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ALEXIS ignored the glare on her daughter's face when they drove to the pharmacy. The entire morning she bared the brunt side of Cameron who ranted about why she did not need to see a therapist and especially not a psychiatrist and nevertheless, was prescribed anti-depressants. Cameron blocked out what they were for, hearing anything to do with the medication just angered her. She, in her mind, knew she didn't need them. She had various outlets for her emotions, Karate being one of them.

So when she arrived at the dojo, she simply just drove her fist into the dummy, over and over and over again.

Looking up from their stretches, Aisha nudged Tory, "Do you think she's okay?"

"No," the dirty blonde answered. "But she will be if she gets all that anger out."

"Do you think it's just anger?" Aisha wasn't certain. "I think it's a build-up of stuff. Her mom took her to see a psychiatrist." she blurted out quietly, "Don't say I said anything but Lily told me."

"I would be pissed if I was taken there against my will," Tory's eyes drifted back to her friend who was pummeling the hell out of a dummy. "But hey, at least her form is getting better."

Aisha didn't laugh, she signalled to Miguel who had already had his eyes on his girlfriend, as expected.

He knew of course why she was mad, she called him up to rant and he listened without complaint.

"Hey," his voice halted another attack, he held the dummy still. "You think this guy has had enough?"

"He can take it."

"You sure?" His eyes drifted to the concaved face, making her exhale deeply. "You know therapy isn't that bad right, so many people go."

"It's not the therapy that I'm pissed about... well yeah I am. It's also the medication," She rolled her eyes, lowering her hands. "My dad was on medication and it didn't help him. And I know he was too far gone to be helped at that point, but if I start using it and they affect my sleeping, my weight, and could potentially worsen my apparent symptoms... what then?"

Miguel stepped around the dummy and grasped her forearms, maintaining eye contact when he spoke quietly, "What the psychiatrist said you have is atypical depression." He said calmly, letting her know it was nothing to be ashamed of. "I looked it up this morning and it's not bad. It's just a response to your trauma and the fact you're badass at karate," a ghost of a smile kissed her lips. "You deal with this now, you won't be susceptible or a victim to the latter, even though nothing can really stop trauma..." he couldn't help but add much to her annoyance. "You can overcome this, amor. Women are resilient. Look at our moms. And my Yaya."

She wanted to smile, she really did, instead she just leaned into his touch, accepting the kiss to her forehead whilst mulling over his advice.

She had the choice between psychotherapy and medication. Of course, she reluctantly chose the former, but just in case her mom picked up the anti-depressants.

"Hey let me take you out tonight," Miguel suggested, knowing a date night was overdue.

Cameron cocked her head to the side, "And where should we go?"

Tory interrupted, "You guys could swing by the roller rink, I'm working and Drew is gonna drop by." She told them, wrapping an arm around Aisha's shoulder who stood next to her, "You too Aisha."

The Robinson girl appeared horrified, "Definitely not cut out to be a 5th wheel but have fun."

Cameron agreed, "And I don't wanna see you and my cousin do anything in the slightest." She informed the dirty blonde and leaned against Miguel, "Even though he did come home from your last date with the biggest grin on his face."

Tory's face lit up, "He did?"

"He did," Miguel confirmed, still surprised he saw Drew that happy.

"It was nauseatingly cute." Cameron chuckled.

Reigning in her glee, Tory cleared her throat to say, "Cool."

Miguel's eyes widened at the idea that formed in his mind, "I have something in mind we could do just the two of us, if you're interested. And yes we will need your car."

"Vamp champ is a passenger princess," Tory teased the boy.

"Awww," Aisha joined in, much to Miguel's dismay

Cameron tapped his face, drawing his eyes to hers, "Ignore them, and yes I cannot wait for whatever you have planned."

His smile faltered slightly when Hawk strolled into the dojo, already wearing his white gi.

"One second," he pulled away from the girls, "hey," he greeted his friend.

"What's up?"

Miguel curiously asked, "About Coyote Creek, we cool?"

A smirk grew on Hawk's face, "We were enemies for a day but Cobra Kai for life."

They did their handshake, ignoring the mocking love hearts the girls made with their hands.

"Everybody fall in," Sensei Lawrence announced his presence when he walked into the main dojo. His students got into rows, clasping their hands behind their backs as they waited for him to continue. "Today, we'll be learning one of the most important lessons a cobra Kai could ever know."

"Where's Sensei Kreese?" Hawk asked what everyone was thinking.

"Yeah, shouldn't we wait for Sensei emeritus before we get going?" Stingray suggested, then regretted when he caught the dead stare of Sensei Lawrence. "Or not."

"He was going to show me the rear naked choke," Cameron confessed, slightly rocking on her feet.

"What? That move is way too dangerous for any of you to know this early into your training." Her mood deflated at Sensei's response, "Besides Mr Kreese will no longer be joining us." The class looked around in disbelief, murmuring their responses. "I made a promise when I became your Sensei. To always look out for your best interests. Despite this hard this may be for all of us, he didn't have our best interests at heart."

Cameron's face scrunched up, she didn't believe that was true.

"John Kreese may have founded Cobra Kai, but he no longer represents what this dojo stands for. His cobra was old and outdated. He refused to move forward. What happens when we do that, Mr Diaz?"

Miguel forced out, "You get stuck like cement."

But he was helping me move forward, Cameron's hands clenched.

"Exactly." Sensei kept going, "To be a great fighter you gotta learn to adapt." He turned to the mantra printed behind him, "this creed on the wall... follow it to the letter, it'll make you strong. It'll make you formidable. It will also make you an asshole."

His class straightened up toward the end.

"Because that's just black paint on a white wall," he pointed to it. "But life's not black and white. More often than not it's gray. And it's in those grey areas Johnny Lawrence's Cobra Kai... sometimes shows mercy." The students whispered their arguments as the more advanced students exchanged disgruntled looks. "Doesn't mean you can't be a badass. It's still a requirement. But you have to learn to think, not just with your gut...or your fists." He harshly pointed at his head, "But to really use this." He turned around, "which leads me to today's lesson." He picked up a plank of wood and broke it with his head, drawing shocked laughter from his students. "Headbutting. Grab a partner."

Cameron aimed for Mitch's nose which she hit with the crown of her head.

It sent him to the ground.

Hawk high-fived her with a chuckle.

"Give me a sec," she shared his amusement but only slightly. It was clear they still harboured some underlying resentment about Kreese leaving. So she paced over to the second dojo, where Miguel and Sensei were talking. Her boyfriend flushed when she neared them, "talking about me?"

"Yes." Sensei admitted whilst her boyfriend denied, "No."

"Anyways..." she trailed off, turning to their Sensei, "Are you sure Kreese isn't coming back?" She sighed at the look she received. "I know his methods were more unconventional than yours, and that's saying something, but he was helpful."

"Not the right kinda helpful James. You know that"

But Cameron still didn't agree.

Miguel caught the uncertainty on her face and decided to change the subject.

"How about you focus on doing something tonight Sensei? I mean... me and Cameron are going out." He said, sheepishly which she smiled at. "What about you? Do you have any... uh?"

Sensei waved him off, "Don't worry about me all right? I do just fine."

"Wallowing in self-pity?" Cameron couldn't help but say, aggravating him.

"Reign it in, James."

Miguel suggested, suppressing a chuckle,  "If you wanted to, I could set you up on an app. That's how my mom found her boyfriend."

Snapping his head up, Sensei inquired, "Yeah, how's that going?"

Cameron interrupted, "He's an ass. Pretentious as hell and his British accent sounds fake." She swore she saw a hint of a smile on his lips. "Nothing like Tom Hardy's."

Rolling his eyes, Miguel said, "Well apart from James' not liking him for some reason. It's going well. My mom had some pretty bad luck with guys so it's nice to see her happy."

"That's good. I'm glad to hear that." Sensei didn't sound glad at all. "So, uh... all right, what's the deal with this app thing?"

Cameron burst out laughing.

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"SO... you and Moon?" Cameron asked, staring expectantly at her best friend.

"Me and Moon nothing," Lily rushed out, throwing a pillow at her head. "Nothing at all. We're just friendly."

"Oh, and I thought you didn't like her." Cameron rested on her elbows as Lily dropped onto her bed next to her.

"I don't mind her."

"You like her," Cameron challenged.

"I don't not like her," Lily countered, "She's sweet."

Cameron gasped, "That's code for liking her. You said a similar thing about Eli."

"Hawk," she couldn't help but correct, before swallowing the not in her throat, "And don't mention him."

Cameron winced, "Sorry."

"But how's he doing?" Lily had to ask as she turned on her side to stare at her best friend.

"Channeling all his aggression into what he does best."

Lily's brows furrowed, "Is he angry at me?"

"He's angry in general," Cameron responded, picking up Leo the leopard and stroking his fur.

Lily frowned at that, "Oh..."

Cameron quickly added, "It's his fault. No one said to beat up Demetri."

Raising a brow, Lily stated, "Yet you don't seem to care Demetri was hurt."

Cameron sat up, huffing out, "I feel bad. Yes, but Demetri was never a proper friend. He was just... there, and he made his presence known. Just a tall glass of condescension and all righteousness."

Lily gawked at her best friend.

It was like it was Cameron. But it was not completely, perhaps it was the grief. But Lily couldn't blame this behavioural change on only that.

"Anyways... since you're friendly with Moon," Cameron decided to ask. "Have you picked up on any vibes?"

Lily seemed confused, "What vibes?"

"That she likes you," Cameron deadpanned, earning a choked gasp.

"And how do you know that?"

"Miguel. I think Aisha told him," Cameron mentioned.

Lily slowly nodded, face growing heated by the statement, "Oh."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"She invited me over to her house," Lily confessed, sighing at the shock painted across her best friend's face.

"Holy shit."

"I won't do anything. Nor will I bring up the fact she might like me like that. I just got out of a relationship that was doing really well. Those feelings don't just evaporate." She expressed. Blinking back on the emotions she and Hawk shared. They were so peaceful but at times, it was enlightening, "Look, Moon has grown on me. She shows she's changed, despite remaining friends with that wedgy bitch on vacation. She's pretty and she's nice and she understands me more than I thought. Her personality... meshes with mine. But that does not mean I want anything to happen. I still like Hawk. I just know I shouldn't be with him."

Cameron opened and shut her mouth a few times, "How... emotionally mature."

Lily playfully scoffed, "Shut up."

"As long as you're putting yourself first cool."

They exchanged a tender smile as Lily said, "Thanks."

The girls were interrupted when Cameron's bedroom door swung open.

"Cameron," Drew didn't bother knocking on her door, instead just strolled in, half-dressed in a Michael Jackson costume making Lily's eyes widen. "Do you have any conditioner? I run out."

Grimacing at the interruption, Cameron still motioned to the side, "In the closet, there's a big bag full of hair products take a look and you'll find something."

"Thriller?" Lily questioned, analysing his costume.

Drew exclaimed, ruffling through his cousin's closet, "Yeah, think Tory will like it?"

The girls chorused, "No".

"Fuck you both."

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HEATHERS played on the theatre of the drive-in screen. Cameron just finished eating the food Miguel splurged on. They sat comfortably in her car, watching between a sea of vehicles. And to keep up with the theme of their dates, Miguel sported a red borrowed leather jacket, and she wore a crimson-coloured cropped tee.

At times, Miguel would glance at her, checking to see if she was having a good time. Cameron would laugh at the jokes, and smirk at the satire. And if she dared to fawn over Jason Dean he would huff loudly enough to grab her attention.

"I'm sorry, but he's good-looking," she defended shrugging her shoulders as she leaned against the driver's door.

"He's a criminal," Miguel deadpanned, after taking a sip of his drink.

"...and?"

He let out a laugh, "You're ridiculous."

"And you like it," she teased, playfully poking his cheeks.

He shamelessly admitted, "I do."

Her smile never faded as she leaned across the console and stared into his beautiful brown eyes. They were so easy to drown in.

He grew flustered at her intense stare, it was he who usually gazed at her, yet he didn't feel uncomfortable.

"And I'm really liking this date. It's very 80s," she finally broke their silence.

Miguel chuckled, "You're awesome."

"No, you're awesome," she murmured as he leaned closer.

"We're both awesome."

"Agreed."

"Let me ask you something." Cameron motioned for him to continue, "Have you given any more thought to therapy?"

She frowned, beginning to lean away, "Mig..."

He grabbed her hands across the console, "Listen, if you want to do it just let me know, and I'll walk you there. Wait, where is it?"

Touched by his caring nature, she caved, "By Fairfax. A doctor named Kimberly Curtis specializes in children psychiatry." she faux marvelled, "She's black so I guess that helps a lot." she added, "and she was nice even though that's kinda her job."

He pressed, "So..."

"I'm considering it. Now can we change the subject? No karate, no mentioning the many grown men we just happened to interact with. No real-life shit shall be talked about any further in this sanctuary."

"Fine, agreed." he wouldn't even mention the many dates Sensei was on at the moment. He wanted to focus on just her. His amazing, awesome girlfriend.  "you're so hot when you get all bossy and demanding."

She drastically pulled her hands away, "And I'm not hot any other time?"

"Oh, all the time. Pretty, beautiful. Captivating," he listed.

"Oh captivating, now that just sounds like you want a kiss," she said lowly, making his eyes dart over her face.

"Now that you mention it. I haven't received one in quite some time," he whispered.

"You literally kissed me when I had a mouth full of a cheeseburger."

"Well, it's not full now is it?" he leaned closer, caressing her face as his gaze dropped to her lips as she closed the distance.

The kiss was long and deep, her hands reached for his hair and his other hand snaked around her waist.

A small gasp escaped her mouth when he bit down on her lip, allowing him to slip his tongue.

Kisses like this had Miguel's knees weak and Cameron's heart racing.

It stirred up feelings they wanted to say but didn't dare to speak aloud. Many months they had been together and in that short space of time, they fell deeper and deeper into their puddle of adoration and infatuation.

"Mig..." she rasped and his lips travelled to her neck, "you wanna leave more?" her previous love bites had only just faded. "You're obsessed."

"So? You know how many Cobra Kai's thought you were single until they saw these," his voice was low as he explained, then quickly realised how it sounded, "I'm not a jealous guy."

"You are," she quietly laughed as their noses grazed each other. "Everyone knows it. I'm fine with it. I'm possessive as well."

"I hadn't noticed," he said in between kisses, "show me."

"And miss the rest of the movie?" her eyes fluttered open briefly, "you just want me all to yourself."

Tilting his head to the side, he heatedly asked, "Is that a problem?"

"No, no at all."

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a/n:

the notes I have for this chapter were very little, it was mainly to introduce cameron's diagnosis that was provoked by her trauma to her father's abrupt death and her mood reactivity, her response to karate, using it as a vice/ coping mechanism. kreese's teachings didn't help in the slightest when it came to that, which could be seen as making her diagnosis worse since she isn't healthy process anything to do with her dad.

taking cameron to a therapist was probably the most active parenting alexis has done since blake's death. (something I cannot fault her with) cameron is like her emotional mirror, she can see how how her daughter is compartmentalizing like she does and because of her age, it's not the best. so it's good she's trying to sort it before it gets worse. (ps. kimberly curtis is actually a therapist irl that specialises in psychiatry).

will cameron bite the bullet and take medication or actively participate in therapy when she feels like karate is the only option for her?

also, i didn't have the energy to write the roller rink fight, so i mentioned it.

and the next chapter will be moon's party... what do you think will happen there?