"I am so not jealous!"

Arizona was on edge as she pulled up to the apartment complex, honking the horn to signal Miguel to come out. Anxiously tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, she felt a jolt of surprise when she sensed a hand on her shoulder. Glancing to her side, she found Miguel sitting in the passenger seat, his expression filled with concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. Arizona didn't respond verbally, simply nodding as she pulled out of the complex and headed towards Cobra Kai. The weight of her thoughts pressed heavily on her mind, evident in the furrow of her brows and the tension in her posture.

Miguel observed Arizona closely, noting the turmoil in her expression. As they drove, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her deeply. Despite the silence between them, he knew that Arizona needed support, and he was determined to be there for her in whatever way she needed.

Arizona halted at a red light, stealing a glance at Miguel. His eyes darted away as soon as she made contact. She sighed, her fingers tapping nervously on the steering wheel. With a hesitant tone, she turned to him again, her gaze searching. "Miguel, if you have something to say... you can say it," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Miguel shifted uncomfortably in his seat, then finally met her eyes. "My mom and yaya wanna meet you officially... as a couple..." he disclosed, his voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation.

Her heart fluttered at the thought, cheeks flushing with excitement. "Oh, yeah... sure. When?" she asked, trying to maintain her composure. Miguel's smile reassured her, and she couldn't help but return it.

"This weekend. For dinner. Is that okay with you?" he inquired, and Arizona nodded eagerly, her heart racing with anticipation. "Ye — Yeah. We just have to make it look real, since you know... this is a fake relationship," she blurted out, immediately regretting her words.

Miguel's smile faltered momentarily, and Arizona's heart sank. She wished she could take back her slip of the tongue, knowing that it must have hurt him. Despite the facade of their fake relationship, she couldn't deny the genuine connection she felt with him, and she hoped he understood that beneath the pretense, her feelings for him were real.

—

Upon reaching the dojo, Arizona led the way with Miguel close behind, gently tapping her shoulder. "Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Sam and apologize," he requested, his tone tinged with regret. A shadow passed over Arizona's expression at his words. "But we agreed not to..." Her voice trailed off as Miguel implored with his eyes.

Reluctantly, Arizona retrieved her phone from her pocket and handed it to him. As she pushed her hair back, she made her way over to Aisha, who noticed her distress.

"What's the matter?" Aisha inquired, glancing between Arizona and Miguel. "He's speaking to Sam. On my phone," Arizona gritted out before hastily retreating to Johnny's office. Knocking lightly on the wall, she caught Johnny's attention. "Need anything, Johnny?" she offered, hoping to divert her thoughts.

Johnny snapped his fingers, drawing her further into the conversation. "Alaska! So, I heard you and Miguel are an item now," he teased, causing Arizona to choke slightly on her words. "We—We're not... not just hooking up. We're dating," she stammered, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

Before she could continue, a figure passed by, sending shivers down her spine. A tall, imposing man with a mysterious air about him, his presence seemed to cast a shadow over the room.

A dark aura seemed to envelop the newcomer, filling Arizona with unease as she watched him disappear into the depths of the dojo.

She instantly turned around, her heart racing as she walked out, only to bump into Miguel, who instinctively grabbed her by the waist, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry, as she laughed nervously, circling around him and snapping her fingers. "Yeah! I'm fine— fine! So fine! I — I just need..." she rambled, her words tumbling out as she walked backward, her gaze catching Aisha approaching.

"Aisha, dear!" Arizona gasped, swiftly grabbing Aisha's arm and pulling her away. Miguel furrowed his eyebrows, shaking his head with a grin at Arizona's antics.

Arizona began to hyperventilate, prompting Aisha to place her hands on her shoulders. "Woah, Arizona, calm down. What's happening?" Aisha asked, her concern evident as Arizona struggled to catch her breath.

"I really, really like Miguel, and I don't know why it took so long for me to realize because he is so cute, and I just get so nervy around him, and words just come out, and I can't control it, and then I wanna fall on my knees and cry because a boy has never liked me before, and it's so weird! So much is happening! What if he doesn't like me? What if he's still into Sam? I mean, he just called her from my phone. MY PHONE!" Arizona's words spilled out in a rapid stream, her breathing heavy.

Aisha's eyes widened. "Jesus, Arizona! That's called a crush. Maybe you're in love with him. I don't know, but this is a good thing! You guys are together, and I can totally see he likes you. I have no idea why he called Sam, and that's a red flag, but most of the time, Miguel's a walking green flag, Arizona. So calm down and try not to let your jealousy get to your head," Aisha explained soothingly.

Arizona blinked at her, feeling her breathing gradually returning to normal. "I'm so not jealous!" she exclaimed, though Aisha couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.

—

Later, Arizona was immersed in creating a new tab on the Cobra Kai website for people to submit questions when Johnny's voice suddenly boomed, breaking her concentration. "Alaska! Get out here!" Startled, Arizona popped up, furrowing her eyebrows as she slowly made her way out. "Yes?" she said cautiously, noticing Kreese smirking at her.

"You've done boxing before, right?" Kreese asked, his tone sharp as Arizona nodded slowly. "Yeah, when I was ten. I grew out of it and decided to go spiritual," she explained, unsure of where the conversation was heading. Johnny blinked at her before rolling his eyes. "All right, well, Mr. Kreese here wants to see what you got. So pick someone out of this room to spar with," Johnny instructed, causing Arizona's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Um, what? I'm not part of this dojo... I'm your employee," she protested, feeling a sense of unease creeping in. Miguel stepped forward, echoing her confusion. "Yeah, what is this about, Sensei?" he asked, prompting Johnny to exchange a glance with Kreese, who wore a disapproving expression.

Johnny looked back at Arizona, his tone firm. "Alaska, just do it... or I'm gonna have to fire you and you won't be allowed to step foot in this dojo again," he explained, his words sending a jolt of fear through Arizona.

Faced with a difficult choice, Arizona's heart raced as she weighed her options. Reluctantly, she looked around and pointed at Aisha. "I guess... Aisha," she sighed, resigning herself to the situation.

      As everyone cleared a path for Aisha and Arizona to face each other, Arizona's expression was filled with concern as she locked eyes with Aisha. Aisha, on the other hand, assumed a karate stance, exuding confidence, while Arizona shifted into a boxing stance, her nerves palpable in the tense atmosphere.

     Arizona glanced at Johnny, her expression hopeful. "Do you have any boxing gloves? It'll help me..." she trailed off, her voice tinged with urgency. Johnny nodded, signaling to Hawk to retrieve them. Swiftly, Hawk disappeared into the back room and returned with the gloves. Handing them to Arizona, she wasted no time slipping them on, feeling a surge of confidence as she assumed her boxing stance once again, ready to face Aisha.

      Arizona and Aisha faced each other, their determination palpable in the air. Arizona bounced lightly on her toes, her boxing gloves gleaming under the soft overhead dim lights, while Aisha stood grounded, her karate gi rustling with each controlled breath.

     Aisha launched the first strike, a swift roundhouse kick aimed at Arizona's midsection. Arizona ducked and weaved, her footwork precise as she countered with a lightning-fast jab. Aisha deflected the punch with a well-timed block, following up with a series of rapid strikes, her hands a blur of motion.

       Arizona grinned, bobbing and weaving to avoid Aisha's strikes, her movements reminiscent of a seasoned boxer. She retaliated with a powerful hook, aiming for Aisha's ribs. Aisha pivoted gracefully, evading the blow and retaliating with a sweeping leg kick, aiming to sweep Arizona off her feet.

      Arizona hopped back, narrowly avoiding Aisha's kick, her focus unyielding. She closed the distance between them, unleashing a barrage of punches, each one aimed with precision. Aisha flowed with the punches, her karate training evident as she expertly blocked and parried, searching for an opening.

      With a sudden burst of speed, Aisha lunged forward, her fists a blur as she unleashed a rapid combination of strikes. Arizona danced away, her footwork agile as she countered with a flurry of jabs and hooks, each one packing enough power to keep Aisha on her toes.

      The two fighters circled each other, their movements synchronized in a dance of combat. Aisha's karate techniques clashed with Arizona's boxing prowess, each one adapting and evolving with every exchange.

       Sweat glistened on their brows as they pushed themselves to their limits, the dojo echoing with the sounds of their focused breaths and the occasional thud of impact.

       As the spar continued, the intensity between Arizona and Aisha reached its peak. Their movements became more fluid, each anticipating the other's next move with uncanny precision. Aisha's karate strikes flowed seamlessly, blending power and grace, while Arizona's boxing punches packed a punch, each one landing with controlled force.

       With a sudden burst of energy, Aisha executed a series of swift kicks, aiming for Arizona's legs and torso. Arizona bobbed and weaved, her footwork agile as she evaded the kicks and countered with a barrage of punches. The dojo echoed with the rhythmic sound of impact as their strikes connected, the air crackling with energy.

       Sensing an opening, Aisha launched herself forward, aiming a high kick at Arizona's head. Arizona ducked just in time, her instincts kicking in as she retaliated with a devastating uppercut. Aisha staggered back, her focus never wavering as she regained her stance, ready to continue the fight.

       The spar continued unabated, each exchange pushing both fighters to their limits. Arizona's punches were relentless, each one landing with precision, while Aisha's kicks were swift and powerful, keeping Arizona on the defensive. Despite the ferocity of their attacks, there was a mutual respect between them, a silent acknowledgment of each other's skill and determination.

       With one final burst of energy, Arizona unleashed a lightning-fast combination, her fists a blur as she executed a classic boxing move. Aisha, caught off guard by the speed and precision of the attack, stumbled backward, her balance lost. With a swift movement, Arizona delivered a powerful cross, landing squarely on Aisha's chest.

      Aisha hit the ground with a soft thud, her breath knocked out of her. Arizona stood over her, a mixture of exhaustion and triumph etched on her face. Slowly, Aisha pushed herself up, a grin spreading across her lips despite the ache in her body.

     "Nice one," she conceded, offering Arizona a hand up. Arizona accepted, pulling Aisha to her feet with a grin of her own.

Arizona felt a surge of pride as she stood victorious over Aisha. Despite not having boxed in a while, she had managed to hold her own and emerge triumphant. However, her sense of accomplishment was overshadowed by Johnny's stern words.

"Take what you saw from Alaska," Johnny addressed the group, his tone serious. "She didn't back down and didn't want to be kicked out. That little move you guys did that you thought was funny—it wasn't. So, I pulled a scare tactic on Alaska. With very little knowledge she knows, and being rusty, she used boxing moves and beat Aisha."

The weight of Johnny's ultimatum hung heavy in the air as he continued, "Five am tomorrow morning. Corner of Fulton and Raymer. You don't show, and you're off the team. This goes for you too, Alaska. Class dismissed."

With that, Johnny walked back and forth before disappearing into his office, leaving the group to digest his words and the implications of his ultimatum.

Arizona's sense of pride quickly faded, replaced by a sense of apprehension and uncertainty about the challenges that lay ahead.

—

      As the first rays of sunlight filtered through her window, Arizona stirred from her slumber, the soft buzz of her phone cutting through the morning silence. Blinking groggily, she reached out to grab her phone, squinting at the bright screen as Miguel's name flashed across it. With a sinking feeling, she realized she had overslept.

     Jerking upright in bed, Arizona's heart raced as she glanced at the time. It was already 6 am, an entire hour past the meeting time Johnny had set. Panic surged through her veins as she cursed herself for forgetting to set an alarm.

     With hurried movements, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and rushed to her closet, her mind racing with thoughts of the consequences of her tardiness. She quickly rifled through her clothes, pulling out an outfit without much thought. As she hastily dressed, her mind raced with worries about what Johnny would say and the implications of missing such an important training session.

     With her heart pounding in her chest, Arizona dashed out of her room, the urgency of the situation propelling her forward. She barely registered her mother's voice as she rushed past, her focus solely on reaching the place that she was told to go to as quickly as possible.

     As soon as Arizona arrived, she flung open her car door and sprinted towards the gathering crowd, her heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and anxiety. Spotting Miguel perched atop a ladder, she called out breathlessly, "I'm so so sorry! I forgot to set an alarm!"

     Kreese's derisive scoff cut through the air, his tone dripping with disdain. "Well, I guess since you're late you're no longer allowed to step foot into the dojo," he remarked, his words laced with malice.

     Arizona shot him a steely glare, her determination evident despite her late arrival. "No. I'm not on the team. Johnny said anyone would be off the team. I'm not on the team, sir," she retorted, refusing to let Kreese's words undermine her resolve.

     Johnny nodded in agreement, his tone lightening with a chuckle. "Yeah, she's right. I just wanted her to come for jokes. It was payback for interrupting my class all the time," he admitted, his amusement evident as Kreese grumbled to himself with an eye roll.

     Arizona couldn't help but smirk, feeling a surge of confidence as she crossed her arms and stood her ground, refusing to let her late arrival dampen her spirit.

Johnny's command cut through the air, drawing Arizona's attention. "Since you're here, get in there with him. You, Miguel, and Hawk are gonna make this thing spin," he asserted, his tone firm and unwavering.

Arizona felt a surge of determination welling up inside her. She knew she couldn't afford to protest, not with Kreese's scrutinizing gaze fixed upon her. It was crucial for her to demonstrate her strength and resilience, to prove that she was not to be underestimated.

Without hesitation, Arizona nodded in affirmation, steeling herself for the challenge ahead. As she stepped forward to join Miguel and Hawk, she made a silent vow to herself to show Kreese and everyone else watching that she was anything but weak.

As Miguel climbed the ladder and stepped into the cement mixer, Arizona followed suit, her heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and adrenaline. She reached out for Miguel's hand, feeling a surge of reassurance as she slowly stepped inside. However, her footing betrayed her, and before she knew it, she lost her balance and tumbled into the cement with a startled squeal.

Cement covered her from head to toe, eliciting a mixture of laughter and concern from Miguel. Quickly regaining her composure, Arizona reached out for Miguel's hand, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she pulled him down with her into the gooey mess. Miguel laughed alongside her, the tension momentarily forgotten in the midst of their playful exchange.

Just then, Hawk walked in, his eyes widening in disbelief at the scene before him. "Oh, god, please don't be making out," he pleaded, covering his eyes as Arizona couldn't help but chuckle. With a playful glint in her eye, she tossed some of the cement at Hawk, who deftly blocked it.

"No making out here. Unless you wanna make out," Arizona teased Miguel, earning a flush of embarrassment from him. Johnny's voice broke through the lighthearted moment, reminding them of their purpose. "Get moving!" he shouted, urging them to refocus on the task at hand amidst the chaos of their impromptu cement mishap.

Arizona and Miguel extended their hands to each other, assisting one another as they climbed out of the cement mixer, their faces adorned with traces of the cement they had been immersed in moments before. They glanced over to see Hawk already at work, pushing the mixer with determined effort.

Without hesitation, Arizona and Miguel joined him, placing their hands on the mixer and channeling all their strength into moving it forward. Together, they pushed with all their might, their muscles straining against the weight of the machine. It was a challenging task, but their determination fueled their efforts.

After what felt like an eternity of exertion, the mixer finally began to roll, its wheels slowly gaining momentum. Arizona and Miguel exchanged a triumphant look, their grins mirroring each other's as they shared a moment of accomplishment amidst the sweat and cement.

Their gaze lingered for a brief moment, a silent understanding passing between them as they continued to work together, their unity evident in their synchronized movements. As they pushed the mixer forward, Arizona couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and connection with Miguel, a bond forged through shared determination and mutual support.

ASH SPEAKS!

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

ARIZONA AND AISHA>>>