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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 —

Marisol strolled outdoors with her dog, Isabela, when she heard her phone ping. Retrieving it from her pocket, she discovered a text from Sam.

Sam: We are over.

Marisol's eyes widened, and she mumbled under her breath, "What?" Glancing down at her dog, who wagged her tail, she added, "We need to head home, Belly!"

Sprinting home, Marisol had Belly running alongside. She swiftly unclipped the leash and dialed Sam's number.

"The number you are trying to get to has blocked you."

She scoffed lightly, running her hand through her hair as her sister, Mila, descended the stairs. "What's your problem?" Mila sassed. Marisol responded with a minor eye roll, shoving past her and ascending the stairs. "Stop being difficult, Marisol," Mila chided.

Locked in her room, Marisol released heart-wrenching sobs, her gaze fixed on the wall adorned with pictures of them together. Overwhelmed, she tore the images off, the sound of her anguish echoing in the room.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. "Are you okay?" Mila's concerned voice came from the other side of the door.

It was Mila. "Just leave me alone, Mila! You're incredibly annoying!" Marisol shouted, met with a scoff from the other side of the door.

Falling to her knees, Marisol released her emotions. Among her belongings, she discovered a photo—a snapshot from a few years ago, featuring Demetri and Eli alongside her.

Marisol frowned, a small sob escaping her lips as she bit them. Clutching the photo tightly, she stormed out of the room, creating a ruckus.

Descending the stairs swiftly, Marisol was met by Mila's questioning voice. "Where are you going? Mom mentioned you have—" Mila inquired, approaching the door.

Marisol pushed past her, slamming the front door shut, catching faint Spanish curse words escaping her little sister's mouth.

Living in proximity to Demetri, Marisol hoped to find him with Eli. Placing her AirPods in her ears, she immersed herself in Taylor Swift's music, particularly the album "1989."

She jogged down the street until she reached Demetri's place, panting and out of breath. Standing before his door, Marisol glanced down at her hands, the photo still clutched tightly.

Marisol knocked on the door, taking deep breaths and patiently biting her cheek. After knocking multiple times, the door finally opened a few minutes later, revealing Demetri. "Lady, I told you I don't want anything to do with your Holy Chris—"

"It's just me, Marisol," she interrupted with an outburst, leaving Demetri gaping, staring at her in shock. "Marisol, what are you doing here?" he asked in disbelief, while she swallowed the lump in her throat, dried tears on her face.

"Uh, I-I... Sam, she broke up with me," she stuttered, fidgeting with the ring on her finger—a fidget ring Eli had bought for her on her 11th birthday.

Demetri noticed and sighed, partially opening the door to invite her in. "Come in, Mari. Eli's here, and I know he misses you," he began to ramble, closing the door behind her. "I mean a lot, Jesus, he still brings you up a lot," he continued.

Descending into the basement, Eli's gaze shifted towards the stairs, spotting Demetri accompanied by Marisol. "Marisol?!" he exclaimed, eyes widening as he rose to his feet.

Silently, he enveloped her in a hug, and she chuckled softly, reciprocating the embrace. Pulling away, he gazed at her with a twinkle in his eye, a manifestation of how much he missed her. It was strange, but he had always imagined this night back when they first drifted apart, especially when she got together with Sam.

He acknowledged the undeniable chemistry between Marisol and Sam, but there was a connection between them as well—they first met in preschool when he sat alone at a table during snack time.

When they drifted apart in seventh grade, he felt upset and confused because he loved her, a sentiment that still lingers. Despite the passage of time, she appears unchanged, only older. The baby face has vanished, replaced by a stud nose piercing, ear piercings, and a distinct butterfly symbol on her collarbone, visible as she wore a crop top.

"Why are you here? Did something happen? I'm sorry for missing your sister's funeral; I was stuck at the lake house with my family—Shoot! I'm sorry, I shouldn't bring her up," he rambled, and she gave him an amused look.

"It's okay! It's been two years... I've moved on. There are days when I miss her, but this isn't about Sophie. It's about Sam. She broke up with me without any explanation. Ever since she befriended the rich girls, Yasmine and Moon, she's been like this! They must've pressured her into thinking she can only like guys!" she rambled, and Eli's eyes widened, glancing at Demetri.

Demetri shrugged while Eli turned to Marisol. "Forget her. I—I mean, not literally, but you know what I mean. She's a pain!" he exclaimed, stammering over his words, prompting Marisol to laugh.

She cracked a grin. "Eli Moskowitz cursing?"

A faint blush colored his cheeks as he covered the scar above his lip. She observed his actions, meeting his gaze as Demetri clicked his tongue. "Alright, should we, like, do something to distract you? I don't really know how to handle a breakup," he suggested.

Marisol and Eli exchanged a knowing glance, both turning to Demetri with a questioning look. "How about we spy on her?" Eli suggested, earning a look from Demetri. "Hold on, Operation Sam—again? I remember in sixth grade, before Marisol got with her, we spied on her and saw her go shopping with her mom."

Marisol smirked amusingly. "Uh yes!"

They drove to Sam's house incognito, with Marisol behind the wheel, sporting shades and a learner's permit, navigating carefully. Eli occupied the front passenger seat while Demetri, armed with binoculars, settled in the back. Spotting Sam hosting a pool party, Marisol gritted her teeth. "That little bitch!" she grumbled, glaring in Sam's direction.

"Wow, Yasmine looks hot in that bikini," Demetri gawked through the binoculars, earning a smack on the head from Marisol. "Ow!" he shrieked, holding his head, while Eli chuckled softly from the back.

"W- What should I do? Should I confront her?" she questioned, and Demetri scoffed, giving her a judgmental look. "Confront her? Kyler is there! He's gonna hurl slurs and try to degrade you. We'll just have to spy on her until there's a good time to talk to her," he suggested with a knowing nod, prompting Marisol to look at Eli.

"He's right," he mumbled as Marisol sighed sadly, glancing over to see Sam smiling and laughing. "I guess," she replied.

Marisol spotted a familiar car pulling up. "SHIT! Abort! Abort!! Mr. LaRusso!" she shrieked, swiftly shifting the car into drive and speeding off.