❝ no mercy. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

    IT WAS the first day of school. Students streamed into the building while others lingered outside, chatting with friends. The halls buzzed with conversation, laughter, and excited reunions as everyone caught up after the summer break. "Good morning, students and faculty. Welcome to a brand new year at West Valley High! I hope you all had a great summer and are ready to dive into the school year," a woman's voice announced over the intercom. Reina and Sam sat together in class, the noise of their peers settling into the background as they exchanged uneasy glances.

   "Hey, Rey—"

   "What the hell, Sam? Almost kissing Miguel while you're with Robby?" Reina whispered, her tone sharp, cutting through the murmur of the classroom. She hadn't intended to bring it up first, but the silence between them had stretched on long enough, and the words spilled out as soon as Sam had looked her way. Sam hesitated, her eyes flicking down to her lap, clearly struggling for an explanation.

   "I was drunk. I—" Sam stammered, her voice barely audible, as if the weight of her own words was too heavy to lift.

   Reina's eyes narrowed, disbelief written all over her face. She shifted in her seat, leaning closer, her arms folding defensively across her chest. "That's not an excuse. You need to figure out what you want, Sam." Her voice was low but firm, the disappointment seeping through.

    Sam let out a long, frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging as if the whole situation was weighing her down. "I know," she muttered, her voice thick with regret. "But things got out of hand. I didn't mean for it to happen." She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, not meeting Reina's gaze.

    Reina's jaw clenched. She could feel the frustration building, but she kept her voice steady. "Then you need to talk to Robby. He deserves to know the truth." Her words were final, and she didn't soften them. It wasn't just about Sam's actions—it was about the trust they had all built, and it was clear to Reina that Sam was on the verge of losing that trust.

    "I will, I promise," Sam whispered, her voice barely above the sound of the passing footsteps in the hall. "But can we just focus on today? I don't want to deal with this right now." She glanced up at Reina, pleading with her eyes, hoping to push the conversation aside, at least for the moment.

    Reina sighed, letting the tension between them settle for a beat. "Fine," she muttered, her arms uncrossing, though the seriousness in her tone remained. "But this isn't over. You can't just brush it aside." There was no way Reina could pretend this wasn't a big deal. They couldn't pretend everything was fine. Not after that.

    Before Sam could respond, the intercom crackled, and the intercom girls voice echoed throughout the classroom. "You can also buy tickets for the fall musical, a production of the global hit Grease," she continued, her voice bubbly and enthusiastic. "And finally, as we embark on another academic year, it's important to remember to be tolerant and accepting of all our peers, regardless of—" There was a sudden pause, followed by a few garbled sounds as the mic seemed to malfunction.

   "Hey, you're not supposed to be here!" the girl's voice cut through, now tinged with alarm. The sound of shuffling and static filled the room, the microphone obviously struggling. "Give that back! Ow!"

   And then, the static cleared, and a voice Reina knew all too well filled the space. "Samantha LaRusso and Reina Magdalena Parker, you two know what you did, and now you're both going to pay for it. I'm coming for you bitches!" Tory's voice was cold, dripping with venom, and it sent a chill through the room. Reina stiffened. Her full name. Magdalena. It was a name she hadn't heard in years, not since her mother used it to scold her when she was younger. To hear Tory—of all people—use it felt like a cruel twist of the knife.

     And of course, Caridad must've been the one to inform Tory of her full name.

   Reina clenched her fists beneath the desk, her face flushing with a mix of anger and disbelief. She could feel her pulse quickening, the urge to get up and find Tory building inside her, but she resisted. The room had gone completely silent. Everyone's attention was focused on the intercom now, as if waiting for something more.

    Sam, looking stunned, turned to Reina with wide eyes. "I know what I did to piss her off, but what did you do?" Her voice was a mixture of confusion and concern, but the raw edge of guilt was still there, too.

    Reina let out a heavy sigh, her fingers patting down her slicked back bun as she pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stave off the headache that had already begun to form. "She probably thinks I set her up," Reina explained, her voice low and frustrated. "She was looking for Miguel, and I told her where he was. That's when she must have seen you two almost kiss." The words tasted bitter as they left her mouth, each one a reminder of how things had gotten so tangled.

   Sam's face paled, and she swallowed hard, her lips trembling. "So... this is my fault too?" she asked, her voice barely audible, full of uncertainty.

    Reina's gaze softened slightly, but she didn't let go of the frustration in her voice. "No," she said, her tone gentle but resolute. "It's not just your fault. But you can't just act like this is over. Tory's not going to let it go." She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as the reality of the situation settled in. Tory wasn't just upset—she was out for revenge.

   Sam nodded slowly, her eyes focused on the floor, processing Reina's words. After a long pause, she finally spoke, determination creeping into her voice. "I'll fix this. Somehow." There was a brief moment of resolve in her eyes, though Reina could tell she wasn't entirely sure how.

    Reina didn't know if Sam could fix it. But she knew they didn't have much time before things spiraled completely out of control.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Sam and Reina made their way out, pushing through the crowd of students. As they reached the intersection of four hallways, Tory and Caridad rounded the corner. A crowd quickly formed around them. Miguel and Robby were sprinting down the hall, searching for the girls.

Tory and Caridad began to circle Sam and Reina, the four girls moving until they returned to their starting positions. "I saw what you did at the party. You tried to kiss Miguel!" Tory said, her eyes narrowed. Robby arrived just behind Tory, his expression a mix of hurt and betrayal. "And you," she continued, pointing at Reina, "hugged him and then set me up. You knew Sam was trying to kiss Miguel in that backyard, didn't you?"

"One, I didn't know a hug was a crime, and two, I didn't know at the time," Reina replied defensively. "Bullshit," Caridad spat. "It's not. I won't blame someone for nearly getting cheated on, but when you know the person who nearly cheated is still in love with their ex and you try to force a relationship with them, that outcome does fall on you," Reina reasoned, narrowing her eyes at Tory.

With a yell, Tory lunged at Reina.

Reina stepped back, skillfully dodging Tory's first punch and then the next, but Tory wasn't giving up. She grabbed Reina's backpack, yanking it back and forcing Reina to face her again. In one fluid motion, Tory kicked Reina in the stomach, sending her stumbling backward. Hawk and another Cobra Kai guy pushed Reina forward. "Get back in there!" Hawk shouted, clearly enjoying the chaos.

Simultaneously, Caridad was fighting Sam, landing a quick jab to Sam's stomach that caused her to double over slightly. Sam lashed out instinctively, catching Caridad off guard with a swift elbow to the side. The chaos of the hallway intensified as the crowd began to cheer on the fight, drawing even more attention.

"Stop it!" Reina shouted, pushing herself off the ground and trying to regain her footing. But Tory wasn't listening; she charged again, her frustration boiling over. "Don't act innocent, Reina!" Tory yelled back, shoving Reina once more. "You're just as guilty as Sam!"

In a seamless exchange, Tory and Caridad switched fighting partners, both eager for new challenges. Tory had been itching to go toe-to-toe with Sam, while Caridad was equally determined to take on Reina instead. The atmosphere crackled with tension as they squared off. Tory unleashed a flurry of punches and ruthless knees, relentlessly targeting Sam. The aggression escalated until, with a fierce shove, Tory sent Sam crashing against the cold lockers, the metallic clang echoing through the hall.

As the commotion caught everyone's attention, Robby rushed in, instinctively grabbing Tory by the arm and pulling her away from Sam. He turned to Sam, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, scanning her for injuries, his voice low but firm. Tory, fueled by adrenaline and frustration, attempted to wriggle free, her eyes blazing with defiance. Without hesitation, Robby pushed her back against the lockers, his hand pressing firmly against her chest, just beneath her throat, as he tried to restrain her.

"Stop," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. Just then, a boy from Cobra Kai approached, eager to jump into the fray. "Let her go," he started, but Robby's patience had worn thin. With a swift kick, he sent the intruder staggering backward, momentarily thrown off balance.

But before he could gather himself to address Tory again, Miguel suddenly barreled into him, tackling Robby away from Tory in a swift motion. The hall was alive with the thuds of bodies colliding, tension now palpable as the fight threatened to escalate into an all-out brawl.

Demetri ran off to get a teacher. Miguel and Robby were on the ground, Miguel punching at Robby, but Robby moved back just in time. "Oh, it's on!" Hawk said happily. He shoved two kids aside. Another ran up at him, but he stuck his arm out, catching him across the chest, knocking him down. Soon, everyone was finding their friends turned enemies-Chris vs. Mitch, Bert vs. Nate.

With the initial tension thickening, Caridad made the first move, launching a swift front kick aimed at Reina's midsection. Reina responded instantly, pivoting on her back foot to deflect the blow with an expertly timed block before countering with a spinning back fist. Caridad narrowly ducked under Reina's fast-moving fist, feeling the rush of air as it passed just inches from her face.

They circled each other, both fighters gauging their strengths and weaknesses. Caridad struck again, delivering a series of rapid punches followed by a roundhouse kick, which Reina barely managed to evade by dropping low and rolling to the side.

Immediately, Reina came back up on her feet and retaliated with a combination of quick, flowing moves: a side kick to Caridad's knee, followed by a low sweep that brushed against Caridad's ankles.

Caridad jumped back just in time, the force of Reina's attack kicking up dust from the floor. She regained her stance, eyeing Reina with determination, her footwork nimble as she shifted from side to side.

Then, utilizing her karate training to its fullest, she executed a series of precise punches combined with a powerful front kick that connected with Reina's stomach, knocking the wind out of her.

Reina staggered for a moment but quickly tapped into her kung fu training, using her body's momentum to roll back onto her feet in a fluid motion. She launched herself forward, combining swift defensive blocks with acrobatic counterattacks.

Reina executed a roundhouse kick that arced beautifully through the air, but Caridad anticipated the move. She ducked under the kick and pivoted, attempting a swift elbow strike to Reina's ribs.

Aisha was moving toward Tory and Sam, who also happened to be next to where Reina and Caridad were. "Stop fighting, stop!" She said, trying to calm her friends. A boy ran at her, shoving her into the lockers. Aisha turned to him. "Oh? You want a piece of this?" She asked, body-checking him into the lockers across the hall. The boy groaned as Aisha walked up, punching him in the stomach before delivering a right hook.

Moon moved into the chaos. "Come on, guys, can't we all just get along?" She asked.

"Reina! Caridad! Stop!" Raegan yelled as she and Moon watched two boys roughly hit the lockers beside them while they fought.

The two fighters were now fully engaged in a fierce exchange, each strike echoing against the walls of the hallway. Reina retaliated with a low sweep, aiming to knock Caridad off balance, but Caridad jumped over the attack with impressive agility. With a skillful combination of ferocity and strategic footwork, Caridad pressed forward, delivering a karate chop aimed at Reina's shoulder before transitioning seamlessly into a spinning crescent kick that landed with precision.

Reina stumbled back, but her resilience shone through as she collected herself and shifted into her kung fu stance. The match unfolded like a high-stakes dance, each fighter gracefully adapting to the other's rhythm. Caridad, fueled by determination, launched herself forward with a fierce flying kick, while Reina, ever quick on her feet, sidestepped just in time to avoid the impact, leading her to counter with a low spinning roundhouse kick aimed at Caridad's legs.

With a graceful sweep of her leg, Reina launched a powerful side kick, striking Caridad squarely in the midsection. The impact resonated through the hall, causing Caridad to gasp and momentarily lose her balance.

Reina capitalized on this opening, following up with a rapid jab to Caridad's face that sent her staggering backward. The sound of contact echoed, underscoring Reina's precise technique and determination.

Regaining her footing, Caridad attempted to retaliate, spinning into a roundhouse kick aimed at Reina's head. Reina anticipated the move, ducking under the kick and flowing seamlessly into her next sequence.

She executed a series of fast, low strikes, targeting Caridad's legs with quick foot sweeps that struck with pinpoint accuracy. One of Reina's sweeping kicks connected with Caridad's ankle, sending a jolt of pain through her leg and forcing her to pivot to regain stability.

But Reina wasn't finished; she pressed her advantage, launching forward with a twisting elbow strike that caught Caridad on the side of the jaw, snapping her head back. The force of the blow made Caridad momentarily dazed, but she shook off the impact, rallying her focus as adrenaline coursed through her veins.

"You can do better than that!" Reina taunted, her confidence soaring as she pressed the attack. With a swift motion, she transitioned into a low stance, executing a low kick that found its mark just below Caridad's knee, sending her down to one leg.

Before Caridad could recover, Reina followed with a fast, fluid uppercut that caught Caridad underneath the chin, the impact jolting her upward.

Caridad stumbled back against the lockers, narrowly avoiding being pinned. Gritting her teeth, she caught her breath, determined to regain control of the match. However, Reina, emboldened by her recent successes, advanced with a series of rapid punches, landing two solid strikes to Caridad's ribs.

Caridad yelled in pain, but not before two boys opened the doors, sending Reina and Caridad alongside Sam and Tory busting through into the entrance area. The whole fight moved into that larger space, intensifying the chaos. Tory threw Sam to the ground in front of the staircase.

"Can't you just stop it already?" Sam asked, her voice rough with exertion.

"What's the matter? You can't keep up?" Tory glared at her, a smear of blood under her hairline evident. She attempted to kick Sam, but Sam ducked and scrambled up the stairs. In an instant, Tory lunged, tackling her to the ground on the middle platform before the next group of stairs.

The chaos in the entrance area of West Valley High reached a fever pitch. The sound of bodies colliding and shoes screeching against the tile reverberated through the space, creating a frenetic atmosphere. Students crowded around, their shouts and cheers blending together, forming a cacophony that only fueled the fire of the escalating fight.

Reina and Caridad, having been pushed from one side of the hall to the other-close to the stairwell, now found themselves embroiled in their own intense showdown. Reina, fueled by adrenaline from her earlier successes, moved quickly to regain the upper hand. She took a deep breath, her focus sharpening as she prepared her next strike.

Caridad, still recovering from the blows she had just absorbed, tightened her fists and steadied her stance. She was determined not to back down. With a swift, aggressive motion, she launched another attack, unleashing a flurry of quick punches aimed at Reina's face and midsection.

Reina deftly blocked the initial punches, her training allowing her to anticipate and counter Caridad's movements. In a rapid response, Reina stepped in close, executing a precise knee strike that landed against Caridad's stomach. The impact caused Caridad to double over in pain, gasping for breath.

"Is that all you've got?" Reina taunted, her confidence surging as she followed up with a sharp elbow strike to Caridad's back, forcing her to stagger away.

"Calláte Puta!" Caridad insulted. Reina looked up and saw Tory knocking Sam down, grabbing a fistful of her hair and dragging her by it down the stairs unto the platform, Sam crying out in pain. She immediately jogged up the stairs to help Sam out.

By the time Reina got up there, she watched as Sam punched Tory in the face; before Tory could come back at her, Sam kicked her in the side of the face. Tory leaned on the railing some. "Is that the only way you know how to fight? Dirty?" Sam demanded, breathing heavily.

Tory looked at her, eyes crazed. "This isn't a tournament," she said, taking off the spiked bracelet and wrapping it around her knuckles. "There are no rules." Both Sam and Reina's faces morphed into scared and worried ones.

Sam ducked under Tory's arm, expertly blocking any incoming punches. In a swift motion, Tory caught Sam's arm and brought the spikes of her bracelet down across Sam's upper arm, right above her elbow. Sam let out a pained cry, collapsing to the ground.

Tory knelt down, grabbing a fistful of Sam's hair and tilting her head back, exposing her neck. "No mercy," she whispered menacingly, raising her spiked fist as if to strike.

Sam was breathing heavily, her heart racing as she closed her eyes, bracing for the impending blow. Just as Tory went to punch, Sam instinctively blocked, pushing Tory up and away with all her strength.

In that moment, Reina charged into the fray. "Get off her, Tory!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Tory turned sharply, momentarily distracted by Reina's approach. Reina lunged at her, using the momentum to deliver a solid kick aimed at Tory's midsection.

As Tory stumbled back, she glared at Reina, but before she could recover, Reina moved in closer, positioning herself protectively in front of Sam. "You want to play dirty? Let's see how you handle this!" Reina yelled, determination blazing in her eyes.

Tory, flustered but undeterred, reached for her spiked bracelet and smirked, "You think you can take me on?"

Reina didn't hesitate. "I don't think-I know!" she retorted, stepping forward to meet Tory's challenge as the fight intensified around them.

As Reina and Tory squared off, the tension in the air crackled with anticipation. Just as Reina prepared for another attack, Tory's eyes darted around, spotting an opening. In a moment of split-second decision, she lunged forward, her spiked bracelet raised high. The sharp metal connected with a sickening thud against Reina's lower stomach, slicing through her skin and sending her doubling over in pain, gasping for breath.

Caridad, who had been watching the chaos unfold, suddenly realized the severity of the situation. "Tory, stop!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the frenzy.

Reina cried out, hyperventilating as she struggled to regain her composure, a hand pressed firmly against her wound. But Tory was already caught up in the thrill of the fight, ignoring Caridad's plea as adrenaline fueled her next move.

"Stop!" Sam shouted, her instincts kicking in as she saw Reina's pain. With a powerful surge of adrenaline, she pushed off the ground, determined to intervene. In one swift motion, Sam aimed a fierce kick toward Tory, catching her off guard. The force of the blow sent Tory tumbling over the railing, her body landing with a thud on the stairs below, the wind knocked out of her.

Without missing a beat, Sam turned her attention to Caridad, who was still reveling in the chaos. "You're next!" Sam shouted, charging at her. Caridad barely had time to react before Sam delivered another powerful kick, this time to Caridad's chest, which sent her sprawling backward and crashing down onto the floor.

Sam caught her breath and turned to check on Reina. Despite the pain radiating from her stomach, Reina was already pushing herself up with a grimace, her spirit unbroken.

"You okay?" Sam asked, concern etched on her face.

"I'm fine-just a little winded," Reina replied, holding her side and gritting her teeth. "Fuck," she muttered, wincing as she tried to steady herself. She ascended the stairs just in time to see Miguel sweep Robby's legs out from under him. Robby crashed to the ground with a heavy thud. Miguel moved quickly, seizing Robby's arm and wrenching it back as he knelt on his back. Miguel's expression was one of fury, while Robby emitted pained grunts, his teeth clenched tight. But then, Miguel's face shifted, like a cloud passing over the sun. A wave of shame and shock washed over him as he realized what he was doing.

Letting go of Robby's arm, Miguel muttered, "I'm sorry," his voice low and filled with regret. In response, Robby let out an enraged yell, pushing himself up with a sudden surge of force, elbowing Miguel in the head. Miguel staggered forward, disoriented.

At that moment, Reina raced forward, desperate to stop the escalating conflict. "Robby, stop! It's over!" she shouted, her heart pounding in her chest, but her voice was swallowed by the chaos. In a split second, Robby-overwhelmed by anger-lashed out, his foot connecting with Reina's lower stomach, right where Tory's spike bracelet had freshly sliced her skin.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, and she doubled over in pain, backing up against the railing for support. Just then, Miguel shot a horrified glance at Reina and instinctively moved to switch places with her, desperate to protect her. He pushed her aside just as Robby lunged again, kicking Miguel instead.

Miguel stumbled back against the railing, caught off guard, before Robby unleashed a vicious kick that sent him sprawling over the edge. Miguel's arms flailed helplessly as he lost his balance, the shock of the fall freezing his expression as he tumbled down the stairs.

"Miguel!" Reina screamed, her heart sinking as she watched him fall. Panic gripped her throat as she rushed down, each step a reminder of her own pain, her eyes watery with fear. Miguel hit the ground hard, his back slamming against the steps before he lay there, unconscious.

Robby, momentarily frozen in shock, watched with wide eyes, the weight of his actions crashing down upon him. "Robby, what did you do?" Sam's voice cut through the chaos, filled with disbelief and anger as she turned to him, demanding answers. Ignoring her, Robby glanced at Miguel one last time before bolting away, a mix of fear and guilt pulling him in two directions.

As Reina reached Miguel's side, tears streamed down her cheeks. She gently brushed his hair away from his face, her hands trembling. Hawk hurried down the stairs, kneeling next to Miguel, his expression mirroring Reina's anguish. When the paramedics arrived, urgency replaced the confusion, and they rushed to check for a pulse, the reality of the situation settling heavily in the air around them.

_______________

REINA LAID on the hospital bed, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling her nostrils. A nurse was gently cleaning the wound on her stomach, preparing to stitch it up. She winced at the sharp sting of the antiseptic and gritted her teeth, trying to focus on anything but the pain. Her father sat beside her, his worried gaze fixed on her as he held her hand tightly.

"Everything's going to be okay, baby girl," he reassured her, his voice steady but tinged with concern. As the nurse began to stitch the cut, Reina felt the trembling of her hands betray her resolve. Despite her father's words, the reality of the situation crashed over her like a tidal wave. "Dad," she said, her voice quivering, "what about Estrella?"

"Ms. Chavez is watching her for now," he replied, his tone calm and collected, though she could see the worry etched on his face. "She'll keep her safe."

But that reassurance did little to ease the turmoil inside Reina. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her. "My friend Miguel... he, he switched places with me, Dad," she sobbed, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I was supposed to fall off the railing... and now he could die... because of..."

Her voice cracked as the words choked her. Fear twisted in her chest, overwhelming her. The weight of guilt crashed over her like a heavy blanket, suffocating and relentless. She could barely stand the thought of Miguel suffering because she had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Reina, look at me," her father said softly, leaning closer. "You can't blame yourself for what happened. This is not your fault."

But she shook her head vehemently, fresh tears cascading down her cheeks. "But it is! If I hadn't tried to stop them, he wouldn't have jumped in front of me. He wouldn't have-"

"Enough!" her father interrupted gently, though the intensity of his voice brought her up short. "Listen to me. You did everything you could. You were trying to help, and that's all we can do sometimes." She could see the pain in his eyes, mirroring her own, but it did nothing to silence the storm inside her. The nurse finished stitching her cut, and Reina felt the room closing in around her like a cage.

Her father wiped her tears away with his thumb, his grip on her hand firm and reassuring. "We'll get through this together, okay? I promise you, we will find a way to make this right."

Reina nodded numbly, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions. But deep down, she couldn't shake the gnawing fear for Miguel, hoping against hope that he would come through this, that they would all come through this.