chapter forty-six:
❛ she's hiding something ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE JUST STOP BEING A GHOST READER!! ITS ANNOYING!!

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Arizona woke slowly, the soft glow of sunlight filtering through her blinds. She lay still for a moment, breathing in deeply and letting the calm settle into her bones. There was a quiet stillness around her, and she felt grounded, like all the chaos of the world had paused just for her. Last night's meditation, the journal session, or maybe just her inner alignment had worked wonders.

Sliding her legs over the edge of the bed, she stretched, arms reaching toward the ceiling, fingertips brushing against the energy she imagined filling the room. She moved through the motions of her morning routine slowly, savoring the feeling of balance that lingered in every breath. After slipping on a loose cardigan over her tank top and tying her curls into a loose bun, she padded downstairs, her steps light, like walking on clouds.

The smell of coffee hit her first, rich and slightly bitter, followed by the sound of sizzling eggs and light chatter. She stepped into the kitchen to see her mom, Daniella, leaning back in her chair with a mug of coffee cupped in her hands. Her hair was loosely tied back, strands escaping here and there, but there was a calmness to her face that made Arizona smile.

At the table, her younger brother, Diego, sat hunched over a plate, crumbs of toast already scattered around him as he chewed happily. Abuela Dolli was in her usual spot at the head of the table, flipping through an old recipe magazine with a pair of reading glasses perched on her nose.

"Buenos días, mi niña," Dolli greeted warmly, looking up as Arizona entered.

"Morning, sweetie," Daniella added, her lips curling into a soft smile.

Diego glanced up briefly and offered a muffled "Morning, 'Zona," through a mouthful of toast.

Arizona beamed at them, moving toward the coffee pot. "Good morning, my radiant family," she said, her voice light and melodic. "The energy in here... it's just so peaceful. I love it."

Dolli chuckled and set her magazine aside, folding her hands in her lap. "What's gotten into you, niña? Did you dream about something beautiful?"

"Maybe," Arizona replied, pouring herself a cup of coffee and sitting down at the table. She cradled the mug in her hands, the warmth seeping into her skin. "Or maybe I just woke up knowing everything's happening as it's meant to. You know, the universe doing its thing."

"You've been like this since last night," Daniella observed, though her tone was playful. "Not that I'm complaining."

Diego swallowed a bite and grinned. "She's acting like one of those yoga teachers on TV."

Arizona laughed, lightly tapping his shoulder. "Hey, nothing wrong with yoga teachers, little dude. They're just tuned into their energy. You'd benefit from a little zen."

"Zen won't help me score goals," Diego shot back, stuffing another bite of toast into his mouth.

Dolli raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. "Chew before you speak, niño."

Diego gulped down his food quickly and turned back to Arizona. "So, what's going on at school today?"

Arizona took a slow sip of her coffee, savoring the rich flavor before answering. "There's a college fair. All these schools are coming to talk to us about programs and applications and all that. Should be interesting."

Diego's face lit up. "Oh, we had something like that! But ours was for the Career and Technology Center. They had all these stations-welding, graphic design, even cooking. I tried the VR welding thing. It was super cool but... yeah, I sucked at it. Maybe I'll stick to soccer."

Arizona chuckled, tousling his hair. "Don't worry, you've got time to figure it out. Besides, mastering virtual welding doesn't define your entire future, Diego."

Her phone buzzed on the table, interrupting their conversation. She glanced down to see a text from the group chat with Miguel, Demetri, and Eli.

Miguel: Anyone want to check out the community college booth today?
Demetri: They're giving out free stress balls. I'm in.
Eli: Stress balls are pointless. But fine, I'll go.
Miguel: Arizona?

A smile crept onto her face as she quickly typed back.

Arizona: Sure. Zen vibes + college fair = perfect balance.

She stood, finishing the last of her coffee and adjusting her cardigan. "Well, that's my cue to head out. I've got people to meet, colleges to consider, and energy to keep flowing."

"You're leaving already?" Daniella asked, though there was no disappointment in her tone.

Arizona nodded. "Yep. The day's waiting, and I plan to meet it with open arms."

"Just don't forget to text me when you get there," Daniella said, her mom instincts kicking in.

Arizona leaned down to kiss her mom's cheek, then Dolli's, before ruffling Diego's hair. "Always, mamá. Remember, every step is part of the journey, even if you don't know where the path leads."

Dolli smiled fondly. "You're always full of words, niña, but at least they're good ones. Go find your path."

"Thanks, Abuela." Arizona walked toward the door, pausing to glance back at her family. "Have a radiant day, everyone. Stay in tune with your energy."

She stepped outside, the crisp morning air brushing against her skin. The world felt alive, brimming with possibilities, and Arizona was ready to embrace every moment.

Arizona followed the group outside, her wild curls whipping in the sharp breeze as the late morning sun gleamed brightly overhead. The College of the Valley campus sprawled out before her, its neatly trimmed hedges and carefully manicured lawns a stark contrast to the chaos simmering inside her chest. Her shoes crunched softly against the paved walkway, the warmth of the earth beneath her feet grounding her momentarily. She inhaled deeply, the crisp air filling her lungs and settling the restlessness swirling in her mind. The weight on her chest eased just enough for her to think clearly-calm, almost zen-like, despite the undercurrent of tension she couldn't quite shake.

Ahead of them, the tour guide-an overly eager guy who looked like he'd stepped out of a recruitment brochure-marched with purpose. His khakis swished with every step, and his College of the Valley polo shirt gleamed as brightly as his impossibly white teeth. "And here," he said, gesturing grandly to a nearby building, "is our multi-level library. It's the fourth largest in the San Fernando Valley!" His enthusiasm was palpable, his voice filled with pride, as though he personally stacked every book on every shelf.

Demetri, walking at the back of the group with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, let out a loud, pointed snort. "What are we even doing here?" he muttered, his tone dripping with disdain. His expression soured further as he scanned the campus. "If the University of Phoenix wasn't online, it'd probably look like this."

Arizona, a few steps ahead of him, smirked faintly but didn't turn around. "I'm with you, Demetri," she said, her voice dry but firm. "I want to go to Stanford too. But considering my juvenile record..." She shrugged, the corners of her mouth twitching upward in a self-aware smile. "It might be a bit tricky. At least my grades are solid."

Eli, walking beside her, gave her a gentle pat on the back. "You never know, Arizona," he said, his voice tinged with encouragement. But it lacked conviction, like he was saying what he thought she needed to hear instead of what he believed.

Before Arizona could respond, the sharp, startling crash of metal against pavement split the air. Her head whipped around in time to see the tour guide go flying, his feet swept out from under him by an unseen force. His body hit the dirt with a thud that seemed to reverberate across the quad.

For a moment, everything froze. Then Arizona let out an involuntary burst of laughter, the absurdity of the situation cutting through her composure like a knife. "Holy moly!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing out as her hand flew to her mouth to stifle her giggles. Her shoulders shook with barely contained amusement, even as the group rushed forward to see what had happened.

From the chaos emerged two familiar figures: Kyler and Brucks. Kyler strode confidently onto the scene, his grin as wide and self-assured as ever. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and he shoved the guy who had toppled the tour guide with the same cocky swagger Arizona had grown to loathe over the years. "Oh, sick grab, boy!" Kyler shouted, laughing like he'd just watched the greatest prank of all time.

Brucks followed closely behind, grinning ear to ear. His presence tugged at an old, dormant tension in Arizona's chest-memories of middle school, high school, and every unpleasant interaction came rushing back. Arizona wanted to roll her eyes but stopped herself, maintaining the serene calm she'd felt moments earlier. There was no anger, just a vague, lingering distaste for the boys who had been thorns in her side for years.

"You just got brucksed!" Kyler crowed, clearly reveling in the chaos they'd created. The tour guide groaned, struggling to his feet as Kyler turned his attention to the group. His smirk widened as his gaze settled on them. "Oh, what's up, guys?" he drawled, his tone as condescending as ever.

Miguel, the first to recover, took a step forward. His voice was sharp, laced with irritation and disbelief. "Do you go here?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

Kyler shrugged, shaking his head like the question wasn't worth his time. "Nah, it's more like this school goes to me, you know what I mean?" His grin never faltered, the arrogance practically oozing from him.

Eli, standing beside Arizona, shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught off guard by the sudden encounter. His voice was tentative as he addressed Brucks directly. "What's up, Brucks? You... you look good, man," he said, his tone cautious, almost apologetic.

Brucks grinned widely, revealing a dazzling set of new teeth. "Thanks, man," he said with a chuckle. "All new teeth." His pride was evident, his grin bordering on smug.

Arizona's mind flashed back to Eli's Hawk phase, to the time he'd beaten Brucks so badly that the other boy's dental work had become a running joke. Eli must have been thinking the same thing because his hand moved to the back of his neck, his posture shrinking slightly. "Yeah, uh, I'm really sorry about that, dude," he said, his voice low. "I was in a bad place back then and-"

Brucks waved him off, his laugh easy and dismissive. "It's all good, buddy," he said with a shrug. "Play karate games, win karate prizes, you know?"

Kyler clapped him on the back, laughing uproariously. "Man, that's a good one," he said, clearly entertained.

Brucks, still grinning, looked back at Eli. "Hey, it helped me get my life on track. Got me focused. Ad meliora, right? Toward better things."

Eli nodded, though he still seemed uneasy. "Sick," he said softly, the awkwardness hanging heavy in the air.

Arizona, feeling the tension but refusing to let it get to her, finally broke the silence. "You know," she said lightly, her voice carrying an air of detached amusement, "this is the weirdest college tour I've ever been on. But hey, every experience is a lesson, right?"

Brucks gave her a bemused smile, but Kyler, always eager to dominate a room, threw an arm around Demetri. "So what's up, guys?" he asked, his grin never faltering. "We hanging out or what?"

Arizona blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone. She glanced at Miguel, who gave her a small shrug before leaning down to kiss her forehead. Then, without another word, he started following Kyler, leaving her standing between Eli and Demetri.

"I-I guess?" she said hesitantly, her voice unsure. The entire situation felt surreal, like some bizarre dream she couldn't wake up from.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall as Diego rushed to the door. He hated interruptions when he was deep into his video games, but he was home alone, and the knocking wasn't going to stop itself. He swung the door open, still holding a controller in one hand, and came face-to-face with Dylan, who stood on the porch with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets.

"Uh... hey," Dylan greeted, his familiar smirk somewhat dimmed.

Diego frowned, looking up at him. "Dylan? What are you doing here?"

"Is Arizona home?" Dylan asked, glancing over Diego's shoulder into the house like he half-expected her to appear behind him.

"Nope," Diego replied casually. "She went out with her boyfriend." He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "Why? What's up?"

Dylan hesitated, his lips pressing together like he was debating whether to say anything. "Nothing big. I'll catch her later," he said quickly, taking a step back and turning to leave.

But Diego wasn't about to let him off that easily. He reached out and grabbed Dylan's sleeve, pulling him back toward the door. Dylan stumbled slightly, startled by the kid's persistence.

"Wait! Hold on," Diego said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What's going on? You don't just stop by for no reason. Something's up, isn't it?"

Dylan sighed, looking a little sheepish. "It's really not a big deal. I just needed to talk to her about something."

"What something?" Diego pressed, his eleven-year-old curiosity kicking into high gear.

"It's about Sam," Dylan admitted reluctantly.

"Sam?" Diego asked, his eyebrows shooting up. "What about her? You guys didn't break up, did you?"

"What? No!" Dylan said quickly, shaking his head. "Nothing bad, I swear. I just... needed some advice, and Arizona's usually good for that."

Diego snorted. "Yeah, sometimes. But I gotta warn you, my sister's advice is, like, a gamble. Half the time it's legit, and the other half it's her wild ideas that make things worse."

Dylan chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've noticed."

Diego grinned and stepped aside, gesturing for Dylan to come in. "Well, she's not here, but you've got me. I'm her brother, and I know stuff. Come on, I'll help you out."

Dylan arched a skeptical brow. "You're eleven, Diego."

Diego rolled his eyes. "Almost twelve. And I've got wisdom beyond my years, okay? Trust me. Come on."

Reluctantly, Dylan stepped inside, kicking off his shoes and following Diego to the living room. The TV was paused on a chaotic video game screen, and the couch was littered with Diego's snacks, including a half-eaten bag of chips and an empty soda can.

Diego flopped onto the couch and grabbed a second controller, tossing it to Dylan, who caught it with one hand. "Here, you can tell me what's going on while we play. I'm already beating the game, so it's not like you'll slow me down."

"Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence," Dylan said dryly, sitting down and picking up the controller.

"So," Diego said as he unpaused the game. "What's the deal with Sam? Spill."

Dylan hesitated for a moment, his fingers hovering over the controller buttons. "It's not a huge deal, really. She's just been acting kind of... off lately. Distant. Like something's bothering her, but she won't tell me what it is."

Diego nodded thoughtfully as he navigated his character through the game. "Hmm. And you've asked her about it?"

"Of course," Dylan said. "But every time I bring it up, she says she's fine. I know she's not, though. I just don't know what to do. I don't want to push her, but I feel like ignoring it is worse."

Diego was quiet for a moment, focusing intently on the game. Then he spoke, his tone surprisingly wise for his age. "Okay, here's what I think: Sometimes girls just need to know you're there for them without pushing too hard. Like, give her space but make it clear you're ready to listen when she's ready to talk."

Dylan blinked, looking over at him. "That's actually... pretty good advice. Where'd you get that from?"

Diego smirked without looking away from the screen. "Danny Tanner. Full House is packed with life lessons."

Dylan snorted, shaking his head. "Right. Of course."

The tension from earlier began to ease as the conversation shifted to lighter topics. They quickly fell into a rhythm, trash-talking each other as they played the game. Despite Diego's confidence, Dylan managed to hold his own, pulling off a surprise win in one round.

"Oh, come on!" Diego groaned, tossing his controller onto the couch. "How did you even do that?"

"Skill, kid," Dylan said with a smug grin.

Diego crossed his arms, glaring at him. "If Sam dumps you, it's definitely gonna be because of that cocky attitude."

Dylan laughed, leaning back on the couch. "Yeah, thanks for the support."

"Anytime," Diego said with a grin. "But seriously, if you ever need advice-or someone to play video games with-you can come to me. I've got your back."

Dylan smiled, feeling unexpectedly grateful. "Thanks, Diego. I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Diego said, grabbing his controller again. "Now, rematch?"

"You're on," Dylan replied, his earlier worries fading into the background as they dove back into the game.

Arizona stood frozen in the middle of the crowded sorority house, feeling completely out of place. The pounding bass of the music reverberated through her chest, mingling with the shrill laughter and chatter of partygoers around her. The air was thick, a cloying mix of sweat, cheap perfume, and the sharp tang of spilled alcohol. The room swirled with chaos: students stumbling over furniture, shrieking at inside jokes, or grinding on the makeshift dance floor. For Arizona, it felt like stepping into a different world-one she had no interest in being part of.

She shifted uneasily, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as her eyes darted around the room. Everywhere she looked, she was met with unfamiliar faces. Strangers laughing too loud, clinking red Solo cups, their worlds spinning wildly out of control. A bad dream-that's what this felt like. A surreal, technicolor nightmare that made her feel smaller with every passing second.

Her friends weren't faring much better.

Eli stood stiffly beside her, his mouth slightly open as if he couldn't quite process what he was seeing. He hadn't stopped muttering since they walked in, his gaze fixed across the room. There, at the center of a group, stood Brucks. He was grinning, animatedly chatting with the people around him, completely at ease in the chaos. His words carried just enough through the noise to be heard-and they were, unmistakably, in Latin.

Eli blinked hard, rubbing his temple like he was trying to force his brain to catch up. "I... I can't believe this. Brucks. Brucks. The guy I've punched in the face more than once. He got into MIT? And he's... reciting Latin now?"

Demetri leaned against the wall behind them, one eyebrow raised as he sipped his drink. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he nudged Eli. "I don't know, man. Maybe your fists unlocked his dormant genius. Like a reverse concussion or something."

Eli shot him a glare but didn't respond, his focus still locked on Brucks, who was laughing like he owned the place.

Arizona, meanwhile, wasn't paying much attention to their banter. Her gaze wandered through the room, scanning faces until it landed on a familiar one. Kyler. He was on the far side of the room, leaning against a counter as he shamelessly flirted with a girl who seemed too drunk to care about his obnoxious pickup lines.

Miguel followed her line of sight and immediately tensed, his jaw tightening. He crossed his arms and leaned closer to Arizona, muttering under his breath. "Kyler. Of course he's here. And, of course, he's perfectly fine after everything."

Arizona glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're still hung up on him, huh?"

"It's not that," Miguel said quickly, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... how does someone like him always land on his feet? No matter what happens, he's still out there, acting like the king of the world." His voice was laced with frustration, his eyes narrowing as he watched Kyler laugh at some joke only he found funny.

Before Arizona could respond, a loud voice cut through the din of the party.

"Hey, shitbreath!"

Heads turned, and Arizona's attention snapped back to Kyler just in time to see him get shoved-hard-by a guy much bigger than him. Kyler stumbled backward, his drink sloshing out of his cup as he tried to steady himself. His usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced by wide-eyed shock as he looked up at the towering figure in front of him.

Arizona's lips curled into a smirk, and she let out a dry laugh. The irony was almost too much. "Oh, this is rich," she muttered, mostly to herself. She swayed slightly, the alcohol in her system making her words softer, looser. "Kyler's getting Kyler'd by some other guy. Talk about karma."

Miguel shot her a look, his own irritation melting into reluctant amusement. "I guess it was bound to happen eventually."

The bigger guy didn't back down, jabbing a finger into Kyler's chest as he barked something over the music. Kyler tried to puff himself up, but it was clear he was outmatched. His attempts to fight back-verbally or physically-were pitiful, and the larger guy had no problem shoving him again, this time sending him sprawling against the counter.

For a moment, Arizona considered intervening-not to help Kyler, but because the spectacle was starting to make her secondhand embarrassment unbearable. She hated the guy, but even she had to admit it was painful to watch him get taken down like this.

Miguel, however, couldn't just stand there. Despite everything, despite the years of bad blood between them, he sighed heavily and muttered, "Damn it." Without another word, he started toward Kyler and his attacker, his posture tense.

Arizona grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?" she asked, her smirk replaced with a frown.

Miguel shrugged her off gently. "I can't just let this go. He's an ass, but no one deserves to get humiliated like this."

Arizona watched him go, a mix of annoyance and reluctant admiration flickering across her face. "You're too nice for your own good, Miguel."

Miguel didn't respond, already closing the distance between himself and the unfolding confrontation. Arizona leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms as she prepared to watch the chaos Miguel was about to step into.

"Let's see how this plays out," she muttered, half to herself, the noise of the party swallowing her words.

Dylan jogged up the LaRusso driveway, his sneakers scuffing lightly against the pavement as he reached the front door. He hesitated for a second before knocking, his hand tightening around the straps of his backpack. Something felt off-he couldn't put his finger on it, but the cryptic tone of Sam's earlier texts had been gnawing at him all day.

The door swung open, and there she was, standing in her sweats and a faded Miyagi-Do hoodie, her expression clouded. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she looked like she hadn't slept much.

"Hey," Dylan said, offering a lopsided smile as he tried to gauge her mood. "You okay? You've been... quiet lately."

Sam sighed, stepping back to let him in. "Yeah, I'm fine. Or... no, I'm not. It's complicated." She shut the door behind him and motioned toward the living room.

Dylan followed her, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. Sam plopped onto the couch and tucked her legs beneath her, staring blankly at the coffee table. Dylan sat beside her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"Alright, spill," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "What's going on?"

Sam hesitated, biting her lip as if trying to find the right words. Finally, she let out a frustrated sigh and looked at him. "It's... everything. College applications, decisions, life after high school. It's all so overwhelming. And honestly, I feel like I'm just... stuck."

Dylan blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, you're worried about all that? Sam, you've got offers from practically every school in the state. You're, like, the most put-together person I know."

Sam shook her head, a humorless laugh escaping her lips. "That's what everyone thinks. But it's not true. I have no idea what I'm doing. And... look at you, Dylan." She gestured toward him, her voice rising slightly with emotion. "You're a genius. You're going to MIT to build freaking robots and change the world. You've had your path figured out for years. Meanwhile, I can't even decide what to major in."

Dylan frowned, the weight of her words sinking in. He leaned back against the couch, crossing his arms as he considered how to respond. "Sam... that's not fair. Just because I know what I want to do doesn't mean I've got it all figured out. I'm scared too. Leaving home, starting over somewhere new-that's terrifying."

She looked at him skeptically. "You? Scared? Come on, Dylan."

"I mean it," he insisted, his voice steady. "But you know what helps? Reminding myself that it's okay not to have all the answers right now. College isn't some magic switch that's going to solve everything overnight. It's just another step, like high school was. You don't have to have your whole life mapped out on day one."

Sam's shoulders relaxed slightly, but her expression was still troubled. "That's easy for you to say. You've always been so focused. I feel like I'm just... floundering. Like I don't even know who I am outside of all this karate drama and family stuff."

Dylan reached over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Sam, you're one of the strongest people I know. Seriously. You've been through so much, and you've come out of it with this crazy resilience. College isn't going to define you-you're going to define it. And honestly? You're going to crush it, whatever you decide to do."

Her eyes softened, a small smile breaking through the storm of doubt on her face. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Dylan said firmly, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "You've got this. And if you ever need to vent or freak out, you know where to find me. Just don't call me a genius again-it's too much pressure."

Sam laughed, the sound lighter now. "Deal."

For the first time in days, the weight on her chest seemed to lift, even just a little. She wasn't sure if she believed everything Dylan said, but it felt good to hear it anyway.

The backyard was alive with the low hum of chatter, laughter, and faint music spilling from the house. Arizona found herself drawn to a dimly lit corner where a group of girls sat in a haze of smoke, lounging on mismatched patio furniture that had seen better days. The sweet, earthy scent of weed hung in the air, curling around them like a lazy fog.

"Hey, want in?" one of the girls asked, holding up a joint between two fingers. She was wearing a crop top and glittery eyeliner, her expression as casual as the offer.

Arizona hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not?" she replied, her voice calm but curious.

She perched on the arm of the faded couch and took the joint when it was passed her way. The first inhale made her cough slightly, her throat scratching as the smoke filled her lungs. But the buzz came quickly, like warm fingers curling around her brain, softening the edges of everything around her.

"Whoa," Arizona murmured, leaning back and exhaling a slow stream of smoke. The tendrils danced in the air, catching the faint glow of the string lights above. "You ever think about how... everything's just energy?"

One of the girls chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, like... us," Arizona said, gesturing vaguely with her hands. "We're just stardust that got lucky enough to think we're people." She giggled softly, her eyes half-lidded as she stared at the sky. "It's kind of beautiful. And kind of terrifying."

The group exchanged amused glances, one of them murmuring, "She's deep."

Another girl laughed. "Or she's just high."

"Why can't it be both?" Arizona countered, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

She didn't notice Miguel until he stepped into the smoky circle, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. "Arizona?"

Her head turned toward him, her smile widening as if he were the best surprise she'd had all night. "Miguel!" she exclaimed, the sound of his name stretching like a song. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he said softly, his gaze flicking between her and the joint she was still holding. His voice wasn't angry, just puzzled.

She grinned and waved the joint slightly. "Exploring new horizons," she said, giggling. "You want some?"

Miguel sighed, stepping closer. "I think you've had enough," he said gently, reaching out to take her hand and pull her to her feet.

She stumbled slightly, leaning against him for balance. "You're always so serious," she teased, poking his chest with a finger. "It's a party, Miguel. Have some fun."

"I'm trying," he said, his lips twitching into a small smile despite himself. "But I don't think this is your kind of fun."

She tilted her head, studying him with a dreamy expression. "How do you know? Maybe I've changed. Maybe I'm... evolving."

He chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her as he guided her back toward the house. "If this is you evolving, I think I like the old Arizona better."

She giggled again, leaning her head against his shoulder as they weaved through the crowd. "You're sweet, you know that?"

Miguel glanced down at her, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta make sure you don't end up dancing on tables or something."

"I'd be great at that," she said with a mock-serious nod.

He laughed and shook his head, leading her to a quiet hallway near the back of the house. He opened the door to a small bathroom and ushered her inside, closing it behind them to shut out the noise of the party.

"Okay," he said, leaning against the sink as she leaned against the wall. "Let's just... take a second, yeah?"

But instead of answering, Arizona stepped toward him, her hands sliding up his chest as she looked up at him with a lopsided grin. "You're cute when you're worried," she murmured, her voice soft and teasing.

"Arizona..." he began, but whatever he was about to say was lost when she pulled him down into a kiss.

Miguel froze for a moment, his mind racing. The taste of her lips was different-faintly smoky but still undeniably hers. Slowly, his hands came to rest on her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened.

For a few blissful seconds, the rest of the world melted away. The noise of the party, the haze of confusion-it all disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the small, quiet space.

But as much as he wanted to stay in that moment, something in the back of his mind nagged at him. This wasn't the Arizona he knew. This was a version of her that didn't feel quite... real.

Reluctantly, he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers as they both caught their breath. "Arizona," he said quietly, his voice steady but tinged with concern. "What's going on with you?"

She smiled up at him, her eyes half-lidded and her cheeks flushed. "Nothing," she whispered. "I'm fine, Miguel. Just... having fun."

But Miguel wasn't so sure.

Miguel practically dragged Arizona across the crowded room, maneuvering through clusters of people like he was guiding a ship through stormy seas. The pounding bass of the music was everywhere, the deep thrum vibrating through their bodies as they shuffled forward, caught in the rhythm of the night. Arizona stumbled slightly, her steps uneven, but she kept pace with Miguel, her mind still floating in the haze of the high, her vision blurry at the edges as everything felt oddly detached. But she wasn't too far gone to notice the growing tension in the air-Miguel was clearly trying to get her away from whatever trouble she was getting herself into.

Finally, they reached the back corner, and Arizona felt a small sense of relief wash over her as she saw Kyler lounging there, exuding that over-the-top confidence of someone who thought he owned the entire place. He was exactly what she needed-a distraction. It was one of those moments when you just needed to be around someone who didn't have a care in the world, even if that someone was a complete jerk.

Kyler was holding court with a group of guys, gesturing wildly as he spoke, completely oblivious to anyone else around him. His voice boomed over the music, cutting through the noise like a hot knife. "I don't know nothing about Stanford or NYU, Rhea and Arizona, but this place is lit! So, Rhea, when you get here next year, I'm gonna have it on lockdown!" He flashed a grin, his ego inflating with each word, the cockiness practically radiating from him.

Miguel shot Kyler a skeptical look as he crossed his arms, eyebrow raised in that familiar expression of unimpressed disbelief. "You sure you're getting into this frat?" Miguel asked, his voice calm, but the doubt practically dripping off every syllable.

Kyler puffed out his chest as though the question was some personal affront. He straightened up, his chin tilting slightly as if the idea of doubt was a challenge to his entire existence. "Am I sure? Bro, does the Pope shit with a funny hat?" He threw his hands up in exaggerated surrender, clearly proud of his response, as though it would be the ultimate mic drop.

Arizona, rolling her eyes and already tired of the act, sighed dramatically. She glanced over at Miguel, her lips curling into a knowing smirk as she opened her mouth to shut Kyler's nonsense down. "Kyler, we gotta tell you something-"

But just as Arizona began, the room seemed to freeze, and a massive presence appeared in the doorway. Skeeter, one of the frat leaders and a man who looked like he could crush a car with his bare hands, stormed over, his face twisted in a scowl that could cut glass. The crowd around them parted instinctively as he neared, a wave of tension rolling through the air.

"Where's my vacuum?" Skeeter's voice bellowed through the noise, slicing through the moment like a sharp blade. He was clearly livid, his gaze fixed directly on Kyler with such intensity that Arizona could almost feel the heat radiating off him.

Kyler's smug grin faltered for just a moment, his confidence slipping like sand through his fingers. He muttered under his breath, "Oh, shit." The realization was instantaneous. Kyler was in trouble.

Skeeter pointed at the floor, where the remnants of snacks, popcorn, Takis, and crushed cans were scattered across the space like confetti from some twisted party favor. "Yo, vacuum. Clean this up," Skeeter barked, his tone laced with malice. His voice was cold and commanding, making it clear that this wasn't a request. It was an order.

Kyler, not wanting to look weak in front of the crowd, crossed his arms and shrugged dismissively, trying to act like cleaning up was beneath him. "Nah, man, I'm good," he said nonchalantly, though his face betrayed the nervous edge creeping in.

But Skeeter wasn't backing down. His voice thundered even louder, cutting through the air and forcing the party to a sudden standstill. "Hey!" The single word rang out, sharp and commanding. The entire room quieted, the buzz of conversations stifled in an instant. Arizona jumped at the sudden outburst, her body stiffening as the tension grew thick in the air.

Skeeter took a menacing step forward, his breath hot and rancid as he leaned down, getting right in Kyler's face. "Listen, Shitbreath," he spat, his voice low and dripping with venom. "You want in? Get on the ground and be the vacuum." He jerked a thumb toward the mess on the floor, an amused smirk twisting his lips as he added, "Clean it up."

The insult hung in the air like a toxic cloud, and Arizona could feel a sick feeling rising in her stomach. She had never seen anyone humiliate Kyler like this before, and it was almost enough to make her stomach churn. She couldn't look away, though, as much as she wanted to. It was a car crash she couldn't stop watching.

Miguel, sensing things were about to escalate in the worst way, stepped in. His voice was calm but firm, trying to steer things away from violence. "Is he actually getting in?" Miguel asked, his cool demeanor almost clinical as he glanced at Skeeter with a hint of doubt. He wasn't going to let this go down without at least trying to diffuse it.

Skeeter whipped his gaze onto Miguel, the sneer on his face widening as he dismissed the intervention. "How about you stay out of this?" Skeeter snarled, his arrogance palpable as he turned back to Kyler, still towering over him.

Arizona nudged Miguel with her elbow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, shoot. Miguel, you gonna let this dweeb talk to you like that?"

Miguel glanced down at her with a look that clearly said, Not now, but Arizona could tell he wasn't about to let this play out. And that was when she realized that, for better or worse, Miguel was ready to step in and make things right.

Kyler, realizing that things were spiraling out of control, let out a long, defeated sigh. His expression twisted with humiliation, but, with a grimace, he reluctantly dropped down onto all fours. He gave a half-hearted grimace before muttering, "Suction mode, on."

Skeeter grabbed him by the ankles and yanked him toward the floor, turning the whole thing into a sick parody of power. Arizona could hardly watch, her stomach twisting in disgust as Kyler began eating the snacks off the floor, the humiliation of it all almost too much to bear. She covered her face with a hand, shielding herself from the awful scene, muttering, "Okay, this is just sad," under her breath, the embarrassment nearly suffocating.

Miguel had seen enough. With a sharp movement, he shoved Skeeter away from Kyler, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a whip. "Enough!" he commanded, his tone a clear declaration that the humiliation had gone too far.

Kyler scrambled to his feet, wiping his mouth, and spitting out the remnants of what he had just been forced to eat. His face was a mixture of confusion and reluctant relief. He looked at Miguel like a man who couldn't fully process what was happening.

Miguel stepped forward, eyes locking with Skeeter. His voice was cold and unwavering, each word crisp and final. "Why don't you tell him the truth?"

Skeeter raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "The truth about what, man?" he sneered, trying to play it off as if this were just a joke to him.

Kyler, utterly lost, glanced back and forth between Skeeter and Miguel, his face a mask of confusion. "What truth?" he asked, his voice almost childlike in its uncertainty.

Miguel didn't falter. He took another step closer, jaw set, eyes hard as ice. "The truth is that you are never, and I mean never, getting into this frat." His voice rang out, slicing through the tension in the room, and the weight of the words hit like a punch to the gut.

Skeeter's smirk widened, cruel and taunting. "Yeah, we had a good run, but you? You're never getting in here. Not a chance."

The words hit Kyler like a freight train. His face dropped, the harsh reality of it sinking in. For a moment, he looked completely defeated, his bravado shattered. Arizona almost felt a flicker of sympathy for him, but the shock of it all was too overwhelming to ignore.

There was a long, heavy silence as the room processed what had just been said. But then, much to everyone's surprise, Kyler straightened up. His jaw clenched in defiance as he shook his head, trying to salvage whatever dignity he had left. "Your loss," he muttered, turning on his heel and striding past Skeeter, a burst of newfound pride somehow still shining through.

Just as he passed by, a girl carrying a drink walked by, oblivious to the drama unfolding. Without missing a beat, Kyler grabbed her cup and, in one swift motion, poured it over Skeeter's head.

Arizona's jaw dropped in disbelief. She stood there for a second, wide-eyed, before her mouth broke into an amazed grin. "Hell yeah!" she cheered, adrenaline flooding her veins.

Skeeter, drenched and furious, swung a punch at Kyler, but Kyler, quicker than anyone expected, blocked it with ease. He twisted Skeeter's arm behind his back with a fluid motion, his eyes burning with new confidence. "Bitch, don't mess with me," Kyler spat as he locked Skeeter into a headlock, forcing him to the ground.

And just like that, Kyler had turned the tables completely, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

The night was already full of tension, but it kicked into overdrive the moment Kyler swung his fist and connected with Skeeter's face. The sound of the punch echoed through the packed house, followed by Skeeter's body jerking back in surprise. He barely managed to catch himself before stumbling into a nearby table, which tipped over with a loud crash. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze, the stunned crowd unsure of what would happen next.

Then, chaos erupted.

Miguel was the first to act. His reflexes were sharp, honed from years of karate training, and in an instant, he was in motion. He rushed to Kyler's side, throwing an elbow into the face of the frat guy who had tried to sucker-punch him from behind. The guy staggered back, knocking into a stack of chairs. Before he could recover, Miguel followed up with a swift roundhouse kick to his chest, sending the guy sprawling.

"Nice!" Kyler yelled, flashing a grin before he spun around to face another frat guy who had come at him from the side. With no hesitation, Kyler slammed his fist into the guy's stomach, knocking the wind out of him, and sent him reeling backward.

Eli, seeing his friends taking the lead, cracked his knuckles and dove into the fray. A massive grin spread across his face. He saw a larger frat guy charging him and caught him by the collar before slamming him into the bar with a sickening thud. The guy barely had time to react before Eli had already twisted him around, throwing him into a group of his friends.

"Guess I'm not the only one throwing punches tonight!" Eli laughed, his adrenaline pumping as he prepared to face the next challenger.

Demetri, who had been hesitating on the sidelines for a brief moment, suddenly found himself caught up in the action. Seeing his friends in full swing, he stepped forward, pushing a guy who was lunging toward him. His legs kicked into high gear, and he landed a solid spin kick that sent one frat guy crashing into the others. "Damn, this feels good!" Demetri grinned, surprised by how much he was enjoying himself.

But then, Arizona-who had been in a daze, feeling the effects of her high-suddenly felt the surge of the fight coursing through her. Her mind buzzed as the room around her seemed to slow down. Her reflexes kicked in, sharper than she expected. Her senses were heightened in a strange, surreal way, and she found herself weaving through the chaos effortlessly. She dodged a frat guy trying to tackle her, her movements fluid, like she was in a trance. Without thinking, she kicked out, catching him in the chest and sending him stumbling into a stack of chairs, his head banging against the wood.

She barely noticed the guy who tried to grab her again, but her instincts took over, and she elbowed him in the face, knocking him off balance. The world around her was a whirlwind of shouts, punches, and broken glass, but she was strangely calm amidst it all.

Then she saw him.

Brucks.

The sight of him was almost mesmerizing as he grabbed one of the frat guys by the collar, lifting him off the ground with a roar of effort. With one powerful slam, he sent the guy crashing into a nearby table with a loud crash that rattled the entire room. The table groaned under the weight of the impact before splintering. Arizona blinked in disbelief, and for a split second, time seemed to freeze. The chaos around her paused as she watched Brucks' brutal display.

Kyler, still fighting his own battles, caught sight of Brucks' move and whooped in admiration. "Hell yeah! That's how you do it!" he shouted, raising a fist in the air like he was at a sports game.

Eli, grinning ear to ear, threw up his hands, laughing. "That was insane! Brucks, you're a freakin' legend!" He knocked out another frat guy with a swift punch, not even breaking a sweat as he cheered Brucks on.

Demetri, too, couldn't help himself. He turned to Arizona, a wild grin on his face. "Did you see that? Brucks just destroyed that guy!" He laughed, his energy high from the fight.

Arizona, still in her altered mental state, let out a slow laugh, feeling a strange rush. Her body moved on autopilot, dancing through the chaos of punches, kicks, and chaos. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so alive-so detached and free.

But just as the adrenaline of the moment seemed to reach its peak, a new sound sliced through the noise: the shrill wail of sirens growing louder with each passing second. Arizona's heart raced, the sudden tension dragging her back to reality. Her movements became slower, more deliberate, as she realized that this wasn't just another fight. This was about to end, and not on their terms.

"Cops!" someone shouted, their voice tinged with panic. The others froze for a split second, the reality of the situation dawning on them.

"Shit, they're here," Kyler muttered, already turning to flee. His mind was still buzzing from the fight, but he was smart enough to know when to cut his losses. "Everyone out!"

Miguel, his fists still clenched, shot a look over his shoulder as the sound of police sirens intensified. "Move! Now!" he shouted, urgency in his voice.

In a flash, the group sprang into action, scrambling to escape the chaos they'd just created. Arizona, feeling dizzy from the high but now fully aware of the situation, followed Kyler as he led the way to the exit. She shoved through the crowd of stunned frat boys and drunk partygoers, trying to keep her bearings.

Arizona was perched on a low stool in front of the claw machine at the food court, her gaze locked onto the stuffed animals hanging inside the glass case. The bright colors of the toys and the flashing lights from the machine created a dizzying effect that only seemed to enhance her high. She squinted at the claw, fingers twitching, trying to guide it toward the plush unicorn she had her eye on.

Her movements were slow, exaggerated, like she was lost in some sort of trance. She pressed the button to drop the claw, but it missed the toy by a mile. Arizona let out a soft sigh, as if the disappointment of missing was the most profound thing she had ever experienced.

"You know, you're never gonna win anything with that approach," Miguel's voice cut through the haze of her thoughts, snapping her out of her reverie. He was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her with a mixture of confusion and concern.

Arizona turned slowly, her eyes widening as if she'd only just noticed him. She gave him a lazy grin. "Miguel! Hey, what's up?" She blinked a couple of times, trying to focus on his face but struggling with the effort.

Miguel raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "What is going on with you? Why are you acting like this? You're, like, super zen right now... and I saw you smoking earlier. Are you high?" His voice was low, a bit worried, but mostly confused by the way she was acting.

Arizona tilted her head back, gazing at the ceiling as if pondering his question deeply. "Oh, well... you know, I've been to India, Miguel." She spoke slowly, almost dramatically, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes narrowed as she tapped the side of her temple. "A few weeks, actually. Family trip. We did a lot of... soul-searching. Meditation. Very zen stuff."

Miguel blinked at her, not sure whether to be impressed or concerned. "India? You went to India? With your family?" He shook his head, his confusion deepening. "When? And why didn't you tell me about it?"

Arizona shrugged, her fingers drifting absentmindedly toward the claw machine again, despite its clear inability to cooperate. "It was... personal," she said vaguely, her voice smooth and dreamy. "You know, family stuff. And it was, like, life-changing." She waved a hand in front of her face, as though fanning away some invisible force. "I just came back... feeling very zen, you know? Like, I'm one with the universe now. Everything's just... perfect, man."

She leaned back on the stool, closing her eyes for a moment and letting the world around her blur. She could still feel the distant hum of the food court, but everything seemed so far away. Peaceful, even. The overwhelming noise of the mall melted into background noise, just part of the eternal flow.

Miguel was silent for a beat, his concern growing. "Okay, Arizona, this isn't you. You never acted like this before." His voice softened a little. "Look, I know we've all got our stuff going on, but if you're... you know, doing this to cope or something, it's not really helping."

Arizona opened one eye to look at him, then squinted against the light. She thought about his words for a second, her mind clouded but still capable of some clarity. "Nah, Miguel, I'm good. Really. I'm just in the zone, okay?" She stretched her arms above her head like a cat, her movements fluid and exaggerated. "Everything is perfect. The universe is perfect. I'm perfect."

She gave him a lazy grin, clearly not taking anything too seriously.

Miguel sighed, a bit exasperated. He knelt down next to her, trying to meet her at eye level. "Arizona, I know you're not exactly the 'follow the rules' type, but this is something different. I'm just worried about you, okay?"

Arizona's gaze softened as she looked at him, blinking slowly. "Aw, Miguel, I'm fine." She patted his arm gently, as if reassuring a child. "Really. I've got it all figured out. You just gotta relax, man."

Her eyes flickered back to the claw machine, her attention now shifting fully to the dangling plush toys. She reached out and hit the button again, her eyes focusing with surprising intensity despite her apparent haze.

Miguel couldn't help but shake his head, feeling both concerned and mildly entertained by the situation. He wasn't sure what had happened to Arizona, but this wasn't the girl he knew. Still, he knew better than to push her too hard, so he backed off, leaning against the nearby vending machine.

"Alright, but if you need to talk, you know where to find me, okay?" he said, his voice calm but with an edge of sincerity.

Arizona gave him a long, thoughtful look before offering him a grin that was almost too big for her face. "Yeah, yeah, I got it. No worries. I'm fine."

And with that, she refocused on the claw machine, oblivious to everything around her, as if the entire universe was contained in the colorful stuffed animals that hung just out of reach.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

mmm arizona is hiding something...🤭

miguel and arizona are so cute

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