chapter twenty-five:
❛ kisses on cheeks ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

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Arizona stood beside Demetri, her arms crossed as she observed Johnny holding up the handheld mats, waiting for Demetri to strike. Johnny wasn't fully paying attention, his focus shifting momentarily as he exchanged a few words with Miguel across the dojo. Demetri, ever the nervous one, took a deep breath and tried to muster up some courage.

Arizona shot him a quick glance, raising an eyebrow. "You got this," she whispered, giving him a little nudge of encouragement.

Demetri nodded, his nerves bubbling up but doing his best to keep calm. He swung his leg up, aiming for the mats, but his aim was off—way off. Instead of hitting the target, his foot connected squarely with Johnny's face. The dojo went silent for a split second, the sound of Demetri's foot colliding with Johnny's cheek reverberating through the room.

Arizona's eyes went wide for a moment before she burst into uncontrollable laughter. She clutched her stomach, practically doubling over as the scene played out in front of her. "Oh my God, Demetri!" she gasped between laughs, barely able to contain herself.

Johnny blinked, clearly dazed for a moment, before he slowly lowered the mats. His jaw clenched as his hand reached up to rub the side of his face where Demetri had kicked him. Demetri, meanwhile, looked like he had just seen a ghost, his leg still awkwardly hanging midair before he lowered it, frozen with fear.

"Oh shit," Demetri muttered, his voice shaky. "Um, I'm not gonna get in any trouble, am I?" His eyes darted nervously between Johnny and Arizona, clearly hoping for a way out of the impending storm.

Arizona, still giggling, gave him a pat on the shoulder, her amusement barely contained as she leaned in. "Dem, you shouldn't have said that," she whispered, smirking mischievously. The look on her face only made Demetri more anxious.

Johnny stood still for a moment, the tension in the air thick. His face was unreadable, his eyes locked on Demetri, who looked like he was ready to bolt at any second. Johnny slowly cracked his neck, then his knuckles, and for a brief moment, Demetri thought he was about to meet his doom.

Demetri swallowed hard, his voice small. "What do you mean by that?" he asked Arizona, eyes wide, panic clear in his tone.

Johnny took a slow step forward, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Trouble?" he repeated, his voice low and controlled. "Nah, Demetri. No trouble."

For a split second, Demetri visibly relaxed, his shoulders sagging with relief. But Johnny wasn't done.

He cracked his knuckles louder this time. "But congratulations," Johnny said, his smirk growing. "You just volunteered to stay after class for some extra practice. We're gonna work on that aim of yours."

Demetri's face went pale again, the realization hitting him like a truck. "Wait, extra practice? But—" he stammered, glancing desperately at Arizona, who was still fighting to suppress her laughter.

Arizona shrugged, giving him a look that was both amused and sympathetic. "Told you," she said with a grin, clearly enjoying the situation a little too much.

Johnny took another step closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Gotta make sure you don't accidentally kick someone's head off next time, Demetri."

Demetri winced, his mind racing. "Great... just great," he mumbled under his breath, casting a pleading look at Arizona. "This is the last thing I needed."

Johnny turned away slightly, giving Demetri a momentary reprieve as he set the mats down. Demetri sighed in relief for a split second, only for Johnny to whip back around with a grin that spelled nothing but trouble. "By the way, Demetri," Johnny added, "this is gonna be fun."

Arizona couldn't help but chuckle again. "Consider it a learning opportunity," she teased, her tone playful but not without sympathy. "You might wanna work on not kicking sensei in the face next time."

Demetri groaned, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly dreading what was about to come. "Yeah, thanks for the advice, Arizona," he said sarcastically, glancing between her and Johnny, who was still smirking at him. "I'll definitely keep that in mind... if I survive."

Demetri hung from the punching bag, tied up tightly with a small mattress awkwardly strapped around his torso. The blindfold stuffed in his mouth muffled his protests and reduced his voice to panicked hums. His arms were secured behind his back, and he swayed slightly with every motion, clearly regretting his decision to show up for extra training.

Johnny stood in front of the group, unfazed by Demetri's pitiful situation. "All right," Johnny barked, hands on his hips. "One of the best ways to get a point in a fight is to aim for the torso. Big target, easy hit, but you have to hit clean, and you have to hit hard." He illustrated his point by swinging his hand forward, landing a flat-handed strike right into the middle of the mattress with a resounding thud.

A muffled, pained groan escaped from Demetri, who jerked forward from the force. He couldn't see anything, but he could feel everything, and the strain in his voice made it clear he wasn't having a good time.

Arizona stood to the side, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Demetri, her friend, looked absolutely ridiculous trussed up like this, but the dojo's intense training wasn't exactly known for mercy.

Johnny turned to her. "Arizona, you're up first. Front kick, side kick. Remember—through the target, not just to it. Got it?"

She nodded, her gaze flicking toward Demetri's helpless figure. His muffled voice broke through again, this time more panicked as he felt Arizona preparing to take her stance.

"Huh?!" Demetri's eyebrows shot up, the blindfold covering his eyes but not his growing anxiety. He shifted in the ropes, trying to brace himself for the inevitable. Arizona couldn't help but feel a little bad, but she knew Demetri could handle it. At least, she hoped he could.

"Sorry, Dem," Arizona said softly before drawing a deep breath. She centered herself, focusing on the task ahead, and with a sharp exhale, she unleashed a front kick that slammed into Demetri's torso.

"Uuugh!" came the groan from Demetri, who swung slightly from the impact. His body jerked backward, only to be pulled forward by the ropes tying him to the punching bag. Arizona didn't hesitate—Johnny wouldn't let her. She followed up with a swift sidekick, landing another solid hit.

Demetri's muffled grunts punctuated each strike, the mattress barely doing its job as Arizona completed her kicks. She winced slightly but kept her focus, pulling her leg back into a strong stance.

Johnny grinned, clearly pleased with her effort. "Very nice, Bubblegum! That's what I'm talking about—power, precision. Solid kicks!"

Arizona stepped back, exhaling with relief, and wiped the sweat from her brow. She offered Demetri a quick, sympathetic look, but he couldn't see it, still trapped and swaying slightly from the earlier blows.

Next up was Sam. She approached with a mix of sympathy and determination. "Sorry, Demetri," she said sincerely, biting her lip as she got into her stance. Her apology was heartfelt, but her kick was anything but gentle. She drove her foot into his torso with surprising force, causing Demetri to let out another groan of pain as his body swung back again.

"Nice kick, LaRusso!" Johnny barked, giving her an approving nod. "Remember, both of you—whip that foot through the target. You've got to hit hard and fast."

Sam stepped back as Chris approached next, looking slightly nervous but ready to give it a go. Johnny's attention was elsewhere, distracted by Daniel, who was off in a nearby hut coaching some students in breathing techniques.

Chris saw his chance and swung his leg in a wide arc—but his aim was too low. The kick landed not in the torso but directly into Demetri's groin.

Demetri's reaction was immediate. His whole body jerked, and a deep, guttural groan of pain ripped from his throat, even through the blindfold. His knees tried to fold inward, but the restraints kept him upright.

Arizona's eyes widened in horror and amusement, her hand flying to her mouth as she struggled to hold back her laughter. "Oh my God, Chris!" she gasped, her voice teetering on the edge of a laugh as Demetri's face scrunched up in sheer agony.

Chris, wide-eyed and horrified, stepped back, hands up. "Oh, shit. I missed. My bad, Meat," he said quickly, looking genuinely apologetic.

Johnny finally turned around, catching the tail end of the chaos. Completely unfazed by the situation, he gave a nod of approval. "Very good. Suck it up, Demetri. Tighten that core—this is all part of training."

Demetri's head slumped forward, still recovering from the unintentional low blow. Arizona stifled another giggle, her face scrunched up with the effort of holding it back.

"Sorry, Dem," she whispered again, though this time she wasn't sure if she was apologizing for the kicks or for laughing at his predicament.

Either way, Demetri wasn't in any position to respond. He was just trying to survive the rest of the training session, one painful kick at a time.

The warm winter night wrapped around the drive-in theater, the familiar scent of popcorn and fried food mingling with the sound of laughter. Arizona, Miguel, Hawk, Demetri, Sam, and Dylan were nestled inside Miguel's car, the large screen in front of them illuminating their faces as the opening credits of Fight Club rolled. Arizona leaned back, her laughter echoing softly as Miguel whispered a joke into her ear. They were caught up in their little world, the rest of their friends fading into the background.

"Hey, you two lovebirds," Hawk teased from the front seat, rolling his eyes dramatically. "We're not here to listen to your romantic banter. Let's grab some food before we miss the good stuff." He shot a pointed look at Demetri, who had been too engrossed in his phone to notice.

Demetri sighed, looking up from the screen. "Do I have to?" He glanced nervously at the others, remembering the last time Hawk had dragged him into something ridiculous. But Hawk was already unbuckling his seatbelt and half-pulling Demetri out of the car.

"Come on, you owe me after that disaster during training," Hawk said with a grin, already dragging Demetri toward the snack stand. Demetri stumbled out, mumbling protests, while Hawk laughed, his voice trailing off as they walked away.

Left alone in the car, Dylan shifted awkwardly in his seat, sandwiched between Arizona and Sam. His heart raced as he stole glances at Arizona, whose laughter seemed to fill the air with a lightness he had missed for so long. But there was Miguel, too, her past love, and it made him nervous. He could sense the chemistry between them, and it gnawed at his insides.

Sam, who had been watching Dylan, raised an eyebrow at his discomfort. "You're staring, you know," she whispered teasingly, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

Dylan jumped, his face heating up. "Shh! Don't say that," he whispered, glancing quickly at Miguel, who was still focused on Arizona. "What if Miguel hears you? I don't want him to kill me."

Sam laughed softly, clearly amused by his reaction. "Relax! He's not going to kill you just because you have feelings for—"

Dylan's hand shot up, covering her mouth to stop her. "Shh!" he hissed, glancing at Miguel again. His heart raced, and he could feel panic rising in his chest. Sam raised an eyebrow, her expression bemused but patient as she pushed his hand away.

"Okay, okay. But maybe you should consider liking other people," Sam suggested, her tone playful but earnest. She leaned in closer, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

Dylan's heart raced at the implication. Does she mean... her? The thought sent a rush of warmth through him, but he couldn't be sure. He stared at Sam, a mixture of hope and confusion playing across his features.

Just then, Sam's playful expression faded, and her gaze shifted to the left. "Robby," she muttered, her voice suddenly serious.

Dylan turned to see Robby surrounded by a group of Cobra Kais at the snack stand, their body language tense and aggressive. Robby was standing close to Hawk, who looked ready to explode. Kyler was there too, smirking, as if he were waiting for a fight to break out.

Sam's eyes widened. "They're going to start something," she said, her voice low. "We need to do something."

Miguel looked from Sam to Arizona, and without saying a word, they both knew they couldn't just sit back. Miguel swung open his door, the cool night air rushing in. "Come on, let's go," he said, urgency creeping into his tone.

Arizona, already stepping out, glanced back at Dylan. "You should stay here," she said, her expression serious. "This isn't going to end well." She didn't want him to get hurt.

But Dylan felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought of Arizona facing off against Robby and the Cobra Kais alone. His instincts kicked in before he could think it through. Without waiting for an answer, he followed Arizona and Miguel out of the car, the gravel crunching underfoot as he hurried after them.

As they approached the snack stand, the tension in the air thickened, like static before a storm. The Cobra Kais were clustered around Robby, their expressions fierce, while Tory stood off to the side, her gaze locked on Hawk with a smirk.

"And he's gonna get what he deserves," Tory taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Hawk shot her a glare, but Sam and Arizona quickly moved to his side, ready to stand their ground. "I don't think so," Sam shot back, her tone defiant. "Not if I have anything to say about it, princess."

Arizona leaned in, her eyes pleading with Tory. "Just back off, Tor. Please." She hoped to defuse the situation before it escalated.

Dylan hung back, anxiety coursing through him as he watched the confrontation unfold. "Yeah, let's not fight," he added, his voice barely above a whisper as he peered around Arizona, looking for an escape route.

"You're a traitor," Tory spat, glaring at Arizona as if she were the sole cause of all her problems.

"Hey, guys. Can you believe that they have Mr. Pibb and Dr. Pepper?" Demetri chimed in cheerfully as he approached the group, oblivious to the tension simmering in the air. He looked around, his smile fading when he noticed the hostile atmosphere. "Oh shit. Not another rumble," he groaned, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Careful, Larusso. Your mommy isn't here to play peacemaker," Tory taunted, a cruel smile spreading across her face.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam shot back, her expression hardening as she stepped forward, ready to defend her friend.

"Guys, stop. We can't do this. We'll beat them on the mat," Miguel interjected, his tone firm but measured. He knew they couldn't afford to let things spiral out of control.

Dylan shuddered from behind Arizona, gripping onto her arm tightly. The panic was evident in his eyes as he watched the scene unfold. "Dyl, you're hurting me," Arizona whispered, trying to shift his grip, but he didn't let go.

"Also, no weapons," Miguel added, staring directly at Tory, his gaze unwavering. The challenge hung in the air between them, and for a moment, the tension felt electric.

"Yeah, we don't need 'em," Tory retorted, her bravado slipping slightly.

"Yeah," Miguel muttered, clearly displeased but resolute. He turned and started walking away, signaling for Sam, Dylan, Arizona, Hawk, and Demetri to follow him.

As they moved away from the snack stand, Arizona turned to Miguel, concern etched across her face. "We aren't actually gonna fight them, right?" she asked, trying to gauge his plan.

Miguel shook his head, determination in his eyes. "No, I have a plan," he replied, his voice steady. He could see the worry in Arizona's expression, and he wanted to reassure her.

Dylan finally released his grip on Arizona's arm, his face pale as they walked. "What kind of plan?" he asked, uncertainty lacing his voice.

"Just trust me," Miguel said, glancing back at the group. "We'll meet them at the baseball diamond, but we're not going in there to brawl. We need to show them that we're better than this."

Sam nodded, looking hopeful. "We can outsmart them. They're not thinking straight."

Arizona felt a flicker of relief at Miguel's words. "Okay, I trust you," she said, glancing at Dylan. "Just stick close to me."

As they all piled into Hawk's car, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. They could see the Cobra Kais entering the baseball diamond, their confident swagger contrasting sharply with the tension brewing just beneath the surface. Miguel, Demetri, Hawk, Arizona, and Dylan exchanged excited glances, their spirits lifted by the idea of turning the tables on their rivals.

Dylan clicked the button on the remote in his pocket, and suddenly, the sprinklers erupted to life, dousing the diamond in a cool spray. The Cobra Kais halted, startled, as water sprayed across their clothes, soaking them in an instant. Arizona couldn't help but burst into laughter, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Dylan giggled alongside her, delighted at the chaos they'd unleashed.

Miguel and Demetri joined in, laughter filling the car as they watched the Cobra Kais' faces shift from confusion to pure outrage. Robby's expression was a mixture of disbelief and fury, while Tory looked like she was about to explode.

"Dude, genius move! We didn't even have to throw a punch!" Hawk exclaimed, grinning ear to ear as he watched the spectacle unfold through the rearview mirror.

"My favorite kind of victory!" Demetri added, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

"Seriously, so much better," Arizona agreed, feeling lighter as the tension dissipated.

But as they reveled in their prank, Dylan noticed the flicker of discontent on Sam's face. She was sitting in the backseat, arms crossed, her brows furrowed as she stared out the window at the chaos they had created.

"Sam? You okay?" Dylan asked, concern creeping into his voice as he turned to face her.

She nodded but didn't look at him, her expression distant. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though the uncertainty in her voice suggested otherwise.

Dylan wasn't convinced. He had noticed how Sam's usual exuberance was replaced with something heavier. The sight of the Cobra Kais, soaked and furious, didn't seem to bring her the same joy it did for everyone else.

Hawk, oblivious to Sam's mood, focused on the road, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let's get outta here before they regroup!" he said, putting the pedal to the metal and speeding away from the baseball diamond, leaving the spluttering Cobra Kais behind.

As the car sped off into the night, Dylan couldn't shake the feeling that Sam was holding back. He turned his gaze to her, studying her profile as the streetlights flickered past. "You sure you're alright?" he pressed gently, wanting to help but unsure how to reach her.

"I just... I don't know," Sam admitted finally, her voice soft. "I just feel like it's getting out of hand. I don't want things to escalate, you know?"

Dylan nodded, understanding her concerns. "I get that. But it's not like we're the ones starting it. They pushed us first," he reassured her.

"Yeah, but..." Sam trailed off, her thoughts racing. "It's just a cycle. We throw a punch, they throw one back, and it never ends."

Arizona glanced over at Sam, the laughter fading from her eyes. "I see what you mean, Sam. But sometimes, you have to defend yourself, especially when they won't back down."

"But at what cost?" Sam replied, her voice stronger now, though still laced with concern. "We're better than this."

The car grew quiet as they drove on, each lost in their thoughts, but Dylan couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Sam. She always managed to keep a clear head, even in the heat of the moment.

"Hey, it's just a prank. Nothing serious," Miguel finally chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Next time, we'll think of something even crazier."

"Yeah! Like a water balloon fight!" Demetri suggested, excitement bubbling back into the conversation.

Hawk laughed, "Or we could just bring a hose!"

As the car continued down the road, Dylan felt the heaviness of Sam's mood gradually lift, if only a little. It wouldn't be easy navigating the complexities of their lives, but at least they had each other—and a bit of mischief to lighten the load.

The night was crisp and invigorating as Arizona walked beside Miguel, the cool breeze ruffling her hair. They strolled down the dimly lit path of the apartment complex, the faint sounds of laughter and music drifting from nearby units, but a heavy silence hung between them, thick with unspoken words. The streetlights flickered overhead, casting a soft golden glow that contrasted sharply with the lingering tension in the air.

After Hawk had dropped them off, they stood at the entrance to Miguel's building, the weight of their complicated history pressing down on them. Miguel hesitated, stealing glances at Arizona, his heart pounding with uncertainty. Finally, he turned to her, his expression serious. "So... are we just friends?" His voice was low, a mixture of hope and fear.

Arizona paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "I don't know, Miguel," she replied, her tone steady yet tinged with vulnerability. Memories of their tumultuous past flooded her mind—his betrayal, the pain of feeling crazy under the Cobra Kai influence. "You cheated on me. And when I was under Cobra Kai's influence, you implied that I was crazy."

Miguel stepped closer, his eyes earnest and pleading. "I know, and I'm so sorry. I regret everything," he said, the sincerity in his voice palpable. "I miss you, Arizona. More than you know."

She folded her arms, trying to protect herself from the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "It's hard not to forgive you if you're begging me," she said, her voice softening despite her attempt to remain guarded. Miguel's vulnerability tugged at her heart, igniting a flicker of hope mixed with fear.

A nervous laugh escaped Miguel's lips, breaking the tension momentarily. "I'm not trying to beg. I just want you to know how I feel," he said, his sincerity washing over her like a wave.

But the distance between them felt crucial. "It's complicated, Miguel. There's so much we need to work through," Arizona said, her words hanging heavy in the air. She turned to walk away, her heart aching with uncertainty as she headed toward Johnny's apartment, the familiar door that had become her refuge over the past few weeks.

"Does this mean you forgive me?" Miguel called after her, his voice desperate and raw, echoing in the stillness of the night.

Arizona paused, her pulse quickening as she turned back to face him, her heart racing in her chest. They locked eyes, and for a moment, the world around them fell away. "Yes," she said, the word slipping out almost involuntarily, an admission she had been holding back.

As she began to turn again, Miguel stepped forward, capturing her hand in his with a gentle but firm grip. The contact sent a jolt of electricity between them, igniting all the feelings they had both tried to bury. They stood there, locked in a gaze that felt both familiar and new, the weight of their past heavy in the air.

Then, in a moment that felt suspended in time, Miguel leaned in, his breath mingling with hers. Their lips met softly at first, a gentle brush that sent butterflies fluttering in Arizona's stomach. It felt like coming home. But as the kiss deepened, it transformed into something urgent, a passionate release of all the emotions they had kept locked away for so long. Arizona wrapped her arms around Miguel's neck, pulling him closer, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, the world fading away around them.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads resting against each other, they were breathless, a shared warmth enveloping them. Arizona could see the raw emotion in Miguel's eyes, the regret and yearning that mirrored her own feelings. "I missed this," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with vulnerability.

"Me too," Arizona admitted, her heart racing as the tension and uncertainty that had been festering between them began to ease, if only for a moment.

Arizona stood in Miyagi-Do, stretching her legs with the rest of the group. The dojo was filled with the usual morning energy, but today there was an extra layer of excitement in the air. "Henceforth, Miguel Diaz shall be known as The Rainmaker," Demetri joked, his tone lighthearted.

Hawk, not missing a beat, chimed in with enthusiasm, "El Diablo de la Lluvia!" Arizona couldn't help but laugh at the joke, shaking her head.

"If they hadn't fallen for it, we would've still beaten them," Sam said confidently, trying to justify their actions.

Miguel, who was clearly still basking in the success of their prank, added, "Maybe, but it still could've gone bad." His words were cut short as Johnny (Sensei Lawrence) walked over, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"What could've gone bad?" Johnny asked, his eyes scanning the group.

Hawk, eager to explain, spoke up. "We were about to get in a gnarly fight at the drive-in, but Miguel saved the day."

Johnny's gaze shifted to Miguel. "Oh yeah? How'd you do that?" he asked.

Miguel, with a chuckle, replied, "Told the Cobra Kais to come to the baseball diamond. Just in time for the grass to be watered."

"The look on Robby's face was so funny, Sensei." Arizona snickered and Hawk nodded in agreement.

Johnny's face faltered slightly, and Arizona crossed her arms, sensing Johnny's disappointment. But Johnny's reaction shocked her. "So you picked a fight, you didn't show up, and then you doused them with a hose?" he asked with disbelief.

"Oh, it was sprinklers!" Demetri quickly corrected, noticing Johnny's glare.

"I'll go back to saying nothing," Demetri said hastily, retreating into silence.

Johnny's frustration was palpable. "You just poked a bear. What do you think's gonna happen? They're just gonna leave well enough alone?" he said, clearly agitated.

Before Arizona or Miguel could respond, Daniel stepped outside, his attention drawn by Johnny's outburst. "From everything I heard, it sounds to me like Miguel practiced restraint. Found a way to get out of a bad situation without anyone getting hurt. What did you want him to do, get into a drive-in switchblade fight?" Daniel said, his tone firm as he patted Miguel's shoulder. "I'm proud of you. You've taken Miyagi-Do teachings to heart."

Johnny, clearly annoyed, shot a look at Daniel. "Okay, LaRusso, we need to have a talk," he said, moving forward.

As Johnny and Daniel began their discussion, Alessia attention was drawn to Kreese, who had entered the dojo with another man. Her eyes widened in surprise. "What the..." Daniel trailed off, his gaze fixed on the newcomers. Arizona looked over and the man, standing beside Kreese, looked serious and imposing. "Gentlemen," he said, his voice carrying an air of authority. "It seems like we have a few things to discuss."

Arizona furrowed her eyebrows, exchanging a concerned look with Hawk. The unexpected arrival of Kreese and his companion hinted at trouble, and Arizona felt a knot form in her stomach as she braced herself for what was to come.

ASH SPEAKS!

miguel and arizona aren't officially back together until prom!! which we're getting closer too eeek!!

also dylan and sam??? are we okay with this???

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)