The Karate Code ~Robby Keene~

Cutting Away

Robby and Miraleigh had gotten to the dojo early, they decided that tomorrow and from then on would be when they'd actually train. Miraleigh was kicking the punching bag, sweat trickled from her forehead and down into her clothes. She had been doing a bunch of exercise-related things, while Robby lifted weights. Every now and again her eyes trailed back onto the boy who was lifting weights. She offered to be his spotter but he declined and continued to do it himself. She found it attractive to see him lifting the weights and determined to do it by himself. Robby sat up for a brief moment, watched Miraleigh with a smile and watched as she laid down on the ground and watched as she did a kip-up hitting the bag and causing it to swing violently.

Miraleigh grabbed onto the bag as it came near her, got it to stop swinging and then looked to see Robby watching her. He smiled, then watched as she got her arnis sticks from her bag and started performing a routine. He laid back down to continue lifting weights, he glanced up hearing the clank of wood against the ground, Robby noticed Miraleigh clutching her wrist and looking frustrated in herself. 

Robby continued to lift the weight, finding it a little bit harder each time despite the weight staying the same. Miraleigh looked at the entrance, she stood her ground as she faced Tory, Miraleigh never really had a problem with Tory. She barely spoke to the blonde, it was mainly Kaylee she had an issue with. Tory walked over to Robby, who gave her a glance before continuing to lift the weights. 

"You're supposed to have someone spot you, you know." 

"I don't need a spotter," Robby mumbled, placing the weight in its holder and then sat up. Miraleigh went back to kicking the bag, holding her arms behind her back, she took a quick break to drink some water and dry herself off from some of the sweat that had formed. 

"Looks like the two of you have upgraded from running away to hiding." 

"We're not hiding," Miraleigh stated, walking over to the two, placing a thermal wrist guard onto her wrist. 

"Could've fooled me. I don't remember seeing either of you at the fight." 

"What were you even thinking? That'd you'd break into the LaRussos' and hurt Sam and everything would be sunshine and roses. You're lucky the LaRussos didn't call the cops. Or how you're besties with Kaylee, who continually attacks Miraleigh and talks cunning plans with you on hurting her? Miraleigh's done nothing to you, so why aid that bitch in getting her hurt?" Miraleigh looked at Robby a little shocked, she understands him having a go at her about Sam but to have a go at Tory about her? That wasn't really called for. 

"At least I'm not the one straddling the fence. Girls like Sam LaRusso think the world revolves around them. And why shouldn't she? All she has to do to get what she wants is make a puppy dog face and say please. As for Miraleigh, you're right I don't have a problem with her and she hasn't done anything to me. Kaylee is a bitch, she's said things that go way too far, I'll continue my problems with Sam but Miraleigh? Won't have a thing to do with Kaylee and the shit she comes up with. Start anew?" Tory finished, looking at Miraleigh with her hand held out, Miraleigh shook it and gave a nod. Then watched as Tory walked out, Robby looked at Miraleigh and tucked some hair behind her ear that stuck to her forehead due to the sweat that had formed. 

"You looked pretty good lifting the weights." She commented, causing him to chuckle and look down before looking back at her. 

"Your arnis skills are pretty damn impressive, maybe we could practice a duo?" Miraleigh smiled, nodding and took his hand. They went home, showered and changed into clean clothes. Robby wanted to go down to the skatepark, so Miraleigh grabbed a book and Willow. Then they walked down together. Miraleigh sat down, then smiled as Robby bent down, placed a kiss on her lips and then scratched Willow's belly before walking off. The puppy curled up next to Miraleigh, tuckered out from the walk to the skatepark. 

Robby skated around for a good little while before Sam appeared. Miraleigh wasn't paying attention, she was too engrossed in her book and Robby was honestly glad about it. 

"You know, I came here after you ran away, hoping I would find you." Robby shrugged his shoulder not getting the point of her comment. 

"So what do you want?" 

"I was really angry at you for what happened at the school. That's probably part of the reason why I didn't tell Miraleigh that I knew where you were. But believe me, I never stopped caring about you. You should know you've got people that care about you." 

"I've got Miraleigh, she's all I need. I don't need to be reminded of my mistakes, thanks to you, I almost lost my trust in Miraleigh because she didn't come to visit me. As you didn't tell her, you wanna know how I found out? The news report about the carwash to help Miguel. I haven't told Miraleigh that I almost wanted to end our relationship because I didn't trust her because I knew I'd blame it on you and because I know she cares about you, I know you were the first person she could consider a friend. She needed you, despite how pissed off she was at the time with you, I was so pissed off with myself when I realised it was your fault that she hadn't come to visit me and that I wanted to end something that's so good because of that. Then what you did to Miguel and Tory, that's just as bad." 

"I know, you have every reason to hate me, I hurt both of you and I swear I never wanted to hurt your relationship with her. I know I have no place saying this, but you should tell her that. You know she'll understand. The Miguel and Tory issue, I thought that what I had with Miguel was over, but it was more complicated." 

"There's nothing complicated about it. It's a choice and you chose. You chose to kiss another girl's boyfriend. How hurt do you think Tory would've been, to see her boyfriend's ex making out with him? That hurts someone's self-esteem more than you would ever know."

"You're right. But that doesn't mean you have to make the wrong choice and drag Miraleigh with you in the process. You're a good person. My dad knows it. Your dad knows it." 

"My dad also made a choice and he chose to become a drunk loser who still hasn't figured out his own life. Now he wants to make up for lost time so he can feel better about himself? It's not gonna happen." 

"Please. Your dad is trying to change. Mine is too. If you could just come back, you could really help bring everybody together. That's all I want." 

"Then it looks like I get to be the first person to ever tell you this. You're not getting what you want." Sam looked wounded, she nodded and looked over in Miraleigh's direction before looking back at Robby. 

"Okay, but just remember this was your choice and what you do on from here you can't put the blame on me if it ruins your relationship with Miraleigh." Robby skated away, he made his way to Miraleigh, sat next to her and rested the skateboard in his lap. 

"I need to tell you something." Robby started, Miraleigh looked at him worriedly, she closed the book and faced him. Giving him all of her attention. Robby loved the fact that she didn't but he wished she hadn't so he couldn't see her emotions fully. 

"When I was in prison and for that time that you didn't know I was in there, I almost wanted to break up with you because I lost trust in you. I thought you wouldn't want to be with a criminal and that you had left me like everyone else did. But then I saw the news report and learnt the truth. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner and I want you to know I have full faith in you. I-"

"Robby, I understand, I would've felt the same. You had every reason to feel that way, you were betrayed and blamed and I wasn't there when it must have been the hardest. So I get why you would've lost trust in me. You don't have to apologise and I'm here for you always." Robby stared at her shocked, he didn't expect his reaction, he hugged her tightly and buried his head into the crook of her neck. Trying not to cry, he smiled as Miraleigh kissed his cheek and rubbed his back.