╔.𖥸. .════════════════╗

𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬

chapter thirty-eight
up on the roof with a school
girl crush, drinking beer out
of plastic cups

╚════════════════. .❀.╝

ALYSSA STILL WOULDN'T consider herself a huge party person, especially considering the shitshows of the last two parties she had been at. But this one seemed pretty okay — maybe because she was still riding on the high of her win.

She sat on the counter next to Robby, clad in a white t-shirt with pink hearts embroidered on the collar tucked into a short jean skirt, a pair of fishnet tights, and white high-top Converse. The party had been thrown at Miguel's apartment, and everyone was pushed into it while others stayed outside, dancing and playing beer pong.

Eli looked up at her, leaning against the counter. "Hey, you want a drink?"

"Depends if I'm driving home or not," Alyssa replied.

"You're not, I am."

"Then yes." She gave him a small smile. "What are my options?"

"We've got beer, and . . ." Eli paused to think about it for a moment. "Beer."

"Wow, I'm faced with such a tough decision here," Alyssa commented. "I'll have some beer."

"Good, 'cause you deserve it." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Give me a sec."

Robby elbowed Alyssa's side as Eli grabbed two cups and started to fill them with beer from the keg. "He's right, you know. You do deserve it."

"Thanks," Alyssa responded. "And thank you for cheering me on."

Eli turned back to her, extending a red solo cup to her. "Here you go."

"Thank you." Alyssa took a sip, grimacing slightly — she hated beer, but it was the really only option she had right now. "Nothing like drinking beer out of a plastic cup, am I right?"

"What, uh, happened to the green?" Robby asked, gesturing up to Eli's mohawk, which was now back to its original color.

Eli shrugged. "Uh, didn't really work for me, so, still, uh, figuring it out."

"I think that you should go back to the purple," Alyssa admitted. "It was my favorite."

"Are you just saying that because I dyed it purple for you?"

". . . I may be biased. Ooh, you should go pink, actually."

Eli raised an eyebrow. "So we can match?"

She nodded. "Exactly. Couple goals."

"Dude, this is insane," Miguel stated, back from picking up the empty cups from his living room. "How did everyone find out about this?"

"Oh, that was all Moon," Alyssa said. "When I invited her to the party, she also invited a bunch of people from East Valley."

"Hey," Mitch greeted to someone. "Came to party with us 'cause we got into the Sekai Takai?"

Alyssa looked over. Three girls had just entered the party — one wearing a striped shirt, one wearing an orange shirt, and another wearing a brown hoodie.

"I have no idea what you just said," the girl in the orange shirt responded, and Alyssa let out a small laugh, trying to play it off by taking another sip from her cup. "We came to drink."

"Uh, well, the Sekai Taikai—" Mitch started to explain.

This was going to be extremely painful if he continued. Alyssa decided to intervene.

"Yeah, Mitch, you're not really helping your case," Alyssa cut off. She handed her cup to Eli absentmindedly and slid off the counter, offering the girls a smile. "Here, let me get you some cups." Alyssa reached over the counter and grabbed three red solo cups before handing them to the girls. "There you go."

"Thank you," the girl in the orange responded.

Eli then slung an arm around Miguel's shoulders. "Anyways, let me introduce you to the baddest badass at the party."

The girl in the orange set her eyes on Miguel. Instantly, a smile came onto her face, and her eyes started to sparkle. Alyssa felt like she was stuck in the middle all of the sudden. Of course she wanted Miguel to be happy, but she also wanted Sam to be happy. Sam was obviously still stuck on Miguel, but Miguel deserved a chance with another girl if he wanted to move on. As a best friend to Sam and as a best friend to Miguel, this whole situation was a whole fucking mess.

Oh God. All of this was making her head spin. But then she realized that Eli hadn't said anything else after that. It was just complete silence.

Alyssa's eyebrows knit in confusion. "Baby, you can't just say that and then not . . . introduce him?" She shook her head. "My God, you're hopeless."

Eli smirked at her, leaning his face close. "Then how'd I manage to score you?"

She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "Pure luck." Alyssa looked back at the girl in orange. "Apologies for my boyfriend. I think all the hair dye that he's used has seeped into his brain."

"All right, that's it." Eli suddenly wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted her up off the ground with extreme ease. Alyssa let out a quiet yelp from the sudden movement, but she didn't try to fight it. "Outside we go."

"Bye, I guess." She looked back at Miguel. "Make good choices, Miguel!"

Eli pushed his way through the crowd until they got outside. Finally, he set her feet down on concrete, but kept one hand on her waist. Alyssa looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Feel better now?" Alyssa questioned. "Got it out of your system?"

"Not everything," Eli told her, and he put his hands on her hips. "Did you know that I've been dying to get a minute with you alone ever since you got dropped off here? I've been scouting out this corner — and look, it's still empty."

She couldn't help the smile on her face, or the way her cheeks turned a shade of pink to rival her hair. "Oh, really?"

"Hey, Ally!" a familiar voice called, swiftly interrupting whatever moment they just had. "Eli!"

Alyssa tore her eyes away from her Eli — even if it was extremely hard to do. The smile on her face widened as she saw Moon rushing up to them, her usual bubbly personality shining and a Polaroid camera in her hand.

"Hey, Moon," Alyssa responded, letting out a small laugh as she did so. "What's with the camera?"

"Oh, I've been going around taking pictures of people for memories," Moon explained. "I just wanted to see if you wanted one. No worries if you don't."

Alyssa glanced up at Eli, who shrugged with a small grin. "Sure, we would love one."

"Perfect!" Moon raised the camera up to her eye. "Smile."

Alyssa put her head closer to Eli's, her temple resting against the side of his jaw and part of his cheek. Eli wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, so close that their heads pressed against each other's further and that Alyssa's body was leaning back just the tiniest bit. She reached up and held onto him, placing a bright smile onto her face. Moon took the picture, and once it came out of the camera, she handed it to Alyssa.

"There you go," Moon said. "Off to go take more! Bye!"

Alyssa watched her go for a moment, a fond expression on her face. "That girl is literally everything. She's such a free spirit."

They waited for about a minute until their picture fully developed. Alyssa watched as her and Eli faded into a view. Honestly, the entire picture just radiated happiness. It made Alyssa's heart race against her chest.

Eli took the picture from her gently. "Do you mind if I keep this one?"

She shook her head. "Not at all."

He then reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out his wallet. Eli opened it up and placed the Polaroid in one of the little slips that his wallet had.

Afterwards, they did take advantage of that still-empty corner for a while. Alyssa felt the cold of the concrete against her back, but the warmth from Eli's lips on hers and his hands on her waist made up for it. They then moved onto beer pong — Alyssa and Eli versus Bert and Abe.

(It was safe to say Alyssa and Eli were absolutely crushing them.)

Miguel walked up to them as Alyssa was about to shoot the ball, a panicked look on his face. "Hey, have you seen Sam?"

"Wait, Sam's here?" Alyssa asked, turning to him and letting the ball fall to the table, suddenly distracted. "Oh, good. They haven't played You Belong—"

There was suddenly a shout of Fight! Alyssa looked across the way, only to see the curly hair of Sam and the blonde hair of Tory by the dumpsters nearby. Her eyes immediately widened and she ran in the direction, completely abandoning her beer pong tournament and pushing through everyone to get there first. Alyssa skidded to a stop once she got closer. Underneath the harsh lights of the apartment building, she could see tear tracks glistening on Sam's face.

"You knew all along that Silver cheated at the All Valley and you did nothing?" Sam demanded, pushing Tory in anger.

"You don't know what it's like in there," Tory insisted. "What I've had to deal with."

Sam lunged forwards, her arm extending in a punch. Alyssa didn't know what she expected to happen, but she had to intervene.

"Sam!" Alyssa protested, running up and grabbing her arm. "Samantha, stop!"

She whirled around. Alyssa only saw the anger in her eyes before she felt Sam put her hands on her shoulders and push her backwards away from her. She stumbled backwards, barreling straight into Eli's chest, who was thankfully there to catch her before she fell. Eli wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close and upright. Alyssa stared at Sam in shock, and Sam stared back, regret flashing across her face.

Sam then looked back at Tory, and her anger returned. "My entire family has suffered because of you!"

She went to advance again. However, Robby quickly got in front of Tory and Miguel put his hands on Sam's waist, pulling her away from Tory.

"No, Sam, that's enough!" Miguel shouted.

"She's been working with Kreese this whole time," Sam revealed, and Alyssa's eyes widened even further.

Robby looked at Tory incredulously. "What?"

"Why did you only come forward now, huh? Because you're a coward."

"Screw you, LaRusso," Tory said. "I knew this was a mistake."

Tory then walked off.

"Tory," Robby called after her.

Sam then turned around and collected her purse, which was lying on the ground next to Alyssa's feet. Alyssa stared down at Sam, watching as she straightened back up.

"Sam?" Alyssa began.

"I'm sorry, Ally," Sam let out, a tear dripping down her cheek. "I'm so sorry, I didn't — I didn't mean—"

"Hey, Sam, it's okay," Alyssa reassured her. "I know you didn't mean to." She gave Sam a nod. "I can tell you want to be alone, but text me later, okay?"

Sam nodded back at her. She then pushed through the crowd and ran away.

Miguel looked at Robby. "Did you know about any of this?"

"No," Robby answered. "I had no idea."

Alyssa looked up at Eli. "Tory with Kreese."

"I know," Eli agreed, moving her so they started to walk back in the direction of Miguel's apartment. "I don't know why. He's manipulative as fuck." He let out a deep breath. "You okay? That shove looked a little harsh."

Alyssa leaned into him a little more, and he pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'm fine. I know she didn't mean to. Not really sure what I was expecting trying to get in the middle of that fight."

"Als," Miguel then called. Alyssa stopped in her tracks, turning her head to watch Miguel slow to a stop next to her. "Can you explain to me what the hell just happened? You know Sam better than anyone."

"I don't know, Miguel, it seems pretty self explanatory to me. Tory showed up and revealed some shit, some fucked up shit, might I add, and Sam hit her. Plain and simple."

"No, I'm not talking about the fight." Miguel sighed, running a hand over his face. "Why Sam ran away crying when she saw me kissing that girl."

Alyssa blinked. "That's also really self explanatory. You literally just gave the reason as to why she was crying." She shook her had in exasperation. "Boys are so clueless, Jesus Christ."

"But she broke up with me," Miguel insisted. "I'm allowed to see other people."

"You are, but in a situation like this, we also have to take Sam's feelings into account. Here, let's look at it from both sides. You, Miguel, have been broken up with. Shit sucks, right? But you deal with it, and you have every right to go out and kiss or date or fuck whoever you want. Sam has that right, too. The only difference is that she's not going to, because she's not over you."

"But—"

"Nope, still talking," Alyssa interjected. "Her, Sam, broke up with you. But she didn't break up with you because she doesn't like you anymore. She broke up with you because she doesn't like her anymore. Sam just needed some time to focus on herself and find out who she's meant to be. However, since she's not focusing on you all the time, she hasn't let you go. That means you still own her heart. I mean, you always have, really, ever since you came to the Valley. It's not exactly easy to show up at a party and see the king of your heart kissing someone else."

"So you're saying I'm in the wrong?" Miguel questioned.

Alyssa's voice was calm. "No. Neither of you are in the wrong at all. It's just . . . messy. Old feelings and new feelings get in the way until everything spirals out of control, like now."

"How do you possibly know all that?" Eli inquired.

Alyssa shrugged. "Someone's gotta be the voice of reason. Might as well be me."

"Thanks," Miguel replied as Eli took out his phone and typed for a moment. "I guess now we need to figure out what to do with Tory and Kreese."

"That might not be our problem, honey." She then stopped and thought about it. "Well, actually, everything including Cobra Kai is our problem. Forget I said anything."

Miguel then winced as he looked back to his apartment. "I guess I should go tell that girl sorry for running away." He then walked away. "Oh God."

"What a disaster," Alyssa commented, turning back to Eli as he locked his phone and put it away. "How could've everything gone so wrong so fast?"

"Hey, no looking sad," Eli stated. "Come on, Lys, you won. You're the one who got us into the Sekai Taikai." He dropped his arm from her waist. "Let's have some fun, yeah?"

Instantly, a familiar sequence of guitar chords started to echo throughout the apartment complex. It seemed like everyone there forgot about the dimmed mood and started to perk up just from hearing it. Alyssa cracked a small smile, her heart feeling like it was about to burst out of her chest — he had texted somebody to put that song on.

Eli took her hands in his and pulled her to a more secluded spot. "You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset, she's going off about something that you said 'cause she doesn't get your humor like I do." Eli let go of one of her hands and lifted their remaining interlocked ones over her head. "Come on."

Alyssa rolled her eyes fondly, but she spun herself around anyways. "I'm in the room, it's a typical Tuesday night, I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like, and she'll never know your story like I do."

And at the end of the party, Alyssa found herself staring down at a new Polaroid in her hand. It was one that Moon had taken without either of them knowing. They were dancing, and their hands were interlocked while their arms were outstretched all the way. Both of them were smiling widely at each other, mid-laughter.

Just like Eli kept his in his wallet, this one was going on the mirror in her room.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

THE TWO HAD gone back to Alyssa's house afterwards. Maybe it was the alcohol in her system giving her courage, but Alyssa had wanted more since kissing Eli in that corner. They hadn't done anything to that extent lately, and right now seemed to be the best time. She let Eli go into her room first, and when she hung back in the doorway, he looked at her questioningly.

Alyssa nodded her head to her bed. "Sit."

"Sure," Eli replied. He sat on the edge of her bed, but looked at her with his eyebrows knitting in concern. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Alyssa answered, shutting the door behind her and pressing her back up against it. "I just wanted to say thank you. For being by my side. I wouldn't have won without you."

Eli shook his head. "That's not true."

"Yes, it is. You gave me the confidence I needed."

"Just performing my civil boyfriend duties, baby." He gave her a small smile. "But you're welcome."

"Oh, that wasn't me actually thanking you," Alyssa revealed. She pushed herself off of her door, and Eli watched her with careful eyes as she slowly approached him. "Sensei LaRusso did tell us to celebrate."

Eli swallowed, his mind spinning with what she was implying. "Lys . . ."

She placed her hands on his shoulders, pressing her left knee onto her bed on one side of him. Alyssa pushed herself up and sat herself down on top of his lap, both of her knees pressing into her bed on either side of him. Eli put his hands on the back of her thighs, right where her skirt ended, and his skin ignited hers through her tights.

"I know you're still upset about the fight earlier." Alyssa told him quietly. "Let me make you feel better."

Eli said nothing else. All he did was love his hand up, hooking a finger around the chain of her necklace and pulling her down to him.

Alyssa knew one thing — she had finally found the one who understood her, who just happened to be there all along.

•─•°•❀•°•─•

I think rick riordan needs to compensate me financially for all the emotional damage he's caused me over the years like I just finished the sun and the star and WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT

he needs to be banned. no more tartarus for rick I can't HANDLE IT