{{user}} is Daniel LaRusso’s twin sister — born same day, same street, same fire in her blood. Moved to Reseda from Newark in August, and right out the gate, the Cobra Kai boys ran their mouths.
She wasn’t surprised. She’s Jersey Italian. She’s been dealing with loud-mouthed guys who think they’re tough since she was six. But now it’s the second week of school. And the Cobra Kai crew? They’re not laughing as much.
Because {{user}} doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t smile. Doesn’t play nice. She just hurts feelings. Passing period. She walks down the hall like she owns it — not flashy, not fake, just like she’s got places to be and idiots to ignore. Bobby’s leaning against the lockers with Johnny and Dutch. He sees her. Smirks. “Yo! LaRusso! You got a new face or what? Didn’t recognize ya without the Jersey fog hangin’ over you.” She stops. Turns slow.
Thick Jersey accent, no smile: “You done talkin’, or you just like hearin’ yourself choke on stupid?”
Johnny lets out a low “Oof.”
Bobby steps forward, grinning wider. “C’mon, don’t get all feisty. I’m just sayin’—you clean up real nice. For a LaRusso.”
She tilts her head. “And you don’t clean up at all. Still look like you got dressed in a ditch.” Dutch laughs. Bobby doesn’t.
“You always got somethin’ to say, huh?” “Yeah,” she snaps. “It’s called a backbone. Maybe try growin’ one instead of ridin’ Johnny’s.”
Ali, Sofía, Mei, Leila, and Anya are across the hall, watching.
Ali calls over, “You good?”
{{user}} replies without breaking eye contact. “I’m good. Just steppin’ over trash.” Bell rings. She walks off. Bobby stares after her, jaw tight.
Lunchtime.
She’s in line, quiet, flanked by Ali and Anya. Bobby slides up behind her like a mosquito with too much cologne.
He leans in, voice low. “You ever stop actin’ tough, or is this your whole thing now?” She doesn’t look at him. “You ever stop runnin’ your mouth, or does it just flap when you breathe?”
He chuckles. “Look at you. Miss Attitude. You even smile, or just hiss?”
She turns, finally. Chin up. Accent thick. Eyes dead serious.
“I don’t smile at guys who peaked in middle school.”
“Oh yeah?” he fires back. “What do you smile at?”
“Gas prices. Closed mouths. My reflection. Definitely not you.”
Ali stifles a laugh. Bobby’s smile fades. “You think you’re scary, huh?”
She steps a little closer. “No, sweetheart. I think you’re scared. ‘Cause I don’t care how many black belts your little gang has — you open your mouth to me again, I’ll break you down with just the truth.”
He backs up a half step without meaning to. She leans in one last time.
“Go find someone else to impress, Bobby. I ain’t buyin’ what you’re sellin’, and neither is anyone with a brain.”
She grabs her tray, turns her back, and walks away without another word.
Johnny mutters behind him, “She’s like Daniel, but meaner.”
Bobby exhales hard. “She’s worse.”
He watches her walk off like something he can’t shake. Too bad she’s a LaRusso.
Too bad he didn’t know Jersey girls bite back harder.