New Boy | Miguel Diaz

LaRusso

Dad had Miguel and I come back to the dojo for a little bit of training. We were practicing on a dummy when he interrupts us.

"Okay, okay! That's enough. Save some for the tournament."

"Why are we the only ones here, Sensei?"

"Cause let's face it. You two are the only chance I got at winning this thing."

"So what? We're your best students?" I smile.

"Don't flatter yourself. Have you seen the others?"

I grab my water bottle when Miguel checks his phone. He starts laughing quietly making me question what he was looking at.

"What's so funny?" Dad asked.

"Oh, nothing, just this funny picture my girlfriend posted." That's right. Him and Sam... yup.

He hands Dad the phone and I peer over his shoulder. "Wait a second. Is that Daniel LaRusso's daughter?"

"Yeah, you know Samantha?"

"You're dating a LaRusso?"

"Yeah, why? Is something wrong?"

"We need to talk." He hands back the phone and Miguel and I go to the bathroom to change out of our gi's.

We come back out and my dad hands us a soda, leading us outside. We sit on the curb as my dad starts explaining some story.

"It was summer of '82. Rocky III had just come out. My buddy Dutch was a huge Mr. T fan, so we went to the local theater to check it out. Sitting in front of us was this group of cute chicks, eating popcorn. Dutch started throwing Milk Duds at em."

"Wh- what? Why would he do that?"

"Because it's an alpha move, man. Babes love when you treat them like crap. Anyways, the girls got so pissed off, that one of them stood up and started yelling at us. That's when I saw her for the first time."

"Saw who?" I question.

"Ali. She dumped popcorn all over Dutch. Got butter all over him. I could tell right away, this chick was a firecracker."

"So, did you ask her out?"

"Yeah, I hit on her a few times till she gave me a chance. We went to Golf N' Stuff for our first date. Kissed on the Ferris Wheel. We were madly in love. Dated for two years. For Valentine's Day, instead of rings, I gave her this pink jelly bracelet. And she gave me this." He pulled the black headband he always wears out of his back pocket.

"So then what happened?"

"Summer before my senior year, we got into a fight. I figured we'd work things out eventually. But then Daniel LaRusso came to town. Next thing I know, he's hitting on her. I see the two of them flirting with each other."

"What'd you do?"

"Well, I walked over to have a civil conversation with Ali. But LaRusso kept butting in. I told him to get lost, mind your own business. Out of nowhere, the guy sucker-punches me."

"What an asshole." Miguel shook his head, taking a sip of his sprite.

"I know, man. I did what any dude would do. I defended myself. You know, I figured that was that. But LaRusso wouldn't leave it alone. At the Halloween dance, I was sitting there minding my own business, he douses me with the water hose.

"I hadn't seen the guy in months. Fricking turns a water hose on my head. So I chase him down, try to put an end to things that night. Turns out the guy's got a karate master of his own. Guy comes out of nowhere, jumps us, assaults me and my friends. I think my buddy Tommy got brain damage cause of that fight."