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Aisha's phone was held high in the air, capturing everyone in the group on the small screen as she filmed a short video for her Instagram story. Cramped into a small booth inside an Applebees on the outskirts of the Valley, they celebrated their win, laughing heartily among themselves, joking about the tournament and teasing each other - some more mild than others.
Cristina was happy. Why wouldn't she be? Her dojo had won the tournament, her very best friend bringing home the first place trophy along with a title that would last the next twelve months until his skill would be tested again the upcoming year. She was surrounded by friends, some of which she'd had for years and some she'd only grown to know the past year. Everything seemed perfect.
When a joke was told, she laughed, her face scrunching up in evident joy while her eyes crinkled. And when Hawk wrapped an arm around Moon's shoulder, said girl giggling as she leaned into his side, Cristina pretended that it didn't hurt. She put on an act, a damn good one at that, and no one was none the wiser. Not even Declan, who could read her like a book the majority of the time, saw the flicker of sadness in her eyes. And for that, she was thankful. She could burden him with her emotions later and spill her guts over a box of Oreo cookies.
For now, she was fine. She had to be. She couldn't bring down the mood by sulking in a corner like Miguel was already doing. Not when her friends looked so happy.
"So you might be wondering what a team does after they win the championship." Aisha grinned at the camera, zooming in on Cristina's amused expression for a brief moment. "The answer? Victory nachos!" she moved her phone, focusing on the nachos placed in the middle of the table that was being shared among the group. With a smirk, she faced Declan, who had just shoved a nacho in his mouth, and filmed as he choked in surprise, suddenly having her device thrust into his face.
The group laughed, and Moon, ever the sweetheart, offered a napkin Declan's way and patted his back soothingly as he coughed. Once he could breathe properly again, Declan joined in on the cheering and clinked his glass against the others as they simultaneously raised their drinks into the air.
Again, Aisha stood properly, speaking into her phone and filming the others vaguely in the background. "It was supposed to be a round of drinks instead of sodas, but the waitress was not feeling Hawk's fake ID."
Declan, smirked, spreading out in his seat. "Told you we should've used mine instead."
Nodding slowly, Aisha zoomed in on him. "Remind us all to trust Declan with stuff like this. He's the expert after all." she referred to Declan, who'd been going to bars and ordering drinks for a while now, his fake ID always seeming to be below suspicion.
Hawk sunk into the booth, his expression startled by the topic. "Hey, don't talk about that!" he scolded, his eyes flickering around nervously. "My parents follow you."
Sheeisphly, Aisha's eyes widened and she quickly ended the video. "Sorry Mr. and Mrs. Moskowitz!" her voice, an octave higher than usual, squeaked out. "Anyway, until next time, no mercy, bitches!" Declan whooped and threw an arm around her shoulders, just barely managing to be shown in the image before Aisha clicked out and turned her phone off.
