chapter twenty-two:
❛ the golden child ❜

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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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The days since Miguel had been put into a coma felt like an eternity. The weight of it all lingered in the air, pressing down on everyone who had been involved. Martiza, who had also been in a coma, had slowly started waking up. But something was missing. She didn't remember anyone-only herself and Sunny. The idea of Martiza having no memory of their friendship, their moments, the bond they shared-it was painful for Sunny to even think about. But what hurt more was that Martiza didn't remember the fight at school, the chaos that had come from it. For Sunny, that fight felt like it had marked the beginning of a change-a breaking point that had shattered everything they had known.

Sunny, on the other hand, was struggling too. Her anxiety was worse, eating away at her day by day. Her family was being more vigilant than ever, watching her every move, especially as her eating disorder seemed to be coming back. She had almost let herself fall back into the old ways, but her parents-Elaine, her mom, Jameson, her dad, and even her twin sister, Moon-had been doing their best to help her stay strong. They were determined to get her back on her feet, to make sure she didn't lose herself again.

But even though they had good intentions, they didn't understand the weight of what was on her shoulders. The thought of returning to school made her stomach twist in knots. The rumors, the judgmental stares, the whispers behind her back-Sunny could already feel it all looming. She had been away from school for two weeks, and in that time, so much had happened, yet so little had changed in her mind.

Her mom, Elaine, tried to reassure her as they got into the car. "You've got this, Sunny," she said, her voice gentle but filled with a quiet strength that made Sunny want to believe her. It almost felt like a lie, but Sunny didn't have the heart to say anything. Her parents had already been through so much, and now they were counting on her to do something simple: just go back to school.

Moon, as usual, drove herself. But Sunny was left to face it alone-no comfort from her twin, no easy escape. The fear she felt was overwhelming as she stood in front of the school, gripping her backpack tightly like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. She could already see the security guards at the entrance, the bag checks, the new protocols that made everything feel more suffocating.

She stepped forward, walking through the school gates like a person walking into a storm. The air felt thicker than usual, the pressure of the stares and whispers growing more intense as she moved through the hallway. She didn't dare look up as she passed other students-she knew what they were thinking. They were talking about her, about Aidan Schultz and the fight that had followed. She could feel their eyes on her, but she kept her gaze down, focusing on the ground beneath her feet.

When she reached the security table, she placed her bag down, her palms sweaty from the anxiety. The guard checked her bag without speaking, and Sunny quickly grabbed it back once he was done. She barely registered anything as she walked through the hallway, her thoughts consumed by everything that had happened in the past few weeks. She was trying to focus, trying to breathe through the panic, but everything around her felt overwhelming.

And then, as if the universe were conspiring against her, she bumped into them-Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do members standing right in her path. Hawk, Demetri, Aidan... and all of them staring back at her. The sight of Hawk caused a chill to run through her. It was strange-awkward, even. She hadn't expected to see him so soon, especially not after everything that had happened between them.

"Don't worry, Sunshine. We were just talking," Hawk said, his voice smooth, but there was something more gentle in his tone than she remembered. Sunny couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye, but she felt his gaze on her, a mix of familiarity and something else she couldn't quite place. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her throat tight with emotion she didn't know how to express. A part of her wanted to lash out, to say something, but another part of her-one she hated-was happy to be near him again, even if it hurt.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Aidan's voice, full of mockery. "Cat got your tongue, Summer?" His words sliced through the air, and Sunny instinctively shrank back, her body moving behind Demetri without thinking. She wasn't sure what she was afraid of more: Aidan's taunts or the way her body still reacted to Hawk's presence.

The tension hung thick in the air, but it didn't last long. The counselor, Counselor Blatt, appeared just in time to break the moment. "Everything all right here?" she asked, her eyes scanning the group.

Sunny was about to speak, to apologize for the awkwardness, but Demetri beat her to it. "Oh! We're all buddies here. Isn't that right, fellas?" he said with forced cheerfulness, his arm thrown around Aidan and Hawk. Aidan offered a fake smile, and Hawk's expression seemed to soften just a little. It was like the weight of the tension had momentarily been lifted, but it didn't last. The reality of the situation was too complicated to ignore for long.

Sunny was still frozen in place, unsure of how to react when she felt a hand on her waist, pulling her into someone's side.

"Yeah, we're good," Hawk said, his voice quieter now, the words carrying a different weight than before. The way he pulled her into the hug felt so natural, but it threw her off. She didn't know how to process it-how to deal with the flood of emotions that stirred within her at his touch. Her heart was racing in her chest, her mind clouded with confusion. Was it a sign of something, or just a momentary lapse in judgment?

As Counselor Blatt questioned everyone one last time, Aidan quickly muttered something under his breath and stormed off to class, leaving the group behind. The brief moment of awkwardness seemed to vanish as quickly as it had arrived, but Sunny's mind was still swirling, still reeling from the physical closeness with Hawk, from the way his presence affected her.

"Sunny!" Moon's voice broke through the haze, and Sunny's breath left her as she saw her twin sister coming toward her. Moon's smile was wide, and she wrapped her arms around her, pulling Sunny into a tight embrace. Sunny felt a wave of relief rush over her, the familiarity of her sister's arms making everything feel a little less daunting.

"Sunny!" Jade's voice joined in, and Sunny turned to see her friend grinning, pulling her into another hug. Jade's warmth was like a balm to the raw emotions Sunny had been feeling all morning. But when Jade pulled away, her eyes fell on Yasmine, who stood awkwardly nearby, her posture stiff and unreadable.

Moon groaned at the sight of Yasmine. "Can you guys please get along? For me?" she asked, almost pleading.

Yasmine, ever the reluctant participant, sighed dramatically. "I'm sorry for whatever I did," she said, her tone flat and detached. The apology felt forced, and Sunny could hear the lack of sincerity in her words. It was the same old Yasmine, offering half-hearted apologies with no real remorse.

Sunny couldn't find the words to respond. Instead, she felt a strange mixture of hurt and indifference. The comments about her body, the way Yasmine had always pushed her buttons-Sunny didn't know if she could just let it all go.

Before she could say anything, Jade pulled her into another embrace, her arm wrapping around Sunny in a comforting gesture. "Come on, Sunny. Let's go," Jade said, her voice bright and reassuring. She glanced at Moon, giving her a peck on the lips before leading Sunny away from the awkward encounter with Yasmine.

As they walked down the hallway, Sunny couldn't shake the image of Hawk's face, the way his eyes softened when they had locked. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but a part of her-the part she was trying to suppress-wondered if things could ever go back to the way they were. Or if she even wanted them to.

Sunny sat on the edge of the small chair in Counselor Blatt's office, her fingers nervously tapping against the armrests. Her mind was elsewhere, her stomach in knots as she thought about everything-school, the tension with Hawk, the strange hug earlier, and now this awkward meeting with the counselor. It had been a few minutes since she had entered, and she felt like she was suffocating in the sterile quiet of the office. The walls were lined with motivational posters, but they did little to ease her anxiety.

She had never been one to share her thoughts openly, especially about things that bothered her. And right now, everything felt like it was boiling under the surface, just waiting to burst. But she couldn't let it show. Not here. Not with Counselor Blatt.

The door opened suddenly, pulling Sunny from her thoughts. Counselor Blatt walked in, holding a stack of papers in one hand and a warm smile on her face. She set the papers down on the desk and sat across from Sunny, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

"So, Sunny," she started, her voice smooth and reassuring. "I've got your new schedule all ready for you. But before we go over it, how have you been? Are you feeling more comfortable about returning to school?"

Sunny hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I guess... I guess I'm doing okay," she mumbled, her gaze flicking to the window as she avoided the counselor's eyes. The truth was, Sunny wasn't okay. Her anxiety was through the roof, and the thought of facing everyone after everything that had happened terrified her. But she wasn't ready to admit that.

Counselor Blatt, however, seemed eager to change the subject. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. I know it's not easy coming back, but I have to say, it's nice to see you making the effort." She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "And I must say, Aidan Schultz really is a great kid. He's got such a good head on his shoulders."

Sunny's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Aidan's name. She clenched her fists under the table, doing everything she could to keep the words she wanted to say from spilling out. Aidan, a good kid? Aidan, the bully who had tormented her and the others, made fun of people, and called her cruel names? Sunny wanted to scream, but she held herself back. She wasn't one to cause conflict, not with adults, not with anyone. She had learned to stay quiet, to swallow her anger and frustration, but this was too much.

"Really?" Sunny finally managed to say, her voice tighter than she intended. "He's a great kid?"

Counselor Blatt smiled warmly, oblivious to the discomfort in Sunny's voice. "Oh yes, absolutely. He's had his moments, but he's grown so much, and I really think he's on the right path. I'm proud of him."

Sunny's jaw clenched, but she bit back the words she wanted to say. It was all she could do not to snap, to point out how Aidan had made her life hell just a few months ago. How could anyone think he was a "good kid" after everything he had done? The anger bubbled up inside her, but she wasn't sure how to voice it without sounding petty. She hated that she was stuck in this situation, forced to hold her tongue in the face of such a blatant, misguided compliment.

Before she could respond, Counselor Blatt slid a new sheet of paper across the desk. "Here's your new schedule, Sunny. And if you happen to see my nephew Aidan, be sure to say hi to him for me. He'll be glad to hear it."

Sunny's jaw dropped. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she didn't even know how to process what she had just heard. Aidan was her counselor's nephew? It didn't make sense. The same Aidan who had been tormenting her and others? The one she'd dreaded seeing every day? He was her counselor's family? It was as if everything she had thought she knew about the situation was thrown into chaos.

"Wait-what?" she asked, her voice unsteady. "Aidan is your nephew?"

Counselor Blatt's smile never wavered. "Yes, dear. I'm proud of him. He's had some struggles, like everyone, but he's come a long way. Just make sure to say hi next time you see him."

Sunny felt her stomach drop. She couldn't believe it. She had spent so long feeling like Aidan was this untouchable, privileged kid who got away with everything, and now she realized just how true that was. Of course he was treated like a golden child-his aunt was the school counselor. It made so much sense now. She felt the weight of the injustice pressing on her chest, and it made her sick to her stomach.

"Okay..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't know what else to say. The anger that had been bubbling inside her was starting to mix with disbelief and frustration. She wanted to yell, to demand an explanation, but she didn't. She simply took the schedule and stood up, her heart heavy with confusion.

As she walked out of the office, she could feel the tension building inside her, but she wasn't sure what to do with it. When she stepped into the hallway, Jade was waiting outside the door, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed. Her eyes lit up when she saw Sunny, and she immediately pushed herself off the wall, moving toward her with a smile.

"Hey, how'd it go?" Jade asked, her tone upbeat, but when she saw the look on Sunny's face, her expression shifted to concern. "What's wrong?"

Sunny handed her the schedule without a word, and Jade looked at it, then back at her. "What happened?"

Sunny took a deep breath, trying to collect herself. "Aidan... Aidan's the counselor's nephew. She said to say hi to him if I see him around. Like he's... some kind of... golden child or something." She shook her head, disbelief still written all over her face.

Jade's eyes widened, and she let out a low whistle. "No way," she muttered, her gaze flicking down to the schedule again before she looked back at Sunny. "That explains a lot."

Sunny felt her anger rise again as she clenched her fists, unable to contain her frustration. "I can't believe it. No wonder he gets away with everything. He's family." She bit out the words, her voice full of disdain.

Jade nodded slowly, her expression darkening. "I get it now. All this time, I thought Aidan was just a jerk. But he's clearly been getting special treatment. That's messed up."

Sunny exhaled sharply. "I just don't get it. How can anyone think he's a good kid after everything he's done? How can she not see him for what he really is?" Her voice was full of disbelief.

"I don't know, Sunny," Jade said, shaking her head. "But I get it now. He's got the system working for him. No wonder he acts like he's untouchable."

Sunny stared at the hallway, feeling both frustrated and hopeless. It was like the system was rigged for Aidan, and there was nothing she could do to change it. Her voice was quiet but firm when she spoke again. "I'm not going to let him get away with it. Not this time."

Jade gave her a nod of understanding, her expression softening. "I'll have your back, Sunny. I always do."

Sunny didn't know if anything would change, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a spark of determination. Maybe she couldn't change Aidan's treatment, but she could make sure she wasn't silent anymore. She wasn't going to let his special treatment get to her. Not now, not ever again.

When Sunny walked into one of her last classes of the day, chemistry, her eyes immediately scanned the room. She was searching for Jade, but, to her surprise, Jade wasn't sitting at her usual spot. Normally, they shared most of their classes together, but today, Jade was nowhere in sight. A twinge of unease passed through her, the absence of her friend making the unfamiliar classroom feel even more isolating.

Sunny hesitated by the door, trying to adjust to the overwhelming feeling of being alone. As her gaze swept over the room, she found herself locking eyes with someone she wasn't prepared to see today-Aidan. He was sitting near the front, and the moment their gazes met, he flashed a malicious smile. It wasn't the kind of smile that made you feel welcomed; it was the kind of grin that made your blood run cold, a silent challenge hanging in the air. He waved slowly, almost mockingly, his fingers curling in a playful but taunting motion.

Sunny felt her stomach churn. She couldn't understand why Aidan was always so calm around her. She wanted to look away, to escape the intensity of his gaze, but something in her kept her rooted to the spot. Her heart started to race, her cheeks warming with a mixture of frustration and anger. Aidan's ability to provoke her without even lifting a finger felt like a betrayal of everything she had been through.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her eyes caught a different figure in the back of the room. It was Hawk. No, wait... Eli, Sunny reminded herself, still not used to calling him by his real name after everything that had happened between them. Eli was sitting far enough away that she could take a breath of relief. His presence in the back of the class made her feel... oddly at ease. She couldn't explain why, but she felt a slight shift in her emotions. The tension she had been holding in her chest seemed to loosen a little.

The relief made her pause. Wasn't she supposed to be angry with Eli? After their breakup, she had told herself she would be furious with him forever, especially with everything that had gone down. Yet, there was something about the distance between them-both physical and emotional-that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, this could be manageable. She could survive this class. Maybe she wasn't as angry as she had thought, but the realization confused her. Was she ready to forgive him, or was it just the familiar comfort of his presence that made her feel this way?

Her thoughts swirled for a moment longer before Mrs. Crabtree, the chemistry teacher, broke her concentration. "Miss Reynolds, do you know where you sit?" Mrs. Crabtree asked, her voice sharp and direct, cutting through Sunny's internal struggle.

Sunny blinked, snapping out of her haze. She hadn't even noticed that the class had started settling in. "Uh," she stammered, looking around in confusion. "No," she admitted, her face turning slightly red. Great. I don't even know where to sit, she thought.

Mrs. Crabtree raised an eyebrow, clearly not impressed by Sunny's hesitation. "Then will you find a seat and sit down?" she asked, her tone flat, bordering on impatient.

Sunny chewed her lip nervously, trying to make a quick decision. She wanted to stand, to stay in her own space, but that didn't seem like an option. "I can stand," she muttered, not sure if it was the best choice. Standing in the middle of the room while everyone else was sitting down might make her stick out even more.

"For the whole year?" Mrs. Crabtree shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm. A few students chuckled, and Sunny couldn't help but feel even more self-conscious. She hated standing out.

Before Mrs. Crabtree could respond further, a voice rang out from the back of the room. "Miss Reynolds, there's an empty spot next to me." The voice was soft, but it carried clearly across the room. Sunny's head snapped toward the back, and she was relieved to see who had spoken-it was Eli.

His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Aidan's intense gaze, and for some reason, his offer felt like a reprieve. She glanced over at Mrs. Crabtree, who was already nodding in approval. "Perfect. Your new seat is next to Mr. Moskowitz. Are you okay with that?" Mrs. Crabtree asked, her tone final.

Sunny gave a tight-lipped smile, though she wasn't entirely sure why. "Sure," she said, though she couldn't keep the uncertainty from creeping into her voice. The last thing she needed was to sit next to someone who would make the situation worse, but Eli had a strange way of making things feel a little more bearable.

"Good. Because these will be permanent," Mrs. Crabtree added, her voice a little too chipper for the mood in the room, before moving on to other tasks.

As Sunny made her way to the desk, she tried to steady her breath. Sitting next to Eli didn't feel so bad, but it wasn't exactly comfortable either. She slid into the seat next to him, trying to ignore the lingering tension between them. Resting her chin in her hand, she stared blankly at the front of the room, trying not to acknowledge the sinking feeling in her chest.

It was then that Eli turned to her with that familiar smirk on his face. "We're gonna have so much fun, Sunshine," he murmured lowly, his voice as smooth as ever. The words, spoken in that deep, raspy tone, caused a shiver to run down her spine. Despite everything, she felt a flutter in her stomach that she was unwilling to acknowledge. She fought the smile that threatened to creep onto her face. No, she reminded herself, you don't feel this way. You're just not used to being around him again.

Sunny quickly turned her head to avoid his gaze, focusing on anything else in the room. She couldn't let herself feel that again, not after everything that had happened between them. This was just a class. Nothing more.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it-Aidan was watching them. His gaze was locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. He didn't look away, not even when she turned to look directly at him. Instead, he held her gaze, his eyes narrowing in a way that made her skin prickle.

Suddenly, Aidan lifted a pencil in his hand and snapped it in half with a sharp crack. The sound seemed to pierce the air, a deliberate gesture that made Sunny's heart rate spike. His eyes never left hers, and she could almost feel the weight of the unspoken message in his actions. What is he trying to say? she wondered. Was it a warning? A threat? She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the tightness in her chest, but the unease refused to leave.

Her pulse quickened, and she fought the urge to shrink in her seat. Instead, she clamped her lips together, trying not to react. She refused to let Aidan get under her skin, especially in front of everyone. But as the seconds ticked by, it became harder to push back the growing sense of dread that filled her chest. She could feel his gaze like a weight pressing down on her, and all she could do was hold her ground and hope that this class would end soon.

After school, Sunny made her way to the hospital, a place she had become all too familiar with over the past few weeks. The sterile, almost suffocating smell of antiseptic hit her the moment she stepped through the sliding doors. She could feel the weight of the place pressing down on her, but this had become a routine she could no longer avoid. She was used to the long, silent hours spent in the waiting room, the sound of muffled voices from the nurses' station, and the occasional footstep echoing down the hall.

Today was no different, except for the quiet, restless anticipation that weighed heavily on her chest. She was waiting, not only to hear about Miguel, but also for an update on Martiza. She hadn't seen her best friend in weeks, and the uncertainty about Martiza's condition was becoming unbearable. She had been coming here often, hoping for a glimpse of any progress with Martiza's memory, or to hear a word from Carmen about how Miguel was doing.

The minutes stretched into hours as Sunny absentmindedly scrolled through Instagram, her thumb dragging across her screen without much thought. Most of the posts she saw didn't catch her attention-she wasn't in the mood for social media updates, but it was the only thing to do. Her mind was too heavy with worry to focus on much else. She was about to flip to another post when a voice, deep and familiar, suddenly cut through the silence of the waiting room.

"I think I need to see a doctor."

Sunny froze. The voice sent a chill down her spine. Her head snapped up, her heart jumping in her chest. She hadn't expected to hear that voice here, in this place of sadness and uncertainty. Her eyes locked onto the front desk, where the receptionist was speaking with someone, but it wasn't just anyone. It was Johnny.

"Johnny?" Sunny's voice escaped in a whisper, her hand instinctively reaching up to adjust the tangled strands of her hair. She stared in disbelief as Johnny turned around, the exhaustion on his face visible as his eyes met hers.

His expression softened slightly, but there was still that underlying worry that tugged at the corners of his features. He exhaled sharply, almost as if the air had been knocked out of him. "Sunny," he said her name like it was a lifeline, his voice gravelly. His gaze darted nervously around the room, and for a moment, there was a visible pause before he spoke again, the question heavy in his voice. "Have you seen Miguel? Is he okay?"

Sunny's chest tightened at the mention of Miguel's name. She swallowed hard, feeling the lump in her throat rise as she met Johnny's gaze. "Still in a coma," she answered softly, her voice breaking just slightly, the words tasting bitter as they left her mouth.

Johnny's face fell, his posture slumping ever so slightly as the weight of her words settled between them. He closed his eyes for a brief second, like he was trying to gather himself before speaking again. Sunny could see the strain on his face, the raw emotion just beneath the surface that he was clearly trying to control.

She looked down, suddenly feeling a wave of sympathy for Johnny, of all people. She couldn't even imagine what it must feel like for him, knowing the state Miguel was in-especially given their past, the complicated relationship they had. Even so, Sunny couldn't ignore the fact that Johnny, despite everything, was still Miguel's father, and the bond between them, however broken, was undeniable.

After a moment, Johnny opened his eyes and stepped closer to where Sunny sat. He hesitated before sitting down beside her, his broad frame filling the chair awkwardly as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I should've been here sooner," he muttered, more to himself than to her. His voice was quieter now, tinged with regret.

Sunny didn't know how to respond. What could she say? That it wasn't his fault? That Miguel knew he cared? She wasn't sure that was even true. Miguel had so much anger towards Johnny, so much pain from their history together, and Sunny didn't know how much of that he had been able to work through before the accident.

Instead of speaking, she simply nodded, her eyes not quite meeting Johnny's. She couldn't bring herself to say the things she wanted to, to tell him how hard it was watching Miguel lie motionless in a hospital bed. She had no idea how Johnny must be feeling, but in that moment, Sunny understood a little more of his pain. It wasn't just a son he was worried about; it was the possibility that he would never get the chance to make things right with him.

"I'm trying to keep it together," Johnny said suddenly, his voice low and shaky, "but it's hard. Every day it's hard."

Sunny nodded again, not sure what else to say. She'd been coming here for weeks, and she still wasn't sure how to make sense of it all. The hurt, the confusion-it was too much. And here Johnny was, carrying it all in his own way.

"Have you seen Martiza?" Sunny asked, her voice quieter now, the subject shifting from Miguel to her best friend. She glanced at Johnny, noticing the flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

"Not yet," Johnny said. "I came in to check on a few things. I thought I'd swing by her room later. How's she doing?" His expression softened, but Sunny could see that the topic was still delicate for him.

"I don't know yet," Sunny admitted. "I've been waiting for an update, but-" She paused, unsure of how to finish the sentence. It's not looking good, she wanted to say, but those words felt too final. She didn't want to give up hope.

"Is there anything I can do?" Johnny asked, his voice genuine, his concern apparent despite his rugged exterior.

Sunny shook her head, trying to manage the tangle of emotions in her chest. "I don't think so," she said, her voice distant. "But thanks."

The two of them fell into a heavy silence, one that neither of them seemed to know how to break. In that moment, as they sat side by side in the sterile waiting room, it felt like they were both suspended in time, trapped by their own worries and fears for the people they loved.

ASH SPEAKS!

raise your hand if you hate aidan👋

johnny caring about martiza even though he barely knows her >>

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COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)