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After healing Elijah, a few days passed, and finally the day came to leave New Orleans. The sun rose timidly, tinting the sky with shades of orange, as I said goodbye.
"Clark, thank you for all the time you spent here taking care of me," Hayley said, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"No need to thank me, Little Wolf," I replied, smiling. "I will always take care of you. You are the mother of my unborn child, hahaha."
She laughed softly and wrapped me in a warm hug, her warmth against me a silent goodbye. Elijah stepped closer, adjusting the collar of his coat. "Clark, I'll drive you to the airport."
"I appreciate that," I said, turning to Klaus. "Listen, Klaus, it's your daughter inside Hayley. Take care of her. She's your family now—in fact, we all are, because of her."
"Don't worry, kid," he replied, his tone firm. "I won't let anything happen to my daughter."
I nodded, waved goodbye to Rebekah and Hayley, and followed Elijah to the car. As we drove, the silence between us was comfortable but fraught. "Thank you for your help, Elijah," I said finally. "I can see how much you care about Hayley. You take care of her."
"Yes, I'll take care of her and the babies," he promised, his voice calm. "Don't worry."
I shook his hand goodbye and boarded the plane, the roar of the engines carrying me away. During the flight over the United States, four hours passed, and finally I saw Los Angeles below, a carpet of lights against the falling night.
"Almost arriving in Los Angeles…" I murmured, my heart racing as I rode back.
Riiing, riiing, riiing.
"Hello?" came a familiar voice.
"Jhony, it's Clark," I said. "Can you come pick me up at the airport? I'm just arriving."
"Clark, kid, I thought you were gone, hahaha," he replied, laughing. "Of course I will. I'm home now. Tomorrow's the big day."
"Thank you. I'll wait for you here."
Minutes later, I landed in Los Angeles. Jhony was already there, leaning against my car, a smile on his face. "Ahh, my beauty, I missed you…" I said, admiring the shine of the bodywork under the parking lot lights.
"Come on, kid," said Jhony, laughing.
"I drive," I insisted. "I miss this little beauty. I've barely used it—only ridden it for a few hours."
"Haha, sorry, kid," he confessed. "I might have taken him for a ride… and maybe you'll get some tickets."
"Relax, it's okay," I reassured him, inspecting the car. "I don't see any scratches."
"All right, then," he agreed. "But what were you doing all the way to Louisiana?"
I sighed. "I'm going to be a father."
"What?!" he exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Yeah, it happened a while ago," I explained. "I met a girl at a bar, you know, we were drunk, and it happened."
"And now, what are you going to do, boy?" he asked, still astonished.
"She's in good hands," I assured her. "She's with her family. They'll take care of her and the baby."
Jhony looked down, thoughtful. "Listen, Clark, I wasn't a good father. When I found out I was going to be a father, I ran away. I wanted to be a good father to Roby, but he hates me. I'm trying to get closer, but it's hard…"
"Don't worry," I said. "They're well protected. I can't go back there now. I'll wait until the baby is born to show up in his life."
"What about his mother? Is everything okay with her? Do they have money for this?" insisted Jhony.
"Yes, money is no object for them," I replied calmly.
"Okay, then… Congratulations, kid," he said, a nostalgic smile appearing. "I saw you when you were little, look at you now, you're even going to have a son. I'm getting old, really…"
"What's up? Since I met you, you've been old," I joked, laughing out loud.
He laughed with me, the sound echoing in the car as he drove it home. "I'm going to miss this little car," he said, running his hand over the bodywork.
"When you need it, I can lend it to you, no problem," I offered.
"Really, kid?" he asked, surprised.
"Sure, you're my friend. If you need anything, I'll get it for you," I said. "Now, I have to go, Jhony."
"Okay, kid. Bye," he said.
I went home to rest, tiredness weighing on my shoulders. The next day, I woke up ready for the tournament. I didn't want any surprises—I just wanted to watch the fight calmly.
"From what I remember, at this point in the story, Tory was starting something with Roby, right?" I muttered as I got ready. "What do you think will happen when I show up there? I mean, I kind of took her virginity, then disappeared for over a month. How is she feeling? Angry? Hated? Embarrassed or regretful for doing that to me? Feelings are crazy. I just hope I don't do something stupid there. I hate breaking hearts, especially teenagers' hearts. If the story followed its course, it's like the universe conspired for this to happen. What I predicted is probably happening now…"
I got in the car, stopped at a restaurant for a quick bite to eat, and drove to the tournament. I was wearing my black jacket, sunglasses, and jeans—my long hair falling over my eyes. I was feeling good that day, I admit, hehe.
I pulled up to the gym entrance, the roar of the engine drawing attention. "Wow, look at that car!" "I need to take a picture!" were the comments that echoed. "Haha, that car is awesome," I thought. "Better get in before the seats run out."
I sat in the middle of the stands, the tournament already starting. The referee introduced the fighters and their masters, while they warmed up with the senseis, the buzz filling the air.
"Wow, who is that guy?" some women muttered, looking in my direction. I was eating popcorn, watching the warm-up, oblivious to the stares.
Sam was talking to her father, Lawrence, but I could tell she noticed the girls at the base of the bleachers staring at me. "Uh, what are those idiots doing?" she muttered, following their gazes. Then her eyes widened. "Clark!" she yelled, loud enough for everyone around to hear.
"Clark? Where, Samantha?" Demitri asked, confused.
She pointed at me. I continued eating popcorn, but stopped when I noticed her staring. I raised my hand, making a peace sign with my fingers.
Clark… , she thought, her gaze fixed on me.
Meanwhile, Kreese began a speech to his students. "Attention!" he shouted, and everyone turned to him.
Tory turned her head toward the stands, a subtle movement, and saw me. She froze, her eyes locked on mine. Clark… she thought, a mixture of longing, tenderness, and finally anger crossing her face. She clenched her fists, turned to Kreese, and listened to the speech, the tension visible in every muscle.