Daniel LaRusso (The Karate Kid ) x Reader

Thanksgiving

November 22nd 1984...
Here I was in my bedroom, all dressed for Thanksgiving.
Where, you ask?
Well, let me tell you, I was supposed to be having Thanksgiving dinner with Jack, Andy,
and their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson.
But plans changed when 2 nights ago Jack had called me through the phone, saying his parents decided last minute they'd be spending it with his grandparents.
I was more than welcomed to come along,
if only I had some money for the plane ride, among other things as well.

But I was going to Daniel's place.
Yep.
You heard me correct.
My radio suddenly playing
"Hard Feelings" by Al Kerbey
I sighed, blowing my hair up in my reflection.
Mrs. LaRusso had stopped me by the supermarket yesterday,
asking my plans, since I guess Daniel told her about my dad.
She was kind enough to insist I go.
If I wasn't changed into some denim jeans, a navy-blue button up tank top.
I took a deep breath in, unsure if I should call in say I'm sick
and just lay in bed and keep thinking about Daniel...
Or I could go, not be alone, have dinner, and still able to not think about Daniel...
"Do I go?"
I look at myself in the mirror.
Only to help but know how could Daniel possibly like me?
When there's Ali.
All pretty, and blonde, and any other word in the dictionary
that could resemble jaw-dropping.
In Daniel's words at least.
I checked my alarm clock.
Those red LED of 6:58 PM blinking.
I had 2 minutes to go there.
20 steps and I'd be there knocking on apartment 20.
Ughhhh, this was getting annoying.
Then I regained self-composure and reminded myself
what Andy had simply told me...

His shades, and leather jacket, sitting at the bleachers.
"Next time you hang out with him, make it one-on-one.
Keep it chill. And DON'T confess or anything.
Just talk."
His words echoed through my brain.
Except it wasn't that simple...
His words scared the living shit out of me!
The fact I'll be seeing him tonight?
Tonight!?!
God, I don't think he even knows I'm till his mom probably told him.
Though Lucille said he wouldn't mind?
Just talk, and not confess ANYTHING?
It's as easy as riding a bike.
Right?
My eyes dart to the red 7:01 PM blinking continuously.
Shit.
I should probably leave by now...
I took a deep breath in, did one last look in the mirror, and nodded to myself.
I walk out my bedroom, through the dark hallway.
All I needed to do was get passed the living room without waking my dad.
I would've gone through my window, but it rained earlier in the afternoon.
My footsteps quiet, till the lock of the door clicked, which lead to...
"Y/n, where are you going?"
My father asked me, barely able to form any words.
I turned around, the only light surrounding the room was the TV,
and he looked like he hadn't slept for days.
I could tell he was groggy.
From the way his face looks, how his eyes drooped,
he hadn't shaved, how he mumbled.
And well, the six pack of beers, half of them empty below his La-Z-Boy.
"Uhm, just out with Jack.
Gonna have dinner with his parents."
I lied, but it'd be easy since he didn't even know them.
Figured???
"Alright. Well uhm, don't stay out too late.
I'll be waiting for you to get your ass back home."
He slurred over the loud screaming from the tv.
"Y-Yes, dad. I promised."
I told him, but I knew full well he'd be knocked out cold
by the time I'd get home.
I'm glad he didn't have a temper...

I step out of my apartment.
Able to feel myself breathe from that place.
I shake the feeling off, and walked over to Daniel's apartment.
I gathered all my strength to knock thrice.

And from there...
Lucille greeted me with the warmest smile when I walked in.
She looked lovely.
Wearing a floral patterned dress, with a few ruffles at the hem, and bottom,
paired with a set of heels.
"Evening Mrs. LaRusso."
I smiled back.
"Y/n, sweetheart! Come in, come in.
I'm glad y'a came. Daniel's in the kitchen helping me with the gravy."
Daniel practically jolted when he saw me,
like he wasn't expecting I'd actually show up.
Daniel wore a buttoned-up long sleeves, colored in baby-blue,
with some denim jeans.
Isn't he a dream?
Snap out of it!
"Hey,"
He said, eyes flicking up and down, not in a weird way,
just... surprised.
"You came."
"Your mom, uh, invited me."
I laughed softly.
"I didn't want to be rude."
"Yeah, yeah."
He said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I- I mean- Yeah. Good. I mean, good you're here."
I tried not to smile too hard at that.
We all settled down at the table as Mrs. LaRusso finished laying out the food.