chapter thirty-two:
❛ karate free night ❜

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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

tw: panic attack

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Sam and Arizona were in Sam's room, finishing up their makeup for junior prom. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and the soft sounds of music playing in the background. Sam adjusted her pink dress in the mirror, the fabric flowing elegantly around her, while Arizona admired herself in a light blue silk dress. Arizona's dress was simple, more like something one would wear to homecoming, but she didn't mind at all. She preferred the sleek, effortless look, and it suited her perfectly. She smiled to herself, feeling content with how the evening was shaping up.

Sam glanced over at Arizona, giving her a playful nudge. "You look amazing, Ari. Miguel's going to lose it when he sees you."

Arizona chuckled and returned the compliment. "You too. Dylan's not going to know what hit him."

The two girls exchanged a few more laughs before descending down the stairs together. As they reached the bottom, the sight of their dates waiting at the foot of the staircase made them pause for a moment. Dylan and Miguel stood side by side, their eyes widening in awe as their girlfriends approached. Miguel's mouth dropped slightly, and Dylan blinked, clearly stunned.

"There they come!" Amanda, Sam's mom, exclaimed from across the room, her voice full of excitement as she fumbled with her phone to take a picture. Sam twirled around, making the skirt of her pink dress swirl around her legs.

Dylan swallowed nervously, his voice stammering. "Woah! You, uh— look so cool, amazing—pretty," he finally managed to say, blushing slightly. Sam giggled and handed him the corsage, leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips before he carefully slipped the flower around her wrist.

Arizona made her way toward Miguel, who was still staring at her in disbelief. He smiled down at her as she approached, his eyes lighting up. "You look so pretty, Ari," Miguel said softly.

Arizona grinned up at him. "You clean up pretty well yourself," she teased, then her expression became more serious for a moment. "Promise me something, okay?"

Miguel nodded, his expression immediately turning sincere. "Yeah, anything."

"Please, no karate drama tonight. I want a karate-free night," Arizona pleaded, her eyes searching his for reassurance.

Miguel chuckled and nodded again. "Of course. No karate, I promise."

With that, Arizona kissed him, their lips meeting in a passionate embrace before they pulled apart to exchange corsages. Arizona felt a wave of warmth spread through her as Miguel fastened the delicate flower around her wrist, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin.

"Picture time! Everyone, let's go!" Vanessa, Sam's cousin, called out from the living room, gesturing for everyone to gather for group photos.

"Not yet! Not everyone's here!" Johnny suddenly interrupted from the corner, looking towards the door with an expectant expression.

Arizona furrowed her eyebrows, confused. "What do you mean?" she asked, turning toward Johnny.

Before anyone could answer, the doorbell rang, and Johnny practically sprinted to open it. The room went silent for a moment as the door swung open to reveal two familiar faces—Arizona's little brother Diego and their grandmother.

"Diego! Grandma!" Arizona gasped, her heart swelling with emotion as she rushed forward, tears already forming in her eyes. She threw her arms around them both, hugging them tightly.

"I couldn't miss out on my granddaughter's junior prom," her grandma said with a warm smile, cupping Arizona's face gently as Arizona sniffled and wiped away her happy tears.

"Dang it, now I have to redo my makeup," Arizona muttered with a small laugh, sniffling again as she pulled back from the hug.

Then Diego grinned up at her, bouncing with excitement. "Arizona! Guess what? We're moving in next week!"

Arizona's eyes widened in shock. "What?! Finally?" she exclaimed, her voice cracking with joy as she looked from Diego to her grandmother.

Her grandma nodded with a knowing smile. "We're finally coming home, sweetheart."

Overcome with happiness, Arizona hugged them both again, feeling like her heart might burst. This was everything she had hoped for—a night of celebration, surrounded by the people she loved.

"Come on, everyone, pictures!" Vanessa called again, snapping Arizona out of her daze. Arizona gave her grandma one last squeeze before pulling herself together, wiping away the tears. Tonight was about to be perfect.

The prom lights shimmered softly, casting a dreamlike glow over the dance floor. The air was thick with anticipation and excitement as couples moved in sync with the slow, romantic melody playing over the speakers. Sam and Dylan stood near the edge of the dance floor, surrounded by swirling dresses and tuxedos. Sam adjusted the strap of her pink dress, her gaze following the crowd before settling back on Dylan, who was looking down at his feet, clearly nervous.

"Come on," Sam smiled, tugging at his hand gently. "Let's dance."

Dylan hesitated for a second, his fingers nervously running through his already tousled hair. "Uh... okay. Just... don't laugh at me, alright? I'm terrible at this."

Sam's grin widened, amused by his awkwardness. "I won't. Promise."

With a deep breath, Dylan placed his hands on her waist, a little too stiffly at first, and Sam slid her arms around his neck. The initial awkwardness between them was endearing, and Sam couldn't help but notice how his face flushed pink under the prom lights.

They began to sway to the music, Dylan's movements uncoordinated and jerky. He was overthinking every step, trying not to make a fool of himself, but Sam could tell. His eyes darted between the ground and her, full of uncertainty.

"Oh! Sorry—" Dylan muttered as he accidentally stepped on her foot, flinching like he had committed some grave mistake. "I told you, I'm bad at this."

Sam laughed softly, shaking her head. "Dylan, it's fine! You're not bad at all. Just... don't think so much. It's just us."

Dylan gave her a sheepish smile, trying to relax, though his movements were still a little stiff. "Right. Just us. No pressure..."

But as they continued swaying, Dylan's nerves got the better of him again. He tripped slightly, stepping awkwardly on Sam's toes, causing them both to stumble. He groaned, pulling back slightly as if to apologize again.

Sam squeezed his shoulders gently, pulling him close again. "Hey, hey. Relax. You're doing fine, okay? This is fun. Just go with it." Her voice was calm, reassuring, and it made Dylan feel a little more at ease, though he still felt like a total klutz.

"You're shocked you like me, huh?" Dylan said after a pause, his voice quieter now. He glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I'm still shocked you like me."

Sam tilted her head, her expression amused but curious. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." Dylan let out a breath, looking slightly more serious now. "I'm just this nerd. You know, I'm Arizona's best friend, and I never thought I'd catch your attention. You're so... I don't know... you're this smart, pretty, popular girl. And I'm—well, me."

Sam blinked, surprised by his honesty. Her heart softened as she realized how genuinely confused he was about how someone like her could be interested in someone like him. She shook her head, letting out a small laugh. "No way. I thought you wouldn't ever like me because you were so into Arizona."

At the mention of Arizona, Dylan's expression faltered slightly. His eyes drifted across the room, searching for the familiar figure of his best friend. He found her near the punch table with Miguel, laughing at something he said, her bright blue dress catching the light as she smiled. Dylan's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to Sam, his expression thoughtful.

"I was in love with her..." he admitted quietly. "For a long time, actually. But I had to come to terms with the fact that it wasn't going to happen. She and I— we're just meant to be best friends." He paused, glancing back at Sam with more conviction. "But then... that night at the drive-in? When we really talked for the first time? Something clicked. I started liking you, and all those feelings I had for Arizona... they kind of faded away. I mean, I'll always care about her—she's my best friend. But it's not the same."

Sam's lips curved into a soft smile as she listened to him. There was something so honest, so pure about the way he spoke. She could tell he wasn't used to opening up like this, but he was doing it anyway. For her.

"I'm glad you figured that out," Sam said, her voice warm, as she moved a little closer to him. "Because I really like you, Dylan. And I think you're pretty great, nerdy and all."

Dylan chuckled, his face lighting up a bit as the tension between them melted. He felt more comfortable now, his hands resting more naturally on her waist as they swayed to the music. "You're just saying that because I stepped on your foot a dozen times."

"No," Sam teased, leaning in just a bit. "I'm saying that because it's true."

As the song continued, Sam rested her head on Dylan's shoulder, and they danced in a comfortable silence for a while. Dylan's heart swelled as he realized how lucky he was to have her in his life. He had never expected things to turn out like this, not in a million years. And yet, here they were—dancing together at prom, his awkwardness slowly being overshadowed by how right everything felt in that moment.

Dylan glanced over again at Arizona and Miguel, who were still near the punch table. Miguel had his arm around Arizona, whispering something that made her burst into laughter. Dylan felt a small pang of nostalgia, but it wasn't sadness. He had come to terms with his feelings for Arizona, and now, as he looked at Sam—this beautiful, smart, funny girl who actually liked him back—he realized he wouldn't change a thing.

"You really like me, huh?" Dylan asked again, a little more playful this time, a spark of confidence in his eyes.

Sam lifted her head from his shoulder and gave him a soft punch in the arm. "Yes, you goof. I like you. Deal with it."

Dylan laughed, his heart light and full as they continued dancing. For the first time in a long time, he felt completely at ease, knowing that he was right where he was meant to be—with Sam.

At the punch table, Arizona's fingers absentmindedly traced the outline of the tattoo on her wrist, the word "traitor" etched into her skin. She tried to cover it with her hand, hoping no one would notice. Miguel, who had been reaching for the punch bowl, noticed the tension in her posture. He dropped the ladle into the bowl with a soft clink, his brow furrowing as he saw what she was doing.

"Arizona," Miguel sighed softly, gently moving her hand away from the tattoo. His touch was warm, reassuring, as he looked into her eyes. "You don't need to hide it."

Arizona bit her lip, her voice quiet but heavy with emotion. "I feel like... everyone's staring at me. They're probably all thinking about what happened." Her gaze flicked nervously around the room, even though no one seemed to be paying attention to her.

Miguel shook his head, his grip on her hand tightening slightly as he drew her focus back to him. "They're not, I promise. No one's talking about it anymore. They've moved on—people are dumb like that. They forget things quickly. Don't let that tattoo mess with your head, okay?"

Arizona's frown deepened, her eyes still lingering on the tattoo. "I guess..." she muttered, "but what hurts the most isn't the tattoo or people talking. It's... Tory. My ex-best friend. She did this to me, Miguel."

Miguel's heart sank at the pain in her voice. He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly, hoping to offer some comfort. "I know, Ari. But she's not going to hurt you again. I won't let that happen, I swear."

Arizona gave him a small, sad smile, but her thoughts were far from settled. Her eyes drifted toward the entrance of the gym, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Tory and Robby walk in together, arms linked. They looked over in her direction, and for a split second, Tory's gaze met Arizona's. Arizona froze. Tory's face wasn't full of malice this time; instead, it held a softness, an almost regretful expression that made Arizona's stomach churn.

Her breath quickened, and she felt her chest tighten. The familiar rush of panic crept up her spine. She wanted to look away, to pretend Tory wasn't there, but she couldn't. Her hands began to tremble slightly as her mind replayed every memory, every betrayal, every moment that led to this.

Miguel noticed the change immediately, feeling the tension in her body as she stiffened beside him. He quickly took her hand, pulling her away from the punch table and towards a quieter corner of the room. "Hey, breathe, Ari. Breathe," he said softly, his voice calm but firm.

Her breathing was shaky, her eyes darting around the room as if everyone was staring at her again. "I-I don't... I don't want to be here, Miguel. What if she comes over? What if she tries to talk to me?"

Miguel cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing her cheeks. "Listen to me, okay? You're safe. I'm here, no one's going to hurt you. Look at me, just focus on me."

Arizona's eyes, filled with anxiety, slowly focused on Miguel's. She took a deep breath, trying to follow his instructions, but the lingering tension wouldn't fade. The walls felt like they were closing in, the lights too bright, the music too loud.

Across the room, Sam and Dylan, who had been swaying to the music, noticed the commotion. Dylan had just finished telling Sam about how he had moved on from Arizona when Sam's eyes caught sight of Miguel leading Arizona away, the tension clear in their body language.

"Something's wrong," Sam said, her voice laced with concern. She gently untangled herself from Dylan's arms, her eyes never leaving her friend. "We should go check on her."

Dylan nodded quickly, his own worry growing as he saw the pale expression on Arizona's face. "Yeah, let's go."

The two of them hurried over just as Arizona was taking another shaky breath, her fingers gripping Miguel's arms as if they were the only thing grounding her.

"What's going on?" Sam asked, her voice full of concern as she knelt down beside Arizona, putting a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.

Miguel glanced at Sam and Dylan, his voice low as he explained. "She saw Tory. It's bringing up everything. I'm trying to help her calm down before it turns into a full panic attack."

Sam's expression softened, and she crouched down beside Arizona, rubbing gentle circles on her back. "Hey, Ari, you're okay. We're here. You're not alone."

Dylan hovered nearby, unsure of what to say but wanting to be supportive. "Yeah, we've got you. Just take your time."

Arizona blinked, feeling her breathing slowly start to even out. The panic was still there, but with Miguel, Sam, and Dylan around her, the pressure eased a little. She nodded, still holding onto Miguel's arms, but her grip wasn't as tight as before. "Thanks, guys. I... I don't know what I'd do without you."

Miguel kissed the top of her head softly. "You'll never have to find out, okay? We're here. Always."

The lights dimmed, and the music in the room quieted down, signaling that it was time for the long-anticipated Homecoming King and Queen announcement. Everyone gathered near the stage, chatting excitedly. Arizona stood near the edge of the crowd with Miguel, Sam, and Dylan. The energy of the room was buzzing, but Arizona could feel an uneasy knot forming in her stomach, her mind distracted. Something didn't feel right.

As Moon stepped up to the microphone, her bright smile lighting up the room, Arizona could feel a weight on her chest. She glanced around, and that's when she felt it—someone staring at her. Her heart quickened. The familiar sensation of being watched, judged. Her eyes scanned the crowd, and that's when she saw Tory, standing at the back of the room, her gaze locked on Arizona.

Arizona's throat tightened. She knew Tory wasn't going to start anything, not here, but just seeing her brought a flood of emotions that Arizona wasn't ready to deal with. She turned her face away, trying to focus on Moon, who had just taken a deep breath, ready to announce the winners. But her body tensed, her hands curling into fists to try and stop the anxiety from spilling over.

Dylan, standing beside her, noticed the shift in her demeanor. His gaze followed hers, and when he saw Tory, his eyes narrowed in a glare. He didn't say anything, but his protective instincts kicked in immediately. Without a word, he subtly stepped in front of Arizona, blocking Tory's view of her. Arizona blinked, startled by the small but meaningful gesture, and she glanced up at Dylan, offering him a grateful smile.

"Alright, everyone!" Moon's voice echoed through the room. "The moment you've all been waiting for—the Homecoming Queen and King announcement!"

The crowd cheered, and Arizona's heart pounded. She wasn't paying much attention, still trying to shake the feeling of being watched, but Moon's next words caught her off guard.

"And your Homecoming Queen is..." Moon paused for dramatic effect, then grinned. "Arizona!"

The room erupted into applause, and Arizona's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait... what?" She turned to her friends, utterly shocked.

Miguel gave her an encouraging nudge. "Go on! You won!"

Arizona hesitated for a moment, then, as the applause continued, she stepped forward, her heart still racing but a smile slowly forming on her lips. As she made her way toward the stage, she glanced back at Tory. For a split second, she saw a mix of emotions flash across Tory's face—something like regret, but Arizona quickly looked away, focusing on the moment.

Moon was already clapping, practically bouncing with excitement as Arizona joined her on stage. "Congrats, Ari! You deserve it!" Moon beamed.

Arizona grinned back, still in shock, but the joy was starting to settle in. The crowd continued to cheer, and Arizona could see her friends beaming at her from the audience.

"And now," Moon continued, "the Homecoming King is... Dylan!"

The applause started again, and Dylan, just as surprised as Arizona, blinked in disbelief. "Me?!" He looked around at his friends, his face flushing with awkward excitement.

"Go, Dylan!" Sam laughed, giving him a gentle push. "It's your moment!"

Dylan awkwardly made his way to the stage, his usual nerdy self, but there was something endearing about his disbelief. He stood beside Arizona, both of them looking at each other with wide eyes, unsure of what to do next.

Moon clapped her hands together. "Okay, so traditionally, the King and Queen share a dance together now. But... knowing these two, I'm guessing they'll want to do something a little different." She winked at the audience, earning a few chuckles.

Arizona exchanged a mischievous glance with Dylan, and they both nodded. Without missing a beat, Arizona leaned into the microphone. "Hey, DJ... can you play 'Party in the USA' instead?"

The DJ, catching on to the shift in mood, grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. A few moments later, the familiar upbeat tune of Miley Cyrus's "Party in the USA" blasted through the speakers, and the room erupted into laughter and cheers.

Arizona laughed, feeling the tension melt away. Dylan, with his usual awkward but lovable energy, immediately started busting out the signature dance moves to the song. Arizona joined in without hesitation, the two of them fully embracing the moment. They weren't graceful or perfect, but that was the charm—two best friends, having fun, not caring what anyone thought.

The crowd loved it. Laughter, cheers, and claps filled the room as Arizona and Dylan danced their hearts out to the song, their movements silly and carefree. Sam and Miguel were laughing from the sidelines, while Moon was practically jumping up and down in excitement on stage.

For a few minutes, Arizona forgot about Tory, the tattoo, and all the anxiety that had been bubbling under the surface. It was just her, Dylan, and the ridiculous dance they were sharing in front of all their friends.

As the song came to an end, Dylan, breathless from the dancing, turned to Arizona with a grin. "Well, that's one way to do a King and Queen dance."

Arizona laughed, leaning in to hug him. "Definitely more our style."

The crowd applauded, and as Arizona stood on the stage, surrounded by cheers and laughter, she realized that tonight was her night—free from drama, free from fear. She was surrounded by friends who cared about her, and for now, that was all that mattered.

At Stingray's afterparty, the atmosphere was wild. Music blasted, and groups of teenagers were scattered across the backyard and house, dancing, laughing, and drinking. Arizona and Sam had slipped away from Dylan and Miguel to grab some drinks for the four of them. Sam, already exhausted from prom, poured the drinks into their cups before kicking off her heels with a groan.

"Ugh, I'm never wearing heels again," Sam complained, flexing her toes.

Arizona laughed, shaking her head. "You looked good though. Totally worth it."

Sam chuckled, but Arizona's laughter faded when she noticed a figure approaching them. Her stomach clenched as she realized who it was—Tory. Instinctively, Arizona stepped back, her body tensing in fear. Tory frowned when she noticed the reaction.

"I'm not gonna hurt you, Arizona," Tory said quietly, her voice surprisingly soft.

Arizona shook her head, swallowing hard, her eyes wide with apprehension. Before she could respond, Sam spun around, her face already set in a glare as she stepped protectively in front of Arizona.

"Oh, great. Here to get Arizona to hurt me again instead of fighting your own battles, Tory?" Sam sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Too bad, because Arizona's already apologized, and we're friends again."

Arizona flicked her gaze nervously between the two of them. She didn't want this. Not now.

Tory's expression hardened as she narrowed her eyes at Sam. "I never forced her to do anything. That was all Arizona. She's a big girl," Tory shot back, her tone cold and unwavering.

Arizona flinched slightly at the comment, guilt settling in the pit of her stomach. She felt Sam's tension radiate next to her.

"Look, Sam, I could kick your ass right now, but I made a promise to your mom," Tory added, her voice carrying a taunt as she crossed her arms. "So, I'll pass."

Sam clenched her fists, her patience wearing thin. "Stay the hell away from my family. And stay away from Arizona."

Tory rolled her eyes, a smirk forming on her lips. "Sorry, but I don't take orders from tiny little bitches like you."

The words hit a nerve. Sam let out a low grunt before lunging forward and kicking Tory square in the stomach. Tory stumbled back, gasping from the sudden blow.

Arizona gasped, wide-eyed, her heart racing as she backed away from the scene. Her mind was spinning, and panic surged in her veins. She turned quickly, leaving Sam and Tory behind as she darted back inside the house. She needed to find Dylan.

She weaved through the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest. That's when she spotted Dylan—dancing on top of a table, waving a cup in the air, clearly drunk and yelling along to the music.

"Oh, shit," Arizona muttered under her breath, rushing toward him. She looked around, trying to spot Miguel, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Dylan, get down from there!" she yelled over the music, but he was completely oblivious, still shouting and swaying dangerously on the table.

Arizona sighed in frustration, grabbing his arm and pulling him down. Dylan, in his drunken stupor, stumbled into her, laughing. "Ari! You gotta dance with me! It's a party!"

"No, we need to get you outside," she muttered, dragging him toward the door. Her eyes darted around for Miguel, but he was still missing. "Where the hell is Miguel?" she grumbled under her breath as she guided Dylan outside.

The moment they stepped out into the backyard, Arizona's eyes widened in shock. Sam, Miguel, and Tory were at the edge of the pool, locked in a chaotic struggle, and before Arizona could even process what was happening, all three of them tumbled into the water with a loud splash.

"Oh, come on," Arizona muttered, exasperated. She pulled Dylan toward the pool, her patience wearing thin. When they reached the edge, she gave Dylan a firm shove, sending him stumbling into the water with a yelp.

"Sam!" Arizona snapped, her voice cutting through the noise. "Deal with your boyfriend! He's your responsibility."

Sam, drenched and coughing as she surfaced from the water, shot Arizona an annoyed look. "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously!" Arizona barked back, her frustration bubbling over. "And maybe don't pick fights with Tory next time?"

Miguel, dripping wet, climbed out of the pool and shook the water from his hair. He glared at Arizona, his expression hardened. "I thought you didn't want any karate drama tonight. Isn't that what you said?"

Arizona's anger flared as she turned to face him. "I didn't! This was all Sam!"

Miguel scoffed, his hands on his hips. "Well, it sure doesn't seem like it! You're always getting pulled into this mess."

Arizona's eyes flashed with fury. "Oh, so now this is my fault? I didn't start this! Sam did!"

"You're always in the middle of it!" Miguel shot back, his voice rising in frustration. "I'm trying to keep you safe, and you're just—"

"I don't need you to protect me all the time, Miguel!" Arizona shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. "I can handle myself!"

The tension between them was palpable, their frustration feeding off each other's anger. Arizona's chest heaved as she fought to hold back the tears of frustration welling up in her eyes.

Miguel stared at her for a moment, his jaw clenched, and then he shook his head, turning away. "Fine," he muttered, walking off toward the pool again.

Arizona stood there for a moment, her heart pounding and her hands trembling. She was angry—at Sam, at Miguel, at the whole night spiraling out of control. Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off, needing to be anywhere but here.

ASH SPEAKS!

sad to say that soft relationship arizona and miguel are over and they're hitting a rough patch until... season 6. and they're not even back together yet😭😭

2 more chapters until season 5!!

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