Just the way you are — Bruno Mars

SILVER HAD GIVEN CYNTHIA A DAY OFF PRACTICE with one exception. She had to go shopping for everything along with her mother. He said it would be some type of bonding experience, and to be quite honest, Cyn wasn't very interested in bonding but, she was happy to get out of class and run up Silvers credit card.

"You know, I never went to prom. My date was pregaming and he ended up throwing all over my dress and the limo." Penelope spoke, trying to ease the tense air in the dressing room, they couldn't see each other while Cyn was behind the door but, it was odd not to talk. "At least you are going with an actual boyfriend, he'll be more careful than that. What is his name again...?"

Cynthia looked in the mirror in awe as she seen the third dress she had tried on. She never considered herself a girly girl but, she felt absolutely beautiful in her dress. It was a pale green to offset her eyes, with straps that hung down her shoulders, a slit on the left side, and subtle hints of glitter.

She couldn't have asked for anything more beautiful.

"His name is Miguel." The Sari girl exited the dressing room and turned around. "Zip me up."

Shocked by the vulnerability of asking her to help, Penelope scrambled to her feet, maybe faster than she should have. She gladly obliged and zipped the back of the girls dress up, both of them looking at her in the mirror.

"You're beautiful, Cynthia." Penelope concluded with a smile.

"Thank you." As much as the Sari girl hated her mother, validation from the woman felt better than she cared to admit.

"Of course, you're boyfriend is gonna drop dead when he sees you." The Silver woman wanted to kiss her daughter on the forehead but, stepped back knowing they weren't back to that level yet.

"Miguel acts like he's going to drop dead every time he sees me." Cynthia smiled, her heart racing. This would be her first big event with Miguel, and as close as they were, he still made her nervous at times. "He really, really loves me."

Especially since they started dating.

"I'm happy you're happy." Penelope answered with a grin.

Cynthia closed her eyes and savored this loving moment but, when she did, she remembered everything her mother had done, and her smile faded.

"I'm going to change." She walked off back into the dressing room with a sigh.

... but she was going to get that damn dress.

  SINCE IT WAS A SPECIAL OCCASION AND CYNTHIA was not taking no for an answer, Penelope allowed her to go to Daniel Larusso's house so the friend group could meet up together for prom. She chucked up her mothers acceptance of this to their little moment in the store, and as long as she got to see Bianca and her dad, she didn't mind.

"Are we ready to take the famous walk down the stairs?" Cynthia questioned with a smile as the girls fixed their hair in the mirror.

"Oh yeah." Sam replied, the two girls laughing and linking arms. The Larusso girl was beyond nervous in her pink dress, her and Theo still hadn't resolved all their issues, and she was hoping this would be the night for that to happen.

Walking down the hallway together, the girls made it to the stairs and slowly started to descend. Miguel and Theo's eyes widened, both of them admiring the beauty of their girlfriends. No matter what any of them had been through, they knew they were lucky, and were happy to all have each other.

"Wow." Miguel spoke aloud, his words meant to have been said in his head.

The whole room looked at him, and began to laugh, the boys cheeks turning pink.

"Wow, huh?" Cynthia unhooked her arm from Sam's and walked as fast as she could to Miguel, throwing her arms around him. "You look amazing too, Miggy."

The two shared a brief kiss, knowing their parents were looking and as they pulled away, the Diaz boy wrapped an arm around her.

"Let's all take a picture." Daniel spoke aloud, ushering everyone together.

Yaya stepped back and took the camera happily, and the Larusso's, Sari's, Diaz's, Johnny, and Theo all huddled together for a group picture.

"Cheese." Yaya spoke slowly, trying to get the word correct. Everyone followed orders, and stood for the photo with smiles but as the seconds went by, their cheeks started to get sore.

"Did you take it, Yaya?" Miguel asked through the side of his mouth.

She nodded and handed Daniel his phone, everyone did their best to peak over his shoulder, and they all laughed upon realizing she had taken about one hundred pictures.

"Hey, Cyn. Can I talk to you?" Simon gestured for his daughter to come to the kitchen, and the two parted from the rest of the group.

"What's up, dad?" Cynthia smiled curled her toes, her feet already hurting from the heels she was wearing.

"I just wanted to take one more look at you before you leave." The Sari man was already tearing up, having held it all in for so long. "You're growing up so fast and before you know it, you'll be graduated, and adult, and—"

"Dad, one step at a time." The girl interrupted with a laugh. "I'm still your daughter, and i'm going to be your daughter forever. Think about that instead of everything else going on."

"I will." Simon nodded lightly, pulling his daughter into a firm hug. "... and remember, while you're at your moms house, whenever you miss me and Bianca, just look at the starts cause we'll be looking at the same ones."

"Always."

A YEAR AGO YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE to tell Cynthia Sari her life would be like this. With the exception of having to live with her mother, (which she was really trying to block out) she was having the best time. An amazing boyfriend, friends she loved, and the most beautiful dress she had ever worn.

"Are you having fun?" Miguel questioned as he twirled the girl around and pulled her into his chest.

"The most fun." Cynthia smiled brightly and swayed with the boy as she pressed a kiss against his cheek. "You're an amazing date, even got me a cute little corsage."

"Only the best for you." The Diaz joked with a slight blush. "I'm just happy your mom let you come, I wouldn't have wanted to be here without you."

"Yeah, me too." The Sari girl closed her eyes, and took in a deep breath. "Miguel?"

"Yeah?" The boy questioned, his girlfriends head against her chest as they rocked back and forth.

"I don't want you to make a big deal out of any of this but... I love you." Cynthia wasn't afraid to speak those words to him, that was the easy part, what she was scared of was his reaction. "I've never loved anyone more."

Miguel smiled giddily to himself, wearing the biggest grin he ever had. His heart raced at the words, and he had practically been waiting to say them since before they dated. In the real way, not the way you say it to your friends, or jokingly to your crush.

He was completely and utterly in love.

"I love you." He replied back, the slow music surrounding the pair.

If they had both seen it in a movie together, they'd laugh and make fun of the couple but, this was real, and it was them, and they were in love.

... and for the first time in awhile they could both breathe.

THEO CLEARED HIS THROAT AS HE POURED SAM some punch. This entire night had been incredibly awkward for them both and he was ready to break the tension in any way that he could. He genuinely cared about the Larusso girl, and didn't like that things weren't the best between them in the moment.

"Listen, about the other day—"

"I'm sorry." Sam interrupted, the couple laughing at how they spoke at the same time. "I never should have used you to make Tory mad, and I really regret it because that's not the reason i'm with you."

"Thank you for that." Theo smiled, set down the girls cup and pulled her into his arms. "I seriously have just been dying for the fight to be over but I didn't want to resolve things until you knew what you did was really messed up."

"I know, and I won't do anything like that again. It was dumb, and I don't want her to get in between us ever again." The Larusso girl spoke, her boyfriend wanted to say it wasn't Tory's fault they were in a tiff at all but, he wanted to pick and choose his battles.

"Cheers then." Theo handed the girl her cup, and picked up his, the two clinking them together. "To the best night of our highschool careers."

They took a sip but, Sam choked on her drink as she looked behind the boy, making him look too. Coming from the main entrance was Robby, and Tory together side by side. Theo wondered if they'd get the opportunity to talk, he loved his cousin and it was Robby's decision not to continue their relationship but, the teen had a feeling she was staring at them for a whole other reason.

"Do you think they're together?" Sam questioned, setting her drink down.

"I don't think its really any of our business." The Antonetti boy shrugged lightly. "Do you care?"

"No, no, you're right. Let's just dance." The Larusso girl smiled and took his hand, dragging him to the dance floor.

... but couldn't keep her eyes off Robby and Tory.

CYNTHIA WAITED PATIENTLY FOR MIGUEL TO get out of the bathroom as she leaned against one of the tables away from the dance floor. It seemed as if everyone was having fun for the most part. Tory and Robby danced together, Sam and Theo not far, Demetri and Yasmine were dancing and disappeared elsewhere, and a few feet away, she felt Hawk staring at her.

"I don't think that this is how an apology sounds." The Sari girl spoke, turning her eyes toward the buzz cut boy.

"I—uh..." Eli rubbed the back of his neck and approached the table slowly, nervous for how this was going to go. "I just didn't want to bother you, it seems like you are having a lot of fun so."

"Mhm." Cynthia responded dryly, tracing her fingers around the rim of her cup.

"I wanted to say i'm sorry for everything because I know how much I hurt you, and how much I hurt us. I'm happy for you and Miguel, you two really deserve each other. I just hope that maybe we can be friends?" It stung for the Moskowitz boy to say these words, he still loved her, that was for sure but, he knew she didn't feel how she once did about him, not anymore.

The Sari girl stared at him for a few moments in thought, before slightly nodding her head. She let a small smile spread across her lips and pat his shoulder slightly. Eli's face lit up like a Christmas tree, beyond happy they can have a restart.

"I forgive you. I have too many other people to be mad at." Cyn joked, pointing her head in the opposite direction. "I think you should ask Moon to dance."

"Really?" Hawk stuttered out, looking towards where the long haired brunette glanced at them briefly.

"Really." Cynthia nodded her head. "She's been looking at you all night, and I happen to know her and Piper aren't together anymore."

"Alright, i'm just gonna go for it." Eli took in a deep breath before smiling at his first love. "Thank you."

They exchanged a look, and finally they both felt closure for their break up.

"What was that about?" Miguel questioned, as Hawk walked away and he walked into the picture.

"Just something that was long overdue."

CYNTHIA AND THEO STOOD BY EACH OTHER AS Sam and Miguel dispersed to get some drinks and snacks for the group. They chatted about whatever little random things came to mind, like usual. Theo glanced upward as he laughed, and caught sight of Robby approaching the two of them.

"Hey, Sari. Having fun?" Cyn looked the boy up and down as he approached, surprised by the sudden friendliness he had shown her.

Did he have some type of plan, or were they actually cordial now? She hated what he did to Miguel but, maybe if she fixed things, all the teens in the valley could get along in some way.

"Yeah, it's been a good night." She nodded, looking towards Theo. "I know that you two know each other."

"Hey, Rob." Theo awkwardly waved, and Robby stared back at him.

Maybe it was because his cousin was now living with his dad but, the Keene boy was not happy with the Antonetti one.

"Don't—"

The music cut off in the house, and Stingray shouted for someone to turn it back on. His neighbor came in shouting and catching everyone by surprise but, the trio standing together was too busy paying attention to the tension between themselves to pay much attention. He said something about the cops that scared everyone, and everyone understandably tried to disperse, but didnt after objections from Stingray.

Before they knew it, the man was kicking his neighbor in the balls, and knocking him to the ground.

"Stingray! Stingray! Stingray!" Everyone shouted at the top of their lungs.

Cynthia, who wanted everyone to resolve the more important issues going on took Theo and Robby's hand and pulled them to a quieter area.

"I think that you guys have a lot of issues to resolve." She spoke to both boys, who she now noticed had way too many similarities for them not to be related. "Maybe you can stay in here? Talk things out for awhile."

The two boys looked at each other, and it was obvious that it was hard for either of them to talk about their feelings.

"Okay..." Cynthia responded to their silence, scratching the back of her neck. "Maybe I can be mediat—"

The girl was interrupted by commotion outside, there was some crashing, and gasps, and yelling which caught Theo's attention. He pulled down the blinds and looked out the window, cursing under his breath as he seen what was going on. The boy ran out if the room, and the two remaining teens looked out the window to see what was going on.

Sam and Tory were fighting outside, and as the blonde's date, Robby ran outside too.

"Shit." Cynthia took her heels off in order to run, and followed the boys towards the pool.

The boys had made it there already and were at a loss for what to do. Cyn sighed and stepped between the girls, pushing them apart slightly. She hoped that would be the end but, she was far from wrong.

"Why are you fighting right now? What happened to not doing anything till after the tournament?" She asked Sam, who looked like she was absolutely raging. 

"I'm not taking her shit anymor—" the Larusso girl stopped as she seen Tory running towards her, and instead of hitting Sam, the Nichols girl accidentally punched Cynthia in the shoulder, making her fall forward slightly.

Out of nowhere, Miguel came into the picture and picked Tory up, dragging her away. It seemed like that didn't sit well with Robby because now, he was jumping in to save his date and fighting Miguel. Theo took off his suit jacket and jumped in to help his friend, and Sam jumped right back into the brawl.

Cynthia cursed beneath her breath, and knew she was going to have to fight, or end this, or maybe fight in order to end it, she didn't really know what the best option here was.

"How does it feel to be with someone who wants me more than you?" Sam spat at Tory, catching Theo completely by surprised. He knew she was talking about Robby, and even if it was true, he didn't know why that mattered since they were together.

He ignored it, and continued trying to keep Robby and Miguel separate.

Cynthia kept looking through all the options in her mind on how to get this to stop, and the only the only viable option was the pool. The Sari girl sighed, jumped into the fight, and threw a punch forward, making Tory lunge backward. As Sam reached to punch her, the two girls fell into the pool according to plan.

Everyone paused for a moment, and stared at the two who had fallen in before Stingray spoke up, "We're going in the pool? Hell yeah!" Everyone began to jump in forgetting about the fight.

Mission accomplished.

"Care to join me?" Cynthia asked with a grin, looking at her boyfriend who had broken away from the fight.

"Yeah." He grinned and immediately took her hand into his own.

... and they jumped in, together.

  THEO AND MIGUEL WALKED TOWARDS THEIR building in odd spirits. While Miguel was practically on top of the world, he knew his friend wasn't which is why he stayed with him instead of trying to extend his night with Cynthia. He didn't know exactly how to break the silence but, it was obvious things weren't going well for the boy. So, he asked what the problem was, and Theo was okay with sharing.

"I don't know if Sam actually wants me or she wants to be with me to make other people angry." The Antonetti boy sighs. "It's like at every turn, she tries to upset Tory, or brings up Robby, and I—.. I already have never thought I was good enough for her but now—"

"Hey. Don't think that way, man. Sam really likes you, I can tell." Miguel smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder reassuringly. "Maybe we can go inside, have some snacks, and watch movies with sensei, make you feel better?"

"Yeah, that sounds nice." Theo cleared his throat, nodded, and the boys walked into the apartment to see Johnny on the floor. "What the hell?"

"Sensei, what's wrong?" Miguel and the Antonetti boy ran over to him, and picked him up off the floor. They slowly dragged him to his room as the man sung some odd song they'd never heard of, and they gently rested him on his bed.

"Old man could pack a punch." Johnny reached over to his bedside and grabbed on open beer, sipping on it.

"Hey!" Miguel quickly snatched it, the older blonde man spitting out the alcohol he had drank all over the two boys.

"Sorry." The Lawrence man giggled.

"It's okay, we were already wet." The Diaz boy replied, trying to tuck him in.

"Thanks to Cyn." Theo chuckled slightly, trying to break the tension but, he was still worried for his sensei.

"I was too, from pee." Johnny laughed, both boys wincing from embarrassment and disgust.

"Maybe we should go..." The Antonetti boy helped Miguel tuck him in and started slowly backing away to the door, his friend following behind.

"I'm sorry I couldn't have been a better role model to you." The blonde whined, both boys looking at each other. Neither of them knew which one of them he was talking to so they stayed silent. "I love you.... Robby."

Both teens were hoping he was speaking to them but, they weren't his sons, and Robby was.

... and damn did that sting.

AUTHORS NOTE —
I think this might be one of the longest chapters i've written for this book oop—

Favorite Theo moment?

Hope you enjoyed!