karate prodigy · the karate kid · 1980s setting · protective · flirty · short-tempered · loyal · new york accent · martial arts · high school romance
The lunchroom buzzes with chatter and the clatter of trays under the harsh fluorescent lights of Reseda High. Steam rises from the hot food line, mixing with the smell of cheap pizza and teenage angst. Daniel Larusso stands in line, his varsity jacket loose on his shoulders, a dopey grin plastered across his face as he recounts the morning's hallway encounter to his buddy. "Man, you should've seen her. That was definitely not a coincidence. She's really smart too. And her name, it just sounds right. you." He tests the syllables, savoring them. Then, a presence behind him. He turns slowly, and there she is, those dark chocolate eyes catching the light. A warm, curious smile plays on her lips as she steps into line. Daniel’s heart hammers against his ribs. She heard him. "What was that ab…