Saturday finally arrived. Johnny was able to sleep in, at least for a little while. Karate practice starts at ten. He lay in bed thinking about the afternoon. The guys want to hang out and go see a movie. Ava's coming with them and she's bringing a friend. Although he has no idea which one. Bobby said, "If she brings Rachel, then I'm out."
The other guys agreed. Over the years they've learned to trust Bobby's opinion of people. When he asked his girlfriend who she's bringing, all she said was "a friend." He doesn't think it's Rachel. In fact, he's pretty sure, but you never know with chicks.
As far as chicks go, he has the best one. After the Halloween dance disaster, she took him to her hideaway. It's there where she soothed his savage soul and calmed him down. He remembers everything perfectly because it was unexpected. But then she's been unexpected. Their whole relationship so far has been unexpected. The best things are found when you're not looking for them. Things he thought were falling apart, were actually falling into place. Unexpected is the best kind of adventure.
-Wednesday After The Dance-
As soon as the car stopped, Ava looked over at her boyfriend. He's knocked out, asleep. Shaking him awake, he shot up in the defense position. "Whoa! I'm not going to hurt you. I come in peace," she stated with a joking voice. Once he lowered his fists, she explained "We're here now. I don't know about you, but I'm going inside. Do you need help or are you good on your own?" He undid the seatbelt and pulled on the door handle. Taking that as his way of saying he's fine, she exited and started to the front door.
When she put the key in and opened it, letting them inside, Johnny asked "Where are we?" He could hear the ocean in the background, but it doesn't look like a beach house. It's too big to be one of those.
She turned on the lights before answering. "We're at my grandparent's house in Malibu. My dad's family, not my mom's." Chilly air greeted them. Walking into the living room, she also turned up the thermostat. It's way too frigid in here.
Taking in his surroundings, he saw the living room led into the kitchen. On the bookshelves, along the back wall, are tons of pictures in frames. "The ones whose house we stayed at that one day?"
With a huge blanket in her hands, she responded. "Yes. The same ones. They hardly ever use this house. It's mainly for when the out-of-town family arrives. A few years ago they gave me a key and told me to use it anytime I need a break. I come here off and on. So tonight I thought this is the perfect place to be. It's quiet and serene, peaceful in ways I can't explain." He agrees with her. The house is calming.
Stepping out of the tulle skirt, she threw it onto a nearby chair and sat on the sofa. The blanket covered her, chilled legs. She patted the seat beside her. He sat, sullen and quiet sharing her blanket. Not at all like himself. It worries her. He's either continuing to stew his anger inside or he's thinking negative thoughts. Both are dangerous.
It needs to be asked. "Hey. You want to talk now or wait for the morning?"
Turning to look at her, he muttered "Wait." He's not feeling like talking at the moment. There's a lot to say, but his head hurts, his eye hurts, his body aches, and he doesn't care to add heartache to his list of disappointments tonight. Usually talking leads to arguing, and that leads to yelling. And the last time that happened he got dumped. If Ava dumps him over what happened tonight, then he's ruined.
Not knowing what's going on inside Johnny's head, she got up and went into the kitchen. Grabbing four ibuprofen, a glass of water, and ice placed in a zip-top bag, she returned. "Here. For your head and other aches. The ice is for your eye." She handed all the things to him. Then went into a spare bedroom and changed. She keeps clothes here, just in case.
While his girlfriend left the room, he took the pills and put the ice on his eye. If she was going to break up with him, then would she have given him these things? Trying not to think about it, he took the remote off the coffee table and turned the TV on. A movie would be good. It'll take his mind off the situation. Changing the channels nothing is on but horror flicks. He doesn't mind it, but she would.
When Ava came back into the room, he saw she had changed. Looking at him she inquired "Do you have anything you can change into? My grandad has some old T-shirts in the master bedroom. I can get you one?"
Shaking his head no, he replied. "In the backseat of my car, I have a blue bag. It has clothes like shirts and shorts and stuff. I keep it there just in case I don't want to go home. I'll stay with one of the guys." Does that make him sound pathetic? He thinks it does. If it weren't for his mother, he might never go home.
Picking the keys up from the end table, Ava put on her boots (which look really nice with pajama bottoms... not) and went to get the bag. She had no idea he keeps a packed bag like that in his car. It only makes her dislike Sid even more. Biting her lip, her stomach clenched at the sight of the bag. It brings unmeasurable sadness just seeing it. Getting the bag from the backseat, she took it to its owner. "Follow me," she told him.
They walked out of the living room, and up the staircase. The same one he saw when they entered the house. Then turning left, she showed him into a bathroom. "Beside the sink is my face wash. If you want to take a shower, I can get you my granddad's soap." She saw him nod his head yes and left to get it for him too.
In her grandparent's bathroom, she took a fresh bar from under the sink. Her grandfather uses Shield, so that's what she got. Returning with the soap, she didn't expect to find him stripped down to his boxers. She hasn't seen him like this in... never. She's never seen him in boxers, swim trunks sure. But that was in ninth grade. Now he's more built and more handsome than ever.
She put the soap on the counter and tried to cover her eyes. However, she noticed a huge bruise forming on his shoulder. That will need taking care of too. "There are fresh towels in the closet over there." Turning around she left and closed the door, giving him privacy. In the living room, she waited, watching Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The next time she saw him, he was clean and fresh-faced with a T-shirt and boxers on. His eye is swelling and he just looks totally done. Done is the only way to describe it. She stretched her hand out to him.
When he entered the living room, he noticed she had put on Indiana Jones. Great movie, but all he really wants at this point is to lie down (preferably with her). The minute she reached her dainty hand out, he took it. They lay on the sofa, watching the movie curled up together (she was watching, he was listening to her breathing).
She took his hand and draped it over her tiny frame, and caressed it lovingly. Before he goes crazy out of his mind, he commented on some thoughts in his head. "If you're going to dump me, then just tell me. If you're going to go for days not talking to me because you're upset I fought, tell me that too." He took his hand back and put his arm over his eyes.
With a tired, frail voice he confessed. "I'm tired, Ava. I don't want another temporary person in my life. I want someone who will look at me with love and stay with me, even when I'm unlovable and a mess." His arm is staying put. If it moves, even an inch the tears will fall.
So that's his main problem. Unshed tears filled in her eyes. Her heart hurts for him and for all the people who made him this way. Unfortunately, she's included on that list. If she says the words he's looking for her to say, then they're out there. There's no taking it back. There's no redo on I love you. Those words are special to her. She's never said them to anyone before other than family.
Pausing the movie, and sitting up, she came to position herself on his legs. Taking a sitting position on his thighs, she leaned over and pried his arm away. Knowing he could've overpowered her and left his arm where he had it, she tread carefully.  "Someone asked me what I saw in you." His face closed off. "It's hard to put into words because I see everything. I see your good, your best, and your mess. I see all of you. I'm so happy to have you in my life. You're very special to me."
His eyes locked her in place. "Why? Why am I special? What's there about me to be special?"
She took a deep breath and let it go. It seems he definitely wants to have this conversation. "The way you look at me makes my heart melt. It did back in ninth grade, it does now. You're the only one who makes me smile even when I don't want to. You're the only one I never get tired of talking to, even at midnight. You're the only one who laughs at my corny jokes. You color my world and make me ridiculously happy. You set my soul on fire and other things. You have a huge heart and a sharp mind. You make me feel safe and protected. You make me fall for you every day."
If she's going to say the words, then it's now or never. And if anyone needed to hear those words more, it's Johnny Lawrence. She took his hand and put it over her heart. It's beating really fast and she's certain he can feel it. Breaking eye contact, for a brief moment, her eyes closed shut. Her throat is dry and tears are beginning to spill out.
It's with a  shaky voice that she spoke. "Every girl has a best friend, a boyfriend, and a true love. But you're really lucky if they're all the same person. You're my person." The tears overflowed down her cheeks.
A huge frog is in his own throat. He's never been told that, ever. Only his mother has ever loved him. He wiped at his eyes and sniffed. "I know you love me because you put up with me even when I'm moody. I just want you to know I mess up, a lot. But when I see myself happy, it's with you. I'm not perfect, but I promiseâ"
Like a true emotional amateur, he choked. Taking a shuddering breath, he somehow got words out. "I promise I will love you with all of my heart." There's something else he needs to say. "I've never really loved myself. But you Ava, I love you so much that I forget what hating myself feels like."
She collapsed onto his chest. Oh, how he can make her heart soar and hurt at the same time. Hearing him voice the I love you is one thing. Hearing him say he hates himself is another. There's so much to unpack here and her head is tired.
They both held each other and cried. When they finished crying, she stood up. "Johnny I'm tired. Let's go to bed."
He agreed. "You don't have to worry about me trying to do anything. I'm too tired, I'm sore everywhere, and I respect you too much." As he stood, her head nodded and took his hand. They walked upstairs to her guest room, where they fell asleep. Her head on his chest and his arms wrapped around her, legs locked together. Faint whispers of tired "I love you" lingered in the air.
-Present Day-
It was the best night of his life ever. He loves her. She loves him. What else is there to know? Life takes you to unexpected places. But love, love takes you home. It's crazy because that's what she feels like. She feels like Christmas and love and home.
Getting up he showered and dressed for the day. After his shoes were put on, he grabbed the black headband and placed it around his head. She likes it, therefore he likes it too. Picking up his duffle, he ran down the stairs to get breakfast.
His mom and stepfather are in the kitchen. Reminding himself of Ava's face when she said she loves him, he entered the war zone and braced himself for impact.
Laura stepped over to her son and hugged him. "Morning Baby. How are you?" She kissed his cheek.
"Fine. Just getting something to eat, then I'm off to practice. After the guys and I are hanging out, then going to the movies." He made to get some pieces of toast.
She handed him a glass of orange juice. "Sid and I will be out tonight. We're dining with some clients of his."
Nodding his head, and putting jelly on his toast, he accidentally knocked off his glass of orange juice. He reached for the paper towels when he heard Sid's voice. "Dumbass. Can't do anything without making a mess. It's only a matter of time before you mess up with that girl again. It's probably why you both broke up the first time."
Shoving the anger down, he took Ava's advice. He turned the other cheek. Like she said he's only got about six or seven more months at home. Then he's free of Sid. Plus she had a house key made for him, one for the Malibu house. When she gave it to him, yesterday, she told him "Instead of crashing at your friend's house. You can crash at mine instead."
After cleaning up his mess, he headed out the door. Not being able to help it, he drove to Ava's house. Her house is totally different from his, totally. The minute he knocked on the door, Ms. Linda let him inside. She directed him to the table, where she placed a pile of pancakes in front of him. Ava assures him pancakes are one of the few things her mother cooks well.
When his girlfriend entered the room, both their faces lit up. Hugging him from behind and kissing his neck, she stated "I didn't expect to see you here. But I'm so glad you're here." However, if he's here eating breakfast, that means Sid was being Sid. She hugged him tighter. Into his ear, she whispered, "I love you".
Once her mother left the room, he pulled her to sit on his lap. "I just needed to see you. Hold you. Hug you. Touch you. Kiss you. Love you."
And he did all of those things before practice. She did them back. Sometimes you meet a person and you just click. They make you forget about yesterday and all the shitty stuff of today. They calm your mind and set fire to the world around you. If he's Ava's person, then she's his.
**Author's Note:
I debated on having them say I love you. I wavered back and forth. I actually wanted them to say it much later in the story, but it felt right at this point. I love that line "you're my person". I think everyone needs a person in their life. That one place you feel safe, cherished, and loved. I love that in Johnny and Ava's relationship. But with that said, after the tournament these two will have big choices to make regarding "stuff". You might come out hating me in some chapters, but be patient dear reader.