The dance floor vibrated with every beat of the bass. Lights spun in red, blue, and green, slicing through the darkness like neon rays. The music didn't stop, and neither did I.
I pulled girls in without thinking. One after another. Some knew me, others didn't. It didn't matter. It was the mask, the anonymity, the freedom. I danced with Moon, dressed as a sexy cheerleader, glowing and cheerful. Then with Jade West—the goth girl who always had a critique for everything and the sharp gaze of someone who's seen the dark side of the world. She laughed against her will, as if I were forcing her to have fun even though she hated the idea. That was an achievement.
I felt like a comet crossing a sky full of dead stars.
And no one could touch me.
Point of view: Daniel LaRusso — Gym entrance
From the gym entrance, Daniel watched the floor with his arms crossed. His face had that expression between alert and confusion, the one adults wear when they know something doesn't fit but can't explain why.
"Wow… looks like things are lively in here," he said, watching the students jump and laugh to the rhythm of the music.
Next to him, the discipline counselor, a woman in her forties with a folder in hand and a stern face, also looked toward the floor.
"Do you know who the guy in the mask is?" Daniel asked, nodding toward Río, who was spinning on his heels to the beat of a classic hip-hop track.
"I don't know. Masks weren't allowed at the dance," said the counselor, annoyed.
Daniel said nothing else. He adjusted his jacket and started walking toward the center of the floor.
Step by step. Slow. As if he were walking into a battlefield.
Point of view: Río – Center of the floor
I didn't notice right away. I was spinning with another girl, laughing out loud, when I felt a hand near my arm. A hand too serious to belong at a party.
I turned my head. It was an adult. Formal suit. Judgmental face. Daniel LaRusso.
Just as he tried to grab my arm, I swatted lightly downward. His grip missed. When he reached with his other hand toward my mask, I took a stylish step back, as if the floor itself was protecting me.
"Come on, kid," Daniel said, frustrated. "You have to take off the mask. It's the rules."
I didn't answer. I just looked at him. Silence. Then I raised my index finger and waved it side to side.
No.
Daniel insisted again. He stepped forward. I moved my body as if dancing, but every move dodged his attempt. He tried to grab me, I eluded him as if it were part of the rhythm.
A spin. A feint. A backward step. The mask stayed on.
Students started to notice what was happening. Some thought it was part of the show. Others pulled out their phones. Camera lights appeared in the crowd.
"I'm serious, take off the mask," said Daniel, now irritated.
I said nothing. Just kept dodging. Until out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that gave me an idea to shake him off.
The gym exit.
Sam, Daniel's daughter, was walking out with Kyler. He had his hand on her waist. She was laughing, though it looked more out of habit than pleasure. They were heading straight for the back exit.
And then I knew.
It was the moment.
I did a quick turn, got closer to Daniel, and without saying a word, I placed my hand on the back of his head. Not violently, but precisely.
I turned him gently, but firmly. Forced him to look.
"What are you—" he managed to say, but he was already seeing what he had to see.
His daughter Sam and Kyler. Leaving the gym. Something he didn't like.
Daniel froze. The music kept going. The lights didn't stop. But he no longer heard anything.
I simply stepped back, raised my hand in farewell… and disappeared into the crowd of masks, costumes, and rhythm.
I didn't need to stay any longer.
I had said everything without saying a single word.
I walked off the floor with a firm step. My pulse still racing, adrenaline soaked under my skin. I reached the punch table, grabbed a cup and drank it in one go. Sweat rolled down my neck, and for the first time all night, I let silence catch up with me a little.
"You dance well," I heard the voice behind me. Her tone was direct, but not cold.
I turned, cup in hand. It was Jade. Standing, arms crossed, but without her usual look of disdain. She seemed... curious.
"Thanks," I said, calmly adjusting the mask.
"What's up?" she asked, tilting her head as if trying to read me.
"Nothing… just surprised you're talking to me. We've sat together in class for weeks and not a word," I replied, half-joking, half-true, as I took off the mask.
She smiled. Slightly. Barely noticeable.
"I knew it was you," she said, more excited than she meant to show. The mask no longer hid anything, but that didn't matter.
I was about to say something else when suddenly, the sound of quick steps interrupted everything. Dimitri and Eli came running toward us, pale-faced and breathless.
"Río! Miguel's in trouble!" Dimitri blurted out, nervous.
"What? What happened?"
"We were in the bathroom. Kyler and his gang came in talking crap… we hid, but Eli tripped on something and gave us away. Miguel stayed behind. We couldn't help him. They're beating him."
My hands clenched into fists. All the air in my lungs left at once.
"Shit…" I said, and ran.
Bathroom hallway — minutes later
I arrived just in time to see Johnny entering the bathroom with a cold stare. Behind him, the lights flickered as if they too sensed the disaster.
I came in seconds later.
The smell of sweat, blood, and cheap soap hit hard. On the floor was Miguel, beat to a pulp. His skeleton costume now a mix of torn fabric and red stains. Bits of lacrosse sticks everywhere, splinters lodged in the floor.
I immediately knelt beside him.
"Hey, Miguel… you okay, man?" I said while gently lifting his head.
He barely opened his eyes. Breathing with difficulty, but conscious. He leaned on me trying to sit up.
"What were you thinking, facing them alone? You were outnumbered, man," I said, almost angrily, but more in pain.
"I did what you told Eli…" Miguel murmured, weakly.
I went silent for a second.
"Yeah, but that was if you were alone with Kyler. Not his whole damn gang…" I said, clenching my jaw.
"I don't know, man… I was tired of being mocked. Of everything."
I helped him to his feet as Johnny approached, saying nothing. I looked at him.
"Can you take him home? He needs to rest… clean up, sleep."
Johnny nodded.
"Don't worry, Río. I'll take him."
"Good… take care, Miguel," I said, helping him lean on Johnny before leaving the bathroom.
Exterior — School parking lot
I put the Ghostface mask back on because I needed something to cover what I was about to do.
I knew exactly where Kyler liked to park: in the back, away from the lights. Like he wanted to show off his truck without anyone scratching it. Ironic.
I walked slowly, breathing deep, and found his precious vehicle. A black Jeep Rubicon, shiny, with bright tires and dark windows.
On the ground, near a trash bin, I found what I needed: a rusty nail, long and solid. Perfect.
I approached the side of the car.
With the nail's tip, I began writing on the paint.
C O W A R D.
G A N G E R.
F A G.
Each letter a firm stroke. Each word, a discharge. When I finished the sides, I moved to the mirrors.
CRACK!
One shattered with a kick.
BAM!
The other with an elbow.
Tail lights, windshield. Not a single part intact.
Blow after blow, as if every part of that truck was a piece of his ego.
When there was nothing left to break, I dropped the nail, removed the mask, and stuffed it into my backpack. I walked back calmly. Got on my motorcycle, started it, and left that place with the engine's roar breaking the night's silence.
Next day – Saturday, 8:36 AM
LaRusso House – Kitchen
The smell of fresh coffee filled the kitchen. Amanda LaRusso scrolled through her phone, still in her robe, sitting at the counter with crossed legs, hair in a messy bun. She wore that relaxed expression of someone starting the weekend without hurry.
Daniel walked in tense, each step heavy. He yanked the fridge open.
"Good morning," Amanda said without looking up.
"Not so good," he replied, brusquely pulling out the juice jug.
Amanda calmly sipped her coffee.
"Bad time at the dance?"
Daniel let out a long sigh.
"There was an idiot in a mask who wouldn't take it off. I tried everything. Talking, touching… but he dodged me like he knew martial arts. Made me look ridiculous in front of the whole gym. And now there's the problem with Sam. I thought her little boyfriend was going to try something, but he just wanted to give her a bracelet."
Amanda raised an eyebrow, now looking at him.
"And what did you do?"
Daniel shrugged.
"Just… kept an eye out. But that guy in the mask, Ghostface, danced like it was his show. Mocked everything. And to top it off, he turned me on purpose so I'd see Sam walking off with Kyler. Can you believe it?"
Amanda pursed her lips, slid her finger across the screen, and suddenly burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" Daniel asked, instantly annoyed.
Amanda handed him the phone.
"This the masked guy?"
In the video, it was clear: Daniel in the middle of the floor, surrounded by teens, trying to remove Ghostface's mask. But the guy dodged him with style, rhythm, even grace. Until, in one precise move, he spun Daniel and faced him toward the door… just as Sam left the party arm in arm with Kyler.
The music, the cheers, the lights… the video had atmosphere. And mockery.
Title:
"Ghostface dancing and humiliating Mr. LaRusso at Reseda High"
Already had over 12,000 views on TikTok. And counting every minute.
"You're viral," Amanda said, laughing. "And not because of your commercials this time."
Daniel left the juice untouched, didn't even pour it.
"Who the hell is that kid…?"
WhatsApp Group – Reseda High Student Parents
(9:00 AM)
Patty M.
Anyone else see the video of Ghostface at the dance?
My daughter says he was the life of the party!
Ron C.
He danced with my daughter. Says it was like being in a movie.
Who is that guy?
Laura S.
And the destroyed car… did you see it?
Henry P.
Yeah, saw the pics. Black truck at the far end of the lot.
They wrote stuff on the door. Smashed EVERYTHING.
Patty M.
They say it was Kyler's.
Who would mess with that kid?
Amanda LaRusso
Guys, please, let's not encourage violence.
Ron C.
Amanda, wasn't it your husband Ghostface spun like a top?
Dodged him like a ninja hahaha
Amanda LaRusso
Not helping, Ron.
Instagram – 9:22 AM
@resedahigh_exposed
"Someone trashed Kyler's car last night.
#justice #noMoreBullies #Avenger"
Photo 1: The side of the car scratched with the word COWARD.
Photo 2: A shattered side mirror on the ground.
Photo 3: Paint scraped with the word bullies.
Photo 4: Slashed tires.
Photo 5: "FAG" scratched with a nail on the Jeep's hood.
Johnny's House – 9:45 AM
Johnny was in the kitchen, a beer in hand even though it was still morning. His phone buzzed every two minutes with notifications.
Miguel was on the couch, half lying down, with ice on his face and his body covered in bruises. He didn't say much, but his eyes were already open.
Río wasn't there. But Johnny had a very clear idea.
He went to the bathroom, washed his face, and unlocked his phone. He played the video again. Not because he hadn't seen it before. But because he loved it.
Ghostface dodging, spinning, making a fool of the "Mr. Miyagi of the Valley" in front of a hundred witnesses. Johnny couldn't see his face. But those moves… that fluidity… that street-fighting style with flashes of precision...
—Crazy bastard… —Johnny muttered, half smiling.
He went back to the living room and sat in front of Miguel.
—Did you see what Río did? —Johnny asked.
—What?
—The car. The dance. The video?
Miguel shook his head.
—Haven't seen it.
Johnny scratched his beard, thoughtful.
—I'll show you later. It was legendary.
He paused.
—You feeling better?
—A bit. Everything hurts… but it was worth it.
Johnny nodded, more serious this time.
—Good. Get ready, because after this… more will come. This wasn't just a party, Miguel. It was a declaration of war. Once you recover, you better be ready. I'll train you better. I don't want you ending up like this again.
Miguel nodded. The spark in his eyes was different. Not fear. Hunger.
On the street – 10:30 AM
Río on his motorcycle, riding with no fixed destination
The roar of the engine matched his breathing. Each traffic light passed like a blurry memory. The city was starting to heat up under the sun, but he didn't notice.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Leave a comment, it really helps.
3 or 4 chapters each week so this is extra.