Nicole had just gotten home. She was in tremendous pain. She went into the kitchen to get to some ice. Brad was there.

"What happened to you?" Brad said. "Were you fucking around with someone else's boyfriend?"

"I'm fine Brad." She said irritated as she opened up the freezer. "Thanks for caring."

Tammy came into the kitchen and saw Nicole. "What did you do?" Tammy said in a blameful tone.

"I'm fine." "Thanks."

Nicole went upstairs to the bathroom to get the rubbing alcohol. She sat two rag full of ice on the sink. When she looked into the bathroom mirror, she saw that she had a black eye and a cut on her lip. She lifted up her shirt and saw that she had a big purple bruise on her stomach.

Two days later Nicole and Sam decided to meet up at the mall. They met at one of the food courts.

"Hi." Nicole said.

"Hi." "Oh my god, what happened to your face?" She said concerned.

"I got jumped by a girl who doesn't like me."

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"Does it hurt?"

"Yeah."

They walked around for the next hour shopping, talking and getting to know each other.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Sam asked.

"Nope never." "I know, I'm a total loser."

"What?" "No you're not." "Why would you say that?"

"It's the truth."

"No it's not."

"I've never even kissed a guy."

"It'll happen and it'll be special."

"I take it you have a boyfriend then?"

"I did but not anymore." "I broke up with him."

"What happened?"

"I went to a party with Robby, we went just as friends, I was going there to see my boyfriend Miguel." "Miguel saw us and got all pissed off." "He thought Robby and I had come there together." "He'd been drinking." "He was trying to fight Robby." "I stepped in to stop it and Miguel hit me."

"What an asshole."

"He used to a nice guy but the more he got involved Cobra Kai, he changed."

"What's Cobra Kai?"

"It's a karate dojo full of assholes and bullies."

Nicole went home for dinner with Sam.

"I'm home." Sam said. "I brought Nicole home for dinner." They went into the kitchen. Amanda and Daniel were there.

"It's almost ready." Amanda said.

"I hope I'm not imposing." Nicole said.

"No imposition at all." Daniel said. "We're happy to have you." "Welcome to our home."

"Thank you."

"Sam will you go get Robby?" Amanda asked.

"Sure." Sam said. She went to go get him.

"Oh sorry, I didn't know you were already having a dinner guest." Nicole said.

"Robby lives in the home dojo out back." Daniel said.

Sam went into the dojo.

"It's time for dinner Robby." Sam said.

"I'll be right there."

"Nicole's here."

"She is?" He said trying to hide his smile.

"Yeah."

When Robby went into the house he sat down next to Nicole at the kitchen table.

"Are you ok?" He asked immediately noticing her eye and lip.

"Yeah."

They were all sitting down to dinner.

"What happened to your face Nicole?" Daniel asked.

"I reported a co-worker for stealing money." "Somehow she found it was me and jumped me after work." "I guess I should've just kept my mouth shut."

"No, you did the right thing." "Would you be interested in learning karate?"

"I'm not looking to pick a fight with her, but it would be nice to be able to defend myself if she comes back around."

"That's a terrific answer."

"That's the best answer you could've given." Robby said.

"I wouldn't be very good at it." Nicole said.

"You'd pick it up in no time." Daniel said.

"I couldn't afford lessons."

"The lessons are free."

"Free?"

"Yes."

"Who would teach me?"

"Me." "Well me, Sam and Robby."

"You?" She said trying not to laugh.

"Mr. LaRusso is a two-time all valley karate champion." Robby said.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, I'm in."

Nicole was getting ready to leave. Robby walked her to the door.

"I'm glad you decided to join up." Robby said.

"I'll probably break a leg, literally."

"You'll get it." "Bye."

"Bye." She left.

Robby turned around. Daniel was standing there.

"Do you want to be in charge of training Nicole?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah."

The next day Johnny was getting ready to teach a class.

"Class, we have a new student today." Johnny said. "Kate Winston."

After class Kate was getting ready to leave. A girl came up to her.

"Hi." Kate said.

"Hi I'm Tory." "Wanna come hang with some of us?"

"Sure."