The next day of practise, we were all out at the park again. Dad was giving one of his motivational speeches to start the class off. I had zoned out for most of it, until he got really loud.
"... to show the world that you're not a bunch of pansy ass nerds!" Ah inspiring "We're gonna show em that you're tough, because eagles don't get shit on! They're the ones that do the shitting" That made all of us laugh a little bit, even dad "Just don't forget, being a badass doesn't mean being an asshole. The goal isn't to hurt other kids, the goal, is to win.... But not be shits about it"
"Hmm" I nodded "I wonder if a-anyone has ever said that before... Oh wait" I exclaimed, making Miguel chuckle again
"Yeah yeah I'm a shitty dad and you can out Sensei me any day, we get it" Dad waved dramatically, making me smile "Forward jab, aits!" We all brought our hands up, starting from the beginning and working our way up from there "With all that said, you have to be ready to beat the living crap out of them, don't let 'em push you around! You gotta swoop down like an eagle, grab em with your claws, and sink your fangs into em" Dad was losing his touch, but he rounded it back "But I don't ever want you to start the fight" Wow- talk about development "I just want you to be able to finish it. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sensei!"
~~
Class ended early because dad said he had to go somewhere. I had no clue what he was talking about, but against my better judgement, I followed him. I followed him to a government building- this is the building Roby's at- he's getting out today holy shit I can't believe I almost forgot! I got a call from the people who work here a few days ago and they told me!
I watched dad get out of his car and walk up to the building. But someone else showed up, it was a really nice car, one I sadly recognized. It was Mr. Larusso's car, whom I was still mad at for getting Robby into juvie in the first place. I stayed behind on my bike, watching as the two of them talked to each other outside the building, waiting for Robby to get out. Or- that was the plan until they started getting in each other's faces. I quickly got off my bike and ran up to them, unaware of the person I was mirroring on the other side of the man child wall
"Seriously?" I chorused with-.... Oh my gosh
"Twins" Dad sighed, not even looking at us
The two adults parted, I smiled seeing my twin brother standing only a few feet away from me. Robby gave me a twitch of a smile before he went cold again, he wasn't finished with dad and Mr. Larusso.... And I could wait.
"Robby-"
"Hey Robby"
"I told you I don't want you here" Robby looked at dad
"You're my son, I wanted to be here"
"And so did I" Mr. Laruss added
"Don't do me any favors, it's your fault I was in here" Robby muttered to Mr. Larusso next
"I know you're upset, but I was doing what was best for you" Mr. Larusso defended "Now that you're out I just want you to know that I'm here, you always have a home at Miyagi-Do"
"Or with me" Dad piped up
Robby crossed his arms over his chest, he looked like the adult in the situation instead of the actual adults. Honestly,will these two ever grow up? It's like their IQ's lower as soon as they're in the same vicinity.
"Both of you.... Stay out of my life" Robby finished, finally turning his head to me "You ready to go?"
"Whenever you a-a-are jerk" I nodded, opening my arms for Robby to collide into. I had never felt more relief in my body, it was like a waterfall of relief. Robby smiled down at me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders before turning back to the two men to give them one last glare "Grow up" I muttered to them both
With that we turned around, heading over to my bike, Robby stared at it with a wide smile, looking over at me, very amused.
"Okay show off"
"Hey you w-w-want a ride or not?" I smirked, handing him a helmet
"What's with the stutter?" Robby questioned, getting onto the bike behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist
I sighed, revving up the bike "Later"
Robby nodded, hugging me close to his chest, making me giggle happily. I pulled out of the parking lot, leaving dad and Mr. Larusso in my dust. God am I glad to have my brother back, I don't even care what happens, if he goes back to Miyagi-Do, he can do whatever he wants for all I care, I'm never losing him again.
~~
After driving Robby down to a different law building I didn't know the name of so he could get a probation officer, which he wouldn't allow me to stay for, I drove home, giving him an old phone I had and my number so he could message me when he was done or needed anything else.
I pulled into the parking lot at the apartment, I didn't feel bad for missing practise, and if I ran into Miguel I could just bullshit some excuse like lady things or whatever. I parked my bike and rounded the corner, hearing a familiar yell.
"You almost hurt yourself with one kick. One kick!" Dad shouted. Oh no he's talking to Miguel "What do you think's gonna happen in a real fight?" I saw the two of them standing across from each other, Carmen was watching in the doorway "Look, you don't need to prove you can win"
"Yes I do!" Miguel shouted, his voice sounded really hurt "I've looked up to Harley ever since I met her! She won last year, but this year, I want it to be me!" I always forgot that I had won the All Valley last year, I never tried to flaunt it, in my eyes it was a win for the whole dojo, not just me "You said you'd always be on my side" Miguel's voice cracked
Before dad could say anything else Miguel charged inside his apartment, leaving dad to call after him pathetically. Good grief, my dad needs to catch a break, I know he's trying, I do... Oh boy. I walked over to the apartment door, following Miguel inside, Carmen didn't even try to stop me.
I walked into Miguel's room, the boy was sitting on his bed, his head slumped down in his hands. I sighed, kneeling down on the floor in front of him. I knew he could see me through his knees but he didn't make any attempt to look up at me.
"I'm fine Harley" he muttered
"Because this is w-w-what fine looks like" I nodded sarcastically, sitting down on the bed beside Miguel as he lifted his head up with a sigh. I gently rubbed his back, until the two of us ended up lying on our backs, facing each other on the bed "Do-... Do you remember, at M-Moon's party when I r-r-ran out into the garden?" I started, watching Miguel's face change as he searched his memory "I was upset b-b-because you were all looking a-after me"
"Oh yeah" Miguel nodded "The one time we all agreed on something" Miguel chuckled, looking across at me, I was already looking
"Yeah" I smiled with a nod "I bet you're f-f-feeling about the same way I w-was back then"
Miguel sighed again, this time with a smile "You have been through it all haven't you"
I chuckled, nodding my head "Shared exp-piriences make the situation easier"
"Mhm" Miguel nodded, once again locking eyes with me.
It was weird, the more and more I hung around Miguel, the more comfort, the more peace I felt when I was with him. I had always liked Miguel, since the first day I met him I knew he was a great guy. He's caring, and soft, and protective, and he cares for everyone who deserves it.
I didn't know it at the time, but Miguel was thinking the exact same thing about me at that moment. I dunno what happened, neither of us did. But the two of us ended up moving closer and closer, our eyes were locked and we couldn't stop staring at each other. It wasn't until we felt each other's breath on our own lips that reality came back to us and we quickly jumped away from each other like we had both suddenly burst into flames.
"Whoa!"
"Holy shit- fuck!"
"What the-" We both stared at each other, now standing up and multiple feet apart mind you "I-"
"We didn't-"
"No" I shook my head, cracking my neck cause I didn't know what else to do "No no no de-e-definitely not"
"Good" Miguel nodded "Good cause- cause that would be weird"
"Defiantly weird" I nodded "I mean- cause, y-y-you obviously still love Sam"
Miguel seemed to calm down instantly, narrowing his eyes at me "Oh like you're not still absolutely in love with Hawk" he scoffed
"Well- I-I mean-" I gulped, suddenly feeling the ridiculousness of the situation bubble up over the awkwardness
I started to laugh. Miguel gave me a strange look, before he too started to laugh along with me. We laughed so hard, we were leaning against each other for support, and it was a moment neither of us would ever forget. Miguel and I were best friends, just like Demetri and I, or Sam and Moon. Friends, and that was it and we laughed our asses off at the idea of it being anything different.
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