Moon's house flooded with people, but Flynn only considered it an interesting party when Miyagi-Do walked through the door. The batch of kids clammed up, locking eyes with the clump of Cobra Kai students. Flynn sat on the arm of the couch beside her friends, drinking out of her cup. She didn't give a damn about the rivalry.

"What the hell am I witnessing?" Kyra leaned over from her spot on the neighboring armchair, whispering behind her own cup.

"A war," Flynn whispered back with a detonation of sarcasm. "Look at the way they all froze up."

"I know, it's so dramatic," Kyra hissed under her breath, her voice cracking into a laugh she concealed with the heel of her palm.

"For real. Can't stand them."

"Hey guys!" Moon appeared beside Sam, offering the newcomers a beaming grin. "So glad you could all make it!"

The moment awkwardly ended, most of the Miyagi-Do kids withdrawing to other parts of the house. Hawk brandished a menacing sneer as he watched them, particularly Demetri. The sight made Flynn's stomach curdle with disdain.

"Hey," the brunette slid down the arm of the couch to land beside the mohawk boy. "Are you gonna be a problem for me tonight?"

Hawk narrowed his eyes at her. "What do you mean, a problem 'for you'?"

Flynn blinked. "'Cause I'm trying to have fun tonight. I don't want to have to kick your ass because you're being mean."

The Moskowitz's nose upturned at that. "You sound like such a pussy when you say that. When have you, Flynn Wilder, ever backed down from a fight?"

"Never, but I also don't go around starting them without a good reason. You know this," she explained, tipping her cup towards him. "Have a drink or two tonight, Hawk. Don't do some dummy shit."

He shook his head, averting his attention back to pining over Moon. The boy clearly had not moved on from their breakup. "Whatever."

Flynn took this as a sign to retreat back to Kyra, who was staring at her. "What?"

"Where's Miguel?"

The Wilder sucked in a short breath, trying not to react too much. Her shoulders rose and fell. "I don't know. Somewhere 'round here."

Kyra shook her head, smiling into her cup of vodka. "You're avoiding him."

"No I am not—"

"You are," Kyra pointed out, chuckling. "You are because you ran away from the date."

"Yeah, well, that was no damn date," Flynn huffed, tossing back another gulp of her vodka and Sprite. "Should've seen the way he was chummying it up with Sam. Turns out I was right. I am not crush material in his eyes."

"You might just be the most delusional girl I've ever met, but okay."

Flynn raspberried her lips in slight boredom, slouching against the couch. She could feel herself growing tipsy, a lightness coursing its way through her. "I guess I should go find him. We're still friends, after all."

Kyra nodded with big eyes. "Oh, for sure!"

Flynn found Miguel outside by the pool, standing amongst a small crowd of teenagers. His amber eyes brightened when they landed on her, mouth drawing back into an open smile. "Flynn! Hey! They're playing a drinking game. Tory is killing it!"

True to his word, Tory perched on top of a stool, glowing with pride. She crushed another empty red solo cup, tossing it carelessly to the ground as she outdrank her opponent. "That all you got?"

"Oh, I could so—" Flynn started, but her voice died in the noise of sudden cheers. She realized with a pang of surprise that Sam was clambering onto the stool opposite Tory, wearing a cold glare aimed at her opponent.

The two girls downed a few cups with little difficulty, all while throwing each other vicious looks. Flynn wasn't sure how or why the hatred between these two girls had deepened so much, though she was enjoying the show.

"Two shots of vodka," Tory ordered from the guy at the bar, earning several excited murmurs alongside a few worried ones.

"They've been up there for a while," Miguel commented, a frown forming on his lips.

"You placing any bets?" Flynn asked, turning her head before realizing they were standing pretty close. She could make out the curve of his jawline, practically trace it.

"I don't know. This feels kinda wrong," he murmured.

She felt her breath sharpen, shoulders tensing up. "Cause it's your ex up there?"

Miguel shot her a look, mouth parted open in shock. The crowd exploded into roars before he could say anything. Tory had fallen off her stool, landing sorely on her back before keeling over in pain.

"Oh my God, Tory!" The Diaz launched forward, helping the blonde to her feet. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm gonna clean up," she grumbled, pushing away from him and racing inside the house.

Miguel stood where she left him, gaze shifting over to Sam. "Wow," Flynn could hear him half-mutter to himself, an amazed gleam appearing in his eyes.

Something nasty boiled inside the brunette's gut at the sight of Miguel's admiration. Determination churned inside her. "Alright. I think I need a crack at this," she announced, cracking her knuckles for show. The audience erupted into thrilled cheers. Flynn's mouth curved into a smirk.

Sam caught her eye, the blueness of her irises flaring with panic. "Wait, that's not fair. You haven't had as much to drink as me," she pointed out in a hurried tone.

Flynn scoffed, tossing her head back to let out a single note of laughter into the sky. "Right, Sam, right. Gotta even the playing field."

She didn't even know what she was saying anymore. She only knew there was a foul tasting anger and jealousy swirling in her stomach. "Barkeep, I'll take three shots of vodka. Little opening act never hurt anybody."

The crowd was electric with their support and amaze as Flynn climbed onto her stool with three shot glasses wedged between her fingers. Her muscles surged with grace and poise as she used only her legs to lift herself up. A familiar ache rattled inside her as she realized her body naturally molded into the same posture she used when skating.

"Flynn!" Miguel whisper yelled, gawking up at her from the foot of the stool. "Are you sure about this?"

She ignored him, whirling around to address the crowd and Sam, who she shot a pointed glare at. "Need I remind you all, I used to skate on literal ice. So watch and learn some balance, bitches."

Everyone whooped and gasped as Flynn downed the vodka shots in rapid succession, ignoring the stinging burn swelling up in her throat. The applause was infectious, a bright toothy grin leaping onto her face.

"Why are you doing this?" Sam murmured over to her, voice barely audible over the thundering crowd. 

Flynn shrugged, shooting the LaRusso girl a mocking smile. "It's just a game, isn't it?"

It only took two shots before Sam went down, tumbling off the stool in a glorious fall. Flynn shot her head back and drained another shot glass before dramatically leaping off the stool, spinning once midair before landing almost flawlessly on her on two feet. Almost being the key word, since she did drunkenly stumble.

Her mouth fell open in a stinted gasp as she landed, her body recoiling as she realized how familiar the sensation felt. For a moment, she had been back on the ice, twirling in the air and gliding around the sea of white.

Flynn hated the desire rolling over her body as she recalled it. How much, in one sudden breath, she suddenly wanted it all again.

And then Miguel was walking towards her, and she was beaming at him and forgetting all about skating. "Miguel! I won!" She cheered, not waiting to throw her arms around his neck and give him a tight squeeze.

He drew back from the hug with surprised eyes, steadying her arms with his hands. "Yeah, I'm getting you some water."

"Probably not a bad idea," Flynn admitted with a sheepish giggle. "But I won!"

Even Miguel couldn't resist a smile. "Yeah. Yeah, you won."

Flynn spent another hour or two drinking more water and dancing with Kyra, allowing herself to sweat it out a little. Even though beating Sam had been riveting, she hated being this drunk. Not being able to control herself or be fully conscious terrified Flynn, which is why she always drank with moderation. She was edging the border of going too far.

"Okay! Okay, I need a break," Flynn panted after another song ended. "You have too much energy, bitch! Not to mention you are showing me the fuck up right now at dancing," she laughed.

"Damn right I am," Kyra smirked. "I'm gonna go take a piss, but you better be back in a couple more songs!"

Flynn found herself stumbling outside into the slightly cooler air, one not tainted by body odor or the heat of many people packed together. She tilted her head back to stare at the blackened sky, breathing out. A pattering of voices caught her attention and she noticed a small group of people gathered by the pool lounge furniture. Miguel was among them, so Flynn didn't hesitate to stroll over.

"Hey," he smiled as she settled into the empty space beside him.

"Hey," she offered back a tight-lipped smile of her own, cradling her water cup between hands.

Miguel noticed her cup, raising a brow. "It's water," she snickered, pushing his shoulder with hers. "Relax."

"Just making sure," he chuckled, looking over at her with a kindness in his eyes that made her grow warm. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah," she nodded, unable to wipe away her glued-on smile.

"Cool," Miguel nodded back. "We're playing Truth or Dare. Wanna join in?"

Flynn shrugged, turning her attention to the rest of the crowd gathered. "Sure."

"Cool! Okay," a random girl named Isabel applauded. "I was just about to pick someone so your timing is perfect. Truth or dare?"

Flynn found herself smirking for whatever reason. Maybe because of how everyone stared at her, and because she knew they were all thinking she'd say dare. Her reputation preceded her. "Truth."

"Okay," Isabel laughed through the word. "Interesting, um...do you like anybody?"

She could feel her smile falter, somehow thwarted by the question despite its complete predictability. Maybe she imagined it, but she could've sworn she felt Miguel's body stiffen next to hers. His brown eyes traveled over to her, watching with silent anticipation.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah I do," Flynn admitted, watching various bodies draw back in shock or hear small mumbles in reaction.

"Who?" Isabel demanded, green eyes gleaming.

"Uh uh," Flynn waggled a finger. "One question per turn. You know the rules. Jacob. Truth or Dare?"

As she gave the boy his dare, she tried a furtive look over in Miguel's direction. The boy's head had careened downwards, something clouding over his gaze. After a few rounds and Miguel getting dared to do a horrible free style, it was back to Flynn.

"Truth or dare?" A wavy-haired band kid asked.

"Dare this time, duh," she snickered at the collective groan of disappointed. "Yeah, y'all thought y'all were getting that name out of me, huh?"

"I dare you to kiss who you think is the hottest person here," the boy spoke up after deciding.

Flynn snorted, trying her best to ignore her discomfort. "Wow. Are we still five? Kissing as dares is old, dude. And honestly kind of problematic. Give me something actually good."

"You're just saying that because you don't want to kiss anybody," Isabel pointed out, her mouth falling open in an abrupt gasp. "Wait! Is your crush, like, here?"

"If they were, I ain't telling you. Come on! This is getting boring. Give me a good, genuine dare," she directed a fiery stare at the band kid.

"Fine," he relented. "I dare you to jump in the pool right now. Fully clothed."

"Pff! Okay," she rose to her feet, sliding her phone into Miguel's hands. "I kinda wanted to go swimming anyway."

Flynn didn't hesitate, running and leaping over the edge as an insane yowl escaped her lips. She shot into the pool, cold water rolling over her. It felt soothing, the waves lapping at her skin.

"Hell yeah!" She screamed with her arms shot into the air as she resurfaced, everyone cheering.

"Flynn! What the hell!" Moon appeared out the patio door, folding her arms over her torso. She blocked other eager looking kids from also jumping in. "Look at what you started!"

"Sorry, Moon!" She called back as she climbed out. "A dare is a dare! Now can somebody get me a towel?"

Miguel came to her rescue, appearing by her side a few minutes later with a beach towel. She was already shivering, teeth rattling like bones. "Shit, thank you."

"That was insane," he admitted, though the corners of his lips were turned up. "But cool."

"Insane but cool?" Flynn echoed with an incredulous laugh. "I think you just summed up my entire character," she joked before tossing her hair over to dry out.

What she didn't see was Miguel standing over, watching her with beaming affection.

The truth or dare group gave up the game after that, allowing Flynn's dive to be the big finale. Many seemed bored or desperate to refill their drinks anyway. She let them leave, determined to stay outside for a while.

"I'm gonna go get another drink. A soda, by the way. Not alcohol," Miguel informed her, the tips of his ears burning.

Flynn chuckled, wrapping the towel around her shoulders. Her wet T-shirt clung to her body. "Still traumatized from that lake party?"

"Yeah. I got way too drunk," he admitted with a noticeable grimace.

Flynn opened her mouth to shoot out another retort, but the Diaz was already ambling away. Her heart sunk as she noticed the way he withdrew with a low set of shoulders and his head drooping. Even with the party being fun, she couldn't ignore that things had been feeling weird with him. Especially now that she figured he probably still wanted Sam.

"Oh God," a familiar voice groaned. Sam turned on her heel to flee back inside.

"Stop," Flynn deadpanned, shaking her head. "I'm a wet rat over here at the moment, it's not like I'm gonna try anything. I don't even want to."

Sam spun around on the balls of her feet, narrowing her eyes at the Wilder. She drew herself closer to Flynn with suspicious eyes. "Then why did you do that earlier? The drinking game thing."

Flynn found herself smiling sadly at the girl, noting the way a sudden wave of depression pierced its claws into her. "I don't know. It was dumb."

"Was it because of Miguel?"

She startled at that, throwing a wide-eyed look at the LaRusso. Her mouth had been pulled tight into a knowing smile. "What?"

"You like him, don't you?" She asked, making Flynn's body recoil with panic and unease. "You can tell me."

"Maybe," she managed, wrapping the towel tighter around herself as she glared at the tips of her wet sneakers.

"That's great. So what's wrong? Did your date not go well?" Sam questioned.

Flynn almost dropped the towel in astonishment, her neck rolling up and rotating to stare at the LaRusso. "My what?"

Sam shook her head, face starting to dawn with confusion. "Miguel told me at the roller rink you guys were on a date. He was really excited about it, too," she let out a small chuckle, eyes shaded over with reminiscence. "He was telling me all this exciting stuff about finally realizing how he felt about you, how he wanted to tell you, you know. I was really excited for him, too. Excited for you both."

Flynn blinked at the girl, throat drying up. "W-Wait," she turned her entire body towards Sam. "That's what you guys were talking about at the rink?"

Sam's eyebrows creased together. "Yeah. Why?"

Flynn stood there for a moment, blinking rapidly. "I am an idiot. I'm actually so fucking stupid. And you...I had it all wrong."

Now it was Sam's turn to blink in bewilderment. "What?"

"I need to talk to him. Now," she flung the towel off her, the fabric flying back in a dramatic roll. "Shit, wait, I'm fucking freezing still," her arms folded around herself.

"Hear," Sam offered, peeling off her pink jacket. "I was getting hot anyway."

Flynn's mouth tore open as Sam slotted the jacket into her hands, staring at the girl with huge eyes. "Are you sure? It's gonna reek of chlorine."

Sam shook her head, laughing. "It's fine, Flynn. Washing machines exist."

Flynn stared at the girl, her breath growing uneven. "I would hug you right now if I wasn't still wet, I hope you know that."

"Just go, Flynn," Sam waved her off. "Take care of whatever it is that you need to."

Flynn didn't protest, shooting straight past her and stumbling inside the house again. She found Kyra first in the kitchen, digging into a box of Goldfish. "Kyra! You were right!"

"I usually am," she nodded, tossing a handful of Goldfish into her mouth. "But about what?"

"About Miguel," she elaborated. "And me being fucking stupid. He wasn't talking to Sam at the rink because he liked her, he was telling her about me! How he likes me and was gonna confess to me."

Kyra's head drew back, her throat bobbing with a big gulp. "Oh, wow. Yeah. You are a major dumbass. I told you!"

"I know, I know! Have you seen him?"

Kyra shook her head, disappointment crashing over the Wilder. "No. Sorry, girl. But go find him!"

"I am! I am!" Flynn called back as she already tumbled through the doorway, not caring if her friend heard her. She searched the house, cramming past door after door and pushing through loads of people. She could feel the panic making her heart race, to the point she could feel it actually beating against her sternum.

She was on the second floor when she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure outside. Miguel sat alone in one of the lounge chairs by the pool, staring at the water. She could only see half of his face, but it was a half she could pick out anywhere.

And Flynn ran. Her legs bounced as she dashed downstairs again, pushing people aside to get to those double glass doors as quickly as possible. She exploded through them, her wet shoes still squeaking as she pounded across the pavement towards him.

Miguel's head shot up as she heard her approach, the previous sadness festering his face giving way to surprise. Flynn stopped herself in her tracks, standing a few yards away from the boy as he gaped at her. "Flynn!"

"Do you like me?" She shot out, the question knocking the wind out of her and leaving her breathless.

She could see his eyes grow to the size of two golf balls, mouth opening and pulsing in different shapes and sizes as he struggled. She could hear the words getting stuck inside him. "I, uh—"

"Cause I like you too," she beamed, her heart glowing as she let the words pour out. The same words she had been keeping written inside her for so long.

Miguel's mouth stayed peeled open, though his body relaxed as his eyes began to gleam. "Really?"

Flynn's smile was so big she could feel her mouth aching, sneakers scraping against concrete as she dragged herself closer to where he sat. "We're so fucking stupid," she let out a bittersweet laugh, settling into the space beside him. He felt warm next to her, and she didn't hesitate to lean into that warmth.

"Wait. You really like me?" Miguel reeled.

"Yes, Miguel!" Flynn laughed, almost yelling even though she didn't know why. "Oh my God, yes."

"But I..." He stopped himself, scratching at the nape of his neck and laughing. "I thought you liked Robby."

Her face dropped a little, mouth downturned. "Robby? Seriously?"

"Yeah. I mean," his shoulders shot up in a feeble shrug, head lolling with a slow shake. "I saw you two at the roller rink. You two looked...close."

The laugh tumbled out before she could stop it, her fingers curling back over her lips. "Yeah, we're both really fucking stupid." She sat up, meeting the amber of Miguel's eyes. "Nothing's going on between me and Robby. Never will. In fact, what you saw was us talking about me and you."

Miguel stared at her, reading the humor in her face slowly. "Oh my God," he mumbled out, shaking his head and turning to look at the sky in disbelief. Flynn found herself laughing with him, her head falling into the crook of his shoulder for a moment.

"Ugh, we're so dumb. So like...the roller rink...that was...?"

"Totally a date," Miguel caved, bursting into another fit of giggling. "Or at least a failed attempt at one."

"Thanks to us being dumbasses, you know," Flynn couldn't stop shaking her head. "God, it's literally so comical."

Miguel softened, eyes turning hazy as he studied her face. "How long have you known?"

Flynn shifted self-consciously beside him. "Since the All-Valley."

"What?" Miguel drawled, leaning back in shock. "All this time?"

"Yes, dude!" Flynn slapped her hand over her face, growing shy. "Oh God."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Miguel wondered, his tone growing gentle. She could feel the warmth of him encompassing hers. The sides of their bodies had become flushed together.

"Well, how long have you known?" Flynn asked.

Miguel didn't take long to think about it. "That day it stormed at your house. When I ran out really fast? That's when I realized."

"Well then there's your answer," Flynn jabbed her finger at him. "I wasn't gonna tell you when you didn't have feelings for me. That would've messed everything up."

Miguel sat back, cloudy eyes turning to the stars. "Well, I don't know. The stormy day at your house was when I realized," he pointed out matter-of-factly. "But I think I've liked you for way longer. Definitely all summer."

This made Flynn's body grow alive with electricity and heat crackling at her insides. He met her gaze again, smiling in a way that had an always will be infectious. That familiar shyness of being a teenager with a crush.

"So what do we do now?" Miguel questioned, fingers brushing over one another nervously.

Flynn's eyes dazzled at him. "I think you should kiss me."

Miguel's expression glowed, mouth peeling back to reveal a toothy smile. He leaned in slowly, her doing the same with closed eyes.

Their lips brushed, melting together into a seamless rhythm. Flynn's hands lifted from her lap to grab at his biceps, pulling the boy closer to her. Miguel's arms circled around her waist, his fingers landing delicately around the small of her back as the kiss deepened.

They pulled apart, Flynn shifting her head back, allowing herself to stare at him. They caught each other's eyes, lips curving into admiring smiles. All she could think about was how pretty he was, how good he was at kissing, and how desperately she just wanted to stay by his side.

She lowered her head into the crook of his neck, Miguel letting her as he wrapped an arm around her. Flynn closed her eyes again, breathing in his warmth and enjoying their closeness.

"I don't think I've ever been this happy," Miguel admitted out loud after some time. Flynn could feel the vibrations of his voice through his skin.

She responded with a feeble laugh, taking her left arm and strapping it over his chest. "Me neither."

But happiness never lasts. And the whine of incoming police sirens to stop the party was enough to send the two sprawling away. They shot through the house and out the front door.

At least Flynn got to hold Miguel's hand through it all.