Strike First
Cherry woke up in a good mood. After making her bed, she changed into blue, ripped mom jeans, a black sports bra, and a dark orange sweater. Slipping on her Converse, she grabbed her things and headed downstairs. It's been two days since the fight and her bruises were starting to fade. Grabbing a packet of poptarts, she grabbed her keys and locked the door before going to her motorcycle. She decided that she would surprise Miguel that day. Weaving through cars, she made it to his apartment complex to see him and the man from the other night.
"Hey."
Miguel jumped but smiled when he caught sight of Cherry.
"Hey." The man watched as Miguel approached the girl and she pulled him into a hug. "How are you?" Cherry asked, concern laced in her voice. "I'm fine. I should be the one asking you that." Cherry chuckled before nodding, meaning that she was in fact, okay.
"You're the girl from the other night."
Both teenagers turned to the blond man.
"Yeah, that's me. Name's Cheryl, but everyone calls me -" "Let me guess, Cherry?" Cherry nodded and the man also nodded. "I'm Johnny Lawrence." "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. By the way, nice kick." Johnny chuckled, then appeared as if he was thinking something over.
"Would you like to join us?"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm going to be teaching Miguel here karate. Would you like to join us?" Cherry looked from Johnny to Miguel. She remembered all the stories Daniel had told her about Cobra Kai. But maybe, it could be different. After all, that's all in the past now.
"What the hell? I miss it and haven't been at it in a couple of years. Lead the way. Miguel, want to join me? I brought an extra helmet this time." Miguel chucked before looking at Johnny, who nodded in response. Taking the helmet, he secured it on his head before sitting behind Cherry and wrapping his arms around her waist. Cherry began to follow Johnny and they made it back to the mall from the other night. Johnny instructed them to take off their shoes, and now both teenagers were standing infront of Johnny.
"So am I going to get the karate pajamas too?"
"Quiet! Students will speak only when spoken to. Is that understood?"
"Yes/Yes sensei." Miguel turned to Cherry who had a stern look on her face and only faced Johnny. "Ms. Bennington is on the right path. You will always acknowledge me as 'sensei' is that understood?" "Yes sensei," the teens said in sync. "These aren't pajamas, these are what, Ms. Bennington?"
"That's a Gi, sensei. And we'll get one when we've earn them." "Good. Now, are you ready to begin your training?" "Yes, sensei." Johnny immediately attacked Miguel while Cherry stood still. "Lesson one: strike first. Never wait for the enemy to attack." "You couldn't give me like a warning -"
"Quiet!"
Cherry helped Miguel back up.
Miguel took out his inhaler and Cherry watched in concern while Johnny spoke. "You're not trained to be merciful here, mercy is for the weak. Here, in the street, in competition, a man confronts you - he is the enemy. And the enemy deserves no mercy. What is the problem, Mr. Diaz?" "There's no problem, sensei - you punched me and I have asthma -" But Miguel was cut off by Johnny grabbing his inhaler and throwing it at the wall. Cherry wanted to say something, but instead, she bit her tounge and made a fist.
