Time After Time 🌹 Daniel LaRusso [1]

Chapter 16: Letter From Okinawa

AN: I had written this chapter then deleted it and rewrote it because the first thing I had felt off for this story but it's finally ready! 😭

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Rosalía's father suggested to Mr. Miyagi that they all celebrate Daniel's win, so Miyagi invites the family to his house. He claims that he wants to celebrate their triumph at the tournament, but really he just wants an excuse to have a cookout with Mr. Miyagi. The next night, Daniel and Rosalía spend their time with her homies, who planned a small party in honor of the boy's win.

The next few months of school breeze by and Daniel finally feels safe. He no longer has the need to look over his shoulder all the time. Johnny keeps his promise, he leaves both Rosalía and Daniel alone. He and the girl say 'hi' to each other in the hallway or in class and sometimes have short conversations. The blonde is happy that there's no bad blood between them anymore, although he would like to have more of a relationship with her. They're only acquaintances and Rosalía wants to keep it that way out of respect for Daniel. He hasn't said anything but the girl knows that he wouldn't really like her being friends with the guy who bullied him and constantly flirted with his girlfriend.

As for Daniel and Rosalía's relationship, their connection grows stronger every day. They keep finding new ways in which they relate and differ. They both love how much they have in common, as well as how much they differentiate. Their differences keep the relationship interesting. The two are constantly learning from one another. For instance, Daniel is now able to pick up on some Spanish thanks to Rosalía teaching him a few phrases and hearing her speak it with her friends and family. Rosalía has picked up some of Daniel's New Jersey lingo and finds herself talking like him sometimes. The boy is completely whipped for her and is convinced that he's in love with her. Now he just needs to find the right moment to tell her. Rosalía, on the other hand, is aware of how strong her feelings for him are becoming but doesn't want to label it 'love' yet. She's not one to throw the L word around lightly and doesn't want to say it unless she knows she truly means it.

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*6 months later*

Tomorrow is the Prom and Rosalía cannot be more thrilled. All she can think about is dancing the night away with her Prince Charming. She dashes around her bedroom, making sure she has everything for tomorrow. Okay, perfect, she thinks after checking for the fifth time. She flops onto her bed, smiling as she stares at the ceiling. Life is going great for her right now. She has amazing friends, a sweet little sister, and the most amazing boyfriend. Her parents stress her out from time to time, especially her mother, but she's used to it by now. Nothing can bring her down from her high.

A knock suddenly sounds at her door, ripping the girl from her thoughts. "It's open," she announces. The door opens and her mom walks in. "Qué haces? [What are you doing?]" she softly asks. Rosalía gets that familiar feeling from six months ago, the last time her mom sounded so nice. "Nada. Solo alistando todo para mañana [Nothing. Just preparing everything for tomorrow]," she responds. Her mother smiles and replies, "oh." Rosalía eyes her suspiciously. "Is something wrong?" she questions. The woman walks further into the room. "Te acuerdas que te dije que tenemos que hablar? [Do you remember that I told you we have to talk?]" she speaks.

That was months ago and she never brought it up again so Rosalía left it alone. "Yeah," she answers. Her mom sits on the bed next to her. "No he dicho nada desde entonces porque no tenía tiempo pero ahora si [I haven't said anything since then because I didn't have time but I do now]," she says. The young girl cocks an eyebrow. "Ahora que tienes novio, tenemos que hablar seriamente [Now that you have a boyfriend, we need to have a serious talk]," she continues, making Rosalía roll her eyes. She was really acting so weird this whole time for this?