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Mila sat in the cold metal chair of the prison visiting room, her leg bouncing nervously under the table. She fidgeted with her hands, looking around at the drab surroundings. The walls were a dull gray, and the air felt heavy with the weight of countless sorrowful conversations. The sound of keys jingling and the clanging of cell doors echoed through the hallways, creating a constant reminder of where she was. She hadn't been here in a while, and each visit was a fresh wave of emotions.

Finally, she saw her mother, Katherine, walk out, flanked by a stern-faced guard. The sight of her mother in handcuffs made Mila's heart ache. Katherine's smile, however, was as bright as ever when she saw her daughter. They both picked up the phones on either side of the glass divider.

"Dios mío, Mila, eres preciosa," Katherine said, her eyes filled with warmth and pride as she looked at her daughter. Mila's laughter was a mix of joy and sorrow, tears welling up in her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back.

"Thank you, mama. I'm sorry I haven't visited you in a while. A lot has happened since you first got put here," Mila began, her voice thick with emotion. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.

Katherine's expression turned serious, her brows knitting together with concern. "It's okay, Mila. What's wrong?" she asked gently, her voice filled with maternal concern that reached across the glass barrier.

Mila bit her lip, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I start high school today. I'm worried. I don't even have any friends. The girls I hang around with are from the hood and don't do school or go to a different school," she confessed, her voice tinged with anxiety and uncertainty. She felt so young and lost in that moment, despite trying to project a tough exterior.

Katherine's frown deepened, her heart aching for her daughter. "Mila, you have your sister and that boy, what was it... Antonio? No... Anthony! That's it," Katherine said, searching for the right names to reassure her daughter. "They care about you."

Mila sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her recent actions pressing down on her. "I... Something happened, mama. I'm not living with Marisol and dad anymore. I punched a hole in the wall because I was angry... and I've been living with Robby and his mom. I'm not allowed back until I stop acting out," she explained, her voice trembling as she laid bare her struggles and mistakes.

Katherine's eyes widened in shock and concern. "Mila—" she began, but the guard interrupted them abruptly.

"Time's up! Wrap it up! Ladies, back to the canteen!" the guard barked, his tone brooking no argument.

Katherine sighed heavily, her face filled with a mixture of worry and sadness. "We'll talk more about this later. Call me, okay? I love you, Mila," she said, her voice softening as she tried to convey all her love and support in those final moments.

Mila smiled sadly, tears finally escaping and rolling down her cheeks. "Love you too, mama," she replied, her voice choked with emotion as she hung up the phone. She watched her mother being led away, feeling a deep sense of loss and longing.

As Mila left the prison, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her shoulders. She walked through the stark hallways, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on her. The cold air outside hit her face as she stepped into the parking lot, but it did little to lift her spirits. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself for the challenges that lay ahead. Despite everything, she felt a glimmer of hope, knowing that her mother's love and support were with her, even from behind bars.

She got onton her buke and sat there for a moment, gripping the sides tightly. She replayed the conversation in her mind, her mother's voice echoing in her ears. Mila's resolve hardened. She would face high school, make new friends, and prove that she could turn her life around. For herself, and for her mother. She started the engine and drove away, determined to face whatever came next with strength and resilience.

Marisol stood in the crowded school corridor, anxiously checking her watch and scanning the entrance. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her nerves making her jittery. The morning sun streamed through the large windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

"Hey, Mars!" Eli called out, his voice breaking through the noise of the bustling students. He walked in with Demetri, who gave him a pat on the shoulder before heading to his own class. Eli approached Marisol with a wide grin, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.

Marisol's face broke into a big smile as she pulled Eli in for a hug and a kiss. "Ugh, I missed you! I can't believe you came back last night from the beach," she said, her voice filled with relief and affection. She ran her fingers through his hair, savoring the moment.

Eli chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I missed you, too, babe," he replied, but his smile faded as he noticed Marisol's eyes drifting past him. He turned to follow her gaze and saw Mila walking through the doors, looking lost and isolated. Marisol's eyes widened, and her lips curled into a worried frown.

"Here she comes," Marisol said, her voice trembling slightly.

Eli turned fully to face Mila, noticing the tension in Marisol's stance. "Is she still not responding to your messages? It's been a whole month since she's been staying with Robby and Shannon," Eli asked, his voice filled with concern.

Marisol shook her head sadly, her eyes never leaving her sister. "No, she hasn't responded at all," she replied, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness.

Mila stood near a pole, her face illuminated by the glow of her phone screen. She was texting her friend Lia, who had moved to a different school. Mila's expression was one of frustration and longing, her fingers tapping rapidly on the screen.

"Mila!" Anthony called out, his voice cutting through the noise. Mila looked up, her face hardening into a scowl. She pocketed her phone and started to walk away, but Anthony was persistent. He grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn around.

"Leave me alone, Anthony," she said, her voice cold and detached.

Anthony tightened his grip slightly, his face filled with worry and determination. "Don't you get it? We're over!" she shouted, drawing the attention of nearby students. Her voice echoed down the hallway, filled with anger and hurt.

Anthony huffed, his frustration boiling over. "No! I'm not taking this as we're over! I want to know what's going on. You're shutting everyone out!" he yelled, his voice cracking with emotion.

Mila rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "I... just leave me alone, okay? See you around," she said, her voice devoid of any warmth. She turned and sped off, her footsteps echoing in the corridor.

Anthony stood there, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He watched helplessly as Mila disappeared into the crowd, feeling a deep sense of loss and confusion. He glanced back at Marisol and Eli, who were now walking towards their first class, their arms around each other for support.

As Marisol and Eli walked away, Marisol couldn't help but steal one last glance at her sister, her heart aching with worry. She leaned into Eli, drawing comfort from his presence. "I just wish I knew how to help her," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Eli kissed the top of her head. "We'll figure it out, Mars. Just give her some time," he reassured her, though he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

In the meantime, Mila found herself a quiet corner in the library, trying to process the morning's events. She stared at her phone, considering calling her mother again but knowing it wouldn't change anything. She felt a pang of guilt for pushing away Anthony and isolating herself from everyone who cared about her.

As she sat there, she couldn't help but wonder how things had spiraled so far out of control. She missed her old life, her friends, and most of all, the sense of belonging she once had. But now, with so many changes and new challenges, she felt like she was losing herself.

Back in the corridor, Marisol and Eli entered their classroom, their hands still entwined. Marisol took a deep breath, trying to focus on the lessons ahead but her mind kept drifting back to her sister. She knew they needed to have a serious talk, but she wasn't sure how to break through the walls Mila had built around herself.

As the day went on, Mila kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone. She went through the motions of her classes, her mind preoccupied with the weight of her troubles. She couldn't shake the feeling of being adrift, disconnected from everything and everyone she once held dear.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Mila gathered her things slowly. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Anthony standing there, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"We need to talk," he said softly, his eyes pleading with her to listen.

Mila glared at Anthony, her eyes burning with anger and frustration. "No! Just stop it! You're not going to find out why I'm acting like this. I just wanna go home, okay?" she snapped, her voice cracking with emotion. Without waiting for his response, she turned on her heel and walked briskly to where her bike was chained.

Anthony stood there, stunned and helpless as he watched her unlock her bike and pedal away furiously. His heart ached, knowing that whatever Mila was going through, it was tearing her apart. He wanted to help, but she had built walls around herself that seemed impenetrable.

Mila pedaled down the street, her vision blurred by unshed tears. She could feel the weight of her emotions pressing down on her, suffocating her. The wind whipped through her hair as she rode, but it did little to clear her mind. All she wanted was to escape, to find a place where she could breathe and think clearly.

As she rode through the familiar streets of her neighborhood, she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for the days when everything was simpler. Before her mother's imprisonment, before the fights with Marisol, before everything seemed to fall apart. She wished she could turn back time and fix everything, but she knew that was impossible.

She finally reached Robby's house, where she had been staying. She locked her bike and walked up to the front door, her legs feeling heavy with exhaustion. She opened the door quietly, hoping not to disturb anyone. The house was quiet, and she could hear the faint sound of the television coming from the living room.

Shannon, Robby's mom, looked up from the couch and gave Mila a small, sympathetic smile. "Hey, sweetie. How was your day?" she asked gently.

Mila forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil inside her. "It was fine," she lied, not wanting to burden Shannon with her problems. "I'm just really tired."

Shannon nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "Why don't you go rest for a while? Dinner will be ready in about an hour."

Mila nodded gratefully and made her way to the guest room she had been staying in. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. The room was small but cozy, with a bed pushed against the wall and a small desk by the window. She walked over to the bed and flopped down, burying her face in the pillow.

She felt the tears she had been holding back finally spill over, and she cried silently into the pillow. The weight of everything she had been carrying felt like it was crushing her, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep it up. She thought about Anthony's concern, Marisol's attempts to reach out, and her mother's sad, knowing eyes during their visit. She felt so alone, despite being surrounded by people who cared about her.

After what felt like an eternity, her sobs began to subside, leaving her feeling drained and empty. She rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts and fears. She knew she couldn't keep going like this, pushing everyone away and bottling up her emotions. But she didn't know how to let them in, how to trust that they wouldn't hurt her or leave her.

As she lay there, the events of the day replayed in her mind, and she realized that she had to start somewhere. She had to take the first step, even if it was small. She picked up her phone and hesitated for a moment before sending a text to Marisol.

"Stop contacting me."

She stared at the screen, her heart pounding as she waited for a response. A few moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply.

"Mila? What?"

She went to her information page with Marisol and clicked the block button. She put her phone down and closed her eyes.

Marisol stood inside Miyagi-Do, absorbing the atmosphere. It was surreal to think that in just three months, she'd be eighteen, and Mila would soon turn fifteen. The dojo was abuzz with anticipation and excitement. Eli and Demetri moved a covered board to the front of the dojo, their faces beaming with pride.

"It's been a long road, but we're finally all on the same side. And as a reward? The toughest test any of us ever had to face," Eli began, his voice filled with determination.

Sam joined Marisol, a supportive presence at her side. "The Sekai Taikai is the most prestigious karate tournament in modern martial arts history. For over a century, fighters from across the globe have gathered every two years to compete for the title of World's Best," Demetri explained, his enthusiasm infectious.

Eli continued, "If the All Valley is March Madness, this is the Olympics, plus the gladiator games and the kumite from Bloodsport all rolled into one."

The gravity of the competition sunk in as they all exchanged excited yet determined looks. "If we win—" Demetri started, but Eli interrupted, correcting him, "Excuse me. When we win, the spoils will be life-changing."

Marisol felt a rush of excitement and pride, exchanging grins with Sam and Miguel. Eli nodded, "But it's going to take all of our focus and all the wisdom our senseis have to offer."

"Yes, which is why we decided to take at least one thing off your plates: coming up with our new dojo name," Demetri announced, holding out his arms for emphasis. "After some spirited brainstorming, ad hoc focus grouping, and a dojo-wide vote, we have a winner," Eli added with a flourish.

He and Demetri pulled the cover off the board, revealing the new name: "Miyagi Fang Karate," accompanied by an image of Mr. Miyagi with wings. "Miyagi Fang Karate!" Eli and Demetri declared in unison, their voices ringing with pride and unity.

Marisol chuckled and clapped, joining in the applause that filled the dojo. The name felt perfect, symbolizing the union of their two paths and the fierce spirit they embodied. She scanned the room, seeing the same sense of pride and determination mirrored on the faces of her friends and teammates.

Marisol walked into the bustling arcade, immediately spotting Miguel sitting at a table with Tory and Sam. "Hey, guys!" she called out, waving enthusiastically as she made her way over. Miguel's face lit up with relief at her arrival.

"Ooh! Ice cream!" Marisol exclaimed, grabbing a spoon and taking a playful bite from the sundae in the center of the table. She licked the spoon in a deliberately funny way, prompting Sam to crack a grin despite her best efforts to hold it back. The tension was palpable, and both Miguel and Marisol were acutely aware of it.

"So, I mean, it's our senior year, right?" Miguel ventured, breaking the silence in an attempt to ease the atmosphere.

"Yess! College is right around the corner. Crazy, huh?" Marisol chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious. She nudged Tory and Sam, who were sitting opposite each other.

"Yeah, I mean, it does feel like just yesterday we were dissecting fetal pigs, and you were doing cheer. Now we're planning our futures while training every day," Sam said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Marisol chuckled, "I remember hating Miguel at first."

Miguel laughed, "I didn't like you either at first, but now we're best friends."

"There are so many good schools to choose from. Eli thinks I should apply to Juilliard for music since I've been getting into it lately. He thinks I can go somewhere with it, so I applied," Marisol mentioned, her excitement tempered with a touch of nerves. Sam's eyes lit up with genuine interest.

"Mars, that's so cool!" Sam exclaimed. For a moment, the two ex-girlfriends shared a genuine, unguarded laugh.

"How do you feel about finding schools?" Marisol asked Sam, shifting the conversation.

"I—I'm just a little overwhelmed, to be honest. But it'll be easier once you hear back from Juilliard," Sam said before looking at Miguel. "And for you to hear back from Stanford."

Miguel grinned and crossed his fingers. "Fingers crossed," he said, then turned his attention to Tory. "What about you, Tory?"

Tory hesitated before speaking, "It's kinda hard to get into anywhere when you spent almost a year on probation."

Marisol's jaw dropped slightly at the blunt admission, and Sam quickly put her hand on Marisol's chin to close her mouth. She then kicked Marisol's foot under the table, giving her a knowing look. An awkward silence settled over the group before Marisol tried to break it.

"I'm sure you'll find a way, Tory."

Mila sat on a bench outside the arcade, watching cars go by in a steady stream. The warm summer evening was filled with the distant hum of engines and the occasional chirping of crickets. She was lost in her thoughts when someone cleared their throat nearby. She looked over and saw Anthony standing there, his expression determined.

"God, Anthony! Just leave me alone," she snapped, standing up abruptly and starting to walk away.

Anthony jogged over and stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "I'm not going anywhere until you open up to me, Mila," he persisted, his voice firm yet gentle.

Mila clenched her fists by her side, frustration and anger boiling over. "Fine! You want to know what's happening?" she spat, her voice trembling with emotion. "When we shut down Cobra Kai that night, Sensei Kim cornered me! She told me she knew of my mom and her so-called grandpa. My great grandfather! She said he was a Sensei and then went on to say all this crap about him being useless and a coward. And then she said I was turning into one too."

Anthony's eyes widened in shock, but he stayed silent, letting her continue.

"So, you know what? Maybe I am turning into one. I'm done acting like the perfect sister. My dad expects me to be perfect because Marisol used to have issues with him, and Sophie, well... she's gone. She would know what to do. I love Marisol, but... she just doesn't understand," Mila's voice broke, and tears streamed down her face.

Anthony stepped closer, his expression softening. "Mila, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were going through all of this."

Mila wiped her tears angrily, shaking her head. "No one does. Everyone expects me to be something I'm not. And I just can't take it anymore."

Anthony hesitated for a moment before reaching out to gently touch her arm. "You don't have to go through this alone, Mila. I'm here for you. We all are. You don't have to be perfect."

Mila looked up at him, her eyes filled with pain and vulnerability. "I don't know how to be anything else," she whispered.

Anthony gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We'll figure it out together. Just... let us in. Let me in."

For the first time in weeks, Mila felt a tiny glimmer of hope. She nodded slowly, allowing herself to lean into the comfort and support Anthony was offering.

Anthony gave Mila a comforting squeeze on her arm and led her gently back towards the arcade. The neon lights flickered overhead as they walked inside, the sound of arcade games and laughter filling the air. Mila felt a mix of apprehension and relief wash over her as they made their way to the table where Marisol, Miguel, Sam, and Tory were still seated.

Marisol looked up, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Mila and Anthony approaching. "Mila?" she called out, concern evident in her voice.

Mila hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Can we talk, Marisol?"

Marisol immediately stood up, nodding. "Of course. Let's go somewhere quieter."

They moved to a quieter corner of the arcade, away from the noise and prying eyes. Mila felt her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to find the right words. Marisol watched her sister with worried eyes, waiting patiently.

"I..." Mila started, her voice trembling. "I haven't been honest with you. Or anyone."

Marisol reached out and took Mila's hands in hers. "It's okay, Mila. Just tell me what's going on."

Tears welled up in Mila's eyes, and she felt the dam of emotions she had been holding back finally break. "When we shut down Cobra Kai that night, Sensei Kim cornered me. She told me she knew about our mom and her grandfather. She called our great-grandfather useless and a coward and said I was turning into one too."

Marisol's eyes widened in shock. "Mila, why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

Mila shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't know how. Everyone expects me to be perfect. Dad expects it because of what you went through, and Sophie... she's gone, and I just feel so lost. I love you, Marisol, but you don't understand."

Marisol pulled Mila into a tight hug, her own eyes filling with tears. "I'm so sorry, Mila. I had no idea you were carrying all of this. But you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to carry this alone. We're a family, and we'll get through this together."

Mila broke down completely, sobbing into Marisol's shoulder. "I can't take it anymore, Mars. I just can't."

Marisol held her sister tightly, gently rocking her back and forth. "It's okay, Mila. I'm here. We're all here for you. We'll figure this out together. You don't have to be perfect. Just be you."

As Mila cried in her sister's arms, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel so alone. She knew it would take time to heal, but with her family's support, she felt a glimmer of hope for the future.

Mila went to the bathroom to calm herself down. She splashed water on her face, took a few deep breaths, and tried to regain her composure. The day had been overwhelming, and she needed a moment to collect herself.

As she walked out of the bathroom, she bumped into someone. She looked up and saw it was Kenny. "Kenny! Hey," Mila said awkwardly, hoping to keep things civil.

Kenny gave her a blank stare. "What do you want, Mila? Did Keene send you over to me? Or is this you trying to be friends with me even though I can't let my feelings aside," he retorted, his tone dripping with bitterness.

Mila frowned, taken aback by his harshness. "Kenny, I'm sorry, but I don't feel the same way as you do. I want to be friends, I'm sorry," Mila apologized, trying to keep her voice steady.

Kenny shook his head, his expression hardening. "Just leave me alone, Mila. Everyone's done with your bullshit. Even your own sister," he snapped, his words cutting deep.

Mila's eyes widened in shock and hurt. She glanced over and saw Marisol playing a basketball game with Sam, laughing and high-fiving each other. The sight of her sister so effortlessly happy while she was struggling only made her feel worse.

Without saying another word, Mila turned around and walked back into the bathroom. The moment the door closed behind her, she let the tears flow freely. She leaned against the sink, covering her face with her hands as sobs wracked her body. The pain of Kenny's words and the loneliness she felt overwhelmed her.

She stayed in the bathroom for what felt like an eternity, crying until she had no more tears left. Finally, she took a deep breath and wiped her face with a paper towel, trying to erase any evidence of her breakdown. She knew she couldn't hide in the bathroom forever.

Mila walked out of the bathroom, her eyes still red and puffy. She looked around the arcade, searching for Marisol. She found her sister still playing with Sam, their laughter ringing through the arcade. Mustering all her courage, Mila approached them.

"Hey, can we talk?" Mila asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marisol immediately noticed the distress in her sister's eyes. She put down the basketball and turned to face Mila fully. "Of course, Mila. What's wrong?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Mila hesitated for a moment, glancing around at the bustling arcade. "Not here. Can we go somewhere private?"

Marisol nodded, her worry deepening. She glanced at Sam, who gave a reassuring nod. The two sisters walked to a quieter corner of the arcade, away from the noise and the prying eyes.

As they found a quieter corner of the arcade, away from the noise and the prying eyes, Mila felt the weight of the past few weeks bearing down on her. She couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Mars, I don't know what to do," Mila began, her voice trembling. She took a deep breath and looked into her sister's eyes. "Something happened with Kenny."

Marisol's expression shifted to one of concern. "What happened, Mila?"

Mila wiped at her eyes, the tears starting to flow again. "I ran into him outside the bathroom. He was so angry, Mars. He accused me of messing with his feelings and even said that everyone, including you, is done with my bullshit." Mila's voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands.

Marisol gently pulled her sister's hands away from her face and held them. "Hey, hey, it's okay. What else did he say?"

Mila sniffled, trying to calm herself. "He said I was sent by Robby to talk to him or that I was just trying to be friends even though he couldn't handle his feelings. I tried to explain that I just want to be friends, but he didn't want to hear it. And then... then he said even you were done with me."

Marisol's eyes widened, a mix of shock and anger flashing across her face. "Mila, I would never be done with you. You're my sister. I love you, and I'm here for you, no matter what."

Mila let out a sob, feeling the sincerity in Marisol's words. "I know, but it just hurt so much. And then seeing you with Sam, so happy... I felt even more alone."

Marisol pulled Mila into a tight hug, her voice gentle and reassuring. "You're not alone, Mila. I'm sorry if it seemed like I wasn't there for you. I should have been more attentive. But you have to know, no matter what happens, I'm always here for you."

Mila clung to her sister, the warmth of Marisol's embrace providing a small measure of comfort. "I just don't know how to deal with everything. With Mom in jail, Dad trying to control everything, and now Kenny... I feel like I'm falling apart."

Marisol pulled back slightly, looking into Mila's eyes. "We'll get through this together. We'll talk to Kenny, and we'll sort things out with Dad. And as for Mom, that's a whole another story. But you need to stop bottling things up, Mila. You can't carry all this weight on your own."

Mila nodded, a small sense of relief washing over her. "I know. It's just hard sometimes."

Marisol smiled softly, wiping away the last of Mila's tears. "I get it. But you're strong, Mila. And you've got me, Eli, Sam, and everyone else who cares about you. We'll figure this out."

Mila took a deep breath, feeling a bit more grounded. "Thanks, Mars. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Marisol hugged her sister again, a sense of determination settling in. "You won't ever have to find out. We're in this together."

ASH SPEAKS!

MARISOLS BACK BABY!!! i'm so excited for you guys to see what i have store :)