chapter ten, a night to remember

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          Izzy's night was already off to a bad start. It was prom, she should be smiling and enjoying herself, but she was dreading every second of it. She sat in Ethan's passenger seat, silent as much as she could be as his music played through the car. Izzy didn't tell her sister she was practically forced into going with Ethan, so she lied and said she and Miguel were meeting somewhere.

     Her gaze was fixated on the scenery they passed going to high school and all Izzy could feel was guilty. She hasn't even looked over, or at her phone, once since Ethan picked her up a few minutes ago. All Izzy could do was stay quiet, because if she didn't bite her tongue, Izzy would say a lot of not-pretty things to Ethan.

     Especially when she speculated Ethan was the one that told Silver about her and Miguel. He must've somehow convinced Silver to get Izzy to go to prom with him and that fact made Izzy want to reach over and punch the boy in the face.

     "You've been quiet."

     Izzy didn't glance over when Ethan spoke. The sound of his voice annoyed her, it took her a few seconds before she even responded.

     "Because I don't want to talk to you." Izzy answered him.

     All Izzy could think about was Miguel, how she wanted to be walking through the doors with him, but it was going to be with Ethan instead, while Miguel would be with Sam. But then Izzy remembered Silver's words, that if she wanted a future with Cobra Kai, she wouldn't interact with Miguel ever after the tournament.

If you asked Izzy two months ago, she would tell you she would rather have a life without Miguel. If you asked her now, Izzy couldn't seem to bare the thought if she didn't have Miguel in her life.

But then there was a part of her that felt that way with Cobra Kai too. Cobra Kai was all she knows, it was going to be her future. It got her through dealing with the emotions about her dads death. Did she really want Miguel to get in the way of that, no matter how much she wants him to stay in her life?

"You know, it's better this way. When people see us at prom together, they'll die to join Cobra Kai." She heard Ethan speak as Izzy kept her eyes outside of the window next to her.

An annoyed sigh came from Ethan when Izzy didn't respond to him. "I don't get why you want to go to prom with Miguel. Your guy's relationship is fake, he probably doesn't even care about you. That's why he went with Sam instead." Ethan talked like he was trying to provoke a reaction out of Izzy, and he did.

She turned her head to look at him, like he was the most unbelievable person on Earth. "Can you shut the fuck up?" Izzy spat, "And how do you even know about us being fake?" She asked, staring at him expecting an answer.

Ethan hesitated a bit, "Riley heard you and Nina talking about it the other day at her soccer practice. She told me, I told Silver." Ethan shrugged as he spoke.

"Okay but why? At what part did you decide to make it your business when it isn't?" Izzy snapped yet again at the boy.

He made a turn that led them to the school. "Why are you making such a big deal about this? Do you actually like Miguel or something?" Ethan asked, pulling into the parking where students were entering the school for prom.

When Izzy didn't answer him immediately, Ethan continued talking. "If you do, he's just going to bring you down. Robby got his ass at the fight, so now Miguel isn't even the best fighter in the Valley anymore." Ethan explained, but his words were just fuel to the fire that was Izzy's heart.

"You are such a fucking asshole." Izzy scoffed just as the car parked.

Ethan laughed, acting like he saw nothing wrong in his words. "What, like you didn't use to talk shit about Miguel?" He questioned her.

"And I never once mentioned his injury. It's that easy." Izzy spat at the boy, her facial expression telling him she was angry.

Another laugh came from Ethan, not taking the situation seriously. "Look, all I'm saying is the Valley needs a power couple, you know? If we date again, we can rule Cobra Kai." Ethan said as he turned the car off, looking over at Izzy.

She stared back at him, not saying a single word as her eyes were on the boy in the passenger seat. There it was. When Izzy didn't think her night couldn't get that much worse, Ethan managed to say something that felt like he had ripped her heart out.

If they dated again, it would be to rule Cobra Kai, not because he was still in love with her. Ethan was her first boyfriend, her first everything, and he sat there telling her if he dated her again — it would just be to gain attention.

Izzy knew she had bad luck with guys, one of Kayla's friends from college that studied psychology said her dad dying had some part to do with it. Izzy could see how that made sense. First, her dad died. Then her first boyfriend broke her heart. Now, she's being put in a position to choose between the guy she actually likes and her future in karate. Whichever she chooses, she would never have the other option again.

     So yeah, Izzy would say her luck with guys sucked.

"What do you say? Forget about Miguel. He probably doesn't even feel the same way back. Didn't he come here with Sam?" Ethan asked.

     Izzy finally snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the boy once again, "As a friend." She spoke bitterly.

     Ethan smiled and shook his head, "Yeah, I'm sure that's the truth." He laughed.

     The Vera girl scoffed and rolled her eyes, pushing the car door open and getting out of the car. Once she shut the door, Ethan quickly followed her actions and hurried by Izzy as she made her way towards the doors that led into the school where prom was being held.

     Miguel stood by a table where the drinks were sat, Sam by his side and it wasn't too long before Hawk and Demetri approached them. They also saved Miguel from the miserable small talk between him and Sam with the situation they were in. He was in love with Izzy, they both knew it, but Sam was still trying out of spite and for herself.

     And when Miguel saw his other friends, he felt relieved. "You guys having fun?" He asked as the two boys approached them.

     "Yasmine had to go to the ladies room. I didn't want to stand around and —" Demetri was talking and halfway through, he had glanced to the side and caught glimpse of something that made him quickly switch the subject.

     His face turned back to Miguel, "And you should have more drinks! I'll help." Demetri went over to Miguel and tried to divert his attention to something else.

     But, Hawk wasn't too quick on picking up what Demetri was trying to avoid. So, when Hawk turned his head, he blurted the words out — "Why is Izzy here with Ethan?"

     Miguel was quick to turn his head, looking behind him. "What?" His eyes scanned the faces of people until his eyes landed on Izzy.

     The moment his eyes fell on her, it was like he had tunnel vision. He stood up straight with his mouth slightly open as he realized that she had actually come, and he watched her from afar. She looked perfect, the red dress she was wearing was short and fit her body right, and Miguel quite literally couldn't take his eyes off of her.

     But then he recognized Ethan's face in the blurs and reality set in, Izzy had actually come to prom with Ethan. Ethan of all people? That was the only thing going through Miguel's head, besides the fact that he should be there by her side instead of Ethan.

     "You two both came with your exes. Ironic." Demetri shrugged, earning a look from both Hawk and Sam as Miguel couldn't even take his eyes away from Izzy and Ethan.

     "Did you guys break up or something?" Hawk questioned.

     It felt like that to Miguel. Even though they weren't actually a real couple, the whole Valley seemed to know about the rival karate couple by now, and Miguel was foolish enough to fall in love with her. So, yeah, Miguel pretty much felt he had just gotten broken up with and he's going to have to deal with another one at the tournament.

     If only he knew about Silver's words to Izzy, that Izzy has to keep Miguel out of her life if she wanted to continue being in Cobra Kai.

     "Um," Miguel muttered out, he didn't even know how to answer Hawk. "No, I don't.. I don't think so." He sounded like someone had just ripped his heart out and put it through a paper shredder.

     "Good. It just shows that she'll never be on our side. She was just using you, Miguel." Sam told the Diaz boy that was beside her and Miguel finally looked over at Sam, but she couldn't read his emotions.

Demetri was quick to butt in, "I don't know, man. Maybe just try talking to her. Shit, there's Yasmine. See you guys later!" The boy said to his friends and hurried over to the blonde looking for him.

     That was when Miguel let out a sigh and nodded, "I'm going to talk to her." Miguel spoke out loud.

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Miguel didn't talk to her. He blamed it on Ethan, because any time Miguel got the courage to approach Izzy, Ethan somehow swooped in and diverted Izzy's attention by all means.

So that was why Miguel sat at a table by himself while everyone else was on the dance floor dancing to the current slow song playing. Sam had gotten pissed at him, that they were at prom together and all he was worried about was Izzy. So, she had ditched him to go hang out with Moon.

He also gave up on trying to find Izzy in the crowds, as much as he wanted to look at her, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Especially knowing Ethan's face was right next to hers. His eyes were on the tablecloth he was messing with, all he could think about was Izzy and Ethan slow dancing and how jealous yet heartbroken it made Miguel feel.

     He felt stupid, to put it simple. As much as he wanted to talk to Izzy, he couldn't because of so many reasons. He was tempted to just leave right now.

     "May I have this dance?"

     The soft voice caught Miguel's attention and when his eyes met with Izzy's, his face lit up. He sat up from how he was leaning back in the chair, observing the bright smile on Izzy's face as she looked at Miguel.  His eyes gazed her up and down quickly then he looked back at her face.

     "Um.." Miguel couldn't even think, having to look away to try and gather his thoughts. Before he could even get anything out, Izzy spoke up again.

     "I managed to get away from Ethan. He thought going out to smoke a joint with his friends was better than a slow dance with his date." Izzy spoke sarcastically with a smile on her face, making the topic lighthearted and Miguel laughed at her words.

     "Yeah, sounds like you need a better date." Miguel watched as Izzy took a seat on the chair in front of him so that they were facing each other, "Why are you here with Ethan?" It didn't come off as jealousy, but more pure curiosity.

      Izzy sighed, glancing around to see only the two of them being around the area they were in. "My new Sensei, Silver, he.. he found out we were fake dating. Ethan told him," She nodded when she saw Miguel's eyebrows furrow. "Riley overheard me and Nina talking about it." Izzy admitted to him.

     "So.. your Sensei made you come to prom with Ethan?" Miguel asked to which Izzy nodded.

     "And on the way here we got into this huge fight. He was being such an asshole. I've literally been having the worst prom night because of him." Izzy huffed, even with the dark lighting from sitting on the sides, Miguel could see the tears in her eyes.

     I wish I came with you, was what Izzy was thinking.

"What did he say to you?" Miguel asked out of curiosity, mixed in with just a sprinkle of jealousy.

Izzy sighed, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't dare to mention Silver telling her that he was making her choose between Cobra Kai or Miguel. Miguel had leaned forward, his elbows on his legs as he looked at Izzy, waiting for an answer.

"He was just saying that he and I should date, that we would be some Cobra Kai power couple." Izzy laughed, "And he said you were going to bring me down because you aren't the best fighter in the Valley." Izzy admitted, leaning forward as well to get closer to the boy, her hands holding to the edges of the plastic chair.

"He said all of that?" Miguel raised his eyebrows, a laugh leaving his lips when he heard what Ethan said about him, and Izzy nodded once again to answer him.

She then watched as the boy stood to his feet and her eyebrows knitted together. "Don't tell me you're going to go karate fight him." Izzy said, but Miguel cracked a smile.

He shook his head, "No. I was wondering if.. you would still like that dance." Miguel hesitantly spoke as he held his hand out for her to take, weary of how she would answer, and all he could hope for was a 'yes'.

A smile appeared on Izzy's lips as she looked at his open hand and then up at his face, it felt like her heart was quite literally about to beat out of her chest. She placed her hand into his and stood to her feet, their faces closer now as Izzy stared up at Miguel.

"I'd love it." Izzy told him, watching a smile form on Miguel's face.

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Miguel had led Izzy through the hallways of the school and ended up outside of a classroom door. Izzy watched as Miguel opened it and her eyebrows furrowed at the boy's actions.

     "What? My biology teacher always leaves it open." Miguel shrugged, smiling as he gestured for Izzy to enter first.

Izzy held back a laugh as she walked into the classroom, the open windows casting the moonlight throughout the large classroom. Miguel followed her and closed the door, getting to the front of the classroom where Izzy finally turned to face the boy.

"Do you always bring girls into this classroom?" Izzy looked at him as he shrugged his shoulders, a smug grin on his lips.

"Just ones that are in a fake relationship with me." Miguel told her, the grin not leaving his lips once.

     He had taken a few steps toward her, the gap in between them slowly closing with each step. Izzy's eyes glanced down at his suit and Miguel watched as her hands came up to fix the boutonnière that was pinned to his suit.

     "Make sure your next prom date actually knows how to put this thing on." Izzy muttered to him, smirking a little as she fixed the flowers and glanced back up at him.

"I'm sure she'll know." Miguel thought out loud, his eyes meeting with the girls, and if only she knew he was referring to her.

Izzy let out a sigh, a tempted look coning across her face. "So, are you a better slow dancer than you are a fighter?" She questioned the boy that stood in front of her, tilting her head up to see his full face. 

     "I guess we're about to find out." Miguel admitted, placing his hands on Izzy's waist as her arms came up to wrap around his neck, the both of them slowly moving together as if there were music playing in the room.

"I hope your prom night has been better than mine." Izzy spoke in a whisper because of how close they were to each other.

     He sighed, staying quiet for a few seconds before his eyes met Izzy's, a feeling of comfort and awe filling his veins. "It's gotten a lot better." Miguel confessed.

     A smile tugged at the corner of Izzy's lips. "Mine too." Izzy admitted to the boy.

Those words made Miguel happier than he expected, a small smile forming on his face that he tried to hold back. He could feel her fingers playing with the end of his hair on his neck as they slowly danced at the front of the classroom, and he couldn't tell if she was doing it purposefully or absentmindedly.

     Izzy had absentmindedly rested her head on Miguel's chest, but she did realize she didn't want to leave this moment. Inside the classroom, it was just them. No Sam, no Ethan, no Silver or Kreese telling her what to do, no karate — just them. Izzy continued playing with the hair at the back of his neck, her eyes closing as she tried her best to enjoy this moment before they had to leave.

It was quiet for a few seconds before Miguel spoke up, "Izzy?" His voice was low and he had a certain question in mind, but once Izzy looked up, both of them seemed to have gotten distracted.

When she lifted her head from his chest to look up, their lips hovered over each other's and it caught the both of them off guard. Neither of them seemed to mind it, though, especially when Miguel asked a new question that came to his mind.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?" He asked quietly, nervous to hear what her answer was going to be after what happened with their last kiss.

Izzy answered it by leaning up to press her lips against his, a quick kiss that didn't last too long. It was enough to confirm what both of them seemed to want and need, so that was why when Izzy pulled away from the kiss, Miguel was quick to close the gap again.

When Miguel's lips smashed onto hers, they were kissing with a type of hunger that neither felt before, like they need more. Without breaking the kiss, Miguel guided the two over to a desk, and Izzy had backed up on it. The boy used his hands to pull her thighs up so that she was sitting on the desk and Miguel kept a grip on the girl's thighs.

The kiss had a sort of passion to it that made neither of them wanting to pull away and they both thought it was perfect, that no one would interrupt them this time and make them realize the truth behind their predicament.

     As Miguel's hands rested on her thighs, Izzy's hands held Miguel's face in place by her hold on the back of his neck. She held him as close as she could as they made out, but after a moment, Miguel managed to pull away from the kiss, but not for long.

"Are you sure this is okay?" He had asked in a whisper, but his hands had come up to run through her hair and make a makeshift ponytail to expose her neck.

Izzy didn't want to think about what was going to happen after tonight, so she finally let herself give in for once. Izzy wanted to shiver once the cold air hit her neck.

"It's okay. Can you just keep kissing me before I punch you?" Izzy muttered, pulling Miguel's face back to hers and he didn't waste a second to reconnect their lips with a smile on his face.

After a few seconds though, his mouth lefts hers, only to kiss down her jaw and used the makeshift ponytail he has created to tug at her hair. When her head tilted, Miguel's lips attached to her neck. He kissed and sucked at the skin on her neck and the soft hums leaving Izzy's mouth were enough proof that she liked it.

They had shown no signs of stopping, until another voice filled the room — "Holy shit!" It scared both Izzy and Miguel, the boy quickly stepping away from Izzy who slid off of the teachers desk and fixed her dress.

They both looked over and Izzy furrowed her eyebrows, "Nina? What the hell?" Izzy asked as the other girl stood in the doorway.

"I knew it!" Nina gasped, pointing between the two, making both Miguel and Izzy flustered to even talk. Miguel more than Izzy.

"What are you even doing out here?" Izzy asked, trying to catch her breath from her and Miguel's moment.

Nina sighed, realizing that maybe this situation was a talk that could happen later. "We're leaving for the after-party and you left your phone. I've been every single hallway looking for you." Nina explained, holding the phone up and eyed Miguel.

Izzy nodded, "Okay. Where's this after party at?" She asked.

"I'll text you the address. Some guy named Stingray's house. Also, Ethan is looking for you." Nina explained, holding the phone out for Izzy to come and take.

The Vera girl glanced at Miguel who was looking at her, she gave him a small smile. "I'll see you there?" She asked hopeful.

Miguel knew he couldn't leave with her and she couldn't leave with him, but knowing he would see her at the after-party felt worth it in the end. So, he nodded and smiled back.

"Of course." Miguel said quietly to the girl.

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authors note.
just a warning next chapter contains alcoholism/alcohol abuse and the effects of it on izzy!! just wanted to let anyone know beforehand who is uncomfortable with those things

the next chapter is going to very sad and gut wrenching, or at least imma try to make it that way <3