Sᴛʀɪᴋᴇ Lᴀsᴛ
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"This is where it all started." Johnny starts. Jamie smiles as she looks around the original Cobra Kai dojo. As she stood there, for the first time in months, she finally felt content, "Diaz, you were my first student. Jackson, you were one of the few that stuck around. I taught you the style of karate that was taught to me. We've been through a lot of Cobra Kai bullshit since then. But none of that matters. Because this is our Cobra Kai. And tomorrow, we're gonna show the world that nobody strikes harder than us. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Sensei!"
"Good. Now let's show these international assholes how we do things in the Valley."
•••
The two spent the next few hours practicing with Johnny's unorthodox training. Training they knew like the back of their hand. Also finding help in the people who had come into their lives and made things a little easier. Now as training ended, Jamie stood with Sam asking her about any last minute tips.
"My dad learned this in Okinawa. It's sort of a last resort." Sam says holding her arms up
Jamie mimics her while nodding, "Is there a counter to it?"
"Ask the drum." Sam smiles. Jamie laughs as Amanda and Daniel walk over to them.
"Haven't you two gotten your fill of training for the day?" Amanda chuckles
"Hey, if you love karate, you can never get too much of it. Unless, of course, it's the night before a title fight." Daniel says. Jamie nods as he smiles, "You want us to give you a lift home?"
"Uh, no, that's okay." Jamie says, "Miguel and I are gonna walk home together. But thanks."
"Okay. It's a big day tomorrow, so try to get your rest." Daniel says
Jamie nods as the three begin to walk away. Amanda eyes her as she starts to wring her fingers together, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. I was just thinking about the first time I came in here. I saw Sensei training and immediately wanted to turn around." Jamie chuckles, "Miguel was the one to convince me to stay. I made friends with Aisha. It's been a strange couple of years. The toughest in my life. But also kind of the best. And when I think about the good parts, a lot of them are because of all of you guys."
"You let me join Miyagi-Do, no questions asked. Even after everything with Sam and then I almost bailed on you right before the finals. And now Sam's teaching me the advanced moves of Miyagi-Do." She continues as tears begin to fill her eyes, "I haven't been having the best couple of months personally and you guys have been so kind. So... thank you. I don't know what I did to deserve it."
"Well, I'll tell you what you did." Amanda says, "You took every punch that life threw you, and you kept fighting."
"What matters is how willing we are to acknowledge the mistakes we've made and how we move on from them. And you've done that better than most people." Daniel says before looking to Sam, "You both have. So, yes, you absolutely deserve some good in your life."
"Just like you deserve to win." Sam smiles
Jamie chuckles as she wipes her eyes, "Thank you."
Daniel nods before pointing to her, "Get some rest. Big day tomorrow."
Jamie nods as they walk out of the dojo.
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Jamie chuckles as she and Miguel round the corner of their building. Miguel's steps slow as Brittany looks up from her place on one of the benches. Jamie's smile softens, "Hey, Brittany."
"Hi."
"Is everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah." Brittany nods, "I was just hoping that I could talk to you for a minute."
"Oh." Jamie says looking to Miguel, "Um.."
"Just text me a little later, okay?" He says
"Okay." She smiles as Miguel kisses her cheek. He smiles softly before he turns away towards his apartment.
As the door shuts, Jamie turns back to Brittany. She smiles lightly as Brittany takes a few steps towards her, "I know it's a little bit out of the blue, but I wanted to come and congratulate you on your tournament."
"Oh, thank you."
"I also wanted to talk to you about your dad." She says hesitantly. Jamie's face falls as Brittany sighs, "I know it's a sore subject, but we are getting divorced."
Jamie nods, "I figured as much."
"And I heard that your mom took the car from you." She says. Jamie frowns, "It was something your dad was trying to do to I guess prove that he loved me. It was incredibly stupid of him because none of it was your fault and made no difference in my decision whatsoever."
Jamie chuckles as Brittany continues, "But I have a little something for you. A graduation present."
"Oh, you didn't have to do that-"
"Nonsense." Brittany says as she begins digging in her purse, "You've been through so much and I wanted to make sure that you know how appreciated you are. Especially by me. So, here."
Jamie takes a small white box from Brittany as she smiles wide. Jamie opens the box and frowns. She looks up to Brittany, "It's car keys."
"Your car keys." Brittany corrects. Jamie's eyes widen, "I wanted to make sure you had some way to get to Stanford. It's not at all connected to your dad, so he can't take it away. It's all me."
"Brittany, this is- I can't take this."
"Of course you can. It's nothing too expensive, but it won't break down on you or anything. Also.." Brittany says pulling out a stack of travel postcards, "I also got you these."
"Postcards?" Jamie says taking them from her
"Mhm." She hums, "Before I went off to college, I traveled a little. I thought it would help before I just settled down and focused on school and it did. A lot. After all that's happened the past couple of months, you deserve a break before you actually start your life."
Brittany stumbles slightly as Jamie engulfs her in a hug. She immediately wraps her arms around the girl. Jamie sighs, "Thank you."
"Of course." Brittany says squeezing her before pulling back, "You deserve it."
Jamie chuckles with a light nod. Brittany smiles, "Also, there's something in the glove compartment, but don't check until you start your traveling."
Jamie's brow furrow as she laughs, "Okay."
"Okay." Brittany nods, "And no matter what, if you need me, I'm here for you, okay?"
"Okay." Jamie nods as Brittany rubs her arm
"Now, let's go see the car." Brittany beams. Jamie laughs as Brittany pulls her by her arm.
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As Jamie swings her door open, she jumps back, "Surprise!"
"My god." She chuckles, "What are you doing here?"
"Well, since the sleepover before Barcelona didn't happen, I figured that we could do it before your big fight." Sienna smiles, "Mikayla couldn't make it, but I have face masks and stuff to help you relax and we won't stay up too late. Hopefully."
Jamie rolls her eyes playfully as she pulls the door open further.
•••
"So, what's the plan after the tournament?" Sienna says as she paints the face mask on Jamie
"What do you mean?"
"Like after you win." Sienna nods, "And since graduation is right around the corner. What's the plan?"
"Well, Brittany came over today and told me I should travel a little before I go to Stanford."
"Brittany?" Sienna repeats, "Like your dad's Brittany?"
"Yeah." Jamie nods, "My mom took the car because my dad was trying to get it back to please Brittany, but she came and gave me another. As a graduation present."
"Wow. So, she just gave you a car?" Sienna says tucking her hair behind her ear. Jamie nods as Sienna hums and leans in to paint more product, "That's suspiciously nice."
"She said she traveled before she focused on school and that it helped a lot." Jamie says, "So, I figured I'd do the same."
"By yourself?"
"Well, that's the problem." Jamie sighs, "Miguel and I were supposed to drive up to Stanford together, but I haven't told him about what happened with Brittany at all."
"Why not?"
"Because I know he's really excited to see Stanford. Even though he's been deferred, he wants to drop me off."
"Okay, so just tell him you're taking a detour." Sienna shrugs
"Not everyone likes traveling, Sienna."
"Okay, but he likes you." Sienna says, "Loves you. I think he'll wanna travel."
"I hope so."
"Okay, all done." Sienna says leaning back
"Thank you for this." Jamie says
"I've been wanting this sleepover for forever." Sienna says, And you deserve it. After all, you're about to become a world champion."
"You have too much faith in me." Jamie scoffs
"Duh because you're Jamie Jackson." Sienna says, "My best friend isn't a loser. I'd be stupid not to bet on you."
Jamie smiles as Sienna wraps her arms around her. She hugs her back with a sigh. Sienna leans back, "You got this, Jamie."
Jamie nods before Sienna pulls her back in. The girls squeeze each other tight making giggles fill the room.
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