chapter fifty-one:
❛ benvinguts a barcelona (2) ❜

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After settling into their rooms, the competitors were herded together for a mandatory field trip to the local aquarium. Clementine wasn't upset about the idea; she adored aquariums. There was something soothing about the dim lighting, the glow of the tanks, and the steady movement of sea creatures gliding effortlessly through the water. It felt like stepping into another world—a world she could get lost in.

But what Clementine didn't love was the forced group photo for all the captains. The aquarium's grand centerpiece, a towering tank filled with graceful manta rays and sleek sharks, made for a stunning backdrop, but that didn't make standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her competition any less uncomfortable.

"Alright, captains, gather in nice and close!" the photographer called out, his tone annoyingly chipper as he motioned for them to huddle together. "We want everyone to look friendly!"

Clementine shuffled closer to Robby, keeping her arms crossed as her eyes darted over the others. Tory stood a few feet away, her stance stiff, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. On the far end was Jackson, his relaxed posture clashing with his intense gaze that seemed to find Clementine every time she looked his way.

The photographer adjusted his camera and beamed. "Okay, everybody say, 'Barcelona!' One, two, three!"

"Barcelona," the group said in near unison, some smiling more genuinely than others. Clementine's attempt at a smile was forced and fleeting, her mind already wishing the ordeal was over.

"Perfect!" the photographer exclaimed, but then he glanced at the screen and frowned. "Okay, let's do another, but this time—sexy! Everyone say it louder!"

Clementine blinked, her head snapping toward him. Did he seriously just say that?

Around her, several captains complied, their voices louder and more exaggerated. Clementine barely moved her lips.

"I would rather jump into the water behind me," she muttered under her breath.

Robby, standing beside her, didn't respond. Clementine glanced up at him, curious, and followed his gaze to find him staring directly at Tory.

Of course.

Clementine sighed and gave Robby a light smack on the arm. "Stop that," she hissed quietly, narrowing her eyes at him.

Robby turned his head sharply, his brows furrowed. "What?"

"You know what," she said, shaking her head.

His expression softened, but before he could reply, Clementine's attention shifted to Jackson. He wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was staring at her, his eyes locked on her with a look that made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

"You stop it," Robby muttered, giving her a nudge when he noticed her glaring at Jackson.

Clementine shot him a side-eye but didn't bother responding. She was already over this whole situation.

"Alright, let's get one more!" the photographer chirped, raising his camera again.

But just as he was about to take the shot, Tory and Jackson walked away without a word, leaving the group uneven and the photographer visibly irritated.

"Okay, never mind. We're done," he muttered, letting the camera hang from the strap around his neck.

The captains began to disperse, everyone eager to escape the awkward photo session. Robby hesitated for only a moment before jogging after Tory, his footsteps quick and purposeful. Clementine watched him go, her jaw tightening briefly, before she turned on her heel and made her way toward her team.

Near the edge of the tank, Eli spotted her approach and raised his arm, draping it casually over Alison's shoulders as she stood beside him. "You having fun yet?" he asked, his tone teasing.

Alison smiled faintly, leaning into his side. "Yeah. I definitely want to see more of Barcelona,"

Her deadpan delivery made Clementine crack a small grin. Eli chuckled, his laugh vibrating against Alison's shoulder.

"Alright," Eli said, glancing toward the gift shop down the hallway. "Let's go see what they've got here,"

The group began walking together, their steps echoing softly against the aquarium's sleek floors. Clementine walked beside Alison, her gaze flitting to the glowing tanks they passed. She couldn't help but slow down at each one, enchanted by the vibrant colors and graceful movements of the sea life.

But as they progressed, a faint sound began to reach their ears—a rhythmic chant growing louder with every step.

"Vlad! Vlad! Vlad!"

Clementine's eyebrows furrowed as she glanced toward Alison, whose expression mirrored her own confusion.

"What is going on?" Clementine whispered, her voice low.

From behind them, Alison let out a long sigh. "You never walk toward an unknown noise," she muttered, though she didn't hesitate to quicken her pace and follow Clementine and Eli.

The chanting grew louder, almost deafening, as they rounded a corner and came into view of a large crowd gathered in front of another tank. The energy in the air was palpable, and the name "Vlad!" was shouted over and over by the group.

Clementine's eyes widened slightly, her curiosity piqued, though she couldn't shake the feeling that whatever this was, it wasn't going to end well.

The Miyagi-Do team entered the room, already tense from the hostile energy that seemed to linger in the air. Inside, the various competitors from other teams filled the space, and their laughter and chatter stopped as the American team walked in.

At the far end of the room, a boy with sharp features and a cocky demeanor, whom Clementine and Alison assumed was Vlad, was stepping back from a small wall where two chalk lines had been drawn. The tallest line seemed almost impossibly high, marking a feat of athleticism most couldn't hope to achieve.

Before anyone could take in much more, another boy—one Clementine instantly recognized from the hotel as the guy who had given Alison an inappropriate once-over—began to slow clap. The sound echoed, grabbing the attention of the entire room.

The boy, now identified as Kwon, strutted forward, shaking his head with an exaggerated look of disappointment as the applause faded. He stopped in front of the wall and gestured to the chalk lines with a dismissive wave.

"Not even close," he said, letting out a disappointed sigh. "No one beats mine."

As if this proclamation wasn't enough, Kwon turned toward the gathered teams with a smug smirk that only deepened when his eyes fell on the Miyagi-Do group.

"Ah, Team USA," Kwon drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Everyone knows America's best at everything, right?" His words were punctuated with sarcasm, drawing chuckles and whispers from the other competitors.

The room's mood shifted, the tension becoming palpable as Kwon raised his hands, looking expectantly at Miyagi-Do. "So, let's see! Let's see!" he taunted.

When no one from the American team stepped forward to respond, Kwon's eyebrows lifted, his expression practically daring them to act. He turned toward the Cobra Kai contingent, slowly starting to chant, "USA! USA!"

The chant caught like wildfire, and soon the entire room was chanting, the rhythmic sound booming off the walls. Alison glanced around, her stomach twisting as she noticed the growing smirks and jeers directed at her team. Clementine, standing beside her, crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, her jaw tightening.

"Are you scared?" Kwon shouted over the noise, his grin widening. He pointed to Alison specifically. "Come on!"

Before Alison could respond, Clementine stepped forward, her voice sharp and cutting through the chaos. "Hey, leave her alone. Alison isn't competing."

Kwon laughed dryly, clearly unfazed. "Man, just leave her alone," Eli chimed in, stepping forward to back Clementine up.

But Kwon only smirked wider. "Oh, I get it," he said, his tone laced with mockery. "You're all just scared. Figures."

That was all it took. Eli's jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists. He rolled his eyes and stepped toward Kwon, reaching out his hand. "Fine. Give me the chalk."

Kwon's grin turned downright predatory as he handed over the small stick of chalk, but before Eli could go any further, Alison grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back toward the group.

"Eli, are you sure about this?" she whisper-yelled, her concern evident in her voice.

"You'd rather they call us pussies?" Eli shot back, shrugging defensively.

Clementine crossed her arms, her gaze piercing as she looked up at Eli with an uneasy expression. Beside her, Miguel echoed the sentiment. "This isn't a good idea," Miguel said firmly, his tone filled with disapproval.

Eli turned to Alison, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "Hey, it's okay. It's not like it's a fight or anything," he said, his voice calm but determined. He turned to Miguel and punched his shoulder lightly. "Toughest guy in prison, right? You said that."

Clementine tilted her head, frowning. She could've sworn Demetri was the one who made that joke, but she didn't have time to dwell on it because Miguel immediately shook his head.

"No," Miguel said flatly. "No, I didn't say that. And I don't agree with this idea at all."

Devon, standing a few feet away, rolled her eyes and huffed. "You know what? This is dumb," she grumbled, turning on her heel and walking out of the room.

Clementine watched her go, a hint of envy in her expression. "Wish I could do that," she muttered under her breath.

But before the moment could settle, another Cobra Kai member—a boy Clementine didn't recognize—walked up to Eli, tilting his head and looking him up and down with a smirk. "Are you really the best your dojo has to offer?"

Eli's temper flared. "I'm tough enough to kick your punk ass," he snapped, stepping closer until they were nearly nose to nose.

Kwon interjected, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Please," he scoffed. "You're not even the captain!"

Eli turned toward Kwon, his glare hard and unyielding. Kwon only shrugged, his grin maddeningly calm. "Where is he?"

"I'm right here."

The voice was steady and firm, cutting through the noise like a blade. Robby stepped forward, his presence commanding as he moved past the group. He glanced at Kwon briefly before turning to Clementine.

"Come on, guys," he said, his tone resolute. "We're leaving."

Clementine, exhausted from the flight, the tension, and everything else the day had thrown at her, didn't hesitate. She followed her boyfriend, eager to leave the hostility behind.

But Kwon wasn't done.

"You always walk away from a challenge?" he called out, his tone dripping with condescension. When the couple didn't stop, he added, louder, "Or is it because your friend is on our team?"

Both Clementine and Robby froze in place, their movements perfectly synchronized. Robby's posture stiffened, his fists clenching as Kwon's words sank in. Clementine closed her eyes and sighed, sensing exactly what was about to happen.

"Don't let him get into your head," she whispered, stepping closer to Robby and placing a hand on his arm.

Before Robby could respond, Hawk stepped forward, pressing the chalk into his hand. "You've got this," he said, his voice low but steady.

The sight made Miguel, Clementine, and Alison gape in disbelief.

"What?" Miguel whispered.

Clementine grabbed Eli's arm, pulling him back toward the group. "Eli!" she scolded.

"What? I gotta kick above that line, right?" Robby asked, his voice casual as he pointed to the tallest mark on the wall.

Kwon, ever the opportunist, raised his eyebrows. "Too easy for you?" he asked, his smirk devilish. "Okay, let's make a bet, then."

The tension in the room thickened as Kwon strode confidently toward Robby, stopping just inches away. His smirk was as sharp as his words. "You kick, then I kick. You win, you get my room. I win, I get your room."

Clementine groaned audibly, her hand flying to her forehead, while Alison let out a soft sigh and covered her face in disbelief. The absurdity of the stakes was too much for either of them.

"You're on," Robby replied without hesitation. His calm confidence seemed unshaken, but the reaction from the rest of the Miyagi-Do team was anything but.

Demetri turned to Robby with a look of utter betrayal. "Robby," he exclaimed, his voice laced with exasperation.

Alison crossed her arms tightly over her chest, shaking her head in disbelief. "Bet you wish you and Eli were sharing rooms now, huh?" Clementine teased, shooting Demetri a knowing glance.

Demetri, now entirely focused on the horrifying possibility of losing his bed, ignored her comment and stared at Robby. "You're gambling our rooms away? Isn't that, like...a team decision?" he pressed.

Robby's face twisted in a mix of annoyance and determination as he shook his head. "I'm not gambling. I'm getting us an extra room," he said confidently, giving Demetri a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Demetri blinked at him, slack-jawed. His eyes darted between Robby's hand on his shoulder and his unwavering expression. "That's gambling. He's gambling," Demetri muttered, turning to Alison as if hoping she'd somehow stop the madness.

Alison just rolled her eyes and looked away, resigned to the situation. "It's happening," she muttered under her breath.

Demetri sighed deeply, knowing there was no turning back now. He nodded as if trying to reassure himself and gestured toward the wall. "Okay, just...give it a good running start," he advised.

Eli nodded, pointing at Demetri. "That Russian guy that went before you jumped way too early. The physics behind—"

"Hey!" Demetri interjected, waving his arms to cut Eli off. "I'm telling him. I know the physics. I'm going to a school world-renowned for it," he added, puffing up his chest slightly.

Alison dropped her head into her hands, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Oh no. Not the MIT fight again," she muttered.

Eli rolled his eyes beside her, throwing his hands up. "Oh my God. Sure, 'I'm going to MIT.' We get it," he mocked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Hey, guys, please," Clementine snapped, her tone sharp as she turned to both of them. "Knock it off." Then she softened her expression as her eyes landed on Robby. She stepped closer, her demeanor visibly calming. "You've got this," she said softly, leaning in to kiss his cheek for good luck.

Robby put his focus laser-sharp as he approached the wall. He took a few measured steps back, his eyes locked on the mark. Without hesitation, he broke into a sprint, jumped, and delivered a powerful kick. His chalk line landed three inches higher than Kwon's.

The room erupted into cheers, and Clementine's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with excitement. Alison clapped briefly, her face lighting up with relief. "He actually did it!" Clementine whispered, her voice barely audible over the commotion.

But the celebration was short-lived. Kwon smirked, rolling his shoulders as he prepared for his turn. With a loud battle cry, he sprinted toward the wall, leapt, and kicked with precision. The chalk mark he left was higher than Robby's by a hair, just enough to secure his victory.

Clementine's excitement drained instantly, her shoulders deflating as she let out a frustrated sigh. Beside her, Alison's jaw dropped in disbelief. "No way," Clementine muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

Kwon strutted back toward Robby, his smirk wider than ever as he extended his hand, palm up. "Keys," he demanded smugly.

Robby sighed in defeat, pulling his room keycard from his wallet. He turned to Demetri, motioning for his. Demetri's face twisted in despair as he reluctantly dug into his pocket and handed over the card.

Robby slapped the two keys into Kwon's waiting hand, his jaw tight with frustration. Kwon chuckled, holding the keys up victoriously. "Don't worry," he said with a mockingly sympathetic tone. "I'll leave your bags in the hall."

Clementine and Alison exchanged a long, exasperated look before both rolled their eyes in unison. "Boys," they muttered simultaneously, shaking their heads. At least they could take solace in one thing—they were sharing a room together and wouldn't have to deal with the fallout of this particular mess.

ASH SPEAKS!

just a warning... next chapter is gonna be depressing. im splitting this episode into 3 just to prepare you guys...

updates will be every 2-3 days to keep myself sane cause i hate writing fighting scenes!

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