"I'm falling on my knees. Forgive me, I'm a fucking fool. I'm begging, darling, please, absolve me of my sins, won't you?"

~Never Be Like You (feat. Kai) by Flume~

⭒⭒⭒

A/N: Ehehehehe.

Warnings: abuse, addiction, anxiety, biphobia/homophobia, depression, domestic violence, slight eating disorder, gun violence, language, panic attacks, sexual harassment/assault/abuse, violence, weapons, and other mature themes

⭒⭒⭒

I wake up with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I feel safe, I feel content, and I feel like I never want to get up.

I look around and see my arms are wrapped around a sleeping Robby. I smile to myself.

I don't remember getting into bed. I don't remember much of last night. 

I nuzzle my head above his as he breathes in and out slowly. He looks so peaceful for once.

I close my eyes and try to sleep again. 

My eyes open and my body involuntarily jolts for a moment when I remember what happened. 

I roll away from Robby guiltily. 

I slowly and quietly get up, get dressed, and grab my phone. I have so many missed messages.

Jai to feminicons: Z, you still comin?

Liv to feminicons: Zion? Are you okay?

I curse under my breath when I realize that I forgot about our night together. I was so caught up in myself that I forgot.

Zion to feminicons: Is it cool for me to join you guys now?

I walk out to my car, quietly passing by Shannon's room. It's only four am.

Something waves in the wind on my windshield as I start the car. I get out and grab it before getting back in my car and locking the doors.

I unfold the newspaper clipping and within is the article:

Former Sensei and Verteran Has Trial Today.

A red circle was drawn around Stingray's head as he testifies at the hearing for Kreese. Below the word "LIAR" is written. On the side beside Kreese, it says "INNOCENT."

I tear up the paper and throw it into my backseat for a later problem. I can't deal with seeing Kreese or any of his bullshit right now.

⭒⭒⭒

"Hey," Eva opens the door for me. "Is everything all right?"

"What are you doing up?" I ask as I walk into her gigantic house half-awake.

"I'm an insomniac," she reminds me. "Why are you up so early?"

"It's a long story."

She leads me up to the bonus room where Jai and Liv cuddle on the sofa bed; they're dead asleep.

"Aw," I say softly.

"They're gross, right?" Eva asks me with a smile. "Anyway, let's go to my room. You can tell me what's up there."

I follow her down the hall. We walk past empty bedroom after empty bedroom. I almost forgot about her parents never being home; it must be lonely.

"Here," she hands me a big frog Squishmallow, "he'll help you with the hard parts."

I sit next to her on the bed, "Is it that obvious that I'm...?"

"Well, usually you have trouble falling asleep, too so you not responding to our texts means you went to bed early, which you only do when something really bad happens."

"You know me so well."

"And, you're awake at three am. What happened?"

"Everything," I sigh. "You know how I left Cobra Kai?"

"Yeah, I was at the tournament. I'm still struggling to grasp the whole 'karate war' drama from the outside perspective, but yeah."

"Well, Tory and Piper have practically cut me off; they won't respond to my calls or texts. And, getting forgiveness from the people I've hurt is much harder than I anticipated. Especially since everyone is so quick to side with anyone who is against me, no matter what."

"Is this about Demetri?" Eva tilts her head.

"How-"

"Liv saw something on Chris' social media. His nose is broken or something and he said something back-handed about people never changing."

"Great," I frown.

"What happened?"

"I punched him again."

"Oh, God," she says.

"No, no, Eva, I..." I explain. "I... I didn't even know I was going to."

"How did you do it without knowing?" Eva questions.

"Um..." I think back to Silver's training and how it has influenced so much of what I do. 

"Well, you apologized, right?"

"Um, no..."

"What?" she asks in surprise.

"Demetri is a huge misogynist. I hate how it went down, but I don't regret doing it."

"What exactly did he say?"

⭒⭒⭒

"Get uuup," a foot lightly kicks me in the butt over and over.

I roll over on the floor and sit up grumpily. I see Eva, Jai, and Liv staring down at me.

"Hey, sleeping beauty," Jai says. "You ready to look for an apartment?"

"And help me get away from my homophobic parents?" Liv adds.

I stand up slowly. My back hurts from how I was laying on the ground. "I guess."

"Great. My aunt is a realtor who can walk us through apartments and stuff," Eva adds. "Any ideas of what you guys want?"

"Two separate bedrooms," Liv speaks up. "Preferably two bathrooms. A kitchen with a full stove, oven, and dishwasher. Some carpet. A living space. Marble countertops-"

"It has to be affordable," Jai teases her.

"What about you, Zion? Anything you want?" Eva asks as she types it on her phone.

"No," I shrug. "I can sleep pretty much anywhere. Maybe get me out of Reseda."

"Haven't you ever thought about a dream home? A place to yourself?" Liv asks as she hands me my things I left on the couch.

"Good dreams are few and far between," I admit in dismay.

"Aw, well, you'll know when we find the one," she assures me.

⭒⭒⭒

"What did you think of the first one?" Liv goes back through the photos as we sit at lunch together.

"It was fine," I shrug. "The price feels a little too good to be true."

"What about the second one?"

"I liked it," I nod.

"It only had one and a half baths. It'll be difficult for us if we have other people over, too."

"I didn't have a problem with it. Robby, Shannon, and I share one bathroom," I explain.

"Oh, okay. Well, I hated option number three. That was the one in Reseda with the thin walls," she reminds me.

"That will not work for us," I give her a small smile in agreement.

"So true," she giggles. "Well, I think I like number one the most. It's a good price in a good area with carpets."

"I liked the second one," I disagree quietly as I drink my coffee. It's a couple neighborhoods away from Kenny, but it's in a nice area that isn't too rich like Encino and isn't too shady like Reseda.

"We need to compromise on something," she decides. "All right, I'm okay with the second one if you let me have the room with the walk-in closet."

"Sure," I shrug.

"Really?!" she exclaims excitedly. She jumps up and rushes over to hug me, "Look at us! Being so perfect together. We're going to be great apartment-mates!"

"Yeah," I hug her back. "I'm glad we've figured that out." The heavy weight on my chest still hasn't lifted. "Now, I just need to find a job." And figure out the rest of my life.

"Jai said they'd like some help at the smoothie place they work at if you want to apply there. It's pretty good money plus tips," Liv offers.

"Yeah. Maybe. I am so sick of customer service and food service."

"I get it," Liv agrees. "Well, maybe retail?"

"God, no," I frown. I add, "I hate capitalism."

"Me too," she pouts as she sits back down. 

"I guess I could work at Starbucks. At least they donate to Planned Parenthood," I rethink my ideas.

"True," she nods. "I'll help you find an application." 

I open Google on my phone to search, too, but stop when I see a suggested news article at the bottom of my screen.

Former Cobra Kai Sensei Convicted of Attempted Murder Faces Ten Years In Prison.

"Zion? Zion," a hand takes the phone out of my hand. I jump. "Sorry. You froze. What are you-" She looks at the phone, "Oh. I'm so sorry. I was hoping you knew or would just never see it. I know how hard it must be-"

"No," I take my phone back. "I'm sorry, Liv, but you don't know." I grab my things. "Tell Eva's aunt about the place. I-I need to go."

"Where are you going?" she asks in concern.

"Don't worry about me," I tell her softly before walking out to my car and driving away. Some demons I have to face head-on.

⭒⭒⭒

My heart beats fast as I walk past the guard and into a dull room with some tables and chairs set up. I see families reuniting all around me, but this meeting isn't going to be as happy.

I sit at a table and wait. My heart pounds so loud I think everyone can hear it. I specifically told them not to say who's coming to visit.

The door opens and a guard ushers him in in handcuffs. He's forced to sit and then we're left alone.

"I didn't think you'd be coming to see me," Kreese smirks in surprise.

"Don't flatter yourself," I mutter. "I came for information."

"Ah. Now, why would I want to help you? You defected at the tournament," he questions.

I agree. "I know you don't and never did care about me-"

"That is not true. I was in your corner through everything with the Hansens," Kreese argues.

"You can cut the bullshit. You can't manipulate me like that anymore," I look him dead in the eyes and try not to show how much he hurt me. "My trauma isn't some game."

"Trauma isn't a game. I don't know why you have such crazy ideas in your head."

"I'm not crazy. Silver told me everything before I disappeared."

Kreese relaxes back in his seat. "What exactly did he tell you?"

"He told me all about your plan to brainwash me so I could brainwash Robby so that you could have Johnny back in Cobra Kai. He told me how you never cared about me and used the Hansens to manipulate me. He was pretty transparent." My expression is cold and my voice is monotone so he can't tell anything about me.

"I did care, child. I didn't know it at first, but your story moved me," he admits.

"It moved you to feel pity for me," I state.

"You think you're as strong as you are now because of pity?" Kreese chuckles.

"'Strong?' Is that what we're calling 'mentally fucked' now?" I lean over the table and raise my voice.

Kreese holds up his finger to his mouth to shush me as I look around. I settle back in my seat and take a calming breath.

"Was any of it real?" I ask him as Iook down. "I mean, were the nights of you training me or the words of comfort or the checking in on me before, during, and after the Adam Hansen thing real? Or was it all just for show?"

He hesitates.

"The least you can do now is be honest. You're not in a position to do much else."

Kreese shakes his head. I swallow hard at his response.

"So, all of it was to keep me safe and keep my trust in you for your big plan to make Cobra Kai the best?" I try not to let my voice crack.

"I did care about the Hansen debacle. The whole situation made me suspicious and I wanted to check it out because people treated my mother and the love of my life in such ways," he answers.

"Do you not see what you've done?" I ask him.

"I saved you," Kreese states.

"You made me soulless! I keep making bad decisions on an impulsive thought that would make my dad disown me."

"I didn't bring out anything that wasn't already there," he argues. I feel my pulse speed up and my cheeks flush.

"All I want to do is correct every thing you taught me so Cobra Kai is gone from The Valley forever, but it's impossible. I can't train anymore, and Silver is just as evil as you!" I exclaim. "I can't undo anything. Now, you've tried to kill someone a-and do you even know what Silver has done?"

Kreese stares at me, his mouth slightly open; that's the only sign I have that he's not a statue completely indifferent to me. "What?" he seems curious about his old war buddy.

"He tried to practically kill me," I tell Kreese. 

The look of disbelief that follows tells me he has no idea what I'm talking about. I decide to humor him.

"The night of prom I walked in on him drinking and he tried to suffocate me. I went into Cobra Kai looking for guidance and when he saw I was doubting your sadistic teachings, he tried to silence me and get me to stay on his side. Or, did you know? Were you in on that, too?"

Kreese puts his hands on the table and leans closer to me, "He did all that the night of prom?"

"Yeah," I nod in confirmation.

"That sick son of a bitch."

"What?" I ask. "Don't tell me that now you have a conscience."

Kreese whispers, "I was set up." I look at him in confusion. "The attempted murder on Stingray wasn't me."

"I don't believe that," I tell him as I refuse to let him manipulate me anymore.

"The attempted murder was the night of the prom, which was the night that Terry setup the beatdown on Johnny..."

"...which was the night that Silver hit me," I piece it together. I look at Kreese with wide eyes as it hits me.

"If you come forward with that-"

"What?" I ask him in disbelief. "I have no proof. It's his word against mine. And even if I did have a case, why would you think I'm ever going to help you get out of here?"

"Silver is our common enemy, child."

"Stop calling me that!" I shout. "I hate you. I have no relation to you whatsoever. And you are not in the war anymore yet you still can't see that!" I sigh. "It was a mistake to come here."

My heart is heavy as I stand up quickly.

"Zion," he calls after me by using my real first name for the first time in what I think is forever.

It still isn't enough to make me turn back. I'm leaving him here forever and trying to move on.

I was really, really hoping this would end differently.

The guard holds the door for me to leave as the cold air outside the door hits me and symbolizes the truth I was just hit with.

My hands shake as I sign out and get my phone back. 

14 missed calls from Miguel.

"Hey," I say with a frown as I leave the prison. "What's up?"

"Can you come over?" a sad voice comes through the phone. 

"Miguel, what's wrong?" I ask worriedly.

"She broke up with me. Please come over," he sobs.

"I'll be right there."

⭒⭒⭒

I set a pile of stuff in front of him on the bed, "Ben and Jerry's. Twizzlers. Reese's."

"Thank you," he says with a small smile. He grabs the Reese's and shoves one into his mouth.

"So, that's it? It's over?" I ask him worriedly.

He nods, "She wants to focus on herself because I went to Mexico and now she thinks she needs a break, too. I'm such an idiot. Everything would've been better if I hadn't gone there."

"Wait," I look at him, "she wants to 'focus on herself,' and you think that's your fault?"

"Well, yeah. I hadn't been supportive of her. I left before the tournament even ended."

"Miggie," I frown, "you know whatever you're feeling is valid, but I think this is about more than you." I shake my head. "I actually... I relate to her a bit. This is the world after karate. Her dad and Johnny shut down Miyagi-Fang and now all of us are trying to navigate our place. I don't think it's about you. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

Miguel holds a pillow, "You're right." A tear falls. "It just hurts a lot. I love her, Z."

"Shh," I say softly. "This is what's good for her. If you love her, give her this time."

"I do want what's best for her," he whispers. "I just wish it were me."

I grab his computer sympathetically, "Let's watch Friends. I'm here for you just like you were for me."

Miguel nods, still holding onto the pillow, "Thank you... You know, this reminds me of when we first started coming over after everything with your mom. I think life was simpler then."

"For you," I mutter as I remember all the shit I was going through.

"Wait, I didn't mean-"

"It's okay," I assure him. "My life has been like this for a long time. But, you make it better." I smile for him, but know that it's just a facade. "And anyway, tonight is for you and your problems."

"Okay," he nods and scoots closer to me as he clicks on an episode. "Thank you, Z.

"What are best friends for?" I ask as I try to be strong enough for us both.

⭒⭒⭒

"How was it?" Robby asks as I get a glass of water once I'm finally back at his place.

"It's been a long day," I admit. "Miguel is gonna be fine."

"I'm not concerned about Miguel."

I finally look at him and the guilt hits me when I realize what he means. I can't keep hurting him.

"I think we need to talk about last night and what happened and where you went this morning."

"I told you I went to Eva's," I shrug and avoid eye contact. The guilt about last night that I've tried to ignore all day feels like its physically weighing me down. 

"Okay," he sighs, "what about last night? I found you in the middle of another panic attack. You scared me to death. One minute you were asleep next to me and the next you were gone. What brought it on?"

"I don't know," I take a sip of water.

"You don't?" he asks skeptically.

"It's called a panic attack. They just happen," I say as I try to go back to the bedroom.

"No," he blocks my path. "I want to help you, Zion. Talk it out with me."

"I don't want to put all of this on you," I tell him.

"I'm here to help you do the heavy lifting," Robby reminds me. "Just let me help."

I set the glass down on the counter, "Okay, fine. Here's how my day went: I found an apartment with Liv, went to see Kreese, found out that everything in my life is a lie, and helped Miguel through his breakup. The end."

"Wait," he follows me back to his bedroom, "you went and saw Kreese? Do you realize how reckless-"

"I wish I had never gone," I admit. "I wish that I had never met him. I wish your dad would've pushed him as far away from our lives as possible when he came back. But, today showed me just how good at manipulation both Kreese and Silver are, and I know I can't even blame Johnny."

"What did he say?" Robby sits on the bed to listen. This isn't his burden.

I sit next to him but at a distance. "He confirmed what Silver said: that everything Kreese did was to get your dad back on top at Cobra Kai. I was a pawn and so were you. So was everyone else. Even Kenny."

"Of course. It all makes sense," he sighs.

"When I was with Miguel," I begin, "I realized something. I realized that all of this, all of what I've done wasn't purely because of Kreese and Silver."

"Sure it was," Robby argues. "You just said that even my dad isn't to blame."

"No," I shake my head, "I was like this before. I punched Demetri for the first time before Kreese even got here... I've had so much anger since my dad died. I've been blaming it all on your dad or Kreese or Silver or the LaRussos, but the truth is the only person I can blame is myself."

"No..." Robby comes closer and I stand up.

"I'm dangerous," I whisper.

Robby looks at me in confusion as I continue slowly, trying to get him to understand.

"I don't want to be this way, but this is exactly how I am. I'm practically anything Kreese or Demetri or Miyagi-Do thinks I am. And, well, I love you Robby, but I don't deserve you and your kindness and your love." I start crying as tears fall slowly. "I'm just a mess and maybe Sam is right in saying that she needs a break to find herself. I want to find the good in myself. I just don't want any of this to be at your expense."

"What are you saying?" Robby asks in confusion as he takes in everything I just laid on him.

"I... I..." I let out a loud sob and wipe my tears. I look at the ceiling so I can stop crying. "I think we should... should take a b-break."

He looks at me with a loss of words. I feel the guilt hit me again and again in huge waves.

"I'm sorry," I tell him. "I'm so sorry. None of this is fair to you."

I realize I'm still in his room as he just stares at me with glossy eyes. I turn to leave.

"N-No," Robby calls out. I hear his footsteps follow me to the front door. "Don't leave. We have to talk all this out."

"I'm just going to stay with Miguel and figure it out from there," I say as I open the door and rush out into the pouring rain.

"Zion!" he yells. "Come back and let's talk this out."

"There's nothing left to say," I tell him as my tears mix with the rain so well that everything becomes disoriented. 

He rushes through the rain and takes my hand, "There is so much to say. There is so much good to say."

"No," I shake my head.

"I knew you before Cobra Kai and before your dad passed, and there is so much good within you," he grabs my other hand. 

"That girl is gone," I sob.

"No," he tightens his grip and then loosens it, "that girl is right here." He intertwines our fingers. "This girl is the one I fell in love with."

"Stop," I whisper as I try to break away.

"This is the girl who brought her dad presents in the hospital. This is the girl who tried to impress me one summer while simultaneously having her world fall apart. This is the girl who insisted on not complaining about anything, despite how awful our food was that one date."

"I feel like I'm a different person since he's gone now."

"This," he looks me in the eyes, "is the girl who is so loyal to her friends that she drops anything for them: Jess, Tory, Liv, Miguel. And, this is the girl who went to Mexico for her best friend. This is the girl who found me in juvie after hurting her best friend and still saw the best in me and forgave me."

"But-"

"This is the girl who defended her mom even after everything. This is the girl who fought against any scary, threatening power and showed up at the tournament unaffiliated to prove a point to The Valley."

"It wasn't enou-"

"This is my girlfriend," he cups my cheek with his warm hand, "the strongest woman I know, who keeps fighting every day no matter what." His hand moves up and brushes back my wet hair as the rain starts to let up. "This is Zion Athena," his other hand keeps our fingers intertwined, "and I hope she keeps fighting for us, too."

My heart practically collapses with my body as I lean on him and cry even more. He wraps me in a warm hug as I try to figure out what I was even doing trying to get away from him. 

"Whatever it is, we can figure it out together," he whispers. "Don't give up."

"I'm not leaving," I hold him close. "I promise."

I reach up and give him a soft rain kiss. He holds me even closer. 

The summer storm rolls in and thunder follows. He leads me safely back inside.

"I'm so sorry," I tell him as we get towels. "I do love you." I reach past him to grab a small towel wipe the water and tears off my face. "I was just scared. I got in my head about it all... I want to be everything you deserve."

Robby smiles softly before wrapping a towel over my shoulders, "You are more than enough."

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV: One Week Later

"While I hate to see you go," Shannon says as she sets a box down at my new apartment, "I know this new adventure will be wonderful for you. You're always welcome at my place, though."

"Thank you," I smile as I give her a side hug.

"Where are you putting this?" Robby asks as he lifts a new flatscreen through the doorway.

"Oh, Robby, be careful," Shannon says worriedly.

"Liv," I call out to her, "where'd you want your TV to go?"

"By the wall," she yells from inside her room.

Robby grunts as he looks at me in frustration. I go over and help him lift the box and we set it by a random wall in the main room.

"Do you need me to call someone to help you put it up?" Shannon questions.

"Johnny is coming over tomorrow to help, actually," I tell her nervously.

"Good," she nods at the mention of her ex. "At least he's helping with something."

"Okay, my bed is set up," Liv walks back out with Eva and Jai.

"After moving it twenty times," Eva complains.

"Where's your stuff, Z?" Jai turns to me.

"It's here already," I say as I gesture to the four boxes of things, the suitcase of clothes, and the sad mattress I bought.

"That's it?" I hear them whisper to Eva.

"I will be buying you a real bed frame," Shannon says as she glances into my room.

"That's not necessary," I tell her.

"Then, I am buying you a vanity and you're not allowed to say no," she tells me.

"What are you putting on your walls?" Liv asks. "It's your first room to yourself in a while, right?"

I answer with a bittersweet tone, "I haven't had my own room really since I first moved to Reseda."

Awkward silence follows.

"I don't know yet," I answer her question. "I'm unsure of what colors I want in there or anything."

Robby comes over, wraps his arms around my waist from behind, and rests his chin on my shoulder.

"Mine is going to be covered in anime and musicals once I unpack my boxes," Liv says excitedly.

"The apartment is nice, you guys," Eva assures us. "I wish your living space was bigger, though."

"At least we have a decently sized kitchen," I remind her.

"Oh, I brought your uniform, darling," Jai says with a smile. "It's in my car." They walk out.

"Uniform?" Robby asks curiously.

"I got a job at the smoothie shop with them," Liv explains. "They brought my uniform for my first day tomorrow. Oh! Speaking of, Zion, how's Starbucks?"

"I've only been there a four days and training is taking forever but it's been nice so far," I shrug.

"That fast?" Shannon asks curiously.

"They're understaffed," I explain.

"It's like we're adults," Eva smiles.

"She's turning eighteen in less than three weeks," Robby speaks up.

"Don't remind me," I groan as I roll out of his grip and fluff his hair.

He restyles it with a pout, "Don't touch the hair. I actually styled it this morning."

"It's cute," I say as I fluff it again.

"We need to do something fun for your eighteenth!" Liv exclaims.

"Oh, you don't need to make a big deal out of it," I shake my head. "Besides, I think anything I can plan gets ruined. Let's just do something spontaneous then, okay?"

"Ooh," Liv smiles.

"I don't like not planning things," Eva mutters worriedly.

"Here it is," Jai walks back in with the blue uniform.

"Why is it that color blue?" Liv frowns.

"I don't know. It's a tropical smoothie place," Jai holds it out.

"It's ugly," Liv pouts.

"Robby, are you staying here or going with me?" Shannon asks.

"Um," he looks at me, "do you want me to stay?"

"Do you want to go to Home Goods or something with me?" I ask. "I need more things for my room, I guess."

"Yeah," he smiles softly. "I'll go with her."

"Okay. Have fun," Shannon says before walking out.

"I think we should go to Big Lots and find a couch or something for the living room," Liv tells me.

"You could thrift it," Jai suggests.

Liv gasps, "No!"

Jai laughs, "I love your reactions to things."

"Ugh," Liv frowns before picking up a box and walking into her room. Eva and Jai follow.

"Ready?" Robby asks me. I nod.

⭒⭒⭒

I walk up and down the aisles for anything that a white, suburban mom wouldn't put in her house. I think I chose the wrong place.

"This could be cute," Robby picks up a cookie jar that says Bee Mine.

"No," I frown. "I need a tapestry or something."

"Here," he pushes the cart towards me, "I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

I keep looking on my own as I pass cute things in the children's section. I look at the little fluffy chairs in amusement; they might be perfect for Liv to put in our living room.

"I want the purple one!" a little girl screams in excitement as a purple pillow is pulled off a shelf.

I feel my body flinch at the voice, like I might just completely shrivel up and die.

Ella.

Part of me is scared out of my wits at the thought of Adam being here, part of me wants to go to her and check on her, and part of me wants to simply disappear and cease to exist.

I push the cart away from me absentmindedly. "Ow! Watch it!" I turn behind me and see some old lady I ran into.

I don't bother to apologize before tiptoeing behind a shelf across from the girl so she won't see me.

I glance to the side for a second and see a girl maybe a few years older than me helping Ella put things into the cart. She looks so similar to me that it's scary. Ella just shares a mutual smile with her, oblivious to me, before grabbing a soccer ball mug excitedly.

"Oh, God," I whisper to myself, worried that it's happening again with her.

Before I even know what else to do, I rush out the door and run to my car.

I lock the doors and rest my head on the steering wheel. I feel a headache developing as my head pounds. My hands become sweaty. My eyes water too quickly for my liking.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no," I whisper worriedly as my chest tightens.

⭒⭒⭒

Robby's POV

I walk back from the bathroom to about where Zion was. I excuse myself as I pass older women.

"Zion?" I walk around the store. "Zion?"

I try not to worry since it's a big store with so many things. I check by the lamps, the furniture, the bathroom essentials. I can't find her.

"Zion?" I ask a little more anxiously this time. I cut through the toys' section in the middle to go back to the kitchen things. "Zion?"

I almost run into a little girl on my way. She looks up at me with big brown eyes.

"Sorry," I tell her when I almost crash into her.

"'Zion?'" she repeats and calls after me.

I turn to her in confusion, "What?"

"Did you say 'Zion?'" she asks with a bright smile. I notice she has a couple of teeth missing.

I try to understand what she means-

An older girl comes around the corner, "There you are, Ella!"

I realize now what went wrong. I instantly begin to panic as the girl tugs on the older person's arm.

"Padma, he knows Z!" Ella says excitedly.

I rush out of the store and to the car quickly, hoping she had the idea to come out here, too.

I make it to the car and see her in the driver's seat. I try to open the door. It's locked. She jumps and I see how torn up she is.

I knock on the window softly, "Let me in." She unlocks the door and I open it before kneeling at her side. "Are you okay?"

All she does is shake her head and begin crying more. "I saw-"

"I know, I know. I ran into... How can I help?" I ask worriedly.

"D-Drive me home, please," she sobs. "I can't be here anymore. I-I can't..."

"Shh," I whisper softly as I help her out. "Let's go."

I get into the driver's seat and she walks over to the passenger's side quickly. I pull out of the shopping center as she begins to cry even louder. My heart breaks.

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

I stare at the blank walls in my room. I told Robby to leave hours ago. I've locked my door. Now I just stare at the walls and swear I'm going insane.

Eventually, I stand up and will myself to go to the fridge.

"Z? Are you awake?" Liv walks out of her room. I see that Jai is behind her.

"Oh, shit," Jai says. "You... You look like shit."

I grab a beer and then two more, "You want one?"

"What happened?" Liv asks.

"I don't want to talk about it," I frown as I open the can and stand by the counter since we don't have chairs yet. "Let's just say everything that can go wrong is."

"Do you want something stronger?" Jai asks curiously.

⭒⭒⭒

Now I think my mind is gone. I laugh excitedly as I lay on the ground of the living room with Jai and Liv and laugh.

"What had you so worked up?" Jai laughs from one side of me.

"I don't even remember," I roll around on the ground absentmindedly.

"Anxiety gets all of us," Liv states. "That's why I was so happy when Jai introduced me to pot."

"The ceiling looks like a kal- kalei- dieoscope," I say as I try to form the words. "Kaleidoscope. Kalei-desco-ppe. That's so fun fun fun."

"Have you ever," Jai sits up slowly, "thrown confetti in the air while high?"

"No...?" I ask curiously.

"Hold," Jai wanders into Liv's room.

"Jai?" I ask with a smile I don't remember forming.

"Where did they goooo?" Liv rolls practically on me and grabs my face. "Zion so pretty."

"Don't start anything you can't finish," I giggle as I lay her back down. "Jai!"

"I made it," Jai stumbles back in with a bottle of something.

"Sprinkles!" Liv cheers excitedly.

Jai throws some in the air and it all becomes slow motion. I swear my brain has invented new colors. 

I try to catch them, try to eat them, try to grab a hold on the beauty of them.

When they fall, Jai throws some more. They swirl around in fun shapes.

I have no idea how long we're here in this magical realm.

⭒⭒⭒

A violent knock shakes us all awake. I stare in surprise when I realize what happened.

Liv curses lightly as she scrambles to clean up any evidence of weed. Jai helps Liv walk as I recover quickly, grab a water, and look through the peep hole. The knocking continues.

"It's Miguel," I whisper. I check my phone and see a couple texts and a call from him. It's ten pm. Shit. "He can't know I was-"

"Handling it," Jai tells me as they shove Liv into her room and close the door.

I open the door and try to stand as naturally as possible as the oxygen rushes to my head, "Hey."

"Hey, I got worried. I've been wanting to bring over these flowers from my mom," he holds out the vase to me. "I figured I'd check on you, too. I hope you don't mind."

"No, no, of course not," I tell him. "Come in."

Miguel walks in wearily, "What's on the ground?"

I follow his line of vision and curse internally as he bends down.

"Sprinkles?"

"Um, yeah..." I try to come up with a cover.

"Sorry," the door flies open to reveal Jai and Liv, "Liv got carried away earlier. Her baking stuff got everywhere when we were moving in."

"Oh," Miguel nods. He sniffs around a little. "It smells like the West Valley bathrooms in here." His eyes widen. "I-I mean no offense. It just smells like-"

"Weed," Jai speaks up. I look at them nervously, pleading for them not to give me away. This can't get back to Robby.  "It's mine. I like to get high and Liv and Z were nice enough to let me do it here."

I look at Miguel awkwardly, "Is that okay?"

"Yeah," Miguel says as he tries to make sense of it. "I'm pretty easy going. Use it, don't abuse it."

"Noted," they smile at him.

Awkward silence ensues.

"Anyway, we're gonna go," Liv speaks up and closes the door once more.

"I'll take those," I walk by him and take the flowers. "They smell great. They can, um, get rid of the smell..."

"Z, be careful," Miguel tells me. "I know trying these things is tempting but my dad got caught up in illegal drug dealing and I think it's best to stay away from these things, yeah?"

I stare at him blankly, "Absolutely."

"You can call me if you ever have any doubts about anything," Miguel assures me.

"Thanks," I say awkwardly.

"Show me your room?" he continues.

"Sure," I nod. "It's not much. I wasn't able to find anything..." Breathe in. "There wasn't anything today at the store." Breathe out. "To, uh, decorate with."

"Oh, that's all right. I'm just curious," Miguel admits as I turn on the light and he walks in. "You weren't kidding. There's nothing here."

"For now," I shrug.

"You have your own little safe haven now," he says optimistically. "You can fill it with all kinds of things."

"Well, my clothes are in the closet and everything else is in the nightstand," I tell him.

"What about pictures?" he asks. "Do you have any of us? Or, of you and your dad?"

I look down, "The one with my dad got lost somewhere in the move from Eli's. All I have is what's on my phone, and that's not much."

"Oh."

"But, with you I have maybe one or two," I tell him.

He takes out his phone, "Three. Cheese!" I smile briefly. "See?"

"That was horrible," I tell him honestly.

"Cheese-y?" he questions.

"Get out," I shove his shoulder playfully.

"Well, I do have to go soon. I can come back some other time, though," he tells me.

"All right," I say. "Be safe getting back." I pause. "Wait, how did you get here?"

"You got a new job and I got my license," he holds up his wallet.

"No way!" I exclaim happily.

"Yeah, Mom let me take the car for an hour. Technically I'm not supposed to be driving after nine pm, but who cares," he laughs. "I'm a man now!"

"Not with that baby face you're not," I tease him.

"Shut up!" Miguel whines.

"I'm so proud of you, Miggie. My little boy is growing up-"

"Shut the fuck up," Miguel wanders out my door and closes it.

I open it and rush after him only to see that he disappeared. "Miguel?"

"Bleh!" Miguel jumps out from behind me and scares me.

I instinctively reach out to punch him and he grabs my arm to flip me on the ground. I laugh on my back as Liv and Jai come rushing out.

"God, are you okay?" Liv asks worriedly.

"We're just playing," Miguel assures her.

I swing my legs and sweep him to the ground with me. He falls with a loud thud and groans.

"Good thing we're on the bottom floor," I giggle.

"Ow," he groans.

"Don't interrupt us watching Sailor Moon again," Liv pouts playfully and pulls Jai back into the room.

"You okay?" Miguel asks as he stands up.

"Yeah," I assure him. "Be safe getting home."

"Of course," he nods. "Be safe here. Text me anytime."

"I will," I tell him. "Thanks."

He walks over and hugs me for a quick second before going to the door.

I lock it behind him and wonder where all this protectiveness came from when he wasn't like this before.

My eyes land on the open beer cans set out on the table still from earlier. "Shit. That's why."

I throw the gross beer out before grabbing my computer out of my room and setting it up on the floor of the living room to watch something.

The empty, communal space feels more open and welcoming than my smushed room where I'm alone. I'd really like some company now, but having something on to distract me is fine, too.

⭒⭒⭒

A/N: So much foreshadowing in this chapter hehehe.

The return of Kreese? :0

Also, the return of Ella? :(((

The next chapter is the waterpark! Get ready for DRAMA.