❝ does this amuse you, mr. diaz? ❞

AYANE FINALLY MANAGED TO get some sleep, but she woke up irritable the next morning.

She was thinking about her conversation with Daniel, as it was still fresh on her mind. Ayane's stomach hurt when she thought about Miguel, and whatever was going on with him.

At once, Ayane got up and got dressed, stretching and finally checking her phone. Even if they were 'taking a break', it still hurt when she did not see any notifications from Miguel.

She wanted to have faith, faith that it wasn't Miguel and that maybe someone else did. Ayane found the idea a tad bit extreme, though, so she dismissed it.

Despite still being confused about the whole situation, Ayane decided for now to just accept if for what it was. And if Miguel wanted to say anything else to her, then he knew exactly how to do that.

Then, Ayane remembered what day it was and groaned. She had to go to her dad's court hearing today.

She had been given a choice, so technically she wasn't required to go. But Ayane knew the chances of him staying in jail would be low if she wasn't there to testify.

Ayane was greeted by Amanda as she went into the kitchen.

"Good morning, honey. So, I know you probably remember that the court hearing is today."

Ayane nodded curtly and unenthusiastically.

Amanda sighed. "Yeah... but hey- as long as you get in there and tell them exactly what happened, we should be out of there in no time."

Ayane smiled with a little nod, taking a deep breath.

This was turning into the most stressful summer of her life.

. . . .

AS IT TURNED OUT, the jury was on Ayane's side.

Ayane had photo evidence of her bruised face, and she told the story exactly as it had happened. Liana and Ennis sat on one side of the room, while Daniel and Amanda sat on the other.

The bad part, however?

Ennis was only serving six months. And he had to pay a $2,000 fine, but that was like two cents coming from his bank account.

Ayane could not even bring herself to be surprised, frustrating though it was. It was his first misdemeanor, so it wasn't like he could serve more time anyway.

There were students waiting when Ayane and Mr. LaRusso got back, after having dropped Amanda off at the dealership. Something was up between Amanda and Daniel, but Ayane did not question it.

Daniel, unfortunately, had to go back to the dealership today. And he left Ayane, Robby and Sam in charge.

While Ayane was leading the warmups, she noticed that Robby and Sam were both missing.

"Repeat the arm circles thirty times!" she instructed, turning and walking toward the dojo.

Ayane slid the door open and for the second time, found Sam and Robby making out. They broke away as she entered, Ayane placing her hands on her hips irritably.

"I am truly very happy for you both, but right now I need you to direct your asses outside and help me lead warmups."

They both stood with sighs, Sam replying, "What, like you haven't snuck off with Miguel before to do the same thing?"

Ayane blinked slowly, mustering up a smile. "I don't want to talk about Miguel right now. Outside, let's go."

The two of them both frowned, but did not question her any further. Sam and Robby followed her outside, finishing the rest of the warmups.

The next thing they knew, Sam was getting a phone call from Daniel, telling her to get all of the Miyagi-Do students down to the dealership.

No one asked questions, not even Demetri. When they all got there, Mr. LaRusso was waiting for them with a smile on his face.

"It's time to get to work."

Ayane paired up with Demetri to wax cars, using the circular motion technique that Mr. LaRusso was teaching them.

"You're doing it wrong," Ayane informed Demetri, lacking her usual fervent tone.

He noticed this, glancing up at Ayane. "What- you're not going to hit me until I do it right?"

Ayane looked up at him briefly, barely smiling and not giving a response.

Demetri was not the only one who had noticed Ayane was bothered, though. Robby and Sam were discussing it, a few cars down.

"You think she and Miguel broke up?" Sam asked, looking up at Robby.

Robby shrugged, glancing over at Ayane. "I guess I could ask. I hope it isn't because he was being an asshole to her, though."

Sam pursed her lips in thought. "Miguel doesn't really seem like the asshole type, though, you know? Him and Ayane not being together is just- weird."

Finally, Robby straightened up and threw down his rag, replying, "Well why don't I just go find out, then?"

Robby walked over to Ayane, standing there until she finally acknowledged him.

"No, Robby, I will not French braid your hair."

Demetri raised an eyebrow, butting out of the conversation.

Robby rolled his eyes, saying, "I have a question. A different question."

Ayane made circular motions with the rag on the hood of the car, her expression remaining passive. "It better not be a stupid one."

Sighing, Robby continued, "Did you and Miguel break up?"

Ayane tensed, faltering for a moment. At once, she replied, "I don't know. Sort of. It's kinda hard to know when they do it by text and then don't answer your phone calls."

Robby frowned.

"Are you serious? He broke up with you over text?"

Ayane shrugged, tossing the rag down and wiping her face with her sleeve.

"Seems that way. I don't really know. I'm just- confused."

Robby was visibly angered by this news. He felt protective of Ayane, because honestly, she was like something of a sister to him.

"That asshole is so dead," Robby muttered, turning around to walk away.

Ayane quickly grabbed his arm, yanking Robby back.

"Robby, don't make a big deal out of this. Please. I can handle my problems on my own, and in private."

He gave her a sharp look for a moment, then finally nodded. "Okay. I won't. But if he pulls anymore shit like that-"

"Then I'll handle it," Ayane finished, smiling curtly at Robby. "Go flirt with Sam or something. Stop bugging me."

Mr. LaRusso dismissed the students for the day, so Ayane, Sam and Robby all went back home. Ayane went up to her room and decided to watch a movie. Her Netflix account was recommending her superhero movies, which hurt Ayane more than it should've. She hated that she associated them with Miguel.

It seemed like she couldn't escape the boy, however, as Ayane's phone began buzzing not too long after she started her movie. Miguel was calling.

Ayane stared at her phone, wondering if it was even worth it to pick up. She didn't have the energy to argue with him right now. It eventually went to voicemail, and Ayane noticed that Miguel had left one.

Huffing, Ayane picked up her phone and clicked on the voicemail after moments of hesitation.

"Ayane... we haven't talked all day and I'm really confused right now. I-I lost my phone yesterday and when I found it, all of my messages had been cleared out. I'm totally lost and I don't know if you're mad at me for something, but... please call me back. I-I love you. Bye."

Now Ayane was just completely bewildered. If Miguel had not sent those texts, then who had?

Finally, Ayane called Miguel back.

He picked up after one ring.

"Ayane, thank God. I have no idea what's happening right now," Miguel breathlessly tried to explain.

"Okay... so just to be clear, you didn't break up with me over text?"

"What?" Miguel asked. "No, of course not. Why would I-"

"I don't know," Ayane sighed with some relief. "I'm just as confused as you. You- you said you lost your phone?"

Ayane frowned, rubbing her temple. This whole situation was making her head hurt.

"Yes," Miguel replied, "when I got back to the dojo I went to talk to Sensei for like two seconds and when I got back, it was gone. But luckily, Tory found it-"

"Are you fucking serious?" Ayane shook her head in disbelief, running a hand through her hair. Tory had to have been absolutely insane.

"What?" Miguel asked.

Ayane scoffed a little. "Well, Miguel- if you didn't send those messages, then someone had to have done it."

"Wait- so you think Tory did it?"

"Duh! She's literally obsessed with you."

Miguel paused. "Well I mean, who wouldn't be-"

"Miguel. Focus!"

"Sorry," he replied. "What are we supposed to do about it, then?"

Ayane could have reached through the phone and hit him. "We confront her," Ayane said slowly. "And we find out the truth."

Miguel sighed on the other end. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, she did mention that she works at this roller rink, I guess we could go there and ask her about it."

Ayane made a face. "I guess so. Well, that sounds like a plan then. What time?"

"Seven thirty. Oh, and also- if you want to make a date out of it, it's eighties night. We could show up in some really awesome costumes."

Ayane laughed a little. "Miguel, how many iconic Asian characters from the eighties do you know?"

Miguel was quiet for a moment, until Ayane continued, "Exactly. Why can't we just show up in regular clothes?"

"That takes all the fun out of it," Miguel replied. "I have an idea, though. Have you ever seen Heathers?"

Ayane raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever seen Heathers?"

"Many times, actually," he responded. "Anyway, you could totally pull off Veronica from Heathers. She's hot, you're hot, it can't go wrong."

Ayane pinched the bridge of her nose. "Miguel."

"Yeah?"

"Winona Ryder's a white woman."

"Who cares?" Miguel said, "White people appropriate other cultures all the time. They don't even have a culture. So... will you do it?"

Ayane tapped her hand on her knee.

"Yeah, I'll do it-"

"Thank you! This is going to be super fun."

"If you say so," Ayane sighed, crossing her legs. "I'll see you later. Bye."

Ayane groaned, standing up and searching through her closet. She wasn't exactly finding anything that screamed 'Veronica Sawyer'.

There was a knock on her door at once.

"Come in," she called, still looking through her closet.

"Hi," Sam said, walking in.

Ayane turned around, hands on her hips. "Thank God you're here. I need your help."

Sam nodded at once.

"Sure. What can I help you with?"

"I need to find a costume for this eighties thing at the roller rink tonight. I'm looking to go as Veronica from Heathers. Any ideas?"

Sam raised her eyebrows. "Okay, this is kind of freaky. I was just coming to ask if you wanted to tag along with me and Robby tonight... to the roller rink. Why do you want to go, anyway?"

Ayane pursed her lips.

"I'm going with Miguel."

Sam frowned. "Wait a minute. I thought you guys-"

"Yeah, I thought so too," Ayane replied, throwing her hands up. "But it's a really long story that I can explain as you help me throw together a costume."

. . . .

AT SEVEN THIRTY, Ayane, Robby and Sam arrived at the roller rink.

Ayane pushed her hair out of her face, which Sam had teased to mimic the character that Ayane was supposed to be.

The costume actually wasn't that bad, it was just the hair that bothered her.

The sound of 80's music could be heard as soon as they walked in, and Ayane almost immediately found Miguel. She raised her eyebrows, a little surprised as she saw him. He looked hot. Well, not that he didn't always.

"Excuse me, miss," Sam said, stopping a girl on roller skates who appeared to be an employee.

The girl turned, and Ayane's eyes widened a little at the realization that it was Tory.

"Oh, look who it is," Tory said unenthusiastically, pursing her lips. She looked over at Ayane, saying, "How's that lip?"

Ayane had nearly forgotten about her busted lip. She glanced at Tory, becoming more and more angry at the sight of her.

"Can we get some menus, waitress?" Ayane snapped.

Just then, Miguel walked up. He appeared tense, looking between Ayane and Tory nervously. Tory immediately smiled as he showed up.

"Ayane," he grabbed her hand, ignoring everyone else, "let's go roller skate."

Miguel pulled her away at once. "Thanks," Ayane muttered, glancing back at Tory.

"No problem," he replied, then looking Ayane up and down with a smirk. "You really outdid yourself, senorita."

Ayane laughed, shaking her head. "No, Sam outdid herself. She made me her personal dress up doll."

"I'm not complaining," Miguel replied, grabbing his roller skates.

Ayane grabbed her own, looking at the rink warily.

"You do know I've never done this before, right?" she said, sitting down to put the skates on.

"Mhm," Miguel replied, "which means that I, for once, get to be better than you at something."

Ayane laughed once more, attempting to stand up at once. She grabbed onto Miguel for support, while he was already laughing at her.

"Does this amuse you, Mr. Diaz?"

"Very much so, Miss Cain."

Miguel took Ayane by her hands, pulling her into the rink at once. "You'll get the hang of it soon enough," he assured her, keeping his hand in Ayane's.

"But we need to talk about Tory."

Ayane glanced up, still trying to balance herself with some frustration.

"Yeah, I guess. What do you suggest we do? Just ask her why she stole your phone and sent me a breakup text and then deleted the messages?"

Miguel sighed. "Well, actually, we won't have to confront her at all."

Ayane looked up at him, shaking her head a little. "What- why?"

He glanced around, exhaling.

"Tory confessed to it. She- she just flat out told me that she did it, a few minutes ago."

Ayane frowned, confused.

"Why would she do that? I mean, she's openly admitting that she's crazy."

"That's the thing," Miguel replied, shaking his head.

"I don't think she's trying to hide it."

NOTES!
i swear i had not intended on making tory out to be the 'crazy bitch' but i had to give ayane an antagonist that she will want to beat the shit out of eventually

also yeah i couldn't sleep so here's a new chapter lol