A/N:  First off for anyone new here welcome and thank you for reading my story.  For anyone who has read this already, I have revised and edited my story so far, which was why I wasn't updating regularly.  Updates are once a week again and I hope you enjoy!  The story is not too much different but I added a few things.  Again, thank you for reading! 

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THE SUN WAS hot as I emerged out of the black and yellow taxi. Grabbing my two green duffle bags and backpack, I shut the yellow car door with a thud. Looking down I glanced at the folded piece of paper that had been stuffed in my jean pocket for most of the morning. The only information on it was an address and a phone number in the form of my scribbled penmanship.

"This must be the place," I breathed.

With an upward glance, I studied the house that was now supposedly going to be my home for at least the next year. The house itself was located just outside of the posh neighborhood: Encino Hills. It definitely wasn't as nice or as modern as some of the houses over the hill but it still held an air of dignity to it.

But even as welcoming as the house seemed, it was who waited inside that made me hesitate. I stood on the path up to the house, debating if I should take those few steps up the front porch or if I should turn and flee. I wanted to do the latter but I knew I had no where else to go. With no other family willing to take me in, this was my last option.

Trying to summon any amount of courage left inside me, I hoisted my luggage up and trudged up to the front door. I only knocked twice, my knuckles trembling as I did so. Over ten years had passed from the last time I saw my father. I don't remember much, only that I held onto my mother's hand tightly for reassurance when we left. And it wasn't for me as much as it was for my mother. She never admitted it but I could tell she was afraid. She was afraid of what would have happened if she stayed because she knew she'd be unhappy. She always wanted the best for me.

However, everything was in the past and I knew I had to try and make living with my father work for the time being.

My chest flailed with sorrow but quickly recoiled as the door swung open and a large muscled man stood in the entryway. My throat went dry and I tried not to stare. My father was so different than I had last seen him. His light brown hair was shorter and lines permanently creased his forehead from years in the making. The only thing still the same were his eyes. They were a silver blue with a dark rim around the iris.

"Hey Kid," He said to me. My father scanned the ground for a split second before returning his gaze to me.

"Hey... Dad," I replied.

My father's eyes narrowed slightly, making those creases appear even more prominent. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. "Long time, no see."

"Yeah," I breathed, shifting my weight from one foot to another. I tried not to cringe at the stench of his breath as he spoke.

We stood awkwardly in the doorway, neither of us not knowing quite what to say to the other.

"Uh, you can come in."

"Okay," I said and followed him into the house. The first thing I noticed once inside was the smell. The aroma of remnant cigar smoke filled my nostrils and made my eyes threaten to tear. I scrunched up my nose but it failed to block any of the stench.

"I'll show you where you'll sleep," He said and led me further into the house.

We passed the kitchen and living room. Empty beer bottles were left scattered around the rooms. I didn't want to know if any or how many were from today.

My room was up the small flight of stairs and to the right. It was a small room, nothing like I had back in Minnesota, but it would do. Besides, I only had the few bags on my back. I wasn't going to be occupying much space anyway.

"You want to unpack?"

"Uh yeah," I told him.

"Okay," He nodded and started to turn away. He paused briefly, "When you're done, I'll take us out to grab dinner."

Nodding myself, I walked over to the bed and set my bags down.

"I'm sorry about your mother. She was a good woman and deserved a better end than what she got."

I didn't know how to respond. It seemed that this was the most my father had said to me since I could remember. "I know.... She did."

Pursing his lips together, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone to unpack.

I plopped on the bed, letting my thoughts gather so I could form some sort of coherent understanding of what was all happening. Honestly I had no clue what to expect with living with my dad. I wanted everything to work out but really had no idea where to start.

As started unpacking, I reached into one of the side pockets on one of the duffle bags, pulling out a simple silver chain bracelet with an opal at its center. My mother had no will written and when she passed unexpectedly everything went to my stepfather. I never thought he would kick me out of his life, let alone out of everything my mother would have given to me. Well, almost everything.

I stared at the bracelet, feeling it's light weight in my palm. I knew I didn't need any of my mother's belongings. What I really wanted was for her to still be here. If she was, I wouldn't have to be here, in this house with my long lost father who might not even really care about me. Maybe he was letting me stay for any potential money that might come his way with my mother's death.

No. I couldn't think that way. No matter what, the man downstairs was my blood relative. He had to care on some degree. Right?

I placed the bracelet on my wrist, wanting to feel that small piece of my mother still with me. The grief was still fresh and I felt tears threatening to spill. I wiped my eyes a few times, trying to gain control of myself. I have to be strong. It's what she would have wanted me to do.

After a good hour all my belongings and clothes were unpacked and I left my new bedroom to return downstairs. I did however leave the two windows open to air the room out a bit.

The kitchen was empty when I came back down so I walked around the corner to the living room. My dad was slouched on a leather reclining chair. A beer was in his hand but he was completely passed out.

I shook my head, bitter disappointment washing over me. So much for getting dinner together.

Deciding I needed a little fresh air myself, I left a note on the coffee table that I was going for a walk to explore the area. I wrote that he didn't need to catch up with me. To be honest I didn't think he'd even be awake by the time I got back anyway.

I took a small portion of the cash I had with me and left the house. I wandered about the neighborhood, casually glancing up the hill where I could just see the peaks of the wealthier homes in Encino.

The whole area was foreign to me. I wandered around, finding a small cafe in what was called Reseda, where I purchased a turkey sandwich for my rumbling stomach. There was a small theater across the street where I saw a group of girls come out of. They laughed together, obviously having a good time.

I turned my gaze away. I had left all that behind in Minnesota. All my friends... I wondered if they missed me much. Here I felt alone. Even if I did have my father, he didn't seem like the sort to be very... fatherly.

Just a year, I told myself. After that, I'll be eighteen and I won't have to depend on anyone. I'll be free to go my own way. Maybe I'll even move back to Minnesota?

During my walk back to the house, I passed by a few lone apartment complexes. I noticed a boy carrying a box on his bicycle towards the apartments. He was tall and thin with dark black-brown hair. He looked about my age but it was hard to tell too. I wondered if he was moving in...

"Hey," I said while walking over. "Need a hand?"

The boy looked at over at me, his dark eyes giving me an annoyed stare. By his look I could tell it wasn't mean't for me.

"Nah. What I need is a ride back to Jersey."

"Don't you be tryin' to hitch hike Danny," Said a woman with chocolate curly brown hair to her shoulders as she came out of a small gated entryway. "Especially before we've even moved in 'ere."

"Ma, look at this place," The boy named Danny motioned around him, "It's a dump."

"Eh, it may be a bit rough 'round the edges, but it's got its charm." When the woman saw me she stopped and smiled, "Danny are you making friends already?"

"Sorry, I was just passing by. Are you moving in here?"

"Yes!" The woman spoke excitedly and gestured with her hands wildly, "Just got here from Newark. Gettin a fresh start here in Reseda. I'm Lucille by the way and this is my son Daniel. We're the LaRusso's," she exclaimed while throwing her arms out to either side.

I smiled, thinking that I may have met at least one friend. "I'm (Y/N). It's nice to meet you both."

Mrs. LaRusso nudged Daniel's shoulder since he was being quiet. "Yeah, yeah you too."

Lucille grinned in victory and then turned to me, "Hey you doin' anything right now? We could use an extra set of hands gettin this ol' yeller unpacked."

I glanced at the car then back at the LaRussos. "Yeah, I'd be happy to help." At this point, doing anything sounded better than going back home. I didn't really want to see my drunk father still passed out.

Lucille clapped her hands together in delight, "Lovely! Thank you, dear." She pointed to the car, "There are some more boxes for the kitchen in the back seat if you don't mind grabbing one and bringin' it up."

Grabbing one of the heavy boxes, I followed behind Daniel and his bike. "Hey, you know any karate?" Daniel's question took me by surprise.

"Oh, uh, well..."

Daniel didn't wait for me to respond, "Watch this! Heya!" Daniel kicked the gate open with as much force as he could muster. Both of us didn't realize there was another kid on the other side of it. The boy hollered out and fell backwards. Worried he hurt the kid, Daniel ran over to him, "Oh man, you okay?"

The other boy waved his hand as if it was no big deal, "Don't worry about it."

"Let me help you up," Daniel told him and grabbed his hand, bringing the other boy back to his feet.

"Thanks," He said.

"I shouldn't have done that. It was stupid." I could tell Daniel was embarrassed by what had happened but it really was an accident.

"No, I'm fine. Really," The boy said even though he was rubbing the side of his head like it was sore. "You the new people in apartment 20, right?"

"Yeah, guess so," Daniel's sigh of disappointment was completely candor. I understood him a little, just because I was in the same boat that he was: moving to a place you don't want to and having no friends at your side to help you out. It sort of sucked.

"I'm Freddy Fernandez, apartment 17."

Freddy stuck out his hand in greeting and Daniel shook it, "Daniel LaRusso."

Freddy noticed me as I came from behind Daniel and he smiled, "I'm (Y/N). I just moved here too from Minnesota. Actually, just earlier today. I'll be staying with my dad for awhile."

Freddy blushed as he shook my hand and I admit I did a tad too. Freddy wasn't a jock type or anything but he was good looking and he seemed to be kind enough as well. Maybe I've met more than one friend today?

"Cool, It's good to meet you..." Freddy glanced around slightly nervous, "Uh, hey, come on LaRusso. I'll show you where your apartment is." Freddy led us through the maze of walls and up an old concrete stairwell. "Was that karate?" Freddy asked.

"Yeah," Daniel replied absentmindedly as he and I glanced the to pool to our right. It was big but completely dirty with only a little water left. It was pretty gross.

"You been doing it long?"

"Yeah," Daniel continued. "A while."

"Ever use it?" Freddy inquired.

Daniel shrugged, "A couple of times."

"I happen to know a few things about karate. My mom made me learn for self defense. It definitely comes in handy if you need it."

Both Freddy and Daniel stared at me for a moment before speaking again. "A girl?" Daniel asked, his forehead lifted in surprise. "Doing karate?"

We reached Daniel's door and I crossed my arms over my chest in defense, "What's wrong with that?"

Daniel shook his head, "Nothin'. No, that's cool."

"Yeah," Freddy chimed. "Bet you could kick some real ass."

I gave Freddy a half smile, "Yeah, I could."

"I'd like to learn that. Maybe you could teach me?"

I was about to answer Freddy when Daniel beat me to it. I don't think he realized Freddy had been just talking to me in that particular moment. "Sure, that's cool. Anytime."

I bit back a chuckle and glanced at Freddy who shrugged one shoulder.

"Well," Daniel started. "Thanks for the help." He shook Freddy's hand and I set down the box I was carrying.

"Anytime," Freddy said nonchalantly. When he turned away to trek back down the steps he quickly stopped. "Oh, what are you guys doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing that I know of. Getting ready before school starts on Monday I guess."

Daniel nodded, "I don't know. I guess nothing."

"Some of us are having a beach party. Wanna come?"

I could tell by the way Freddy was leaning on the railing and looking at me that the invitation was perhaps meant more for me. A beach party? It wasn't really my scene. Sure the ocean was nice to hang around but all the other people there? It made me a tad nervous.

"Come on, it will be fun."

"Sure, okay. I'll come." I turned to Daniel, "What do you think?"

"Yeah sounds fun."

A satisfied looking Freddy grinned and clapped his hand on the stairwell railing, "Great! I'll pick you up tomorrow morning. Meet us here (Y/N)?"

"Yeah, I will."

"See you tomorrow Freddy." Daniel and I waved goodbye as Mrs. LaRusso came up the steps and opened up the apartment.

"Home sweet home!" She exclaimed. Lucille turned her head to me as she started opening a box, "Why don't you stay for dinner (Y/N)? We'll order something out!"

My heart leapt at the idea but I knew it was getting late and I should probably be going back home. "I'd love to Mrs. LaRusso but I should be heading home."

"I understand. Do come back though! I'll make us a good old fashioned meal."

Smiling, I thanked Lucille and waved goodbye to Daniel.

"See ya tomorrow," Daniel said with a smile that I gladly returned.

I was getting close to my Dad's house when I heard a rumble of motor bikes from behind. I glanced back, seeing a group of guys cruising by. When they noticed me, they slowed down a few whistling my way.

"Hey Sweetheart! How's it goin'?" One hollered over the rumble of their bikes. His smile was anything but nice looking.

"Need a ride somewhere Babe?" Another offered. This one had dark blue eyes and handsome features. I think he had blonde hair but it was hard to tell with the helmet he had on. The only thing I didn't think was attractive was his attitude. Just from a glance I could tell it was vulgar and unkind.

I continued along the sidewalk, "No thanks."

"Oh come on! We don't bite," cooed the one who spoke first. "Unless you ask us to...". The guy's laugh made me cringe inside. It was absolutely disgusting. For some reason it made me think that if a scary skeleton could laugh, that would be how it sounded.

"I make it a priority to never associate with assholes. I like to keep my rep in check."

"You're in luck, we're the guys to be seen with around these parts," Said the smiley skeleton boy.

The blue eyed boy smirked, "Just get on."

I made an obscene gesture to the group, letting them know to stay out of my way.

"Alright. Suit yourself," Said Blue Eyes. "We'll see you around I'm sure."

With that he winked then sped off with his friends, leaving a wake of refuse from the bike clouding in my face. I coughed a second before continuing onto the house which was a short distance away.

When I returned to the house my father was missing from his recliner. I looked around but there seemed to be no sign of him so I went to my room.

Settling on my new bed, I grabbed a book I brought with me and opened it to where I had left off. Reading seemed to be one of the things that took my mind off of everything else around me. It was a pleasant escape from reality for a time.

I didn't know how long I'd been lying there, engrossed in my book when suddenly a deep voice startled me out of my trance.

"Where were you?"

Almost dropping my book, I sat up, "Oh, I took a walk." My father's raised his thick bushy eyebrows as if waiting for more of an explanation, "I wanted to get a feel for the area. I left a note on the coffee table. You didn't see it?"

"I saw it," he said and crossed his broad arms over his chest. "I expect you to tell me when you go somewhere and when you will be back. I run a tight ship in this house. I expect you to follow my rules if you live here."

"Yes, Sir," I replied. I sat on the edge of my bed, trying to swallow my anxiety as he turned around and left the room. I didn't dare tell him he drank himself through the dinner hour.

In bed that night I laid awake for a good while, rummaging through my thoughts. What was this going to be like? Having a drunk yet also military-like man for a father was going to be interesting. I knew drunks could be dangerous but I refused to believe that this was going to be the bad sort. I had to have hope somewhere.

When I tried finding sleep again, I found it hard to relax and was always peeking at the doorway, expecting my father to be angrily staring back at me. I never saw him there, but he didn't need to be present for me to feel like I was being watched.