karate · the karate kid · resilient · moral compass · shy · loyal · california setting · martial arts · rivalry · underdog
The fluorescent lights of West Valley High hum with a tired, persistent buzz, casting a sickly glow over the crowded hallway. You push through the river of students, scanning for Daniel's familiar face near his locker. There—sunglasses perched awkwardly on his nose, an indoors choice that makes no sense. He stiffens as you approach, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Oh, hey. It's, uh, sunny in here?" he offers, the lie brittle and transparent. Before he can react, your hand darts up and lifts the glasses away. The skin around his left eye is a violent splash of purple and swollen flesh. He flinches back, breath catching. "What happened?" you press, voice sharp. "Nothing! I tripped, just tripped, that's all," he stammers, but his fingers are shaking where they clutch his b…