Chapter Text
Everything used to be okay, before the karate resurgence. He wasn’t sure if it had to do with that, or just with the fact that he is getting older and hurting more. He used to be okay with not getting a lot of attention since he liked to be alone and play games, but when his dad really began to overlook him and seemed to favor Sam for continuing the karate legacy, Anthony felt angry.
“Great job Sam!” Daniel yelled from their backyard. “You really remembered what I taught you.”
Anthony peered out his window at the commotion just to see his dad taking Sam into a warm embrace, something he never seemed to get. The only thing he ever got from his parents was money or gifts. He loved it of course, but everyone just called him a spoiled brat and somehow Sam was always the humble one. Why would they give him multiple devices if they did not want him to use it? It seemed as though his dad only had enough love for one kid and just tried to make the other happy through unimportant things.
His mom was better about it, she did not love the whole karate thing. She was scared of her daughter getting hurt and the family dynamic changing. Her fear manifested to taking better care of Anthony, making sure he got enough food and care even though she was stuck with taking care of the business.
“Kids. Dinner!” His mom yelled from downstairs breaking him out of his thoughts.
He walked downstairs and throughout the dinner it was mostly his dad and Sam discussing karate and his dojo. The reopening to new students and Cobra Kai rivalry consumed his family. No conversation was untouched by karate. Anthony found it easiest to just stay in his own little world, whether that be in his phone or his head.
“-ony. Anthony!” He looked up to see his dad looking at him.
“What?”
“I was asking how school was. You are always on that phone if yours. You need to get outside and get some exercise. You know in my day all you could do was go outside and ride your bike or something like that.” His dads remarks always hurt him. He had nothing else to do. No conversations to join or friends to hang out with.
“It’s fine.” He poked around his plate, not hungry. He felt as though his weight disappointed his thin and fit family. His mom with her yoga and pilates and his dad and sister with karate.
“Well clearly not. Your teacher said you are not completing your homework.” His mom chimed in. “Is something going on?”
“No, I just forget you know?” His excuses were lame, he just hated school. His asshole friends and dumb school. The only way for him to avoid being bullied was to hang with the bullies.
“If you don’t get those grades up I’m afraid we are going to have to start taking your devices away. We did not raise you to slack.” She added.
Anthony was pissed. He always was with his family, but his anger grew when he glanced at his sister laughing.
“What’s so funny?” He yelled. Sam stopped laughing.
“Nothing? What’s wrong with you?” She faked concern to try to make him look crazy.
“Why cant I ever do anything good enough for you guys.” Anthony stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over and went back to his room despite the yells from his dad.
The next day Anthony left for school early just so he could bike there. He wanted to prove to his dad that he could do it. The ride was hard, he was not that close to the school. Halfway through he began to wish he just waited for Sam to drive him but he was glad to avoid any left over awkwardness from last night.
He finally arrived at school, one more year in this shithole but clearly the high school wasn’t any better with all the bullying he hears about.
“LaRusso!” Zack yelled across the enterance and ran over to Anthony. “We missed you on the bus, did Sam drive you again?”
“Nah, I biked. Trying to be more active you know?”
“Oh yeah, so you can keep up that karate physique.” Zack chuckled.
“Did I miss anything?”
“Just that new kid Kenny. Slade threw M&Ms at him today, it was hilarious.”
“Yeah I bet” Anthony nervously chuckled. He really did not like picking in that kid but he did not want to become another target. They walked inside the school and the 5 minute warning bell rang. Before they went their separate ways, Zack stopped in the hall.
“Well since you missed all the action, let’s hang at your place tonight. I have a great idea for some revenge.”
“Yeah, sounds cool. Cant wait. See ya!” Anthony headed off to his class and wondered what he had in mind.
That night, Zack, Slade and Marcus all came over to his house and it turned out his great idea was to catfish Kenny as Lia.
It was funny at first but then Zack took it too far. He wanted to meet in person and humiliate Kenny. It was easy to do this since he was behind a screen, but confronting him in person was a whole another level and Anthony was not sure he was ready for that. Though hesitant, he agreed and asked Kenny to hang out.
At the park, things got out of hang quickly. He was nervous to just embarrass Kenny but when his friends started to beat him up he was terrified. He did not want to be this kind of guy. When his friends told him to beat him up he wanted to refuse.
“Do it LaPusso!” Zack yelled waiting for Anthony to make a move.
He did not even know karate, he would just embarrass himself but Kenny was a necessary sacrifice for Anthony’s popularity. Just as Anthony was going to punch him, he broke free and luckily ran off.
This went on for weeks. Milk in the locker, purposely running into him in gym or the cafeteria. Making fun of him on the bus. Even though Anthony was the least involved, he still felt like an asshole so he thought he should start over.
He walked up to Kenny during passing period.
“Hey man, I’m sorry for everything that’s being going on between us. I just wanna talk.”
“I’ve got nothing to say to you. LaPusso.”
That name. His “friends” would use it against him to get Anthony to do what they want. They know how mad it makes him and Kenny must have realized too.
“Call me that again and you’ll regret it.” Anthony warned him.
“Oh sorry, forgot you were so sensitive, LaPusso.”
Anger took him over and he reached out to grab Kenny but he ran.
“Get him!” He yelled to his little gang.
They ran throughout the school all the way to the library. His group split up and Anthony could hear faint cries and groans. He did not realize he was the last one until Kenny caught him by surprise. He was about to be beaten when a teacher stumbled upon them.
Anthony never really got in trouble before hanging with his new friends. He just stayed in the sidelines and tried to avoid trouble, especially because his dad was so against bullying and revenge. Being sent to the principles office was worse case scenario, but at least Kenny was caught red handed and not Anthony.
They both sat outside the office and were called in one by one. Kenny first.
After a good 10 minutes Anthony went inside.
“I am very disappointed in you young man. Mr. Payne out there told me what you and your friends have been doing to him.”
Anthony’s heart sank.
“What?! Hes- he’s lying! I haven’t done anything to him, he was the one about to beat me up! Ask Ms. Lawson she caught him!”
“I’m afraid I have proof son.” The word son made him cringe, no one ever really called him that. He was more upset by that word than the realization that occurred; Anthony LaRusso was a dead man.