Chapter 2: Thrown Into The Mix

James's POV:

Today is my first day at West Valley High and people are already giving me strange looks. I don't look good at all. I still hurt after my bike crash and when those kids beat me up. As I enter the building I see a banner hanging from the stairs that reads "Welcome back !Miguel!". I vaguely remember that name. Oh, I think he was the kid who got kicked off the balcony. Suddenly, everyone begins clapping. I look to my right and see him. Miguel, standing tall and smiling. I can't believe he can still walk. Soon, he leaves the area and I get out of my daze.

Later...

It's now lunch time and I don't know where to sit. As I look around I become terrified. I see the mohawk kid sitting at one table and the asian kid standing near another. Why did they have to be at this school? As I'm staring, I see a kid with a cast bump into the asian kid.

"Oh crap." The cast kid says.

"Oh, you thought I was going to knock down your tray? Come on man, I'm better than that." The asian kid says. He then takes the cast kids tray and throws it into the trash.

"What else you need help with? Oh, you want me to sign your cast? Say no more." The asian kid says. What a dick. I still need to find a table to sit at. I spot a table with only a few kids sitting at it and decide to sit there.

"What are you doing here?" A younger kid with blonde hair asks.

"Oh, I was just wondering if I could sit here." I respond.

"Yeah, it's fine. I was just wondering why you would want to sit at the rejects table." The kid asks.

"Rejects?" I ask.

"Yeah. We got kicked off our Karate team, Cobra Kai. It sucks." The kid says.

"Well, I hope you feel better." I say.

"Thanks. My name's Bert by the way." Bert says.

"James." I say. We shake hands. That's when I hear the asian kid shout again.

"Hey guys! Check this guy out. Standing around with a dick in his hand." He shouts. Almost the whole cafeteria bursts out laughing. I'm relieved that nobody at my table is laughing at this. The cast kid jerks his arm away and walks out of the cafeteria sadly. Maybe I could do something.

"I'll be right back." I say to Bert before getting up and leaving the cafeteria. I manage to catch up to the cast kid.

"Hey, wait up!" I shout.

"Just leave me alone." The kid shouts back.

"Wait, I'm not with those guys." I say. This makes the kid stop and turn around.

"You're not with Cobra Kai?" The kid asks.

"No." I respond. Wasn't that the team that Bert got kicked out of? He doesn't seem like the rest of them. Maybe that's why he got kicked off?

"Then why are you here?" The kid asks.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." I respond.

"I'm fine." The kid says.

"Who are those guys anyway?" I ask.

"Well, Kyler's the one who was being a dick to me. Pretty ironic that he drew a dick on my cast. Then there's Hawk, the kid with the red mohawk. You can't miss him. Tory isn't at this school anymore but she's one of the strongest members. I think that's all you need to know." He says.

"Wow. I wish there was a way to stop those guys." I say.

"Well. I'm in a karate dojo of my own. It's called Miyagi-do. However, it's closed right now. After the school fight, Mr. LaRusso shut down operations for the time being."

"Oh, that's too bad." I say sadly.

"What, you wanted to join or something?" The kid asks.

"Maybe. Those Cobra Kai kids beat me up after I crashed into Hawks motorcycle. I was totally fine with paying for the damage until they went too far." I say.

"Damn. Sorry about that. Do you maybe want to check out the dojo after school?" The kid asks.

"Sure. My name's James by the way." I say.

"Demetri." Demetri says. We shake hands and then part ways. As I'm heading back to the cafeteria, I bump into Kyler and another kid I don't recognize.

"Well, well. Look who it is. You want some more, pussy?" Kyler taunts. I tense up and attempt to walk past them but Kyler grabs my shoulder and pulls me back. Damm, there's no one else in the hallway. I'm screwed.

"Hey, we're not done here." He says. I pull myself away from Kyler and attempt to punch him. However, before I can, the other kid blocks it and kicks me in the gut, sending me to the ground.

"Damm! Nice work Steve!" Kyler shouts. Steve smiles.

"I can see why you call him a pussy. He can't even get one hit in." Steve says while smirking. That does it. I go to punch Steve but he grabs my arm. He then takes the opportunity to punch me in the face.

"You're going to have to try harder than that!" Steve taunts. Just then, the bell rings.

"Shit. We gotta get out of here." Kyler says.

"See you around, pussy." Steve says before the two of them leave.

Author's Note: Sorry if the characters are too OOC.