Three Days Later…

Is it possible to feel amazing and awful at the same time?

Miguel's trip to Mexico had been crazy, to say the least. He’d gone to find his biological father so he could try and unravel who he really was. Without the pressure of Cobra Kai, the tournament, or his sensei. And after several days of searching and a run in with some shady criminals, he had found his dad, Mike Barnes. The man he found wasn’t the person he had so desperately hoped he’d be, though. He wasn’t a criminal like his mom had suggested but he was willingly working with Terry Silver which in a way, was worse.

Despite all evidence stating otherwise (and as naive as it sounded even in his head), a small part of Miguel still believed that his dad was a good person.

There has to be a part of him that regrets what he’s doing, right?

But his real dad had been there all along, even if it took them both a long time to realize it. 

He was always more than a sensei.

Miguel smiled as he looked out the car’s window to see the familiar streets of Roseda, Los Angles. There wasn’t much to it. Oak trees lined the streets, occasionally being interrupted by a shabby apartment complex. Small strings of white lights were strung across their exteriors, illuminating the pathway to the Diazes’ and Johnny’s apartments which sat at the edge of the street, secluded from the rest of the community. It might not have been as grand as some of the other houses Miguel’s friends lived in but to him it was better because it was home.

Once the car rolled to a stop, Miguel unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, soon followed by Johnny and Robby. He’d be lying if he said that it wasn’t weird to sit next to Robby, the very person who almost paraylzed him a year ago and act like everything was normal though, he wasn’t really ready to deal with that situation yet so, he figured he’d just have to ignore it until it was the right time to talk about it.

“I’ll give you guys a minute,” said Robby before heading over to Johnny’s apartment.

Miguel closed his eyes as a familiar pain throbbed from Miguel’s back while he helped Johnny grab their bags from the trunk.

I almost forgot about that.

“Okay, what’s up?” questioned Johnny, bluntly.

“It’s nothing, just took a few good hits to the back,” reassured Miguel.

More so one good kick.

“Do you want me to look at it or something?” offered Johnny, awkwardly.

“What? No, I’m fine,” replied Miguel quickly.

He appreciated Johnny’s help but the very conservation that they were having now was making him uncomfortable.

To Miguel’s relief their talk was interrupted by Carmen running towards them.

“I was so worried about you! Are you hurt?” cried Carmen as she wrapped her arms tightly around her son.

“I’m okay, mom,” smiled Miguel.

She smiled back, tears of joy running down her cheeks as she looked at her son. Even though he believed that going to Mexico was the right decision, he still felt horrible for leaving her the way he did, with just a single note.

“I’ll have to make it up to her.”

“Don’t worry, he took care of himself like we knew he could,” added Johnny, winking at Miguel. 

He just nodded and smiled back at his sensei, happiness filling his heart.

“Ah, there’s our Lone Ranger,” joked Rose as she sauntered up to them, waving her finger ad her grandson, playfully. 

“It’s not like that,” protested Miguel, a nervous smile forming on his face.

“Um hm,” smirked Rose as she hugged him proudly.

“I made your favorite, tamales for dinner,” stated Carmen, gesturing for Miguel to follow her inside.

“Good cause I’m starving. Just give me one second to check on Robby,” said Johnny before heading next door.

 As soon as he entered the house, Miguel went to his room, closed the door and dropped down onto his bed. His mind was racing and his muscles ached. Now that he knew who his father was, he had so many questions to ask his mom.

But do I really wanna know the truth after what I’ve seen him do?

He honestly wasn’t sure what to do.

Should I ask Sensei for advice? Or would that be too weird?

Just as he was getting up, he felt a vibrating sensation in his pocket followed by the loud beat of a Guns ‘N’ Roses song.

I totally forgot I turned my phone on!

Miguel quickly pulled his phone out of his jean’s pocket and looked at the caller ID

It read: Samantha LaRusso

“Well, now’s as great a time as any for an explanation,” thought Miguel as he slid the accept button to the right.

“Hey,” started Miguel.

I’m already regretting not starting with an apology.

“You actually picked up?” questioned Sam, hurt ringing through her voice.

I deserve that.

“Yeah, I’m sorry for leaving you at the tournament, I just really had to go do something,” apologized Miguel.

“I’m not mad that you left, I just wish you would have told me first,” answered Sam, quietly.

“I know and I promise I’ll tell everything, I just need a little time,” explained Miguel hurriedly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell her about his dad, in fact it was the exact opposite. He’d love nothing more than to talk to her about everything that went down in Mexico, he just didn’t know if she would understand.

It wouldn’t be fair for me to bring her into this until I know how I feel about it.

“Okay,” Sam agreed, sighing deeply.

Even though she couldn’t see it, Miguel smiled. 

I can always count on her to understand.

“I don’t know if you've heard this from Demetri or Eli yet but my dad’s in the hospital,” said Sam.

Wait, what? Who hurt Mr. LaRusso enough for him to be hospitalized?

“I’m so sorry. What happened?” asked Miguel, apologetically. 

“I don’t know yet. There was a fire in the Miyagi-Do dojo and-”

Her voice cracked and he could hear her crying.

“I just know that I really need you here with me,” finished Sam, barely.

“Of course I’ll come,” reassured Miguel.

Not only would helping Sam give him a chance to make up for leaving, it would also distract him from his dad.