chapter thirty-four:
❛ drive in ❜

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The late afternoon sunlight bathed Sunny and Moon's shared bedroom in a golden glow, filtering softly through the sheer curtains embroidered with tiny stars and suns. Their room was a perfect blend of their twin energies-Moon's side was a bohemian dream, draped in macrame wall hangings, fairy lights, and shelves stacked with crystals and old poetry books. Sunny's side, though equally whimsical, leaned brighter, with soft pastel throws, sun-shaped décor, and a collection of pressed flowers in glass frames. The scent of lavender and sage lingered faintly in the air, mixing with the gentle sound of Moon's vinyl playing an old Fleetwood Mac record, crackling as it spun.

Moon sat cross-legged on the plush floral rug, her kimono pooling around her as she carefully wove tiny wildflowers into the braids of Sunny's long, honey-blonde hair. The daisies and lavender stems stood out against the soft waves, giving Sunny the look of a summer goddess. Moon hummed along with the music, pausing only to admire her handiwork and adjust the delicate blooms.

Sunny, however, was anything but relaxed. She sat at the edge of their vintage vanity, anxiously fidgeting with the hem of her pale yellow sundress, her bare feet curled into the soft rug as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were already flushed, though whether from the heat or nerves, she wasn't sure. She kept glancing toward the window, biting her lower lip.

"Moon," she whispered, voice tight with worry, "what if this is a mistake?"

Moon, ever serene, didn't stop braiding, just giving a soft hum in response. "Breathe, babe. You're like... radiating anxious energy right now. It's making the room feel all tingly, and not in a good way." She reached for a small bottle on the dresser, uncapping it and waving it gently in front of Sunny's face. "Here, smell this. Jasmine oil-good for calming the heart chakra."

Sunny took a hesitant inhale. The floral scent was soothing, but it didn't quite melt the knot in her stomach.

"Moon, seriously," she whispered. "You remember what happened last time. He-he broke my heart."

Moon nodded, finally meeting her twin's wide-eyed reflection in the mirror. "Yeah, I remember. And I also remember how he's been, like, totally trying to redeem his whole vibe lately. Eli's changed, Sun. And babe, you still light up whenever you talk about him. Even when you try to hide it, which-" she poked Sunny's shoulder-"you're very bad at, by the way."

Sunny sighed, her fingers twisting together in her lap. "But what if he hasn't? What if it's just... the same thing all over again? I don't know if I can handle that."

Moon gently set down the last flower braid, resting her hands lightly on Sunny's shoulders. She crouched beside her twin so their faces were level in the mirror. "Okay, listen. Remember what I said about energy? Yours right now feels all... tangled, like you're scared to shine. But, Sunny, you are light. You've always been this glowing, radiant, sunflower-soul kind of person. If anyone should be scared tonight, it's him, because you're a whole goddess."

Sunny blinked, then gave a tiny smile. "You always say the weirdest stuff."

"Um, it's called manifestation. Words carry energy, babe. Positive affirmations? Hello? You are a radiant being of love and light." Moon playfully tapped Sunny's forehead with her pointer finger.

"Moon," Sunny whispered, cheeks finally softening into a real smile, "you're so weird."

"And proud," Moon declared with a grin, tossing a rose quartz crystal into Sunny's lap. "Here, keep this in your pocket. Love energy, remember? Just... keep your heart open, okay? I wouldn't let you go if I didn't think Eli was worth your sparkle."

Before Sunny could respond, the unmistakable sound of a car engine rumbled from outside.

Sunny's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, he's here! What do I do? What if I'm not ready?" She jolted up, hands flying to her hair like she might undo Moon's work.

Moon gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "You are so ready. Stop. Breathe. Channel your inner sunflower goddess."

"I feel like a bouquet," Sunny muttered.

"A stunning bouquet," Moon corrected, skipping over to the window with a flourish. She peered through the curtains and gasped. "Oooh, plaid alert! Eli's pulling the classic boyfriend flannel move! Respect."

Sunny let out a breathless laugh. "Okay, maybe I'm ready. Maybe. Do I look okay?"

Moon turned fully around, hands on her hips as she scanned Sunny up and down. "You look divine. If he doesn't tell you that the second you step downstairs, I'm hexing him."

"Moon!"

"Kidding! Kind of." Moon gave her a wink before nudging her gently toward the door. "Go. I'll do a vibe cleanse while you're out. Try not to fall in love too hard."

Sunny rolled her eyes but hugged Moon tightly before heading out the door.

Downstairs...

Eli stood stiffly in the Reynolds foyer, shifting awkwardly as he stuffed his hands deeper into his flannel pockets. His heart was pounding in a way that felt way more intense than any fight he'd been in-Miyagi-Do or Cobra Kai. He had to remind himself that this was Sunny, the girl he'd cared about before he let his anger ruin everything.

The sound of a throat clearing made him straighten abruptly.

Jameson LaRusso emerged from the kitchen, hands tucked behind his back, expression calm but unreadable. His gaze lingered on Eli's flannel, then drifted up to his face with a quiet, assessing look.

"So... Eli."

"Yes, sir."

"You're here to take my daughter out tonight?"

Eli nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. I-uh, the drive-in. I'll have her back before ten. I-"

Jameson cut him off, stepping closer. His voice was calm but steel-edged. "You remember the last time you took her out?"

Eli swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. I do. And I... I know I hurt her. But I've changed. I'm not that guy anymore. I wouldn't be here if I didn't care about her."

Jameson held his gaze a moment longer, eyes narrowing slightly. "You hurt her again, and I won't be nearly as polite next time. Understood?"

"Crystal clear," Eli replied, voice tight.

Before the tension could build further, the soft sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Sunny appeared, radiant in her yellow sundress, her floral braids cascading over her shoulders. She was glowing in the warm light, and for a moment, Eli forgot how to breathe.

"Wow... you look-amazing," he whispered.

Sunny blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. You-uh, you too."

Moon peeked over the banister with a huge grin. "Don't forget your love crystal, Sun! Good vibes only!"

Jameson shook his head as the door closed behind them. Moon just winked.

"Your sister's got it bad," he muttered.

Moon smirked. "Like, cosmic level bad."

The sky stretched out in a deep navy as the stars blinked to life above the old drive-in screen, the warm buzz of the California night mixing with the crackling sound of the tinny speakers hooked onto the side of Eli's car. Bloodsport was playing, the screen flickering with grainy footage of Jean-Claude Van Damme throwing high kicks and dramatic slow-motion punches.

But neither Sunny nor Eli were paying much attention.

They were nestled together on the back of his car, an old flannel blanket thrown over their laps, bags of popcorn half-forgotten between them. Eli had brought his beat-up Dodge, the one he'd been fixing up since middle school, and they'd folded down the back seats so they could sit with their legs stretched out.

The movie was almost drowned out by the unmistakable sounds of making out coming from the car parked just ahead of them.

Sunny squinted. "Is that-oh my god. Miguel and Sam?"

Eli leaned forward, eyebrows raised as he got a better look. Sure enough, Miguel and Sam were fully tangled together in the front seat of Daniel's station wagon, completely oblivious to both the martial arts action on-screen and the fact that they were making an absolute spectacle of themselves.

Eli snorted. "Dude, I think they've forgotten the movie even exists."

Sunny giggled, covering her mouth as she watched Sam practically melt into Miguel's shoulder. "Forget the movie-I think they've forgotten that breathing exists. Geez, I feel like we're third-wheeling their date."

Eli shook his head, smirking. "Nah, we're just... passive observers of the grossest rom-com ever."

Sunny nudged him playfully. "I didn't know Bloodsport was a rom-com."

"Clearly, you missed the romantic subplot," he deadpanned, pointing at the screen where Van Damme was mid-fight, face bloodied. "Look at the passion. The emotional depth."

Sunny rolled her eyes. "Yeah, super romantic. Nothing gets me like two guys kicking each other in the face."

They both burst out laughing, their giggles mingling with the distant car horns and the soundtrack from the movie. It felt easy-familiar-like the weight of everything that had happened between them, all the tension and hurt, had faded for just this moment. Like they were back to the way they used to be.

Sunny leaned her head back against the seat, still smiling as she watched the screen, though her voice turned softer. "You know... this kinda reminds me of those late-night camp movies we used to watch at robotics camp. Remember when they let us have that movie night, but it was just some weird nature documentary because Demetri wouldn't stop quoting Star Wars so they banned sci-fi?"

Eli's face lit up in recognition. "Oh my god, yeah! And Maritza flipped out because she hated the narrator's voice and kept doing that terrible British accent to mock him." He attempted his best Maritza impression, voice exaggerated and snooty: "Behold, the majestic sea cucumber, a creature of great poise and dignity-"

Sunny giggled. "Stop! You're gonna make me spill the popcorn!"

Eli grinned, leaning back with a shake of his head. "Man, I forgot how funny she was."

Sunny's smile dimmed just slightly as she traced the pattern on the blanket. "Yeah... I miss her a lot. Robotics camp just wasn't the same last summer without her yelling at Demetri every five seconds."

Eli nodded, expression softer now. "They really did fight like an old married couple, huh? I swear, they argued more than they actually built anything."

"Right? Demetri couldn't even open a bag of screws without her hovering over his shoulder, lecturing him about proper technique."

They both laughed, but it faded into a quieter, more thoughtful silence. The screen flickered in front of them, casting soft light across Sunny's face as she watched the movie.

Eli tilted his head, voice gentler. "How's she doing now? I mean, since the accident."

Sunny nodded slowly. "Better, I think. My mom says she's improving, anyway. She's starting to remember more, and it seems like most of her memories are back. She still gets a little confused sometimes, but... it's a lot better than it was. They think she should be able to come back by summer."

Eli exhaled, a mix of relief and guilt flashing across his face. "That's... really good to hear. I've been wondering about her, you know. Just, everything with Cobra Kai... I lost touch with so many people I shouldn't have."

Sunny reached for his hand without thinking, her fingers gently tangling with his beneath the blanket. "You're trying, Eli. That's what matters."

He looked down at their hands for a beat, then back at her, his face softening with something vulnerable, unspoken. "Yeah. I am."

For a moment, they just were-sitting there beneath the stars, the sound of cheesy martial arts fight scenes and Sam and Miguel's obnoxious kissing echoing in the background. And for the first time in a long time, it felt easy. It felt right.

"Hey," Eli murmured, leaning closer. "Wanna make a bet?"

Sunny raised a brow. "Depends. What kind of bet?"

He smirked, nodding toward Miguel and Sam's car. "I bet you a slushie they break apart only when the credits roll."

Sunny grinned. "Pfft, deal. But you're totally losing."

And as the movie played on, for the first time in what felt like forever, Sunny felt her heart relax. Maybe, just maybe, they were finding their way back to something good again.

Sunny sat in Eli's car, the light from the big screen of the drive-in flickering over her face. She had settled in with a bag of popcorn, thinking they'd enjoy the rest of the evening-just the two of them, watching a cheesy martial arts movie and maybe even laughing at the ridiculous fight scenes. But after Eli had gone off to grab food from the concession stand, she'd lost track of time.

She glanced at her phone and saw it was almost half an hour since he'd left. Her fingers drummed impatiently against the wheel. Where is he?

She stared out the windshield, still trying to follow the movie, but it wasn't the same without Eli next to her. She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and then looked up again, only to freeze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Across the parking lot, a scene was unfolding-a scene she wasn't sure she was ready to witness. The loud chatter and laughter she could hear started to bleed into shouting.

It wasn't just a random confrontation, though. She could clearly make out familiar faces. The two groups-Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do-were circling each other, standing off with arms crossed, voices raised, and eyes blazing with tension. Of course they're at it again.

Her blood began to boil. This was supposed to be a simple date. A quiet night away from all the drama. But now? She could practically feel the negative energy from here, the air crackling with old resentments and fresh tension.

I can't believe this shit.

Sunny clenched her jaw, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of the seat. She wasn't going to sit around, trapped in Eli's car while the entire parking lot devolved into yet another ridiculous feud. This wasn't their fight, but it always seemed to get dragged into it.

With a huff of frustration, she yanked the door open, stepping out of the car with determination. The cold night air hit her, but it did nothing to cool the heat rising in her chest. She started walking toward the parking lot exit, wanting nothing more than to distance herself from the chaos.

As she walked, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, seeing it was a message from Eli.

Be right back, babe! Just got your slushie. Can't wait to see your pretty face again!

She read the message, feeling a pang of guilt in her chest. But that didn't change the fact that he'd been gone for way too long, and all this madness was erupting while he wasn't around.

She sent a quick reply, "We're done. I'll figure it out." Then, deciding she needed to take control of the situation, she quickly called Moon.

The phone rang a couple of times before Moon picked up, her usual cheery voice greeting her with, "Hey, sunshine! What's up?"

"Moon, I need you to pick me up. Now."

Moon's voice dropped slightly, sensing the urgency. "What's wrong? You okay?"

"I'm fine... but I'm so pissed off right now. Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do are at it again, and I'm not dealing with this right now. This was supposed to be a date. I'm done with it."

Moon's tone shifted to something more serious, but still upbeat. "Alright, I'm on my way, don't worry. I'll be there soon. Just hang tight, Sunny."

Sunny sighed, shoving her phone into her pocket and glancing back toward the drive-in. She could still hear the shouting, though it was muffled. Some of the Cobra Kai members were posturing, hands gesturing aggressively, while the Miyagi-Do crew stood firm, their voices high with anger.

She started walking faster, needing to escape it all. The night was supposed to be fun, lighthearted-something to help her get her mind off the nonsense in her life. But instead, she was caught in the middle of the endless conflict between two opposing dojos, neither of which had ever been any good at keeping the peace.

A few moments later, she heard the familiar sound of Moon's car pulling up beside her. The bright headlights momentarily blinded her, but she didn't care. She tugged open the passenger door and slid in, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Moon gave her a concerned look as she backed out of the parking lot. "Alright, spill it. What happened?"

Sunny slumped back against the seat, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I just... I'm tired of it, Moon. This is supposed to be my night, and now they're all acting like it's some kind of showdown. Like everything's gotta be a fight."

Moon nodded, her eyes on the road. "Yeah, I get it. Sometimes it feels like there's no room to just be without people dragging you into their drama."

"That's what I mean!" Sunny huffed, glaring at the parking lot they were pulling away from. "I don't care who's right or wrong. I don't care if they think they're the good guys. Why does everything always have to end up like this? Like we can't just be regular people for once?"

Moon reached over and patted her shoulder, her expression softening. "You're right. And you deserve a night where you don't have to worry about the drama. Trust me, I know how that feels. If I had it my way, I'd lock us in a cabin with no Wi-Fi and just vibe all night."

Sunny chuckled a little at the thought, though her frustration didn't fully fade. "I guess that's what we need more of... just peace and quiet. Somewhere we can just be."

As they drove away from the chaos of the drive-in, Sunny looked out the window, feeling the weight of everything melt away, if only a little. She was still angry, but for now, at least, she was getting away from it all.

And maybe, just maybe, she'd have a chance to unwind soon-without any more rumbling.

Sunny was nestled in the corner of the couch, her legs tucked beneath her in her soft galaxy-print pajamas, the dark, vibrant hues swirling with stars that reminded her of space. The dim light from the TV flickered across her face as she spooned another bite of her half-melted vanilla ice cream, her eyes scanning the screen. It was just her and Moon, indulging in some comfort food after what had been a chaotic evening. The air between them had settled, but there was an undercurrent of tension, especially in Sunny's mind. She couldn't shake the events from earlier-the confusing mess at the drive-in, the explosive arguments, the pain that was still raw inside her heart.

Moon, sitting beside her with her legs tucked under a soft tie-dye blanket, had already made her way halfway through her pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream. She was the picture of carefree, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders in loose waves. She leaned back, staring at the movie, yet her bright blue eyes were still filled with the familiar warmth and energy that Sunny knew so well.

"I swear, if I ever had a stress-free day," Moon sighed, glancing at Sunny before looking back at the screen. "It'd probably be illegal in some states, right?"

Sunny's lips curved into a smile, albeit a faint one. "Yeah, well, stress-free doesn't come easy, especially when you're surrounded by... well, all this." She gestured vaguely to the living room-the chaos, the thoughts still swirling around in her head. "I mean, can you imagine a day without any drama, no fighting, no... drama? What would even happen then?"

Moon's lips quirked up at the corners, her tone more philosophical. "What would happen is we'd just... let the world be, let things flow. No pushing or pulling, just being. Kind of like when we were at robotics camp, remember? Just the four of us... No dojos, no conflicts, no bad boys with complicated histories. Just... us. That was a good time."

Sunny's smile softened, but a small ache tugged at her heart. "I miss those days. It was simple. Everyone was just there for the fun, the building... and the usual bickering from Demetri and Martiza." She laughed softly, recalling the way the two would argue over the smallest things, yet it never seemed to ruin their good times. "Even with all the bickering, it wasn't like this. I miss her, you know? Martiza."

Moon's eyes softened with empathy, the lightness of her expression shifting to something more tender. She leaned back into the couch, her hands folded over her lap. "I know. Your mom told me she's doing better now, though. Most of her memories are back, right?"

Sunny nodded slowly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on her ice cream bowl. "Yeah, she's supposed to be back by summer. I hope so. I hope she's... herself again. I miss the real Martiza. The girl who had all her memories intact and could talk my ear off about the weirdest things." Her voice was wistful, her gaze falling to the floor.

Moon placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "She'll be back, Sunny. You'll see. And when she is, you guys can go back to bickering, and it'll feel like nothing's changed."

Sunny chuckled softly, though the bitterness in her tone lingered just beneath the surface. "Yeah. I just hope it doesn't take too long. I don't think I can keep pretending things are normal."

The two of them lapsed into a comfortable silence for a while, their focus drifting back to the movie. Yet, the peaceful moment was broken when the doorbell rang sharply, cutting through the air. Sunny's eyebrows furrowed, the irritation from the earlier tension bubbling back up. She glanced at Moon, who stared at the door with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

"Who could that be?" Moon asked, her voice neutral but tinged with suspicion.

"I dunno," Sunny muttered under her breath, already feeling the bad vibes returning. "But if it's someone with bad news, I swear..." Her voice trailed off, her frustration with the night creeping back in.

Moon rose to her feet, her movements slow but deliberate, as if she could already tell who was standing on the other side of that door. She walked toward the front door, her bare feet padding against the wooden floor. She opened it, and sure enough, standing on the doorstep, looking awkward and unsure of himself, was Eli.

Moon's eyes narrowed, her arms folding over her chest. "Go away, Eli," she said firmly, her voice steady but thick with concern for her sister. "You hurt my sister's heart again. And I don't think she needs to hear your excuses."

Eli's face faltered at her words, his usual cocky confidence replaced with a look of genuine remorse. He opened his mouth to speak, but Moon didn't give him a chance. She raised a hand, cutting him off. "I'm serious. Just go. She's already had enough tonight."

Before Eli could respond, Sunny appeared from the living room, having overheard the conversation. She stood at the threshold of the hallway, the tension between them almost palpable as she crossed her arms and made her way toward him, eyes locked onto his with a mix of anger, confusion, and hurt. She had hoped she could keep her composure, but the weight of everything that had happened earlier was taking its toll.

"Sunny," Eli began, looking over at her with a mixture of guilt and desperation in his expression. "I just want to talk. Please. Can we talk?"

Sunny's eyes flickered between him and Moon, who still stood protectively at the door, clearly not wanting to let Eli through. She could feel her chest tighten as the weight of everything came rushing back-the arguments, the sprinklers, the way her heart had been torn apart by him before. Yet, there was a part of her, a small part, that wanted to hear him out, to understand what had really happened. She stepped forward and gave Moon a brief, reassuring look. Moon didn't step aside, but she didn't push him away either.

"I'm listening," Sunny said, her voice quieter now, though it still carried a sharp edge.

Eli hesitated, and then took a step closer, his voice low and sincere. "I ran into Kenny, one of the new guys in Cobra Kai. And I swear, I didn't mean for it to escalate. I was just trying to talk to him, but he got annoyed. The others thought I was taunting him, and it turned into a huge argument. I wasn't trying to start anything, I swear."

Sunny's arms remained crossed as she listened, the frustration still simmering inside her. "And then what? The sprinklers? The baseball field?" she asked, her voice rising in disbelief.

Eli's face softened as he continued. "Miguel thought meeting at the baseball field would help resolve things. But when I got there, things were already tense. They thought I was just trying to make things worse. And then the Miyagi-Do guys turned the sprinklers on us. It was just childish... but I wasn't trying to make it worse. I didn't mean for you to get dragged into all of this."

Sunny stared at him, her eyes searching for any sign of the sincerity she needed. She had always known Eli as the guy who couldn't resist a challenge, but this felt different. This wasn't about fighting. This wasn't about him trying to be some hero. It was about him making a choice, even if it had been one he didn't fully control.

"I get it," Sunny said finally, her voice soft but firm. "But I don't want to keep dealing with this mess. Not every time we try to have a normal day. Not every time I try to be with you."

Eli's expression softened, his voice almost pleading. "Sunny, please. I don't want this to be the reason we don't work out. I want to prove to you that I can be different. I just don't want to lose you."

Sunny's eyes softened at his words, but the weight of everything they'd been through pressed heavily on her. She took a deep breath, exhaling as she ran a hand through her hair.

"You hurt me, Eli," she whispered, almost to herself. "And I don't know if I can keep doing this. But I do want you back." Her gaze lifted to meet his. "But I can't deal with the drama. Not anymore."

Eli took a step forward, closer to her now, his eyes pleading. "I know. I'll fix it. I'll fix everything. You won't have to deal with any of it anymore. I promise. I just... I don't want to lose you. Not again."

Sunny's expression softened as she looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. She could feel the walls she had put up crumbling, piece by piece. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she nodded. "Okay. I forgive you."

Eli's face lit up, his relief palpable as he stepped closer to her, his hand reaching out to gently touch her cheek. "I swear, I won't let this happen again."

Without another word, Eli leaned in and kissed her softly. The kiss was sweet, tender, and full of promises. When they pulled apart, he whispered, "So... will you be my girlfriend again?"

Sunny laughed softly, the tension between them finally dissipating. "Yeah. I think I can handle that."

Eli grinned. "I'll prove it to you, Sunny. Every day."

ASH SPEAKS!!!

THEYRE BACK TOGETHERb!!!! MISSED MY BABIES

not ready for next chapter...hawks mohawk is nohawk

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE JUST STOP BEING A GHOST READER!! ITS ANNOYING!! PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE. ITS NOT THAT HARD!!! PLEASE! please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters

im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!