It's been several weeks, since Johnny's run-in with Daniel. He's taken Ava's advice and tried to steer clear of the idiot. It's not that difficult since they have zero classes together. Unfortunately, Bobby and Tommy do though. Sucks for them.
Today he and the guys are going to watch Ava's golf match, after school. It's at the country club golf course. They've even made signs, which they never do (for anything). It's too cheesy, making signs. But sometimes it's OK to lower your cool factor. This is one of those times.
At lunch they were all sitting together, the Cobras and Ava's friends discussing it. "Well, it looks like I'm the only of us who can go," Charley mentioned. Joy has swimming. Kara has gymnastics practice and Rachel... she's doing something. No one is quite sure what she's up to.
Dutch shook his head. "It's alright that none of you other chicks can go. I'll do your job of cheering for you. I understand it's hard to find a friend who's reliable, encouraging, caring, smart, sexy, and loving these days. My advice to you is don't lose me."
Groans could be heard from around the two picnic tables. Giving them all a look, he continued his boasting. "Sometimes I wonder how you all put up with me. But then I remember, I put up with you. So we're even." He began eating his fries.
Knowing that it would go a long way to foster goodwill, Johnny spoke up. "Since you're the only chick going, you want to ride with us," he offered. He has room in his car, since Ava's riding with the team. Plus Tommy and Dutch are taking their bikes.
She thought about it. Ava wouldn't care, but Rachel might since Bobby would be riding with him. "I don't know. I don't want to inconvenience anyone." Glancing from the corner of her eye at Rachel, she saw her look relieved.
Just then Ava joined the group. The golf team had a brief meeting before lunch. She placed her small paper bag on the table and sat beside Johnny. He turned his head and flashed a bright smile. "Hi, Buttercup."
That smile kills her every time. It sends butterflies to her stomach. "Hi." She beamed a smile back at him. Dutch made gagging noises at the pair. Ava released Johnny's gaze and looked at Dutch. "If you were actually dating someone, then you'd be all loved up too."
Pointing a fry at her, he responded. "First of all, I don't need to date anyone. I'm in my prime. Why date one babe, when I can have many babes? Second of all, I would not be loved up. Love is for losers who look at each with googly eyes." He began using a female voice. "Oh, snookums I just love your hair and your cute butt." Everyone laughed. Continuing to point his French fry, he told her "I don't need some girl telling me my hair and butt look good. I already know they are. Now for my last point. You said I'd be loved up too. Are you saying you're loved up? Does Johnny boy love you? Do you love him? You said it, not us." He bit his fry.
She could feel her face heat up. Not needing a mirror to know it's red as an apple, she turned her head away from Johnny. As luck would have it, she spotted Dawn across the way. Getting up, she mentioned, "I need to go ask Dawn something about this afternoon." As fast as she could she skedaddled away.
To say Johnny was thrilled would be saying The Grinch actually loved Christmas. Giving Dutch a nasty look, he demanded "Why'd you say that for Man? You and your big mouth." He watched Ava talking to her friend. It didn't go unnoticed that she wanted to get away as fast as she could, at the mention of loving him. Is he so hard to love?
Coming up to Dawn, Ava told her "Just act like we're chatting about something important for this afternoon."
Dawn is curious. "Why? What's wrong? Is it Johnny? I thought the two of you are doing good."
Shaking her head, she debated on saying anything or not. Over the years she and Dawn have grown close. They used to be rivals in ninth grade, but now they're pretty good friends. She would consider Dawn a good friend. Maybe more so than Kara and Rachel. The only problem is no one knows it. They only pretend to be golf rivals.
Looking annoyed, she chanced a glance over her shoulder. Johnny is looking right at her. "Johnny and I are fine. It's just his idiot friend that's the problem. Dutch happened to turn the conversation to love, and of course, he implied it about Johnny and me. Big idiot," Ava admitted.
Dawn smiled a sneaky smile. "But you do have strong feelings leaning in that direction, right?"
Hiding her eyes in her hands, she made the comment "You're as bad as my mother, Dutch, and Joy. Yes, it's leaning in that direction, but I refuse to say it first. I don't want to make an idiot of myself, especially if he doesn't feel the same."
With a pat to the back, her friend shared "I don't think it's a matter of him not loving you. It's a matter of when he says it. I have a strong feeling he loves you as much as you do him. Now enough about Johnny. We have to get our strength up for this afternoon. You need lunch, so go eat." She pushed Ava, lightly, back to her table.
"Gee thanks friend," Ava called. She smiled as she walked away, knowing she can count on Dawn for a good pep talk.
Once Ava sat back down, Dutch apologized. "I'm sorry if my big mouth offended you. I try to be a good person, but sometimes it doesn't cooperate. But love is a many splendor thing, or so the song says." More groans were heard.
He pointed another fry. "What is wrong with you people? Don't you know by now, I'm a real sweetheart and a real smartass? I'm a package deal here. And admit it. Life would be boring with me." He ate his fry.
Johnny just hopes his idiot friend's words haven't sent his girl running for the hills. He's tired of fighting. For once he wants to be the one fought for. If she doesn't love him, it'll be his fault. His own expectations will create his heartbreak. He wants to be chosen, to be loved.
But he can't tell her. Not yet. Those words mean too much. He needs to know she's committed. That she's one hundred percent in.
He bumped her with his shoulder. "You going to win?"
After swallowing her bite of sandwich, she declared with uncertainty "I don't know. The other team we're playing today is tough. This one girl practically beat me last year. If she's still that good, then I'll have some tough competition today."
Tommy told her, "You can take them. If she tried to beat you, just kick her in the balls."
Laughing Ava said "Umm... no. I can't do that. Besides, it's golf, not karate." She continued eating, all the while noticing Johnny picking at his lunch. It looks nasty. Cafeteria food. A shiver of disgust ran through her body. Eyeing him, she halved her sandwich and shared it with him.
He took it but felt bad for doing so. "You need it more than me." She wouldn't take no for an answer. So he ate it. The two of them joined the conversation about which is better, spray cheese or Cheese Whiz.
After school, Ava met up with the girl's team. She rode with Dawn again, since she'd be riding home with Johnny. They listened to Eye Of The Tiger to pump themselves up on the drive over. Once they got there, the girls got out and headed to the locker room to change. The both of them cannot be more thankful, their coaches decided on decent outfits this year. Slim black leggings, with a green West Valley geometric print shirt. The West Valley logo is only on the team visor, that they're required to wear.
Once dressed, the girls took their golf bags and headed out. Laughing as they exited, they met up with Coach Johnson and Coach Nixon. "Green and Randall. Are the two of you going to win this for the girls or what?" The coaches began talking strategy with them.
At three o'clock, the opposing teams shook hands and began the match. Since there are two sets of greens at the Encino Hills Country Club, the guys played on one and the girls on the other. They had drawn names beforehand and Dawn's name was picked first. Ava is going third. She'd rather go then. It gives her time to see her competition and match it stroke for stroke and putt for putt.
As girl after girl drove the ball, Ava waited her turn. She took notes of their feet's position, grip, and how the balls arched after being hit. While those girls were good, she just knows in her gut she can do better. During her wait, she put her hair up in a messy bun. It has to be out of her way, so she won't be distracted by it.
"Green you're up next," Coach Nixon called.
Picking up her golf bag, she carried herself to the tee. Reaching down and plucking a tiny tee out of the ground, she put her own purple one down. She trusts no tee but her own, says every golfer everywhere. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her driver. Setting the golf ball down onto the tee, she took a few swings to the side of it.
Inhaling a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she cleared her mind and pictured her target. Head positioned, feet planted, her driver raised back and three, two, one... Just like Freddy Couples, she boomed it with a massive power hit. Hands went up to shield her eyes from the sun. It landed exactly where she wanted it to and was far ahead of the other girls. She's going to make either an opening eagle or birdie for sure. With a huge smile, she gathered her bag and put her driver back inside it. Next stop, golf ball.
The whole afternoon is playing out how she pictured it in her mind. Every hole is either on par or under. There are many more under pars than on, which is perfect. The only thing not perfect is Dutch and Tommy with their signs. Tommy's sign says "Don't Make a Dolly Parton", while Dutch's reads "Yank It and Spank It!" She's definitely talking to Johnny about that. He promised.
On the last two holes, her arm muscles began to grow tired. She's been giving it her all, all match long. Looking at some of the girls competing it's clear they feel the same. They're stretching their arms out, some even have ice on them (to stay loose). The West Valley trainer has been trying to get herself to do the same, but she's stubborn and refused. She doesn't need to ice her arm, she needs to hit. Hitting, putting, and driving will help her most. Besides, the adrenaline is coursing through her body too much to use ice anyway.
It was on the final hole, that the four girls ahead of her in order started to really give out. Coach Nixon told her their drives were weak and came up short. This included her teammates Dawn and Kasey. Oh, man!
Feeling her own tired arms, she willed herself to drive the ball far. She gave herself a pep talk by muttering please go far, please go far, please go far. To be honest, she's been so in the zone that she hasn't really searched the small crowd of supporters for Johnny. But feeling nervous now is the perfect time to do so.
Her eyes scanned the people for him. He's hard to miss with his tall frame and gleaming blonde hair. Once she found the Cobras, she saw him too. His eyes are on her and he gave her a nod with his chin and a huge smile. Instantly the butterflies in her stomach calmed down and she smiled back. He clapped for her as if to say you've got this. Does she though?
Returning to the game, her eyes closed briefly. When they snapped open, she gripped her driver tight. But then realized if she doesn't want to come up short, she needs to be looser. Loosening the grip, visualizing the target, she swung.
At the end of the match, Ava showered and changed out in the locker room. She put on a pair of skinny jeans and a lipstick print tank top. Although her arms ache, along with her back, life is good. Taking her things, she met up with Charley and the guys.
Johnny saw her, ran to her, picked her up, and swung her around. "Ava you did so great." He kissed her cheek, although he really wanted to kiss her lips. He's been aching to that for a while now but doesn't want to be presumptuous.
Then Dutch, with all of his inappropriateness, spoke up. "Yeah Ava way to bust some balls today." Everyone, old ladies and men at the club, gave interesting looks their way.
She hid her head in Johnny's shoulder and chuckled. "Thanks, guys. I'm so glad you all came to see us play." She is. She's glad they came to watch.
Charley remarked, "The fact you won made it even better. Congrats by the way."
Releasing Johnny, she went around and hugged each of them. Returning to her boyfriend's side, she felt great. On the last hole, her drive was crushed. It took all of her remaining strength to drive it, but she did. That's what made the difference.
"Alright! Now, who's up for some pizza and Golf 'N Stuff?" Tommy asked. They all are.
On the walk to vehicles, Ava questioned her boyfriend. "Sir you promised not to tell anyone about yank it and spank it." A groomed eyebrow raised waiting for an answer.
With a mischievous sparkle to his eyes, he responded. "In my defense, I was drinking. My inhibitions were down."
Oh, she knows he probably was, but seeing the sneaky look on his face it's highly doubtful. "You're my favorite pain in the ass." She bumped his shoulder.
He pulled her in front of him and began massaging her own. "I know. I'm a handful, but that's why you've got two hands." He placed a kiss on her neck and thought how easy it would be to say those three words. But he didn't.