chapter thirty-six:
❛ bubblegum's secret superpower ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" 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 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 but its annoying when i see views go up but low on votes

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Johnny stepped out of the convenience store, a couple of plastic bags dangling from his hands, looking smugly satisfied with his successful snack run. He paused on the sidewalk, spotting Robby and Dylan a few feet away, hunched over an old, creased map and Robby's phone. The two were intensely focused, pointing back and forth between the phone screen and the map, trying to make sense of their route in the midday Mexican heat.

A few steps away, Arizona leaned against the wall, arms crossed and foot tapping against the ground. Her gaze was fixed on Robby, and it was anything but friendly. The glare she was giving him would have made most people shrink back, but Robby seemed oblivious as he traced a route on the map.

"All right," Johnny called, tossing a wrapped burrito toward Arizona, who caught it effortlessly, ripping the wrapper and taking a casual bite. "How we looking?"

Robby looked up, tapping a spot on his phone and then matching it to the map in his hands. "I think we've got it pretty close," he said, squinting at the screen. "Looks like it's just a few more miles from here."

"Yeah," Dylan added, his finger trailing along a street on the map. "There's a bunch of bars and restaurants near it, so we should be close. Just need to cut through some neighborhoods to avoid the main roads."

Johnny gave a satisfied nod, but he didn't look fully convinced. Just then, he noticed a man walking down the street and brightened up as an idea struck. "Hey, let's ask that guy. Get some real directions, huh?" he said, strolling up to the man. "Hola!" Johnny greeted with exaggerated confidence, clearly ready to conquer the language barrier.

The man looked him up and down, raising an eyebrow. "¿Habla español?" he asked, crossing his arms and glancing around as if he had somewhere to be.

Johnny blinked, looking momentarily lost. "Huh?"

Arizona let out an exasperated sigh, watching Johnny flounder for a response. She straightened up and stepped forward, gently nudging him out of the way. "Let me handle this," she muttered before turning to the man with a confident nod. "Lo hago. ¿Qué pasa?"

Relieved to finally have someone who understood him, the man pointed toward Johnny's van and Arizona's Jeep parked nearby. "Están en una zona de remolque. Necesito que muevas la camioneta y el auto," he explained, his voice patient but firm as he gestured to the towing zone sign.

Arizona nodded, about to turn and translate for Johnny when Johnny, not catching any of the conversation, jumped in with a beaming smile. "Gracias! It's custom decal," he said proudly, patting the side of his van as if that were relevant.

Arizona groaned, rolling her eyes. "Johnny, that's not what he's talking about-"

But Johnny, completely undeterred, tried again with renewed enthusiasm. "Quiero hombre!" he announced to the man, as if he'd just found the key to perfect Spanish.

Arizona's eyes widened in horror as she shot Johnny an incredulous look. Beside her, Dylan burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as he leaned against Robby for support, while Robby looked at Johnny with a baffled expression, clearly trying to make sense of what he'd just heard.

"Johnny," Arizona said, barely keeping a straight face, "you just said, 'I want man.'"

Unfazed, Johnny nodded eagerly, as if he were completely in control. "I know! Hector the Salazar!" he said, his voice full of pride, like he'd just unlocked a secret phrase that would get them a VIP tour.

The man blinked in confusion, visibly unimpressed. "No conozco a ningún Héctor Salazar. Tienes que mover la camioneta, por favor," he said slowly, trying to convey his message in the simplest way possible as he pointed urgently at the van.

Johnny turned to Arizona and the teens with a look of frustrated bewilderment. "I think this guy wants money," he said, as if he'd cracked some hidden code.

Arizona let out an exasperated scoff. "No, he doesn't."

The man, clearly losing patience, took a step forward and repeated, "No, no, quiero que muevas la camioneta." He gestured insistently to the van, emphasizing that it needed to be moved.

Arizona, realizing there was no point in arguing with Johnny any further, turned and strolled over to her Jeep. She climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine, and backed out, maneuvering her car around the corner and out of the towing zone. She parked in front of the store and got out, watching the street with an amused expression.

Just as she closed the door, the sound of a tow truck caught her attention. She turned just in time to see Johnny's van being hoisted up onto the truck. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then a laugh burst from her, loud and unfiltered. Dylan joined in, clutching his sides as he doubled over with laughter, while Robby and Johnny stared in shock as the van was secured and the tow truck began to pull away.

Johnny's face was a picture of horror. He broke into a jog, sprinting after the truck, his voice echoing down the street as he shouted, "Hey! Wait! That's my van!"

Arizona, leaning casually against her Jeep, shook her head with a smirk as she watched Johnny disappear after the truck. Robby turned to her, shooting her a look that was both annoyed and impressed.

"I tried to tell him," Arizona said, shrugging as she crossed her arms, clearly entertained by the whole ordeal.

Robby sighed, shaking his head as he glanced back down the street where Johnny was still chasing the tow truck. "You could've explained it better, you know."

Arizona raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Oh, I could have," she said, "but where's the fun in that?"

Arizona and Dylan followed behind Johnny and Robby through the aisles of the supermarket, the air thick with disappointment after their failed attempt to retrieve Johnny's van from the impound lot. Johnny grumbled as he pushed their cart, his expression sour. "Guy at the impound lot said we need 4,000 pesos. That's, like, a million dollars," he complained, frustration evident in his tone.

Dylan shot him an exasperated look, already used to Johnny's exaggerated sense of scale. "It's $200, actually," he corrected, earning an annoyed glare from Johnny.

"Whatever," Johnny grunted. "We still only have about half that." He glanced over at Robby, who nodded in resigned agreement.

"We're not gonna find Miguel without the van," Johnny continued, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously.

Arizona, walking next to them with her arms casually crossed, spoke up. "We have my Jeep, you know," she pointed out, her keys jangling as she tapped them on her belt loop.

Johnny shook his head dismissively. "Your Jeep's tiny, Bubblegum. It can only fit four, and when we find Miguel, that makes five," he pointed out, his tone practical but blunt.

Arizona shrugged, unfazed. "Guess you'll have to figure that out when the time comes," she replied, unbothered.

As they rounded a corner, they came to an abrupt stop, their attention drawn to a large crowd gathered near the back of the store. Curious, Arizona squinted, scanning the crowd until she realized they were watching a hot chili pepper-eating competition. The participants were seated at a long table, each with a plate of vivid red peppers before them, and people were cheering them on.

"What is that?" Dylan asked, craning his neck for a better look.

Arizona opened her mouth to respond, but Robby beat her to it. "That's a red savina," he said, his voice tinged with admiration and a hint of caution. "That thing'll burn a hole right through you."

Dylan visibly shuddered, recoiling slightly. "Oh heck no. How do you even know that?"

Robby shrugged, his gaze still fixed on the competition. "My mom and I used to watch Hot Ones on YouTube," he explained casually.

Arizona glanced at Johnny, and their eyes met with a shared spark of mischief. They didn't need to say anything; they both knew exactly what the other was thinking.

"This is our shot to get back on track," Johnny murmured with a grin, his expression determined. He squared his shoulders, preparing to step forward. "If you see me about to choke, cover my mouth so I don't spit it out."

Before he could take another step, both Arizona and Robby moved forward simultaneously, blocking his way.

"Wait," they said in unison, before shooting each other a look of mutual irritation. Arizona glared at Robby, and he returned her stare with a slight frown.

"I'll do it," Arizona declared firmly, crossing her arms with a look of defiance. "I'm the Hispanic one here. I've been eating spicy stuff since I was a kid-my grandma practically raised me on it."

Robby raised an eyebrow, matching her determined stance. "No, I'll do it. I owe you guys for all of this," he insisted, his tone resolute.

Arizona's gaze hardened, her determination unwavering. "No. I will," she said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Dylan, watching their heated exchange with wide eyes, finally broke in, his voice panicked. "How about neither of you! Johnny, just forget about the van. I'll sit on Arizona's lap, or Robby's, or Miguel's-whoever!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with desperation. But the three of them ignored him entirely.

Johnny turned to Arizona, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, you sure about this?"

Arizona gave a single, confident nod. "Positive. I can handle it."

With a determined stride, she walked over to the competition table and slapped some cash down, taking a seat across from her opponent-a man who smirked at her, sizing her up. Johnny and Robby took their places beside her, while Dylan hung back, muttering under his breath about regretting this entire plan.

The contest organizer set a can of jalapeños in front of Arizona and her opponent, signaling the start of the first round. Arizona didn't hesitate, grabbing the first pepper and biting into it with ease. Her face remained calm and unaffected as she chewed and swallowed, moving on to the next one without a hint of struggle. Meanwhile, her opponent was starting to sweat, his face growing redder with each pepper.

Dylan stared at her in disbelief. "How the hell is she not red?" he asked, astonished.

Johnny folded his arms, grinning with pride. "That's Bubblegum for you," he said, clearly impressed. "She surprises you in different ways."

Arizona finished the last jalapeño with a confident smirk, leaning back in her chair as she claimed victory for the first round. Johnny, Robby, and even Dylan cheered as she completed it without so much as a blink.

Across the table, her opponent muttered something in Spanish to his friend, casting her an incredulous look. "Mira a esta chica. Ni siquiera está roja o luchando." Look at this girl. She's not even red or struggling.

His friend chuckled, smirking as he replied, "Ella estará muerta antes de la segunda ronda." She'll be dead before the second round.

Arizona rolled her eyes, her expression unimpressed as she leaned forward. "Ya veremos, muchachos," she retorted with a smirk. We'll see, boys.

She turned to the contest organizer, her tone challenging. "Dame el pimiento más picante que tengas." Give me the hottest pepper you've got.

Her opponent's smug expression faltered, and the crowd murmured in anticipation, their excitement palpable. Robby, Johnny, and Dylan exchanged uneasy glances.

"Arizona, are you sure about this?" Robby asked, his voice edged with concern.

Arizona nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. "I can handle it," she assured him.

The organizer called out, "¡El dragón!" The dragon! and the crowd reacted with oohs and ahhs. A man walked over with a jar filled with small, ominously bright peppers. He carefully unscrewed the lid and handed one to each competitor.

Johnny leaned down to Arizona, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You got this. I'd bet on you any day of the week," he said, his tone full of confidence.

Arizona grinned, giving him a quick nod before steeling herself. She took a deep breath, then popped the pepper into her mouth, chewing slowly and deliberately. The crowd held their breath as she swallowed, her face remaining calm and composed, showing no signs of discomfort. The onlookers erupted into cheers, and Arizona's opponent watched her in disbelief.

With a look of grim determination, he took his own pepper, but the moment he bit down, his face turned beet red. He started to fan his mouth, his eyes widening as he began to hyperventilate. Unable to bear the heat, he grabbed a glass of milk and took a desperate gulp, only to spit it out immediately, spraying it all over a horrified Dylan.

Dylan squealed, wiping his face in disgust. "Ugh!" he cried, his expression a mix of horror and irritation.

Arizona chuckled, patting him on the back. "Guess you're sitting on my lap after all," she teased, throwing him a triumphant wink as Johnny and Robby burst out laughing beside her.

Her opponent, defeated, slumped back in his chair, while Arizona basked in the cheers and applause of the crowd. With a smirk, she turned back to her friends, feeling both victorious and a bit proud.

They had their cash, and the mission to find Miguel could continue.

After retrieving Johnny's van, the group-Arizona, Dylan, Johnny, and Robby-finally tracked Miguel to a wrestling arena hidden within the bustling streets of Mexico. The four walked into the parking lot together, scanning the area with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Dylan and Arizona exchanged looks, noticing Johnny and Robby's T-shirts, which read "FBI" on the front and, embarrassingly, "Female Body Inspectors" on the back.

"No way you're wearing that," Arizona scoffed, crossing her arms with a scowl.

Dylan chuckled at the sight, unable to contain his amusement. "Hey, it's a bold choice," he said, but his humor was short-lived when Arizona elbowed him in the ribs, shooting him a glare.

Despite her own protests and a fierce round of back-and-forth arguing, Arizona had ended up wearing one of the navy FBI T-shirts too. It clung awkwardly to her frame, smaller than it should've been and clearly chosen by Johnny, who hadn't known her size. She felt uncomfortable in the tight shirt, while Dylan's fit him perfectly, making him look even more out of place.

They stepped into the dimly lit, noisy arena, with Johnny scoffing at the chaotic crowd and intense energy. "Look at this MMA grab-ass nonsense," he muttered in disgust, clearly unimpressed by the makeshift ring in the center, where spectators gathered to watch fighters battle it out.

As they navigated through the crowd, Johnny spotted a local man and leaned over. "Hector the Salazar, you know him?" he asked, trying his luck. The man answered in Spanish, waving Johnny off dismissively, and Johnny grumbled in frustration.

Arizona sighed as she, Dylan, and Robby trailed behind him. "He has no idea what he's doing," she whispered to Dylan, who shrugged with a grin.

Johnny approached another man, trying out his own version of broken Spanish. "Necesito hombre," he said, his pronunciation rough, followed by, "Hector the Salazar?"

The man simply grunted in response, throwing air punches, completely uninterested in helping him.

Arizona rolled her eyes. "His name's just Hector Salazar," she muttered, glancing at Johnny.

Johnny gave her a raised eyebrow. "Your point?"

She shrugged. "I mean, it's like you calling me Arizona the Alvarez," she explained, letting out a frustrated sigh.

Johnny thought about it for a moment. "Nah, that doesn't flow like Hector's does," he replied, deadpan. Arizona shook her head, feeling a familiar frustration.

Robby, watching his dad struggle, leaned in to warn him again, "You should really stop throwing his name around. It's not helping."

But Johnny waved him off, nonchalant. "Shake the tree, get the apple-or just climb the tree," he answered confidently, acting as if it was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Robby stared, confused. "Still don't know what that means."

Dylan chimed in, shrugging. "That's because it doesn't mean anything. Trust me, I know a good metaphor when I hear one." Arizona chuckled at this, shaking her head in amusement.

They continued deeper into the arena, the bass of the music vibrating through the floor, while shouts and cheers filled the air. They finally reached the main area, and their eyes fell upon the cage at the center, where two fighters were locked in brutal combat. The crowd around them chanted and clapped, utterly absorbed in the violence unfolding in the ring.

Up on the balcony, Hector Salazar spotted the four of them enter. He narrowed his eyes, recognizing the "FBI" logos on their shirts, which gave him pause. In his distraction, he failed to notice the girl among them, Arizona, was the same brunette he had just seen in a photo on Miguel's phone. He assumed Miguel had come alone and was oblivious to the fact that they were here for him, too.

Realizing the danger, Hector leaned toward Miguel, subtly gesturing to him. "Hey, let's get out of here," he suggested, his tone tense. Miguel, unsuspecting, nodded and began following him.

Meanwhile, Arizona was completely enthralled by the lights, the loud music, and the voice of the announcer booming in Spanish. She looked around, her eyes wide, taking in the spectacle. She was so distracted by the scene that she didn't notice Miguel up on the balcony-but Johnny did.

"Miguel!" he shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth, though the deafening noise of the crowd drowned him out. He turned back to the others, gesturing for them to follow him. "Come on."

The four of them tried to make their way through the crowd, but they were suddenly intercepted by the arena's headlining fighter, Vicente González, known as "El Lobo," along with two burly security guards who flanked him.

Johnny stood his ground, unfazed. "Move," he ordered, hoping they'd understand his authority.

"El Lobo" glared, replying in rapid Spanish, letting Johnny know that he wouldn't be allowed anywhere near Hector.

Arizona face-palmed as she realized why they were getting so much resistance. "It's the shirts. I knew they were stupid," she muttered under her breath, frustrated that their attire had attracted unwanted attention.

Johnny, ignoring her, attempted to push past Vicente, but the muscular fighter shoved him back with ease. Johnny's patience finally snapped, and he threw a punch, hitting Vicente square in the jaw. The crowd gasped, instantly captivated by the scuffle.

Vicente retaliated, and within seconds, Johnny found himself on the ground, scrambling to his feet as Arizona, Dylan, and Robby instinctively moved closer to help. But Johnny held up his hand, panting. "No, I've got this. Just stay back."

Dylan crossed his arms, skeptical. "You sure? Because it looks like you're getting your ass handed to you."

Before Johnny could fire back, Vicente lunged at him again, twisting him around. The two began to brawl, exchanging punches and kicks, Johnny managing to get a few solid hits in, but Vicente was relentless. As the fight escalated, one of Vicente's friends joined in, grabbing Johnny from behind and pinning his arms, giving Vicente the advantage.

Johnny struggled as he was forced to the ground, his shirt partially ripped in the scuffle. Robby's expression darkened as he watched his father struggle, unable to bear seeing him in a vulnerable position.

Desperate to help, Robby reached into his pocket and pulled out a red savina pepper. "Dad! Catch!" he shouted, tossing it over with impressive accuracy. Johnny caught it mid-air, and, in a split-second decision, squeezed the pepper's juice directly into Vicente's eye.

Vicente howled in pain, staggering back as his eyes burned. Johnny took the opportunity to shake off his other attacker and delivered a powerful spinning kick to Vicente's head, knocking him down to the floor. The crowd erupted in cheers, awestruck by Johnny's display of quick thinking.

"Spectacular!" someone shouted from the crowd, adding to the chaos.

Dylan, impressed by Robby's resourcefulness, gave him a grin. "Nice work, man. You're full of surprises!"

Arizona, looking slightly surprised herself, turned to Robby with a raised brow. "Have you always been this tactical?"

Out of breath but triumphant, Johnny stood over Vicente, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He leaned down, his voice low and intense. "¿Dónde está Hector?" he demanded, hoping for a straight answer this time.

As Johnny, Arizona, Dylan, and Robby made their way back into the car, adrenaline coursing through them after the encounter at the arena, Johnny followed the directions they'd been given to the next location where Hector was expected to have fled. The dark streets were empty, bathed in flickering streetlight. They pulled up, parking in the shadows as they scanned the area.

Then, through the silence, they spotted Miguel standing alone near the edge of an alley, his phone clutched to his ear as he whispered into it, his voice breaking with emotion. Arizona's heart skipped when she saw him, relief and nerves clashing inside her. She had reached out to him so many times since they'd fought, sending him long, heartfelt apologies and explanations, but he hadn't replied to a single one. She hadn't known how he'd react to seeing her.

Johnny pushed his door open, stepping out and calling out in a choked voice, "Miguel!"

Miguel turned, ending his call with a soft, "I'm okay, Ma. I'm coming home." As he set his phone down, his gaze landed on Arizona as she stepped from the car, the glow of the streetlight casting soft shadows across her face. He stared at her, his expression a mix of surprise, heartbreak, and relief.

Their eyes met, and in that single look, Arizona felt every ounce of guilt, relief, and yearning rush to the surface. Tears pricked her eyes, her heart hammering. She took a tentative step toward him, and before she could even fully reach him, Miguel's expression crumbled, a soft sob breaking through as he opened his arms. Without hesitation, Arizona dashed into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him tightly, her tears flowing freely as she buried her face into his shoulder.

"I'm so glad you're okay," she whispered through her sobs, clutching him as if afraid he might disappear. In that moment, nothing else mattered-Miguel was safe.

Miguel tightened his hold, his voice trembling as he whispered against her hair, "I'm so sorry. I love you so much." His words hung in the air, soft but powerful, laced with raw emotion.

Arizona froze, her mind racing. Did he just say he loved me? she thought, her breath catching. She hadn't expected this. She wasn't even sure of her own feelings-everything felt too intense, too overwhelming to process. But Miguel's sincerity, the way he held her as if she was his anchor, softened her confusion. She didn't say anything back, just held him, letting her own silence speak volumes in that embrace.

Robby watched them from a short distance, his face solemn as he took in the sight. His emotions were tangled, a mess of envy, regret, and lingering pain. He shifted his gaze down, feeling a weight in his chest as he watched Miguel and Arizona find comfort in each other. He hadn't realized until that moment how deeply it would sting to see Arizona with Miguel, their shared history evident in the way they held onto each other.

Dylan, noticing Robby's conflicted expression, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. It was a silent, understanding gesture, one that reminded Robby he wasn't alone, that he had people who cared for him too. Robby gave a faint nod, grateful but still caught in the web of his emotions.

As Miguel continued to hold Arizona, he glanced up, noticing Robby watching them from a few steps away. A pang of guilt washed over him as he took in Robby's pained look. Miguel's shoulders sagged slightly as he met Robby's gaze, and he felt a fresh wave of emotion rise up. He had hurt people who mattered to him, and that realization weighed heavy on his heart. He tried to muster a silent apology in his expression, hoping Robby could see the regret in his eyes.

Robby held the gaze for a moment before breaking it, looking away as he turned and headed back to the car, giving them the space they needed.

ASH SPEAKS!

miguel just said i love you... guysssss omgggg the tensionnnnnn is getting crazier!!!

cobra kai s6 part 2 is in 2 weeks im so excited!!!!!
i cant wait to write cinnamon girl (robby keene) and matching scars (eli/sam) fics again!! you should check them out :)

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

the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" 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 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 but its annoying when i see views go up but low on votes