❝ glory of love. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

   REINA HAD always been the type to abstain from makeup, convinced that her natural beauty was enough. She carried herself with confidence, fully aware of her appeal. Occasionally, when she was in a playful mood, she might dab on some eyeliner, but it was rare. Her mother had adored makeup, often using it to express herself and feel glamorous. Reina remembered those childhood days of sneaking into her mother's makeup bag, playing with colors and textures, but those carefree times were long gone.

    Today was different, though. It was Estrella's thirteenth birthday, a significant milestone that called for celebration. Reina had turned sixteen back in May while visiting China, marking the occasion with a modest family dinner and a shared cake-simple compared to her lavish quinceañera the previous year. But for Alia, becoming a teenager warranted a more festive approach.

   Their father suggested going all out for Estrella's birthday, but the decision ultimately fell to her. She chose to celebrate at the Cascade Roller-Rink, which was hosting an '80s night. Reina knew that '80s makeup was bold and vibrant, a stark contrast to her usual understated look. Inspired by the iconic Tina Turner, she decided this was the perfect occasion to embrace the glam.

    There was no training at Miyagi-Do today. Daniel had claimed he was feeling under the weather, but everyone knew that was just his excuse. He decided it was their "reward" after Demetri had found Mr. Miyagi's Medal of Honor lying around on the dojo floor. Daniel had been worried it was stolen by Cobra Kai since it had been missing from the medal case for weeks.

   Demetri couldn't believe his luck when he stumbled upon it while cleaning. He had practically beamed with pride when he brought it to Daniel. "Look what I found!" he exclaimed, holding it up like a trophy. The moment was bittersweet, though, because it reminded them of how much Mr. Miyagi had meant to the dojo and to them.

   It felt good to take a break, but Reina couldn't shake the feeling of excitement for Estrella's birthday later. A day without training meant she could focus on getting her '80s look just right, and she wanted to make it special for her sister. So special in general that Reina was willing to overlook the fact that Tory worked at the Cascade. It was Tory who had shown Reina and her sister to their table, the tension palpable in the air. Their father was at home setting up the apartment for the birthday party they would have with just the three of them.

   As Reina and Tory exchanged glances, an unspoken understanding passed between them-each silently communicating, "Don't pick a fight with me, and I won't pick one with you." Reina felt the weight of their rivalry, an invisible line drawn between them, as she tried to focus on enjoying her evening with her family.

  "Can we eat later? I wanna go in the rink!" Estrella exclaimed, tugging off her red hat. With Reina's help, she had decided to dress as Carmen Sandiego. While Carmen Sandiego was more of a '90s icon, they could overlook that detail today-after all, Estrella was the birthday girl, and her happiness was what truly mattered.

  "Sure thing, birthday girl!" Reina replied, a smile breaking across her face. She loved Estrella's enthusiasm. With a quick glance around the rink, she could see other kids dressed in colorful '80s attire, complete with leg warmers and oversized accessories. It was a vibrant scene, and the music thumping from the speakers only added to the festive atmosphere.

   Estrella's eyes sparkled with excitement as she tugged Reina toward the entrance of the rink. "Come on! I want to skate with you!" The thought of gliding across the polished floor, feeling the cool breeze against her skin, sent a thrill through Reina.

  As they laced up their skates, Reina couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The rink reminded her of simpler times spent with friends, laughter echoing around them as they attempted to stay upright. She took a deep breath, letting the energy of the crowd wash over her, and pushed away the lingering tension with Tory.

  Once they hit the rink, Estrella took off, her laughter ringing out as she navigated the space with a mix of grace and youthful exuberance. Reina followed, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline as she skated faster, catching up with her sister. They spun and twirled, their worries melting away in the rhythm of the music and the joy of the moment.

  As they skated, Reina couldn't help but glance over at Tory, who was now working at the snack bar. Despite the unspoken rivalry, there was something about her focus that intrigued Reina. Tory was serving cotton candy and drinks, her hair cascading in wild curls reminiscent of the '80s styles they were celebrating. Reina shook her head slightly, pushing the thoughts aside. Today was about Estrella.

   As Reina skated alongside Estrella, her heart light with joy, she suddenly felt a jolt as someone bumped into her from behind. She stumbled slightly and turned to see none other than Miguel wearing a red Cobra Kai leather jacket and red party glasses.

    "Oh! Miguel!" Reina exclaimed, surprised. Despite her initial anger, she found herself secretly softening toward him. "H-Hey, Reina! Sorry about that," he said, adjusting his glasses with an awkward grin. "Didn't see you there."

    "It's fine," she replied, trying to shake off the unexpected encounter. As they skated, Reina felt the awkwardness in the air. Miguel seemed uncertain, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "So, uh, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice lacking its usual confidence. "Wait, are you here with Sam and Robby?" There was a hint of hope in his tone, as if knowing Reina was with them would mean his ex and Robby weren't on a date. He reminded himself that he shouldn't care-he was here with someone else.

    "No, I didn't even know they were here," she replied, scanning the rink for her friends. Her gaze landed on Robby in the center, while Sam, with her back turned, headed out of the rink, clearly dealing with a broken skate. Reina waved at Robby, who responded by waving back but quickly averted his gaze from Miguel, sensing the tension between them.

    "It's my little sister's birthday," Reina replied, forcing a smile despite the knot forming in her stomach. "We're celebrating at the roller rink."

    "Oh, cool. Happy birthday to her," he said, glancing around as if trying to find his footing in the conversation. "I'm just here, uh, on a date... with Tory."

    The words hit Reina like a punch to the gut. "Tory?" she echoed, trying to mask her surprise. "As in, the new girl Tory?"

    "Yeah, that Tory," he said, shrugging nonchalantly. "We've been hanging out a bit."

    Reina felt a surge of protectiveness wash over her. "Miguel, are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, it hasn't been long since you and Sam broke up. It might not be healthy to jump into something new so quickly."

    His expression softened, and he leaned closer, a hint of a smile breaking through the tension. "Wow, it's like you're back to being my best friend already. You're actually scolding me."

    "I'm just saying-" Reina started, then hesitated, realizing she was letting her concern slip through. "Look, I just want you to be careful. You don't want to end up in a rebound situation."

    Miguel chuckled softly, and the sound was both familiar and disarming. "You always were the one to keep me in check. I've missed that, you know?"

    Reina felt her heart flutter at his words, a mix of old feelings surfacing along with the weight of their past. "It's not like I'm trying to, you know, be your moral compass," she said, forcing a lightness in her tone. "I just don't want to see you get hurt again."

    He nodded, his gaze steady on hers, and she could see a flicker of the Miguel she once knew. "I appreciate that. But I can handle it. Honestly, I'm just trying to figure things out."

    After a few laps around the rink, Estrella skated over, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Did you see how fast I went? I think I'm going to win the 'Best Skater' award tonight!"

    "Absolutely! You're a pro," Reina replied, trying to match her sister's enthusiasm.

    Estrella then looked at Miguel, "Who's this? Is he your boyfriend?"

    "What? No!" Reina immediately denied, her cheeks flushing. "This is my, uh..." She paused, realizing she couldn't exactly say friend as he wasn't that either. "I just know him." She sighed, feeling the awkwardness settle between them.

    Miguel frowned slightly at him being demoted to just being an acquaintance before turning to Estrella. "Cool outfit! You're Carmen Sandiego, right?"

    "Yeah!" Estrella grinned, clearly proud of her costume. She then looked Miguel up and down, her expression thoughtful. "And you're... well, I'm not sure what you are." She paused, then added bluntly, "Are you, like, a karate ninja?"

    Miguel chuckled, clearly amused by her straightforwardness. "I guess you could say that. More like a karate student who loves a good leather jacket."

    "Fair enough," Estrella replied with a smirk, clearly unfazed by his response. "Just so you know, ninjas can be cool too!"

   Reina watched the exchange, a mix of pride and nostalgia washing over her. It was nice to see Estrella's boldness shine through, even as the air around them remained charged with unspoken history. "Miguel, this is my sister Estrella," Reina said, trying to steer the conversation back. "Estrella, this is-"

    "Wait! Now, I-I know who he is now!" Estrella interjected. "He's the one who fought at the tournament from the video you took, Reina! You were awesome!"

    Miguel grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, I try. But I think Carmen here might just steal the show tonight." He replied, referring to her costume. "Just wait until you see my spin!" Estrella declared, eyes sparkling with determination.

    Reina watched as Estrella prepared to show off her skating skills, feeling a swell of pride for her sister's confidence. "Alright, show us what you've got!" Reina encouraged, stepping back to give Estrella room. As her sister took off, she couldn't help but smile, remembering how they used to skate together in their childhood, carefree and full of laughter.

    Miguel watched Estrella with an impressed expression. "She's a pro," he said, his admiration genuine. Reina could see the flicker of interest in his eyes, a reminder of how they both appreciated talent and passion.

    "Yeah, she's been practicing," Reina replied, the warmth of the moment easing the tension that had initially filled the air. "She really looks up to you now. The tournament and everything."

    Miguel nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "I just did what I could. She's got a lot of potential."

    Reina felt a flutter of camaraderie between them, the kind that had once made them close friends. Yet, the reality of their current situation loomed in the background, with Tory working just a few feet away. As Estrella glided back, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration, she beamed at them. "Did you see that? I almost fell, but I caught myself! Can you believe it?"

    "Almost doesn't count, but you're amazing!" Miguel said, his smile wide. Reina couldn't help but notice the ease with which they interacted, a reminder of the uncomplicated fun him and Reina once shared.

    Estrella, ever perceptive, tilted her head. "You two are like... friends? Like best friends?" She looked from Reina to Miguel, clearly trying to piece together the dynamic.

    Reina opened her mouth to respond, but Miguel jumped in first. "Yeah, something like that. Just catching up, you know?"

    Estrella's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You should hang out more! Reina needs more fun friends!"

   Reina felt a warmth spread through her chest at Estrella's innocent remark, but she quickly masked it with a playful roll of her eyes. "I think I've got enough friends, thanks," she teased, though her heart was still tangled in the mix of old emotions and the awkwardness of the moment. Miguel's easy grin, the kind that had once been so familiar to her, only complicated matters further.

   Estrella, oblivious to the underlying tension, continued to skate circles around them, her energy infectious. "No way, you two would make a great team!" she chimed, laughing as she spun effortlessly on the rink.

  Reina watched her sister, a feeling of pride swelling in her chest. She loved Estrella's unapologetic joy and the way she could turn any moment into something special. As Estrella took another lap, Reina caught sight of Miguel again, his smile softening as he watched Estrella with something resembling admiration. A few laps later, Miguel excused himself and skated over to the skate stand, where he began chatting with Sam who was there was as well.

   As Reina looked at Miguel, she realized how much things had changed. The easy camaraderie they'd once shared was gone, replaced by this awkwardness. But Estrella's innocent teasing had momentarily bridged the gap between them. Despite everything, a small part of her still wished for the friendship they'd lost. Estrella, noticing Reina's distracted gaze, leaned in with a grin. "I like him for you," she teased, nudging her sister playfully.

    "Shut up," Reina muttered, her gaze fixed on Miguel as he talked to Sam. She wasn't the only one watching, either.

    _______________

    THE NIGHT at the roller rink ended with Sam and Robby getting kicked out after Sam tripped Tory, causing her to spill food everywhere. Sam tried to explain that Tory had tripped her first, which Reina could believe, but the security didn't, so they were asked to leave. An hour later, Reina and Estrella were ready to head home. Now, Reina stood in their decorative apartment, her hands covering Estrella's eyes as she led her inside.

    Reina gently led Estrella through the doorway, her hands covering her sister's eyes. "Okay, ready? One... two... three!" She removed her hands, revealing the apartment, now filled with colorful balloons and streamers, all arranged for Alia's birthday celebration.

    "Surprise!" Reina and their father called out, watching Estrella's face light up with joy.

    "Wow! I love it!" Estrella exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in the decorations and the small cake on the table, topped with bright candles. The living room was transformed into a mini party zone, complete with a playlist of Alia's favorite songs ready to play.

    Reina felt a surge of satisfaction at her sister's delight. "We wanted it to be special, just like you!" she said, hugging Estrella tightly.

    Estrella giggled, wriggling free. "Can we eat cake first? Please?"

    "Of course! Birthday girl gets to choose!" Charlie replied, cutting a generous slice of cake and handing it to Estrella. As they settled down, Reina couldn't help but think about the evening's earlier events-the tension with Tory, Miguel's surprise appearance, and Estrella's budding confidence on the rink. It felt like a whirlwind, but right now, none of that mattered. This was a moment just for them, a chance to celebrate and be a family.

    After cake, they played party games and enjoyed each other's company, laughter filling the room. Estrella challenged Reina to a dance-off, both of them trying to imitate their favorite pop stars from the '80s.

    "Okay, I've got a move for you!" Estrella said, now moving onto present dances- milly rocking, her laughter infectious. "Bring it on!" Reina replied, matching her sister's energy. As they danced, Reina felt a warmth spread through her. This was the essence of family, the kind of joy that made all the complexities of life fade away, if only for a little while.

   As the evening wound down, Reina found herself lost in thought. Memories of her conversation with Miguel replayed in her mind-the way he smiled and leaned in while they spoke. It stirred up a mix of nostalgia and uncertainty.

    "Reina, are you okay?" Estrella's voice broke through her daydream. "Yeah, just thinking," Reina replied, forcing a smile. "About Miguel?" Estrella asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

    Reina hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "I'm trying to figure out whether I should be friends with him again. He did something that hurt me."

    Estrella leaned in, her expression serious. "Sometimes, you have to think about what you really want. If he makes you happy, it might be worth giving him another chance."

    "Since when did you become so wise?" Reina teased.

    "I guess it comes with being thirteen now," Estrella joked, a grin spreading across her face.

    Reina chuckled, appreciating Estrella's playful spirit. "You really think I should consider it?"

    "Definitely! Life's too short to hold onto grudges. Just talk to him," Estrella encouraged. "You never know what could happen."

    Reina felt a flutter of hope mixed with apprehension. "What if it just ends up hurting again?"

    "Then you'll know for sure," Estrella replied with a confidence that surprised Reina. "But you won't know unless you try."

    Reina took a deep breath, contemplating her sister's words. "You're right. I guess I do owe it to myself to at least find out."

    "Exactly! Now, let's celebrate me being a teenager!" Estrella exclaimed, pulling Reina up from the couch toward the dance floor aka the center of the living room, where music pulsed and laughter filled the air.

    As she and Estrella danced with their dad, Reina felt a renewed sense of excitement. Maybe reaching out to Miguel wasn't such a scary idea after all. For now, she decided to focus on the joy of the night, savoring every laugh and dance with Estrella.

- A/N ✰

slowly but surely the besties are coming
back together with estrella help ofc. her name is star for a reason ⭐️