New Boy | Miguel Diaz

Fight

"What's the second rule of the Way of the Fist?"

"Strike hard." Miguel says.

"That's right. There's only one reason to hit someone. To inflict pain. Striking hard is about giving your all." The bells from the door jingles meaning someone is coming in.

"What the hell?" Sensei questions. "No yoga till five. No matter how bad you need it."

"Aisha? What are you doing here?" I get up and give her a hug.

"Um, I'm actually here for karate. I saw your website. It said that there was supposed to be a session today."

"I appreciate you coming in, but there are no girls in Cobra Kai."

"What about me? What am I?" I question.

"An exception."

"Why not?"

"Same reason there aren't women in the Army. Doesn't make sense."

"Uh Sensei, we need to show you something in the office." Miguel looks at me giving me a look telling me to go along. We leave the mat, bow, and walk in the office.

"Don't give me this 'sexist' bullshit. Women just aren't meant to fight. Except you." He points to me. "They have tiny, hollow bones."

"Aren't you desperate for new students?"

"Yes, but this isn't a knitting class. This is a dojo."

"Look, the kids at school call her names, make fun of her. And she's my friend." I reply.

"That's what happens when you eat a box of Twinkies every day." I glare at him.

"Her dad is Isaiah Robinson. Hall of Fame lineman for the Charges."

"Yeah so, you're saying it's genetic? Her love for Twinkies comes from her dad?"

"No, I'm saying her family's loaded. And she's a paying customer. But you don't need the money, right?"

"Alright." We walk back out, seeing Aisha in the same spot she was when she first came in.

"Okay, take off your shoes. Hop on the mat." She does as she's told and walks up on the mat.

"After further review, I've decided to allow female students. But if you wanna be in Cobra Kai, you can't act like a girl."

"What do you mean? How do girls act?"

"Don't give me that. You know, all emotional, loud, complain-y. Never letting you finish a sentence."

"Rude." I mutter.

"Well, I know a few guys who act just-"

"Quiet! My students tell me you've been harassed at school."

She glances at us for a second "Yeah. Mostly online. Um, I get mean texts and emails sent to me. Makes me not wanna go."

"And who sends you these messages?"

"Well, they're mostly anonymous. These kids create fake accounts, and they tell me things like I'm ugly and that I should kill myself."

"Oh my god." I raise my brows. Was Sensei Lawrence actually soft in the inside? "What a bunch of pussies!

"Back in my day, if you wanted to tease someone, you did it to their face. There was honor, respect. These geeks hiding behind their computers, what a bunch of spineless losers. You're not afraid of these losers, are you?"

"No."

"You gonna take shit from these losers?"

"No."

"Good, because when I'm done with you, you're gonna be sending a message back. Only it's not gonna be with your keyboard. It's gonna be with your fists."

-

We had grabbed out lunch, and sat with Aisha at a table. Sam had left, upset, and dropped her tray on a table further away.

She went up to Kyler and they started arguing. Suddenly, she threw Kyler's tray on the floor, gathering everyone's attention.

"Hey guys! You know that billboard with a big ass dick on it? I guess Sam takes after her dad." Kyler announced.

"Hey Kyler! Why don't you shut the hell up and stop being such an asshole?" Miguel tosses his tray on the table, approaching Kyler.

"Shit, Miguel." I mumble.

"Want another beatdown Rhea?"

I hand my tray over to Demetri and walk up behind Miguel.

"I'm ready for your lame-ass karate this time." He pushes Miguel, making him stumble.

He glances at me.

"It's not lame-ass karate..." Kyler throws a punch at Miguel, which I catch.

"It's Cobra Kai." I finish, punching Kyler square in the face.

"Ohhh!" Everyone yells.

Kyler kicks my side, and throws Miguel on the table. Miguel then elbows his side, punching the side of this face, kicking him down.

"No mercy!" Aisha yells.

I see Brucks come behind Miguel, throwing a punch. I duck down, tripping him with my foot when another one of the guys steps in. I kick his stomach, having him hunch over and punch him back.

Both Miguel and I run to the other side, sliding across the table. I kick the chair hitting one of the guys and Miguel grabs an empty tray. He continues beating each one with it, tossing me the tray. I quickly turn around hitting Brucks right in the face and kicked him down.

"Miguel!" I nod towards Kyler. He runs up on a table when I throw the tray, and knocks Kyler out.

Everyone started clapping and cheering our names on repeat. "Miguel! Ava! Miguel! Ava!"

-

"All four of them?"

"Yeah." Miguel and I say.

"Even that big dumb one?"

"Yup." I smirk.

"It all happened so fast. Everything just came together. We were blocking. We anticipated. We slithered."

"Your mom's gonna kill the both of us."

"Well, she would if she knew. When the school called, my yaya answered. Never seen her so proud. She won't talk."

"Okay, and what about you kid? You think your dad will be okay when he finds out?"

"No. I'm definitely screwed. But it was worth it."

"Alright, let me get this straight. You both took all the lessons I taught you, and you used them to straight up beat the shit out of those punks?"

"Well, yeah." Miguel responds when I nod.

"Follow me."

Sensei takes us outside to his car and he opens his trunk. Placed in the middle, are two neatly folded white gi's. There was a brand new one and another that looked a little wore off, but doesn't look too old.

"I wore this one when I was training for my first tournament back in '81. I want you to have this one." He grabs the old one handing it to Miguel and grabs the new one handing it to me.

"Ava, I'm giving you this one because before training you already knew how to kick ass. You've deserved it for awhile now."

"Thank you, Sensei." I throw my arms around him. He's hesitant at first, but hugs back. I let go and Miguel thanks Sensei with another hug.

The session ended and Miguel and I walked home. I was too happy, I forgot about my dad. And the fight.

We got to the apartments and thankfully I didn't see my dad's car. I bid a goodbye to Miguel and head to my door. I walk in throwing my bag on the floor, not realizing someone behind the counter.

"I thought I told you no more karate."