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Jamie had gotten a text from Miguel about an hour ago explaining how the city council decided to cancel the All Valley Tournament coming up. He also told her how there was going to be a meeting held to convince them to let it happen. So, there she was. Walking in with Miguel ready to support him and Johnny.

"You gentlemen..." Jamie and Miguel hear as they walk in, "have made an excellent case today as to why this tournament should not continue."

Miguel's eyes widen, "Wait!"

Everyone turns to the two as they stand at the top of the stairs. They both walk down as the crowd murmurs. Jamie stops a couple rows down and starts to walk down to sit in a seat. Miguel's hand lightly touches her lower back as he continues down to the podium.

Jamie sits as the council watches Miguel walk up, "My name is Miguel Diaz." He says into the microphone, "I was in the school fight. I was the one kicked off the second floor."

"You know, uh..." He pauses, "I thought I was gonna be paralyzed. I relearned how to stand. I relearned how to walk. And I want the tournament to continue."

"We are very happy for your recovery, young man." A woman nods, "But I'm afraid you don't understand..."

Jamie stands up from her seat, "Yes, he does. We're the ones getting hurt. We're the ones fighting." She says as she walks over to the podium by Miguel, "Our voices should matter the most. And we want a place where we can compete, fairly and safely."

"When I first moved here, I was bullied." Miguel says, "I realized there's no escaping it. Some kid will always want to steal your lunch money, give you a wedgie, or a swirlie."

"A swirlie?" The woman frowns on confusion

"When you dunk someone's head in the toilet and flush it." Johnny stands up, "Pretty funny, actually."

"Sensei!" Jamie and Miguel whisper as they turn to him. He sits as they turn back.

"Instead of burying your heads in the sand, pretending that bullying doesn't exist, or that you could get rid of it, what you need to teach kids how to defend themselves."

"Physically and mentally." Jamie cuts in. Miguel's eyes soften as he watches her, "Because sometimes the scars you can't see are the ones that hurt the most."

"Karate is about discipline. It's about inner strength. It's about confidence. Lessons you can use for the rest of your life." He shakes his head, "Look, I don't know where I would be today, or who I would be today, if it wasn't for my sensei."

Jamie smiles softly as Miguel turns to Johnny. The man smiling before Miguel turns back to the podium, "We don't need this tournament to do cool kicks or sell tickets, we need it to show the bullies of the world that we're not afraid. It's called the "All Valley" because it's for everyone, to give everyone the chance to show what they can do, to fight, to become a champion. And we deserve that chance."

The room goes silent as the council processes Miguel's words. The people of the council nod to each other as the woman looks at Jamie and Miguel, "To be honest, I don't get the Valley's fascination with karate. But..." She sighs, "if it means that much to all of you, and you're willing to sign waivers stating that the city is not liable, then... the All Valley Under-18 Tournament is officially back on." She pounds her gavel as the crowd claps.

Miguel smiles as Jamie cheers, "Yes!" She smiles wide as she turns to Miguel. Without thinking, she hugs him and he immediately hugs her back. Lifting her off of her feet slightly before putting her down and pulling away. The two hug Johnny as he smiles in relief.

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Jamie sighs as she and Miguel lay back on the grass. After the meeting, the two went to walk around the park.

"I actually can't believe you did that. That was amazing."

"It was nothing. I'm just glad that the tournament is back on." He smiles as he looks down at her

The girl sits up, "You think you'll be ready for the tournament?"

"I hope so." He sighs, "If not, then at least there's a tournament for everyone else."

Jamie nods as she looks around the park. Miguel looks at her side profile before he looks down, "Can I ask you something?"

Jamie turns, "Shoot."

"Do you remember when I told you I heard everything you told me when I was in my coma?"

"Yeah." Jamie nods

"Did you mean everything you said? Or were you just saying things because you were upset?" He asks softly

"I meant everything. I didn't really think about you possibly hearing me," She chuckles, "but I meant everything." Miguel smiles, "Why? What did I say?"

He looks her in her eyes, "You said you loved me."

Jamie freezes. She completely forgot about her breakdowns the first couple of times she visited Miguel in the hospital. She didn't realize he heard her say that.

"Oh." She mutters simply. Jamie looks away, "I'm sorry. I was just so scared after everything that happened. I didn't know if you were going to make it or if something really, really terrible was gonna happen to you."

"Jamie."

"I was just so distraught and I really care about you. And I had no idea what to do or say or what not to do or say, so I said literally everything." She continues

"Jamie." He says a little louder. The girl looks over at him with wide eyes. Her chest going up and down rapidly, "Did you mean it?"

Miguel realizes Jamie is taken aback by the question, "Um." When Jamie realizes he's not gonna say anything until she answers, she sighs, "Yeah. I meant it."

Miguel nods as Jamie nervously plays with her fingers, "Do you still mean it?"

Jamie can hear her heart pounding in her ears as Miguel's eyes never stray away from hers, "Yeah. I still mean it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I've liked you for a while, Miguel. You just haven't noticed because you were so caught up with Sam. I know it's bad that I realized that I loved you when you got hurt, but seeing you like that terrified me. So, yeah, I- I do love you." She says looking down at her hands

Miguel's face falls at her confession. A moment of silence falls over them as Jamie's heart slows down. She feels self-doubt and sadness start to creep in when Miguel stays silent.

"You know what? I'm just gonna go." She mumbles as she stands up. Miguel's pushes himself up quickly as she wipes at her jeans.

"Wait, no."

"You don't have to say anything, Miguel. It's fine."

"No, wait. I'm sorry." He says quickly as he places his hands on her arms, "Look at me, please."

Jamie looks up at him.

"I love you." He breathes out. Jamie's heart stops.

"What?" She says very quietly

"I love you." He says stepping closer. Jamie's head tilting back slightly at how close he now was, "I love you, Jamie. You've always been there and I'm so sorry that it took the both of us getting hurt for me to realize it. You're probably the best thing, besides karate, that has happened to me this year. And when I was sitting in the hospital I realized how close I was to losing you and I don't want that to happen again."

Miguel gently places his hand on her cheek. Jamie sighs softly as his other hand goes to her waist, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"I know." He chuckles. His smile softening as Jamie smiles. Miguel looks down at her lips before he leans in. Jamie gasps as their lips finally meet. Letting out a deep breath, she kisses him back. Her arms go around his neck as he places both of his around her waist and pulls her closer.

Chests touching as the kiss deepens and becomes more passionate. Jamie is the first to pull away to catch her breath.

She smiles before Miguel leans in again and kisses her softly.

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