Chapter 33*revelation

After a few hours of fun with Samantha, I drove her home. She got off the bike with a tired smile, waved a quick goodbye, and I set off through the dark streets. The sky was clear, the full moon shining like a spotlight.

"Tonight is a full moon," I muttered, feeling the wind biting my face as I rode. "Man, I've been feeling these weird things about Tory for days now. I can't explain it… It's like a part of me is connected to this girl. Like everything I do is for her or for some moment that hasn't arrived yet. So weird." Was it just love? Or something more? "I'll talk to her one of these days," I decided, revving the bike.

The next night, at the LaRusso house, the atmosphere was different. Sam and Miguel were in the backyard, celebrating something with cans of guarana in their hands.

"For the regional tournament," Sam toasted, clinking the can against his.

"That's it," Miguel replied, smiling. "This place is amazing. What does it say there?" he asked, pointing to a stone engraved with Japanese characters.

"I don't know," Sam admitted, shrugging. "My dad never told me."

They talked a little more, the conversation light, until Miguel gave a defiant smile. "How about facing the regional champion?"

Sam hesitated, realizing where the conversation was going. "Listen, Miguel, I need to tell you something…"

"What?" he asked, still smiling, oblivious to the tension building in the air.

As they spoke, Robby listened behind the door, his heart pounding.

"I… I'm dating another guy," Sam confessed, his voice low.

"…WHAT?" Miguel's face contorted in shock, his smile fading.

Robby's eyes widened, but he remained silent, hidden.

"You're kidding, right, Samantha?" Miguel replied in disbelief. "What about us? I thought things were getting back to normal between us…"

"I'm sorry, Miguel," she murmured, her face full of guilt.

"But… I love you, Samantha," he said, his voice breaking.

"WHO'S THE MAN, SAMANTHA?" Robby exploded, stepping out of the shadows with his fists clenched.

"!!!!! Robby… you're back," Sam stammered, surprised.

Miguel turned around, equally shocked. "!!!!"

"Now I understand why you stopped writing to me," Robby accused, his tone bitter.

"You stopped writing too," she countered defensively.

"It's hard to write when they're beating you up," he retorted, his eyes flashing.

"I didn't know…" Sam said, looking down.

"You wouldn't care even if you knew," Robby spat. "Look what you did to Miguel and me."

Miguel was silent, processing everything.

"Who's the guy you're fooling this time?" Robby asked, his voice thick with contempt.

"Don't talk to me like that," Sam pleaded, hurt.

"HOW AM I NOT GOING TO SAY THAT, YOU IDIOT?" Robby yelled. "WE WERE TOGETHER, YOU KISSED MIGUEL, CHEATED ON ME, AND NOW YOU SHOW UP DATING ANOTHER GUY! HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME NOT TO GET ANGRY? ARRRG!"

"I'm sorry, Robby," she said, her voice shaking. "I don't control who I fall in love with. And I've known him for a long time, before you two…"

"!!!! Who is this guy, Samantha?" Miguel demanded, finally reacting. "Why don't you speak?"

"You know him, Miguel," she replied hesitantly. "He paid for your hospital…"

"WHAT? Clark?" Miguel exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"Yes…" Sam confirmed.

"Who's that guy?" Robby asked, turning to Miguel.

"He's a guy our age," Miguel explained, still stunned. "He showed up a few weeks ago, paid for my hospital, said he was friends with Sensei Lawrence…"

"… My dad?" Robby interrupted, confused. "He's my dad's friend and he's our age?"

"Yes," Miguel confirmed. "So that was it, Samantha? While I was suffering in the hospital, he was with you? What the hell…"

"I'm sorry," Sam whispered, tears beginning to fall. "I liked him before… At school, two years ago, he was with us. I barely talked to him, but… I felt something. When he came back, all that came back too. I thought I was over it…"

Robby's eyes were red, almost crying. "FUCK!" he screamed, before running outside, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the night.

"Robby…" Sam called, his voice breaking. He looked at Miguel, who was also shaking with emotion.

"FUCK!" Miguel exclaimed, turning and running after Robby.

"Miguel…" Sam whispered, the tears falling freely now. "Damn…"

A few hours later, I was riding my motorcycle through the city, the cold night wind blowing on my face. The full moon was still shining brightly, illuminating the nearly deserted streets. That's when I saw Tory walking alone, her head down.

Vroom, vroom, vroom. I stopped beside her. "Hi, beautiful. It's not good for a little cat like you to be walking alone at this hour."

"Huh? GET OUT OF HERE, IDIOT!" she snapped, turning around quickly. Then she recognized me. "!!! Clark… What are you doing here?"

"I was just walking around and ended up here," I replied casually. "So? Want a ride?"

She hesitated, her face changing from surprise to fear to relief. "…Yes."

"Get on," I said, pointing to the back of the bike. She got on, and I sped up. "Hey, what are you doing here so late? Did you miss the taxi home? Hahaha."

"Yes," she admitted, holding tightly onto my waist. "Unfortunately, I couldn't find any taxis. It's hard to find one at this time of year."

"Almost midnight is tough around here," I agreed. "Want to go somewhere nice with me?"

"!! Where are you taking me?" she asked, her tone surprised.

"I was going there now," I explained. "It's a quiet place."

"Okay," she said after a pause. "I just need to call my mom and let her know."

"Sure," I replied, slowing down so she could get her phone.