Chapter 4: Overwhelmed
It's a new day at school. As I enter the building I see Miguel and, I think her name was Sam. They seem to be getting along nice. I don't see Demetri though. I look over to see Cobra Kai. Hawk, Kyler, and Steve are all staring at me, smirking. I try to get away but Stephen gets up and runs over to me.
"Hey, pussy, what are you doing?" Steve asks.
"Get out of here." I say angrily.
"Oh, and I'm guessing you're going to make me?" Steve says.
"I will one day." I say.
"Is that right?" Steve says as he gets even closer to me. I tense up and Steve notices.
"You're still a pussy." He says before walking away.
Later...
At lunch, I notice that Bert is sitting with Miguel and a lot more kids this time. I decided to sit with the people from Miyagi-do.
"Who's this dude?" One member asks.
"That's James, he joined yesterday." Demetri explains. Great, they don't even remember me. What a great start.
"So, how are you liking Miyagi-do?" Sam asks.
"It's fine. I just wish I was better." I say nervously.
"Don't worry. You will with time. Oh, I forgot to ask. How did you get all those bruises?" Sam asks.
"Oh, I got beat up by Cobra Kai." I respond sadly.
"Ugh. Those assholes." Sam says under her breath.
"What's the deal with that Steve kid?" I ask.
"Uh, I'm not sure. I haven't really seen him before. I think he joined Cobra Kai pretty recently." Sam says. That peaks my interest. Maybe I could actually take him on in a fight. Then again, he already knows a few moves. Did he train before?
"So James, why did Mr. LaRusso keep you after class yesterday?" Demetri asks.
"He offered me some help. I'm going to need to practice a lot if I want to even stand a chance against Cobra Kai." I say. That's when I remember something I've been meaning to ask.
"Hey Sam, what are Miguel and Bert doing?" I ask.
"I think they are making a new dojo with kids who were kicked out of Cobra Kai." Sam responds.
"Are they good people?" I ask.
"Oh yeah. Miguel is different. He isn't like the other Cobra Kai members." Sam says. I look over at Miguel. Maybe I should get to know him? I don't know. I don't want to be weird.
Later…
School finally ends and I get to go home. I'm going to push myself during class today. I decide to cut through an alley to get to my house faster. This turns out to be a mistake. As I'm walking I feel someone push me and I fall to the ground. I get up and turn around to see Kyler and Steve.
"Hey, look who it is!" Kyler shouts.
"Leave me alone." I say.
"I don't think you noticed, but we're the ones who overpower you." Steve taunts.
"Oh yeah? Coming from you? You're just as weak as everyone else. I know you only joined Cobra Kai recently. You call me a pussy but you're still one yourself." I say. I turn around and attempt to leave but Steve grabs me and turns me back. He attempts to punch me in the face but I put both my arms in front of it to block.
"Ha." I say to myself. But it doesn't last long. Steve kicks me in the stomach and then punches me in the face.
"Oh, I've done some training before Cobra Kai." Steve says while smiling. I get up and attempt to kick Steve but that's when Kyler jumps in. He grabs my leg mid kick and throws me to the ground. I'm not done yet though. I get up and attempt to punch Kyler but he dodges and punches me in the stomach. This sends me crashing into the wall. That's when Kyler and Steve start beating me up. They release a barrage of punches and kicks and I get too overwhelmed. I start panicking as I flashback to when Cobra Kai beat me up after that bike crash. Soon, they stop and let a bloody me fall to the ground.
"Had enough, pussy? Steve asks. I get up.
"No. This fight isn't over." I say.
"Yes it is." I hear a female voice say. I turn to see a blonde girl, Hawk, and a few Cobra Kai members enter the ally. That girl must be Tory. I am completely petrified now. The flashbacks keep coming back and I'm too afraid to move.
"Now let's finish this." Tory says while walking over to me. Right when I accept my fate, I hear a police siren.
"Shit. We gotta go." Hawk shouts. The Cobra Kai members begin running through the alley to get to the other side. I notice that Steve glares at me before leaving. What was his deal? I remember the threat that Hawk made the last time I got beat up. I decide not to stick around. I get to the other side of the alley and luckily, Cobra Kai were already far away. I need more training. I don't care how long it takes, I am going to beat those smug looks off of Steve and Kyler's faces one day.
Author's Note: And so, James will finally takes his training extremely seriously.