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MARISOL HAD A ROUGH NIGHT. The disheartening news about her dad's return to drinking cast a shadow over her, adding another layer to the lingering unhappiness that had settled in her life. Descending the stairs, Marisol's demeanor painted a poignant picture of her inner turmoil. Robby, seated at the counter, turned to look at her.

Her hair, usually meticulously styled, now hung in a messy ponytail. The mascara on her eyes bore traces of emotional distress, and dark eyeshadow accentuated the weariness in her gaze. Clad in dark clothes, her external appearance mirrored the heaviness of the emotions she carried. The air in the room felt laden with the weight of unspoken struggles, as Marisol and Robby faced the stark reality of her father's relapse.

A mischievous snicker escaped Robby as he teased, "Going emo today, cuz?" His comment stirred frustration in her, prompting a swift reaction. She grabbed an apple and flung it at him in irritation. With agile reflexes, Robby caught it, biting into the apple with a nonchalant expression.

"Why are you extra moody today?" he probed, attempting to understand the source of her heightened moodiness. Grabbing her backpack, Marisol shot him a piercing glare. "Why do you care?" she shot back, her words carrying a defensive edge, hinting at a deeper layer of emotion beneath the surface. The tension in the room lingered, as unspoken feelings simmered between them.

A casual shrug accompanied his words. "I don't care. I'm just curious," Robby corrected, his nonchalant demeanor contrasting with Marisol's visible frustration. She rolled her eyes dismissively, weariness seeping into her voice. "My dad is drinking again. Happy?" she sighed, revealing the heavy burden she carried.

As she moved towards the door, Robby sprang to his feet, intercepting her with a quick step. His hand firmly clasped the doorknob, a gesture that conveyed both concern and determination. The air in the room grew thick with unspoken emotions, leaving the two in a tense moment of shared vulnerability.

She shot him a piercing look. "I get it. My mom is drunk too," he pointed out, his attempt at camaraderie met with a sarcastic laugh from her. "And I should care why?" she snapped at him, a defensive edge in her tone. He clicked his tongue, trying to convey understanding.

"What I'm trying to say is, I know how it is. They say they will go to meetings and get help, they only do it for a bit, but then end up going off the wagon. My mom used to do it all the time," he explained, offering a glimpse into his own experiences. As she stared at him, the weight of shared pain hung in the air. She found herself without a comeback, giving him a sad look before silently walking out the door, leaving behind a lingering silence punctuated by the weight of unspoken understanding.

As Marisol walked into school, she was unexpectedly engulfed in a burst of confetti. Swiftly spitting it out of her mouth, she found herself facing Sam, who held a board. "Sam?" she mumbled, a mixture of surprise and confusion in her expression. However, Sam wore a giant grin, and the board in her hands posed a question: 'Mars, will you be my valentine?'. Marisol's mouth gaped open slightly, realization dawning that she had forgotten it was Valentine's Day.

"Uhm, sure," she laughed nervously, responding to Sam's sweet gesture. Sam couldn't contain her excitement, squealing and planting a spontaneous kiss on Marisol's cheek. Caught off guard, Marisol couldn't help but chuckle as Sam proceeded to twirl her around, the unexpected display of affection filling the moment with warmth and joy.

On the balcony, Eli stood alongside Miguel and Hollis, his eyes focused on Sam with a noticeable undertone of jealousy. Miguel couldn't resist teasing and playfully smacked Eli on the arm. "I can see the jealous look," he remarked, eliciting an eye roll from Eli.

With arms folded, Eli continued scrutinizing the couple below. "Why would she want to be her valentine? They barely talk," he scoffed, expressing his skepticism. A small, exchanged look between Hollis and Miguel hinted at some shared understanding. Eli, catching their glance, became aware of their unspoken communication. "What?" he inquired, curiosity evident as he sought clarification on the subtle exchange.

Hollis cleared his throat before divulging, "Uh, well, Sam was basically forced to ask Marisol out. Her dad and Marisol's dad are trying to get Sam and Marisol back together. Mr. Cervantes doesn't think you're the best choice for Marisol..." He trailed off, a sense of discomfort in the air.

Eli huffed, his head shaking in disbelief. "What a fucking dick! I don't understand why he would hate me. He's forcing her to go to some fancy dinner tomorrow at the LaRussos anyway," he vented, frustration coloring his words. The revelation hung in the air, leaving Eli to grapple with the unexpected interference in his relationship with Marisol.

Hollis nervously chuckled. "Yeah, my mom and I were invited too... Marisol is definitely not gonna be happy," he mumbled, sharing an empathetic look with Miguel, who nudged him gently. Sighing, Miguel redirected his attention to Eli.

"I'm sorry, Eli, but I've got to be honest. I understand why her dad might not trust you," he admitted, his words carrying a weight of sincerity. Eli shot him a judgmental look, prompting the question, "How?" His curiosity hung in the air, awaiting an explanation that might shed light on the complexities of Marisol's family dynamics.

Hollis laughed, "Well, you did kick my cousin into the computers, you bystanded when she was being catcalled, she keeps ending up in the hospital because of you—" he started, each accusation adding weight to the conversation. Eli, rolling his eyes, interrupted, "Okay, I get it," his tone suggesting a mix of understanding and impatience.

Hollis quickly raised his hands in a defensive gesture, realizing the impact of his examples and acknowledging the validity of the concerns raised. The room hung with a tense awareness of the actions that had strained Eli's relationship with Marisol and her family.

Marisol stood blindfolded as Sam directed her down a hill, her cautious steps guided by Sam's reassuring voice. "I feel like I'm gonna fall," Marisol confessed, her uncertainty palpable as she carefully maneuvered around obstacles with Sam's guidance.

"I promise you won't, I got you," Sam reassured with a small chuckle, providing comfort in the midst of Marisol's apprehension. After a moment, Sam instructed, "Okay, stop. Take off the blindfold," marking a moment of anticipation for Marisol, who was about to unveil the mystery or surprise awaiting her. The air buzzed with a sense of curiosity and excitement.

As Marisol looked around, she discovered a whole tent illuminated by fairy lights, a cozy small TV, and a carefully arranged spread of food. Her jaw dropped open in awe, and she turned to Sam with genuine surprise. "Oh my god, Sam!" she squealed, a wide grin lighting up her face.

"I know, it's your dream date," Sam added, confidently interpreting Marisol's reaction. However, Marisol furrowed her eyebrows, studying the setup more closely. It was undeniably beautiful, but something about it didn't align with her actual dream date. "Yeah, it is," she lied, offering a forced agreement to avoid disappointing Sam, and she stepped inside the enchanting tent, with Sam following closely behind. The atmosphere buzzed with a mix of excitement and a subtle undercurrent of uncertainty.

Seated side by side, Sam broke the silence. "You know, I'm glad you said yes to this date," she admitted. Marisol looked at her with a half-grin. "Is it bad to say it caught me off guard because I forgot it was literally Valentine's Day?" she confessed, injecting a touch of humor into the moment.

Sam's eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. "You of all people forgot?!" she exclaimed, her disbelief evident. Marisol nodded, wearing a smile. "Yep. I thought today was gonna be a bad day, but it turned out to be good," she shared, tilting her head towards Sam's shoulder in a casual, affectionate gesture.

Sam sucked in her teeth with a small side-eye, revealing a mixture of surprise and perhaps a hint of vulnerability. "I honestly thought you were gonna say no," she admitted, exposing the underlying uncertainty that accompanied the surprise, making the moment more nuanced. The air held a blend of relief and curiosity as they navigated the unexpected turns of the day.

Marisol's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why?" she asked, seeking clarification from Sam. Sam casually shrugged her shoulders. "You're much closer to Hawk," she replied, stating a seemingly straightforward observation. Marisol, pondering this, let out a contemplative hum.

"We're just friends, I guess? I don't really know what to call us, honestly. I like him, but I like you too," she confessed, laying bare the complexity of her feelings. The air hung with a sense of vulnerability as they navigated the intricate dynamics of their connections with others.

Sam gave her a quizzical look. "What?" Marisol responded, prompting Sam to shake her head with a tongue click. "No, what is it?" Sam encouraged her to share. Frowning slightly, Sam's frustration surfaced. "Why can't you just choose one of us already, Mars?" she asked, seeking clarity.

Marisol, caught in the complexity of her feelings, shrugged her shoulders. "I—I don't know?" she questioned herself, laying bare the internal uncertainty and conflict she was wrestling with. The air hung with a mixture of tension and the unspoken struggle of navigating relationships.

Sam scoffed, her frustration evident. "You need to choose one!" she yelled, standing up, prompting Marisol to do the same. Sam towered over her, a glare fixed on her face, while Marisol responded with a dismissive eye roll.

"Yeah, that's funny coming from you! You dated Robby and cheated on him with fucking Miguel!" Marisol shot back, exposing the perceived hypocrisy. Sam shook her head, attempting to justify her actions. "It's not the same. I only dated Robby to make you pissed off. I saw you with Eli at the party, so I kissed Miguel!" she explained, unraveling the complicated web of emotions and motives behind her decisions. The room buzzed with tension as the two confronted each other with their tangled past.

Marisol shot Sam a disbelieving look. "That's low of you, Sam. Who does that!? That's messed up," she expressed with a tone of both hurt and disbelief. Sam responded with a dry laugh. "You were still in love with Hawk when we dated the second time!" she retorted, exposing the tangled emotions and unresolved issues that had been simmering beneath the surface of their complicated relationship. The room was charged with the weight of their shared history and the complexities of their emotions.

Marisol stood up to her feet, matching Sam's level with a determined glare. "You're right, Sam. I did. But I loved you too!" she confessed, her eyes watering with the weight of her emotions. Sam, in response, looked at her with a tumultuous mix of anger, rage, confusion, and betrayal.

"I—" Marisol cut her off. "Maybe I love him more, Sam. Did he treat me badly when we first got together? Yeah, but Cobra Kai made him like that. Sam, I knew him my whole life. I've only known you since middle school. That doesn't change how I always loved him. But don't you dare try to turn this back on you. 'Cause you know what, Sam? You're a self-absorbed person who thinks everything is about themselves." Marisol's words hung in the air, each sentence resonating with the raw and complex emotions underlying their turbulent relationship.

Sam's lips parted, but before she could say anything, Marisol walked past her with a dismissive shoulder brush and stormed out of the tent. Alone on her journey home, Marisol held her arm, tracing the spot where her scar lingered. Losing Sam shattered her heart into a million pieces. They once shared matching scars, a testament to their shared history. Now, a new scar adorned her head, a painful reminder of glass thrown on December 19th. The weight of both physical and emotional scars echoed in the silent aftermath.

However, Sam's words had wounded her deeply. In response, Marisol stood her ground and put Sam in her place. Despite a strong desire to see Eli, circumstances didn't allow for it. Instead, she needed to head home and brace herself for the upcoming day. Tomorrow, she would be compelled to endure an uncomfortable gathering at the LaRusso household, where her family, Miguel's family, and Sam's family would converge. The entire arrangement orchestrated by her dad, driven by his desire to reunite Marisol with Sam, loomed over her like an unwelcome storm on the horizon.

She braced herself for the repetitive task of convincing her dad that her and Sam's relationship wasn't going to reignite. Hoping for a rare good day for her dad—free from the grasp of alcohol—she walked with a sense of anticipation. The quiet streets were disrupted by the unsettling hum of a car following her. Glancing back, she identified a strange man in the front seat, triggering an uneasy feeling in her gut.

Instinctively, she reached for her phone and dialed Eli's number. Holding the phone to her ear, the persistent ring echoed in her ear as she quickened her pace. The car mirrored her movements, intensifying the unease. Finally, Eli's voice came through. "Hey, Mari-" The conversation hung in suspense, the unfolding situation adding a layer of tension to their interaction.

With a trembling voice, she urgently communicated, "You need to come get me right now; a car is following me. I'm walking back from me and Sam's horrific date that I will explain to you later about." Eli's response echoed with urgency, "O-kay. I'll use Life360 that Daniel made us get; I'll follow your location and find you. Just run to the nearest gas station, please." The plea in his tone resonated, and she, now nibbling nervously on her nails, responded with a small, uneasy hum. The tension hung heavy in the air as Eli scrambled to navigate the situation from a distance.

As Eli hung up, urgency propelled her down the path, and a nearby gas station caught her eye. With determination, she sprinted, feeling the ominous presence of the pursuing car. The gas station became her refuge, and she darted inside, seeking solace in the candy section, strategically away from any windows.

Bent over, hands on her knees, she gasped for breath, adrenaline coursing through her veins. In this vulnerable moment, a concerned worker approached with a panic-stricken expression. "Ma'am, are you okay?" The worker's voice cut through the chaos, and she looked up, eyes wide with fear, attempting to convey the imminent danger she had narrowly escaped.

With a shake of her head, she recounted, "No, I was walking home alone, and a guy was following me," exhaling the words with a mix of fear and relief. The concerned worker nodded attentively. "Okay, uh, do you have a description?" he inquired. As she began to answer, her eyes widened as she spotted the very guy entering the gas station. "It's the guy who just walked in," she whispered urgently.

The worker's expression shifted, registering the urgency in her voice. Without hesitation, he nodded and swiftly made his way to find their manager, understanding the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action.

The guy, full of confidence, strolled toward her with a sly wink, prompting her to exhale heavily in anxiety. Reacting on instinct, she swiftly bent down, executing a skillful leg sweep that sent the guy sprawling backward, crashing onto the floor. Seizing the opportunity, she bolted outside just in time to witness Eli's motorcycle rolling up.

Climbing onto the back of the bike, she grabbed the helmet from Eli, securing it on her head in a hurried manner. "Go!" she yelled, and Eli sped off without uttering a word. Glancing back, she wrapped her arms around Eli's torso, a mix of adrenaline and relief coursing through her. The guy, now back on his feet, shot her a menacing glare as he limped outside, nursing his side.

To add to the unfolding drama, a lady emerged from the same car the guy had arrived in. Strangely resembling her mom, a wave of shock and recognition washed over her. Eyes widening, she realized her mom was back, ushering in a new layer of complexity to the already intense situation.

—

ash speaks!

anddddd CLIFFHANGER!!! I FINALLY GOT PASSED MY WRITERS BLOCK GUYS!!! YAY!!!!

told yall this season was gonna be hectic. HER MOMS BACK!