Chapter 2: Catching Up

Later that day, he were walking through Mr. LaRusso's neighborhood with Sam. While he didn't live in it, he only was minutes away in a nice upper-middle-class community.Samantha LaRusso: "So Nonny, what have you been up to all these years?" Jason: "Coming up with better nicknames for you." he joked. She laughs as he pretends to do some deep thinking.Jason: "Let's see here, there's Sammy, Samo, MiMi, Sam-Sam, Samant--"Samantha LaRusso: "Ok, ok, I get the point. You're still hilarious." She says with a sigh and a smile. "But what have you really been up to?"Jason: "I've been getting good grades, staying in shape, but I also learned how to swim, cook, and sing." Samantha LaRusso: "You can sing?!"Jason: "I'm no Drake or Michael Jackson, but I can." Samantha LaRusso: "That's awesome. We have to hit up a karaoke place sometime." Jason: "Yeah. I'd really like that." Samantha LaRusso: "Cool." After a moment of silence, he looked at his phone to check the time and put it away. Jason: "So Sam, what have you been up to? Made any new friends?" Samantha LaRusso: "A few months back, I used to hang out with the other rich, popular girls at my high school. There was the queen bee of the class, Yasmine, and the eco-friendly and very open-minded girl, Moon. Jason: "And let me guess, they're dating football stars and ruling the lunchroom?" Samantha LaRusso: "They're single but our table was extremely exclusive." Jason: "And you had a falling-out with them?" Samantha LaRusso: "Moon was fine, but it was Yasmine who was the most problematic. I mean one time, this girl was texting while driving an SUV." Jason: "What?! Did you get hurt?" Samantha LaRusso: "Nope, but she collided with a Pontiac Firebird owned by my dad's rival, Johnny Lawrence. He banged on the window and demanded Yasmine open the door. I didn't even know how to react and I thought the dude was a criminal. Yasmine didn't know how to handle a car accident, so she drove off." Jason: "Dang, Johnny Lawrence is bad news. He probably can still taste Mr. LaRusso's foot. Hi-yah!" He copied Daniel's crane kick jokingly which made Sam chuckle. Samantha LaRusso: "I started dating this bully named Kyler, but I didn't know it at the time. He seemed like a nice guy. My dad didn't like him from the start and that strained our relationship a bit, but we reconciled after I saw who he really was and broke up with him." Jason: "Hmm." Samantha LaRusso: "But then, he starts telling everyone at school that at our last date, I--" Jason: "Woah, Woah, Woah. I think I know what he said, but continue." Samantha LaRusso: "I was then friendless. A guy named Miguel eventually defended me and defeated Kyler's clique in a lunchroom fight, after which he and I began dating. I liked Miguel but I hid our relationship from my parents because my dad obviously disapproves of Cobra Kai. Jason: "Hold up. Cobra Kai is back?! When? Where? Why? And how? I thought Mr. Miyagi and Mr. LaRusso killed Cobra Kai. Twice!" Samantha LaRusso: "They did, but Johnny brought them back and they crushed most of the competition at the last All-Valley tournament." Jason: 'Then it's a good thing I remember my karate training. 'Cause I'm gonna' need it.' he shakes his head before sighing and kicking a rock. "Sooo... what happened to Miguel?" Samantha LaRusso: "A lot of things happened. A series of assumptions and misunderstandings lead him to believe that I was ashamed of him and involved with another guy. I tried to find him and talk about what went wrong but, I found him drunk at a beach party. He was trying to hit my friend, but he hit me "on accident" instead. I was so upset with his behavior that I broke up with him. He confronted me at the All-Valley Tournament, so I left before he won the final and was named champion of the 50th annual All-Valley." Jason: "I'm sorry you had to go through all that drama. I wish I could've helped you out. And since I moved back here again, I'm ready to spend the summer right by your side. We could go to the beach, go bowling, play at Golf N' Stuff--" Samantha LaRusso: "Oh. Golf N' Stuff."Sam looks away with a pained look which concerns him. Jason: "Are you okay? Did it shut down or something?" Samantha LaRusso: "No, it's just-- I went with Miguel there for our first date." Jason: "It's okay, Sammy. Just know if you ever need help, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to talk to, I'll be here for you." he give her a hug which she returns.The two of them arrive back at the LaRussos' household front step. Samantha LaRusso: "Thanks. It means a lot to me that you're back in the Valley." Jason: "It means a lot to me too. I'm sorry if you felt like I abandoned you. But I'll never forget the life lessons I learned from Mr. Miyagi, your dad... and you." Samantha LaRusso: "What did I teach you?" Jason: "To always have an open mind and to love others. Even when they mess up." Samantha LaRusso: "Wow, I-I never realized I was kinda' your teacher too." Jason: "The more you know, right?" You say with a charming smile.The two of them smile and lean towards each other more and more until they...Amanda LaRusso: "Samantha! Are you home?" Her mother opens the door as he and Sam look at her with wide eyes. Jason: "Hi Mrs. LaRusso." Amanda LaRusso: "Hi Jason, are you two back from your walk?" Jason: "Yeah, we caught up and had fun." Samantha LaRusso: "Jason told me he can sing." She says with a grin while Amanda raises her eyebrow in surprise. Amanda LaRusso: "Really? You should hit up a karaoke bar with Sam and us some time, kiddo." Jason: "Y'know Sam said the exact same thing." The three of them chuckle when his phone buzzes. Jason: "Listen, I gotta' go. My mom needs my help but we'll be moved in by tomorrow. Hopefully. Oh, and Mrs. LaRusso, my parents want to visit you tomorrow." Amanda LaRusso: "Well, tell her I'll call. *gasp* We should have a nice dinner." Jason: "Totally--" his phone starts ringing and he looks to see if it's his mom. "Bye Mrs. LaRusso, see ya, Sam." he hop onto his Black bike, wave the LaRusso women goodbye, and pedal away. Amanda looks at Sam's dreamy gaze after him and Amanda LaRusso: 'Does Sam have a crush on Jason?' Samantha LaRusso: "I'm going to go to my room." Amanda watches as Sam walks inside and follows her before closing the door.Later that night, Daniel walks into the house and Amanda looks up from chopping a tomato. Amanda LaRusso: "The workman returns." Daniel LaRusso: "Gotta' tell ya, it feels great to get my hands dirty again. Me and Robby fixed up Miyagi's home and now, it's once again the Miyagi-Do dojo." He says proudly. "Too bad Jason couldn't help out." He goes into a large, modern refrigerator and grabs a beer. "Where's Sam?" Amanda LaRusso: "Upstairs. Still pretty torn up about her breakup with Miguel." Daniel LaRusso: "Mr. Cheapshot? I hate to say I told her so... *opens the cap with a bottle opener* ...but I told her so." Amanda LaRusso: "Daniel." She says with an are-you-serious-right-now look. Daniel LaRusso: "What? I'm supposed to be upset that my daughter has broken up with Cobra Kai's top bully?" Amanda LaRusso: *sighs* "She's just starting to get over it with Jason and his family coming back. They caught up earlier today and it went well.'' Daniel LaRusso: "Of course it did. When they were young, they were the best of friends. Tomorrow, I'll ask him and his parents about joining Team Miyagi-Do again. He can train with Robby and get to know him. The boy needs a friend who's a good influence anyway." Amanda LaRusso: "I just want to make sure you're biting off too much, okay? I'm happy that you found karate again, but opening your own dojo and roping in Jason?" Daniel LaRusso: "Roping in? The kid has loads of potential. He was better at karate at age 9 than I was at . He'll definitely help me take down Cobra Kai" Amanda LaRusso: "Make sure you can balance everything you got going on?" Daniel LaRusso: *chuckles* "Balance is my thing."They both chuckle before Daniel continues. Daniel LaRusso: "I just don't want Sam going to a school with a bunch of kids who think you can cheat and get away with it. You can't let the bullies win. Someone has to do something." He takes a swig of his beerAmanda LaRusso: "Yeah, but why does it have to be you?'' Daniel LaRusso: "Because I know how to beat Cobra Kai. I did it 30 years ago. And I can do it again." Amanda sighs and eats a slice of tomato.In Sam's bedroom, she is sitting on her bed and scrolling on Instagram.She sees a picture from miguel_diaz of him holding the All-Valley Under- tournament trophy up with an intense look. Several Cobra Kai students surround him including one with a dark blue mohawk.She sighs sadly and scrolls through multiple selfies of her and Miguel smilingShe sighs sadly and scrolls through multiple selfies of her and Miguel smiling. Miguel is a teenager from Ecuador who is thin, yet muscular.A faint smile forms on her face, but then, she decides to block himA faint smile forms on her face, but then, she decides to block him. She lets out another sigh and taps on another friend she used to be close to in the past, Aisha Robinson.Aisha's a stout black girl with freckles, glasses, and short black hair dyed light brown on the top.Aisha's a stout black girl with freckles, glasses, and short black hair dyed light brown on the topShe's standing in front of a table in a restaurant with three teenagers including Moon and Hawk.Hawk's a white teen with roughly the same build of Miguel, but it slightly more muscular. He's the kid with the iconic mohawk.Moon's a white girl with brown hair and modern hippie-esque clothingMoon's a white girl with brown hair and modern hippie-esque clothing.Aisha Robinson (in Instagram story): "So you may be wondering what a team does after they win the championshipAisha Robinson (in Instagram story): Victory nachos!"Several people whoop in the background before Sam turns her phone off in frustration.he drive back to the LaRussos' in his mom's car and park in front. he get out while carrying a box with something for Mr. LaRusso.Jason: ' Mr. LaRusso will be so happy when he sees this.'He rings the doorbell and waits for someone to answer.Moments later, Daniel opens the door and smiles. Daniel LaRusso: "Jason! Just the guy I was looking for." Jason: "Really? Wh-Why?"Daniel LaRusso: "Well Mr. Todd, how would you like to rejoin Miyagi-Do?" Jason: "Miyagi-Do? You're opening it back up again?!" Daniel LaRusso: "Yes, and I already have one student you'll get to train with tomorrow." Jason: "Is it Sam? I thought she quit karate." Daniel LaRusso: "No, not Sam. He's a mentee of mine." Jason: "Cool, I'll be there whenever you need me to be, Sensei." he say with a karate bow. Daniel LaRusso: *bows back and chuckles* "Great. am, get ready to--" Jason: "Paint the fence? Sand the floors? Wax Mr. Miyagi's antique cars?" he ask. Daniel LaRusso: "Maybe, but I'll definitely find some work for you." Jason: "I know you will." They both laugh and shake hands. "I know I still have a lot to learn about Sensei and it'll be just like the old days. *sigh* If only Mr. Miyagi was here too, but I know he's watching over us and smiling." Daniel LaRusso: *sigh* "I would hope so." Jason: "Listen, I wanted to give this to you." Daniel LaRusso: "Give what back?" Jason: "This." as he present him with a white mug with a black-and-white drawing of Mr. Miyagi wearing a headband on it. Daniel LaRusso: "Wow, Jason this is incredible. How did you make this?" Jason: "It was for a graphic design class in 8th grade. I have my own mug but, when I learned that we'd be moving back to The Valley, I knew I wanted to give you one too.'' Daniel LaRusso: "This is so beautiful. Thank you Jason, you're like a son to me, you know that?" Jason: "I know, just know it would sound weird if I told people I have two dads and a mom." Daniel laughs and claps his hand on his shoulder. Daniel LaRusso: "Still have that same sense of humor, huh?" Jason: "You know it."they both chuckle again and look up at the night sky. Jason: "Life's good, Mr. LaRusso. Life's good." Daniel nods in agreement and sighs happily while gazing at the stars.