chapter nineteen:
❛ single ladies ❜

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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

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Martiza and Sunny were buzzing with excitement as they made their way to the roller rink for 80s night, a themed event they had eagerly anticipated. They arrived at the entrance, where the colorful neon lights flickered in the evening darkness. Robby pushed open the double doors, the distinct sound of upbeat 80s music spilling out into the night, instantly setting the tone for a nostalgic evening.

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere enveloped them-skaters gliding across the polished floor, disco balls spinning overhead, casting twinkling reflections all around. Martiza stood out in her vibrant outfit, channeling Cyndi Lauper with a colorful tutu, fishnet stockings, and a playful headband that completed the look. Sunny, dressed as Madonna, wore a lace top and a long, flowing skirt, her hair styled in a wild, voluminous fashion that screamed 80s glam.

"Are you guys sure you're okay with us intruding on your date?" Sunny asked, fidgeting with her fingers nervously. The weight of her question hung in the air, her eyes darting between Robby and Sam.

"No, seriously, it's fine, Sunny," Sam reassured her, a warm smile gracing her lips as she squeezed Robby's hand. Robby nodded in agreement, his demeanor relaxed as he glanced around, taking in the vibrant energy of the rink.

"Don't be a worrywart," Martiza chimed in, playfully smacking Sunny's arm. The gesture was light-hearted, aimed at easing the tension that Sunny seemed to carry.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom..." Sunny trailed off, her voice tinged with a hint of unease as she moved away from the group, glancing back once before making her way through the bustling crowd.

Sunny navigated through the sea of skaters, the music pulsing through her body. The lively atmosphere was contagious, but a gnawing sense of anxiety followed her. She needed to find the bathroom quickly, her stomach fluttering uncomfortably as she weaved between pairs of skaters, the bright lights flickering above her.

After what felt like an eternity, she spotted a hallway leading away from the main area. With a sigh of relief, she headed toward it, hoping to find the restroom tucked away somewhere out of sight. The hall was dimly lit, and as she walked, she could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and music behind her.

Suddenly, she spotted a guy leaning against the wall, chatting with friends. Desperate for directions, she approached him, tapping him lightly on the shoulder. "Excuse me," she began, her voice a mix of hesitation and urgency. "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?"

As he turned around, her heart dropped. It was Eli-Hawk. Sunny was taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief. His hair, typically styled into a mohawk, now cascaded down, framing his face in loose waves, giving him a different, almost softer appearance.

In shock, she scoffed, "Never mind," intending to walk away.

But Eli reached out and grabbed her hand, a mix of desperation and determination in his expression. "Sunny, wait-"

"Don't touch me, Hawk!" she snapped, yanking her hand away, her heart racing with a mix of anger and disbelief. "I told you I never want to see you again!"

"Sunny, you don't understand-" Eli started, frustration lacing his voice.

"Oh, I understand just fine! You've made your choices!" Sunny shot back, the heat of their argument intensifying as she crossed her arms defensively. "You trashed Miyagi-Do like it was nothing!"

"It's your fault!" Eli countered, his voice rising as he stepped closer, the hallway seeming to shrink around them. "You and your friends-your breakup messed everything up! I was angry!"

Sunny's eyes flared with indignation. "You stole Mr. Miyagi's Medal of Honor! How could you do that? Just... just screw you!"

Eli ran a hand through his hair, frustration boiling beneath his calm facade. "I did what I had to do! You have no idea what it was like for me!"

"Really? You think I'm the one who doesn't understand?" Sunny scoffed, incredulity spilling from her voice. "You vandalized something that meant so much to so many people just because you're angry? That makes you a coward, not a victim!"

"Maybe if you hadn't broken up with me, I wouldn't have felt like I needed to do anything drastic!" Eli shot back, his eyes blazing. "It's not just my fault!"

Sunny took a step back, disbelief washing over her. "You think this is about us? I can't get rid of you, Hawk! You keep popping up, and every time, you remind me of how messed up everything is!"

"Sunny-"

"Stop!" she cut him off, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "I don't want to hear any more excuses. I can't keep doing this. I thought I could just move on, but you keep dragging me back into this mess!"

Eli's expression shifted, a mix of regret and determination flooding his features. "I'm not trying to stalk you or anything. I just... I want to fix things. Can't you see that?"

"Fix things?" she echoed incredulously, shaking her head. "You ruined everything! You don't get to come back and act like nothing happened."

Before Eli could respond, Sunny turned on her heel, her heart racing as she walked away from him, needing to put distance between them. The vibrant lights and music of the roller rink enveloped her again, but the laughter and joy felt distant, overshadowed by the heated confrontation.

As Sunny walked off to find the bathroom, the atmosphere shifted back to light-hearted banter among the remaining trio. Robby leaned against the railing, glancing at Martiza's costume with an approving grin. "Wasn't too sure about Sam and mine, but yours definitely takes the cake. Cyndi Lauper. That's epic," he complimented, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

Martiza's smile widened, her excitement palpable as she returned his gaze. "Thanks," she said, clearly pleased with the praise. Just then, Sam clicked her tongue, teasingly shaking her head.

"I still think you should've embraced the synergy and dressed up like Andrew McCarthy or, at the very least, Duckie," Sam suggested, playfully nudging Robby.

Robby responded with a dramatic eye roll. "Come on. With this hair," he defended, tousling his own locks, "Spader was my only logical choice."

"Admit it, Robby. You're Duckie," Martiza teased, winking at him. The atmosphere was light, filled with nostalgia and the carefree spirit of the night, but then Sam's attention shifted when she noticed a waitress gliding by, carrying a tray of drinks.

"Hey, can we get some drinks-" Sam began, but her voice trailed off mid-sentence as she recognized the waitress. "Wait. Tory?"

Tory turned, her expression casual but her posture tense. "Yeah, well, not all of us get to use Daddy's credit card," she replied sarcastically, her tone dripping with bitterness. Martiza's eyes widened in surprise, and Sam's face dropped, the earlier lightness of the evening suddenly darkening.

"Look, we're just here for some fun, Tory. No trouble intended," Martiza said, rocking on her heels as if to emphasize her sincerity, but the tension in the air was thick.

Just then, Miguel skated over, completely unaware of the charged atmosphere surrounding the group. He was focused, looking for Tory. "What time do you go on break? I wanted to time it out so the fries are extra crispy," he asked casually.

Tory cleared her throat, and Miguel turned, finally noticing Martiza, Sam, and Robby standing there. The moment he locked eyes with Martiza, his heart skipped a beat. She looked stunning, her Cyndi Lauper costume accentuating her playful spirit. He swallowed hard, momentarily forgetting the chaotic history that tangled their worlds together. "I dig the costumes," he sputtered out, his gaze fixated on Martiza, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.

"Uh, Tory, this is Sam and Robby... and Martiza," Miguel pointed out, trying to introduce everyone while subtly redirecting the attention away from his earlier slip.

Tory nodded, her gaze shifting to Sam. "Yeah, we've met. Sam and I had a little run-in at the beach club," she shared, her tone nonchalant but with an underlying tension, as if she were reliving a not-so-pleasant memory.

Martiza broke the silence that followed, her curiosity piqued. "So, how do you two know each other?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

Miguel hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing on him. "Tory's in Cobra Kai," he muttered, his voice low, attempting to keep things casual but knowing how loaded that statement was.

"Figures," Martiza retorted under her breath, her words laced with disdain, earning her a sharp glare from Tory.

"What was that?" Tory questioned, raising her eyebrows in a challenge, clearly not willing to let it slide.

"Nothing," Sam quickly interjected with a smirk, attempting to diffuse the tension and save Martiza from Tory's wrath.

"Alright, I gotta get back to work. See you later, babe," Tory said, her tone dismissive as she placed a hand on Miguel's cheek, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. The scene unfolded in slow motion for Martiza, her heart sinking as she watched the moment. She struggled to hold back her tears, her feelings of heartbreak bubbling to the surface.

Miguel's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced back at Martiza, guilt washing over him as he felt the weight of her disappointment. It was all too real, the unspoken emotions swirling in the air, and he couldn't help but feel like he was standing at a crossroads-pulled between the history he shared with Martiza and the complicated present he found himself in with Tory. The music thumped around them, but in that moment, all he could hear was the sound of his own heart, thudding against the wall of confusion and regret he had built.

Martiza turned away, fighting the sting of tears as she tried to regain her composure. Sam and Robby exchanged glances, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, and instinctively moved closer to their friend, ready to provide the support she needed.

Sunny and Martiza found a cozy spot near the edge of the roller rink, the colorful lights casting a nostalgic glow around them as they took a moment to catch their breath after skating. The upbeat music pulsed in the background, but their minds were elsewhere-specifically, on their ex-boyfriends and the mess they had left behind.

"I swear, I thought I was finally over Eli," Sunny sighed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But then I see him, and it's like all those feelings come rushing back." She leaned against the railing, a mix of frustration and amusement in her expression. "I mean, who knew he'd decide to show up at the same place as me? Like, seriously?"

Martiza laughed, shaking her head. "At least you didn't have to deal with Miguel. He literally kissed Tory in front of me! I felt like I was in one of those cheesy teen dramas." She threw her hands up in mock disbelief. "What is this, 'As the Roller Rink Turns'?"

Sunny chuckled, shaking her head. "Ugh, this was supposed to be single ladies night, but instead, we bump into our exes. It's like they have a sixth sense for ruining our fun!"

"I know, right?!" Martiza agreed, her laughter echoing in the vibrant atmosphere. "It's like they all got the memo: 'Let's make this night miserable for the girls.'"

As they continued to chat, Martiza glided away on her skates, reveling in the nostalgic thrill of the 80s music. Suddenly, she felt a sharp crack beneath her feet. "Shit!" she exclaimed, wobbling precariously before losing her balance completely. "I'll be back! My skate just broke!" She hurried off toward the exit to find a staff member to fix her skate.

Sunny watched her friend leave, shaking her head with a grin. Just then, Hawk rolled over, his eyes locking onto Sunny as she stood alone. "Hey, Sunny!" he called out, weaving through the crowd of skaters with ease.

Sunny's heart sank as he approached, but she tried to maintain her composure. "What do you want, Hawk?" she replied, crossing her arms defensively.

Hawk shrugged, an earnest look on his face. "I just wanted to talk to you. Can we, like, chat for a second?"

"Chat?" Sunny scoffed, her irritation bubbling to the surface. "What is there to chat about? You're the one who turned everything upside down!"

Hawk frowned, looking genuinely hurt. "I know I messed up, but I didn't mean for things to go down like that. I just-"

"Save it!" Sunny interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "You don't get to just show up and act like everything's fine. You've made your choices, and now you have to deal with the consequences."

Hawk's expression shifted, and he took a step closer, his voice lowering. "I'm not trying to justify what I did, but you can't pretend I didn't have my reasons. You knew how much I cared about you."

"Cared? You trashed Miyagi-Do, Hawk! You stole Mr. Miyagi's Medal of Honor! That's what you did!" Sunny's voice was sharp, her anger palpable as she pushed against the emotional weight of their past. "Just screw you! Are you stalking me or something? I can't get rid of you!"

Hawk's eyes widened, his frustration morphing into a mix of defensiveness and regret. "I'm not stalking you! I just want to clear the air between us."

Just then, Sam and Robby returned, and determined looks on their faces. They spotted Sunny in the middle of a heated conversation and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?" Sam asked, her gaze bouncing between Sunny and Hawk.

"Nothing I can't handle," Sunny replied quickly, though her tone suggested otherwise. Robby eyed Hawk, clearly skeptical of his presence.

"Maybe you should leave her alone," Sam said firmly, standing protectively next to Sunny. "She doesn't need this right now."

Hawk looked taken aback but didn't back down. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to talk to Sunny."

Sunny rolled her eyes and stepped forward. "You know what? I'm done talking. I came here to have fun, and instead, I'm stuck dealing with this." She turned to Sam and Robby, a mix of frustration and camaraderie in her eyes. "Let's just go, okay?"

Sam nodded in agreement, her expression resolute. "Yeah, let's get out of here. I don't need to deal with him ruining our night."

Hawk stepped forward but Robby stopped him. "Hey, Hawk! Back off!" Robby shouted, stepping in front of Sunny and standing his ground. Sam flanked him, crossing her arms as she shot Hawk a pointed glare. "Seriously, give her some space."

Hawk glanced between the two of them, frustration evident in his eyes. "I'm not here to fight. I just want to talk to Sunny."

Sunny stepped closer to Sam, her presence a shield against the past that Hawk represented. "You can't just waltz back into my life after everything that happened," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "You think you can explain away how you treated me?"

Hawk's expression turned serious as he straightened up. "I'm not trying to explain it away. I just want you to understand where I was coming from."

"You don't get to decide that!" Sunny shot back, her voice rising. "You had your chance, and you blew it."

With that, Sam and Sunny turned to leave, and Robby followed, casting one last glare at Hawk as they walked away, leaving him standing there with a mix of regret and frustration as the upbeat music of the roller rink continued to play in the background.

Martiza stood in line at the roller rink, the colorful lights reflecting off her Cyndi Lauper-inspired outfit, complete with a ruffled skirt and a tangle of wild, brightly colored accessories in her hair. She tapped her foot impatiently against the polished wood floor, the lively 80s music playing in the background as laughter and cheers erupted from groups of skaters whirling past her. Her excitement for the night was quickly diminishing, thanks to her broken skate. The repairman had taken her skates to the back, and she felt the minutes tick by painfully slowly.

Just as she was about to lose her patience, she felt the familiar whoosh of someone gliding up behind her. She turned slightly to see Miguel skating in, a sheepish look on his face as he pulled up behind her in line.

"What do you want?" Martiza retorted, her tone sharp and defensive. She could already sense that this encounter wouldn't be pleasant.

Miguel scratched the back of his head, looking down at his oversized rollerskates as he shifted his weight awkwardly. "I think my skates are too big," he muttered, trying to keep the mood light despite the tension.

"Okay, and?" Martiza quipped, refusing to take the bait. Her focus remained on the repairman, who was still fumbling with her skates in the back.

Miguel frowned, clearly frustrated by her lack of engagement. "Look, about Tory-" he started, trying to approach the subject delicately, but Martiza cut him off before he could finish.

"I can't believe you're trying to explain your relationship to me. I don't care, okay?" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to draw the attention of a few nearby skaters. She hated how he still managed to get under her skin, especially when she was just trying to enjoy a night out with friends.

At that moment, the repairman emerged from the back, holding her skates triumphantly. Martiza felt a flicker of relief, but it was overshadowed by her annoyance at Miguel. "Actually, I'm leaving," she told the repairman, trying to turn away from Miguel's persistent presence.

But Miguel wasn't ready to let her go. He reached out and grabbed her wrist gently, desperation lacing his tone. "Martiza, wait-"

She yanked her wrist back with a swift motion, her face a mask of hurt and anger. "Go away, Miguel. We're over, remember? You have a girlfriend!" The words spilled from her lips with an intensity that surprised even her. She was tired of his excuses, tired of the drama that surrounded them.

Just then, Sunny rushed toward her, her face glistening with tears, her eyes wide with distress. She had been watching from a distance, and now her concern for her best friend had overridden her own troubles. "Can we go?" she asked, her voice quivering as she sniffled, clearly on the verge of breaking down.

Martiza's heart ached at the sight of Sunny's tear-streaked cheeks. She turned to Miguel one last time, her expression hardening. "This isn't the time or place. I'm done talking." With that, she took Sunny's trembling hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as they turned to leave the line.

As they stepped away, Martiza could feel Miguel's gaze burning into her back, a mixture of regret and confusion written all over his face. The noise of the rink faded into the background as they moved toward the exit, where the bright neon lights didn't feel so inviting anymore.

Once outside, the cool night air hit them like a refreshing wave. Martiza took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension from her earlier encounter. "Sunny, are you okay?" she asked, concern washing over her as she studied her friend's expression.

Sunny wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, taking a moment to collect herself. "I just... I didn't expect to see him here. And then everything with Tory-" She paused, her voice shaky. "It's just been a lot."

Martiza nodded, understanding the weight of their shared heartbreak. "I get it. I really do. But let's not let them ruin our night. We came here to have fun, remember?"

Sunny managed a small smile, grateful for Martiza's unwavering support. "Yeah, you're right. This was supposed to be a single ladies' night, not an ex-boyfriend reunion."

As they walked toward the parking lot, Martiza felt a sense of determination rising within her. They would have their fun, even if it meant dodging their pasts for the night. She took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever came next, as long as she had Sunny by her side.

ASH SPEAKS!

two more chapters left...

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