~Tommy POV~

We finally made to Reseda, but it just wasn't the same being in Newark. I feel for Danny about moving out here. I mean, I wasn't really liking this transition, but for mom's job, we have to put up with it.

The school we're going to is West Valley High and I'm not really looking forward to it, mostly because I'm already missing my friends back in Newark and I've gotten used to being around them. Now that we're in Reseda, might as well try to get to know some people here.

When we finally got to the motel, it looked like a dump. A cardboard box would be a better home than a motel in my personal opinion, but we had to wake up Danny who was napping in the back.

Mom: Daniel. Daniel, wake up. Look off the starboard bow. Paradise at last.

Tommy: We're here, little brother.

Daniel: You're telling me.

As mom got out of the car, I had to make sure that he was alright. I don't like moving here, personally, but we have to make sure we at least try to be happy.

Tommy: I get it, Danny. You don't like it here, but promise me you'll try to make it work. I really don't want to see you upset.

Daniel: Yeah, I guess.

Tommy: Danny, yes or no. Not "I guess".

Daniel: Yes.

Tommy: Good. When it's all done, I'll ask mom if we can order some pizza. How's that?

Daniel: I'm okay with that.

Tommy: Alright. Come on, let's get the car unloaded.

We got and started unpacking the stuff and mom kept admiring the environment of Reseda, which isn't really a surprise to me, considering that she shoved her new job down our throats back in Newark.

Mom: Look at those palm trees! Damn! Do you know what that means?

Daniel: Yeah, watch out for falling coconuts.

Mom: Wise guy. No more Newark winters!

Daniel: I like winters.

Mom: Oh, you like sore throats? You like frozen toes?

Daniel: I don't like smog.

Mom: Did I tell you two about the pool here?

Tommy: Yeah, about a 100 times already.

Mom: Okay, so make it 101. Open your eyes, my darling sons. This is the Garden of Eden.

Tommy: Great, and I guess we're both Adams and she's Eve.

Then Danny had a to laugh a bit I was laughing myself. I mean, a bit of comedic relief is needed right now, especially when mom told us this.

Mom: Come on. We're in apartment 20, okay? One flight up.

As we unloaded, Danny grabbed his bike and we started walking towards the apartment. Then, my little brother had to kick the gate open into someone's face!

Daniel: Are you okay?

Guy: Don't worry about it.

Tommy: Have a hand up, man.

Daniel: That was stupid of me.

Guy: You both are the new people in apartment 20, am I right?

Tommy: Yeah, I'm Tommy LaRusso, this my little brother, Daniel.

Freddy: Freddy Fernandez, apartment 17. Let me help you guys out. Where are you guys from?

Daniel: New Jersey

Freddy: What are you doing out here?

Tommy: Mom's got a new job with some company out here. Rocket Computers. Flight of the Future. No clue what's it about.

Freddy: Never heard of it.

Tommy: Really wish we did. All we know is that it's up-and-coming.

Daniel: Is this the only pool?

Freddy: Yeah, that's it. Hey, what was that back there, karate?

Daniel: Yeah.

Freddy: Been doing it long?

Daniel: A while.

Freddy: Ever use it?

Daniel: A couple times. Tommy did it for 5 years until he hurt his knee.

Freddy: Dang. Must've been fun while it lasted.

Tommy: And how. Like, I ended up hurting myself in a sparring match and I couldn't walk for a year, you know what I mean? Had to retire after that.

Freddy: What are you guys doing tomorrow night?

Daniel: I guess nothing.

Freddy: We're having a beach party. "Adios, Summer". You guys wanna come?

Daniel: Sure, that's cool.

Freddy: Great. I'll come and get you. Here's apartment 20.

Tommy: Thanks a lot. I'm gonna head in and see what we need to do.

Freddy: See you later.

I shook hands with him and Danny kept talking to him as I walked in to help mom.

Mom: Please don't say anything about the pool. I will call first thing in the morning.

Tommy: Sounds good. Any way we can order pizza tonight? I promised Danny we can have some once we're done unpacking.

Mom: Of course, that's a great idea. Try to look for any pizza places around here, will you?

Tommy: Sure thing, mom.

I looked in the catalog for some Italian restaurants, making sure that all of them sound good and once I saw a pizzeria, I immediately ordered for delivery and gave them our address.

I wondered how it was going to be because ever since leaving Newark, we haven't had pizza in a while.

Daniel: Hey mom, did you tell that old lady where we were from?

Mom: Yeah. Didn't she remind you of Aunt Tessy?

Daniel: Aunt Tessy? More like Uncle Louie.

Mom: I think we'll do good here. I have a very positive feeling, I'm telling you, boys.

Tommy: Let's hope that positive feeling doesn't kill us.

Just when I thought it was going to get better, the faucet was broken!

Daniel: The faucet's broken.

Mom: Oh yeah, the real estate lady said there's a fix-up guy around here. See if you can find him, Daniel.

Daniel: Okay.

I saw that Danny had a bowl of water and I think I know who it's for.

Mom: What's that for?

Daniel: Uncle Louie's dog.

Mom: He's cute.

Daniel: Hey ma, we got invited to a party.

Mom: Great! You see?

Tommy: Yeah we know, but you wanted us to help you unpack.

Mom: I don't remember saying that.

Daniel: Great. We must have you mixed up with somebody else. Thanks ma.

As Danny left with the bowl of water, I continued to help her unpack until the pizza arrived. I paid the guy along with a tip and it turned out that the pizza place was a New Jersey style pizza!

I thought it was the best and it definitely tasted like home.

After dinner, we all went to bed, but I really couldn't stop thinking about what's gonna happen for school.

~The Next Day~

We went to the beach with Freddy and his friends as we were having a blast, well, Danny was. He was playing soccer with them while I was on a jog.

Seeing the ocean was the best thing ever and the music I listened to made it even better:

Rolling Stones may not be my favorite band, but it's music at the end of the day.

This is the stuff that helps me keep my mind off of things while taking a jog. I really enjoy my time alone, especially when I listen to music, as I have a freaking collection of cassettes of all my favorite bands and artists!

Even though I'm more into Sinatra and all that stuff, the classics are good, too.

When it was night shortly after, I saw Danny talking to some girl that looked like she was infatuated with him.

So, I decided to talk to one of the girls that she brought with her to the beach, but they didn't look very good looking like the last girlfriend I had in Newark.

I'm just gonna keep looking unless there's one that finds me attractive, but all of a sudden, these noises came up from behind us and these guys started causing trouble!

They were wearing these red jackets with some sort of crest on them, but as I looked closer, I knew what they were: Cobra Kai.

I've learned about this dojo and I've seen so many reports of abuse and neglect towards the students and I'm super glad I didn't get to sign up with them to help out the kids.

Danny was about to start a fight with this blonde haired guy after he destroyed Danny's new girlfriend's radio and I had to end it before it began.

I got in their way as they were about to throw a punch.

Johnny: Who are you?

Tommy: What you did to that girl's radio isn't very nice. Right now, you should leave.

Johnny: How about you leave and mind your own business?

Boy 1: You tell him, Johnny!

Boy 2: Yeah, tell 'im!

Then, Daniel was about to fight this Johnny guy and I before he could throw a punch, I stopped him.

Tommy: It's not worth it.

Daniel: What are you talking about? I can take this guy!

Tommy: Danny, no. You see the snake on their jacket? That's the crest of their dojo, "Cobra Kai". They're known as one of the most evil and unforgiving karate dojos in the US. It's better to walk away than start a fight with them.

Daniel: How do you know, Tommy?

Tommy: I do my homework before I go somewhere. You guys get outta here, you've done enough damage to to everyone.

Johnny: That's right! You stay away from us! We'll kill you! Ha ha ha ha!

He and his goons walked away as we stood alongside our new friends, including Danny's new friend named Allie, who I think is sweeting on him.

Tommy: We're gonna go. Come on, Danny.

Daniel: But the party's not over.

Tommy: You think I care? You almost started a fight and I had to end it before it did. We'll see you guys around.

I took Danny by his arm and I waved at them before we arrived home.

Seriously, he has to control himself when assholes like Johnny and his friends try to make him look stupid.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to fight, but I've learned throughout my life that a dumb man is a man who gets into fights and a smart man is a wise man who walks away from the fight without getting into trouble.

I always say fight when everyone has to, and I always advised my friends back home to learn how to fight, how to throw a punch or whatever, but if it's over something petty like attention, it's better to walk away than get into trouble.

Also, if a guy insults someone else and that someone else doesn't come back with jokes, insults, whatever and challenge that guy to a fight, that's taking a huge loss. They've shown that they're not competent in their own ways and they have no discipline.

Me? If I'm ever challenged to a fight, I walk away, mostly out of the fear of getting my ACL getting torn up again, but I always do the right thing, which is what matters at the end of the day.

The next day we had to get to school, but little did I know, Johnny and his friends were going to cause more trouble.