, yes, but there was also confusion, betrayal-and something deeper. Something she wasn't ready to admit, not even to herself.

Her free hand instinctively went to her stomach, a reminder of the uncertainty she carried. She still hadn't told anyone about the positive test she'd taken, and she wasn't even sure what to make of it herself. It could have been a false positive. It had to be, right? There was no way she could deal with everything happening now and the possibility of... a baby.

Beside her, Robby's hand tightened around hers, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts. She glanced at him and found his eyes already on her, concern etched across his face. His grip was steady, grounding her, even as the chaos around them continued.

"The Sekai Taikai boasts a rich and proud history," Gunther continued, his booming voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "And if you are here, it's because you embody all that the Sekai Taikai stands for: leadership, respect, sportsmanship. Captains, step forward and tie on your headbands."

The noise in the arena shifted as competitors began to move. Clementine took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She let go of Robby's hand and stepped forward with him, their movements synchronized. Across the way, Tory and Jackson stepped forward as well, their expressions unreadable.

Clementine's hands trembled slightly as she tied the Miyagi-Do headband around her forehead. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. When she glanced at Jackson again, he was doing the same, his movements slower, more deliberate. For a brief second, their eyes met, and she thought she saw hesitation flicker in his expression.

"Captains," Gunther said, addressing them directly, "you will have the honor and privilege to compete in our televised tournament of champions. But that is only if your dojo does well enough in our team competitions to make it to the final four. Once the tournament is over, we will tally all the points your dojos have earned. The dojo with the most points wins the Sekai Taikai. Team events begin tomorrow."

Clementine turned to Robby, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you know Tory was going to do this?"

Robby shook his head quickly, his expression earnest. "No. I swear. What about you? Did you know about Jackson?"

Clementine shook her head, her voice tinged with frustration. "No. But..." She hesitated, glancing back at Jackson before lowering her voice even more. "I think Kreese is Jackson's grandpa."

Robby's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing into a sharp glare aimed directly at Jackson. Clementine could feel the tension radiating off him, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive.

Gunther's voice carried on, but Clementine barely registered his words.

"But today is about enjoying our host city and making new friends. Or enemies," he said, his words lingering ominously in the air.

Clementine felt a chill run down her spine. Her instincts told her that this wasn't just about karate anymore. It was about loyalty, about trust, and about navigating the murky waters of alliances and betrayals.

"We have a field trip arranged for our competitors," Gunther continued, his tone shifting to one of encouragement. "And for our senseis, a cocktail mixer with our distinguished sponsors, some of the world's finest martial arts brands. It's a beautiful day to make a first impression. And I suggest you enjoy it, because tomorrow, your lives change forever. Good luck, and welcome to the Sekai Taikai!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, but Clementine barely heard it. Her thoughts were racing too fast, her emotions too jumbled. She looked around the room, taking in the faces of her competitors, her teammates, and her enemies. Tory stood rigid, her face unreadable as ever. Jackson... he still looked conflicted, but his eyes darted away from hers as if he couldn't bear to hold her gaze any longer.

Robby touched her arm, bringing her back to the moment. "You okay?" he asked softly.

Clementine nodded, though she wasn't sure it was true. "Yeah," she muttered. "I just... I need a minute."

She took another deep breath, willing herself to focus. Tomorrow, everything would change. But for now, she had to hold it together. She had to be strong-for Miyagi-Do, for herself, and for whatever came next.

Clementine stood by the lobby window, her hand gripping the railing to steady herself as the faint hum of the arena and chatter around her barely registered. She felt light-headed, her stomach churning as if it was going to betray her at any second. The stress of the day was beginning to catch up with her-she could feel it in every inch of her body.

"Hey, Clem, you alright?" Alison's voice cut through the fog in her mind, and Clementine shook her head slightly, unable to find the words for how she felt.

"I need to talk to you, later..." Clementine muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alison's brow furrowed in concern, but she didn't push it. "Alright, whenever you're ready."

Devon, who had been quietly observing the boys' argument from the corner, turned around with a small, relieved grin. "Thank God we aren't boys." She tossed a glance at the arguing group of boys who were now trying to figure out bunking arrangements, which had somehow escalated into a full-blown argument. Eli and Demetri were at the center of it, both looking furious at each other.

Sam, still in her own head, hadn't looked up once from the floor since their arrival. She had barely said a word since she found out Tory was back with Cobra Kai, and now she was sinking deeper into her thoughts. "How could Tory go back to Cobra Kai? I thought things had changed..." Her voice faltered with disbelief, and her words hung heavy in the air.

Before anyone could respond, the sound of footsteps approached, snapping everyone's attention to the group of Cobra Kai boys heading toward them. Jackson led the pack, his posture stiff and his face tight with something Clementine couldn't place. He didn't meet her eyes, though. His gaze was firmly focused on the ground ahead, his expression unreadable.

Kwon, one of the more vocal members of Cobra Kai, stepped forward with his usual arrogance and smirk. "So, you're the famous Miyagi-Do. We've heard about you, but I do not know why. You don't look like much," he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

Clementine felt her stomach tighten, but before she could respond, Eli stepped forward, glaring at Kwon. "Yeah? You'll see better when you step on the mat," he threatened, his voice low and dangerous, ready to fight if necessary.

Alison immediately stepped forward, placing a gentle but firm hand on Eli's arm to hold him back. "Not worth it, Eli," she said softly, her eyes flashing with the same protective energy she always had for the group.

Ali's right, Clementine thought, her frustration mixing with her worry. "Forget about them, okay?" Miguel added, stepping forward with a calm yet confident air. "They're just any other dojo here. Don't let them get under your skin."

But just as the tension seemed to dissipate, Tory walked by them, her eyes scanning the group, her expression unreadable. Robby's gaze snapped to her, eyes widening in recognition, and before anyone could stop him, he was off, moving to follow her.

"Robby!" Clementine called out, but he was already gone, disappearing into the crowd.

Jackson, who had been standing off to the side, away from the tension, suddenly stepped away from the Cobra Kai boys. He didn't look back at them but instead shifted his focus toward Clementine and Alison, his face twisted with regret. It was enough to make Clementine's heart drop into her stomach.

Alison's protective instincts kicked in as she immediately followed Jackson, her eyes narrow with both suspicion and concern. Clementine followed her, her heart pounding in her chest as they made their way toward him.

"Jackson," Clementine said, her voice quiet but firm. She had to know-why. She couldn't make sense of it, but she needed answers.

Jackson turned toward them slowly, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his decision was pressing down on him. He still didn't meet her eyes, but his lips parted slightly as if he were searching for the right words, or maybe just any words at all.

"I'm sorry, girls," he finally said, his Southern drawl thick and heavy with something close to regret. "I didn't have a choice." His voice cracked just a little, a glimpse of vulnerability breaking through the tough exterior he'd put up.

Clementine couldn't hold back the hurt that surged through her. "You didn't have a choice?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly despite herself. "Jackson, you-You could've-You could've told me! We're friends, you can't just-"

Alison stepped forward, her voice gentler but no less firm. "Why, Jackson? Why go back to Cobra Kai? After everything? You knew how we felt about it." She paused, her eyes softening for just a moment before hardening again. "You didn't have to do this. You could've walked away."

Jackson exhaled heavily, pushing a hand through his hair. He still wouldn't look them in the eyes. "I don't want to be here, okay? I didn't want this. But I ain't got no choice, I swear." His Southern accent thickened with every word, the frustration and helplessness clear in his tone. "My family's been in Cobra Kai forever, and... hell, I was raised in that dojo. I couldn't just walk away. I'm sorry, Clem. I really am."

Clementine felt the words hit her like a slap in the face, but there was something in his voice that made her falter. He wasn't lying. She could hear the sincerity in his apology, the regret and the pain beneath his tough exterior. It didn't make it hurt any less, but it made her realize that maybe Jackson really had been trapped in his own situation.

"You could've come to us, you know." Alison said, her voice softer now. She gave him a sad smile, but there was still a hint of anger there, lingering in the air. "You don't have to keep pretending for them. You've got a choice. You always have one."

Jackson didn't respond, just lowered his head slightly. "Maybe. But I wasn't ready to lose everyone over it. I didn't know how to fix it." He looked up at them for a brief second, his expression pained. "I'm sorry, Clem, but... I can't change it now."

There was a long silence between them, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Clementine's chest tightened, her heart torn between anger and pity. She had to force herself to speak, knowing that no matter what, things between them would never be the same.

"It's not just about you, Jackson," she said quietly, her voice trembling with the mix of emotions swirling inside her. "We were your friends... I was your friend. And now you're with them. You can't expect it to be easy for us."

He nodded, his gaze flicking to the ground again. "I know, Clem. I really do. But I didn't know what else to do..."

Alison reached over and squeezed Clementine's hand, offering her silent support as Jackson slowly backed away, his figure retreating back toward the Cobra Kai group. The tension in the air was thick, and Clementine couldn't shake the feeling that everything was changing, not just for Jackson, but for her too.

The door to their shared hotel room clicked shut behind them, and Clementine leaned back against it, letting out a deep breath. The weight of everything that had happened today-between the Sekai Taikai, Jackson, and Robby's tension with Tory-felt like it was pressing down on her chest, making it harder to breathe. But it wasn't just that. There was something else, something she had been holding in all day.

Alison kicked off her shoes and plopped down on one of the beds, looking at Clementine with a raised eyebrow. "You look like you're about to pass out, Clem. You okay?"

Clementine swallowed hard, trying to hold back the wave of panic that threatened to rise. She knew Alison could tell something was wrong, but how could she even begin to explain this? Taking a deep breath, she finally pushed herself off the door and walked over to sit on the edge of the other bed, keeping her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

"I... I need to tell you something," Clementine started, her voice quieter than usual. She didn't want to say it, didn't want to face it, but there was no turning back now.

Alison's eyes softened with concern. "What's going on, Clem?"

Clementine hesitated, her stomach doing flip-flops, and then she just blurted it out, unable to hold it in any longer. "I think I might be pregnant."

Alison froze. Her entire body went rigid, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped. Clementine's words echoed in her mind, and she could see the confusion and concern flicker in Alison's eyes.

"You what?" Alison finally whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Clementine glanced down at her hands, trying to steady her racing heartbeat. "I took a test. I'm not sure, though... I only took one. It could've been a false positive."

There was a heavy silence as Alison processed what Clementine had just told her. She didn't know what to say, or how to even begin reacting. But after what felt like an eternity, she managed to speak.

"Clem... Are you sure?" Alison asked softly, her voice almost fragile. She didn't want to push her friend, but the panic creeping into her tone was clear.

"I mean, I don't know," Clementine admitted, her voice thick with uncertainty. "I just... I don't even know if I should've trusted the test. I mean, it could've been wrong, right?" She let out a frustrated sigh, her hands shaking slightly. "I don't even know what to think."

Alison nodded slowly, her brow furrowing as she sat up straighter. "Have you told Robby yet?"

Clementine shook her head quickly, avoiding her gaze. "No. I... I can't. I don't even know how to tell him, or if I should. What if it's just nerves, or some weird side effect of all this stress?" She gestured vaguely around the room, as if everything happening around them was somehow connected to this strange feeling that had settled inside her.

Alison took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Okay, well..." she said, rubbing her temples. "The first step is to take another test. One test isn't enough, especially if you're feeling nauseous. We need to know for sure, and I think we can rule out a false positive with another one."

Clementine nodded, grateful for the calm way Alison was handling it, even though she knew Alison was just as worried as she was.

"Have you been feeling sick? Like... nausea or anything?" Alison asked, her voice more gentle now.

Clementine bit her lip and nodded slowly, her stomach twisting uneasily. "Yeah. I've been feeling sick all day, actually. And... it's not just because of the stress, I don't think. I've had waves of nausea, like I'm gonna throw up, and I don't know what's going on." Her voice was small now, tinged with a growing sense of dread.

Alison's face softened even more, and she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Okay. Well, let's just take one more test, alright? Let's see what that one says. And let's hope it's just nerves, and the last test was a fluke, okay? Don't jump to conclusions yet."

Clementine nodded, grateful to have someone like Alison to help her keep her head together. She didn't want to face this alone.

"I'll be back," Alison said, standing up and giving Clementine a quick reassuring smile. "I'm going to run to the store and grab another test. You stay here, take a breath, and we'll figure this out. We'll get through it, okay?"

Clementine watched as Alison left the room, the door clicking shut softly behind her. Alone in the quiet, Clementine allowed herself to sink into the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She didn't know what was coming next-what this meant for her, for Robby, for everything. But one thing was certain: she couldn't run away from it anymore.

She had to face it.

The door clicked open quietly, and Alison stepped inside, her face showing a mix of relief and anticipation. In her hand was a small bag, which she carefully placed on the bedside table before sitting down next to Clementine. The tension in the room was palpable, and though there was a faint smile on Alison's face, it didn't hide the worry still lingering in her eyes.

"Okay, Clem," Alison said gently, her voice soothing but with a steady determination. "Here it is. Just take a deep breath. You've got this."

Clementine nodded slowly, her stomach still churning, though it wasn't from nausea now, but from the anxiety and confusion that had built up inside her since she'd taken that first test. She'd been pacing, nearly pulling her hair out, and now that the second test was in her hand, she could only hope for the best, but her mind was a whirlwind of doubt. Her heart beat louder than ever as she carefully opened the test and followed the instructions, holding her breath as she waited for the results.

The seconds stretched into what felt like hours, each one like an eternity. Finally, she glanced at the test and her breath caught in her throat. There it was-a solid negative. No pink lines. No positive sign.

Her hands trembled slightly, and her mouth went dry as she stared at the result in disbelief. Could it really be that simple? Was she really not pregnant? A part of her had braced herself for the worst, but now that she was looking at it, the answer was right in front of her. It was negative.

She let out a shaky breath. "I... I don't understand," Clementine whispered, her voice thin, almost a breath. She let the test fall into her lap. "How could I be puking then? I don't get it."

Alison watched her, her face lighting up with relief and joy as she shot to her feet. Without missing a beat, she grabbed Clementine's arms and spun her around in a celebratory dance. "You're not pregnant, Clem! You're not pregnant!" she cheered, her voice a joyful mix of laughter and triumph.

Clementine couldn't help but laugh, the weight of uncertainty lifting with each bounce they took. The rush of joy and excitement surged through her, but soon enough, she sat back down on the bed, still processing what had just happened. She had expected to feel the huge relief that everyone else seemed to be feeling. But there was something that lingered, some unresolved question that was still tugging at her mind. "But... seriously, why have I been feeling like this? I haven't been this nauseous in ages. It felt real. It didn't feel like just nerves. I thought... I thought I might be pregnant."

Alison paused, the smile fading into a softer, more thoughtful expression as she sat back down next to Clementine. She placed a hand gently on her knee, her tone reassuring yet matter-of-fact. "Clem, it's probably just nerves," she said with a deep sigh. "You know how you get. The stress from everything-this whole trip, the pressure, Jackson, the Sekai Taikai-it's a lot for anyone to handle. Your body can react to stress in all kinds of ways. Nausea, dizziness, all of it."

Clementine stared at her for a moment, trying to wrap her mind around it. She hadn't considered it that way before, but Alison made sense. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense," she murmured, rubbing her forehead. "It's just... all the tension, the pressure from everything. I thought I was handling it, but maybe I wasn't."

Alison smiled, squeezing Clementine's knee in support. "Exactly. Your body's just reacting. Stress can mess with your head and your body, especially with how intense everything's been lately."

Clementine nodded slowly, the realization hitting her like a weight being lifted from her chest. She let out a deep breath, feeling herself relax for the first time in hours. "I guess I've been a mess about all of this," she admitted, her voice soft but grateful. "But I'm really glad it's not that... you know."

"Not ready for that at 17?" Alison teased with a wink, nudging her gently.

Clementine chuckled, feeling a wave of relief rush over her. "Definitely not. I've got enough going on as it is."

Alison laughed, shaking her head. "I'll say. But look, Clem," she continued, her tone turning a little more serious. "You're not pregnant, so now you can breathe a little easier, right?"

Clementine nodded again, but there was still a trace of uncertainty in her eyes. She looked at Alison, then down at her hands, clasped together on her lap. "Yeah... but, um... do you think I should tell Robby? I mean, I've been keeping this from him. I thought I was going to have to tell him I was pregnant, but now that I know I'm not..." She trailed off, uncertainty creeping in again. "I just... I don't know."

Alison sighed, leaning back and crossing her arms. Her voice softened. "I think you need to tell him, Clem. No matter what, he's your boyfriend. He deserves to know what's been going on with you. It's important to be honest with him, especially about something like this. If you keep holding it in, it'll only make things more complicated later."

Clementine looked up, feeling a little more assured. "Yeah... you're right," she said softly. "I need to talk to him."

Alison gave her a small smile. "And if he's the one I think he is, he'll be relieved it's not a bigger deal than it was. He'll understand, especially now that you know for sure it was just nerves."

Clementine nodded, feeling the weight on her chest lighten just a little more. "Thanks, Ali," she said, her voice thick with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably still be freaking out about that test," Alison teased, giving her a quick hug.

Clementine laughed, shaking her head, her worries slipping away one by one. "Maybe. But really, I appreciate you being here for me. I feel a lot better."

Alison grinned, standing up from the bed with a mock serious expression. "Now, let's just hope the nerves settle down. No more puke sessions. You've got enough to deal with without that."

Clementine smiled, the tension from before dissolving completely. "Yeah, let's hope so."

As they both stood there, Clementine felt like a new weight had been lifted off her. She still had a lot to figure out with everything going on, but for now, she felt like she could breathe again, with Alison at her side and Robby still in her corner. Everything might not be perfect, but she was starting to feel like she could handle whatever came next.

ASH SPEAKS!

EEK IM SO HAPPY TO BE WRITING CLEMENTINE AND ALISON AGAIN!!

but be ready guys... robby and clementine... will have some problems this part...

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)