chapter twenty-one:
❛ fed up ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE

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Arizona sat at her desk, her foot tapping impatiently under the table as the monotony of the classroom droned on. Mr. Honchalk's voice was like white noise, blending into the background as her mind wandered. She stared at the clock, watching the second hand make its agonizingly slow journey around. Every tick felt like a personal affront to her growing frustration. Physics formulas were scribbled across the board, but none of it mattered to her right now.

She sighed heavily, leaning back in her chair and running a hand through her hair. The events of last night weighed heavily on her, and the idea of sitting through another lecture about kinetic energy seemed laughable. Why was she even here? What was the point?

Finally, unable to take it any longer, she pushed her chair back abruptly, the legs scraping loudly against the floor. Several heads turned, but she didn't care. She grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and stormed toward the door.

"Arizona, where are you going?" Mr. Honchalk's voice cut through the classroom like a sharp reprimand.

Without turning around, she muttered, "Out," and kept walking.

She stepped into the hallway, the heavy door closing behind her with a soft thud. The tension that had been building inside her seemed to release with every step she took, her heart pounding from the adrenaline of leaving class without a second thought. She wasn't in the mood to explain herself. Last night had left her reeling, and sitting through school felt like a joke. The world was bigger than this place, and she had bigger things to deal with.

As she turned the corner, she spotted Dylan at his locker, holding onto his homemade robot like it was his lifeline. His brows furrowed in confusion when he saw her, especially as she breezed past him like she had no destination in mind.

"Hey, wait up!" Dylan called out, hustling to catch her before she could disappear. "What's going on? Why aren't you in class?"

Arizona stopped and turned to face him, a sly grin creeping onto her face. "After everything that happened last night, school just seems... trivial," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder as if to emphasize the insignificance of it all. "I couldn't sit there and listen to Mr. Honchalk talk about Physics. I've got more important things on my mind."

Dylan looked at her like she was crazy. "So, you're just... leaving? Skipping school for the whole day?"

Arizona chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "Oh, come on, Dylan. You're acting like we haven't done this before. Remember that time we ditched gym to build that rocket?"

He chuckled nervously, his fingers tapping the side of his robot. "Yeah, but that was one class. You're talking about skipping the entire day."

With a smirk, Arizona took a step closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "What's the difference? I've got stuff to figure out, and I'm not wasting my day listening to some lecture when there are better things to do. Come or don't, Dylan. It's your choice."

Dylan hesitated, his eyes flicking back to his robot like it was going to give him an answer. He was the rule follower, the one who always thought things through, but there was something about Arizona's confidence that made him question his better judgment. After a few agonizing seconds, he let out a sigh, placing the robot carefully on the bench beside his locker.

"I'm coming," Dylan said, his voice resigned but with a small smile tugging at his lips.

Arizona grinned triumphantly. "Now that's the spirit!" she said, throwing her arm around his shoulders as they began to walk down the hall together.

Dylan still looked slightly uneasy, glancing around as if expecting someone to catch them, but Arizona didn't seem to care. She was a whirlwind of confidence and energy, dragging him along in her wake. The fluorescent lights of the school hall faded behind them as they pushed open the doors and stepped out into the bright daylight.

"So, where are we going?" Dylan asked, trying to mask the nervousness in his voice.

Arizona shrugged, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Who knows? Anywhere but here."

Dylan laughed uneasily, but he didn't stop walking. There was something intoxicating about Arizona's energy, a pull that he couldn't resist. Whatever was coming next, he knew it was going to be an adventure—and with Arizona, adventures were always unpredictable.

Arizona and Dylan wandered through the bustling mall, Arizona looking calm and collected while Dylan, on the other hand, seemed jittery and nervous. His eyes darted around like he was expecting security to show up any minute. Arizona couldn't help but chuckle as she noticed him fidgeting with his hoodie strings.

"Dude, you look like you're about to get caught stealing something," Arizona teased, nudging him with her elbow as they strolled past a clothing store.

Dylan let out a shaky breath. "What if the school calls our parents? I mean, we're skipping the entire day! What if they find out?"

Arizona stopped and turned to face him, hands on her hips, giving him an amused yet reassuring look. "Dyl, you're overthinking this. Last time we skipped, nothing happened. My dad didn't even notice I was gone, and yours thought you were at robotics club. Chill. We're not in any trouble."

Dylan sighed, trying to ease the anxiety bubbling inside him. "Right... yeah, okay. I just don't want to get grounded again." He gave her a sheepish grin as if the thought of being grounded terrified him more than skipping school.

"Grounded? For going to the mall? Please," Arizona scoffed. "Now, come on, I need to show you something." Without waiting for him to protest, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a small store nestled between a café and a shoe shop.

They stepped inside, and immediately, a wave of soothing scents hit them—lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with tiny bottles of essential oils, crystals, incense, and dreamcatchers. The warm lighting gave the store a tranquil vibe, as if it was designed to make you forget all your worries.

Dylan looked around, slightly overwhelmed by the new surroundings. "What... is this place?"

"It's heaven," Arizona grinned, her eyes scanning the shelves. She walked over to the display of essential oils and grabbed a small vial of lavender oil, holding it up for Dylan to see. "This stuff is for relaxation. Helps with sleep and stress."

Dylan tilted his head, taking the bottle from her and sniffing it. "Huh. It smells... nice. But I didn't think you were into this kind of thing."

"Oh, I used to be *really* into it," Arizona laughed, picking up a bottle of peppermint oil next. "This one's for headaches and gives you an energy boost. I was obsessed with essential oils, crystals, all that spiritual stuff."

Dylan blinked, surprised. "Really? Like, before you joined Cobra Kai?"

Arizona's smile faltered for a moment. She looked down at the small bottle in her hand, twisting it around in her fingers. "Yeah, before Cobra Kai." There was a pause, and her tone shifted, quieter now, more thoughtful. "I used to believe in all this stuff. Energy, balance, healing. But... that was a while ago."

Dylan glanced at her, sensing the change in her mood. "You still do karate, though, right?" he asked carefully.

Arizona hesitated, placing the bottle back on the shelf before turning to face him. "No. I haven't been going. I keep telling people I have work, but really, I just... I don't feel like going anymore." Her voice was steady, but there was a hint of something beneath the surface—maybe guilt, maybe confusion. It was hard to tell.

"You... quit?" Dylan's voice was soft, almost cautious, like he didn't want to push too hard. Arizona rarely opened up about Cobra Kai, and now he could sense there was more to the story.

Arizona shrugged, trying to brush it off like it wasn't a big deal. "I don't know if I quit exactly, but I'm definitely not feeling it. It's just... not the same anymore."

Dylan frowned slightly, trying to process this new side of her. He always saw Arizona as this unstoppable force, confident and sure of herself. Seeing her like this—detached, almost uncertain—was strange. "It's okay, you know. If you're done with it. People change, and maybe Cobra Kai just isn't your thing anymore."

Arizona gave a small, bittersweet smile. "Yeah, maybe." She reached for another vial of oil, this time sandalwood. "But hey, this stuff? This never changes." She took a deep breath, letting the earthy scent fill her lungs. "This was my thing before Cobra Kai. It was my way of staying grounded."

Dylan looked at her with curiosity, intrigued by this side of Arizona he hadn't really seen before. "I had no idea you were into all this spiritual stuff."

"Yeah, I kind of dropped it when I joined karate," Arizona admitted, giving a half-hearted laugh. "But maybe I need to get back into it. It's a lot less... violent."

Dylan smiled softly, seeing the spark of who she used to be underneath. "Well, I think it's cool. I mean, karate's great and all, but this stuff seems like it makes you happy."

Arizona's smile grew, a genuine one this time. "Thanks, Dyl. Maybe you're right." She glanced around the shop, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia wash over her. This place felt more like home than the dojo had in a long time.

As Arizona and Dylan continued wandering the mall, Dylan suddenly perked up, spotting something in the distance. His eyes lit up with excitement, and before Arizona could say anything, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her toward a small, cluttered shop tucked between a candy store and a vintage record shop.

"Come on! We're going in here," Dylan said, grinning as he practically dragged her into the comic book store.

Arizona raised an eyebrow, amused but also a bit skeptical. "You're dragging me into a comic book store?" she asked, her tone playful.

Dylan nodded enthusiastically as they stepped inside. The store was cramped and packed with shelves full of comic books, action figures, and collectibles. Posters of superheroes plastered the walls, and Arizona could instantly tell this was Dylan's turf. He looked like a kid in a candy store.

The store owner, a middle-aged guy with greasy hair and glasses perched on the edge of his nose, glanced up from behind the counter as they entered. His face instantly shifted into a scowl. "Well, if it isn't Dylan. Back again, huh?" His voice had a sharp, sarcastic edge.

"Hey, Mr. Weller," Dylan said sheepishly, clearly not bothered by the man's sour attitude. "Just showing my friend the place."

Mr. Weller eyed Arizona up and down suspiciously. "Yeah? Well, tell your friend to keep her hands to herself. This ain't no playground."

Arizona, who was already beginning to browse the shelves, gave the guy a mocking smile. "Relax, grandpa. I'm just looking."

Dylan winced at her tone, but before he could say anything, Mr. Weller's eyes narrowed. "Hands off the cases, princess. That's the expensive stuff. I don't need anyone smudging the glass."

Arizona, amused by his hostility, glanced over at Dylan and smirked. "Dyl, does this guy always talk like he's an extra in a bad cop movie?"

Dylan nervously chuckled but shot Arizona a look that screamed, Please don't make this worse. "Uh, Mr. Weller, this is Arizona. She's cool, I promise."

"Yeah, I can tell she's real cool," Mr. Weller muttered under his breath, turning his back to them as he went to organize a pile of comics behind the counter.

Arizona, however, wasn't done. She wandered over to a display case that held rare and vintage comic books, her fingers hovering over the glass. "What's in here? This where you keep all the nerdy stuff you don't want anyone touching?"

Mr. Weller's head snapped up, glaring. "Dylan, tell your snooty friend to keep her hands off the expensive stuff before I kick her out."

Dylan's face flushed with embarrassment. He hurried over to Arizona, tugging lightly on her sleeve. "Ari, seriously, can you just... not? This guy's, like, super intense about his collection."

But Arizona wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when someone like Mr. Weller was involved. She turned to face him, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Aw, come on, I'm just having a little fun. You really that worried I'm gonna break something?"

Mr. Weller clenched his jaw, his face turning red with anger. "I don't care who you think you are, kid. This isn't a place for messing around. You're banned from my store."

Arizona burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the man's irritation. "Oh no, I've been banned from the geek dungeon! Whatever will I do?"

"Arizona," Dylan whispered, practically begging her to stop. "Please, let's just go."

But before Dylan could pull her away, Arizona sauntered over to Mr. Weller, grabbed his arm with surprising force, and with one swift move, shoved him backward. The guy stumbled and fell to the floor with a loud thud, knocking over a pile of comics on the way down.

Arizona grinned down at him playfully. "Let's get out of here before grandpa here has a heart attack."

Dylan's eyes went wide, panic setting in as he watched the scene unfold. "Arizona!" he gasped, pulling her toward the door.

Mr. Weller scrambled to sit up, red-faced and furious. "Dylan! Tell your psycho friend she's banned from my store! And you're banned too if you keep bringing her around!"

As they reached the entrance, Arizona turned around and mockingly saluted him. "You hear that, Dyl? I'm banned from the comic book store. Guess I'll just have to find somewhere else to buy my nerd supplies."

Dylan looked torn between laughing and cringing. "Mr. Weller, I'm really sorry, she's just—"

"Get out!" Mr. Weller shouted, his voice cracking with rage as he pointed toward the exit.

Arizona threw an arm around Dylan's shoulder and led him out of the store. Once they were a few feet away, she couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. "Oh man, his face was priceless! Lighten up, Dyl, that guy needed someone to knock him off his high horse."

Dylan rubbed the back of his neck, still looking a little rattled. "You didn't have to shove him though. I'm never gonna be allowed back in there now."

Arizona just grinned. "Trust me, you're better off. You don't need to hang out in that dungeon of doom. There are cooler places to be."

Dylan sighed, though a small smile crept onto his face. "You're kind of insane, you know that?"

Arizona winked. "Maybe a little. But you wouldn't have me any other way."

The smell of sizzling garlic and onions filled the small kitchen as Arizona stirred a pot of spaghetti on the stove. She glanced over at her younger brother, Diego, who sat at the table, fiddling with his phone. The soft glow of the television in the living room flickered in the background, casting faint shadows across the walls. Arizona kept stirring the pasta, her mind wandering.

"Almost done, D," Arizona said, forcing a smile, though she felt the weight of the day pressing on her shoulders. "You good?"

Diego nodded but didn't look up from his phone. "Yeah, I'm good."

Arizona sighed, running a hand through her hair as she ladled the pasta onto two plates. She placed one in front of Diego, then grabbed the second plate, her heart heavy as she looked up toward the hallway where their mother's room was.

"I'll be right back," she muttered, picking up the plate meant for their mom and making her way down the hall.

She pushed open the door to her mom's bedroom. The room was dim, lit only by the weak light slipping through the curtains. There, sprawled out on the bed, was Daniella, her mother, passed out again. An empty bottle of vodka rested on the nightstand, its contents gone, like so many times before. Arizona sighed, the same sinking feeling of frustration and sorrow settling in her chest.

"Mom, I made dinner," she said quietly, more to herself than to her unconscious mother. She placed the plate on the nightstand next to the empty bottle and stood there for a moment, just staring at her mother. It was like this every night. Arizona had gotten used to it, but it didn't make it any easier.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, shaking her from her thoughts. She pulled it out and saw a text from Tory.

Tory: * "I'm heading to the LaRussos' to fight Sam. You better come."

Arizona's eyes widened, a wave of confusion washing over her as she quickly texted back.

Arizona: "What? Why?"

The response came almost instantly.

Tory: "Miguel and Sam are together again. It's time to get revenge on Sam again. She stole your man again."

Arizona stared at the screen, her grip tightening around her phone. The words made her heart pound with a mixture of anger and betrayal. Sam. Always Sam. The image of Sam and Miguel together flashed in her mind, fueling the fire inside her.

How could she do this again? Arizona thought, clenching her jaw. It felt like history was repeating itself, the same pain and the same anger from when Miguel and Sam got together the first time. The rage bubbled up in her, and without even thinking, she stuffed her phone into her pocket and stormed out of her mom's room.

She walked back into the kitchen, trying to keep her expression neutral for Diego's sake, though her insides were boiling. Diego glanced up from his plate, his eyebrows raised.

"Where are you going?" he asked, sensing the tension in his sister.

Arizona grabbed her car keys from the counter and exhaled, trying to stay calm. "I need to go take care of something."

Diego blinked, concern flashing in his eyes. "What do you mean? Where's Mom?"

Arizona turned toward him, her face softening just a little. "Mom's... fine," she lied. "She's asleep. I need you to be good, Diego, okay? Watch Mom. I won't be long."

Diego frowned, glancing toward their mother's room. "Arizona, you don't have to—"

"I said I won't be long," Arizona cut him off, her voice sharper than she intended. She softened again almost immediately, guilt creeping in. "Just... be good. I'll be back soon."

Before Diego could protest any further, Arizona rushed out of the house and headed for her car. She slammed the door shut behind her, her mind spinning as she threw the keys into the ignition. The engine roared to life, and Arizona gripped the steering wheel tightly as she sped down the street toward Sam's house.

Her thoughts raced, replaying the texts over and over. Miguel and Sam together again. The idea twisted in her gut. How could Sam do this? How could Miguel?

As she drove, the streets passed by in a blur. Arizona could feel the tension in her muscles as she pushed harder on the gas pedal. Her breathing was shallow, her mind fixated on one thing: Sam. It was always Sam.

By the time she reached the LaRusso house, her hands were trembling with a mix of adrenaline and fury. Arizona pulled up to the curb and slammed the car door behind her as she made her way to the front porch.

This time, Sam wasn't getting away with it.

Arizona kicked the front door with all her might, sending it crashing open with a loud bang. Tory was right behind her, smirking as they stepped into the LaRusso house like it was their own. The room fell silent, all eyes on them as the chaos they brought followed them like a shadow. Sam stood there, stunned, her face quickly morphing from shock to a scowl as she locked eyes with Arizona.

Sam's gaze softened for a second, filled with sadness as she looked at Arizona, but it turned hard again when her eyes flicked over to Tory. Arizona smirked, crossing her arms as she sauntered in further, her presence daring anyone to challenge her.

"Heard you were throwing a party without me, old friend," Arizona mocked, her voice dripping with venom. "Hope you don't mind if we crash."

Sam and Miguel exchanged a tense look. Miguel's face was conflicted, worry creasing his brow. He stepped forward, reaching out to Arizona as if to calm her down.

"Arizona, don't do this. This isn't you," Miguel pleaded, his voice soft, almost desperate.

Arizona's eyes narrowed, her heart hardening as she glared at him with a coldness that even surprised her. She wasn't the same Arizona he used to know. She had been through too much, and right now, the only thing driving her was anger.

"Shut up," she snapped through gritted teeth, her voice low and dangerous. Miguel flinched, his face falling into a frown.

"Arizona, please—" he tried again, but it was too late.

Tory stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with malice. "It's too late, Diaz," she growled. "This ends tonight!" Her voice echoed in the tense air, a challenge.

"No mercy!" Arizona shouted, her voice blending with Tory's as their battle cry rang through the room like a death knell.

Chaos erupted.

The house descended into chaos as Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do students lunged at each other, fists flying, bodies clashing. Arizona wasted no time. A couple of guys from Miyagi-Do made their way toward her, but she was ready. With a swift movement, she ducked under a punch and drove her fist into one of the guy's stomach, sending him reeling backward.

The second guy came at her from the side, but Arizona was quick. She grabbed his wrist, twisting it with enough force to make him yelp in pain, then delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs, sending him crashing into a nearby table.

Before she could catch her breath, another guy charged her from behind, but Tory was there in an instant, kicking the guy square in the chest and knocking him back. Arizona didn't even hesitate, taking advantage of the distraction to deliver a roundhouse kick to the guy's head, knocking him out cold. She and Tory shared a quick, determined glance, a silent agreement that they were in this together.

They fought in sync, moving fluidly through the chaos like they'd done this a hundred times before. The fight was brutal, but Arizona felt invincible, her blood pumping with adrenaline. Together, she and Tory took on another guy, working as a seamless unit. Tory knocked him off balance with a sweep to his legs, and Arizona followed up with a hard kick to his side, sending him sprawling to the floor.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Arizona saw Sam darting out of the living room, making a beeline for the back door.

"She's running!" Arizona shouted.

Without another word, she and Tory bolted after Sam, leaving the chaos of the house behind as they chased her through the yard and into the home dojo. Arizona's heart pounded as she closed in on Sam, her anger fueling her every step. This was it—the moment she had been waiting for.

Sam skidded to a stop inside the dojo, her chest heaving as she turned to face them, her back against the wall. Her eyes were wide, but she didn't look scared—just determined.

"Why are you doing this, Arizona?" Sam asked, her voice shaky but strong. "This isn't who you are!"

Arizona slowed her pace, stepping into the dojo as she locked eyes with Sam. All the memories—the betrayal, the hurt, the anger—rushed through her like a tidal wave, clouding her mind. She didn't want to hear Sam's excuses. She didn't want to feel anything but anger.

"You took everything from me," Arizona said, her voice low and filled with venom. "And now, you're gonna pay for it."

Tory stood beside her, fists raised, ready for the next fight. Arizona's muscles tensed as she prepared to finish what she and Tory had started.

Sam stood her ground, her eyes narrowing as she lifted her fists into a fighting stance. "I'm not running anymore."

Arizona was the first to move, her foot slicing through the air and landing hard against Sam's face. The impact sent Sam stumbling back, crashing onto the floor with a painful thud. Sam looked up at Arizona, her eyes wide, fear flashing across her face for a split second. Arizona felt something inside her falter. The expression in Sam's eyes—it wasn't one of defiance, but something softer, something that made Arizona's resolve waver.

Tory's dark chuckle echoed through the dojo as she grabbed a pair of nunchucks from the wall and tossed them to Arizona. "Do it," Tory commanded, her voice sharp and cold. Arizona caught the nunchucks, staring down at Sam, who was still on the floor. Her grip tightened around the weapon, but her mind hesitated.

Sam's eyes softened, a painful familiarity settling between them. This was happening again—just like all the other times Tory pushed Arizona to do something she didn't truly want to do. Every time, she would falter, the weight of it all too much to bear.

"Arizona!" Tory snapped, her voice louder this time, trying to shake her from her thoughts.

Arizona clenched her jaw, forcing herself to harden her expression, to push down the doubt creeping into her chest. Her eyes narrowed as she swung the nunchucks, the weapon slicing through the air toward Sam's head. But Sam was quick, pushing herself up and backing away just in time. Arizona's strike missed, instead smashing into a nearby table, sending shards of wood splintering across the dojo.

Sam backed up against the wall, breathing heavily, her eyes flicking between Arizona and Tory. Tory groaned, her frustration growing. "Come on, LaRusso, stop running!" she yelled, charging toward Sam and grabbing a fistful of her hair, shoving her downward with force.

Arizona stood there, breathing hard, watching as Tory swung her leg toward Sam's head. Sam barely dodged, but the kick hit something else—a framed photo of Mr. Miyagi. The glass shattered, pieces raining down on the dojo floor, the frame hanging crookedly on the wall. For a moment, Sam just stared at it, something shifting in her expression.

Arizona, her grip tightening on the nunchucks, took a breath as Sam scrambled to her feet, grabbing a bo staff that was leaning against the wall. Arizona's glare darkened, and she hurled the nunchucks toward Sam, still in her hands. Sam ducked again, her movements fluid, and blocked every strike Arizona threw with the nunchucks using her bo staff.

"Please, Arizona!" Sam pleaded, her voice breaking through the sound of clashing weapons. But Arizona didn't respond, her focus narrowing as she swung the nunchucks again and again, each blow more forceful than the last.

The fight raged on, the dojo becoming a whirlwind of movements as Arizona attacked with the nunchucks and Sam defended herself with the bo staff. Each time Tory saw an opening, she'd jump in, throwing kicks or punches toward Sam, but Sam managed to dodge most of them, barely keeping up with the two of them attacking at once.

Eventually, Arizona managed to corner Sam again, towering over her, the nunchucks ready to strike. Sam was on the floor, her bo staff barely holding up in defense as Arizona loomed over her. But just as she was about to deliver another blow, Arizona froze.

"Finish it!" Tory barked, her voice sharp and demanding.

Arizona's mind flashed back to Sam's earlier words—*This isn't you.*

Then, Miguel's voice echoed in her memory—*You're not yourself anymore.*

And then Dylan—*Maybe you should leave...*

Her hands trembled, the weight of everything crashing down on her all at once. She wasn't this person. She wasn't a pawn for Tory to control. She wasn't the same girl who joined Cobra Kai to feel strong, to hide her pain. She was so much more than that.

Arizona's grip on the nunchucks loosened, and with a final exhale, she let them fall to the ground with a soft clatter.

"Arizona, what are you doing!?" Tory yelled, disbelief flooding her voice as Arizona stepped away from Sam.

"I'm not letting you control me anymore," Arizona said, her voice steady, but filled with the kind of strength she hadn't felt in a long time. Her eyes met Tory's, the fire in them no longer burning for Cobra Kai or for revenge—but for herself.

In a fluid movement, Arizona grabbed a bo staff off the wall, turning her back on Sam to face Tory. Tory's shock quickly turned into rage as she swung at Arizona, but Arizona blocked her strike with ease, using the bo staff to deflect Tory's attacks.

They fought fiercely, but Arizona's focus was different now. She wasn't fighting for anger or revenge—she was fighting for freedom, for herself.

Tory swung wildly, her frustration growing with each missed hit. "Arizona!" she yelled, her voice raw with disbelief and anger. "What are you doing!?"

"I'm done with this. With you. With all of it," Arizona responded, her voice unwavering.

Just then, the door to the dojo flew open, and Miguel, Hawk, and Demetri came rushing in, their faces filled with alarm.

"Stop!" Miguel yelled, his eyes darting between Arizona and Tory.

"Back off, Tory!" Hawk shouted, stepping between them as Demetri helped Sam to her feet.

Tory glared at Arizona, her chest heaving with rage. "This isn't over," she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

Arizona stood firm, the bo staff still in her hands, her heart pounding but her mind clear. "It is for me."

Tory's eyes darted between Miguel, Arizona, and Hawk, her anger palpable. "Traitors," she spat, her voice thick with venom. Her gaze locked onto Arizona and Hawk. "Watch your back," she hissed, her words cutting through the tense silence like a knife.

Arizona held her ground, but she could feel her chest tighten as Tory stormed out of the dojo. Demetri, ever the calm presence, stepped forward. "They won't have to," he called after Tory, his voice steady. "When you have friends, they watch your back for you."

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving a heavy silence in her wake. Arizona stood still, her body trembling as the adrenaline that had kept her moving drained away. She turned to face the group, her eyes wide and glistening with tears that she could no longer hold back.

Her voice cracked as she spoke, "I'm sorry, Sam... for everything."

Sam's eyes softened, but she remained quiet, listening.

"For slashing your arm at the school fight. For not talking to you—ever. I just kept fighting you, again and again, when we could've... I don't know... talked about it. What I saw at Moon's party—" Her voice broke, and she wiped at her eyes, her hands shaking. "I saw you kissing Miguel. I—I should've talked to you, but I didn't. I just kept trying to fight you." Her tears came harder now, but she pushed forward, unable to stop. "I didn't listen to you. I didn't even try."

Sam stood quietly, her own expression conflicted, but she stayed there, letting Arizona get it all out.

"And Miguel..." Arizona turned to him, her gaze meeting his face, bruised and beaten from the chaos that had just unfolded. "I'm sorry. I didn't listen to you either. You were right... I've changed. I didn't want to see it, but you were right."

Miguel frowned, his expression pained as he listened, but before he could speak, Arizona kept going, her voice raw with emotion. "I lied to you. I lied to all of you about leaving Cobra Kai. But this time..." She paused, her breath shaky. "This time, I mean it. I'm leaving for real."

She turned to walk out, her head low, but as she stepped forward, Hawk and Demetri moved in front of her, blocking her path.

"Don't go," Hawk said softly, his voice surprisingly gentle. Demetri nodded beside him, giving her a reassuring look.

Arizona bit her lip, unsure of what to say. She was caught between wanting to leave everything behind and the overwhelming pull to stay.

Sam, her voice gentle, broke the silence. "You were my best friend, Arizona," she said, her words full of emotion. "And I'm sorry... for breaking girl code. For going after Miguel when I knew you liked him."

Arizona frowned, feeling the weight of Sam's words. "I should've heard you out, though," she whispered. "We could've talked it through."

Sam shook her head. "That doesn't mean what I did was right. After you and Miguel got together, I was jealous. Not of him, but of you."

Arizona blinked, caught off guard. "Jealous? Of me?" she asked, her voice cracking with disbelief.

Sam nodded slowly. "Yeah... I envied you, Arizona. You were strong. Confident. You always knew how to stand up for yourself, and I... I felt like I couldn't. I envied that."

Arizona's expression softened as Sam's words sunk in.

"And I'm sorry," Sam continued, her voice more fragile now, "for kissing Miguel while you two were dating. It wasn't fair to you."

A beat of silence passed between them, and then, Arizona reached out, pulling Sam into a hug. It was a tentative embrace at first, but after a moment, they both melted into it, the years of pain and tension easing between them.

Demetri, never one to miss an opportunity for humor, piped up. "Well, at least we've got Hawk and Arizona back on our side now," he quipped, breaking the emotional tension.

Arizona managed a small, teary smile, but then her face grew serious again as she glanced back at Sam and Miguel. "Is what Tory said true?" she asked, her voice quiet but full of uncertainty. "Are you two... together now?"

Miguel was quick to shake his head. "No, we're not," he said firmly. Sam nodded in agreement, adding, "That's why we called you to Miyagi-Do last night. We were caught up in the moment, Arizona. We aren't together."

Arizona let out a long, shaky sigh of relief, the tension in her body loosening just a little. "Okay," she whispered, wiping at her face again. She glanced around at the group, her gaze lingering on each of them for a moment longer than the last.

"I should go," she said quietly, the weight of everything still heavy on her heart.

But as she moved toward the door again, Hawk's hand gently caught her arm. "You don't have to go, you know."

Arizona looked up at him, unsure of what to say. "I don't know if I can stay either."

"You don't have to make that decision now," Sam said softly, stepping forward. "We just want you to know you don't have to go through this alone anymore."

Arizona looked at each of them—the people she had fought with, fought against, and hurt along the way. She wasn't sure what the future held for her, but for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel entirely alone.

"I'll think about it," she finally said, her voice soft but sincere. Then, with one last look at them all, she stepped out of the dojo, her heart heavy but her mind just a little clearer.

ASH SPEAKS!

onto season 4!! im excited cause i absolutely hated this season. i am so sorry for how boring its been. i know we havent seen much of her mom and her dad... im gonna try and fit in some drama with them in season 4. i just hate writing season 3😭 its my least favorite season to write