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warnings: violence!
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ELI joining Miyagi-do didn't annoy Cameron as much as she thought it was. She was supportive, but she would miss training with him like she had done for the past year.

Regardless she was training harder, now that Tory was back at school, mingling with all the new female recruits, Cameron wouldn't let it dissuade her from the end goal. Winning. Coming out on top.

"Listen up, nerds. Today's gonna be a world of pain." Johnny announced, and entered their unfinished dojo with the new student. "Now everyone fall in. We have a new member joining us today," he said as they stood in rows. "This is Devon Lee, our new female student. James," Cameron dragged her eyes away from the young girl, to look at him, "she'll be shadowing you."

Devon lit up when she saw Cameron, glad there was another girl on the team – one that she had heard was already so well-trained.

Yet It was another change that Cameron needed to get used to.

"Hey," Cameron greeted.

"Hi. My pronouns are she/her," Devon said, to her and the rest of the team, confusing their Sensei.

Johnny said, turning to her, "The only pronouns we accept in this dojo are sensei and student."

"Those are nouns," Devon replied, amusing Cameron.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I think what I meant to say is Quiet!" Johnny yelled, making her flinch as he stood in front of her.

Devon quietly said, "That's an imperative."

"Get in line."

Devon stood at the end, next to another young student.

Johnny started, "Today's lesson is about cheating. At Eagle Fang Karate, we don't believe in fighting dirty. Cobra Kai doesn't follow the same rules. So we have to be ready for any dirty trick they throw at us."

"Like when Chong Li threw dirt into Van Damme's eyes in Bloodsport," Devon stated, impressing her Sensei.

"Exactly. Looks like someone did their prep work," his face lit up.

"And I saw the sequels too," Devon added.  "Not to mention Delta Force, Billy Jack, The Octagon, and Lady Dragon. Cynthia Rothrock is a beast."

Johnny smiled, "Hell yeah, she is."

"I saw Last Dragon," Mitch spoke up.

"Shut the hell up, Penis Breath!" Johnny yelled, deflating Mitch's mood. "Everyone, get ready, I'm gonna put you through the wringer." They nodded, as he turned to Miguel, "Except for you, Diaz. Up here with me." 

"What?" Miguel's face fell, he glimpsed at Cameron who was just as confused as him.

"The tournament's around the corner. Can't afford you getting hurt." Embarrassed, Miguel still strolled over to the front, beside their sensei. "This is gonna get a little dangerous. You be co-sensei today. Sound good?" Johnny patted Miguel's back, then turned to the rest of the class. "Okay, everybody. Get ready. Let's begin!"

Everyone's right arms were taped back.

"Cobra Kai pops out your shoulder, be ready to fight with one arm," Johnny stated, as Devon went to kick Bert.

"Like in Best of the Best!" she exclaimed, missing her mark.

Johnny encouraged, "That's too far back and you're overextending your kick. Try it ag..."

"Ha!" Devon yelled.

Bert groaned as she hit his arm.

"Not bad."

"I pride myself on never making the same mistake twice," Devon said confidently.

"Good Job, James. Try on Penis Breath." Johnny instructed. Cameron took in a deep breath, then delivered a front kick to the side, pivoting then sending her other to his groin, causing every guy to flinch. Mitch doubled over in pain. "Shit."

"Awesome," she heard Devon say but heard no praise from Johnny. "Vital strike."

"I-I can do this, Sensei," Miguel wanted to partake.

Johnny reassured him, "I know, but you're way above this beginner stuff. Don't worry. You can help with the next lesson." he ruffled Miguel's hair. "All right?"

The next lesson was potentially blinding.

As Mitch sparred with another student, Johnny flung sand in his face.

"Shit, I can't see." he groaned, wiping his eyes.

"Use your other senses," Johnny instructed, only for Mitch to crash into metal shelves, sending him to the ground. "Not bad. It's all right Penis Breath you'll get 'em next time."

"You okay?" Cameron asked, now seeing a big red bruise on his face.

"Perfect," he squeaked out.

Now lining up, Mitch's heart was beating out of his chest, waiting in dread.

"No trick is too dirty, and no blow is too low for them," Johnny exclaimed, nodding to Cameron to approach all of the guys – par Miguel and strike them, she switched up on every moving, hitting ears, between the eyes even the knee, sending them each to cave over. "We have to be ready for it."

Devon watched in wonder as Cameron moved effortlessly, prompting her to attempt to do the same. But because of her mental notes, she would hit them all where it hurt as they shakily stood up in a line again.

One by one, they dropped after receiving a kick to the groin.

When Mitch fell to the floor, Devon turned around, eyes wide, "I got him good on that one."

Cameron hummed in agreement.

"My McNuggets... " Mitch cried out.

"You feel like you're gonna vomit, swallow it." Johnny saw them begin to dryheave since the pain was too intense. "They are wearing cups, right?"

Cameron stepped back to get a drink, feeling slightly dehydrated. The lessons were helping, yet she wanted to hit harder, she felt like she needed to.

Leaving Miguel to issue another lesson, Johnny joined her on the side.

"You're doing good James." He nudged her, facing his class, watching with a glimmer of pride when Miguel continued his lesson plan.

More pain.

Cameron scrunched up her face, "Really?"

Hearing the attitude in her voice, he turned to her, "What?"

"You're hardly noticing what I'm doing." Cameron expressed.

"Because I'm not giving you praise every 5 seconds?" Johnny murmured, "C'mon kid. You don't need that."

"Stop assuming what I do and don't need," she rushed out, moving her bottle from her lips.

He caught her frustration, making him exhale, "Fine. you're right." He paused, when stared up at him. "Your punches are precise. Far more than they ever have been. The cardio is clearing working since you're not tiring out anymore. Your kicks are on the right on the money. But you're moving like a dancer."

"It's Kata," she reasoned, but glad to hear him give some recognition.

Johnny rolled his eyes, "I could tell."

"Reminds me of gymnastics," Cameron murmured, fiddling with her bottle.

Johnny's eyes flickered between her and the floor, "You miss it?" He carefully asked.

"No. Not anymore."

"And karate? What do you like the most about it?" he faced her briefly.

"The noise is what I like the most about Karate. It's loud." Johnny nodded in agreement. It blocks out other bullshit. "The kicks the punches the grunts the jabs, the crowds, the points. It's deafening." Cameron let her words escape her. "I like it because it reminds me that alive. That I'm here," she embraced the harsh sounds echoing through the room. "That I'm not numb to it all. Because when people feel numb, they wanna leave. Wanna escape this world and I don't blame them. You know?"

"Yeah, I know," Johnny answered, almost grimacing.

Losing a parent just made you feel lost. Losing one you loved made everything feel cold.

"They aren't connected with anything other than just nothingness." Cameron steadily breathed out. "So I need the noise. I need the loudness."

Johnny knew that feeling all too well, and he hated it. He loathed that she knew it too.

"I was wrong to leave you alone." His tone was more genuine than ever. "I was an idiot for letting Kreese back into the fold. I was so fucking wrong Cameron." She winced at the seriousness of his voice and allowed him to continue. "You were processing the worst pains imaginable and you don't have proper guidance. Only destruction."

She was just a scared kid like he was. However, scared because they felt strongly about tearing others down, and clung to that feeling because somehow it made sense. Being scared of being capable of the unimaginable. And being conflicted on whether to unleash a world of pain or suppress it.

"Unhealthy types of rage that was and still is hurting you more than anyone else," Johnny continued, with a deep sigh. "I had that. It felt like — like um, packets of steroids that just melt into your system. You're on that for ages until someone has to drag you away from it all or just recognise something is wrong."

"People recognized but I didn't let them help," Cameron's breath rasped in her throat.

"I was the same," Johnny admitted, now locking eyes with hers. Cowardice blue on troubled brown. "But you have your friends, a great mom, a top athlete as a cousin...Miguel, " he gestured to the annoyed boy who kept up the lesson.

"And a subpar sensei," Cameron added, huffing out a smirk.

He playfully nudged her, "Hey."

"Fine, a great Sensei," She corrected herself.

"And I have another future champ," that drew a toothy smile from her.

"Coming from an ex 2-time winner of all-valley, I like that," She laughed.

"You should because that's all I got." Johnny chuckled, tearing his gaze away from her to watch his other students. "So you gonna man up and talk to Miguel, get back together with him?"

Cameron innocently shrugged, "Maybe. You know when you tell Miguel that you're dating his mom?"

His eyes widened in shock, glancing down at her once again.  "How the hell –"

"Overheard Carmen and my mom talking on the phone," Cameron snickered, putting down her water bottle.

Johnny cursed, shaking his head at the ceiling, "Does nothing stay a secret in this town?"

"Nope."

"Miguel knows," Johnny uttered, and that made Cameron understand why he had been sidelining Miguel. "So yeah... that's happening." He didn't know what else to say. "Diaz, swap with me!"

Johnny got to the class, leaving her to her amusement, only for it to falter when Miguel trudged over.

"Hey, are you okay?" She asked, palming his upper arm.

He leaned into her touch, as he grumbled, "This is just embarrassing."

"Sorry," She apologized.

His hand reached to touch hers, practically caressing over it, much to both of their comfort.

"Yeah, well you can cheer me up when I come over later," there was a teasing edge to his tone despite his miserable face.

Cameron assured, "For like 5 minutes."

Miguel ignored that and went back to moping after letting go of her hand. She began to walk back to class, only to be sidetracked by Devon.

"Hey, could you show me what methods you used to be so quick? Wanna get this down before the tournament," she eagerly asked, feeling pumped by the amount of things she had done today.

"You're very determined," Cameron commented, reminding her of the early days of Cobra Kai.

Devon took the compliment, and immediately began returning the gesture, "And you're so agile. Like a —"

"Leopard," Miguel's voice tore through their conversation, earning a playful eye roll from Cameron as Devon nodded in agreement.

The younger girl said, "Yeah, like a leopard."

"I hate it when you're right," Cameron muttered, although, both of them could hear.

Miguel murmured teasingly, "And I love that you hate that I'm right."

Devon's eyes darted between them, "Are you two..."

"Not anymore." Cameron rushed out, whilst Miguel stated. "Not yet."

"Right..." Unsure of what to think, Devon just nodded. She could feel the vibes coming off them. "I'll just DM you."

"Sure." Cameron agreed, flashing her a quick smile, then nudging Miguel who stifled a laugh, "Stop it."

Class ended for the day on a low note, Miguel being subjected to the scoffs and complaints of the others who had to ice their groins.

Drew was the only one to pick up Cameron because Eli couldn't.

Devon's breath hitched at the sight of Drew, making Cameron turn to her.

"Okay, rule number one, of being my somewhat mentee. Stay away from my cousin," Cameron didn't say it with malice, only as a gentle precaution, "He might be leaving at the end of the year to go to college but do not trust a word that comes out of his mouth."

"Ouch," Drew feigned offence.

"I'm being honest." Cameron retorted, still staring at the young girl. "You know how they described the devil?"

Drew rolled his eyes, "Easy. We're Catholic."

"You're not I am." Cameron pointed out, "Wear a cross around him at all times."

"Got it." Devon frantically nodded, yet her eyes drifted over to the boy who walked over to Miguel. "But I can still look right?"

Cameron smiled in disbelief.

"You don't need to apologize it's all good. I know it's just the passion flowing between you two." Drew laughed, when Miguel sighed, "And if it came to it. You'd beat my ass, even with a recovering back".

"Thanks, man," Miguel did to satisfaction in that.

"And I'm gonna be out of the house tonight. I don't need all the details but be safe," Drew muttered, eyes dancing between him and his cousin.

"We're always safe." Miguel's eyes bulged out of his when he realization, it was as if his heart stopped. "Wait you mean —"

Cameron called him, "Drew!"

Huffing, Drew murmured, "Her majesty awaits." He patted Miguel's shoulder, snapping him out of his embarrassed trance, "And I mean what I said." He chuckled at the expression, then nodded at the blonde man strolling past. "Sup Sensei."

"DJ," Johnny greeted when Drew walked his car. Johnny noticed Miguel's shocked face. "Why do you look like someone stole something nerdy from you?" He snorted, "Wait, is this a chick thing? A Cameron thing? Drew should give you advice on that because I know he's a lady's magnet."

Miguel gulped, "It's nothing Sensei."

"Right."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MIGUEL'S gaze lingered on Cameron's exposed midriff when she opened the door letting him in.

"You working out more?" he blinked quickly realizing she was much more toned and parts of her had grown thicker.

Cameron hummed, "It's cardio."

"It shows," he murmured, shutting the door behind him.

"Miguel," she huffed, sucking in a deep breath when his body grazed hers after taking off his shoes. "Seriously?"

"Just being honest." Miguel's flirty tone forced her to walk down the hall, prompting him to follow. "And being friendly."

"But we're not friends Miguel," Cameron pointed out. A ghost of a smile tickled her lips which he saw when she glanced in his direction.

"Yeah, I could never just be friends with you," Miguel hummed in agreement, eyes twinkling with demure. "No Mom?"

"Work then some group therapy meeting." Cameron explained as she folded her arms, now they stood by the dining table, "And Drew's out for the night."

Miguel nodded, clasping his hands together, "So your room?"

She reeled back, eyes narrowing onto him, "Living room. Christ. Get your head out of the gutter."

He chuckled, despite himself, "Not like that. I meant for some peace and quiet."

She mockingly bopped her head, "I have the place to myself. So we'll be alright in the living room," she gestured to the comforting space. "And since you're not staying long I won't offer you anything."

He gasped, "Not even water?"

Clicking her tongue, Cameron gave in and made her way over to the refrigerator, slyly smirking when she felt his eyes on her as she bent down to collect a mini bottle of water. She slowly turned around as the door shut and then chucked the bottle, watching him catch it was ease.

"So prom?" Miguel questioned after taking a sip.

"Are you asking me or are you just stating a noun?" Cameron titled her head.

He said wryly, "Just wondering if you were going with anyone."

"Nope," She replied, though she had been asked a few times. "Not going with anyone."

"So go with me," he said, apparently as he settled his half-drunk bottle on the side.

His obvious tone made her laugh, "No."

His brow arched, "No?"

"Miguel just drink your water."

"What are you gonna wear? Blue right?"

"Water. Finish it," she ignored him.

He craned his neck around the corner, "Your dress is in your room right?"

"Miguel. I won't tell you – no!" her jaw dropped when he sprinted around the corner and toward her room, "What the fuck?" she rushed after him, watching him push open her door dramatically gasping at the sight of her sky blue dress hanging over one of the closet doors. "What is wrong with you?" she breathed out. "Did you snort crack today?"

He slowly turned to her with a bumbling grin.

It made them both burst out laughing.

"I cannot believe you," she spoke through it, rolling her eyes when he jumped back onto her bed. "Miguel, can you be serious please?"

"Because we're meant to have a serious conversation," he said teasingly, only to shuffle forward on her comforter, with his legs spread. "C'mere." his hands gestured her closer. But instead, she just shut their door. "Uh-uh, I'm only asking for one thing."

"For me to be close to you?"

"Yeah."

"After sprinting into my room?"

"Yeah."

She deeply inhaled and did what he wanted, shuffling closer as she stood between his legs. It was very hard not to get distracted by his big brown eyes, they were annoyingly captivating. And his brown locks were beautifully curly. 

"You should keep it long," she motioned to his hair.

Yet he didn't take his eyes off of her, "I miss you." Her breath hitched when his hands crept up her waist, ensuring she stayed where she stood. "Do you miss me?"

She murmured, "Doesn't matter if I do."

"Why?" he uttered, gracing the leopard tattoo.

The hairs on her skin stood to attention, "Because we're broken up."

His eyes briefly trailed over the room, noticing all the changes since he was last there, more importantly, the picture frames that were now faced up again – her dad, Lily, Tory and even him.

He sadly smiled and looked up at her again, "I don't want to be."

"Don't say shit like that," she uttered, senselessly started playing with his hair.

His stupid and perfect hair.

"Why?"

"Because I know and I understand why you broke up with me," she said softly, catching the emotions flooding his face. "I was crashing out. Doing shit I... I was letting others get hurt. I was hurting other people. I turned into the thing that I used to complain and hate. You and Lily were right for keeping your distance. But that doesn't mean it didn't hurt when you broke up with me. Either of you."

"Roni," his hands palmed her sides, gently pulling her closer, "it still hurts me. It felt like my heart split in two."

She frowned, cocking her head to the side, "See this why I can't be around you Miguel. It hurts. Physically. Just thinking about everything we went through... just to see how it ended. I don't even know how I managed to join your new dojo."

"Because we're connected," he blurted out, making her laugh slightly.

Her fingers threaded his curls, "Don't be corny."

"Maybe we are," he whispered, hopefully.

She groaned, "Seriously if you're making me gonna cringe out —"

"You know the invisible string theory?" He cut her off, determined for her to understand him.

Them.

"Of course. I'm on TikTok," she answered with a playful eye roll.

"How two people who are meant to be together are connected by an invisible string even if they haven't met," he adoringly beamed up at her. "That day when I was walking home drenched in pepto bismol you rushed out of Lily's car to help me. You didn't know me. But you felt like you should."

"You were a damsel in distress," Cameron cooed.

"And ever since then, we've been cleaning up each other's messes. Even when we're apart. We're never apart for long," he breathed out, gaze dropping to her lips.

"So what? It's fate. Miguel, don't tell me you believe in that."

He softly scoffed, "And don't tell me you don't. Because I won't believe you."

"And why's that?"

"Because I know you, Cameron Nia James," his tone dripped with passion.

Despite the feelings twisting in her stomach, she rolled her eyes. His phone buzzed bursting from their bubble.

It was Johnny. He ignored it for a second, not wanting to think of him with his mom. Or the fact there would be a family dinner tonight.

Chucking his phone aside, he pulled Cameron closer, "Can I tell you something?"

"What?"

"I really wanna kiss you," his eyes flickered between her eyes and her lips once again.

"Then. Do it," she whispered, leaning in.

She wanted to, desperately, his words moved her.

"What will it mean if we do... if we do kiss? Because I don't wanna kiss you and you say it means nothing. Because it can't mean nothing, Cameron."

She hushed him, "It'll mean something. Trust me, that is, if you still —"

"Don't even say 'if you still love me' or 'if you're still in love with me' because you know I am to," he insisted fervently.

"The. Say it. I technically said it first," she couldn't help but joke.

"You did. To this day I'm pissed you did," lying in the coma and hearing her confess her love for him made him feel useless. "I love you, Cameron. And I think it's time we get back together."

"Wait — it has been what? A few months."

"Almost seven," he emphasised.

She slowly shook her head, "That's not enough time."

"It is for me. We've been apart for so long. You've apologised for the shit you pulled. You've detached from Cobra Kai."

She raised a brow, "How do you know that?"

"'Cause you're trying. I can see it," Miguel explained. "I know it, and I'm recognising you all over again."

They leaned in, lips slowly meeting in the middle, moulding together in a passionate kiss. With every second that passed, it fueled their desire, their frustration, making him pull her onto his lap, straddling his thighs. Her hands gently tugged his hair as they moved together.

"Wait," she murmured against his lips when she pulled back, hearing the sound of protest when she did just that.

"Do you wanna stop?" His hooded eyes fluttered open when his forehead met hers.

She went to speak but was cut off by her grumbling stomach, causing them to let out breathy laughs.

"That's a sign don't you think?" She didn't pull away. Not yet. "My mom sent me Pizza money, wanna join me or leave me to dine alone?"

He didn't want to leave her alone again.

The pair decided to get comfy in the living room, sitting on one of the sofas with the lights off as Scarface played on the television. They dove into their shared Pizza.

Miguel made sure to keep the place clean and kept it respectful. He was annoyed by Drew's earlier comment. Cameron was so beautiful and his hormones were driving him crazy, especially when she leaned against him as his arm snaked around her shoulders.

The scent of her hair products dazed him as the sounds of yelling emitted from the screen.

Her heartbeat thumped in her ears whilst she felt his arm tighten around her, hearing the quick breaths he let out.

Cameron turned to him, smiling, "You okay —"

"Do you have a family tree?" he suddenly asked.

Her brows pinched together in confusion, "What?"

"Watching this reminds me of family, in a twisted way so..." Miguel motioned to the movie.

She pondered then nodded, "I mean, I think one of my aunts tried putting one together but people are either divorcing, having outside babies," she paused, "or you know passing away." she leaned closer to him when his hand caressed her shoulder. "So it's hard to keep track."

"Right. I get that." he hummed, "Just got me thinking."

"Did you wanna do one?" she asked over the television.

"I mean it's hard to do one when your own mom doesn't mention your dad," he couldn't conceal his frustration, causing her to reach for the remote and pause the movie.

She sat up, turning to face him, pulling her legs to her chest, "He's Ecuadorean right?"

"Yeah. I think," he answered, slightly unsure.

"We could start there," she proposed.

"You'd help me," his face lit up.

A sheepish smile graced her face, "I mean, I guess it makes up for not letting you take me to prom."

He dramatically gasped, "Ah, just keep driving that knife further in."

She playfully nudged him, "I could draw up one, but you cannot touch my markers." she pointed at him,  "I'm serious Miguel."

He looked her up and down, "I love it when you're bossy."

She swatted at his arm, "Miguel."

"Okay okay." he raised his hands defensively,  "So are you gonna unblock me?"

His smirk morphed into a grin when she retrieved her phone. She turned it on, allowing him to see her contacts and passed it over.

"Here, unblock yourself."

She grinned when he did just that.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MIGUEL walked back into his home, with a small smile, only for it to fall when he saw the looks on his mom's and Johnny's face as they had almost finished their dinner.

"Where have you been? You have to tell me when you're gonna be late," Carmen stressed.

Miguel apologised, "Sorry, I lost track of time."

"He lost track of time."Johnny defended, then backtracked when he saw his girlfriend's hardened look,  "Which is very irresponsible, and you can't worry your mom like that."

"I was hanging out with Cameron," Miguel explained.

Johnny nearly smiled as he turned to Carmen, "See? He was hanging out with his girlfriend."

Miguel awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, "Not my girlfriend."

Johnny's face fell, he was hoping they had got back together.

"She's not?" Carmen appeared confused and stared at her son, "Alexis mentioned you've been spending time together."

Miguel tilted his head, feeling a family warmth at the thought of the girl he loves, "She did? I mean we just hung out and had pizza tonight."

"Alone? Awesome," Johnny's averted his gaze from his disappointed girlfriend.

Carmen tutted, "Without Alexis being there?"

"Not awesome," Johnny retracted.

"We just want you to be safe. Right?" Carmen said,

"Right. We want you to be safe," Johnny repeated, looking up at Miguel.

Miguel hastily agreed, "Okay."

"Always wear protection," Johnny added, shocking the two.

Carmen shook her head, "What? No."

"What?" Miguel grimaced, thinking back to when Drew said a similar thing.

Trying to read the room, Johnny rushed out, "No? No, don't wear protection."

"Johnny..." Carmen urged him to stop as Miguel frantically and aggravatedly glanced between them.

"Uh, you let the girl decide that," Johnny tried again, "Cameron is too stubborn for you to tell her what to do right?"

"Just stop it." Miguel softly snapped, gesticulating. "At first I thought it was a little weird that you two were together but I figured I would just, I don't know, get over it because I wanted you to be happy, but..." he turned to Johnny. "You said nothing was gonna change. Now everything has changed. It's weird at class, it's weird here. I'm over it."

He stormed off to his room, leaving Carmen to turn to her boyfriend, slightly concerned, "Protection?"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

CAMERON felt Miguel's hand itching to grab hers yet she didn't let him when they walked through the school hallways.

Baby steps she repeated in her head. They weren't ready. But then why did they make out?

"It's like a Jekyll and Hyde situation," he believed, "I was used to Sensei being like Mr. Hyde, now it's like he's a different person."

"Yeah, it must be weird that he's dating your mom. I wouldn't know how to deal with it." Her brain wouldn't commute if her mom started dating another man. "Especially with all the other shit that's happening right now," she added, locking eyes with Tory who walked past with her new group of friends.

Miguel followed her gaze, "You mean with Tory?..."

"That too," she agreed, staring up at him.

"And us?" He dared to ask, preventing them from taking another step.

She fought a smile, "Maybe."

Looking around briefly, Miguel proposed quietly, "Wanna sneak into the chemistry lab?"

She gulped, "Now?"

Before he could give her any confirmation, a voice called out to him.

"Miguel." It was Johnny interrupting them, "There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

"The security at this school is a joke," Cameron remarked,

Johnny snorted, "Nice to see you two James."

"What are you doing here?" Miguel questioned, looking around in embarrassed.

"Field trip. You and me, let's go," Johnny instructed.

"It's the middle of a school day. I have history. I..."

"History's for nerds," Johnny replied.

Cameron squinted her eyes up at him,  "You definitely failed it."

Waving her off, Johnny continued, "Play hooky with me. I'll write a doctor's note, used to work for me. Come on, what do you say?"

"Okay," Miguel reluctantly agreed.

Happiness washed over Johnny's face, "All right, great," he glanced at Cameron, not missing how close the two were. "Don't worry, I'll bring him back in one piece."

"I doubt that," Cameron mocked.

"Don't doubt me."

She turned to Miguel, "Be safe."

Johnny started walking away.

Miguel winked at her, "I'll be so safe."

She scoffed, with a small smile as he walked off.

"CJ," she turned when Eli called out to her.

She smiled at him, "Eli."

He seemed more comfortable, not confident.

He was just glad she didn't hate him for joining Miyagi-do.

"So that reunion went well I'm guessing, could feel the vibes from over there," he referred to her and Miguel's interaction.

Cameron bashfully informed, "It went well. I even unblocked him."

"I heard, he told me last night," Hawk cheekily grinned.

"What else did he say?"

"Not much why?" Hawk then caught her harshly swallowing and averting her eyes. "Wait why, did something else happen?"

She started, "Gotta go to sociology."

"Wait CJ!" Hawk shook his head, amusement not faltering, even when Lily came over to him.

She commented, "They totally kissed."

"100%."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

THE kiss was vivid in Cameron's mind but she continued to focus. She needed to, on Karate, keep up with taking her medication, art class and ultimately just expressing herself properly.

So when she Miguel told her that Sam dropped by, wanting to be trained by Johnny, so she could learn both styles, Cameron didn't pass up on the opportunity to do the same. Only this time she didn't go to Daniel, no, Eli fed her whatever she wanted to know.

Equally the playing field, without being an aggressor.

She would harbour anything she felt and let it explode at All Valley.

For her, for her dad and for the win.

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a/n:

cameron fully understands why miguel had to break up with her but still is hurt that it happened so she's just not ready to consider a relationship. she's still just finding herself again outside cobra kai.

i wasn't sure whether or not to add a kissing scene between them or not but just went with it. they came close so many times already. they're not back together... yet.

the timeline for this show makes me giggle because i have to keep remembering all the casual time drops. there are literally three chapters until all valley, and devon says she trained for 6 weeks. meaning this chapter, up until then covers that length of time.