Dedicated to @AbbyWatson4, @Robby2Keene, @NewYorkDoll, @LOVESDOODLE, and @CamrynKissel for their fantastic support!

“I can’t believe it finally happened! We’re actually all in one place after the chaos of the tournament just having a good time together. I know it’s not going to last forever because we’ll all be heading off to college soon, but I’ll appreciate it for as long as it lasts,” thought Sam as she watched Yasmine and Demetri dancing from a nearby table.

Somehow, he was managing to step on other dancers’ toes too, despite being tall enough to see over almost all of their heads. Yasmine had changed into a sparkling gold and pink strapless dress that matched perfectly to Demetri’s golden polka-dotted tie.

Things were becoming good again, like they had been before the blow-out at the All-Valley. Miyagi-Fang was reunited, her dad and Johnny were getting along (more or less), and she and Miguel were finally in the same place in their relationship.

No secrets or cheating, just the two of us being happy to have one another, just like it always should have been.

“He really is a great dancer, isn’t he?” quipped Eli as he dropped down into one of the silver-painted chairs next to Sam, panting slightly from his and Moon’s intense dancing. 

Demetri had gone as far as to paint the chairs sliver so they'd go with the party’s French theme.

He might be a bit overbearing for me, but it’s kinda sweet how much he cares about her.

“Yeah, it’s definitely not his strong suit,” added Sam, trying to hold back a laugh as she watched him nearly knock Mitch into the “punch” table.

“So, how’s everything been with Moon?” asked Sam, turning her attention back to her friend.

“It’s been great! She’s such an amazing girlfriend,” gushed Eli, his cheeks turning a bright red.

He always got nervous when he talked about Moon, mainly because he didn’t wanna say anything wrong.

“Well, I’m glad. She’s always talking about you, too,” smiled Sam, encouragingly. 

Eli smiled back, appreciatively as they clinked their glasses together. 

To be honest, Sam and Eli hadn’t spent too much time together due to his long-time involvement with Cobra Kai. But there were always moments like these where she was very grateful to be able to call him her friend.

I can see why Demetri missed him so much.

They spent the next several minutes watching various guests dance. Sam’s personal favorite was Yaya’s and Johnny’s unique take on the tango which involved a multitude of unneeded spins, to say the least. By far the best dancer was Bert though for he really seemed to be pulling out all the stops for the crowd of girls standing nearby.

“Can I ask you something?” blurted Eli, softly.

His expression was making her slightly nervous due to its secrecy, but she nodded nonetheless.

It’s not like he could’ve done something worse than the things that I’ve done this year.

“Demetri and I both got into Yale,” started Eli, hesitantly.

“Don’t worry, it’s just us,” reassured Sam, gesturing towards the nearly empty tables surrounding them.

A small feeling of uncomfortableness fell over her for a quick moment as she realized how awkward everyone must think they were sitting there alone.

“Just ignore them. If they’re deciding to judge you then, they’re the problem, not you,” she quietly reminded herself.

“Which I’m happy about, of course! It’s been our dream college since when we were kids, but there’s something else,” said Eli as he adjusted the sleeve of his dark blue tux, distractedly.

“What?” asked Sam, curiously.

“I just don’t know if I want to go. And I know how weird that sounds, but after everything that’s gone on with all of us recently, I kinda just want to stay In LA. Maybe take some time to figure things out first,” Eli admitted, letting out a breath of relief. 

Sam let his words hang in the air for a moment, allowing them both to gather their thoughts. 

“That’s definitely not what I was expecting you to say, but I’m so relieved that you did,” stated Sam, honestly. 

Eli looked back at her in surprise. He too, must have been expecting a much different response from his friend.

“You are?” he questioned, eagerly.

“Yes, I really am. I’ve felt that same way over the past few weeks. Feeling like everyone’s moving on while I’m just stuck feeling…” Sam stopped as she tried to think of the right word to describe the empty sensation that had occupied so many of her thoughts.

“Lost,” finished Eli, understandingly.

“Yeah, exactly,” agreed Sam, smiling happily.

I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who’s been feeling this way. Especially considering I couldn’t talk to my dad or Miguel about it since they’ve been so busy recently.

“So, do you think I should tell Demetri?” asked Eli, his hands slowly untensing as they continued to talk.

“I think you kinda have to if you want to move on,” answered Sam, knowing those words were a lot easier said than done.

“Yeah, I agree. Thanks,” said Eli, a smile reforming on his face.

“Anytime,” stated Sam, her tone ringing with kindness.

It feels so much better to just get to talk these things through with someone who understands.

“And what about you? What’s your plans?” Eli asked, inquisitively.

But as Sam opened her mouth to respond, a tall and lean figure appeared out of the corner of her eye. 

He wore his long gray hair back in a tight ponytail that perfectly matched his sinister smile.

Sam and Eli immediately exchanged a look of worry as they watched the Sensei slowly waltz into the room, several Cobra Kais following close behind.

“I’m not going to let them wreck one of the last moments I may have with all of my friends,” thought Sam as she clenched her fists, determinedly.