chapter fourteen:
❛ nature vs nuture ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE

✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸

Arizona burst into the hospital room, her breath catching as she saw Miguel lying in bed, his eyes open and alert. Her heart skipped a beat as she hurried over to him, her hands trembling as she wrapped him in a tight embrace. Miguel's neck was held rigidly in a brace, and a complex apparatus was fastened around his head, designed to keep his spine immobilized. The sight of him in such a vulnerable state made her grip him even tighter, her voice cracking with emotion.

"Oh— Oh my god," Arizona's voice trembled as she pulled back slightly, trying to steady herself. "S-Sorry. Mig, I'm so happy you're awake."

Miguel's eyes were filled with a mixture of relief and frustration. His face, despite the discomfort of his injuries, was set in a scowl. Carmen, Miguel's mother, noticed the tension and offered a warm, yet strained smile. "I'll leave you two alone," she said gently, her eyes darting between them before she exited the room.

Arizona watched as Carmen left, then turned her full attention back to Miguel. The smile on her face faded as she saw the anger in his eyes. Miguel looked as though he was struggling to contain his frustration.

"Miguel, what's wrong?" Arizona asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere with a nervous laugh.

Miguel's response was a dry, clipped laugh, filled with bitterness. "What's wrong? Arizona, you started a fight with Sam! I expect this from Tory, but you? What's going on with you? You slashed Sam's arm!"

Arizona's face tightened with anger. "How do you know all this? You've been awake for like ten minutes," she retorted, her tone edged with irritation and disbelief.

Miguel's eyes were piercing. "Arizona, I watched you. I saw you drag Sam across the floor and then slash her arm. It wasn't a blur of pain or a haze of confusion; it was clear. I saw it with my own eyes."

Her expression hardened further. "Miguel, she deserved it! She kissed you—she tried to steal you from me again! She's done it before, and I'm not going to let her get away with it. Not now, not ever!"

Miguel's face fell with disappointment. "Arizona, I don't know what's happened to you. I miss the old you. The one who was kind and caring, the one who used to make everyone around her feel safe. This isn't you. Cobra Kai is messing with your head."

Arizona's eyes flashed with anger and bitterness. "No, no... This is all Sam's fault! She's the one who turned me into this. I was just in her shadow, always second-best. I'm not going to let her kiss my boyfriend and get away with it. If anything, Cobra Kai helped me break through that weak girl who was always getting pushed around."

Miguel's frustration was palpable. "You're blaming Sam, but it's not just about her. This isn't who you used to be. I'm worried about you. You're letting Cobra Kai change you into someone you're not."

Arizona laughed bitterly, her voice laced with contempt. "You don't understand, Miguel. You have no idea what it's like to be overshadowed and belittled. I had to fight back, and if that means hurting Sam, so be it. She had it coming!"

Miguel shook his head slowly, his face a mask of sadness. "I'm not your boyfriend anymore, Arizona. I can't be with someone who would hurt their ex-best friend just to prove a point. I want to be with someone who cares about people, who understands the value of friendship and love. I want the Arizona who loved her essential oils and was gentle, the one who wouldn't hurt someone."

Arizona's eyes widened in shock, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and pain. "What? What are you talking about?" she said, her voice a mix of disbelief and hurt.

Miguel closed his eyes, a deep sigh escaping him. "I'm saying that I can't be with someone who has become so twisted by anger and resentment. I want the person I fell for, not this version of you who's so consumed by hatred. I miss the old you, and I'm not willing to be with someone who has lost sight of who they really are."

Arizona's frustration boiled over, her fists clenching at her sides. "Whatever, Miguel. Good luck getting back on your feet," she snapped, turning toward the door but stopping briefly to shoot one last angry comment. "And it's most definitely Sam's fault. Now, I have an ankle monitor," she added bitterly, her voice dripping with resentment, before storming out of the room.

Miguel watched her go, his expression a mix of relief and sorrow. The room seemed to fill with the weight of their shattered relationship, and the unresolved conflict between them left a lingering tension. As the door slammed shut behind Arizona, Miguel lay there, feeling the ache of both his injuries and the loss of a relationship that had once meant everything to him.

Arizona entered the kitchen, her shoulders heavy with the weight of her responsibilities. The small house was cluttered with the remnants of their daily lives, and the chaos seemed to reflect her own inner turmoil. She glanced at Diego, her 11-year-old brother, who was planted on the couch, eyes glued to the TV screen. His face was illuminated by the flickering light from the game, his concentration intense as he yelled at the TV in frustration.

"Diego, lunch!" Arizona called out, her voice carrying a note of weariness.

Diego barely looked up from his game. "Thanks, Arizona!" he mumbled, his eyes still fixed on the screen as he grabbed the plate from her hand. He shoved a forkful of food into his mouth without missing a beat, his attention consumed by the virtual world before him.

Arizona watched him for a moment, a mix of sadness and determination in her eyes. She knew that Diego's escape into his video games was a way for him to cope, just as her own distractions were. Shaking her head, she moved towards the stairs, each step feeling like a mile as she ascended to her mother's room.

When she reached the top of the stairs, Arizona paused outside Daniella's bedroom door. The scene inside was as chaotic as the rest of their lives. Empty bottles of alcohol lay scattered across the floor, their contents long drained. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tightly. Daniella lay on the bed, her body sprawled out in a way that spoke of exhaustion and despair. Her breathing was slow and uneven, a sign of the deep sleep that alcohol often induced.

Arizona's heart ached at the sight. She placed the plate of food on the edge of the bed, trying to be gentle so as not to disturb her mother. "Mom, please wake up," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of hope and frustration. But Daniella remained motionless, lost in her alcohol-induced slumber. Arizona stood by the bed for a moment, her eyes drifting over the clutter and disorder, feeling the weight of the family's struggles pressing down on her.

With a resigned sigh, Arizona turned and headed outside. She needed a moment away from the suffocating atmosphere of the house. As she walked towards the trash bins, she spotted Mr. Tucker, the landlord, waiting by the front gate. His posture was rigid, his arms crossed over his chest, and his expression was one of stern disapproval.

"Miss Arizona," Mr. Tucker called out as she approached, his tone clipped and authoritative. "You haven't been paying for the property."

Arizona rolled her eyes in frustration. "Things are hard right now, Mr. Tucker. Sorry," she said curtly, brushing past him with an attempt to avoid the confrontation.

Mr. Tucker's face hardened. "Well, things will be a lot harder if you don't settle up. Either pay me by Saturday or face eviction."

Arizona's heart sank. The thought of losing their home was almost too much to bear. She turned to face Mr. Tucker, her voice tinged with desperation. "I can't do that," she replied, her eyes pleading for understanding.

Mr. Tucker's gaze became more calculating. "Actually, you can. If you're short on cash, there might be another way you can make up for it."

Arizona's eyebrows arched in disbelief. "A different way? What are you talking about?"

Mr. Tucker's tone shifted to one that was more suggestive, his eyes glinting with a hint of lechery. "If you don't want to be evicted, I wouldn't mind a little... personal favor."

Arizona's face flushed with shock and anger. "A personal favor? Are you serious?" she demanded, her voice rising. Her hands clenched into fists as she took a step forward, confronting him directly.

Mr. Tucker's expression remained smug, but his voice wavered slightly. "Hey, hey. It was just a suggestion, little lad. I bet your parole officer wouldn't like to be called about this."

The mention of her parole officer only fueled Arizona's rage. Without warning, she grabbed Mr. Tucker by the arm and twisted it behind his back, pinning him in a move that was both swift and forceful. His face contorted in pain and surprise as he tried to wriggle free.

"Don't you ever talk to me like that again," Arizona hissed, her voice low and fierce. "I will not be threatened or exploited. You have no right to make such disgusting suggestions."

Mr. Tucker winced, his accent becoming more pronounced as he tried to placate her. "Alright, alright. No need to get worked up. It was just a suggestion. I'm sure your parole officer would be very interested in hearing about this situation."

Arizona shoved him away, her anger boiling over. "I'll get you the money soon," she said, her voice cold and unyielding. "But don't you dare think for a second that I'd ever consider your 'suggestion.'"

With that, she turned and walked back toward the house, slamming the door behind her. The confrontation had left her shaken, but she knew she had to stay strong for her family. She felt a surge of resolve. No matter how tough things got, she wouldn't let anyone take advantage of her or her situation. She had to find a way to keep her family's home and protect the fragile stability they still had.

Arizona was seated on the couch, surrounded by scattered bills as she counted the money she had managed to scrape together for the property. The living room was cluttered with the remnants of their daily struggles, and the tension in the air was palpable. Diego was hunched over the coffee table, engrossed in his video game, his shouts and frustrated curses punctuating the otherwise quiet space.

The doorbell rang, jolting Arizona from her focus. She glanced over at Diego, who barely acknowledged the sound. "Are you gonna get that, Di?" she asked.

Diego, eyes still fixed on the screen, shook his head. "Nah," he muttered, clearly more interested in his game than in answering the door.

Arizona sighed, rolling her eyes. She reluctantly got up from the couch and made her way to the front door. As she opened it, she was met with the imposing figure of John Kreese. Her eyes narrowed in distaste. She had never liked him, and now that he was the Sense at Cobra Kai, her feelings hadn't changed.

"What do you want?" Arizona snapped, her voice edged with irritation.

Kreese's lips curled into a smirk. "I know you don't really like me, but I have an offer," he said smoothly.

Arizona crossed her arms over her chest, her expression guarded. "What is it with you and old guys wanting to fuck?" she retorted, her voice laced with disdain.
Kreese's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, no, no. I— Uh, you're a pretty girl, but no. That's not what I'm here for," he quickly clarified, his composure momentarily rattled.

Arizona raised an eyebrow, her skepticism clear. "Then what?" she demanded.

"I want you to come back to Cobra Kai." Kreese revealed, his tone serious.

Arizona laughed out loud, a bitter sound. "You're funny if you think I'm gonna come back just because you're the Sense now," she said, her tone mocking.

Kreese nodded slowly, unfazed. "Why's that?" he inquired, genuinely curious.

"Well, first, I don't like you. And also, I have curfew since I got this stupid ankle monitor, probation, working, trying to do homeschooling, but I'm thinking about dropping out and getting my GED. I have to take care of my little brother and my mother. So, yeah. My life is great," Arizona said sarcastically, her frustration evident.

Kreese's expression softened slightly, though he maintained his authoritative stance. "Cobra Kai is your second home," he said, as if that should be reason enough to return.

Arizona shrugged, thinking back to Miguel's harsh words. "I lost my boyfriend because of Cobra Kai and because of Sam LaRusso. Why should I come back?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion and hurt.

Kreese sighed, a flicker of genuine concern crossing his face. "Your mother... what's wrong?" he asked, his tone more measured.

Arizona was taken aback by his question. "If it's any of your business, she's an alcoholic. I blame my stupid dad," she said bitterly, her voice laced with anger and sadness.
Kreese's gaze softened further, but he remained focused.

"Sorry to hear about that. You live in a charming neighborhood," he commented, though his observation seemed almost disjointed from the conversation.

Arizona's attention was drawn to her landlord, Mr. Tucker, strolling across the street. She clenched her jaw, her irritation palpable. "Trust me, this place isn't charming," she said, her tone dripping with disillusionment.

Kreese noticed her shift in focus and glanced at Mr. Tucker before returning his gaze to Arizona. "I need to go," she muttered, her patience wearing thin.

As she began to close the door, Kreese placed a hand to stop it. "Just think about coming back," he urged. "I talked to Tory about coming back too; she's coming back only if you do. And your friend Hawk misses you."

Arizona paused, her hand on the door handle.
She considered his words for a moment before nodding curtly. "I'll think about it," she said, her voice flat. She then shut the door firmly, leaving Kreese standing on the other side.

Arizona leaned against the door, exhaling deeply. The conversation with Kreese had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. She needed to focus on her family and find a way to balance her chaotic life. As she walked back to the living room, her thoughts were consumed with the uncertainty of her future and the tangled threads of her past.

Later that evening, Arizona was still sitting on the couch, her mind heavy with the day's events. She heard a knock at the door, and her irritation flared. With a sigh, she dragged herself off the couch and went to answer it, half-expecting it to be someone else with another problem.

When she opened the door, Mr. Tucker was standing there, looking flustered and out of breath. His usual composed demeanor was replaced with an anxious, almost frantic energy.

"Miss Arizona, I—I need to apologize," Mr. Tucker stammered, his voice laced with urgency.

Arizona's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her irritation giving way to curiosity.

"I'm really sorry for what I said before," Mr. Tucker continued, wringing his hands nervously. "I shouldn't have made that offer. It was inappropriate, and I regret it."

Arizona was taken aback by his sudden change in attitude. "Uh, okay..."

"I—uh, I've been thinking," Mr. Tucker said, his eyes darting around as if checking for anyone who might overhear. "I can—well, I can let you stay here for free. No rent. Just for the time being. You and your family don't have to worry about paying."

Arizona's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wait, what? You can't just—"

Before she could respond further, Mr. Tucker seemed to panic. He glanced nervously at the street, then back at Arizona. "I need to go. I—I'll figure things out. Just, please, accept the offer. I'll be in touch."

He turned abruptly and sprinted down the street, leaving Arizona standing in the doorway, stunned.

She closed the door slowly, her mind racing. The sudden reversal in Mr. Tucker's stance left her more confused than ever. What had prompted this drastic change? She wondered if there was more to the story than she was being told. With a sigh, she returned to the living room, her thoughts now tangled with questions about Mr. Tucker's odd behavior and what it meant for her family's future.

Arizona pulled into the parking lot of Cobra Kai, her car coming to a stop with a slight screech. She took a deep breath before stepping out, the familiar sight of the dojo bringing a mix of comfort and tension. As she glanced toward the entrance, she noticed Tory standing outside, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

Arizona cracked a grin and made her way over. "Hey, Tor. Sorry we haven't talked in a week," Arizona said, her voice tinged with regret.

Tory pushed off the wall and gave her a small, understanding smile. "It's okay, Ari," she replied, her tone forgiving.

Arizona sighed deeply, the weight of her recent troubles settling heavily on her shoulders. "Miguel broke up with me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it aloud made it more real.

Tory's expression hardened, her protective instincts kicking in immediately. "Fuck him. You don't need him," she said firmly, her voice filled with the fierce loyalty that Arizona had always admired in her friend.

Arizona nodded, grateful for Tory's unwavering support. The two girls walked into Cobra Kai together, the familiar scent of sweat and determination filling the air as they entered the dojo. The atmosphere was tense, as it always was, but today it felt different—more intense, more purposeful.

Kreese, who had been observing from across the room, spotted the girls as they stepped inside. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth as he approached them. "Welcome back, Nichols, Alvarez," he greeted them, his tone smooth and calculated.

Arizona nodded in acknowledgment, kicking off her shoes as she did so. "Yeah, that issue I had... no more," she said, her voice steady, though the underlying anger and resolve were evident.

Kreese gave a satisfied nod, as if her words were exactly what he wanted to hear. "Good. Now, join the others. We have work to do."

Arizona exchanged a glance with Tory before they both moved to join the group. As Arizona stepped into place beside Hawk, she dapped him up, their handshake quick and familiar. Hawk grinned at her, his expression a mix of relief and excitement. It was clear he was glad to have her back.

"Glad you're here," Hawk said, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

"Yeah, me too," Arizona replied, her tone carrying a renewed sense of purpose. She knew she wasn't the same person she was before, but in this moment, surrounded by her Cobra Kai family, she felt a sense of belonging.

The training was about to begin, and as Kreese's voice barked out instructions, Arizona's focus sharpened. Whatever was coming next, she was ready for it. She wasn't just back—she was back with a vengeance.

ASH SPEAKS!

i hated the other gif for s3, so i made a new one...

i miss writing sweet gentle arizona— baby come home!!! mommy misses you :(

HELP THIS IS ME FROM THE GREATEST SHOWMAN JUST CAME ON MY SPOTIFY—THIS LITERALLY FITS ARIZONA.