"My mom's going to rehab,"

     Arizona couldn't contain her excitement as she emerged victorious in their game of Just Dance, throwing her fists in the air triumphantly. "HAH!" she exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face as she reveled in her victory.

    Diego rolled his eyes playfully at his sister's antics, his competitive spirit dampened by his defeat. "This is not fair! I can't believe you," he groaned in mock indignation, his tone laced with playful frustration.

     Arizona couldn't help but tease her brother further, poking his side teasingly as she danced around in celebration. Her laughter filled the basement, a testament to the bond shared between siblings as they enjoyed a moment of lighthearted fun together.

Daniella cleared her throat. "Hey, kids," Arizona's heart skipped a beat as Daniella's voice cut through the air, drawing their attention away from their game. She glanced over at her mother, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight before her.

Daniella stood before them, looking refreshed and composed, a stark contrast to the tired, disheveled figure they had grown accustomed to seeing in recent days. There were no signs of exhaustion or distress, and Arizona couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stir within her.

For the past two days, the house had been unusually quiet, devoid of the chaos and tension that often accompanied their stepfather's presence. His absence had been a relief to Arizona, allowing her to breathe a little easier without the looming threat of his volatile behavior hanging over them.

As she gazed at her mother, Arizona couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over her. Despite the challenges they faced, Daniella's strength and resilience shone through, offering a beacon of hope in the midst of uncertainty.

As Daniella's words hung in the air, Arizona felt a mixture of emotions wash over her. Relief, gratitude, and a glimmer of hope mingled with the lingering uncertainty of what lay ahead. She glanced at Diego, finding solace in his reassuring presence as they silently agreed to hear their mother out.

Nodding in unison, Arizona and Diego took a seat on the couch, their hands intertwined in a silent display of solidarity. Arizona squeezed her brother's hand tightly, drawing strength from their shared bond as they prepared to listen to their mother's words.

"I'm really sorry for messing up with you guys," Daniella began, her voice filled with sincerity. "I'm going to try to be a lot better. I'm divorcing your step-dad. I left him and took him to a senior living place. I'm going to start going to AA. This is going to be hard, but I'm going to go to rehab for a month. In the meantime, Arizona, you'll be in charge. I'll leave my card here for you to use. Once I'm out, I'll look for a job," she explained, her words tinged with determination and a hint of apprehension.

Arizona's eyebrows shot up in surprise, her mind racing with the weight of her mother's revelations. Beside her, Diego couldn't contain his excitement, his grin spreading from ear to ear at the prospect of their stepfather's absence.

"No more jerk-head?" Diego exclaimed eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. Daniella laughed in response, a sense of relief washing over her as she nodded in confirmation. For Arizona and Diego, it was the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future ahead.

     Basking in the warmth of the sun, Arizona lay sprawled out on the beach, her mom's vintage 2010 glasses shielding her eyes from the glare.

     With her eyes closed, she surrendered to the soothing rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore, letting the tranquility of the moment wash over her.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced through the air, disrupting her peaceful reverie.

     Arizona's eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head to see Hawk and Miguel approaching. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she greeted them with a wave.

    A broad smile lit up Arizona's face as she sprang to her feet and hurried over to greet Hawk and Miguel, her heart fluttering with anticipation. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Miguel in a tight embrace, the warmth of his touch sending a surge of excitement coursing through her veins.

    Caught up in the moment, Miguel leaned in and planted a passionate kiss on her lips, leaving Arizona momentarily stunned by the unexpected display of affection. As his arm wrapped around her, pulling her close, she felt a rush of emotions wash over her, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue.

     "PDA!" The sound of Hawk's voice broke through the haze of Arizona's thoughts, his playful remark drawing her attention back to the present moment. Blushing furiously, she pulled away from Miguel, her stomach fluttering with a mix of excitement and embarrassment at the public display of affection.

As Miguel's somber expression caught her attention, Arizona's playful demeanor faded, replaced by concern. With a furrowed brow, she pushed her sunglasses up onto her head, her gaze fixed on Miguel as he spoke.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she inquired softly, her voice laced with genuine concern. Miguel's frown deepened as he glanced between Arizona and Hawk, uncertainty clouding his features.

"It's Sensei," he murmured, his tone heavy with worry. Arizona's confusion only grew as she awaited his explanation.

"What about him?" she pressed, her curiosity piqued by Miguel's cryptic words. Hawk chimed in with his characteristic bluntness, offering his own perspective on the matter.

"Is this about his rap sheet? My parents read it online. I think it makes him more badass," Hawk remarked candidly, his words tinged with a hint of admiration. However, Miguel's solemn expression remained unchanged as he shook his head.

"It's about him and Robby Keene," he revealed, his voice tinged with sadness. A shared look of understanding passed between Hawk and Arizona, the gravity of Miguel's words weighing heavily on their minds.

As the revelation sank in, Arizona's mind raced with memories of the tumultuous events that had unfolded at the tournament. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, forming a clear picture in her mind. Robby Keene, Johnny Lawrence's son—the connection was undeniable.

Unlike Hawk and Miguel, who bristled with anger and indignation at the revelation, Arizona remained surprisingly calm. A sense of understanding washed over her as she reflected on the events that had transpired, her empathy guiding her response.

She remembered the tension that had hung in the air after Hawk's altercation with Robby, the strained relationship between Sensei and his estranged son palpable to all who witnessed it. In that moment, Arizona had sensed the underlying turmoil, the unspoken pain that lingered beneath the surface.

With a newfound clarity, Arizona realized why Sensei had kept his relationship with Robby hidden from the dojo.

As Johnny delivered his lines for the commercial, Arizona held up her phone, capturing every word and gesture with precision. The tension in the air was palpable as Johnny sought to strike back at Miyagi-Do, determined to make a statement in the face of their rival's promotional efforts.

With a steely gaze fixed on the camera, Johnny paced back and forth, his words dripping with conviction. "There's a lot of talk going around the Valley about free karate," he began, his voice resonating with authority. "But everyone knows in life that you get what you pay for."

As Johnny pointed directly at the camera, his message rang clear. "You wanna really kick the competition?" he challenged, his eyes blazing with determination. Arizona, fully immersed in the moment, handed off her phone to Aisha, ensuring that every second of Johnny's impassioned speech was captured for posterity.

Then, with a swift motion, Arizona presented the bonsai tree that Rickenburger had stolen from LaRusso Auto, holding it out in front of her as a symbol of their defiance. Johnny, true to form, unleashed a powerful kick, sending dirt and grass flying through the air.

In the chaos that ensued, Arizona found herself covered in a cloud of debris, squealing in surprise as dirt invaded her mouth.

As Johnny continued his impassioned speech, Arizona struggled to regain her composure, still reeling from the unexpected onslaught of dirt and debris. With each word that escaped Johnny's lips, her discomfort grew, the taste of dirt lingering in her mouth as she attempted to brush it away with frantic gestures.

With a determined expression, Johnny delivered his final message, his words ringing with conviction. "Enough about self-defense. Learn self-offense. Don't be a pussy. Join Cobra Kai and let me teach you the way of the fist," he declared, his fist raised in a defiant gesture.

As Aisha turned off the video and handed the phone back to Arizona, she could feel the bile rising in her throat, a wave of nausea washing over her. With a sense of urgency, she dashed off to the bathroom, her steps quickening with each passing moment.

Once inside the sanctuary of the bathroom, Arizona leaned over the toilet bowl, her body racked with violent heaves as she expelled the remnants of dirt and debris from her system. The sensation was overwhelming, her stomach churning with each retch as she struggled to regain her composure.

Despite the discomfort and embarrassment of the moment, Arizona knew that she had to push through the ordeal. With each breath, she focused on steadying herself, determined to overcome the temporary setback and emerge stronger on the other side.

     As Miguel knocked on the bathroom door, Arizona leaned against the wall, her body trembling with emotion. "You can come in," she managed to utter, her voice strained with distress. With a gentle push, Miguel entered the bathroom, his eyes immediately drawn to Arizona's pale complexion.

     "Sensei's pissed, Hawk and I confronted him—" Miguel began, but his words faltered as he noticed the distress etched across Arizona's features. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern as he settled beside her. Arizona shook her head, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

      As Miguel listened attentively, Arizona poured out her fears and anxieties, her voice trembling with emotion. "My mom's going to rehab... and I think I'm gonna get an infection from all that dirt. I swallowed a lot of that—and I'm really scared. So much is happening and—and I don't know how to handle all this. It's so much pressure, Miguel. It doesn't seem like a lot, but my—my mom is divorcing my step-dad and—and rehab means I have to take care of Diego all alone, which I've already done—but... I—I have to actually pay for food, and before, my step-dad would—Miguel... What do I do?" she cried, her words choked with emotion.

      Miguel didn't say anything, but his actions spoke volumes as he pulled her into a comforting embrace. As Arizona cried into his chest, Miguel remained steadfast by her side, offering silent support in her time of need. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, he vowed to stand by her, his presence a source of strength and comfort as she navigated the tumultuous journey ahead.

ASH SPEAKS!

SORRY FOR DISAPPEARING FOR A MONTH???

i lowkey am losing a bit of interest in cobra kai bc we have like no updates or anything so its just making me feel blehhhh

BUT IM STILL GONNA WRITE THIS!! even if it takes awhile

splitting this episode up in maybe two or three chapters??? i'm not sure yet.

i hope you guys are still reading, but please please DO NOT BE A GHOST READER!!! please comment and vote. it gives us authors so much motivation!!!