Chapter Six: No Mercy

…

"Miggy this karate seems dangerous."

Miguel rubbed the bruise on his temple with a sigh. "It was because of my karate that I didn't get beat up."

"All I know is you shouldn't be getting in fights." said Carmen kindly, Miguel's mother.

Carmen ignored her mother's approval of the karate in Spanish and then Miguel spoke in English.

"Sensei Kreese helped me, I gained friends, strength, confidence."

"And I am so happy for you mi hijo," said Carmen. "But even if you didn't get hurt, this Mr. Kreese does not seem like a safe man or a good mentor."

"You don't know him ma. Without him, I'd be a nobody getting picked on every day at school!" Miguel left the couch.

"Miggy!"

Miguel walked to his bedroom and closed the door.

Carmen turned to Rosa, her mother, who spoke.

"Es la edad." she shrugged.

Carmen silently agreed that it was just Miguel's age, nothing odd.

…

The next day at West Valley High School, Miguel chatted with Sam at her locker.

"Hey."

Sam smiled. "Heyy…"

"I guess the Halloween dance was kind of weird huh?"

"Yeah, lots of fun costumes," Sam said with a smile, closing her locker.

Miguel cleared his throat. "Your boyfriend spilled some punch on me."

"Luke's not my boyfriend," Sam said before she shrugged, fixing her backpack on her shoulders. "And besides, it was an accident right?"

"Yeah totally. Can we um, hang out in the library after school?" asked Miguel. "We can go over some Bio stuff together."

"That sounds awesome but." Sam winced. "I actually have something I needed to do later."

"Fine."

Sam frowned. "What happened to your face?"

"I bumped my head on a cabinet moving boxes around for my Yaya." Miguel said.

"Oh." Sam didn't buy it at all. "Look, we can hang out some other time."

Miguel was hiding his disappointment. "Yeah, sure."

"See you in class?"

"Yeah." Miguel smiled and nodded back before Sam walked off.

She waved at Lucas in the hall with a smile as she walked down it.

Miguel squinted with one eye at this, balling his fists.

"Sup man?"

Mitch and Bert appeared, Edwin had his nose stuck in a book.

"El Serpiente!" Mitch punched Miguel's shoulder. "You kicked Kyler's ass last Friday man!"

Bert nudged him strongly, looking around the hall.

Mitch cleared his throat, lowering his voice. "I mean. You kicked Kyler's ass last Friday!"

Miguel chuckled. "Thanks Mitch. I honestly couldn't have done it without you guys."

"Maybe you could've," said Mitch. "You had some balls to go up against all four of them, but I couldn't take that risk."

Miguel smiled, sounding like he felt better about his day so far. "I appreciate it a ton."

The Cobra Kai boys then left the hall.

…

Sam felt a little uncomfortable.

She was wearing her clothes for PE, gym shorts and a grey West Valley Mountain Lions t-shirt.

Moon, Yasmine, and a girl with sandy light brown hair, freckles, and glasses were all sitting behind a plastic white table on a basketball court with a mat out.

Yasmine and Moon smiled, giving her the thumbs up.

A young African American woman in her twenties with a tennis visor sat behind the table as well with a clipboard.

"Usually we don't hold tryouts this late in the semester, but a spot recently opened up as Judy Rubenthal broke her ankle." the coach said, clicking her pen. "First up, Fernanda Wilson."

The girls all tried out one by one and it was then Sam's turn.

It was clear she had no formal training in tumbling, gymnastics, or any sort of cheer, but still possessed more than enough athleticism to learn.

"Thank you all for your time ladies," the coach said. "After convening with my captains, we'll tell you who stayed and who did not."

…

"Runner up. Maisie Thomas."

The coach smiled. "And first seed, Samantha LaRusso!"

Everyone on the cheer squad, well over sixteen girls all cheered.

Several girls grumpily got off the mat and left, leaving Sam to join her first practice.

Moon and Yasmine screeched, embracing their friend.

Sam smiled and the cheer practice began.

Sam learned how competitive the cheer team actually was, that there was a lot of technique, timing, and in some cases, team work that was involved.

The practice lasted about two hours, and by the end of it, Sam actually had enjoyed herself.

She had only really done one extra curricular, which was karate with her father, and she hadn't done it since she was eight and over eight years prior, so this was new and fun for her.

…

Sam found that she enjoyed the company of all the girls on the cheer team.

She was already friends with Moon and Yasmine, but the rest were fun albeit sometimes superficial and crass girls.

Lindsay Martin was a Captain, in Sam's year, and had her locker right next to Sam's in the girl's locker room.

Mackenzie Chu wasn't Captain but a junior, and had still competed in cheer since she was young. Her parents were wealthy tech company executives from Korea who had roots in Irvine stretching back decades.

Sam didn't feel nervous or uncomfortable around the girls, on the contrary, the cheer team made her feel at home.

Sighing, Yasmine took off her West Valley High School cheer uniform, put it into her locker, and slipped beneath the shower.

Her and Lindsay chatted quietly, washing themselves down with soap and hot water.

"What a practice," Moon muttered, rubbing her sore legs and back.

"Wait, your dad has that car dealership, right? He, kicks the competition?" asked Mackenzie, fixing her bra before putting a clean shirt on.

Sam nodded. "Uh huh."

"Clever." Mackenzie chuckled.

Yasmine walked over after drying herself off with a towel and wearing just short shorts and a bra, rummaging through her locker. "You did very well for your first day."

Sam smiled. "Thanks!"

"Cheer is not for the faint of heart," Moon said darkly, making Sam and Yasmine chuckled.

Mackenzie tossed her long jet black hair back. "You know that guy who always wears karate stuff? Hangs around that kid with the lip?"

"Luke?" asked Sam. "What about him?"

"Are you dating him?" she asked, rubbing lip stick on using a small hand mirror to help.

Sam froze. "Uh…why do people keep thinking that?"

"Cause you two totally ran off together at the dance," Yasmine muttered. "You acted like I didn't notice since I was Snapping about Fuglisha."

Moon frowned, hiding the upset look on her face when she knelt to put a jacket on out of her locker.

"Really?" Mackenzie gasped, turning around slightly. "Spill!"

Lindsay picked her backpack up. "It's not your business guys, just leave her alone." she said, starting to leave.

"Let her speak for herself damn it," Yasmine said jokingly, the girls chuckling together quietly. "Seriously, how'd it go?"

Lindsay scoffed, leaving. "Later."

Moon waved to her as Sam shrugged. "I don't know, it went. Fine."

"Okay then." Mackenzie put her makeup away, tucking the makeup mirror into her pocket.

"Well I mean, he's a pretty good kisser."

"Daaaamn!" Yasmine laughed.

Mackenzie nodded. "Alright then." she smiled a bit.

Sam realized that slipped out faster than she meant to.

"Fuglisha." Sam frowned at Mackenzie's chortle. "That's pretty clever. Man, is that why everyone started calling her cheeto pig?"

"You could tell it was her in that skeleton costume." Yasmine shrugged.

Sam quietly walked out.

…

"The timing on that little bitch's story." Aisha was stretching on the mat of Cobra Kai.

Mitch shrugged. "So then just walk up to her and break her fake ass nose."

"I can't," said Aisha. "She made sure to post it when everyone had already left the dance. It's like she knew I couldn't do anything about it when I got back to school and all the teacher's were around."

"Fall in."

Kreese walked out, and everyone stood up, paying attention.

Only a thin boy named Dieter had joined the dojo after hearing about the Halloween dance locker room fight, making Kreese's total number of students six.

Kreese spoke quietly, looking at his line of karatekas calmly.

"In this dojo, earning your white belt means you've proven you're a true Cobra Kai. Class, please welcome the first white belt in Cobra Kai since a very long time. Miguel Diaz."

He walked out from the backroom quietly in a white Cobra Kai GI.

Miguel took his spot and Aisha smiled and nodded to him.

"He showed no mercy to a group of people who bothered him." said Kreese with pride. "Let it be known. Every single one of you holds that right."

Mitch smiled and nodded. "If an ant gets on your food." Kreese shrugged. "Feel free to squish it. No mercy." he added, squinting at the class.

"Begin."

Miguel warmed everyone up with forward strikes and then got to work.

Kreese trained everyone in sparring, grappling, and striking form.

After an hour and a half of training, everyone was sweaty and tired, but still strong.

"Dismissed. Ais!"

Everyone bowed to Kreese and he nodded his head back.

…

Kreese was organizing paperwork on his office desk when Miguel walked in.

"Sensei?"

"What can I do for you Mr. Diaz?"

"I had a question."

"Go right ahead."

Miguel sighed. "I like this um, person at school. She's super funny, and cute, and smart. But there's, a problem."

Kreese looked around his office. "Do I seem like the authority on these things?"

"No. But I didn't have anyone to ask."

"What about your friends?"

Miguel spoke very quietly. "None of them ever had a girlfriend before so."

Kreese hid his smile and tiny chuckle when he spun around in his desk chair to put away some papers in a metal cabinet.

He turned around as Miguel spoke. "Have you ever-"

"What's your question? Speak frankly son, you're very clear on what my duties as a Sensei are to you."

Miguel nearly gulped for a second.

"There's someone else, someone I know this person likes. What do I do about them?"

"Why do you ask me?"

"You seem to know how to handle threats pretty well."

Kreese was actually flattered, but hid it with a small wipe of his face and scratch at his stubble.

"What did I tell you at the beginning of class today?" Kreese pointed out to the mat from his office window.

Miguel shrugged. "No mercy."

"Precisely. If someone threatens you, or something you want. You take care of them." Kreese then picked up a cigar, bouncing it in Miguel's direction with his elbow on his office desk. "But like always, fight smart. Not hard Mr. Diaz."

"Thank you Sensei."

Miguel turned around and Kreese spoke out, cutting his cigar end off.

"If you ever ask me about romance again, I swear. I'll have you run laps around the mat until you black out."

Miguel smiled with his back turned, chuckling quietly. "Yes Sensei."

…

The next day at school, Sam walked in with a newfound confidence being part of West Valley High School's cheer team.

It was dress day, Friday, and all the football players had to wear a button up and nice jeans or slacks and in some cases a tie. And all the cheer leaders had to wear their full cheer uniform.

Sam enjoyed the attention but could hide her shyness by always being near the other girls on cheer in the halls, Moon, Lindsay, or Yasmine.

Maybe now Lucas would notice her instead of her friends. Maybe now she could forget about everything that happened with Aisha.

Sam's smile on her face froze.

Mackenzie was talking to Lucas in the hallway.

He was sitting on a bench near a water fountain with his pals, Robby and Eli.

Lucas was leaning back, hands in his pockets. When Mackenzie took her phone out of her jacket pocket, he took a quick glance at Mackenzie's bare thighs.

Sam practically melted away.

However, it seemed like a perfectly casual conversation with an odd smile and chuckle.

Lucas could see Sam walking in his direction but the bell rang for the first period before he could react.

…

Miguel Diaz found a sign up form for volunteers to help run West Valley High's soccer games.

There, he saw Lucas Schwarber's name and phone number listed.

Miguel looked up, thinking of something.

…

Sam found Lucas and Daniel talking in Daniel's dining room.

"Hey." Daniel turned towards his daughter. "Planned on joining us earlier today?"

"Sorry, think cheer's my new hobby. Not ready to go back to karate yet."

Daniel smiled. "That's fine, I think Anthony needs help with his homework."

Lucas looked touched that Daniel trusted him enough to leave him downstairs alone with his daughter.

"Sup." Lucas threw a carrot Daniel had cut into his mouth, chewing on it quietly.

"Hey there."

"Everything good, with you?" Lucas asked quietly.

"Yeah, yeah everything's fine."

They stood there silently, looking around the kitchen.

"I know we haven't talked since the dance. I went off kinda in a huff, and honestly that wasn't cool of me."

"Really?"

Lucas nodded. "You clearly thought I was lying to you, and even though you were wrong. You had a point. I do flirt a lot, maybe I should try to a little less."

"It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"You realized your mistake."

Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

He saw Amanda's car pull into the driveway.

"I'll help your mom unload some groceries."

Sam smiled back, the sentiment was appreciated warmly.

She noticed Lucas had left his phone on the counter and received an odd Whatsapp text.

MackTheKnife: Last night was so fun! ;)

The text was followed by some very suggestive emojis.

Sam looked up, blinking rapidly and then helping Amanda with the groceries.

…

At dinner, Lucas could tell Sam was off for some reason.

Hadn't they recovered from the post Halloween dance awkwardness?

It wasn't until he returned to his house at the Mills Manor that he realized the text on his phone.

Someone was trolling him, the number had blocked him when he responded to it. And judging from Sam's sudden change at around the time the text was sent, she had seen it.

Lucas began to squint in thought. Who in the world would want to make it seem like someone was messing around with him?

Lucas shrugged, tossing his phone away.

…

The next week at school, Lucas found out pretty quickly who it was.

Sam gave him the cold shoulder at every turn, and someone was chatting up Moon, doing his best to make her giggle while playing it cool.

Lucas was nudged out of the way when leaning over at a water fountain by him.

"No mercy man." Miguel muttered.

Lucas was confused, and then saw him walk off to flirt with Moon again.

She giggled loudly at what she said and he looked away.

How could he have been lucky enough that Sam saw it at just that time? It was sheer luck.

Lucas shook his head away and merely ignored it all, moving on through his day.

…

That afternoon in the girl's locker room, Sam eyed Mackenzie with a bit more scorn, but she ultimately didn't say or do anything.

"So um." Sam cleared her throat. "How crucial are nudes when you're flirting with a guy?"

"So crucial," Yasmine muttered.

"They're a nightmare." Mackenzie groaned.

Lindsay rolled her eyes, folding her sweaty clothes into her gym bag. "Sexts are everything when you're starting to know someone romantically."

"Really?" asked Sam.

"Definitely," Mackenzie said. "Boys will generally ask for them as soon as you show interest, and the best thing you can do is tease them."

Sam could tell Mackenzie really knew what she was talking about.

"Word of advice," Yasmine said. "Don't send, but keep him waiting for one to drop."

"But what if you really like him that way?" Sam was confused.

"Then you make him wait even more," said Moon with a chuckle. "Guys are dumb that way, they're more interested the less you show them. At first anyway."

"Yes! You reel them in little by little, until you're sure they're genuine about you." Mackenzie shrugged. "Then you show them a little something. But almost nothing."

The girls stopped gossiping about one topic to transition into another.

Sam generally found herself happy with them, except with Mackenzie.

…

Karate Kid OST: The Pact

…

Lucas was practicing kata with Daniel.

"One."

They breathed in, moving their hands around.

"And two."

Lucas breathed in and out, their kata was almost like a guided meditation but with karate.

"And one, and two."

Lucas then began to hammer in old nails, and practiced paint the fence and wax on wax off.

Daniel smiled, walking up to him. "Nice work."

"Thanks Mr. L."

"Everything alright at school?"

"Um. School's fine, just, some stuff happened."

Daniel and Lucas sat down on the front porch of Mr. Miyagi's house and he told him everything.

"So. This Miguel kid, he wanted to make Sam jealous of you?"

"Pretty much."

"Because you spilled punch all over him?"

Lucas nodded. "Also because I think he might be jealous."

Daniel laughed. "Cobra Kai has not changed."

"The thing is. I know it's not him, it's. It's-"

"Kreese."

Lucas was silent.

Daniel shook his head. "That man is just awful. He turns people's pain into other's. Hatred is like a disease, it can't stop if you spread it around."

"So what am I supposed to do? Sam doesn't care about the truth, and I don't want to give Miguel more reasons to hate me."

Daniel sighed. "You know, the best fights are the ones that are stopped before they happen. Our karate is special, you train, so you don't have to fight."

"Exactly."

"Lucas you're going to find that a lot of the conflicts in your life can be resolved with proper communication and honesty. John Kreese never cared about that."

Lucas frowned.

"I know you thought he cared about you, but he doesn't care about anyone. He would use your weakness, your vulnerability, and add it to his own strength. He preys on what people want to become, building their trust, and then he hurts you when you don't live up to what he wanted."

Lucas nodded. "Yeah."

"Hey." he put a hand on his shoulder. "My advice is this. Do nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing. Engaging with Kreese's behavior is dangerous, you're giving him what he wants by giving his student any attention."

Lucas understood. "Alright then."

"The philosophy of Miyagi-Do is what I need you to understand most. You already learned the actual karate very quickly, there are very few applications of the kata left for you to perfect. But the essence."

Lucas watched Daniel pretend to hold a small seed. "The core of who you are is still growing. It's like, your future is still undecided."

Lucas nodded.

"But all you need to do is trust your instincts, trust what I've taught you. And you'll grow into what you were meant to be."

Lucas smiled. "So it's like, I'm a seed. And, Miyagi-Do are my roots?"

"And the stem and leaves will be your life and decisions." Daniel smiled. "See, you're getting the lesson already."

"Well how do I practice the lesson?"

"Do you want me to show you?"

Lucas nodded.

…

The two spent the night trimming bonsai and talking about life.

About Daniel's experiences in highschool, how it was like to raise a family, and his advice for Lucas growing up.

Lucas had a lot to say, but above all, he listened.

He was absorbing everything Daniel was telling him, about Miyagi-Do, the LaRusso Auto dealership, about everything he wanted to know.

The core of what Lucas understood was that Miyagi-Do, or rather what Daniel wanted for him, was trust.

Trust above all.

…

In his room, Lucas texted Sam.

hey, wyd rn?

Sam almost leaped off her computer doing homework to text Lucas, laying on her stomach on her bed to tap away on her phone.

nothin wbu

i was just about to heat up dino nuggets

Lucas chuckled at the fire emojis Sam sent him.

im sorry if I was acting weird earlier this week. School's been odd and stuff

you were acting weird earlier?

Sam smiled at her phone screen, relieved Lucas was fine.

anyways, where are you rn?

laying on my bed, texting u

can i see?

Sam leaned up and noticed some of her cleavage was visible in the selfie of her smiling she was about to send.

Was that what Lucas wanted right now? She was mainly trying to go off the advice everyone on the cheer squad gave her.

Lucas saw the selfie and loved it instantly, making Sam glow when she saw the heart on it appear.

i love your hair! your earrings look nice as hellll

Lucas tapped his finger on his mouth, thinking.

can I see a bit more?

Sam texted her response angrily, and much faster than she meant to.

why, don't you have Mack to hit up for that?

It was at that point that Lucas left Sam on read, and the two rubbed their faces in their own bedrooms.

"So stupid!" Sam threw her phone into her pillow, cupping her own face.

"Such an idiot!" Lucas grunted in frustration.

It appeared awkwardness was a stable state for the two.

Luckily for Sam, the messages she shared with Miguel were far sweeter and kinder and never strayed from platonic jokes through Instagram.

…

…

…