chapter ten:
❛ coyate creek ❜

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Arizona had once again managed to sneak Miguel into her house. Her father, Alexander, was away at Comic Con with her brother Diego, leaving only her mother, Daniella, at home.

Daniella had been making an effort to be more lenient, but she was still as strict as Alexander had always been.
In Arizona's room, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Arizona straddled Miguel's lap, their bodies pressed closely together on her bed. They were both shirtless, with Arizona's bra strap hanging loosely off her shoulder. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, fingers tangled in his brown hair as they kissed passionately. Miguel's hands rested on her waist and back, his touch sending shivers through her.

Their intense make-out session was abruptly interrupted when Arizona's phone chimed with a notification. She reluctantly pulled away from Miguel to check the message, seeing a text from Aisha reminding her about their karate practice in fifteen minutes.

"Come on, Aisha texted. Karate's in fifteen minutes," Arizona said, her voice laced with disappointment.

Miguel groaned in response but started putting his shirt back on. Arizona fumbled with her bra, struggling to fasten it. "Need help, Miggie?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

Miguel moved over and gently helped her with the clasp, his fingers brushing against her skin. The brief touch made Arizona's heart flutter, and she smiled at the sensation. Once she was dressed in her striped shirt, they quickly left the room.

As they made their way downstairs, Arizona's stomach churned with anxiety. When they reached the living room, Daniella's gaze fell upon Miguel, and her expression turned from surprise to outrage.

"Arizona! What the hell? You snuck a boy in?" Daniella's voice was sharp, cutting through the air with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

Arizona's face flushed with embarrassment as she froze in the doorway, Miguel standing awkwardly behind her. Her mind raced, trying to find the right words to explain, but Daniella's fury left her momentarily speechless.

Arizona's face flushed red, her stomach knotting with anxiety. "Mom, I—I was just—"

"No excuses!" Daniella cut her off, standing up with a glare. "I've told you before, no boys in the house when we're alone! Do you think you can just do whatever you want?"

Miguel, sensing the situation escalating, stepped forward. "Ma'am, I'm really sorry. We were just—"

"Just what?" Daniella snapped, turning her ire on Miguel. "You think you can just waltz in here and disrespect my rules? How long has this been going on? Do you know how inappropriate this is?"

Miguel tried to calm the situation. "Look, we're really sorry. We just lost track of time. We didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Daniella ignored him, continuing her tirade. "Arizona, I trusted you to be responsible. And now look at this! You're making a mockery of everything your dad has tried to teach you. I can't believe you'd be so irresponsible."

Her words cut deep, and Arizona's eyes welled with tears. "Mom, I didn't mean to—"

"Save it! You're grounded. No more going out, no more seeing Miguel. And as for you," Daniella glared at Miguel, "get out of my house. I don't want you here."

Miguel's face tightened with frustration. "I'm really sorry, but we need to go to karate."

Without waiting for a response, Miguel gently took Arizona by the arm. "Come on, let's go."

Arizona, her face tear-streaked and red, glanced back at her mother. "I'm sorry, Mom. I really am."

"Sorry doesn't fix this, Arizona!" Daniella shouted as they walked out.

Miguel guided Arizona through the front door, his expression resolute. As they stepped outside, Arizona let out a shaky breath. Miguel opened the passenger side of his car for her. "Are you okay?"

Arizona nodded, trying to regain her composure. "I just—I didn't expect this."

Miguel nodded understandingly, closing the door gently behind her and walking around to the driver's side. He got in, started the engine, and began driving. The silence in the car was heavy, punctuated only by the hum of the engine.

As they drove away, Miguel glanced over at Arizona. "We'll get through this. I promise."

Arizona wiped her tears and nodded, her heart still heavy but finding solace in Miguel's support.

As they drove towards Cobra Kai, the weight of the recent confrontation hung heavily in the air. Arizona stared out the window, the suburban streets blurring past as her mind churned with thoughts.

"Miguel," she began quietly, her voice trembling slightly, "I'm sorry about my mom. You know she's...she's got issues."

Miguel reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to apologize for her, Arizona. I know she's been struggling."

Arizona sighed, glancing at Miguel with a mix of frustration and sadness. "Ever since my dad's been back, she's stopped drinking, but she's been so strict. Both of them have. It's like they're trying to make up for lost time by controlling every little aspect of my life."

Miguel nodded, his eyes focused on the road but his attention fully on her. "I get it. They want to protect you, but they're going about it all wrong. It's not fair to you."

Arizona wiped away a stray tear. "It's like I can't do anything right. I get that they're worried, but they're suffocating me. My mom especially. She's so afraid of falling back into old habits that she's turned into this...this controlling person. And my dad, he just follows along, thinking it's the best way to keep things stable."

Miguel's grip on her hand tightened. "I know it's hard. But you're not alone. You've got me, and you've got our friends. We'll get through this together."

Arizona managed a small smile. "Thanks, Miggie. I don't know what I'd do without you."

They continued driving in silence for a few more minutes, the dojo now coming into view. As they pulled into the parking lot, Miguel turned off the engine and looked at Arizona earnestly. "You're strong, Arizona. Stronger than you know. And no matter what happens at home, you've got people who care about you and will always have your back."

Arizona nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Thanks, Miguel. I needed to hear that."

They got out of the car and walked towards Cobra Kai, their fingers intertwined. Arizona knew that despite the chaos at home, she had a support system that would help her navigate through the storm. And with Miguel by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Arizona stretched alongside Tory and Aisha as they awaited the call to head to Coyote Creek. Despite their rocky start, Arizona and Tory had found common ground and had become friends. They stood in a row with the other students, their excitement tempered with a hint of confusion about the day's training.

Arizona's eyes followed Sensei Lawrence as he walked into the dojo. Miguel quickly approached him, and they exchanged a few words before Johnny retreated to his office. Moments later, he emerged, looking resolute.

"Everybody, get your gis on. Training starts in five minutes," Johnny announced. The room buzzed with confusion. Tory glanced at Arizona, her eyebrows furrowed. Arizona shrugged, equally puzzled.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" Johnny asked, noticing the murmurs.

"N-N-Nothing's wrong. I just thought we were going to the woods for special training today," Miguel explained, his voice tinged with disappointment. Johnny turned to look at Kreese, who lounged against the office door frame, his presence as imposing as ever.

"Well, I thought it was a good time to separate the men from the boys," Kreese said, his tone dripping with challenge. Arizona and Aisha exchanged annoyed glances. "And the girls, too, I suppose," Kreese added, a smirk playing on his lips. Arizona rolled her eyes at his condescension.

Johnny and Kreese stepped aside, whispering to each other in a hushed but intense conversation. Tory leaned over to Arizona, her voice low. "Girls, I suppose, too," she mimicked Kreese's tone, making Arizona chuckle despite the situation.

"We're ready, Sensei. We wanna prove ourselves," Hawk interjected, his voice firm and eager. Johnny's gaze shifted between Miguel and Arizona, considering the implications of Kreese's challenge.

"It's up to Sensei Lawrence. If he says it's okay, then, and only then, is it okay," Kreese declared, throwing the decision squarely onto Johnny's shoulders. Johnny looked conflicted, his eyes scanning the faces of his students.

"All right, what are you waiting for? Let's go," Johnny finally decided, his tone resolute. Arizona couldn't contain her excitement. She turned to Miguel and Tory, her eyes shining. They shared a triumphant high-five, their camaraderie and determination palpable.

They stood in the middle of Coyote Creek, split into two different teams. Arizona, wearing a red headband, looked at Miguel, who wore his black headband, signifying that they were on opposing teams. "Gentlemen, ladies. Welcome to Coyote Creek. You've been split into two teams: Red and Black," Kreese began. Arizona and Hawk exchanged a fist bump, proud to be on Team Red together.

"The goal is to capture as many headbands as possible from the other side," Kreese continued. "Today, the people across from you are not your friends." Tory, on Team Black, locked eyes with Arizona, who smirked back confidently. "They're not your brothers. They are the enemy. The last team standing... wins."

"How do we get the headbands?" Miguel asked, his curiosity piqued.

"By any means possible. No rules," Kreese replied with a smirk.

Johnny intervened, "Use your judgment. This is just a training exercise."

"Correct, but remember, this is your life," Kreese said, holding up a red headband. "You lose it... you die."

Just as Kreese finished, Raymond, the middle-aged man who always brought a touch of humor to the dojo, came running over. "Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late. Traffic on the 118 was a real bitch. Put Coyote Creek into the nav. Nothing came up," he explained breathlessly. Arizona's eyebrows raised as she noticed Raymond's new look. He had slicked-back hair, a motorcycle jean jacket, sunglasses, and a small beard braid.

Johnny looked at him in disbelief. "What have you done to yourself?"

"Oh, this?" Raymond gestured to himself before continuing, "Yeah, you know what, I just decided to flip the script, Hawk-style. Respect," he said, taking off his sunglasses. Arizona couldn't help but crack a laugh, patting Hawk's shoulder beside her, who rolled his eyes.

"Heretofore, you can refer to me... as Stingray," Raymond announced, touching his beard braid with pride.

"Yeah, all right, Chubs. He's on your team," Johnny said, appointing Raymond to Team Red. Kreese rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Terrific," Kreese muttered, and Arizona chuckled silently.

Arizona walked through the woods alone, feeling the weight of her inexperience. Hawk had left her to climb up a tree and ambush Team Black, but she didn't want to be his "sidekick." She barely knew karate and was still very much a beginner, but she was determined to prove herself. The dense canopy above cast dappled shadows on the forest floor, making the woods feel both enchanting and eerie.

Every rustle of leaves made her jump, her senses heightened by the quiet tension. She kept glancing around, trying to stay alert. Suddenly, she heard a familiar rustling sound and turned around to see Miguel emerging from the foliage with a smirk on his face. "Hey, babe," he greeted her, his voice warm and teasing.

Arizona felt her cheeks flush immediately. "Hey... wanna just walk away and let me win?" she asked playfully, closing the distance between them until they were inches apart. She batted her eyelashes at him, hoping to sway him with charm.

Miguel chuckled, clearly tempted but wanting to play fair. "Sorry, babe, but... one of us gotta fight for the other's headband," he said, his tone both apologetic and determined. Arizona sighed, realizing she would have to earn her victory. She took a step back and they both assumed fighting stances.

She threw the first punch, aiming for his shoulder. Miguel blocked it effortlessly, his reflexes sharp. She followed up with a kick to his side, but he caught her foot mid-air and used her momentum to spin her around. She stumbled but quickly regained her balance, only to find herself pressed against a tree trunk.

Before she could react, Miguel leaned in and kissed her, his lips crashing against hers with an intensity that took her breath away. She melted into the kiss, forgetting for a moment that they were supposed to be fighting. Her hands moved to his hips, feeling the warmth and strength of his body.

In the midst of their kiss, Miguel deftly slipped off her headband without her noticing. When he finally pulled away, she looked up at him with wide eyes, a mixture of surprise and realization dawning on her face. He held up her red headband, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"You got me," she admitted, her voice a soft murmur, tinged with both admiration and disappointment.

Miguel smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling. "I'll make it up to you later," he promised, giving her one last peck on the lips. He then turned and sprinted off into the woods, his black headband a stark contrast against the green backdrop.

Arizona watched him disappear, her heart still racing from both the brief fight and the passionate kiss. She couldn't help but smile despite her loss. She took a deep breath, straightened her shirt, and decided to find her way back to her team, feeling a newfound determination to prove herself in the game.

Tory and Arizona stood together with the rest of the students who had their headbands taken, signaling their elimination from the game. The two girls, having grown closer recently, were deep in conversation about their families. They discussed the possibility of introducing their brothers to each other and the potential friendship that could blossom between them.

Their chat was interrupted when they saw Aisha approaching with a frown etched on her face. "They got you out too?" Tory asked sympathetically.

"Yeah," Aisha replied, rolling her eyes in frustration, clearly disappointed at being taken out of the game.

"I guess it's just Hawk and Miguel left," Arizona chimed in, her tone surprisingly cheerful given the circumstances. Tory noticed the unusually happy tone and nudged her in the side.

"What's got you so happy?" Tory asked, curiosity piqued.

Arizona chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know... just happy," she replied with a smile.

Tory laughed and patted her shoulder affectionately. "You and Miguel are so adorable. If he ever hurts you, I will personally beat him up for you. You're like my sister now, even though we had our differences when we first met," Tory said with a genuine smile.

Arizona felt a warm surge of gratitude and affection for her friend. "Thanks, Tory. That means a lot," she said, her voice soft with emotion.

As they stood there, they couldn't help but reflect on how far their friendship had come. Despite their rocky start, they had grown to care for each other deeply. It was moments like these that made Arizona appreciate the bonds she was forming, not just with Miguel, but with her newfound friends as well.

As Tory, Arizona, and Aisha stood talking, the sound of intense fighting reached their ears. Arizona squinted into the distance, trying to make out the figures. "Holy shit, Miguel and Hawk are fighting. Intensely," she said, her voice filled with concern.

The three girls began walking towards the noise, curiosity and worry driving their steps. As they approached, they saw Miguel and Hawk locked in a fierce battle. Just as they arrived, Miguel managed to grab Hawk's headband, holding it aloft as a trophy of his victory.

"Finish him," Kreese muttered ominously to Miguel. Arizona furrowed her eyebrows, confused and concerned by Kreese's command. Without hesitation, Miguel turned and delivered a powerful kick to Hawk's face, sending him sprawling. Arizona gasped in shock, not expecting such a brutal move from Miguel.

Holding up the red team's headband once more, Miguel yelled, "Team Black!" The remaining students erupted into cheers and rushed over to congratulate him. Amidst the chaos, Arizona checked her phone and saw a barrage of angry messages from her dad.

Her heart sank as she read the texts. She quickly made her way to Sensei Lawrence. "Hey, Johnny... Can you let Miguel know I had to go home?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Johnny nodded, understanding the urgency in her tone. "Sure thing, Bubblegum."

With a final glance back at the scene, Arizona ran to her car, her mind racing. As she drove away, she couldn't shake the image of Miguel's unexpected aggression and the worry about what awaited her at home. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

Miguel had been her rock, her safe place amidst the chaos of her life. Seeing him act so violently, even in the heat of competition, shook her. And now, with her father's anger to face, she felt her world tilting precariously.

Navigating the familiar streets, she finally let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Pulling into her driveway, she steeled herself for whatever confrontation awaited her inside. She knew that her family life was a complicated puzzle, one that she was still figuring out piece by piece.

Arizona braced herself as she walked into the house, the weight of her father's anger pressing down on her. The door had barely shut behind her when she heard his voice booming from the living room.

"Arizona! Where the hell have you been?" Alexander roared, his face flushed with fury. He stormed toward her, eyes blazing. "And don't think I didn't find out about you sneaking a boy in here! What were you thinking?"

Her heart pounded as she faced him. "Dad, I was at karate—"

"For hours? Without telling us where you were going?" he cut her off, his voice dripping with disbelief and anger. "This is completely unacceptable!"

Arizona felt her own anger bubble up. "That's bullshit! Miguel told you we were going to karate! You knew where I was!"

"Not according to Life360!" her mom, Daniella, snapped, appearing in the doorway with her arms crossed. "It showed you were at Coyote Creek. What kind of karate training happens out there?"

Arizona took a deep breath, struggling to keep her voice steady. "We were at Coyote Creek for a special training exercise. It was part of the program, I swear!"

Alexander's patience snapped. "I've had enough of your lies and excuses, Arizona!" he shouted, stepping forward. Before she could react, he snatched her phone from her hand and, with a furious yell, hurled it to the ground. The phone shattered on impact, pieces of glass and plastic scattering across the floor.

Arizona stood there, stunned and silent. The sight of her shattered phone felt like the final blow. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at her father, her voice trembling. "Why don't you ever believe me? I'm trying to do the right thing, and you never trust me!"

For a moment, Alexander's face softened, but then it hardened again. "You need to earn our trust, Arizona. Sneaking boys in and disappearing for hours isn't how you do that."

Feeling utterly defeated, Arizona turned and bolted out of the house, tears streaming down her face. She ran to her car, hands shaking as she fumbled with the keys. Finally, she managed to start the engine and drove away, the weight of her parents' anger and disappointment heavy on her chest.

As she drove through the darkening streets, her mind raced. She thought about Miguel, the intense fight she had witnessed, and the chaos her life had become. She needed to find a way to make things right, but for now, all she could do was drive, hoping to clear her head and find some semblance of peace.

The familiar streets blurred past her, and she found herself heading toward the dojo. Pulling into the empty parking lot, she parked and sat there, hands gripping the steering wheel as she tried to calm her racing heart. The dojo was a place of solace, a refuge where she could think without the weight of her parents' expectations bearing down on her.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. The image of Miguel's face, full of concern and love, floated to her mind. He was the one constant in her chaotic world, and she knew she needed to talk to him, to find comfort in his presence.

Gathering her courage, she stepped out of the car and headed toward the dojo. The cool night air helped clear her mind a bit, and by the time she reached the entrance, she felt a little more composed. She pushed open the door and walked inside, the familiar scent of sweat and effort greeting her.

Miguel was there, finishing up his own training. He looked up as she entered, his eyes immediately registering her distress. "Arizona, what's wrong?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

She walked up to him, her emotions finally spilling over. "My dad... he found out about us, and then he freaked out because I was at Coyote Creek for training. He smashed my phone, Miguel. I just... I don't know what to do."

Miguel pulled her into a comforting hug, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "I'm so sorry, Arizona. We'll figure this out together, okay? You're not alone."

She buried her face in his shoulder, finding solace in his embrace. For now, that was enough.

ASH SPEAKS!

her parent suck this whole entire book