LIFESAVER.
OF COURSE DANIEL LARUSSO'S smile dropped at the news his mother laid on them both. Jennifer's hand immediately landed to clasp on top of his, because she knew. She knew he was angry to hear this, but still - he kept it calm. "That's great, Ma."
Though leaving the Larusso residence hours later, it was different. He locked the door behind them, scoffing and throwing his arms up. "Just 2 months!" He repeated, Jennifer watching him closely.
"Daniel.." she began as they made their way down the steps. Her eyes glanced from the vicinity then back to him as he walked quickly, shaking his head. It was late out, almost 10 but still - he wanted nothing more than to be away from home after packing all day.
Making it to his messed up car, Daniel groaned. He turned the ignition on and shut his eyes, his head against the wheel at the sound of the engine sputtering. "Oh, there's no way." He groaned once again, and Jennifer attempted to calm him down by her hand up on his back, rubbing softly.
Thankfully, the car lasted them to Mr. Miyagi's. They skidded to a stop in front of his place - watching as he exited his house, greeting the two. "Ah, Daniel - San. Miyagi hear good news from mother." He smiled a wide smile, and Daniel hit the hood of his car to shut it up, shaking his head.
"You mean the news that made me want to kill myself?" He asked, his demeanor brushing against Jenny as he passed her and she sighed, shaking her head.
"Daniel." She scolded, and even though her voice was nice to hear for now - he was dramatic, and he wouldn't let it go that easy. He made his way inside to grab some drinks for him and Jennifer, and she stayed back - watching as Mr. Miyagi popped the hood of the obviously nearly wrecked car.
"What a vacation." He sighed, glancing to the two outside. "Oh yeah, and that engine ain't running right." He spoke. "So there's that, a broken car and some vacation that I don't even know about. I mean, Fresno?" He made his way out from the kitchen - his mouth full of some cookies and he went on.
"Fresno, and I can't even see Jennifer for 2 months. Guess when she leaves for Berkeley? In 2 months." At the mention of Jennifer leaving to Berkeley, Mr. Miyagi sent a secretive smile to her.
When she was accepted, he made her a cake - and it was the most heartwarming thing she received that day. Throughout the whole process of her getting waiting for her letter, and actually getting accepted, he's been supportive. So supportive.
"Things could be worse." Mr. Miyagi called out, and Daniel took one carton in his hand to drink from, scoffing.
"You kidding? They are. We had a whole summer planned together."
His eyes scanned over Jenny as she watched Mr. Miyagi fix the engine within a few seconds, and his eyes widened - looking over.
"What - how?"
Miyagi sent a small glance to both kids - his smile sleek and calm before he began walking to his backyard, gesturing for them to follow. Out here, it smelled like wood, like he'd been here for a while - and it was because he had.
The second Lucille heard Daniel expressing to Jennifer how sorry and how annoyed he was he couldn't see her all summer - she called him.
"When'd you start building this?" Jenny looked around, her eyes landing on the construction in Mr. Miyagi's backyard.
"Early." Miyagi responded, picking up a nail and hammer to hand to Daniel who shook his head.
"How is it that everytime I got some problems, you've got me doing work?" He asked, punching the nails into the wood and helping out the slightest bit. Daniel checked his watch various times as Mr. Miyagi guided him to breathe, and finally get the technique right - all while Jennifer used the ingredients in his kitchen to make her infamous cookies.
She heard the sounds of Daniel nailing the wood down, and once she finished the cookies she placed them onto a plate as Mr. Miyagi prepared tea - doing the same.
He brought the plate out, smiling at the progress Daniel made within an hour after his short break and he nodded in approval. "Good work, Daniel - San."
"What's all this for?" He glanced over, setting down the hammer and taking a seat on the bench beside Jennifer. Her eyes watched as Mr. Miyagi took his place, continuing on.
"Make guest room." He spoke - keeping focus on the nail.
"People coming for the summer?" Jennifer asked, handing Daniel a cookie while he thanked her with a simple kiss on the side of her head, taking a bite from it.
"Refugee." Mr. Miyagi informed, his smile growing as he faced the wood planks. Daniel's eyebrows furrowed as a small smile crept onto his lips.
"Refugee? Refugee from where?"
"Fresno." Miyagi bluntly responded, and both teenagers eyes had widened, but Daniel Larusso's did the most. He stood from his seat, making his way to Mr. Miyagi and smiling a wide smile.
"Fresno, like..." he gestured to himself, earning a nod from Mr. Miyagi and at that, Daniel clapped his hands together in excitement. "You're such a lifesaver. Mr. Miyagi, thank you."
He let out a breath of relief, and Jenny was nothing but relieved that he could actually be with her this summer. Her eyes searched his as he turned, mouthing a small wow.
They left at around midnight that same night, Daniel was in a much better mood and as much as he wanted to take Jenny back to his again, it was late, and she hadn't been home since prom. It wasn't that her parents cared, it was that David did.
Daniel pulled to a stop in front of her house, turning the ignition off for a quick second as he handed her a bag filled with her belongings. As she took it from him, he softly kissed her lips, his free hand on the nape of her neck.
Now, he was good. At ease.
"Bye." He muttered against her lips, and she pulled away - smiley and all. As she exited his car - he reminded her to be ready by 10 tomorrow, and she gave a thumbs up before rushing inside.
