❝ different but same. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

"COME ON, eat something. It'll make you feel better," Demetri encouraged Miguel as they sat on a weathered wooden bench in the bustling local park. The sound of laughter and distant chatter filled the air, contrasting with the tension between the five friends. Reina sat next to Miguel, making him sandwich between her and Demetri. Aisha sat beside her, engrossed in her phone, her fingers scrolling rapidly as she tuned out the world around her. Behind them, Hawk was sparring with Bert, the thud of their bodies colliding punctuating the conversation.

Miguel held a packaged sandwich in his hands, but he was staring at it as if it were a ticking time bomb. "Told you I'm not hungry, man," he muttered, shaking his head, the weight of recent events hanging heavily on his shoulders.

"I still think you're overreacting," Demetri replied, his brows furrowing in concern. Reina, who was leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, nodded in agreement, her braids swaying slightly as she did.

Miguel snapped his head in Demetri's direction, his dark eyes blazing with frustration. "I'm not overreacting, dude. I know what I saw." The raw emotion in his voice hinted at the betrayal he felt after witnessing something that had shattered his fragile confidence. What he had apparently seen was a boy around their age at the LaRusso house, casually enjoying dinner with Sam and her family-an image that played on repeat in his mind since he had taken Hawk's reckless advice on showing up uninvited.

"Alright, so you saw her eating dinner with some chode," Hawk interjected, delivering a roundhouse kick to Bert's face that sent him sprawling to the ground. He leaned closer to Miguel, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's probably her brother or something."

"Come on, dude," Miguel replied, shaking his head vehemently. "Brothers don't look at sisters like that." The jealousy swirling inside him was palpable, thickening the air around them.

"Depends what part of the country you're in," Demetri chimed in, trying to lighten the mood, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely joking.

"Sam doesn't seem like the type to cheat," Reina interjected, her voice firm yet soothing. "Besides, I feel like she only has eyes for you." Her reassurance was genuine, but Miguel's heart still raced, a mixture of doubt and insecurity clouding his thoughts.

"Look, I just don't want what happened to Sensei to happen to me," Miguel admitted, his voice dropping to a whisper, the vulnerability clear in his expression. Apparently, Sensei Lawrence had gotten his girlfriend stolen away from him when he was their age.

By who?

Daniel LaRusso.

Which added even more to the lore.

"Alright, so you go over to this kid and beat his ass so he doesn't have the chance," Hawk suggested with mock seriousness, a grin spreading across his face as he imagined the scene. "Eli, you've given enough stupid advice to Miguel already," Reina replied, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, don't listen to Eli," Demetri agreed, emphasizing his point with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It's Hawk," Hawk retorted, pouting slightly at the misnomer. "Yeah, whatever," Demetri dismissed again, watching as Bert finally got up off the ground, brushing dirt off his clothes. "The fact is, Sam's given you no reason not to trust her."

"I'm with Demetri on this one," Reina agreed, leaning back against the bench, her expression thoughtful. "Sólo estás en tu cabeza, Miggy," she said gently in Spanish, hoping to penetrate the fog of doubt clouding his mind. Miguel sighed, the weight on his chest feeling a little lighter. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Yeah." His voice sounded more convinced now, like he was slowly convincing himself.

"Oh," Aisha suddenly reeled back, her eyes widening as she studied her phone intently. "That little bitch."

"What?" the four friends chorused, curiosity piqued as they leaned in closer. Aisha turned to them, her voice dripping with indignation. "You know that video I posted of me breaking that board?"

"Yeah," Miguel replied, recalling the triumphant moment. "Look what Yasmine commented," she said, displaying her screen with a mix of disbelief and anger.

"Impressive... I can't believe the belt made it around your waist." The expressions on their faces shifted drastically. Demetri looked disturbed, his mouth slightly agape; Hawk and Reina's expressions were laced with anger; and Miguel felt his concern deepen, fists clenching at the thought of Aisha being belittled.

"Oh, shit," Miguel replied, his disappointment clear.

"You okay, Aisha?" Reina asked, her voice softening, feeling for her friend. "I gotta do something," Aisha decided, determinedly typing away, her heart racing as she tried to ignore the gut-wrenching feeling kicking in her stomach.

Hawk leaned in, an evil grin forming on his face. "Alright, how about we kidnap her and have my boy Rico tattoo 'bitch' on her face?"

Demetri scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Calm down, Hawk. That's a bit much, don't you think?"

Hawk's scowl deepened. "Alright, I hear how you're saying it, and I don't like it," he shot back, crossing his arms as he leaned against the bench. "Wait, wait, wait. I've got a better idea," Aisha interjected, her eyes lighting up as a thought struck her. "Look," she said triumphantly, showing them the screen. It was Yasmine's birthday, the details of the party flashing across the screen like a neon sign.

"Yasmine's throwing a birthday party at the Canyon later?" Miguel questioned, narrowing his eyes at the screen with determination.

"Not if we strike first," Aisha challenged, a mischievous glint in her eyes, drawing wide smiles from the rest of them.

Hawk chuckled, his enthusiasm matching Aisha's. "Hell yeah."

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the mini-mart, the neon lights flickering as they pulled into the parking lot.

Miguel stood outside, leaning against the cool metal of the building, scrolling through his text chain with Sam. His heart sank as he noted that she hadn't answered any of his messages since they left school. The weight of the silence felt heavy in his chest.

"Dude, where are you?" he muttered to himself, frustration threading through his voice. He sighed deeply, pressing the call button, hoping for a different outcome. It rang twice before going straight to voicemail.

"Hey, Sam, it's me." His voice was shaky, and he rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke, glancing around as if she might magically appear. "Um... I wanted to call and say that I apologize for earlier today. I was feeling off. But I really would love to see you today." The longing in his voice was palpable. "Cobra Kai's throwing a party at the canyon. We're heading out there right now. Just... let me know when you can come. Bye."

Just as he finished the voicemail, Reina emerged from the mini-mart, a Kit-Kat in hand, her expression brightening at the sight of him. She had let everyone else inside stock up on snacks and attempt to buy alcohol, but her concern for Miguel pulled her outside to check on him.

Noticing the sad expression etched on his face, she frowned, already knowing what weighed on his mind. She approached him and broke off a piece of her Kit-Kat, holding it out to him. "Here."

"Thanks, Reina," Miguel replied, managing a sad smile as he accepted the chocolate, the familiar taste momentarily lifting his spirits.

"Miguel, don't stress out about it. She's probably just sleeping or got her phone taken away," Reina reasoned, her voice steady and reassuring. She leaned against the wall beside him, her shoulder brushing his, providing a comforting presence in the midst of his anxiety.

_______________

THE CANYON was alive with energy as bonfires flickered, casting warm light against the dark sky. The music pulsed through the air, pulling people together in a lively atmosphere. The Cobra Kai crew had already staked their claim, ensuring Yasmine and her friends knew this was their party. Kyler and Brucks had made a quick exit, leaving Moon to mingle and apologize to Aisha, who accepted a beer from Hawk with a hesitant smile. Yasmine stood off to the side, visibly frustrated as she watched the scene unfold around her, feeling increasingly isolated.

Reina approached Miguel, bottle in hand, just as he chugged it and let out a loud belch. "Another one? Are you good?" she asked, a teasing smile on her face.

He chuckled and clapped her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine, Reina. Thanks."

"All right," she replied, but concern flickered in her eyes as he dropped his empty bottle and started rummaging through the cooler for another. "Oh, they're out of Mr. Pibbs. I got the last one," Demetri called out, holding up his cup with a triumphant grin. Miguel shot him a look of mild annoyance. "Great. Just what I wanted to hear," he muttered, then pulled out a different bottle, turning away to find a quieter spot.

Just then, Reina's expression lit up as she spotted their friends arriving. "Bookies!" she exclaimed, waving her cup enthusiastically as she dashed toward them. Reina raced across the beach, her infectious energy propelling her forward as she was drawn to the sight of her friends. The vibrant atmosphere of the bonfire pulsed around them, the flames crackling and casting warm light on their faces. "You guys made it!" she exclaimed, her voice slicing through the rhythmic beats of music that reverberated in the air.

"Aisha hosting this party? Of course, we wouldn't miss it!" Caridad replied, her grin broad and bright as she and Raegan blended seamlessly into the growing crowd around the flickering bonfire. The laughter and chatter of their friends created an electric buzz that filled the evening air, punctuated by the sound of waves crashing in the distance.

Reina's smile widened as she leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "So, I just saw Hawk over there. He was asking about you," she informed Raegan. Her eyes darted around the throng of guests until she spotted him. Hawk's face lit up the moment he caught a glimpse of Raegan, even though he was seated next to Moon and Aisha.

"I don't wanna talk to him while he's around a group of people. That would be so awkward," Raegan huffed, bringing her arms up to shield herself from the uncomfortable vibe. "Why is Aisha talking to Moon anyways?"

"Speaking of which, Moon apologized to Aisha about the whole mess," Reina added, raising her brows as if to challenge Raegan's irritation.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted as Yasmine stormed over to where Hawk, Aisha, and Moon were gathered, an aura of confrontation enveloping her. Without hesitation, Reina stepped in front of Yasmine, sensing the brewing conflict. "Is there a problem here?" she asked sharply, blocking Yasmine from her true target.

Yasmine's glare was icy. "Yeah, there is. You two think it's funny crashing my party?" she snapped, her accusation directed at Aisha and Reina like a weapon. Aisha, ever the quick-witted one, shot back, "Well, it's not really your party, 'cause we were here first."

The tension escalated. "Yeah, well, I know you and your little karate gang think you're all that," Yasmine sneered, her eyes darting venomously between Hawk and Reina, "But we all remember who you really are." Her gaze returned to Aisha with disdain. "You're just a fugly bitch, and your friends? All freaks."

Raegan instinctively stepped forward to defend Aisha, but Hawk held her back, his grip firm. Caridad, too, felt the urge to intervene but was restrained by Moon, who stood her ground. "Come on, Moon. Let's go." Yasmine beckoned.

"No, I'm staying," Moon protested, her voice steady yet defiant. "I apologized to Aisha for what we did, and you should too."

Yasmine's eyes flared with indignation. "Whatever. You deserve them, Moon." She shoved past the gathering with a sneer, her shoulder hitting Aisha deliberately, enough to incite the already simmering tension.

"Hey, Yasmine!" Aisha called after her, fury igniting in her eyes. People around them began to pull out their phones, recording the escalating scene with glee. Yasmine pivoted, feigning innocence. "Huh? What?" she taunted, stepping closer, her voice dripping with condescension.

"Let me help you to your car." With a burst of adrenaline, Aisha reached past Yasmine's shorts, gripping her underwear in a grip that defied understanding. In an instant, Yasmine emitted a gut-wrenching scream, her body lifting off the ground as Aisha yanked her with surprising strength. "No mercy, bitch!" Aisha declared triumphantly.

Yasmine landed on the ground with a thud, the laughter and cheers of the crowd swirling around her like a cyclone. The shock, disbelief, and humiliation painted her face a deep crimson as she scrambled to her feet, stunned to find herself at the mercy of someone she considered beneath her. Disoriented, Yasmine stumbled away, shouldering through the numerous hecklers who erupted in laughter, their voices mixing into a cacophony of joy.

A few minutes later, Sam finally arrived with a fluffy, colorful blanket clutched in her hand, but she wasn't alone. As she navigated the small slope leading down to the bonfire, Miguel looked up, his face glowing in the flickering light. Instantly, he recognized the guy walking beside her-the same guy from the dinner table. Pissed off, he went over to the two.

"Miguel, don't cause a scene-" Reina began, her voice filled with concern as she had been watching Miguel closely throughout the party, hoping to keep him grounded. But as she approached, she caught sight of the familiar face next to Sam. "Robby?"

"Reina?" Robby replied, surprise lighting up his features as he processed the moment. "You two know each other?" Sam asked, glancing between them, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"Well, we've spoken before..." Reina started, and Robby nodded in agreement. "At your dad's shop."

"Oh, that makes sense," Sam acknowledged, nodding as the pieces fell into place. "See, Miguel, relax. This is Robby; he works for my dad."

"Oh, so he's with your dad, huh? That makes a lot of sense," Miguel snapped, injecting a petty tone into his voice that made Sam bristle.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she shot back, narrowing her eyes. "Wait. Have you been drinking?"

"Yeah, he definitely has-" Reina began to snitch.

"No, no," Miguel slurred out a laugh, trying to deflect, "You don't get to turn this on me. I texted and called you all day, and you couldn't even bother to get back to me once?"

"No, I literally couldn't! My mom took my phone," Sam retorted, frustration bubbling up in her voice. "Oh, that's so convenient," Miguel mocked, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Hey, man, just tell-" Robby began, stepping in to defuse the escalating tension, but before he could finish his thought, Miguel shoved him hard, sending Robby to the ground.

"You get out of here!" Miguel shouted, his voice raw with anger. "Miguel, stop it!" Sam yelped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Miguel, chill the fuck out! You're way out of line!" Reina scolded, her tone firm as she abandoned Miguel's side and rushed to help Robby up. Once he was back on his feet, Robby charged toward Miguel, rage evident in the set of his jaw.

"Hey, man, you wanna try that again?" Robby challenged, his fists clenched and ready. "Try it again, huh?" Miguel scoffed, taking a threatening step forward. "Don't!" Sam shrieked, her voice a mix of desperation and fear. Robby dodged Miguel's advance, but Sam, caught in the chaos, stumbled and fell to the ground, triggering stunned expressions from several party guests nearby.

"Sam, look, I'm sorry," he stammered, the bravado fading as he tried to reconcile the situation.

Reina slapped her hand over her mouth, wide-eyed. "Oh shit."

"God, you asshole! What the hell was that?" Sam yelled, scrambling to her feet, brushing off dirt and sand. "My dad was right about Cobra Kai. Good luck at the tournament. I won't be there." Her words hung heavily in the air, a clear signal that she was breaking up with Miguel. With a furious glare over her shoulder, Sam stormed away, leaving an angered Robby in tow, while Miguel stood there, realization dawning on him like a bad hangover.

As the ruckus around the bonfire began to settle, Reina took a deep breath, grounding herself as she turned her attention back to Miguel. He stood there, brow furrowed and clearly struggling to comprehend what had just happened. "Miguel, what the hell were you thinking?" Reina began, her voice edged with frustration, yet tempered with understanding. "You need to apologize to Sam."

"Yeah, but she..." Miguel started to protest, his words slurring together as he tried to piece everything together in his mind. "Not right now, though. You're probably the last person she wants to see after that mess," Reina interrupted, keeping her tone firm but light. She could see the fog of drunkenness clouding Miguel's judgment, but she also recognized the guilt starting to take root in his expression. "Let her cool down first."

"But I didn't mean to-" Miguel frowned, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't see her."

"I know Miggy," Reina replied, her heart softening a bit as she read the sincerity in his eyes, despite the haze of alcohol hanging over him. "It was a total accident. You're drunk, and things got out of hand. But you still need to step up and take responsibility for what happened. Sam deserves more than to be treated like that."

He nodded, processing her words as his brow began to unclench slightly. "I just wanted to talk to her. I was upset-"

"I get it, Miguel," Reina cut in gently, placing a hand on his shoulder, hoping to give him some grounding. "You were upset, and that led to all of this. It's not easy to see things clearly when you're drunk. Just promise me that when you do get the chance to talk to her, you'll own up to what happened and apologize properly. No excuses. She needs to know you didn't mean it."

"Yeah, you're right," Miguel said, his voice dropping down to a near whisper. "I messed up big time."

"And you probably owe Robby one too," Reina added. "You sort of shoved him out of nowhere."

"Yeah, I kind of didn't think about that at all." Miguel sighed, running a hand through his hair as his brain started to process an avalanche of regret. Just then, a wave of silence enveloped them as the flickering fire crackled softly and the distant sound of waves filled the air. Reina searched his face, looking for a flicker of the Miguel she knew-one who accepted accountability with grace even when he stumbled.

"Hey, you're still my friend, okay? Just... take it easy tonight. No more drinks. Let's get some water in you, and maybe a snack," she suggested with a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood a bit as she gestured back toward the food spread. "Yeah, I could use that," he replied, managing a small grin in response. "Thanks, Reina. I really appreciate it. I'll make things right."

Reina nodded, relieved to see a bit of the old Miguel peeking through. "You will. Just let her cool off first, and then we'll figure it all out together." With that, they moved away from the chaos, heading toward the refreshments and the chance to regroup, leaving the tumultuous scene behind them for the moment.