chapter thirty-eight:
❛ cheater cheater pumpkin eater ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
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Arizona stretched out on the sun-warmed chaise lounge by the pool, letting the golden sunlight dance across her skin. The warmth seeped into her muscles, melting away the week's tension as she basked in the lazy ambiance of summer. Around her, laughter and splashes filled the air, creating a soothing backdrop that mixed with the hum of friendly conversation. She was in good company-her friends Yasmine, Sam, and Moon were similarly sprawled out, each lost in their own thoughts or immersed in snippets of chatter about summer plans, new clothes, and the latest drama from school.

Arizona had her eyes closed, soaking in the moment, when she felt a strange prickle of awareness. Slowly, she opened her eyes, peering over her sunglasses and spotting Sam's little brother, Anthony, standing nearby with a dumbstruck look on his face. His mouth was slightly open, eyes fixed on her as if he'd never seen a girl sunbathing before. Arizona tried not to laugh but couldn't help the small, amused smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. Then she noticed another familiar figure standing just a few feet away-her own little brother, Diego, with a look equally as mesmerized, except his eyes were glued to Yasmine, not Arizona.

Sam caught sight of Anthony's expression and rolled her eyes, scrunching her nose in disgust. "Ew. Anthony, can you not stare at my friends?" she retorted, her tone half-annoyed, half-embarrassed.

Anthony jolted as if he'd been shocked out of a trance, blinking rapidly and scrambling to recover. "No, no, no, I wasn't, um, uh, staring," he stammered, his face turning bright red as he tried to come up with an excuse.

Arizona raised an eyebrow at him, chuckling softly. She glanced over at Diego, who had gone as still as a statue, his gaze still locked on Yasmine. "Diego," she called with a smirk, enjoying how the tables had turned. He looked like he wanted to vanish into thin air, and his face was flushed as he swallowed hard and looked away.

Sam turned her attention to Diego, raising an eyebrow. He looked at her, then at Anthony, both boys sharing a look of mutual embarrassment as they realized they'd been caught. Without another word, they turned on their heels and walked away quickly, shoulders hunched, clearly hoping to escape without further humiliation.

Once they were out of earshot, Moon let out a peal of laughter, her eyes shining with amusement. Arizona joined in, covering her mouth to stifle her giggles as she watched them retreat. Yasmine smirked, shaking her head. "They're starting high school in the fall, right?" she asked, leaning back with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Yep," Sam replied, her tone flat, though there was an undertone of exasperated fondness. "Unfortunately for them."

A sly grin spread across Yasmine's face. "Oh, I have the perfect idea," she said, barely containing her amusement. "Let's mess with them a little. Sam, later, you can tell Anthony that Arizona asked if he's been working out. And Arizona, you can tell Diego that I asked if he's been working out too," she suggested, her eyes gleaming with wicked delight.

Arizona's eyes widened, and she burst out laughing, holding her stomach as she tried to catch her breath. "Oh, you're evil," she said, grinning. "But that's hilarious."

Sam groaned, looking horrified. "No, please don't. My brother does not need an ego boost," she said, waving her hands in protest. "And poor Diego's probably too mortified to even look at Yasmine again."

"Oh, come on, Sam," Yasmine teased, nudging her playfully. "They'll survive. It's like a high school initiation or something. Besides, they need to learn how to handle pretty girls being around."

Sam sighed, still visibly skeptical but unable to suppress a small smile. "Fine, but if Anthony starts acting cocky, it's on you," she muttered, shaking her head.

Moon chuckled, shifting the conversation to a lighter note. She turned to Sam, her face softening. "So, Sam, how's the whole Eat, Pray, Love journey going?" she asked, referring to Sam's recent decision to focus on herself and rediscover who she was outside of all the chaos that had defined their lives lately.

Sam's expression softened, her shoulders relaxing a little as she considered the question. "Actually, better than I expected," she admitted, a thoughtful smile forming on her lips. "It's been kind of nice to just focus on myself, without all the karate or relationship drama. I feel... lighter, I guess."

Arizona, who had been listening intently, suddenly frowned, feeling a pang of guilt tugging at her heart. She leaned forward, her voice soft but earnest. "Look, Sam... I'm really sorry if I'm the reason you and Dylan broke up," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I really loved that you guys were together, and... well, it was a relief that Dylan finally got over me. I didn't mean to make things complicated."

Sam shook her head quickly, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on Arizona's arm. "No, no, Ari, I promise it wasn't because of you," she said sincerely, her eyes warm and understanding. "It just... it just wasn't right anymore, you know? Sometimes things fall apart so you can figure out who you really are."

Arizona nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders, but before she could respond, she heard a familiar voice calling out across the pool. "Hey, babe!"

She turned to see Eli waving, grinning broadly as he, Miguel, and Dylan made their way over. The boys were carrying towels, clearly ready to join them, and Eli looked particularly excited as he spotted Moon, his eyes lighting up. Miguel gave Arizona a small, shy smile as he approached, and Dylan lingered a few steps behind, looking a little hesitant.

Arizona's eyes widened, a pang of realization hitting her as she turned back to Sam. "Oh, I totally forgot they were coming," she whispered, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Sam shook her head with a reassuring smile. "It's fine, really," she replied, her voice calm and genuine. "Don't worry about it."

Arizona hesitated, searching Sam's face for any hint of discomfort. "Are you sure? I mean, Miguel and I can take Dylan to the new Typhoon if it's too weird for you."

But Sam just shook her head again, smiling warmly. "No, Arizona, seriously. I mean, this is gonna happen eventually, right? And it's all right. Dylan and I are still friends. It's all cool."

Reluctantly reassured, Arizona turned her attention back to the boys just as Miguel settled into the chair beside her. He leaned over, brushing a quick kiss on her cheek. "Hey," he said softly, his voice a little awkward, as if unsure of his place.

"Hey," Arizona replied, trying to match his casual tone, though there was an unspoken tension lingering between them. She could feel it in the air, that heavy awkwardness from a conversation they hadn't finished, a confession they'd left hanging.

Ever since Miguel had told her he loved her, things hadn't been quite the same. She hadn't known what to say back, so she'd acted as though she hadn't heard it, hoping the moment would pass without confrontation. But the silence had only grown heavier, stretching between them in a way that neither of them knew how to fix.

Meanwhile, Dylan stood nearby, shifting his weight as he glanced toward Sam, his expression unreadable. "Uh, hey, how you doing, Sam?" he asked, his voice tentative, as if he didn't quite know how to start a conversation with her anymore.

Sam looked up, her expression a bit stiff. "Hey," she replied, her tone matching his awkwardness. "I'm, uh, yeah. I mean, I'm... I'm good. Good. And how about you?"

Arizona exchanged a quick look with Miguel, the two of them stifling laughter as their friends stumbled through their small talk, both obviously feeling the remnants of unresolved emotions.

Dylan looked around, clearly unsure of where he fit in this new arrangement. "I'm cool. I'm good. Yeah. Uh, is anyone..." He gestured to the empty lounge chair beside Sam, trailing off as he looked at her.

Sam's cheeks flushed as she fumbled over her words. "Yeah. I mean... I mean, no, but... I... Yeah, you can... You can go ahead," she stammered, awkwardly waving to the chair.

Dylan gave a tentative nod and finally sat down, a slight awkwardness still lingering between them. Arizona sighed quietly, feeling the tension in the air thickening as she turned to Miguel, who was watching her with a gentle, yet curious smile.

"What?" she asked, feeling her cheeks warm under his gaze.

Miguel's smile softened, and he leaned a little closer, his voice gentle. "Nothing... I love you," he said, his tone soft but earnest, as if he was testing the waters, waiting to see if she'd finally respond.

Arizona's breath hitched, her heart pounding as she felt the weight of his words settle over her. She paused, glancing away as she struggled with what to say. She hadn't been ready before, and truthfully, she wasn't sure if she was ready now. They weren't officially back together, and everything felt so... uncertain.

She forced a smile, her voice light as she finally whispered, "Love ya too."

But in her heart, she knew she still needed time-time to heal, time to figure out if she could open herself up to him again. For now, she was content to sit beside him, the warmth of the sun enveloping them both as they basked in the lazy summer day, surrounded by friends who understood the beautiful, complicated mess they were all tangled in together.

The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the water park. Arizona and Miguel climbed the spiral staircase leading up to the top of the tallest waterslide. The structure creaked slightly underfoot, and the scent of chlorine was thick in the air. Around them, excited kids and families laughed and chattered, their voices melding into a cacophony of joy and thrill. But for Arizona, everything seemed muted. All she could feel was the tension in Miguel's presence, the weight of the unspoken words that had been lingering between them for weeks.

As they reached the top, Miguel looked over at her, a hesitant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Ready to do this?" he asked, trying to inject some lightness into his tone.

Arizona forced a small smile, nodding. "Yeah, let's do it."

They positioned themselves on the large double inner tube, Miguel taking the back seat so he could hold onto her, his arms naturally wrapping around her waist. The touch felt both familiar and strange. She could feel the warmth of his hands, the steady rise and fall of his breath against her back. For a fleeting moment, she let herself relax into his embrace, allowing the nostalgia of their past happiness to wash over her.

The lifeguard gave them the signal, and then they were off, careening down the slide with water spraying up around them. The slide twisted and turned, sending them flying around sharp corners and through steep drops. Arizona laughed, the thrill of the ride taking over, momentarily letting her forget the heaviness in her heart. She could hear Miguel laughing behind her, his grip on her tightening with each twist and turn. For those few seconds, it felt like they were back to the way things used to be-two people in love, unburdened by hurt and betrayal.

They splashed down into the pool at the bottom, the cool water soaking them as they drifted to the edge. Miguel's arms stayed loosely around her, and as they reached the shallow area, he leaned forward, his voice soft yet firm.

"Arizona..." he began, his tone so serious that her heart clenched. She knew this conversation was coming, but she had been hoping-foolishly-that maybe, just maybe, the day would end without it. "I need to ask you... why won't you say it back?"

She turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder to meet his gaze. There was a vulnerability in his eyes, one she had seen before, and it made her chest ache. He looked... hurt, as though her silence on the matter had been eating away at him. She didn't know what to say, how to explain the complicated mess of feelings churning inside her.

After a long pause, she managed to find her voice. "Miguel... we aren't even officially back together." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she knew he heard her.

Miguel's expression shifted, frustration flickering across his face. "That's because I've been giving you time," he said, his voice growing firmer, tinged with impatience. "So much time, Arizona. I wanted you to heal, to figure things out, but I've been waiting. And I'm done with waiting. I want us to be back together, to try again. For real."

The intensity of his words crashed over her like a wave, stirring something deep inside. She felt her defenses start to crumble, the walls she had built so carefully over the months weakening. Before she could stop herself, the words burst out, raw and unfiltered.

"How can I get back together with you when you cheated on me, Miguel?" she spat, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and pain. "And then... then you acted like I was crazy for being hurt. Like I was overreacting!" She struggled to hold his gaze, her voice thick with emotions she had tried so hard to bury. "I don't even know what love is supposed to feel like anymore, Miguel. Not after everything that's happened. Not after the way you made me doubt myself..."

The hurt in his eyes deepened, his face contorting with a mix of guilt and resentment. He opened his mouth to respond, but for a moment, no words came out. Finally, he forced himself to speak, his tone cold and biting. "I thought we were past that," he said, his voice barely concealing his anger. "I thought you forgave me, Arizona. We've been spending all this time together, and I thought we'd moved on."

She could see the walls he was putting up, the way his emotions hardened, and she felt panic rising in her chest. "Miguel, I-"

But he shook his head, his expression unreadable. "I guess we weren't," he muttered, his voice laced with disappointment. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his shoulders tense, leaving her standing there, frozen.

Arizona's throat tightened, her vision blurring as she fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms to keep herself grounded, but the ache in her chest was overwhelming, a raw, hollow pain that made it hard to breathe. She felt... empty, lost, as though everything she had tried so hard to rebuild was crumbling around her.

As she tried to compose herself, she heard a familiar voice nearby. "Hey... are you okay?" Tory's voice was soft, almost hesitant. Arizona turned to find her standing a few feet away, her face surprisingly gentle, as if she genuinely cared.

Arizona's face twisted with anger. She didn't need this. She didn't need Tory's pity, her attempts at redemption. "Leave me alone, Tory," she snapped, her voice dripping with bitterness. "We aren't friends. We'll never be friends."

Tory flinched but held her ground, her expression remorseful. "Look, I know that," she replied, her tone earnest. "But I... I'm truly sorry for what I did. For giving you that tattoo, for everything. I never meant to hurt you like that."

Arizona felt a sharp pang of rage bubbling up, and she took a step forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "You're sorry?" she repeated, her voice thick with disbelief. "That's all you have to say? You held me down, Tory. You held me down and tattooed traitor on my arm. Do you have any idea what that did to me? What it feels like to see that every day and remember what you did?"

Tory looked down, guilt and regret written across her face. But Arizona didn't care. She didn't want her apologies, her excuses. The pain and betrayal were too deep, too raw.

Without waiting for a response, Arizona turned on her heel, storming away, her body trembling with anger. The tears she had held back finally began to spill over, but she didn't care. She let them fall, each tear a release of the emotions she had kept locked away. She didn't look back, didn't give Tory a second glance. She just kept walking, desperate to put as much distance as she could between herself and the people who had hurt her.

The sun was bright, casting a hazy golden glow over the water park as kids laughed and splashed in the distance. Dylan sat on the bench beside Sam, shifting awkwardly and occasionally adjusting his sunglasses. His attempts to seem relaxed weren't quite working-he felt out of place, like he was teetering on the edge of a joke he didn't quite understand. He watched Sam as she flipped a page in her book, her brows furrowed in concentration.

Dylan cleared his throat, trying to break the silence. "You get to the part where he finds the abandoned bus?" he asked, gesturing vaguely toward the book in her hands.

Sam looked up, surprised, a small, confused smile forming on her lips. "Oh, uh, I think you're thinking of Into the Wild," she said, gently correcting him. She tilted the book slightly, showing him the cover. "This is actually Wild by Cheryl Strayed."

Dylan blinked, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Oh," he muttered, feeling a bit foolish. "My bad." He scratched the back of his neck and glanced at the book again, trying to salvage the moment. "But this is the prequel, right?"

Sam smiled, amused by his misunderstanding. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, this one's got no guy. All bus." She nodded, playing along.

Dylan grinned, catching onto her joke. "All bus. Yeah." He nodded sagely, like he was in on the literary analysis. "I mean, there's a chapter about the windows going up and down, right?"

Sam laughed, her eyes crinkling as she shook her head. "Yeah, totally. And there's a whole section about the intricacies of the seat fabric."

Dylan leaned in, keeping a straight face despite the twinkle in his eye. "I was partial to the part where the doors open and shut. Real page-turner, that one."

Sam giggled, the sound light and infectious. It made Dylan's heart skip a beat, and he couldn't help but smile along with her, feeling the awkwardness between them melt away a little. The laughter softened something in the air, and he found himself relaxing, enjoying the banter.

He took a deep breath, gathering his nerve. "Look, I was thinking of braving the Lazy River if you wanna join?" he asked, hoping his invitation sounded casual, even though he was feeling anything but.

Sam hesitated, glancing back down at her book as if weighing her options. "Uh, yeah. Right after this chapter. I want to see what happens to the bus driver," she explained, her voice warm and teasing.

Dylan nodded, pretending to understand her fixation. "Of course, yeah. It's a page-turner," he replied, glancing at the book with exaggerated respect, as though it held the secrets of the universe.

Before he could say anything else, he heard a familiar huff beside him. Miguel dropped onto the bench with a noticeable heaviness, his face set in a frown as he crossed his arms. Dylan furrowed his eyebrows, feeling the shift in the atmosphere as Miguel's presence cast a shadow over the lightheartedness he'd been sharing with Sam.

Curious and a bit thrown, Dylan subtly followed Miguel's line of sight. He saw Arizona sitting a few yards away by the Lazy River with Anthony and her younger brother, Diego. She looked like she had been crying, her eyes rimmed with a telltale redness, her expression distant and somber. She was doing her best to keep up appearances for her little brother's sake, but there was a weight in her posture, a heaviness in the way she moved.

Dylan glanced between Miguel and Arizona, trying to piece together what he was witnessing. Miguel's jaw was clenched, and his brows were furrowed, his eyes flickering with a mixture of frustration and something deeper-hurt, maybe, or guilt. Whatever had happened between them, it was clearly raw, unresolved.

As Dylan's gaze drifted back to Arizona, he felt a pang of empathy. She looked so vulnerable, her usually strong, confident demeanor fractured. He hadn't seen her like this before, and it was unsettling. He knew Miguel and Arizona had their ups and downs, but this seemed different, more intense, like an emotional storm had passed through and left them both reeling in its wake.

Dylan glanced back at Miguel, who was staring intently in Arizona's direction, his expression unreadable but undeniably pained. Sam shifted beside him, sensing the tension, but she stayed quiet, her eyes flicking between Dylan and Miguel, clearly unsure of what to say.

Dylan leaned back slightly, feeling caught in the middle of something he didn't quite understand. He wanted to ask, to make sense of the situation, but the words didn't come. All he could do was sit there, feeling the weight of the silence pressing down on them, wondering what had happened between Miguel and Arizona to leave them both looking so hurt.

Arizona dropped onto the lounge chair beside Sam with a weary sigh, crossing her arms and keeping a careful distance from Miguel. She could feel his presence beside her like a weight pressing on her chest, and though she tried to ignore it, she couldn't resist occasionally sneaking glances in his direction. Each time, she found him glancing back, a flicker of something unresolved hanging in the air between them.

Dylan, sitting awkwardly on the other side of Sam, tried his best to act oblivious to the tension, but his gaze kept shifting between Arizona and Miguel, picking up on the strain that neither of them seemed willing to address. His discomfort was almost tangible, yet he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Arizona was about to say something-anything to break the silence-when an eruption of voices drew all their attention. On the far side of the water park, near the entrance to the Lazy River, a group of Miyagi-Fang and Cobra Kai students were facing off, their stances tense, expressions hard. Robby and Tory were in the middle of it, both of them gesturing and trying to keep the situation from boiling over, but it was clear that their efforts were quickly unraveling.

Eli, sitting up beside Arizona, let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "Are you kidding me with this bullshit again?" he muttered, his tone a blend of disbelief and irritation.

He squinted, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Robby standing amidst the Cobra Kai kids. His mouth twisted into a scowl, and he glanced pointedly at Arizona and Miguel. "There's Keene. You guys said he wasn't in Cobra Kai anymore," he said, his words heavy with accusation.

Miguel's jaw clenched, his expression darkening. "It's what Sensei told me," he spat, his frustration clear as he looked to Arizona, almost as if seeking confirmation.

Arizona shrugged, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on her shoulders. "He isn't... I don't think," she said hesitantly, casting a cautious look toward Robby. He didn't seem to be acting like one of them, but the lines were so blurred lately. Was anyone truly free of their past?

Eli huffed, muttering something under his breath before he stood up and began marching toward the scene, Miguel following close behind, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Dylan turned to Arizona, concern etched across his face. "Don't you think you should go?" he asked, his voice gentle but with an edge of urgency.

Arizona sighed, dragging her hands over her face, but she relented, pushing herself up with a reluctant nod. "Fine, fine," she muttered, casting one last glance at Dylan before following Miguel and Eli.

As she neared the group, she noticed a lifeguard in a referee shirt standing between the two factions, his face a mixture of frustration and exhaustion. He held his arms out, trying to create some semblance of distance between the clashing students, his tone exasperated as he raised his voice. "Listen, you guys keep this up, you're all getting kicked out!" he warned, his hands waving dramatically, as though he'd had enough teenage drama for one day.

Arizona, sensing an opportunity to diffuse the situation, stepped forward, her voice carrying a commanding edge. "Clearly, you guys can't coexist in peace," she stated bluntly, casting a stern look at both sides. "So let's find a solution."

Mitch, standing off to the side, crossed his arms and let out an irritated huff. "We can't fight, or we might get kicked out. What are we supposed to do?" he asked, his frustration mirroring everyone else's.

Robby turned to Tory, a strained expression on his face as he leaned in close to whisper to her, his words barely audible to anyone else. "We need to go," he urged, his voice laced with a sense of urgency and pleading.

But Tory shook her head, her eyes flashing with a stubborn defiance that Arizona recognized all too well. "No," she replied, her voice steady, unyielding. She wasn't going anywhere, not until this was settled.

Before anyone could think of a response, Diego stepped forward, his eyes bright with excitement as he pointed to the towering waterslides looming behind them. "What about a race?" he suggested, his voice cutting through the tension, a playful grin spreading across his face as if he'd just had the most brilliant idea.

Arizona turned to her younger brother, one eyebrow raised in disbelief. "What?" she asked, unable to hide the skepticism in her voice.

Diego's grin widened, and he pointed at the waterslides again. "Arizona, you should go," he said, his voice filled with encouragement, his eyes practically sparkling as if he was setting her up for some grand adventure.

Her eyes widened, darting back and forth between the slides and her brother's eager expression. "A race?" she repeated, still trying to grasp the audacity of his suggestion.

Tory, catching onto the idea, stepped forward as well, her gaze meeting Arizona's in a silent, unspoken challenge. "So will I," she announced, her voice steady, her eyes never leaving Arizona's.

Arizona's fists clenched as she locked eyes with Tory, the weight of their history and unresolved grudges hanging between them like a dark cloud. Memories of betrayal and bitter words flickered through her mind, fueling a quiet anger that she struggled to keep in check. This wasn't just about a waterslide-it was a chance to prove something, to both Tory and herself.

"All right, champ versus runner-up!" Kyler's obnoxious voice rang out from the crowd, his face split into a wide, smug grin as he watched the drama unfold like he was front row at a sporting event.

Arizona shot him a venomous glare, but then she turned her focus back to Tory, her voice laced with determination. "Whoever wins gets the park," Tory declared, her voice challenging, daring Arizona to back down.

Arizona took a deep, steadying breath, squaring her shoulders as she readied herself for the challenge. "Deal," she gritted out, her voice cold, eyes sharp as steel as she accepted the challenge. The word felt heavy, almost like a vow, resonating between them.

From behind her, Eli couldn't resist throwing in his own support. "But you won't win," he muttered, smirking as he looked at Tory, a faint smirk on his face.

Arizona took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze-her friends, her enemies, and even Miguel, who was watching her with an expression that was hard to read. She felt a familiar sense of resolve rise within her. She wasn't just racing for herself; she was racing for everything she'd fought for, everything she'd lost, and everything she still had to prove.

The group moved towards the entrance of the slide, each step filled with anticipation and tension. Arizona glanced up at the slide, its winding, twisting path looming like a test of courage. She could hear the murmurs and whispers around her, feel the anticipation simmering in the crowd. But she shut it all out, focusing solely on the challenge ahead.

Standing beside Tory at the top, she looked over the edge, the view of the park stretching out beneath her. Her heart pounded, her breathing steadying as she prepared to throw herself into this race, to let go of the doubts and the anger and let the rush of adrenaline carry her.

It was just a race, she told herself. But as she looked into Tory's eyes, she knew it was so much more than that.

Arizona perched atop her inflatable tube, gripping the handles as she balanced herself, the sounds of cheering and taunting from their friends echoing in her ears. She cast one last look back at Tory, who sat poised on her own floatie, a look of fierce determination on her face. The two locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them, neither willing to back down or show any sign of doubt. For Arizona, this race was about more than winning the waterpark; it was a chance to prove her resilience, to show Tory and everyone watching that she was unstoppable.

The lifeguard lifted a whistle to his lips, giving a quick nod. Then, with a sharp blow, he signaled them to start.

In an instant, Arizona kicked off, launching herself down the twisting slide. Water sprayed up around her as she gained momentum, the cool rush of speed sending a thrill through her. She leaned back, letting the tube carry her down the first curve, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips as she felt herself getting into the flow.

But suddenly, she felt something shift beneath her. There was a faint hissing sound, barely audible over the roar of the water rushing around her. Her floatie, which had been firm and fast, began to lose its buoyancy, sagging as the air leaked out. Her speed slowed, the once-smooth ride turning bumpy and awkward as the deflated tube struggled to keep her afloat.

"What the hell?" Arizona muttered, her voice laced with frustration as she realized what was happening. Her floatie wasn't just slowing down-it was completely deflating. She tried to steer herself, but without the lift, she was dragging through the water, the once-thrilling ride now feeling like a sluggish crawl.

Moments later, she dumped unceremoniously into the pool at the bottom of the slide, sputtering as she came up for air. Her gaze immediately shot to the other end of the pool, where Tory had already emerged, fists pumping triumphantly in the air as she celebrated her victory. The crowd around them burst into cheers, but the noise was quickly drowned out by Arizona's angry shout.

"What the hell? You guys cheated!" Arizona yelled, her voice cutting through the celebratory noise as she held up her limp, deflated tube. "There was a hole in my tube!"

Tory's triumphant smile faltered, her face falling as she realized the accusation. Around them, the Miyagi-Fang students picked up on Arizona's frustration, Diego leading the charge as he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Boo! Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater!"

The chant quickly caught on, a chorus of "Cheater! Cheater!" ringing out from the Miyagi-Fangs as they pointed accusing fingers at Tory and the Cobra Kai kids, who exchanged uneasy glances. Arizona pulled herself through the water, swimming with powerful strokes toward the edge of the pool.

When she reached the side, Miguel was there, extending his hand to help her out. But she barely looked at him, brushing his hand away as she hoisted herself up on her own, her body tense with frustration and anger. She stood dripping at the pool's edge, her wet hair clinging to her face as she caught her breath, eyes blazing as she looked back at Tory.

Their gazes locked, a silent storm of emotions passing between them-anger, betrayal, and maybe, beneath it all, a hint of the friendship they'd once shared, now buried under layers of bitterness.

But before Arizona could say anything more, a new commotion erupted from nearby. Eli, his face twisted in anger, had stepped forward, his attention fixed on Kenny, who stood beside the other Cobra Kai kids. Without warning, Eli charged toward him, shouting as his fists clenched, the animosity between them spilling over into open hostility.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Arizona muttered under her breath, exhausted from the endless cycle of fights and arguments. She was done. Done with the tension, the drama, the bitter rivalries that seemed to follow her everywhere she went.

Turning away from the chaotic scene, she made her way over to Diego, who was still glaring at Tory, his face red with anger. Arizona placed a firm hand on his shoulder, catching his attention. "Come on," she said quietly, her voice filled with a weary resolve. "We're going home."

Diego looked up at her, his expression softening as he realized how drained she was. Without another word, he nodded, falling into step beside her as they walked away from the pool and the shouting and the bitter rivalries that had consumed their day. Arizona felt a pang of regret as she left-regret for the friendships that had crumbled, for the grudges that lingered, for everything that had changed.

But for now, all she wanted was to leave it behind.

ASH SPEAKS!

arizona deserves better :(

dylan and sam being awkward around each other😭😭

its hard to believe that s6 part 2 is this friday!! eek!

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
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