___

BEING stuck in her own world was kinda of Cameron's thing. So when her friends were listening to whatever stories Kreese was telling them. She just blocked it out. But Miguel couldn't.

"You gotta understand that Mogadishu in the '90s was a hellhole. Warlords controlled whole swaths of the city." Kreese motioned as he recalled. "My team and I were charged with cleaning the place up."

Hawk asked, standing beside Aisha, "How many warlords did you kill?"

"You keep track of every ant you stomp out?"

Miguel grumbled under his breath, not believing a word of it.

Hawk gasped.

Aisha's mouth parted in astonishment, "Whoa."

"Badass," Hawk praised.

Cameron snapped out of her daydream when Miguel gently tapped her lap and mouthed, listen.

"They were outgunned, we were outmanned. I tell you, Rwanda was no joke," Kreese stated, as Miguel rose from the ground.

"Don't you mean Somalia? Mogadishu is in Somalia," Miguel asked, seeing the confusion on his friend's faces, which made Kreese turn on his heel to look at him, "Rwanda's a whole different country."

"Of course, Somalia." Quickly correcting his mistake, he chuckled, glancing back at the two, who nodded understandably, "I've spent so much time in the sandbox, it all kind of bleeds together, you know?"

"I'm failing geography so..." Cameron shrugged, then winced at the pointed look her boyfriend sent as he pulled her off the mat. "Sorry."

"Listen up!" Sensei yelled, walking back into the main room. "See we've got some new recruits," he noticed the new faces as everyone turned to him. "Everybody, fall in. In neat rows and lines." They did just that. "Time to see what you're made of." He studied them as he walked around the room. "Straighten up, ginger twins." He hissed, before noticing an older face. A grown man. "Sorry, parents can't stay for class. It's an insurance thing."

"I'm not a dad. I... I am here to kick some ass, sir!" The man exclaimed.

"Sensei." Aisha and Cameron chorused, correcting him.

He gulped, as he repeated, "Sensei."

"Do I know you from somewhere?" Sensei questioned quietly.

"Oh, yeah, they, uh... I sold you the mirror. We kind of bonded, talked about rock bands." The man explained.

"Look, you're a little old. This is a class for teenagers."

"Well, I can take 'em," the man let out a chuckle, "I'm not afraid of kids, sir. And my mom, she doesn't charge me rent, so I got a lot of cash to burn." He said, taking some money out of his top pocket.

Sensei snatched it.

"Yeah. We'll consider this a trial run." He replied, walking back to the front. "I thought my last group of recruits was pathetic. But if you do what I tell you to do, you'll at least have a chance of becoming a fighter. But to do that, you gotta fight. So, which one of you has the balls to take on the champ?"

Miguel stood tall as murmurs filled the room.

"I'll take him on."

A female voice was heard, causing everyone to turn to see a girl with ombre hair and a cropped shirt.

"Oh, you will, huh?" Sensei questioned, approaching her.

"I saw your little demo at Valley Fest. You guys can put on a show, but can you actually fight?"

Cameron and Aisha exchanged a look and nodded, impressed.

"That sounds like a challenge."

"I like a challenge," the girl retorted.

"Mr. Diaz, show little Miss Hotshot here what Cobra Kai is all about," Sensei instructed, walking back to the front as Miguel bowed and everyone walked off the mat.

"She could take him down," Cameron whispered to Aisha.

"Look, are you sure that you wanna do..." Miguel slowly walked up to her only to be kicked in the chest, making him stumble back with a shocked smile. The class gasped and his girlfriend laughed. "All right." Miguel got into a fighting position. "Game on."

The girl rushed over, swinging out her arms, Miguel dodged as they grunted. "Close the gap." He taunted, making her run over only for him to take her down.

She wasn't down for long, rolling over onto her feet.

Their fight went on for longer than many initially thought, they exchanged small talk as they brought each other to the ground.

Miguel nevertheless tried to help her off the mat, "My name's Miguel."

She took his hand and brought him down once again, earning a genuine chuckle from Cameron.

"Tory," she introduced, holding him down, "With a 'Y.'"

Kreese and Sensei exchanged an intrigued look.

"Told you," Aisha playfully rolled her eyes at Cameron's comment. "She's good."

The class was dismissed shortly after that colourful demonstration.

Miguel ceased his girlfriend's taunting with a kiss as they left the dojo.

"I'm surprised you didn't step up to try and take me down."

"I will next time," she promised, smiling mischievously whilst they walked. "I'll see you tomorrow. Drew's at the country club and is gonna drop me home."

"He works at the country club?"

"No. He's hooking up with girls there," her answer got Hawk's attention who walked behind them.

"Dope," Hawk grinned.

"Lily's gonna join me."

His face fell, "Ummm. Not dope."

Miguel snickered before Cameron kissed him goodbye, he pulled her back a few times before she could leave, smothering her with a few more pecks.

"Bye guys," she waved them off as they walked in the opposite direction.

"Wait up," Aisha rushed over to join her. "Can we get something from the store?"

"Sure."

When inside the mini-mart they scanned the isles, Cameron knew was she wanted but didn't expect to bump into the new girl.

"Oh hey," Cameron greeted, as she readjusted her bag.

The dirty blonde assessed her, "So you're dating the champ."

"...yes?" Cameron's brows drew together.

"I heard about you at All Valley. Said you're kicks were dangerous."

"They were," Cameron confidently nodded.

"And then at Valley Fest," Tory thought they were sick. She introduced herself, "Tory."

"With a 'Y'. We all heard. I'm Cameron." Cameron then nodded to her friend who stood closer to the counter "That's Aisha." She noticed the annoyance on the girl's face, "What's wrong?"

"Let me guess, dіck pic?" Tory joked when they walked over.

Aisha awkwardly chuckled, "No. My mom wants me to go to the beach club with her."

"Oh, my God, that sounds so miserable," Tory said sarcastically.

Cameron snorted, "Yes you'll be there with me. My mom's not gonna be there but my cousin is."

Tory questioned as she walked to another aisle, "Who's your cousin?"

"One of the hottest guys in the Valley," Aisha spoke up, laughing at the disgust on her friend's face.

Tory wore an amused expression, "Oh really?"

"You guys are disgusting," Cameron grumbled.

"He's not your only problem." Aisha turned to explain to Tory, "This girl Sam's probably gonna be there, and she and I are not on good terms."

"She's kinda entitled," Cameron added as she went over and paid.

Tory scoffed, "Hate girls like that."

"Whatever though," Aisha sighed as she caught the jewellery on the dirty blonde's wrist. "Hey, that's a cool bracelet."

"Oh, this? It's not just for show. Some creepy guy at the mall tried to grab me once, but I managed to block him and give him a gift he won't ever forget."

"Are you okay?" Cameron reeled back, slightly concerned.

The worker handed her back her change and she took her drink.

"Yeah."

"You seem to know how to handle yourself. What do you need Cobra Kai for?" Aisha asked.

"I've had a couple of kickboxing lessons, but I've always wanted to smash boards blindfolded," Tory teased.

"Oh..." Aisha chuckled, "You saw that."

"Mmm-hmm."

"The secret is poking little holes in the blindfolds."

"I knew it," Cameron said, gasping.

Aisha playfully rolled her eyes, "Because I just told you." She turned back to Tory, "Hey. You wouldn't wanna go to the beach with us, would you?"

"Our friend is gonna drop us there. Her name' Lily." Cameron stated.

Tory raised an amused brow, "With a 'Y'?"

"With a 'Y'" Cameron smiled, nodding, "Free Drinks."

Aisha added, "And her hot cousin."

"Shut up."

Tory grinned, "I guess I could suffer through a day at the beach for a drink and a cute boy."

"Eww."

Lily drove up to the store, shades on, windows down. She could see her friends walk up to the door with an unfamiliar face.

Cameron introduced as hopped into the passenger seat, "This is Tory. Tory this is Lily. You'd get along."

"Both of you have no filter," Aisha remarked as she jumped into the back beside Tory.

Lily scoffed, "I have one."

"No she doesn't," Cameron shook her head.

"Nice to meet you, no filter girl," Tory said, leaning forward.

"Nice to meet you too." Lily welcomed but didn't smile, instead, she waited for them all to put on their seatbelts. "You know Hawk is pressing me about the country club as if I'm not going there for the free drinks."

"Sorry he's so insecure about your relationship," Cameron quipped, without malice.

"As if Miguel isn't a jealous guy." Lily snapped back, rolling her head to the side to study her best friend, "Wait... is that?" Her lips parted as she saw a bruise peaking through Cameron's t-shirt collar, "Cameron James, do you have a love bite?"

Cameron's eyes widened and she slapped her hands over her neck but not fast enough for the two in the back seats who caught it.

Aisha laughed, "She totally does."

"Was he trying to suck your blood or something?" Tory teased, "I think we've got a vampire on our hands ladies."

Cameron couldn't help but blurt out, "Vamp Champ."

The girls all looked around in absolute shock before letting out giggles.

They chorused, "Vamp Champ."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"SENIOR year," Drew stated to a few girls. "It's my summer before senior year starts" With every head movement, his hair trickled with water, glistening his face. He had been swimming, doing some laps and couldn't ignore his oglers. "But I might be a little busy."

"Too busy for us?" A girl fluttered her lashes when she asked.

He deeply chuckled, "Never."

The giggles surrounding him nearly nauseated him had he not been in the right head space.

He needed to focus but could never drift far from the attention.

"Drew James is that you?"

He turned around prompting the girls to mope and trudge away when he spotted Amanda LaRusso.

"Miss LaRusso, nice to see you again," he said walking over to her. Greeting her with a smile. "How have you been?"

"I should be asking you, that." Amanda's smile turned strained when she asked, "Is your family okay?"

Drew nearly stiffened at the question but maintained his boyish smile.

"We're doing okay. My aunt's back at work." He caught her alert expression and added. "It's soon but she needs the distraction. Just like me. Which is why I'm working part-time and staples in between my training."

"Aren't you the busiest?"

"Gotta make sure I'm on my A-game for my senior year if I want to keep those scouts attention on me."

"And those girls' attention off you huh?" She referred to the swarm of teenage girls who couldn't stop staring. "Focus Drew. And tell your mom I said hi, and if your aunt and Cameron need anything —"

"We'll hit you up."

"Oh and make sure to say hi to Sam," Amanda mentioned, drawing her daughter's gaze as she laid down on her stomach on a lawn chair next to Robby. "Go say hi. I'll be by the bar."

"I'll have a martini when you're done."

"Cute," Amanda shook her head with a smile then she walked off.

Drew turned on his heel to see Sam sheepishly waving at him. He never cared for the LaRusso family unless it was Amanda who was good friends with his mom. Sam was in the year below and hardly ever interacted with his cousin which meant he never spoke to her. But that didn't mean he was blind to her looks.

"Wassup Sam," he nodded, walking by, "male Sam," he said to Robby who squinted his eyes at him.

"This is Robby, my friend," Sam introduced, as Drew wiped his face. "This is Drew James," she cleared her throat as she glanced away, slightly flushed. "Cameron's cousin."

"Oh Cameron," Robby's face hardened, remembering the sight of her wailing in Miguel's arms at All Valley. "Nice to meet you, man."

"Isn't it?" Drew agreed, earning a small scoff from him. "I'll see you later. CJ is around here somewhere with her karate-chopping friends."

"Bye," Sam waved at him before staring up at the balcony to see Aisha, Cameron, Lily and an unfamiliar face, they laughed at each other as they took pictures. Robby caught her yearning look, grateful that it was no longer flustered.

The girls moved toward the buffet, where they picked out their food.

Aisha was grabbing something, the last to stack her tray as Sam approached.

From the distance, Cameron could see their conversation turn from a little heated to okay.

"Well that was quick," Lily remarked.

"So quick," Cameron said, half shrugging. "But if she wants to be all friendly she can."

"How mature of you," Lily said sceptically. "You okay?"

"I won't start shit unless she does." Cameron vowed, "Where's Tory?"

"Talking to the lady's man over there."

Cameron snapped her head to the side to see Tory being stopped by her cousin.

"For fuck sake."

Drew wasn't subtle about his leering eyes when he listened to Tory speak... correction she was sassing him.

"You know how creepy that is? Staring at girls like we're a slice of meat. Very predatory."

"Excuse me, I recognize something beautiful," Drew said, raising his hands in his defence. "How about this," he placed his hands over his eyes, "I'll let your husky voice reach my ears whilst I just imagine your face."

"Wow, your game is terrible. You should stop speaking. Maybe even become mute."

Drew feigned offence as he lowered his hands, "But how would I flatter you if I stopped talking."

She almost laughed, but finally cracked when Cameron came along and smacked his bear arm.

"Cameron what the hell," he exclaimed, eyes narrowing onto his cousin.

"Friends are off the table," she pointed out.

Tory's eyes widened, "Friends already? That was quick."

Cameron nodded, liking Tory's tough energy.

The girl in question smiled.

"So you're new friends. New friends don't apply," Drew expressed, rubbing his arm.

"Fine, no dating Cobra Kai's," Cameron emphasized.

Tory's gaze darted between them, as they bickered.

"So you're a part of the terror squad." Drew assessed, cheekily smiling at the dirty blonde. "Might have to steer clear if I want to keep my pretty eyes."

"You should. First smart thing you've said all day," Tory agreed.

"Guess it's a good thing I'm not mute, you would've missed it." Cameron practically gagged at the flirting. Drew turned to her, rolling her eyes as he spoke, "We'll leave in an hour Cameron." He shoved his cousin then sent Tory a wink, "Later Victoria."

"It's just Tory," she corrected.

Drew just pocketed his hands and walked off with a chuckle.

"He's an ass," Tory said to Cameron who sighed.

"A hot ass." Lily blurted out when she reached them, "Who's got a hot ass." She added, earning a groan from his cousin. "But his personality isn't for me. I prefer mine loyal."

"Don't we all," Cameron said scoffing. "He's a terrible boyfriend Tory. I'm just warning you..."

"I'll steer clear," she jested, quoting Drew.

Cameron's face dropped to her plate with a grimace. "I cannot even eat anymore. I'm gonna go and get a drink."

Tory and Lily just laughed when she abandoned her food.

"Oh shit —" A voice mumbled when they bumped into her as they manoeuvred through the club. "Cameron."

She pursed her lips when saw realised who it was, "Robby."

He stood there topless and slightly agitated and she couldn't help but acknowledge that he was a good-looking boy.

The last time they had seen each other, she and her dojo had hijacked the Miyagi-do Vally fest demo.

"I'm sorry about your dad," he broke their silence.

"Don't be. You didn't kill him," Cameron dismissed his condolences.

Robby squinted his eyes, "Yeah but the way you found out..."

"It's nothing," she said, shaking her head.

She couldn't think of it.

"It's big but I'll drop it," Robby let it go, not wanting it to upset her.

"Like you dropped my drink?" Cameron said wryly.

A small smile tugged at his lips, "Hey I thought we nipped that in the bud? Before your boyfriend tried to fight me."

"And then he beat you," she challenged, "How's your shoulder?"

He rolled it back, "Healed."

"Good. I'm sorry about him. He was drunk and —"

"That's no excuse to be an ass," Robby said, cutting her off.

"It isn't but he's protective of me. Especially now. All things considered," Cameron defended.

Robby clicked his tongue, as he nodded, "Right."

She checked her phone, seeing a text from Lily, "I gotta go. Bye, Robby."

"Wait — Cameron." She stopped in her stride and turned around. "That move you pulled at the tournament was sick. Something you'd see in the movies."

"Ah, well thanks. I'm glad I have fans," Cameron teased, earning a raised brow.

"Wow, are all cobra Kai's this arrogant?"

"It sorta just grows within," she joked.

"Uh. Right." Robby stiffly nodded, "Suppose your cousin is the same way."

Cameron grimaced, "You met Drew? Sorry about that."

"Yeah, same."

The texts flooding her phone guided her to Aisha and Tory stood, sipping on a bottle of stolen alcohol.

"Cameron, come here," Tory held out the cup to her, "it's after 5. Want a drink?"

"Sure," Cameron grabbed it, wanting to wash the day away with something strong.

"Atta girl," Tory squealed.

"Where's Lil?" Cameron took a sip, pulling a face at the taste, "God that's strong."

"On the phone to her boyfriend who's ranting about something," Tory went on.

Aisha turned up her nose, "Yuck relationships."

"No way you're tipsy already," Cameron laughed. "Give her another shot and she'll give someone a wedgie. Hold on to your underwear Tory."

"Wait — wait what did you do?" Tory had to ask.

Aisha told her, "This bitch Yasmine. She was bullying me so I got back at her."

"Everyone recorded it. I tried to make it my wallpaper," Cameron giggled, then took another sip.

"Wait, I'm sorry, you gave her a front wedgie?" Tory squinted her eyes as she began to grin.

"I split that bitch in two," Aisha informed, with a snicker, "and Cameron here has a great slap."

"I'll watch out for you then," Tory stated, making them all laugh.

"Hey." Sam's voice caught their attention, making them turn around to see the vexation on her face. "My mom's missing her wallet."

"Sucks for her," Tory replied.

Cameron laughed as her head got heavy, making her settle it down on Aisha's shoulder.

"You wouldn't know anything about that?" Sam pressed, stunning the three.

"Wait. Wait, what are you saying?" Aisha asked.

"She's saying Tory stole her mom's wallet," Cameron gasped, burping slightly as turned to Sam in shock.

"Just give me the wallet, and I won't tell security," Sam warned.

Tory scoffed, "Are you freaking kidding me?"

"Sam, she didn't steal your mom's wallet," Aisha stated.

Sam deadpanned, "Right. And she didn't steal a bottle of vodka. And you wouldn't steal half the silverware in here."

"Listen, I didn't rob your mom, bitch," Tory spat, stepping closer, alerting Cameron.

"She doesn't believe you," Cameron commented, seeing the suspicion in Sam's eyes. "Oh my God."

"You know what? Let's get out of here." Tory turned away, toward her friends only for Sam to yank on her bag, "Get off of me!" Tory pushed her hard.

Sam fell onto the table, causing the food to fly and fall all over her, emitting gasps and whispers from other guests.

A flash went off.

Cameron's phone, "Lily would hate me if I didn't get a snap."

Tory stormed off.

"Are you okay?" Aisha asked, despite everything.

"Real nice friend you've made," Sam gritted.

"You shouldn't have accused her of something like that."

"Don't throw stones at glass houses, Samantha," Cameron tutted, "Because you were friends with bullies last year."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"MIGUEL, my head's feeling very heavy, can I call you back?"

Miguel heard scuffling through the phone, "Are you okay, amor?"

"Just a long day," Cameron answered. "I'll call you back okay? We can fall asleep on the phone again if you want."

"You know I want to, but you need to rest well. And have some raw eggs in the morning," he chuckled at the groan she let out. "Next time you drink at the country club don't let Aisha post it on her Insta story."

"Oh... sorry."

"Just as long as you're having fun. Night Roni."

"Night Mig."

She whined into her hands when she hung up. Her head was pounding. God, she was a lightweight.

She dropped onto her bed as she stared up at the ceiling, blinking slowly as the alcohol stirred up the pain she had been blocking out. The memories she tried keeping away but they always came back.

Even with pictures faced down, she couldn't make the feelings stop.

She needed to.

A knock at the door made her push herself up, her heart beating loudly as her eyes filled with tears. She could barely recognise her voice when she told whoever it was they could come in.

Alexis didn't hesitate to rush in, wrapping her arms around her daughter's shoulders and bringing her face to her chest.

"Mommy, I'm so tired."

"Me too baby," Alexis said into her hair, heart twisting at her daughter's cries.

"I hate being told that I'm strong. That they're sorry about my loss — our loss. It all makes me so I can't be anything else, that I can't focus on anything else."

"You don't have to be a strong baby. My mom told me to be strong. Always. It kills me every day. Don't be strong. Be whatever you like. God knows I'm tired." She pulled back, cupping Cameron's face and wiping her tears. "You can be whatever you want. Just make sure you're happy with it."

Cameron shakily nodded as her lip quivered.

"Hey, could you... could you oil my scalp?"

A small smile formed on Alexis' lips as she answered, "Sure."

And so Alexis sat on Cameron's bed with Cameron on the floor, between her legs as she slowly poured the oil over her scalp, all while Drew stood leaning against the doorway, eyes to them as their silence slithered through the room.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"THE back thrust kick works like this." Sensei demonstrated the next day. "You step, pivot, throw a sidekick."

"What about if your opponent attacks you from behind?" Hawk questioned.

"Excellent question. Sensei Kreese, you wanna take this one?"

Kreese's eyes flashed with a glimmer of shock as the class turned to him.

"Certainly, Sensei Lawrence," he answered.

Sensei Lawrence walked off to the side, where Miguel quietly asked, "You sure about this, Sensei?

"There's nothing to worry about," Sensei Lawrence assured him.

But Cameron knew from Miguel's cautious expression, that he wasn't sure at all.

She trusted his judgment.

"The key to this move is making your enemy think you are retreating." Hawk's eyes lit up when Kreese explained. "But just as they let their guard down, that's when you strike the hardest."

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a/n:

i didn't dislike sam at first but her character grew on me. she's one of the best fighters so i won't ever downplay that. i just found tory's character from start to finish compelling. maybe because she was one of the prime antagonists for a while. so maybe that's why i had tory slip into the friendship ground kinda quickly.

terror squad seems like the best name to describe aisha, lily, cj and tory.

any thoughts on this chapter? any favourite interactions so far?