chapter ten:
❛ the canyon party ❜

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Sunny sat back in her chair, glancing at Maritza, who was still staring at the PSAT booklet like it was written in another language. She could see the gears turning in Maritza's head, and she couldn't resist poking fun.

"Hey," Sunny whispered, leaning over slightly, "what's with the face? You look like you're calculating rocket science over there."

Maritza sighed, not even bothering to hide her distraction. She twirled her pencil, her brows knitted together in thought. "I'm just... thinking."

Sunny tilted her head, giving her friend a playful nudge. "You? Thinking? That's dangerous. Come on, spill it, what's going on in that head of yours?"

Maritza hesitated, glancing at the teacher who was pacing at the front of the room, and then back at Sunny. "The other night," she started quietly, "Miguel called me."

Sunny's eyes widened in mock shock. "Oh no, a phone call! The horror!"

Maritza rolled her eyes but pressed on. "Sofía took my phone while we were talking, and they ended up chatting for a bit. But... it just got me thinking about things, and now I can't stop."

"Uh-huh," Sunny leaned in, clearly not seeing the big deal yet. "Okay, so Sofía was being her usual annoying little sister self. What else is new?"

Maritza sighed deeply and looked away for a moment, then finally admitted, "I'm scared, Sunny. Like... scared of commitment."

Sunny blinked, not expecting that. "Wait, commitment? From Miguel?" She kept her voice low but incredulous. "Girl, what are you talking about? He's, like, so into you!"

Maritza shook her head. "I know he is, but what if I'm not ready? What if I can't handle it and he—" She paused, biting her lip, and glanced around nervously before continuing, "What if he breaks my heart?"

Sunny's playful expression softened as she leaned closer, her voice sincere. "There's no way he's gonna break your heart, Maritza. Have you seen how Miguel looks at you? He's totally in love with you."

Maritza opened her mouth to say something, but Sunny kept going, cutting her off. "Besides, at least he made a move, unlike Demetri. He took so long, and now he's sad all the time, moping around like he missed his shot."

Maritza's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? Demetri liked me back?"

Sunny raised an eyebrow, giving her a look. "Uh, duh. Are you really that blind? But so what? You've got Miguel now, and he's great. You don't need to worry about Demetri anymore."

Maritza looked stunned, like she was processing too much at once. "I had no idea..." she muttered, glancing down at her hands.

Before either of them could continue, the teacher's voice suddenly cut through the room like a sharp blade. "Ms. Sanchez, Ms. Reynolds, I don't believe this is the time for your personal discussions. You're taking a test. Eyes on your papers, please."

Sunny immediately straightened up in her chair, shooting the teacher her most innocent look. "Yes, ma'am," she said sweetly, while trying not to laugh.

Maritza sighed, sinking into her seat and staring down at the test, her mind clearly far away from anything academic. Sunny gave her one last side glance, whispering, "We'll finish this later. But seriously, don't freak out. Talk to Miguel. You've got this."

Maritza gave a small nod, but the uncertainty still lingered in her eyes as she pretended to focus on the test in front of her, her mind racing with thoughts of both Miguel and Demetri.

Once the bell rang, signaling the end of the PSAT, Maritza and Sunny sprang to their feet, excitement bubbling between them as they left the classroom. The hallway was alive with the chatter of students comparing test answers and the buzz of anticipation for the rest of the day. Sunny and Maritza walked side by side, their conversation from earlier still lingering in the air, a mix of anticipation and concern.

"Hey, Sunny," Hawk called out, his signature smirk plastered across his face as he approached them. The moment he was close enough, he wrapped an arm around Sunny's waist, pulling her into his side.

Sunny's face instantly flushed with warmth, a wide smile breaking out on her lips. "Hi, Eli," she replied, her voice soft and affectionate, clearly enamored with him.

With a fluid motion, Hawk leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips, the kind of kiss that spoke volumes—comforting and familiar, sparking butterflies in Sunny's stomach. Maritza, witnessing the exchange, rolled her eyes with mock exasperation, but a small smile crept onto her face.

"Get a room, you two," she huffed, unable to hide her amusement.

As the trio continued down the bustling hallway, Miguel approached them from the opposite direction, his face clouded with a mix of frustration and confusion. The sight of him instantly caught Hawk and Sunny's attention. They shared a quick, concerned glance; something was definitely bothering him.

"What's with the doom and gloom?" Maritza teased, nudging Miguel lightly as she tried to lighten the mood.

Miguel gave her a half-hearted glare, his eyes flickering to the ground as he shuffled his feet. "I... just worried about the tournament. I don't have a lot of time to prepare, so..." He trailed off, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm.

Maritza's expression softened, her innate concern for her friends kicking in. "Well, Miguel, I have faith in you," she reassured him, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. The gesture was meant to comfort, but Miguel merely nodded, looking unconvinced.

Sunny's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more to his worry than he let on. "You'll crush it," she chimed in, attempting to infuse some positivity.

"Yeah, just take it one step at a time," Hawk added, his tone encouraging.

"What did you do last night?" Miguel asked suddenly, his curiosity piqued, as if he were trying to distract himself from whatever was troubling him.

Sunny raised an eyebrow, glancing at Hawk, who seemed just as confused. Maritza, however, didn't pick up on the tension; she was too caught up in the moment.

"My mom dragged me over to the LaRussos'," she explained, her voice animated. "We had dinner, and tonight she's making me go back over. Sam's going to help me with geometry."

At the mention of the LaRussos, Miguel's brow furrowed, and his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "I'd like to meet your mom and sister sometime. I've never been to your house," he said, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of anxiety.

Maritza's eyes widened, and she froze for a split second, her heart racing at the unexpected request. She cast a quick glance at Sunny and Hawk, silently pleading for assistance. Sunny picked up on her discomfort and stepped in with an effortless transition.

"Mar, we should get going to geometry before Mr. Dookiehead tries to give us a tardy again," Sunny said with a bright smile, her tone light and breezy.

Maritza released a soft sigh of relief, grateful for the timely interruption. "Yeah, let's go," she replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Sunny leaned in, pressing her lips to Hawk's in a quick, affectionate kiss, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'll see you later, Eli," she said, her voice soft yet teasing, before turning back to Maritza.

With a nod, they hurried down the hall, leaving Miguel standing there, still looking slightly lost in thought. Maritza felt a mix of guilt and apprehension wash over her as she walked away. Sunny leaned in closer, speaking in a low voice, her tone conspiratorial.

"You dodged that one, but you can't avoid it forever, you know," she whispered, glancing back at Miguel to ensure he wasn't listening. "You're gonna have to talk to him about your family at some point."

Maritza nodded quietly, her heart heavy. "I know, but it's complicated," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sunny's expression softened, her eyes filled with understanding. "I get it. Just remember, he cares about you. He deserves to know the truth."

Maritza let out a deep breath, her stomach knotting at the thought of opening up to Miguel. The weight of her past lingered over her like a dark cloud, and she knew that keeping secrets was becoming more difficult. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on getting through the rest of the day, one class at a time.

Sunny pushed open the door to the dance studio, her heart fluttering with excitement. The air was filled with the familiar scent of polished wood mingling with a hint of sweat, a comforting reminder of all the hours she had spent here. As she stepped inside, however, an unexpected quiet enveloped her. The mirrors reflected a vast emptiness, and the usual chatter of her classmates was replaced by an eerie silence.

"Where's Ms. Mara?" she asked, glancing around, searching for any sign of her beloved dance teacher.

Jade, already stretching near the barre, looked up, a slightly annoyed expression on her face. "Apparently, she ran off with her boyfriend again. She'll probably be back next week," she said, rolling her eyes.

Sunny felt a pang of disappointment. Ms. Mara was always the heartbeat of their dance class, her passion and energy fueling their enthusiasm. Without her, the studio felt devoid of the usual excitement. Nonetheless, the girls started to gather in a loose circle, preparing for whatever the substitute teacher had in store.

Moments later, the door swung open, and a new teacher walked in. She was a no-nonsense woman with a short, cropped hairstyle and an imposing presence that immediately commanded attention. Her posture was rigid, and she didn't bother with pleasantries as she introduced herself with a clipped tone.

"Alright, ladies," the teacher began, scanning the room with sharp eyes. "Today, we're doing tap dancing!"

Sunny's stomach dropped at the announcement. Tap dancing? They hadn't practiced that in weeks! Panic set in as the teacher continued to explain the routine. Sunny shared a nervous glance with Jade, whose face mirrored her concern. Jade bit her lip, trying to mask her apprehension, but Sunny could tell she was worried too.

"Get your tap shoes!" the teacher barked, gesturing toward the shoe rack. Sunny felt her heart race as she made her way over, her palms slightly sweaty with nerves. She reached for her shoes, but her heart sank when she discovered the spot where her tap shoes should have been was empty.

"Where are my shoes?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible above the chatter of her classmates. She rifled through the other shoes, her breath quickening as she searched frantically. "No, no, no... this can't be happening!"

"Sunny! What's wrong?" Jade called from across the room, sensing her distress.

Before Sunny could reply, the teacher's voice cut through the air like a whip. "What's this? You're not prepared? Get it together, Reynolds!" The sharpness of her tone pierced through Sunny's already fragile state.

Sunny felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, her heart racing as all eyes turned to her. The room seemed to shrink around her, the laughter of her classmates ringing in her ears like an echo. "I... I can't find my shoes!" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

The teacher rolled her eyes, a mocking smirk tugging at her lips. "Crying won't help you find them, Sunny. How pathetic!"

Sunny felt the sting of humiliation flood her face as she fought back tears. The laughter of her classmates felt like a thousand tiny daggers, each one deepening her sense of inadequacy. She turned on her heel, tears blurring her vision as she dashed out of the studio, her heart racing with despair.

"Sunny! Wait!" Jade called, her voice urgent as she hurried after her. Sunny burst through the door into the hallway, taking deep, shuddering breaths, her chest tightening with anxiety.

"Are you okay?" Jade asked, finally catching up to her outside the studio doors. Her expression was a mix of concern and confusion.

Sunny shook her head, her emotions crashing over her like waves. "I just... need a moment alone, Jade," she managed to choke out, feeling the tears stream down her cheeks.

"Okay, I understand," Jade replied softly, her empathy palpable. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Sunny in a brief, comforting hug, squeezing her tightly for just a moment before pulling away. "I'll be right back inside if you need me," she assured her, a warm smile on her face.

Sunny nodded, grateful for her friend's support, even if it didn't quite ease the heaviness in her heart. As Jade walked back into the dance class, Sunny leaned against the cool, tiled wall of the hallway, allowing the tears to fall freely now. She felt vulnerable and exposed, the sting of humiliation still fresh in her mind.

In the quiet moment, the world around her faded. Sunny closed her eyes, focusing on her breath as she tried to regain her composure. The disappointment of not being prepared mixed with the fear of judgment from her classmates felt overwhelming. She could hear the muffled sound of music and laughter from the studio, and with each beat, it reminded her of the joy she usually felt in this place.

After what felt like an eternity, Sunny took a deep breath, attempting to gather her strength. She knew that she could face this challenge, even if it felt insurmountable at the moment. Slowly, she wiped her tears, straightened her shoulders, and opened her eyes. Maybe she just needed to give herself a little more grace. With a newfound determination, she headed back toward the dance studio, ready to face whatever came next.

As the minutes ticked down in dance class, Sunny found herself struggling to keep her focus. Ms. Becker, the substitute teacher, was droning on about technique, her voice blending into a dull hum that seemed to echo around the studio. The bright lights overhead felt harsh, almost blinding, and Sunny squinted, trying to stay present. With each passing moment, a wave of dizziness washed over her, making the world tilt slightly. She shook her head, hoping to clear her thoughts, but it only made things worse.

"Alright, everyone! Class is dismissed!" Ms. Becker finally announced, her voice breaking through the fog. Sunny could hardly process the words as she blinked away the dizziness. The other girls began to chatter excitedly, gathering their things and spilling out into the hallway.

"Sunny!" Jade called out, her voice cutting through the noise. "Are you okay?" Jade's brow furrowed with concern as she approached her friend. Sunny forced a smile, trying to mask the swirling sensations in her head.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Sunny lied, though her voice was weaker than she intended. She could feel Jade's scrutiny as she tried to maintain her composure.

"Are you sure? You look a little pale," Jade said, stepping closer and tilting her head to get a better look at Sunny's face.

Sunny shrugged, brushing off the concern. "I just need some water, that's all."

Jade narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "When's the last time you ate something?"

"Uh, a few hours ago," Sunny replied quickly, avoiding Jade's gaze. The truth was, she hadn't eaten since the day before, and the realization gnawed at her.

Jade's expression shifted, knowing Sunny was lying. "Sunny..." she started, but just then, the sound of a car engine echoed outside the studio, and Jade's attention was diverted.

"Hey! Look who it is!" Jade exclaimed, pointing out the large glass windows. Sunny turned to see Hawk's car pulling up, and her heart lifted a little at the sight of him, along with Miguel, Aisha, and Demetri.

Hawk hopped out of the car, his usual cocky grin plastered on his face. "Sunny!" he called out, waving as he leaned against the passenger side of the car. "Wanna crash Yasmin's birthday party at the canyon?"

Sunny's dizziness faded for a moment as excitement bubbled up inside her. "Heck yeah!" she replied, a smile breaking through her earlier discomfort.

"Count me in!" Jade chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious. They rushed toward the car, and as they approached, Hawk held the door open for Sunny, a gesture that made her stomach flutter.

"Hey, you're Sunny's friend from dance class, right?" Jade introduced herself with a bright smile, glancing at Miguel and Aisha as they joined them.

Miguel barely acknowledged her, his focus on Sunny, a look of annoyance crossing his face. "Where's Martiza? She's not answering her phone."

Sunny's heart sank at the mention of Martiza. "She's probably just not on her phone, Miguel. Take a chill pill; Sam's tutoring her right now," Sunny said, trying to deflect the tension.

"Yeah, well, she needs to pay attention," Miguel replied tersely, crossing his arms.

"Come on, Miguel," Aisha interjected, trying to lighten the mood. "It's a party! Let's not ruin it before we even get there."

Sunny tried to shake off the anxious energy that Miguel radiated. She felt her earlier dizziness creeping back as they piled into the car, but the thrill of the party kept her spirits high. Hawk slid into the driver's seat, grinning back at her.

"So, you ready to have some fun?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Definitely," Sunny replied, feeling a surge of anticipation mixed with nerves. She settled into her seat, trying to ignore the lingering dizziness. They drove off toward the canyon, the setting sun casting a golden hue over the road ahead, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel hopeful about the night to come.

The crackling fire in the canyon sent dancing shadows across the rocks as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue on the gathering. Friends and familiar faces mingled, their laughter blending with the sounds of music and the occasional strum of a guitar. Sunny sat on a log beside Hawk, the warmth from the flames mirrored by the warmth between them. Their fingers intertwined, and the world faded as they leaned closer, sharing a soft kiss that made her heart race with a mix of excitement and giddiness.

"Hey, Sunny!" Jade's voice suddenly cut through the moment, pulling Sunny back to reality. She reluctantly pulled away, her cheeks flushed with warmth and a lingering smile on her lips. "I'll be right back!" she whispered to Hawk, a playful twinkle in her eyes, and she dashed over to Jade, leaving Hawk looking both amused and slightly bewildered.

"What's up?" Sunny greeted, breathless and still floating on cloud nine.

"Who's that girl?" Jade asked, her gaze fixed on Moon, who was animatedly chatting with a group of partygoers just a few feet away. Sunny felt a swell of pride as she caught her sister's eye, her heart swelling with affection.

"That's my twin sister, Moon," she said, a broad smile spreading across her face as she pointed. "Isn't she amazing?"

"She's really pretty," Jade said, her voice tinged with admiration as she watched Moon, who was effortlessly charming everyone around her. Sunny couldn't help but notice the spark of interest in Jade's expression.

"Hold on, let me call her over!" Sunny exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. She waved her hand enthusiastically, beckoning Moon to come over. "Moon! Come here!"

Moon's head snapped in Sunny's direction, her face lighting up with a wide grin. "Hey, Sunny! Hey, pretty girl I don't know!" she called, skipping over with a playful bounce in her step. She reached out, throwing an arm around Jade, pulling her in for a friendly side hug.

Jade's cheeks flushed a bright pink, clearly taken off guard by Moon's friendly and spontaneous nature. "Uh, hi! I'm Jade," she stammered, trying to mask her surprise.

"It's so nice to meet you, Jade!" Moon replied, her energy infectious. "Are you having fun?"

"It's been great! I'm just, um, trying to keep up with Sunny here," Jade replied, stealing a glance at Sunny, who was reveling in the moment.

Sunny felt a rush of satisfaction at seeing her sister connect with her friend. "I'm really sorry for crashing Yasmin's party," she said, her tone sincere as she gestured to the festivities around them.

"It's totally okay! The more, the merrier," Moon chirped, her voice bright and cheerful. "Plus, you two are adorable together."

Jade's face turned an even deeper shade of red at Moon's comment, her words caught in her throat as she fumbled for a response. Sunny took a step back, watching the two interact with an amused smile on her face.

"I'm going to check in on Miguel and Aisha," Sunny said, waving as she retreated. "You guys have fun!"

As she made her way over to Miguel and Aisha, Sunny noticed Miguel was nursing a drink, the frown on his face contrasting sharply with the joyous atmosphere around them. "Hey, Miguel," she said lightly, her tone teasing as she approached. "Chill with the drinks. Martiza will be here soon, and you don't want to be completely out of it when she shows up."

Miguel huffed, clearly irritated as he scowled into his drink. Sunny exchanged a concerned glance with Aisha, who shrugged, appearing equally unbothered by Miguel's mood.

"I don't know what's up with you, Miguel, but you need to take down the toxic masculinity before Martiza does," Sunny stated, crossing her arms and leaning in slightly, her voice taking on a serious tone. "She's not afraid to speak her mind, so I'm just warning you."

Miguel opened his mouth to retort, irritation flickering in his eyes, but he hesitated, the edge of his expression softening as he processed her words. Sunny turned away, feeling a sense of resolve, and made her way back toward Hawk, who was still perched on the log, looking a little lost without her.

"Hey, sorry about that," Sunny said, sliding back onto the log beside him, a smile returning to her lips. "Jade met Moon, and it looks like they're hitting it off!"

"Nice," Hawk replied, his expression shifting to one of amusement. "Did you see Miguel? He looks like he's ready to bite someone's head off."

"Yeah, I tried talking to him, but I don't think he's in the mood to listen," Sunny said, rolling her eyes playfully. She looked at Hawk, feeling the warmth from the fire wash over them again, illuminating his features in the twilight. "But hey, let's focus on us for now."

As they settled back into their conversation, Sunny felt content, the laughter and chatter of the party swirling around them like a comforting blanket. It was moments like this that reminded her of the bonds they shared and the joy that came with being surrounded by friends, even amidst the chaos of teenage drama.

Sunny stood close to Hawk, feeling the warmth of his presence beside her. Aisha was animatedly chatting away, her laughter infectious as they reminisced about their dance class. Just as Sunny was starting to relax, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

"Hey!" Yasmine's voice pierced through the chatter, slicing through the jovial mood. Sunny's heart raced as she instinctively cowered behind Hawk, feeling small and vulnerable under Yasmine's furious glare.

"You think it's funny crashing my party?" Yasmine spat, directing her ire at Aisha, her eyes blazing with anger.

"It's not really your party because we were here first," Aisha shot back, standing her ground even as Yasmine's hostility intensified.

Sunny felt a pit form in her stomach. She hated confrontation and the way Yasmine's anger radiated in waves. Hawk turned slightly, positioning himself in front of Sunny protectively, a subtle yet powerful gesture that made her heart flutter despite the situation.

"Yeah, well, I know you and your little karate gang think you're cool," Yasmine sneered, her gaze drifting between Aisha and the pair. When her eyes landed on Sunny, she sneered further. "But we all remember who you really are. You're just a fugly bitch, and your friends are all freaks."

Sunny felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment and anger at the same time. Hawk's hand instinctively gripped her waist tighter, as if to shield her from the cutting words. Sunny looked up at him, her eyes wide, silently thanking him for standing by her.

"Whatever," Yasmine scoffed, rolling her eyes dismissively. "Come on, Sunny. Let's get Moon and go."

But Hawk stepped forward, his expression hardening. "She's not going anywhere with you," he said, his voice low and fierce.

Sunny's heart swelled at his protectiveness, but she also felt a pang of uncertainty. "Hawk..." she started, wanting to diffuse the situation, but he silenced her with a glance.

"Yasmine, just leave us alone," he warned, the tension crackling in the air.

Yasmine's irritation only escalated. "Fine, whatever," she muttered as she turned to leave, but not before she shoved Aisha's shoulder on her way out, a calculated move meant to provoke.

"Hey, Yasmine!" Aisha shouted, her voice rising above the crowd as Yasmine whirled around, clearly irritated.

"Huh? What?" Yasmine shot back, her breath coming in quick huffs as she faced Aisha, irritation evident in her tone.

"Let me help you to your car," Aisha said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness as she lunged forward and grabbed the waistband of Yasmine's shorts. With a swift motion, she delivered a front wedgie that sent the surrounding partygoers into a fit of laughter.

"NO MERCY, BITCH!" Aisha hollered triumphantly as Yasmine's face flushed with rage and embarrassment. Sunny's jaw dropped in shock, caught between laughter and disbelief.

As Yasmine stumbled back, trying to regain her composure, Sunny felt a surge of satisfaction at witnessing Yasmine's humiliation. But a small voice in her head whispered doubts; would this actually change anything? Did Yasmine deserve this?

Aisha dropped Yasmine onto the ground, and the humiliation burned even brighter as Yasmine scrambled to her feet, her face contorted with anger. "You'll regret this!" she shouted, her words a thinly veiled threat as she turned and ran off, the crowd's laughter following her as she disappeared into the night.

"Wow, that was intense!" Hawk laughed, shaking his head as he glanced at Aisha. Sunny watched as Aisha reveled in the moment, her own bravado soaring high.

"Did you see her face?" Aisha exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sunny couldn't help but join in the laughter, but a lingering uncertainty shadowed her excitement. As much as she hated Yasmine and her arrogance, she couldn't help but wonder if this moment would truly lead to any change. Would Yasmine learn from this experience, or would it only feed the cycle of drama? Sunny brushed the thoughts aside, deciding to focus on the fun of the party and the friends around her. After all, they had each other's backs, and that made all the difference in the world.

The party was in full swing at the canyon, laughter and music mixing with the crackling of the fire. As the night deepened, the excitement escalated, and guests mingled, some dancing while others huddled around the flames. Just then, Martiza arrived, her heart racing from the thrill of sneaking out. She was flanked by Sam and Robby, who helped her navigate the steep hill leading down to the party.

"Careful, Mar! Just watch your step," Robby said, a teasing smile lighting up his face.

"I know, I know! I've got it!" she laughed, feeling the adrenaline of their little adventure. Sam walked ahead, glancing back to ensure they were okay.

"I can't believe you convinced your parents to let you come," Martiza remarked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

"Yeah, well, I might have told them I was just dropping Robby off," Sam replied with a sly grin. "They totally bought it."

"Dude, you're a genius," Martiza laughed, and they shared a moment of camaraderie. But their fun was abruptly interrupted as Miguel spotted them from across the party.

His eyes narrowed, and he staggered toward them, the alcohol clearly taking its toll. "Martiza!" he slurred, his voice heavy with annoyance. "Where have you been? What the hell?"

Martiza's smile faltered as Miguel approached, his expression darkening. "Miguel, chill! Sam was tutoring me. I was keeping my phone off. What's wrong with you?"

"Don't put this back on me!" he yelled, swaying slightly as he struggled to focus on her. The drunken haze clouded his judgment, making his words come out sharper than intended.

Robby stepped in front of Martiza, trying to diffuse the escalating situation. "Back off, man! Leave her alone," he warned, his tone firm.

Miguel's frustration boiled over, and he pushed Robby, the motion sending him stumbling slightly. "Stay out of this conversation!" Miguel shouted, his face flushed with anger.

"Hey man, what's wrong with you?" Robby asked, visibly taken aback.

Sam, concerned for both of his friends, moved to support Robby as he regained his balance. "Miguel, you need to calm down," he said, his voice steady.

"Calm down?!" Miguel shouted, his words slurred and loud enough to draw attention. "You want me to calm down while she's been ignoring me?"

Martiza crossed her arms, her annoyance rising. "Is this about me being weird about my mom and sister?" she shot back, her voice rising as the tension thickened. "You really want to know why I've been acting strange?"

"Yes!" Miguel yelled, desperation lacing his voice as he leaned closer, his drunken state amplifying his emotions.

"I'm scared of committing to a relationship, Miguel!" Martiza blurted, the words tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop them. The weight of her admission hung in the air, and the crowd around them fell silent, sensing the gravity of the moment.

Miguel stared at her in disbelief, his expression a mix of confusion and hurt. "What? Is that all?" he muttered, but the drunken haze twisted his words into something unrecognizable.

Martiza's patience snapped, and she shoved him hard, her frustration boiling over. "Yes! That's exactly it!"

Sunny and Hawk, who had been a few steps away, rushed over at the commotion. Sunny's eyes widened at the sight of the confrontation. "What's going on?" she asked, grabbing Miguel by the arm, concern etched across her face. "Dude, you need to sober up!"

Hawk moved closer, his expression darkening as he assessed Miguel's state. "Let's get him some water or something," he suggested, trying to take charge of the situation.

Martiza, feeling overwhelmed, looked at Miguel one last time. "We're over, Miguel! You can't keep doing this!" she yelled before turning on her heel and running away from the chaos.

Sunny, glancing between Martiza's retreating figure and Miguel's stunned expression, turned and chased after Martiza, her heart breaking for her friend. She found Martiza sitting on a rock a short distance away, tears streaming down her face.

"Martiza!" Sunny knelt beside her, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting embrace. "It's okay. I'm here," she said softly, rubbing Martiza's back. "You did great standing up for yourself."

Martiza sobbed into Sunny's shoulder, the weight of the night crashing down on her. "I didn't mean to hurt him, but he just wouldn't listen!"

"I know, I know," Sunny soothed, her voice steady. "You deserve to feel safe and heard in a relationship. Just breathe. Let it out."

As the chaos of the party faded into the background, the warmth of their friendship enveloped them, reminding them that, together, they could face anything.

ASH SPEAKS!

i feel bad for martiza :( but this is where it leads into more of demetri and martiza next season heheheh

hawk and sunny are so precious... sucks im gonna have to ruin it soon...

one more chapter until season 2!!

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