chapter fourteen:
❛ robby keene ❜

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

the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

tw: mentions of eating disorder

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the beach was buzzing with activity that day, the sun casting a golden glow over the sand as martiza, sunny, moon, demetri, and eli settled into their usual spots. martiza, moon, and sunny had laid out their brightly colored towels in a neat row, soaking in the warmth of the sun while the breeze from the ocean kept things comfortably cool. seagulls circled overhead, their cries blending with the rhythmic crash of the waves.

demetri and eli, off to the side, were in the middle of a spirited-if slightly uneven-game of volleyball. demetri served the ball with all his might, only for it to sail weakly into the net with a soft thud. sunny watched, eyebrows slightly raised as she caught eli's sharp, annoyed glance. he rolled his eyes, clearly irritated, and sunny couldn't help but notice that this had been happening more and more ever since eli became "hawk."

"mulligan, send it back," demetri called out, adjusting his glasses and planting his hands on his hips as if he was ready for a serious match.

eli, scowling, shook his head. "there are no mulligans in volleyball, demetri," he snapped, his tone dripping with frustration. there was an edge to his voice, one that hadn't been there before he joined cobra kai.

martiza, always quick with a dry remark, rolled her eyes from where she lay sprawled on her towel. "you gotta get some muscles in your arms, demetri," she teased, her voice light but carrying that distinct tone that said she was half-serious.

demetri shot her a glare, his face turning red, but before he could retort, he sighed dramatically. "water break," he muttered, clearly defeated, as he draped a cobra kai towel over his shoulder.

sunny, sensing the rising tension, pushed herself up from her towel and padded over to eli, her feet sinking into the warm sand. without a word, she pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss, hoping to diffuse some of the frustration simmering beneath the surface. but eli's scowl remained.

"god, he's so annoying," eli muttered, his gaze still fixed on demetri as he walked back toward them, looking thoroughly dejected.

"eli, don't say that," sunny said, frowning slightly as she brushed a strand of hair out of her face. but there was a knot forming in her stomach. she'd noticed how strained things had become between eli and demetri lately, and it worried her.

eli shrugged, his jaw tightening as he ran a hand through his hair. "he's so... nerdy," he groaned, as if the word itself disgusted him. "i don't know how i ever put up with it."

sunny furrowed her brow, feeling a mixture of confusion and unease. "you're a nerd too. and he's your best friend," she said firmly, trying to remind eli of the bond he'd shared with demetri for so long.

eli turned to her, his eyes softening slightly, but the smirk on his lips didn't reach his eyes. "you're my best friend."

sunny raised an eyebrow, not letting him off that easy. "you've known demetri longer. you've been friends since kindergarten. i didn't even meet you guys until i moved here in fourth grade," she reminded him, her voice gentle but insistent.

but eli wasn't listening anymore. his attention had shifted, and sunny followed his gaze to see a pair of girls approaching demetri. they looked like typical beachgoers, tan and smiling, but their eyes were locked on the cobra kai logo emblazoned on demetri's towel. sunny felt eli's arm tense around her waist.

"cobra kai? you guys won that karate tournament, right?" one of the girls asked, her voice lilting with curiosity.

martiza's jaw dropped from where she sat, her water bottle paused mid-air. "you've gotta be kidding me," she muttered under her breath, watching in disbelief as demetri's eyes widened.

demetri, clearly flustered, leaned against a nearby volleyball pole, attempting to look nonchalant. "um... the all valley? the rumble in reseda? yes, uh... we certainly did," he nodded, his voice cracking slightly as he tried to keep his cool. the red flush creeping up his neck said otherwise.

sunny bit back a laugh, while martiza was less subtle, rolling her eyes with a scoff. "sunny, you're seeing this, right?" martiza asked, her voice incredulous.

sunny smiled, shaking her head. "oh, i'm seeing it."

one of the girls twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, glancing at demetri with an amused smile. "cool. we're going for a swim, but maybe we'll play with you later?" she offered with a flirtatious smile, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

demetri's face went beet red, and he stammered, "pfffttt. most def. uh, that means most definitely," he added, his words tumbling out in a rush.

as the girls walked away giggling, martiza burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. "i can't believe that just happened," she said, still in shock.

moon wandered over, a knowing smile on her face as she looked at demetri, who was still blushing furiously. "look at you, player," she teased, nudging him with her foot as she plopped down next to martiza.

sunny chuckled softly, glancing back at eli, but her attention was caught by martiza, who suddenly stiffened. she followed martiza's gaze and felt her own stomach twist when she saw miguel making his way toward them.

"moon, sunny. we gotta go now!" martiza's voice was urgent, bordering on panicked.

sunny facepalmed, already dreading the drama that was about to unfold. "don't call me that, please," she muttered under her breath, clearly embarrassed by martiza using her real name, summer.

martiza nudged her hard in the ribs. "seriously, sunny, we have to go. like, now," she insisted, her eyes wide as she shot another glance at miguel, who was getting closer by the second.

sunny sighed, trying to stay calm. "martiza, relax. it's just-"

but martiza wasn't listening. she was already gathering up her things in a flurry, tossing her towel into her bag and fumbling with her flip-flops. moon, seeing martiza's distress, tried to intervene. "martiza, calm down. he's not even-"

"we're going," martiza cut her off, her voice sharp and anxious.

sunny, realizing there was no stopping her, rolled her eyes. "okay, okay. let me just say goodbye to eli," she said, turning to walk back over to him.

eli looked up at her, his expression confused. "you're leaving?"

sunny gave him a small, apologetic smile, leaning down to press a quick kiss to his lips. "yeah, you know why," she said, glancing over her shoulder at martiza, who was now practically bouncing on her heels with impatience.

eli followed her gaze and sighed. "right. martiza's in full freak-out mode."

sunny chuckled, but as she pulled away from eli, her eyes landed on miguel, and she could see something was bothering him. his usual confident demeanor was gone, replaced with a troubled expression.

"what's up?" sunny asked, walking over to him, concern lacing her voice.

miguel looked at her, his brow furrowed. "johnny... johnny's robby keene's dad," he said, his voice low and filled with a mix of confusion and frustration.

sunny blinked, processing the information. "oh... wow. uh... that's... wow." she bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. "i don't really know what to say."

before miguel could reply, the sound of martiza's voice cut through the air, her frustration boiling over as she leaned on the horn of moon's car. "sunny, let's go!" she practically shouted, her voice frantic.

eli glanced over, shaking his head with an amused sigh. "she's really losing it, huh?"

sunny smiled apologetically, giving miguel a quick nod. "i gotta go... you know how she gets," she said with a grin, jerking her thumb toward martiza, who was now waving her arms in the air, motioning for her to hurry.

as sunny climbed into the car, she could still hear the distant cries of someone on the boardwalk shouting, "oh my god, cobra kai is here!"

sunny stepped into the dance studio, the familiar scent of hardwood floors and the faint echo of music filling the air. Her heart thudded in her chest as she felt the weight of dozens of eyes turning to stare at her. The memory of the last time she was here, passing out in front of everyone, still clung to her like a heavy shadow. She could feel the whispers ripple through the room, girls leaning in to murmur to each other, their gazes flickering over to her with barely concealed judgment.

sunny kept her head down, trying to focus on anything but the stares. She adjusted the strap of her dance bag, gripping it tightly as she made her way toward her usual spot. But before she could get there, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"well, look who's back." it was tiffany, the class bully, perched at the edge of the mirror with her arms crossed, a smirk on her face. "try not to faint this time, sunny. wouldn't want to ruin the routine again."

The room fell silent as tiffany's words hung in the air, and sunny's stomach twisted into knots. She swallowed hard, her hands trembling slightly. She could feel her face burning with embarrassment, and she wanted nothing more than to bolt out the door and never come back.

Before she could spiral any further, jade appeared by her side, her presence steady and calming. "hey," jade whispered softly, placing a gentle hand on sunny's arm, pulling her attention away from tiffany's cruel taunts. "don't listen to her. she's just jealous because she's never the center of attention unless she's being mean."

sunny blinked, trying to steady her breathing. "i don't know if i can do this," she admitted quietly, glancing around at the room full of girls who seemed to be either staring at her or ignoring her completely. "everyone's staring. i just... i don't want to mess up again."

jade gave her a reassuring smile and pulled her into a quick, comforting hug. "you've got this, sunny. take your mind off all of them. forget tiffany and the rest of the class." she pulled back slightly, keeping her voice soft. "what are you doing tonight? maybe you, me, maritza, and moon could have a sleepover. we haven't had one in forever."

sunny hesitated for a moment, the weight on her chest lifting just a little. "a sleepover?" she echoed, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "i like that idea. but..." she bit her lip. "are you okay if we go to valley fest instead? it's going on this weekend, and i've been wanting to go."

jade's face lit up. "are you kidding? that sounds perfect! i'm totally down for valley fest. maritza and moon will love it too. we can grab snacks and just have fun."

sunny smiled a little more, feeling the tension start to ease from her shoulders. "thanks, jade. i really needed that."

Before they could talk more, the sharp clap of ms. mara's hands echoed through the studio, calling everyone's attention. "all right, everyone, let's get started!" she announced as she walked to the front of the room. "we're going to start working on the group dance for the upcoming competition."

sunny felt her nerves resurface as the class began to arrange themselves, everyone finding their spots. ms. mara turned her gaze to sunny and gave her a welcoming smile. "sunny, glad to see you're back and feeling better."

"thank you," sunny mumbled, trying to ignore the heat rising in her face again.

"now, for this routine, i've decided on the placements, and sunny, you'll be taking the center part," ms. mara said, turning back to the class.

The room froze, and sunny could feel the tension shift immediately. Her heart skipped a beat, but before she could even process what ms. mara had said, tiffany's voice cut through the silence like a knife.

"wait, what?" tiffany's voice dripped with incredulity. "the center part? for her?" She gestured at sunny, making no attempt to hide her disdain. "she's the one who passed out in the middle of practice last time. this is so unfair! she's getting special treatment because she had a little fainting spell."

sunny's stomach dropped, her confidence wavering. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The tension in the room thickened as all eyes turned back to her, waiting to see how ms. mara would respond.

ms. mara turned slowly to face tiffany, her expression firm. "sunny is not getting special treatment, tiffany," she said, her voice steady but carrying an edge. "i chose her for the center part because she has proven to me that she has the skill and determination to take on the role. just because she had a health issue once doesn't mean she's any less capable than anyone else in this class."

tiffany huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, but ms. mara wasn't done.

"if you have an issue with the way i assign roles, you can stay after class and discuss it with me," ms. mara added sharply. "but right now, i suggest you focus on your own performance instead of criticizing others."

sunny felt a rush of relief and gratitude as ms. mara defended her. jade gave her a reassuring nod, and sunny took a deep breath, standing a little taller.

"now, everyone, let's get into position," ms. mara instructed, clapping her hands again.

sunny moved to the center of the room, still nervous but now filled with a sense of determination. She glanced over at jade, who gave her a small thumbs-up from across the room. sunny smiled back, feeling the nerves in her stomach settle as the music started to play.

as they moved through the routine, sunny found herself losing track of the stares and whispers, her body moving instinctively with the rhythm. jade's words echoed in her mind, and for the first time in a long while, sunny felt like she belonged right where she was.

sunny sat in the small, cozy therapy office, her fingers anxiously picking at the hem of her sleeve. The room was warm and inviting, with soft lighting, shelves filled with books, and a few potted plants placed around. It was meant to feel comforting, but the pit in her stomach told her otherwise. She knew what was coming-the questions she wasn't sure she was ready to answer, at least not yet.

Across from her, her therapist, dr. ramirez, sat with a calm expression, her notepad resting gently in her lap. Her voice was soft but direct, the kind of tone that made it clear she was there to listen, not judge.

"so, sunny," dr. ramirez began, leaning slightly forward, "how have you been doing lately? especially with your eating disorder? i know we talked about taking things slow, trying to start with small steps. have you been able to manage eating small things first?"

sunny's heart thudded at the question. She bit her lip and glanced down at her hands. The truth was, it had been a struggle. The voices in her head always seemed louder than her hunger, telling her she didn't need to eat, that it wasn't worth it. But she also knew she couldn't lie. She'd promised herself to be honest here, even if it was hard.

"it's been... okay," sunny said slowly, still avoiding eye contact. "some days are better than others, but it's still hard. i've been trying to eat small things, like you said. crackers, fruit, stuff that doesn't feel too heavy." she paused, her voice growing quieter. "but there are days when... i just can't."

dr. ramirez nodded, her expression empathetic but neutral. "it's good that you're trying, sunny. recovery is a process, and it's okay if some days are harder than others. the important thing is you're taking those first steps, even if they're small."

sunny swallowed and nodded, but her stomach still felt heavy. She knew dr. ramirez was right, but it didn't make it any easier. It was like climbing a mountain with no end in sight.

"this session," dr. ramirez continued, her tone gentle, "is just to check in with you, to see where you are right now. we're not diving too deep today-we're just taking things at your pace. i want you to feel comfortable, okay?"

sunny glanced up at her therapist for the first time, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "okay," she murmured.

"so, let's start with the basics," dr. ramirez said, flipping to a new page in her notebook. "have you been able to recognize when you're hungry? i know it can be tricky when your mind is telling you something different, but have there been moments where you've noticed your body asking for food?"

sunny thought for a moment, wringing her hands. "sometimes. like, i'll feel hungry, but then it's like... i don't trust it. i second-guess it, you know? i'll be like, 'am i really hungry? or am i just bored?' and then i end up not eating at all because i'm too confused."

dr. ramirez nodded thoughtfully. "that's completely normal in the beginning. the disconnect between your mind and your body is something we'll work on over time. you've been in survival mode for so long that trusting your body's signals feels foreign, but we'll get there. you're not alone in this."

sunny nodded, though her chest still felt tight. The thought of having to relearn something as basic as eating felt overwhelming, but dr. ramirez's calm approach made it feel a little less terrifying.

"and how about your energy levels?" dr. ramirez asked next. "have you noticed any changes since you've started trying to eat more consistently, even if it's small amounts?"

sunny hesitated, thinking back on the last couple of weeks. "i guess i've had a little more energy. not a lot, but i don't feel as tired all the time. some days, i even feel like dancing again." she paused, her voice dropping. "but then... other days, i don't feel like getting out of bed at all."

"that's okay," dr. ramirez said reassuringly. "healing isn't linear. some days you'll feel stronger, and other days you'll feel like you're back at square one. but even on the tough days, the fact that you're aware of what's happening is progress in itself."

sunny shifted in her seat, fidgeting with her sleeves again. It felt strange to hear that, that even the bad days could count as progress. She'd always thought of them as failures, as proof that she wasn't doing enough. But maybe there was more to it than that.

"next session," dr. ramirez continued, "we'll dive a little deeper into some of the underlying feelings around food and control. but today, i just want you to know that you're doing better than you think. this isn't about being perfect-it's about moving forward, even if it's at your own pace."

sunny took a deep breath, some of the pressure in her chest easing. "thanks," she whispered, feeling a little lighter. "i guess i just... i'm scared of messing up again."

"you're allowed to mess up, sunny," dr. ramirez said softly. "that's part of the process. and when you do, we'll be here to help you get back on track."

sunny nodded, her grip on her sleeve loosening. for the first time in a while, she felt like maybe she didn't have to carry all of this alone.

sunny stood on the porch, the soft hum of evening crickets surrounding her as the last golden rays of sunlight painted everything in a warm, orange glow. her bare feet pressed into the worn, wooden boards, grounding her in the moment, but her mind was already slipping away. she closed her eyes for a second, feeling the rhythm in her head, a quiet pulse of music only she could hear. when she danced, everything else disappeared-the world, her worries, her fears-it all melted away into the simple, graceful movements of her body.

she took a deep breath and began, her body flowing into the first steps of the group dance she'd been practicing for days. her arms stretched out elegantly, fingers reaching for the fading sunlight, and her legs carried her across the porch in perfect rhythm. her movements were precise but effortless, like she'd been born to do this. each step, each spin, felt like it belonged to her-like dancing was the one thing that made sense in all the chaos.

sunny's face was calm, focused, her eyes distant as she twirled and leaped across the porch. she was lost in the music, her mind far away from the porch, the street, her friends. it was just her and the dance, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. her body moved with a grace that felt almost instinctual, like every motion was a natural extension of her, flowing from some deep, hidden part of herself.

as she reached the final part of her routine, she spun on her toes, arms extended outward, and landed gracefully in her final pose-arms lifted, chest open, face tilted slightly toward the sky. she stood there for a moment, letting the last of the imaginary music fade away, before the sound of clapping brought her back to reality.

blinking, she lowered her arms and turned to see martiza, jade, and moon sitting on the porch steps, grinning at her. their applause was soft but full of genuine admiration, and sunny could feel the warmth of their praise sinking into her skin.

"sunny, that was incredible," jade said, her eyes wide with awe as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

"yeah," moon chimed in, her voice light and soothing, "you were totally in your own world. it's like you disappeared into your mind space or something. we could all see it."

sunny felt her face grow warm, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. she wasn't used to getting compliments, especially about her dancing, and it made her feel a little awkward but also happy-like maybe she really was good at this after all. "thanks," she murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "i just... i kind of get lost in it, i guess."

martiza, always the playful one, jumped up from her spot on the steps and wrapped sunny in a quick, tight hug. "girl, you weren't here," she teased with a grin. "you were, like, on another planet. it's crazy how focused you get when you dance. we're all just sitting here, watching in awe."

sunny laughed softly, feeling a little more at ease as she hugged martiza back. "i guess dancing helps me clear my head," she admitted, glancing down at her feet. "when i'm moving, it's like... nothing else matters, you know? all the stuff that's been bugging me, all the noise in my head-it just goes quiet for a while."

jade stood up, crossing the porch to stand beside sunny, her eyes still full of admiration. "i could tell," she said, her voice gentle but sure. "it's like you go somewhere else when you're dancing. like you tap into this part of yourself that no one else can reach. that's what makes you so good, sunny. you're not just dancing for the sake of it-you're dancing for you."

sunny's heart swelled at jade's words, her chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. she wasn't used to people understanding her like this, especially when it came to something as personal as dancing. but jade, moon, and martiza-they saw it. they saw her. and that meant everything.

moon, still sitting on the porch steps, smiled softly as she spoke. "you have this energy when you dance, sunny. it's like you forget we're even watching. that's why you're gonna stand out in the competition-you're in your own world, and that's what makes it so beautiful."

sunny's smile grew a little wider, her nerves slowly fading as the weight of their support settled around her like a warm blanket. "you guys are the best," she said, her voice quiet but full of sincerity. "it really means a lot to hear that. i... i don't always feel like i'm good enough, you know? but hearing you say it makes me feel like maybe i am."

"you are," martiza said, her tone playful but firm as she nudged sunny's shoulder. "and don't you forget it. you're gonna crush it at the competition. we all believe in you."

jade smiled warmly, wrapping an arm around sunny's shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze. "and if you ever need a reminder, we're here to hype you up, anytime."

moon and martiza both nodded in agreement, their smiles full of warmth and encouragement. sunny looked at them, her heart full and her chest light for the first time in what felt like forever. in this moment, with her friends beside her, cheering her on, she felt like maybe-just maybe-she could do this.

the sun had dipped below the horizon now, casting the porch in soft, dusky hues of pink and purple. the night was settling in, but sunny didn't mind. with her friends by her side, she knew she could face whatever came next. and as the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, she felt a quiet certainty bloom in her chest-when she danced, she was truly herself, and that was more than enough.

valley fest was in full swing, alive with the sounds of laughter, music, and the sizzle of fried food wafting through the air. colorful lights blinked on and off, illuminating the night as families and friends mingled, enjoying the festive atmosphere. sunny walked alongside her friends-martiza, jade, and moon-each of them bubbling with excitement as they made their way toward the towering ferris wheel that loomed above the festival like a glittering giant.

as they approached, sunny's heart raced. the last time she had seen miguel, it had ended badly, and now he was here, mingling with demetri and eli. sunny could see them in the distance, laughing and joking, but her excitement was quickly tempered by the memory of their last encounter.

"oh look, there they are," jade said, tilting her head toward the trio. "do you think they've even noticed we're here?"

martiza's smile faltered as her eyes locked onto miguel. "great," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "just what I needed."

"you good?" sunny asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"i guess," martiza replied, but her tone suggested otherwise. "it's just... awkward, you know?"

sunny nodded, feeling the tension thickening in the air. the closer they got, the more uncertain martiza seemed. the group drew near, and suddenly, an uncomfortable silence settled between them. sunny could feel it, like a tangible weight pressing down.

demetri, always the one to break the ice, couldn't resist. "well, isn't this just dripping with tension," he remarked, looking between martiza and miguel. "what is this, a rom-com waiting to happen?"

martiza shot him a glare, crossing her arms. "not funny, demetri."

miguel shifted awkwardly, running a hand through his hair. "so, uh, how's everyone?" he asked, his voice tentative, as if he wasn't sure if they'd even respond.

"just peachy," martiza replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "what about you? Still enjoying your vacation from being a decent person?"

miguel looked taken aback, his expression faltering. "that's a low blow."

"what's going on here?" demetri interjected, sensing the tension rising. "are we going to fight again? because i'm not getting involved in another round of your drama."

martiza sighed, frustration bubbling to the surface. "i'm done with this. come on, demetri." She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the ferris wheel, desperation fueling her actions.

"wait, what?!" demetri exclaimed, stumbling to keep up. "are we seriously going on this thing to escape awkwardness?"

"exactly," martiza said, her voice firm. "i just need a break from all of... this."

as they climbed into the ferris wheel carriage, demetri cast a glance back at sunny and jade, who were exchanging puzzled looks. once they were seated, demetri turned to martiza, his brow furrowed. "What was that about? You could have just talked to him."

martiza rolled her eyes. "please. he's not worth it. besides," she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "just kiss me."

demetri blinked, clearly surprised. "whoa, whoa. Are you serious? you're not just using me to make your ex jealous, are you?"

martiza shot him an annoyed look. "ugh, demetri! no! i just-can you just stop overthinking for a second?"

with a resigned sigh, demetri leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, and the world around them faded away for just a moment. the sounds of the festival were replaced by the rhythm of their hearts, and the tension from before slipped away.

from the ground, sunny, jade, and moon watched the scene unfold with varying reactions. jade clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "aww, how cute! look at them!"

"yeah, definitely didn't see that one coming," sunny added, smirking at the sight. she turned to moon, her eyes brightening. "hey, we should go up next! i mean, how often do you get to be in a ferris wheel?"

"are you serious?" moon asked, her voice hesitant. "you really think we should?"

"absolutely! come on!" sunny exclaimed, grabbing jade and moon by the wrists and leading them toward the ride. "there's an open spot!"

once they squeezed into the next available carriage, sunny settled between jade and moon, a wide grin plastered across her face as they ascended into the night sky. the view from up there was breathtaking, the lights of the festival twinkling like stars beneath them.

sunny turned to moon, nudging her shoulder playfully. "you got this, little sis," she encouraged, her eyes filled with affection.

moon smirked, playfully rolling her eyes. "you're only older by two minutes!"

as the ferris wheel continued its slow rotation, an unexpected silence fell between jade and moon. both girls shifted slightly in their seats, and after a moment, they both spoke at the same time.

"i have something to confess..."

they paused, wide-eyed, and moon gestured for jade to go first.

"okay, um... i like you," jade blurted out, her cheeks flushing pink.

moon's eyes widened, but before she could respond, she leaned in and kissed jade softly. "i like you too," she murmured, her heart racing.

sunny, watching from below, couldn't help but chuckle. "at this point, i'm just a matchmaker," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

miguel, standing nearby with his arms crossed, shot sunny an annoyed glance as he observed martiza and demetri sharing their kiss. "great, now i'm jealous," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation.

sunny smirked, noticing the tension in his stance. "oh come on, it's just a kiss. you're acting like it's the end of the world. besides, if you're really that upset, maybe you should talk to her."

miguel sighed, the frustration evident on his face. "i don't know... maybe i should have said something before."

hawk, or eli as most people called him, stepped forward, breaking through the awkward moment. "come on, sunny," he said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "let's go. I need to show you something."

"like what?" sunny asked, confusion written across his face.

"trust me," hawk replied, leading him away. "you'll want to see this."

as miguel watched them go, his heart swelled with warmth for his friends. despite the awkwardness and tension that sometimes surfaced, this moment felt right. with laughter in the air and the vibrant lights of the fest surrounding them, everything felt perfect.

and for sunny, that was enough.

the mirror maze was one of the most popular attractions at valley fest, its reflective walls twisting and turning into a labyrinth of dazzling reflections. sunny felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as eli took her hand and led her inside, the vibrant sounds of the festival fading into a distant hum.

"come on, sunny! this is going to be epic," eli exclaimed, his grin infectious as he pulled her deeper into the maze. the walls shimmered around them, creating a kaleidoscope of reflections that left sunny feeling both enchanted and disoriented.

"i'm not so sure about this," sunny said, glancing around at the endless mirrors that multiplied their figures into countless copies. "what if we really get lost in here?"

"that's the best part!" eli teased, walking backward to maintain eye contact with her. "trust me, it'll be fine. besides, what's the worst that could happen? we'll just have to find our way out together, and that's an adventure in itself."

as they ventured deeper into the maze, the mirrored walls began to play tricks on sunny's mind. every turn looked similar, and she quickly lost track of which way they had entered. she followed eli's laughter, but it seemed to come from all directions, echoing in the reflective space.

"eli?" she called out, her voice slightly wavering as it bounced back at her. "where are you?"

when she rounded a corner, she suddenly found herself alone, surrounded by endless reflections of herself. her heart raced as she spun around, trying to spot him. "eli!" she yelled again, the panic rising in her chest.

just then, eli appeared from behind one of the mirrors, his face suddenly looming in front of her reflection. "boo!" he shouted, his voice playful and loud, resonating within the maze.

sunny yelped, instinctively shoving him away with a gentle push. "you dookiehead!" she exclaimed, half-laughing and half-annoyed, her heart still pounding from the surprise.

eli chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "i didn't mean to scare you! but you should have seen your face!" he said, feigning shock as he clutched his chest dramatically. "you looked like you were about to pass out!"

"shut up," sunny said, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile. "you're such a dork. i thought i was going to be stuck in here forever."

"you were handling it pretty well for a second there," eli replied, stepping closer, his playful demeanor shifting into something more serious. "i mean, you could have started a mirror maze rescue mission. but i had to swoop in like a hero."

sunny laughed, shaking her head, but she couldn't deny the flutter in her stomach as he moved nearer. "not quite my style. more like i'd be waving a white flag, begging for help."

as they stood close, the atmosphere changed. the playful banter faded, replaced by an electric tension in the air. sunny looked up at eli, her heart racing for a different reason now. the maze of mirrors surrounded them, reflecting their faces and creating an intimacy that made the world outside feel miles away.

"what if we just... stay here for a while?" eli said, his voice low and inviting, a hint of vulnerability shining through.

sunny felt her cheeks warm as she gazed into his eyes, the reflections capturing the moment. "you mean... just us?"

"yeah," he replied, leaning in slightly, his breath warm against her lips. "just us. no distractions."

with a burst of courage, sunny closed the distance between them. their lips met softly at first, a tentative exploration that quickly deepened into something more passionate. the mirrors reflected their embrace, each angle capturing the moment and amplifying the intensity as they kissed with a mix of playfulness and yearning.

sunny's hands found their way to eli's hair, fingers tangling in the soft strands as she pulled him closer. the world outside faded into oblivion, the maze transforming into their private sanctuary, filled with echoes of laughter and whispered secrets.

"you're not too bad, dookiehead," sunny murmured against his lips, a teasing grin spreading across her face.

"neither are you, sunshine," eli replied, his eyes sparkling with affection as he leaned in again, their kiss deepening as they lost themselves in the moment. surrounded by endless reflections, the mirror maze became a magical cocoon where only they existed, and everything else melted away into the background.

sunny wandered through the bustling crowd at valley fest, searching for her friends jade, moon, and demetri. vibrant lights flashed, music blared, and the scent of fried food wafted through the air, but sunny felt a twinge of anxiety as she realized she had lost track of them.

"where did everyone go?" she mumbled to herself, her eyes scanning the throngs of festival-goers. she spotted a familiar face and quickened her pace. it was martiza, standing near a food stall, her expression a mix of boredom and amusement as she watched the performers on stage.

"hey, sunny!" martiza called, waving her over. sunny approached, relieved to see her friend. "you look like you've just escaped a maze or something."

"don't even get me started. i lost jade, moon, and demetri," sunny replied, shaking her head. "i thought they'd be nearby."

"they're probably off plotting their next adventure," martiza said, glancing back at the stage. "miyagi-do is performing, and honestly, it's a bit... underwhelming, don't you think?"

sunny chuckled, crossing her arms. "yeah, it's kind of slow. i love them, but it's hard to stay interested when it feels like we're watching paint dry."

"come on, let's find moon. i could use a change of scenery," sunny suggested, starting to turn away from the stage.

just as they were about to leave, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd as the atmosphere shifted dramatically. sunny glanced back, her eyes widening in surprise. "wait, what's this?" she said, pointing as the cobra kai students marched onto the stage with a fierce energy that instantly captivated the audience.

"no way," martiza exclaimed, trying to get a better view. "i had no idea eli was doing this."

sunny grinned, a thrill of excitement rushing through her. "neither did i! let's check it out!"

they pushed through the crowd toward the other stage, where the energy was palpable. the music thumped louder, and the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. the crowd erupted in cheers as the cobra kai students began their performance, showcasing a mixture of karate moves and choreographed stunts that drew everyone's attention.

"this is way better," sunny said, beaming as she watched the team work in perfect synchronization. just as she was about to lose herself in the spectacle, she spotted jade, moon, and demetri in the audience.

"there they are!" sunny pointed them out, her heart lifting. she quickly pulled martiza toward them, and they squeezed through the throng of excited fans.

"hey! we thought we lost you!" moon exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. demetri looked both impressed and nervous, glancing at the stage as if he were bracing for something.

"you guys are going to want to see this," sunny said, practically bouncing on her feet. "cobra kai is crushing it!"

just then, johnny, the iconic sensei of cobra kai, stepped forward, holding a board and setting it on fire. the crowd gasped, and sunny couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "oh man, this is going to be wild," she said, glancing at martiza.

"you think he's actually going to do it?" martiza asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

"he totally is!" sunny replied, her heart racing with adrenaline.

the moment johnny punched through the flaming board, the crowd erupted into cheers. sunny's eyes widened in awe, and she exchanged excited glances with her friends.

"that was insane!" jade shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

"wait, is that demetri?" martiza asked, squinting at the stage. sure enough, eli grabbed demetri and pulled him onto the stage, handing him a board to hold.

"no way! this is going to be hilarious," sunny said, unable to contain her laughter.

"eli, what are you doing?!" demetri shouted, his face a mix of terror and disbelief.

"just hold it steady, bro!" eli said, grinning as he positioned himself for a kick.

"you guys better stop him!" demetri pleaded, glancing nervously at his friends in the audience.

but it was too late. with a swift kick, eli broke the board in half, sending splinters flying and leaving demetri standing there in shock.

"why didn't you guys stop him?" demetri asked, his eyes wide as he climbed down from the stage, looking both relieved and slightly traumatized.

sunny and her friends burst into laughter. "and ruin the fun? never!" jade said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.

"you should've seen your face!" martiza added, her laughter echoing in the vibrant atmosphere.

"yeah, demetri, you really thought we'd save you?" sunny teased, nudging him playfully.

demetri rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile creeping onto his face. "next time, maybe you could at least pretend to care."

"no promises!" sunny replied, still giggling. the group shared a moment of camaraderie, the excitement of the performance lingering in the air as they enjoyed the rest of the show together, surrounded by the vibrant energy of valley fest.

ASH SPEAKS!

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