I'm in a daze the whole ride to the office of education where some person will teach me how to live with diabetes. She shows me what foods to eat and luckily there isn't anything I absolutely cannot eat. I need to take it easy on fruit juices, soda, and other very sugary food or drinks items. If I had low blood sugar, they said to drink a Gatorade or a glass of OJ. I can return to karate once my body adjusts. I'm stuck wearing a God damn insulin pump. Luckily, that means I don't have to get daily shots.

Authors note: I did a lot of research on diabetes and am doing my best to remain as accurate as possible. If I am medically incorrect about anything, I am sorry.

It's actually not that hard, but I'd rather not have it. The pump is about as big as my phone and I hook it on the waistband of my pants. I don't have a belt so this will have to do for now. With the pump I only need one shot every four days, but without it, I need a shot once or twice a day.

"I'm not wearing that thing to school," I say to my dad on the drive home.

"Yes you are. Unless you want to a shot every time you eat," my dad says in a very dad like voice.

"Okay imagine what the other kids are gonna say. Haha look it's the kid with diabetes," I say in a mocking voice.

"Why should anyone have a problem with diabetes? It's nothing against you. If they give you shit, ignore them," my dad says.

"Ignore them? Typical bullshit parent advice," I say folding advice.

"Do not use that language," my dad says.

"Look, I just found out that I have diabetes. So sorry if I drop a potty word!You have no fucking idea what I'm going through! I'm stuck with this for the rest of my life!" I scream at my dad who just sighs.

"I know. I'm sorry. Look, I could coddle you and tell you it's gonna be easy, but I'm not a liar. However, your mom and I, and your friends are gonna be there for you every step of the way. We will get through it. I promise," my dad says changing his tone from angry to affectionate.

"Dad?" I say trying to change the subject.

He raises his eyebrows in acknowledgement while keeping his eyes on the road.

"I didn't ask you and mom yet, but can I throw a party?" I say.

"What kind?" He asks.

"Oh you know. A dance party. Maybe a bouncy house," I say sarcastically, but crack a smile.

He laughs at what I say.

"But seriously, can I have my friends and some other kids from school over for a Christmas party. It won't be a rager, but I can't say it's gonna be a kickback either," I tell a half truth.

"I'll have to talk to your mother, but after today, you deserve it. Also, don't say potty your almost an adult," my dad says giving me a lighthearted look after the last sentence.

I laugh out loud.

I lied about the capacity. While I don't want to alert any cops or God forbid the LaRusso's across the street, I was planning on throwing some kind of sort of rager.

"What day?" My dad asks.

"Wednesday?" I ask.

"Well your mom and I are going to a showing for LaRusso auto so that should be fine. Be responsible and if it gets too big or kids start messing up the house, call me or your mom," my dad instructs seriously.

"Yes sir," I say finally cracking a real smile.

Once we get home. I change into sweatpants and a black hoodie with three crimson lines along the sleeves. I walked out the door, zipped up the hoodie and put it up. I drove in silence for the first time. I couldn't even train, but I wanted to be there on the first day with a full class. I get there and see a bunch of nerdyish kids standing by the door talking excitedly. Miguel sees me and smiles.

"Hey dude," Miguel says excitedly and goes to high five, but stops when he sees my sullen face with my dark hair hanging my by eyebrows under my hood.

He doesn't have to say anything to know why I'm upset. He just bear hugs me tightly.

"Man, I'm so sorry," he says.

"It's okay," I whisper and return the hug.

"Dude," Miguel says sounding sadder than ever.

For some reason the hug made me feel a lot better.

"Hey, I'll live. I'm out of training for a week though. I'm still showing up to watch and hang out. Just cause I'm benched for a week doesn't mean I can't be there. Plus it's the first day with a full class," I say and pat him on the shoulder.

He just wraps his arms around my shoulders.

"It's Murphy," some black kid with long dreads says.

"Hey man. Blake Murphy," I say and hold out my hand.

"I-I know who you are bro," the kid says.

Authors note: shame that this kid ends up following Kreese. He's the one who Hawk kicked before flipping Rickenburger into the table in season 3 LaRusso house fight.

We see a familiar car pull up and Sensei Lawrence gets out and looks at us in awe. Miguel and I stand shoulder to shoulder and look at him confidently. The kid looks down at my exposed insulin pump.

"What are you looking at?" I ask defensively.

"N-nothin man," the kid says afraid and puts his hands up.

"Yeah that's what I thought. If you don't wanna see stars you'll shut the fuck up about it," I snap and get in his face.

"Relax man," Miguel says pulling me away from our terrified recruit.

I wrench my arm free of Miguel's grip.

"Dude, what's your problem?" Miguel asks hurt by my death glare.

His face causes me to think about what just happened. I look down sadly. This damn condition is fucking with my life. Why couldn't I just not have fucking diabetes and be able to train with everyone else.

"Nothing sorry," I say and walk inside the dojo.

I go to Sensei's office and begin to talk.

"Sensei, I can't train for a week," I say.

"What? Why?" He asks confused.

"You know how I was sick a lot and downing water by the gallon?" I say.

"Yeah?" Johnny answers, but confused.

"I just diagnosed with diabetes. I can't train until my blood sugar and glucose levels stabilize," I say.

"How do you have diabetis? You're not some lardass," Sensei Lawrence asks mispronouncing diabetes.

I smile slightly.

"That's type 2. I have type 1," I answer.

"You're saying there's types now?" Sensei asks in disbelief.

"There's always been—" I say, but then change the subject.

"Even though I can't train. I was wondering if I could help out or stay during training. I can at least pay attention to what you teach even if I can't do it," I say.

"Sure, why not. Plus I'm not sure how I'm gonna teach all these nerds anyway. Look at em. Coulda at least gotten a few new students with your build," Sensei says and I squeeze my eyes at his remark.

"Cmon, don't be like that. Look how excited they are to be here. They wanna learn to defend themselves," I say seriously, but in a lighthearted tone.

"Whatever," Sensei remarks nonchalantly.

"Also, please keep the fact that I have diabetes under wraps for now," I say, bus Sensei isn't paying attention to what I said.

"Okay today we begin—" Sensei begins to say, but no one is paying attention.

"QUIET!" He bellows and everyone in the class shuts up instantly and focuses.

"How does he do that?" I mutter to myself.

"Face front!" He yells and the kids face front.

Sensei begins to slowly walk around the room slowly and observe each student. I know it's speech time with Sensei Lawrence and I'm excited to be entertained. Usually it's about being badass or not being pussies. It's awesome. He walks up to Demetri.

"Nice shirt," he says nonchalantly.

"Thanks," Demetri says looking down at his shirt.

"I'm joking it sucks," Sensei says and Demetri frowns.

I chuckle slightly. He walks up to a chubby kid with long hair and glasses who smiles at him with nasty crooked teeth.

"Word of advice. If you got shit for teeth, don't smile," Sensei says and the guy frowns.

I'm leaning on the doorframe trying to hide my smile. Sensei then walks up to some little kid.

"God, makes me feel like a virgin just looking at you," Sensei says condescendingly and the kid just shrugs.

"When I look around this dojo, I don't see Cobra Kai material! I see losers, I see nerds, I see a far kid with a funny hat with his tits popping out!" Johnny announces.

The big fat kid looks down and frowns.

"But in my short time as a sensei, I have also seen some miracles," Sensei says looking at Miguel and Aisha who smile brightly.

"Miracles like Mr. Diaz, Miss Robinson, and Mr. Murphy," I smile also.

"Oh yeah, Mr. Murphy has diabetes so he can't train for a little bit," Sensei says not even looking at me.

My eyes go wide. I literally just told him to keep it a secret. Is Sensei fucking blind or just an asshole?

"Really?" I say annoyed.

He ignores me. I look around insecurely and see Aisha, Demetri, Eli, and to my astonishment, Amelia looking at me in shock.

I cover my insulin pump with my jacket and turtle up as Sensei continues his monologue.

"First, I need to see where you're at. So everybody, FALL IN!" Sensei yells and everyone looks around confused.

"That means line up!" Sensei barks.

The students murmur in understanding and get in one long line which looks dumb. From football I remember us having lines and not one line so I know this is wrong.

"No not... not line up in a line. Lines! Get in lines!" Sensei yells.

"You mean like... rows?" Demetri asks dumbly.

"Yeah dumbass," I say cringing at everyone's stupidity.

The other students look at me offended.

"Have none of you guys ever played sports before?" I ask the class and most of them shake their heads.

"Well I played basketball," one kid begins to say.

"It was a rhetorical question headass," I say to the dweebish kid and he just looks at the ground.

In every sport there were always multiple warm up lines. I don't know how none of them know that. The warm up looks utterly depressing as none of these kids even look like they've thrown a punch before. Sensei insults them the whole time. By the end of the warm up, most of the students have their own nickname. Sensei decided to call the kid I made fun of earlier headass. You're welcome for that one. He hasn't given Demetri or Eli a name yet, but I know he will get to them eventually. Even I had a nickname for a while. Sensei called me scarface which isn't as bad as virgin or tits, but still kinda demeaning. Sensei goes with a basic lesson as he simply teaches the kids how to jab and cross which is part of the warmup, but no one knows how to punch so he teaches them fundamentals. They take turns punching each other's hands. Sensei asks me to monitor and give instructions on one side while he walks around the other side. I help a small blonde kid with glasses make a fist and another fat kid stabilize his base and use his hips to generate power. I spend most of my time helping out Eli. I try to tune out Demetri who is apologetic about my condition. I just pay him on the back and tell him the party is still going on. I apologize to the black kid from earlier and he accepts. His name is Edwin and he is actually a nice kid and one of the better recruits. After class Sensei offers me a beer astoundingly.

"I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to drink that," I say.

"Cmon, if you're gonna be my assistant sensei for a bit then you have to drink a beer with me after a good class," Sensei says waving it in front of my face.

I take it and begin to sip it, enjoying the taste and slight burn as it goes down my throat.

"I'm not a sensei," I say.

"You knew what you were going today. You could have been at home, checking that nerd computer on your pants, but instead you chose to be here today despite you not being able to train," Sensei says taking another sip of his beer.

"Yeah, Id rather not sulk at home. Plus I wanted to be there the first day with a full class. They have a long way to go, but they'll get there," I say.

"Yeah, those nerds can't kick above their wastes. Should realize this isn't a video game," Sensei says.

"Wait so you know what video games are, but have no clue with Netflix is?" I say.

"Video games were a thing in the 80's," Sensei argues.

"Yeah, but... whatever. What are your Christmas plans?" I ask.

Sensei pauses for a second and thinks.

"I'll figure something out," he says shrugging and taking a long sip of beer before clearing his throat.

I know he's full of shit. I wonder if he has any family. Surely there is some hot babe he comes home to every day. My best guess is that he got the short end of a divorce.

"You know... my extended family is either dead or locked up. My brother comes in town on Friday, but our Christmas is just the four of us. My mom always makes too much food so if you want you could celebrate with us," I offer.

I'm not sure if my may parents would want Sensei Lawrence to come over for Christmas. Plus if he does, then he'll need to watch his mouth. He looks at me for a second.

"No it's fine. Thanks," he says, but I can tell he's making an excuse.

"Okay," I say not hiding that I know he might be considering it.

"If you do come. Then you need to watch your mouth. No sexist crap or comments about losers and nerds around my parents. That flies with us and probably my brother because it's funny, but my parents don't have a sense of humor," I say pointing at him.

He just nods.

"See you tomorrow," I say and he nods.