chapter seventeen:
❛ deep talks with dyl ❜

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Arizona stood in the Cobra Kai dojo, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the mat as she focused on the task at hand. Like the others, she was gathered around, listening intently to Kreese's every word. "Never underestimate your enemy," Kreese began, his voice commanding and cold as he paced around the students. "Even if you think they're weaker than you, you always have to stay one step ahead of them. That's the only way to guarantee a victory. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sensei!" the chorus of students responded in unison, their voices firm and eager.

"Good. Now let's see if you truly understand the lesson." Kreese paused, his gaze sharp as he walked over to a log placed in the center of the mat, a delicate bonsai tree balanced on top. "I want you to kick the tree off the top. Red, you start."

Red stepped forward, his stance determined. He took a deep breath, then executed a swift kick aimed at the log. Instead of sending the tree flying, his gi ripped audibly, and he stumbled backward, landing heavily on the mat. Arizona couldn't suppress a chuckle, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.

"Pathetic," Kreese muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. He turned his attention to the next student. "Rickenberger, show him how it's done."

Rickenberger stepped forward, his expression serious. He attempted a triple spin kick, but missed the tree entirely, crashing to the ground with a pained groan.

"Stop your sniveling," Kreese snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Arizona felt a surge of confidence as she stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the target. She positioned herself, took a deep breath, and with a powerful kick, she struck the log with precision. The log tumbled to the floor, and the bonsai tree shattered upon impact.

Kreese chuckled, a rare smile crossing his face as he looked at Arizona. "Not bad. Not bad at all." Arizona stepped back into her spot, exchanging a victorious fist bump with Hawk.

"But she cheated!" Rickenberger protested, disbelief coloring his voice.

"No, she didn't," Kreese countered, his tone final. "Unlike you, she did exactly what I asked her to do." He began pacing around the students again, his presence commanding their full attention. "If your mind is agile, so are you. That's the best way to beat your enemy. Not just with brute strength. But you have to fight smart." He stopped in front of Hawk and Arizona, his eyes narrowing as he continued. "You do that, and you'll always come out on top."

His words lingered in the air as he crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Class dismissed. Alvarez, meet me in my office," Kreese ordered before turning and walking away.

Arizona felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach as she followed Kreese to his office. She'd been in there before, but this time felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

As she stepped into the small, dimly lit room, Kreese closed the door behind her. He walked over to his desk, leaning against it as he crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze fixed on Arizona.

"I've been hearing some interesting things, Alvarez," Kreese began, his tone deceptively calm. "Word is, you've been pretending to be friends with the enemy—Sam LaRusso and the Miyagi-Do students."

Arizona's heart raced, panic flashing in her eyes. "No, Sensei! I'm loyal to Cobra Kai. I would never betray the dojo!" she protested, her voice desperate.

Kreese raised a hand, silencing her. "No, no, I know," he said, his voice softening, though there was a sinister edge to it. "I believe you, Arizona. I think you're just misunderstood. I see the potential in what you're doing. In fact, I think it's brilliant."

Arizona blinked, confusion mixing with her fear. "Brilliant?" she echoed.

Kreese nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. "Yes. By pretending to befriend them, you're in the perfect position to gather information. You can get close to them, learn their weaknesses, their strategies, and bring that information back to me. Think of it as a covert operation. You're not just a fighter, Arizona. You're a soldier, and soldiers sometimes have to go undercover to complete the mission."

Arizona felt a strange mix of relief and pride swelling in her chest. "You really think I can do that?" she asked, her voice more confident now.

Kreese smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I know you can. You've already proven that you can think on your feet. Now, you just need to apply that same strategy to this situation. You can bring them down from the inside. Imagine the glory you'll bring to Cobra Kai."

His words wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, masking the manipulation laced within them. Arizona, eager to prove her loyalty, nodded eagerly. "I'll do it, Sensei. I'll make sure they don't see it coming."

Kreese's smile widened, satisfied. "Good. I knew I could count on you, Alvarez. Remember, you're not just fighting for yourself—you're fighting for Cobra Kai. And we never lose."

With that, he dismissed her, and Arizona left the office with a newfound sense of purpose, unaware of just how deep she was sinking into Kreese's web.

Arizona walked into the school, her heart pounding in her chest. It felt surreal to be back, like stepping into a place both familiar and strange at the same time. The last time she had been here, chaos had reigned—the fight in the hallway, fists flying, bodies colliding, the anger that had fueled her every move. And now, as she walked through the entrance, she could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on her.

Students whispered among themselves, their gazes flicking toward her as she passed. Some looked at her with fear, others with disdain. Arizona kept her head high, ignoring the stares as best she could, though her hands tightened into fists at her sides. She had expected this, but it didn't make it any easier.

After all, she had been expelled for a reason. The school fight had been brutal, and she had been right at the center of it. It wasn't just about the physical damage she'd caused; it was the fact that she'd started the fight with one goal in mind: to hurt Sam LaRusso. But things had changed since then. Arizona had swallowed her pride and gone to Sam, the very person she had been so eager to destroy.

She had found Sam after school one day, cornering her in the parking lot. "I need a favor," Arizona had said, her voice tight with the effort to keep it steady.

Sam had looked at her warily. "What kind of favor?"

"I need you to sign off on me coming back to school. You know the fight got me expelled, but if you—if you say you're okay with it, that you don't see me as a threat anymore, I think the school board will let me back in." Arizona had hated how vulnerable she felt asking for this, but she had no other choice.

Sam had hesitated, clearly torn. Arizona could see the gears turning in her head, the memories of their violent confrontation likely flashing before her eyes. But then Sam had sighed, her expression softening just a fraction. "Fine," she had agreed. "I'll sign off on it. But this doesn't mean we're friends."

Arizona had nodded, swallowing back any retort. "I get it. Thanks."

Now, Arizona was here, the consequences of her past actions trailing behind her like a dark cloud. She walked briskly through the halls, keeping her eyes forward as she made her way to the office.

When she entered, the secretary glanced up from her desk, her expression a mix of surprise and wariness. "Can I help you?" the woman asked, her tone more guarded than friendly.

"I'm here to get my schedule," Arizona said, trying to keep her voice steady and composed.

The secretary hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Before I can give you your schedule, the principal needs to speak with you," she said, her eyes flicking toward the closed door at the end of the room.

Arizona felt her stomach drop, but she forced herself to nod. She had known this might happen, that her return wouldn't be without its hurdles. "Alright," she replied, her voice calm despite the anxiety gnawing at her insides.

The secretary picked up the phone and murmured something Arizona couldn't make out. A moment later, the door to the principal's office creaked open, and Principal Harris stepped out, his expression unreadable.

"Arizona, come in," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

Arizona followed him into the office, the door closing behind her with a soft click. She stood in front of his desk, her back straight, her expression determined.

Principal Harris sat down, motioning for her to do the same. Arizona hesitated for a moment before lowering herself into the chair across from him.

"I want to be clear with you, Arizona," Principal Harris began, folding his hands on the desk in front of him. "Your return to school is contingent on a few conditions. I've spoken with your parents, and they're aware of this as well. You've been given a second chance, but it's up to you to make the most of it."

Yeah, parents—more like actually talking to Tory and not knowing.

Arizona nodded, her gaze steady. "I understand."

"The school board agreed to your return because of Sam LaRusso's endorsement," Principal Harris continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But that doesn't mean everyone is comfortable with it. You're going to have to work hard to prove that you've changed, that you're not a threat to the other students."

Arizona clenched her jaw but nodded again. "I will," she promised, her voice firm.

Principal Harris studied her for a long moment before he finally leaned back in his chair, exhaling a slow breath. "Alright. I'm going to hold you to that. We'll be monitoring your behavior closely, Arizona. I hope you understand what's at stake."

"I do," Arizona said, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination.

"Good." Principal Harris reached for a folder on his desk and slid it across to her. "Here's your schedule. Make sure you report to all your classes on time, and if there's any trouble, come straight to me. Do not take matters into your own hands."

Arizona took the folder, her fingers brushing against the cool surface. "Thank you, Principal Harris," she said quietly.

He nodded, his expression softening just a bit. "Good luck, Arizona."

She stood up, clutching the folder tightly as she left the office. As she stepped back into the hallway, the whispers and stares resumed, but this time, Arizona didn't care. She had her schedule in hand, and she was back. That was all that mattered.

She had a long way to go, but she was ready to face whatever came next.

Arizona sat in the back corner of the library, her lunch tray pushed to the side as she picked at her food. The library was quieter than the cafeteria, which was exactly what she needed right now. After a morning of tense stares and whispered conversations, she just wanted a moment of peace. The noise and tension of being back at school were wearing her down, and the solitude of the library provided a small reprieve.

As she took a sip of her drink, she heard someone shuffle into the seat across from her. She looked up, slightly startled, to see Dylan, Demetri's cousin. He was fidgeting nervously, his eyes darting around before finally settling on her. The last time she had seen him was at the car wash, and he had been just as awkward then.

"Uh, hey, Arizona," Dylan started, his voice wavering slightly. "How's the—uh—how's the weather today?"

Arizona blinked, surprised by the random question. Dylan's face flushed red as he realized what he had just asked. He quickly brought his hand up to his face, covering his eyes as if to hide his embarrassment. "I mean—ugh, that was stupid. Sorry," he muttered, lowering his hand and sitting back in his chair, clearly mortified.

Arizona couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and genuine. "You don't have to be so nervous about talking to me, you know," she said, her tone gentle. "We're friends now, right?"

Dylan looked at her, his eyes wide with a mix of hope and disbelief. "Friends? Yeah, totally. Friends! Pfft, of course!" He stammered, his words tumbling over each other. "I'm just...uh...you know, talking to you, it's like, I don't know...like talking to, um, a neutron star or something! Which is, uh, scientifically, one of the most interesting things in the universe because of its density and, uh, gravity and...ugh, I'm rambling."

Arizona raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his rambling. "A neutron star, huh?" she teased, leaning forward slightly. "That's a new one."

Dylan's blush deepened, but he managed a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I guess I'm just really into science. Sorry if I'm being weird."

"You're not being weird," Arizona assured him, her voice kind. "Honestly, I find it kind of refreshing. Most people don't talk to me about science. Or, you know, anything other than karate."

Dylan looked relieved, though he still fidgeted with the edge of his notebook. "Really? Because I've seen you, you know, in Cobra Kai, and you're always so...confident. It's hard to imagine you, uh, being anxious or anything like that."

Arizona shrugged, her smile fading slightly. "I'm good at hiding it, I guess. But yeah, I do get anxious. I used to have really bad anxiety, actually. It's gotten better, but I still have my moments, especially now that I'm back at school. All the stares and whispers...they get to me sometimes."

Dylan's expression softened with understanding. "I didn't know that. You always seem so...together."

"That's because I've had to be," Arizona admitted, her eyes meeting his. "But being back here, after everything that happened...it's not easy. So, if you're feeling anxious, I get it. I really do."

Dylan seemed to relax a little, his shoulders dropping as he took in her words. "I guess that makes two of us, then," he said with a small smile. "It's just...I'm new here, you know? And being Demetri's cousin, everyone kind of expects me to fit in with his crowd, but I'm not really like that. I'm more of a nerd than anything else."

Arizona smiled back, her expression warm. "Nothing wrong with being a nerd. Honestly, I think it's pretty cool."

Dylan's eyes lit up, the nervousness fading a bit. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Arizona confirmed. "And for what it's worth, being new isn't easy. But it'll get better. And hey, you've got a friend in me now, so you're not alone."

Dylan grinned, the tension finally easing from his posture. "Thanks, Arizona. That...that means a lot."

She nodded, feeling a bit lighter herself. "No problem, Dylan. We'll get through this school thing together, one awkward conversation at a time."

The afternoon sun hung high over the soccer field, casting long shadows across the grass. Arizona and Dylan sat on the benches, watching as the rest of their PE class warmed up for the soccer match. The two had been excused from playing due to 'personal reasons,' which essentially meant that neither of them was interested in getting caught up in the chaos that seemed to follow their classmates around.

From where they sat, they could see Demetri, Sam, and a few other Miyagi-Do members exchanging what appeared to be heated glares with the Cobra Kai students on the opposite end of the field. Arizona's jaw clenched slightly as she watched the tension rise between the two groups. It was clear that this wasn't going to be an ordinary soccer game.

Sure enough, as the game kicked off, the ball became more of a weapon than a sports tool. Kicks were too forceful, and elbows were thrown under the guise of 'defense.' Every time the ball moved, someone seemed to get hit, and the tension only escalated.

"This is so stupid," Arizona muttered, more to herself than to Dylan.

Dylan, sitting beside her with his hands fidgeting in his lap, nodded nervously. "Yeah... really, uh, intense, huh?"

Arizona rolled her eyes as she watched Demetri dodge a particularly vicious kick aimed at his shins. "I'm over this," she said decisively. Then, she turned to Dylan, her expression shifting to one of mischievous determination. "Wanna ditch?"

Dylan blinked, his eyes wide with surprise. "What? Ditch? You mean...like, leave? Now?"

"Yeah," Arizona said, a small smirk forming on her lips. "Come on, let's get out of here. This is a waste of time, and I don't feel like watching another brawl."

Dylan hesitated, his anxiety flaring up as he considered the consequences. "But what if we get caught? What if the teacher notices we're gone? Or what if—"

Arizona placed a hand on his shoulder, cutting off his spiraling thoughts. "Dylan, it's going to be fine. We'll be gone before anyone even realizes we're missing. Trust me."

He bit his lip, still unsure but not wanting to disappoint her. "Okay... I guess."

"Great," Arizona said, standing up from the bench and grabbing her bag. "Let's go."

Reluctantly, Dylan followed her, glancing back at the soccer field one last time before jogging to catch up with Arizona as they slipped away from the chaos unnoticed.

A short while later, they were sitting on the curb outside a Dunkin' Donuts, the smell of freshly baked goods and coffee wafting through the air. Arizona bit into a chocolate donut with a satisfied smile, while Dylan nibbled on his glazed donut, still looking a bit anxious.

"See? Much better than PE," Arizona said with a grin, licking some icing off her fingers.

Dylan nodded, though he was still fidgeting. "Yeah, this is nice, but I'm still, um...kind of worried, you know? Like, what if the principal finds out we ditched? Or what if my mom gets a call? Or—"

Arizona interrupted him with a light laugh. "Dylan, it's okay. No one's going to find out. And even if they do, it's not the end of the world. It's just one class. Trust me, people ditch all the time."

"Yeah, but..." Dylan started, but then he hesitated, glancing at her. "You're, like, really confident about this. I'm just, you know, not used to doing stuff like this. I usually follow the rules."

Arizona raised an eyebrow playfully. "A rebel like me, hanging out with a rule follower? Sounds like we balance each other out."

Dylan chuckled nervously, though her words did seem to put him at ease a bit. "I guess... but what if we get caught? I mean, I don't think I can, uh, handle detention or anything."

Arizona smiled at his worry. "We're not going to get caught, and even if we do, I'll handle it. Don't worry so much, Dylan. You're allowed to break the rules every now and then. Life's too short to be scared all the time."

He took a deep breath, trying to relax. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just overthinking things. It's just... I don't want to mess up, you know?"

"Dylan," Arizona said, leaning in a bit closer, "you're not messing up. You're just living a little. And that's not a bad thing."

Dylan looked at her, still a little unsure, but her confidence was contagious. He took a bigger bite of his donut and nodded. "Okay. You're right. I'll try to relax."

Arizona smirked. "Good. Now, stop worrying and enjoy your donut."

As they continued to eat, Dylan began to ramble again, talking about random topics like the physics of soccer balls and how donuts are made. Arizona listened with a patient smile, occasionally nodding along or teasing him gently when he went off on a particularly nerdy tangent.

Finally, as he started explaining the chemical composition of icing, Arizona couldn't help but interrupt with a laugh. "Dylan, you're such a nerd."

Dylan blushed, his eyes widening slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"No, it's fine," Arizona said, shaking her head with a smile. "It's kind of cute, actually."

Dylan blinked in surprise, his cheeks flushing even more. "Oh... um... thanks?"

Arizona just laughed again, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "Come on, let's get another round of donuts. My treat."

As Arizona and Dylan walked back inside Dunkin' Donuts, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sugary pastries welcomed them again. They ordered another round of donuts, and after they got their order, they headed back outside to the curb where they had been sitting.

Arizona took a deep breath, looking at Dylan with a more serious expression. "You know," she started, playing with the wrapper of her donut, "I wasn't always like this. The whole 'rebel without a cause' thing... It's kind of new for me."

Dylan looked at her curiously, biting into his donut. "Really? You seem pretty confident about it."

Arizona let out a small, almost nervous laugh. "That's the thing... I'm kind of faking it most of the time. I used to be just like you, actually. Super anxious about everything—like, even little stuff would freak me out. And if I'm being honest... I'm still kind of anxious now. I'm just good at covering it up."

Dylan's eyes widened slightly. "You? Anxious? But you always seem so... I don't know, fearless."

"Trust me, I'm not," Arizona said with a sigh. "Joining Cobra Kai was like flipping a switch. I didn't want to be the anxious, scared girl anymore. So I started pretending I wasn't. And I guess after a while, I got good at it. But that doesn't mean it's not there."

Dylan nodded, processing what she was saying. "I get that. It's like... you're trying to be someone else to protect yourself."

"Exactly," Arizona said, giving him a small smile. "And for a while, it worked. But I had to give up a lot of things I liked, you know? Things that made me feel better... even if they were kind of nerdy."

Dylan tilted his head, intrigued. "Like what?"

Arizona hesitated for a moment before confessing, "I used to be really into essential oils. I know, it sounds super weird, but they helped me relax and focus. Lavender for stress, peppermint for headaches... stuff like that. But I stopped using them when I joined Cobra Kai. Didn't want to seem weak or like some kind of weirdo."

Dylan furrowed his brow. "That's not weird at all. Actually, it sounds really cool. And definitely not weak."

She shrugged, a bit of vulnerability peeking through her usual tough demeanor. "Yeah, well... I didn't want anyone to think I wasn't serious, you know? Cobra Kai isn't exactly the place for calming scents and relaxation techniques."

Dylan looked at her with admiration. "But that doesn't make you weak. It just makes you... you. And there's nothing wrong with that."

Arizona gave him a soft smile, appreciating his words more than he might realize. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Dylan leaned in a little closer, as if something inside him was pushing him to make a move.

Suddenly, Arizona noticed, and before he could get any closer, she gently put her hand on his chest and pushed him back slightly. "Whoa, what are you doing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow but keeping her tone light.

Dylan's eyes widened, and he quickly pulled back, his face turning bright red. "Oh! Uh, nothing! I wasn't... I mean, I didn't... I wasn't trying to—"

Arizona laughed, shaking her head. "Dylan, it's okay. You don't have to pretend. I know you like me. But... you should know I have a boyfriend, if I haven't mentioned it yet."

Dylan stammered, "Oh, I-I didn't know... I mean, I wasn't trying to— I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it weird!"

"Relax," Arizona said with a smile, trying to ease his embarrassment. "You're cool, Dylan. And I still want to be friends, okay? You don't have to feel bad."

Dylan looked at her with wide eyes, still flustered but nodding quickly. "Yeah! Of course! Friends! I'm totally fine with that! I didn't... I mean, I wasn't trying to— I mean, it's cool! We're cool!"

Arizona chuckled at his nervous rambling. "We're cool. Seriously, don't worry about it."

Dylan let out a shaky breath, finally relaxing a bit as he realized she wasn't upset. "Okay... cool. Thanks, Arizona."

She gave him a reassuring smile, taking a bite of her donut. "Anytime, Dylan. And don't stress so much, okay? We're just two nerds ditching school and eating donuts. Nothing complicated."

Dylan grinned, finally letting himself relax. "Right. Just two friends... eating donuts." He hesitated, then added, "And you're not a weirdo, Arizona. Not at all."

Arizona's smile softened. "Thanks, Dylan. That means a lot."

They sat there for a while longer, chatting about random things and enjoying the break from the chaos of school. And despite the awkward moment, the bond between them felt a little stronger—like they were both figuring out how to be themselves, even if it wasn't always easy.

Arizona pulled up to her house, her mind still buzzing from the strange and awkward moments of the day. As she turned into the driveway, her gaze fell on something that made her heart sink—a large, glaring eviction notice posted on the front door. Her little brother, Diego, was standing outside, staring at the notice with a worried expression.

She quickly parked the car and rushed out, her stomach tightening with concern. "Diego!" she called out, rushing to his side. "What's going on? Why is there an eviction notice on the door?"

Diego's face was pale, and he looked up at her with anxious eyes. "I don't know, Arizona. I just got home from school and saw it. I've been waiting here for you."

Arizona's heart ached seeing her brother so distressed. She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "I've been paying the rent, Diego. This shouldn't be happening. Do you know where Mom is?"

Diego shrugged, looking more lost than ever. "She's just gone. I haven't seen her all day. She didn't tell me anything."

Arizona's frustration mounted as she glanced back at the eviction notice. "Gone where? Did she leave a note or something?"

Diego shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. "No note. Nothing. She just... wasn't here."

Arizona let out a groan of annoyance, but it was clear it wasn't directed at Diego. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath, pacing in front of the door. "I need to figure this out."

She turned back to Diego, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "Okay, let's not panic. We'll get this sorted. First thing's first—let's find out where Mom is and what's going on with this notice. You stick with me, alright?"

Diego nodded, looking a bit more reassured by her calm demeanor. Arizona took out her phone and began calling Daniella's number, her heart racing as she hoped for some sort of explanation or at least a sign that her mother was safe.

Arizona's phone rang and rang before Daniella's groggy voice answered. "Hello?"

"Mom, where are you?" Arizona asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Daniella hiccuped loudly, and Arizona could hear the slur in her voice. "Arizona? I-I'm, uh, I'm out, honey. Just... out."

Arizona's frustration boiled over. "Out? Out where, Mom? We've got an eviction notice on the door, and Diego's been outside waiting for me!"

Daniella let out a long sigh, her speech still slurred. "I-I don't know... I just needed to get away. I didn't think... I didn't think it'd be a problem."

Arizona's eyes narrowed, her anger flaring as she struggled to stay calm. "A problem? Mom, this is a huge problem! We're about to lose our home because you decided to get drunk and disappear?"

Daniella hiccuped again, sounding as though she was struggling to stay upright. "I-I didn't mean to... I just needed a break. I'm sorry..."

Arizona clenched her jaw, taking a deep breath to steady her rising anger. "This isn't just about needing a break, Mom. We need you here. We need to sort this out. I need you to come home right now."

There was a brief pause before Daniella's voice came back, sounding slightly more coherent. "I-I'll be home soon. I promise."

Arizona didn't wait for any more excuses. "Just get here as soon as you can. We have a lot to deal with. And Mom... please, no more drinking."

She ended the call and turned to Diego, who was watching her with worried eyes. "Okay, Diego, let's figure out what to do next. We need to get in touch with the landlord and see if we can work something out. I'll call them and explain the situation. In the meantime, let's stay positive and see if Mom shows up soon."

Diego nodded, though he still looked anxious. Arizona took a deep breath, trying to push her frustration aside. She knew she needed to be strong for her brother, even if her mother's actions made it increasingly difficult.

ASH SPEAKS!

i didnt really want to write arizona in the cafeteria/soccer thing. it just feel write and i wanted to write more of dylan and arizonas friendship!

don't forget to comment and vote! it helps us writers stay motivated:)