___

"UGH! I hate this. Mom, why am I here?" Cameron irritantly gestured to the countless families, as she stood beside her mother at Encino Oaks.

"To socialize," Alexis answered, taking a sip of her well-deserved cocktail.

"At a country club, really? Everyone here's either wearing fedoras or chinos," her mom looked amused by the accurate assessment, "I could've just stayed at home with Lily watching... oh yeah, I hear it."

Alexis mocked, "You do? Well done. The semester just started and you haven't joined a single club. I thought this was the perfect time to do it."

"And what does dad think?" Cameron asked, rolling her shoulders back as she blinked up at her mom. "Shouldn't he be here?"

Alexis stiffened slightly, "He's spending his time with family."

"Talking to his side of the family on the phone. Literally what I do. Yet it's a problem. Shouldn't he be... looking for another job?"

Blake James left his job months ago, he was a terrific special needs teacher. Everyone thought so. He was patient and engaging, using juggling, rubix cubes and other tricks to keep the kids engaged. But daunting feelings he thought long escaped him rushed his mind, leaving him unable to connect with the students like he used to.

"Socialise now." Alexis ignored her daughter's question, eyes scanning through the guests and grateful they landed on a familiar family,  "Look there's Aisha," her voice beckoned the Robinsons over, "Isaiah, Hi."

Isaiah Robinson and Alexis James quickly got reacquainted as did their daughters, before they went off to talk about their work.

"At least I know someone here," Aisha said happily, as they found vacant seats.

"It beats being hassled about what I'm going to do after high school," Cameron exacerbated, earning a sheepish look.

"I actually think I know."

"You do?" Cameron didn't mean to sound so shocked.

"Yeah. It's basically what I've been doing over the summer actually." Aisha didn't want to make it all about her, so she questioned, "Did you do anything fun?"

"Nothing, just sat at home, eating, but never mind about that tell me about your future plans, what did you spend your summer doing Aisha?"

"An AP physics prep course."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Dorky right?" Aisha asked timidly as she had always viewed Cameron as cool.

Cameron shook her head, in disbelief, "No, it sounds pretty chill. I don't get Science. It hurts my brain. But talk to me like you're speaking to a child so I'll get it."

The two girls laughed before Aisha began to explain.

"Okay so basically..."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

CAMERON had invited Aisha to sit with her and Lily at lunch on the second week of the new semester. The girls all got along, it helped that Lily secretly liked most of her subjects and could relate to the Robinson girl.

Cameron had brought food she made at home, but opened it with caution as did Lily, wary that whenever they did the same in the ninth grade they'd be mocked because their food apparently stunk. It was a hassle they learnt to deal with and mostly ignored depending on Lily's mood.

"Oh, are those spring rolls?" Aisha asked, sitting down with her lunch tray.

"Yeah. My mom makes them." Cameron stated, eyes beaming. She hadn't worn her glasses today, instead her contacts finding it easier to manoeuvre through the busy halls without them getting knocked off her face or worse... smudged. "Wanna try?"

"Sure thanks," with a small bite Aisha found herself loving the mixture of seasoned minces, peppers and onions. "Oh, these are so good."

"Right?" Cameron cheesed. "You'll have to come over a try more next time."

"You should her mom makes the best," Lily said, swiping through her phone.

Aisha smiled, wiping her mouth off any crumbs as she had the familiar taunting giggle from the popular table where her old friend Sam now sat. They exchanged small smiles.

"What do you think about Ceraadi breaking up?" Lily asked, immediately earning several arguments.

Their food was shoved to the side for a minute.

"I don't care if Yasmine is the meanest girl at school. I'd kill both of you just to get her to spit in my face," Demetri said, on a parallel table to the girls, staring at the popular kids.

"Yeah, well, if you don't make a move, you're never going to have a shot with her," Miguel said, sipping on his juice box.

Demetri turned back to his new friend, to say, "True, but I'll also never suffer a humiliating rejection. I'm at peace with my depression. The last thing I need to be is suicidal."

"And what about her,"  Miguel's eyes landed on the girl who helped him in a time of need, she chatted away with her friends, one whom he recognised. But the girl in question wasn't wearing her glasses, he noticed, "Cameron?"

Demetri raised a brow, "How do you know Cameron James?"

Miguel snapped his gaze back to them, an embarrassed tint made its way to his tanned cheeks after he realized he'd been staring for too long.

"She helped me out one time," he meekly informed.

"She gave you a hand job? Lucky dude, she's hot."

Eli almost choked on his cheeseburger.

Miguel's eyes widened as he rapidly shook his head, "What no. Wait I mean she's beautiful yes. But she didn't give me a handjob. She just... she's nice, that's it."

"And you didn't get her number?" Demetri pressed.

"She doesn't give it out to just anyone," said Eli.

Miguel's face crunched up in confusion, "Why?"

Demetri bobbed his head toward her table, "You see her friend Lily, the one with the hazel eyes. Hauntingly hot I know, but she's a bitch who's like her gatekeeper."

"She's nice to me." Eli paused as something dawned on him. "Maybe she feels sorry for me, I dunno."

He was quick to cover his scarred lip with his hand.

"She doesn't man," Miguel comforted, "You're easy to be nice to. But what do you know about Cameron?"

"She used to be a gymnast."

"Back in the 6th grade. Hey, I bet she's still flexible if you know what I mean." Demetri went to raise his hand to give him a high-five.

Miguel's brows creased, "Dude."

Demetri defensively raised his hands, "Tough crowd."

"She struggles with her classes. But just about understands Spanish," Eli murmured, trying to remember facts about the girl.

Miguel nodded to himself, "I can work with that."

And just then she glanced up from her food and met his stare with a startled yet giddy smile making him gulp.

"You're so in there," Demetri peeped at the interaction before his eyes widened, seeing Miguel stand up, "What are you doing?"

"Striking first," Miguel breathed out, putting on a brave face as he took his tray and stalked toward her table. He grew more and more nervous as he neared the three girls who were so wrapped in their conversation about a new flossing dance trend to see him in front of them. "H-hey."

Lily whacked Cameron's arm, snapping her attention over to the boy.

"Miguel."

She remembered, he blinked rapidly before settling his tray on the table near Aisha who gawked.

"Cameron," he paused, nodding his head to the other girls in acknowledgement, "Would it be okay if I get your number? Just in case I need to be uh... you know..."

"You get ambushed again?" Cameron teased, despite the bubbling feeling in her chest, "Sure."

"Seriously?" Lily gasped, as Aisha stifled a laugh.

"Here, give me your phone," Cameron gestured and Miguel almost dropped his phone had it not been for him composing himself. Cameron ;) She boldly saved herself. "There, you can drop your Snapchat and your Instagram if you want. But I text more than anything."

Processing this information, Miguel nodded as he took back his phone, shooting a grin behind him at his astonished new friends.

"Thanks I'll call you if —"

"Is 'Rhea bothering you CJ?" Kyler appeared behind Lily much to her chagrin.

Miguel froze under his bruised gaze, and it wasn't hard for Cameron to connect the dots and realise that Kyler was one of the ambushers. Miguel finally tore his eyes away from the smirking boy before they landed on another face, a brunette who Kyler had previously sat with.

Cameron's giddiness deflated when she caught the smile she sent Miguel's way.

"Why do you talk like that Kyler?" Lily asked, taking his attention off of the new boy.

Kyler wore a purple bruise below his left eye. No one could miss it, but the three girls wished they knew who put that there.

"Like what?" He awkwardly laughed.

"Like how you talk," Lily looked disgusted.

Cameron, despite her discomfort still waved the new boy off, "Bye Miguel."

Miguel anxiously took his tray as he mumbled bye before returning to his table.

Cameron and Aisha both remained quiet as Lily continued.

"Go back to your table. Your girlfriend is waiting for you." She gestured to Sam who quickly turned away, as Yasmine harshly stared.

Kyler, now embarrassed, scoffed, "Yeah whatever freaks."

He strolled back to the popular table and placed an arm around Sam, who warmed to his touch.

Cameron, confused by the insult, looked between them, "He literally came over here."

"Forget him, a guy asked for your number, what the hell?" Aisha leaned forward, eyes still blown wide.

"A boy Aisha," Lily specified, "One that could be a murderer."

"He's from Riverside," Cameron deadpanned, trying not to glance at Miguel's table.

"You got all of that from a look?"

"No, we spoke last week when he was in some trouble. That's all."

"He must like you if he asks for your number," Aisha thought it was obvious.

Lily innocently suggested, "Or... don't rule this one out, he's a murderer."

"Not everyone is a murderer," Cameron pointed out.

"Hey, you say that now, but it only takes one guy with a samurai sword to come running at you. That's all I'm saying."

Aisha was taken aback, "That's a little extreme."

"You'll get used to it," Cameron's shoulders slumped slightly, "But I saw him looking at Sam."

"See I told you," Lily exclaimed, before wincing at the frown on her best friend's face, "But I doubt it meant anything."

Aisha deliberated, "Sam is pretty."

"Not helping," Cameron grumbled, annoyedly looking over to where the brunette sat, "And yeah she is. Shit. Guys I'm supposed to be focusing on my grades not worrying about boys eww."

"You could do both," Aisha suggested.

Lily playfully shook her finger, "Don't encourage her."

"Please encourage me," Cameron pleaded with a pout making the others laugh.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MIGUEL couldn't help but admire the girl standing and fixing her hair in her locker mirror.

Her style was simple, colours had to match, especially with her sneakers, he was similar. He even admired how she ignored the snickers escaping Yasmine's mouth as she walked past with her entourage. 

"Hey, Again," he waved as he walked over. He just kept waving, he needed to stop so he forced his hand down.

Cameron thought it was cute, "Hey."

"Umm, I heard that you're struggling with your classes," he blurted out. Straight to the point, Nice one Miguel.

"With everything," Cameron replied, slightly ashamed.

"I could help. Send you my notes," he offered, shaking his phone before stopping himself once again.

"You'd do that?" She was stunned, which made her nose crinkle.

Miguel noticed and thought it was adorable.

She cleared her throat to make him snap out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, I mean you helped me," he reasoned, making her nod.

"Right."

"And I wanted your number," he awkwardly joked.

"And you got it," she retorted.

"Striking first," Miguel mumbled under his breath in a slight daze.

She didn't hear him, "What?"

"Nothing."

"Did you ask for anyone else's number?" Cameron had to ask, as she pulled out her Spanish textbook from her locker.

He nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah."

"Oh."

Seeing her frown he quickly added, "Demetri and Eli. Just those two. New friends, exchanging numbers, hanging out and drinking..."

"Juice boxes?" she couldn't help but joke.

"Very nutritious. Actually no, they're not," he corrected himself.

"So we're friends?" Cameron gestured between them.

"Yes. Unless you don't wanna be."

She pursed her lips as she pondered, before saying, "Friends is cool."

"The coolest, very guns and roses, so I've been told by my... guidance counsellor."

"Oh – Okay, Are you going to use my number... to like call me?" she tentatively asked, whilst looking through her bag.

"I mean you gave it to me for a reason right?"

"Yeah, I did," she bopped her head, maintaining eye contact with him briefly.

"Good."

"Good." Cameron played with the straps on her bag as she asked, "Wait is your Grandmother feeling better?"

Miguel froze for a second, "You remember?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, she's much better."

"Great."

"Great. I'll let her know you asked. I mean she doesn't know you but I'll still tell her -- letting her know about you inquiring about her health because of last time she wasn't feeling well and now she's much better."

"Yeah... that's good." Not wanting to be late to her class, or being a victim of the incoming busy hallways she decided to get going. "Bye Miguel."

As she was starting to walk away, he rushed out, "Wait actually we have the same class. Spanish."

"Oh yeah, we do," she totally remembered, she just wanted to see if he did. "You wanna go together?"

"Sure. Ladies first," he dramatically wrung out his hands as they walked, making her snicker.

"So how are you liking the Reseda so far?"

"It's okay. Can't complain. Actually, there is a lot to complain about."

She asked, "The bullies right?"

"Check," he ticked an imaginary list.

"The smell in the air?"

"Yes, check. What is up with that?" Miguel thought it was just his apartment complex.

She huffed out a laugh, "Just the environment. Most of the time it just smells like rust. And on a good day, it smells like pizza."

"You like pizza?"

"Love it." She noted his lack of response as they continued to walk so she asked as they turned a corner and entered their classroom. "What's your favourite animal?"

"Right now?"

"Unless it's changed for a second ago," amusement flooded her eyes.

"Elephants."

"You seem like a llama type of guy," she stated, finding an empty table off to the side for them to sit.

He looked baffled, "A llama? There's got to be an insult in that."

"It's because you're slender," Cameron pointed to his body as they sat down.

"That's code for skinny," he playfully rolled his eyes.

"Maybe..." she trailed off into laughter.

Miguel's smile grew.

He added, "My mom says the guys in our family start off this way and get bigger."

She hummed, "Good to know."

Their books were placed on the table in front of them as more students who wanted to arrive early poured in.

"What's your favourite animal then?" he asked.

"A leopard."

"I took you for a cat person."

She grimaced, "I hate cats. They freak me out, and yes I know leopards are felines but they're fast runners, ambush predators, skilled climbers, sly, sleek and probably one of the most elusive animals on the planet."

His eyes widened as she rambled.

"Sorry, I just have random facts in my head all the time. They're useless."

"They're not. Facts are facts," he reassured her, "But you know what's similar to a leopard? A Cobra."

Her brows furrowed, "The Snake?"

"Yeah. All snakes are pretty much how you described. All about no mercy."

"And how would you say that in Spanish, no mercy?" Cameron questioned, leaning her head on her hand.

"Sin piedad Cameron."

Taken back by his accent, and how he said her name.

She struggled repeating, "Sin..."

"Peidad."

"Sin piedad..."

"You're getting there," he beamed at her.

"Thanks. How lucky am I to have you speak fluent Spanish."

"And it's a good thing you know so many facts."

"Useless facts."

"Insightful." Miguel corrected, then licked his lips,  "And it's also a good thing I have your number."

"Yeah. Yeah, it is."

And just like that the bell rang.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

they're bubbling idiots, cute right? i love just writing awkward interactions. but we all know how everyone in cobra kai season one develops, so can you see them staying awkward for long?