MIGUEL HAD returned home with Robby and Johnny a couple of days later and he'd been texting Sam while she was with Rory, Belle, Moon, and Yasmine.

Yasmine chuckled as Sam showed her and the others the text Miguel had sent, reading, "can't wait to see you tonight" and "how are you".

"Desperate. But cute."

Belle turned, facing Sam, "He knows he's in deep shit, LaRusso."

"I just... I feel like things have been off lately." Sam admitted, "There's so much I wanna say. Maybe I should just... lay it all out?"

"In a text?" Belly asked, grabbing the phone from her hands. "Less is more."

"I'm with Belly." Moon said, "It's better to have these conversations in person."

"Keep it short, not sweet."

Rory only watched as the girls when back as she took glances at her phone. No doubtably texting Robby about the trip to Mexico, but other than that... she wasn't paying much attention to whatever the hell was happening between Miguel and Sam.

Of course she cared, those were her friends, but her mind was pretty much on her boy.

But they wouldn't stay there long as the girls ushered her out of her seat and into the car to make their way to this luxurious spa that Moon recommended they go to.

"When Eli and I broke up the first time, there was a lot of negative energy." She explained, "This place helped cut through the noise. Which is why I brought you here. You gotta find yourself. Figure out who you really are."

"They also do facials. So..."

Belle looked over, seeing Rory still typing away at her screen. With a scoff, she snatched her sister's phone from her hands.

"We're here to have a good time." Belle smiled as Rory tried fighting for her phone. "Not text... Robby."

"Can you please give it back?"

Belle stuck her hand out, pushing Aurora away and with a heavy and dramatic gasp, she turned towards her sister.

"Are you seeing him behind our parents back?" Belle asked, "Where's my sister? Because this isn't like her."

Rory managed to get her phone because before shoving it into her robe's pocket.

"Come on." Belle teased. She locked her arm with Rory's as they followed behind the trio in front of them. "How long has this been going on?"

"Does it matter?"

"Honestly? No." Belle answered, "But as your sister and someone who already knows too much, you might as well tell me."

Rory rolled her eyes, "A while, is that what you want to hear?"

Belle smiled, placing her head against Rory's shoulder, "Young love. Never want to experience that again." She turned, "It's cute, but you know mom and dad are going to catch on sooner than you think."

"I know... I'm thinking about telling them." Rory said, "It's not like we're dating or anything."

"But you want to, don't you?"

"I do." Rory sighed, "I'm just trying to find an in with them."

Belle paused in thought. Looking over at Rory with glint in her eyes.

"Use them as your leeway."

"What are you talking about?" Rory asked.

"Mom and dad haven't dated anyone since they've been together." Belle explained, "They were high school sweethearts and everyone wanted to be with Layla Beasley."

And she was right. Layla Beasley was the it girl back in Seaford and everyone either wanted to be her or be with her and the only person who got that chance was Jack Brewer.

Rory nodded, "That could work."

"That will work and I'll help." Belle smiled, "I haven't gotten in trouble lately, so this could work out for the both of us."

The two smile as they continued to talk about what could and couldn't work between their parents. They suddenly stopped when they saw a giant pod in front of them.

"What is this, exactly?" Sam asked.

"This is a self-actualization pod." Moon smiled.

"So... a sensory deprivation tank?" Rory questioned.

"Oh, no." Moon repeated, "They don't call them that anymore. It's not about deprivation. It's about connection with your innermost self."

"Thanks, but I'm still gonna pass." Sam said, "I already have nightmares about drowning in shallow bodies of water."

"Wow." Yasmine exclaimed, "That's dark."

"Sam, ever since the tournament, you've been off balance. It's clear there's been some tension with Miguel. The only thing you're gonna find in this pod is yourself. That's not so scary, right?"

Rory turned, "Take your time." She smiled; Sam looking her way, "If you hate it, we leave. Simple as that."

That being said, the group spilt off into their pods.

Each of them drifting into the darkness of their pods, visions splashing, and fighting with what they wanted to be in life.

Which sounds dramatic, but it was true. You either fight hard for what you want or let life pick you up by the wings and takes you to wherever it deems fit.

And for Rory... it just picked her up by her wings.

— lucy has something to say !!

i'm sorry this was supposed to be updated on sunday and i didn't realize i had a paper to write 😔 anyway i made food and stinks so bad but it's good so it's whatever 😋

bye :))))