Third person pov
In various parts of The Valley, three faces open their eyes with the same matching sounds of an alarm clock. Blake Murphy rises and begins his morning routine. 100 sit ups and push-ups before going practicing his punches and kicks. Elsewhere, Miguel Diaz breaks sweat as he finishes his set of sit-ups by his bed before walking to the bathroom. In another apartment, Robby Keene practices his kata's and clears his mind.
Over the next few months, these three competitors train hard. Daniel smiles as Robby pulls off every kick on the tree without falling unlike the last time the pair ventured to the woods. Johnny nods his head in approval as Murphy and Miguel turn boards into wood chips. Miguel and Blake exchange blows as their sparring match reaches its peak. Hawk and the others exchange glances of awe as neither student gives an inch. At last, the two brothers reach a stalemate as each opponent has an arm locked in the others grip. Finally, all three boys are seen doing push-ups as their hair drips sweat. Once they're done, Daniel pats Robby on the back smiling proudly as Keene smiles back. Miguel and Blake high five. Later, the two cheer on Hawk as he struggles with his last rep of bench press at Encino Oaks. They aggressively pat their friend on the shoulder when he finally completes it.
Blake pov
"Fuck this test," I say slamming my pencil down.
"Need some help?" Hawk whispers as I anxiously glance at the clock in the PSAT prep room.
"No, if I get caught cheating, my test won't get scored and my parents will kick my ass," I whisper back.
Thankfully, our seats were alphabetical so I got to sit by Hawk as both our last names start with M and our names are adjacent in the yearbook. Unfortunately, Sam LaRusso sits in front of us.
"I can't believe she did Miguel like that," I whisper to Hawk in disbelief.
"Yeah, who was that punk kid eating dinner with her family?" Hawk asks.
"No clue. I saw the kid once. He was getting out of Mr. LaRusso's car. He had this ninety's reject haircut. You think LaRusso is teaching him karate?" I whisper.
"Hopefully, then we can kick his ass in the tournament," Hawk whispers elbowing me in the side and smirking at me.
I nod and look at my test again. I scowl at the back of Sam's head. Why wouldn't she introduce Miguel to her family? Just because he's from Reseda? Just because he's Latino and poor? The fuck was it LaRusso?
I shake my head and decide to just try to focus on my test. I'm sure Miguel and Demetri are acing their tests in the other room. I subtly glance at Hawk's paper and see that he's three pages ahead of me. Guess he still has a little of old Eli still in him as he retained his book smarts. I hate being book stupid. It's actually more embarrassing having people explain concepts to you that seem like 2+2 to them. Even though my friends are fucking awesome and super nice about it. It's still one of my biggest insecurities. Once I reach the last page of Mathis section, I just circle letter B for all of them and bubble it into the scantron. It's just a practice test.
After the test, I scratch my head and slump my shoulders.
"Hey bro, chin up. It was just a practice," Hawk says speedwalking to catch up with me.
I sigh.
"Yeah man, for real," I say as my mood increases.
"Hey," Moon says approaching me.
"Hey," I say and lean in to kiss her.
"I'll... meet you," Hawk says but doesn't finish his sentence before walking away.
"Yeah," I answer and we do a bro shake before he walks off.
"Howd it go on your end? I'm sure you did better than me," Moon says leaning against a locker.
"Doubt it. Standardized tests are a waste anyway," I say.
"Totally," Moon agrees giving me a look.
"Got anything planned tonight?" I ask resting my hand against a locker.
"Well nope, not anymore at least," Moon answers in a flirty manner.
"I've got Cobra Kai training, then how about we head to the beach for a little night swim. It's warm outside again and it's a good way to clear my head before the tournament next weekend," I answer.
"Okay, it's a date. Plus I'm really excited to see you in your Chuck Norris getup at the tournament," Moon says playing with the zipper on my sweatshirt.
"Strictly for the ladies," I tease.
She laughs and we say our goodbyes and kiss before walking our separate ways. When I walk outside school, Miguel looks pissed and Hawk is on his phone as Demetri and Aisha talk about something random.
"There's the man," Hawk says as I walk up and we high five.
"Hey Eeyore, what's wrong with you?" I ask Miguel.
"Sensei cancelled training, but I think I know why," Miguel says.
"Well..." I say.
This morning, his car was completely destroyed. There must have been a fire or something whole thing was burnt to a crisp and the concrete around it was completely black," Miguel answers.
"Jesus, don't think he got wasted again did he?" I ask.
"No, after our training yesterday, he seemed like he was in a good mood," Miguel answers.
Over the past few weeks, Sensei Lawrence has been having exclusive training sessions with Miguel and I only. He says it's because we're the only shot of winning, but I doubt that's true. Yes, Miguel and I are the two best students, but I wouldn't count out Hawk, Aisha or Amelia. He also told us his side of the story with Daniel LaRusso.
I remembered Daniel telling me his side when I went with him to the woods that time. I honestly don't really care because it happened over 30 fucking years ago and they need to just move on. Hell, we haven't heard from Kyler and them in months and we're already starting to forget. Brucks and Rory don't harass Miguel and me in Algebra 2 anymore so what's the big deal? They've learned their lesson and now everyone's just moving on in life. I still despise them though and I won't hesitate to beat them bloody if they cross me or any of my friends.
We decide to chill out at the park because we have a bunch of extra time on our hands.
"Come on eat something, itl make you feel better," Demetri says pleadingly to a mopey Miguel.
"Told you I'm not hungry man," Miguel says in a somber tone.
"In that case, can I?" I ask Miguel pointing to his sandwich.
I forgot to pack myself a lunch to eat during the test so I was starving. Also, Miguel's mom and grandma are excellent cooks.
He hands me the sandwich and I take off the cheese and bite into it as I hear Demetri start talking again.
"I still think you're overreacting," Demetri says.
"I'm not overreacting dude. I know what I saw," Miguel says.
"Well what did you see besides this kid eating with the LaRusso's?" I ask curiously.
"The way she was looking at him. The way she was talking to him," Miguel says bitterly.
"All right, so you saw her eating dinner with some chode," Hawk remarks then viciously kicks Bert in the face.
"It's probably just her brother or something," Hawk says then walks over to stand next to me behind the bench.
"Brothers don't look at their sisters like that!" Miguel snaps.
"Depends on what part of the country you're in," Demetri remarks.
I laugh and so does Amelia.
"Nice one. But I always had a feeling that LaRusso bitch was slimy," Amelia remarks looking up from her phone at Hawk.
I sometimes don't understand Amelia's opinions because she's friends with all of them one day then shit talking them the next.
"What do you think?" Hawk asks nudging me.
"I don't know why Sam has been so shady about introducing you to her family. Just doesn't sound like her," I say trying to keep my accusations level because if I say my true theories, it might come across the wrong way.
Obviously, it's nothing against Miguel as a person, it's just the fact that Sam might be a potential snob. Another theory I didn't really consider is Mr. LaRusso's beef with Sensei Lawrence. Could Miguel being in Cobra Kai have something to do with it? No way, that's utterly ridiculous. That's my dumbest assumption yet. How could his God damn karate affiliation scare Sam enough to wanna keep him a secret?
"Look I just don't want what happened to Sensei to happen to me," Miguel says flustered.
"All right, so go over to this kid and beat his ass so he doesn't have the chance," Hawk suggests.
I look at him like he's a moron because what he said was almost as ridiculous as my theory about Miguel and Cobra Kai being the issue.
"Clearly I don't punch you hard enough at the dojo, cause you act like a fucking idiot sometimes," I say condescendingly to Hawk.
Hawk scowls at me and is about to respond before Demetri speaks.
"Yeah, Don't listen to Eli," Demetri says.
"It's Hawk," Hawk corrects in a threatening tone.
"Yeah whatever," Demetri responds in a snarky tone.
"The fact is, Sam's given you no reason not to trust her," Demetri says.
"Yeah I guess you're right," Miguel accepts.
"What would you do if it were Moon?" Miguel follows up after a short silence.
I think for a second. Truth is I'm not sure. I'd be suspicious for sure, but I trust her enough.
"Well... id honestly talk to her about it. Explain my view on it and ask her if it's just me being paranoid or not. I know for a fact that she'd give me an honest answer. So next time you see her, ask about it," I suggest.
"But then she'll know I showed up at her house," Miguel says.
"Actually that's where leave that part out. Just tell her I told you. I live across the street from her after all. I did see him already. Kid with that kind of hair. Eugh," I say making a grossed out face.
"Shit that's not a bad idea," Hawk says smirking.
"Oh, that little bitch!" Aisha yells angrily shifting all of our attention.
"What's up?" I ask curiously leaning my elbows on the back of the bench and glancing over her shoulder at her phone.
"You know that video I posted of me breaking that board?"
"Yeah, vid creds," Amelia says raising her hand.
"Look what Yasmine commented!" Aisha says showing us her phone.
The video where Miguel is holding the board and Aisha shatters it plays once before the comments come up.
Y: Impressive... can't believe the belt made it around ur waist
"That little cunt. I'm putting her ass in the hospital next time I see her ugly face," Amelia snarls through gritted teeth.
"Her face isn't ugly," Demetri says sounding a little offended.
"Shut up Demetri," I say rolling my eyes.
"Well it will be when I'm through with her," Amelia says angrily.
Since they're the only two girls in Cobra Kai, Amelia and Aisha have developed a close friendship. Similar to Miguel and I's. That reminds me.
"Ames, what are Mel, Tracey, and Ashley up to tonight?" I ask.
"Aish and I were gonna meet up with them for a girls night," she answers.
"Well I'm gonna take a rain check because I'm getting Yasmine back instead. And I know just how," Aisha says with an evil smile.
"Oh shit," Miguel says.
"How bout we kidnap her and have my boy Rico tattoo bitch on her face," Hawk says with a smirk.
I neck him because of his dumb statement and he glared daggers at me while rubbing the back of his neck.
"As much as I'd love to see that, too much effort and Yasmine isn't worth that much," I say.
"Calm down Hawk," Demetri says sarcastically.
"Alright I hear how you're saying it, and I don't like it," Hawk responds threateningly.
"Hawk, seriously, chill out. Aisha, what's your plan?" I ask.
"Look," she says showing us her phone.
It's a picture of Yasmine that's talking about her party at the canyon for her birthday. VIP only.
"Jesus. People like her are gonna be hated when they reach college. Well besides senior guys chasing freshman tail," I say.
"Eww Cmon," Aisha says giving me a look.
I put my hand up in a "my bad," motion.
"Yasmine's throwing a birthday party at the canyon later?" Miguel asks.
"Not if we strike first," Aisha responds.
We all look at each other and smiles slowly grow on are faces.
"Hell yeah," Hawk says.
"Party time," Miguel and I say in unison and clap our hands together in a bro shake before getting up off the bench.
Hawk stops me as we walk to our cars.
"What's up? Still mad that I called you an idiot?" I tease.
"Tough talk comin from mister "I can't take a standardized test." But no, I wanted to show you this bad boy," Hawk says taking his wallet out and showing me his ID.
Not just any ID, a fake one.
"Shiiiit lemme take a peak," I say and examine it.
I wanna facepalm at the name.
"Walter Hawkman?" I say in disbelief cracking a smirk.
Hawk shrugs.
"Walter Hawkman?" I repeat for emphasis smiling in disbelief.
"Y-yeah. Is their something wrong with it?"Hawk says raising one eyebrow in confusion.
He's making an Eli face right now and I feel bad for giving him a hard time. The ID looks fine. I just think Walter Hawkman is a funny name.
"Nah. Looks perfect to me. Walter Hawkman is just a funny name," I say dismissively.
Hawk doesn't seem to care about me dissing his fake name because he's just happy his ID seems legit.
"It scans and black lights, but I don't know if it swipes or not," Hawk says.
"The swipe on mine is faulty. Itl be fine. They usually scan anyway," I say patting him on the shoulder.
"Hawk and Murphy. The ones with the fakes. Some true badassery right there," I say smirking and wrapping an arm around Hawk's shoulders.
I drive Amelia, Miguel and Hawk to a gas station and Aisha drives the rest of the crowd. While we go inside, Miguel stays outside to use his phone. I assume he's trying to get ahold of Sam. I decide to text Moon about our little stunt. She says Yasmine is also throwing a party and suggests combining. I decline, but tell her she should come because we're throwing down at the canyon no matter what.
Honestly, Yasmine can fuck right off. At least Kyler and those dimwits learned to back off. Yasmine still doesn't know her place. I'm kinda hoping she gets pissy so Aisha and Ames can put a beating on her. She'd screwed both of them over at some point and she'd have it coming big time.
Hawk and I overload on the alcohol. I swear I spent my debit card dry. I didn't even buy this much for my Christmas rager a few months back. People are trying to get me to throw an end of the year party, but parties like mine that look straight out of some R rated college movie only happen rarely. However, we weren't worried about cops or neighbors tonight because this party was gonna be one we'd never forget.
Authors note: at last the All Valley is growing ever closer. As usual feel free to comment questions, suggestions, and/or concerns. Feedback is always welcome. Until next time, Happy Reading and no mercy.