"If you wanna fight back, then, join a karate dojo,"

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Clementine stood in front of the bathroom mirror, meticulously brushing her hair. She carefully gathered the top half and secured it with a delicate, jeweled hairpin. Satisfied with her appearance, she took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and stepped out of the bathroom, her footsteps echoing softly down the hallway.

As she entered the kitchen, she noticed her brother, Tyler, sitting at the table with his laptop open in front of him. His face was serious, brows furrowed in concentration as he scrolled through various college websites. Clementine's curiosity was immediately piqued. Tyler had always been vocal about his disinterest in college, preferring to take a gap year to travel or work instead.

She quietly approached him, peering over his shoulder to get a better look at the screen. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice light but inquisitive.

Tyler jumped at the sound of her voice, quickly shutting his laptop and looking up at her with wide eyes. "It's nothing," he lied, a note of defensiveness in his voice. He stood up abruptly, moving toward the kitchen counter to busy himself.

Clementine raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched him. "I thought you weren't into college," she said, her tone both curious and skeptical. She knew her brother well enough to sense when something was off.

Tyler's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. He snapped his head toward her, his expression hardening. "When I was on that father-son trip with Dad, I got to thinking, okay?" he snapped, his voice sharp and edged with irritation. Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen.

Clementine stood there for a moment, processing the unexpected outburst. She replayed his words in her mind, trying to piece together what might have caused such a drastic change in his attitude toward college. Her brother had always been so certain about his path, and now it seemed like everything had shifted.

She walked over to the kitchen table, her fingers lightly tracing the outline of Tyler's closed laptop. What had happened on that trip to make him reconsider his future? Clementine's mind raced with possibilities. Had he and their father had a deep conversation about life and goals? Had something specific occurred that opened Tyler's eyes to new possibilities?

Determined to understand, Clementine decided she would give Tyler some space for now. She knew her brother well enough to know that pushing him too hard would only make him shut down more. Instead, she made a mental note to approach the topic again later when he seemed more open to talking. For now, she would respect his privacy and wait for the right moment to delve deeper into what was really going on with him.

As she left the kitchen, Clementine couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had changed in her brother's outlook. She hoped that whatever it was, it would lead him to a better, more fulfilling future. And when the time was right, she would be there to support him every step of the way.

Clementine walked outside, feeling the warm afternoon sun on her skin as she made her way to the garage. The familiar sounds of her dad working on his car greeted her: the clinking of tools, the hum of an engine, and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. She found her dad, Caleb, bent over the open hood, his hands greasy and focused on some intricate part of the engine.

"Hey, Dad... can we talk?" she called out, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Caleb looked up from his work, his face lined with a combination of hard work and warmth. He wiped his hands on a rag, a look of mild confusion crossing his features as he saw the seriousness in Clementine's eyes. "Sure, Clem. What's on your mind?" he asked, setting his tools aside and giving her his full attention.

Clementine took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I'm worried about Tyler going to college. He doesn't seem like a college person... I know you took him on that trip to clear his mind and ask what's going on with him and why he's been missing school and drinking... so what happened?" she asked, her voice steady but filled with genuine concern.

Caleb sighed, leaning against the car as he considered her question. "That trip was a bit of a wake-up call for both of us," he began, his tone reflective. "Tyler's been struggling with a lot more than I realized. He's been feeling lost, like he doesn't have a clear direction in life. And the drinking... well, he admitted it's been a way for him to cope with all the pressure and expectations."

Clementine listened intently, her worry deepening as her dad continued. "We talked a lot about his future and what he wants to do. I think the idea of college came up because he sees it as a way to find himself, maybe prove something to himself and to us. But I agree with you, Clem. Tyler's never been the type to follow a conventional path."

Caleb paused, looking down at his grease-stained hands. "He mentioned feeling like he's been disappointing us, especially you. I tried to reassure him that we love him no matter what, but I think he's still struggling with that."

Clementine's heart ached for her brother. "I never meant to make him feel like that," she said softly. "I just want him to be happy and find something he's passionate about."

Caleb nodded. "I know, sweetheart. We all want that for him. But I think Tyler needs to figure things out on his own terms. Maybe college isn't the right fit for him, but he's got to come to that conclusion himself. What we can do is support him and remind him that we're here for him, no matter what."

Clementine felt a surge of determination. "I'll talk to him, Dad. Let him know I'm here for him, and that he doesn't have to do this alone."

Caleb smiled, a look of pride and gratitude in his eyes. "That's the best thing you can do, Clem. Tyler's lucky to have a sister like you."

With a nod, Clementine turned to go back inside, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She was determined to help her brother navigate this difficult time and find his own path, whatever that might be. And she knew that with the support of their family, Tyler could overcome his struggles and discover where he truly belonged.

Clementine was taking a late evening walk, enjoying the cool breeze and the quiet that came with the setting sun. The streetlights were just flickering on, casting a soft glow on the sidewalk. As she rounded a corner near the local park, she saw a figure climbing over the tall fence that bordered the area. Squinting in the dim light, she could make out the silhouette of a boy scrambling over.

Her curiosity piqued, Clementine quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing in the stillness. As she approached, she saw the boy drop to the other side and join a group of kids who were laughing and shoving each other. Her heart sank when she recognized Anthony LaRusso among them. Anthony and his friends were standing next to another boy, who was dressed in what looked like a detailed cosplay outfit.

"Anthony?" she called out, her voice carrying a note of disbelief.

Anthony's head snapped up, his eyes widening in surprise and then narrowing in irritation. He quickly gestured for his friends to disperse, and they reluctantly moved away, throwing glances back at the boy they had cornered. Clementine crossed her arms and stepped closer, her gaze shifting to the boy in cosplay.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently, noticing the defeated look in his eyes.

The boy shook his head, his face a mix of humiliation and anger. "I got tricked. By them. They catfished me," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

Clementine's frown deepened. She couldn't believe Anthony would be involved in something so cruel. She felt a surge of protective anger on behalf of this boy. Making a mental note to talk to Sam, Anthony's sister, she turned back to the boy.

"Words of advice. Fight back," she told him firmly.

The boy looked up at her, confusion evident in his eyes. "Fight back?" he echoed.

She nodded, her expression serious. "If you want to fight back, then join a karate dojo. Learn to defend yourself and gain the confidence to stand up to bullies."

The boy seemed to mull over her words, his brow furrowing in thought. Just as Clementine began to walk away, she heard him call out.

"Kenny," he said, prompting her to turn back.

"What?" she asked, puzzled.

"My name is Kenny Payne," he clarified, offering a small, tentative smile.

Clementine returned his smile warmly. "Nice to meet you, Kenny. I'm Clementine Katz. Remember what I said: don't let those bullies get to you," she encouraged before continuing on her way.

As she walked away, Clementine's mind raced. She hoped Kenny would take her advice seriously and find a way to empower himself. She also knew she needed to address Anthony's behavior with Sam. Bullying was unacceptable, and she couldn't stand by and watch it happen. With a renewed sense of purpose, she made her way home, determined to make things right.

ASH SPEAKS!

sorry for the short chapter!!! but one more week until cobra kai season 6 part 1!!!