'Twas the night before the tournament and all tired out of practicing, the Cobras got in the mood by drinking. They went out for a pre-tournament get-together, back at the dive bar on the beach. The one with the karaoke.
Initially, they wanted to invite their girlfriends but things are super strained between them. After drawing straws to see who the DD would be, they got their drink on. This time Tommy was the DD and did he complain or what? Every few minutes was a complaint. "This sucks. Bobby should be DD, not me."
Bobby, who started to down another beer, said "Man, I was DD last time. You drew the straw, so suck it up." He laughed at his own pun.
Tossing a handful of peanuts, Tommy grumbled again. Talk turned to girls. "I made it to third base with Charley," Jimmy admitted. He seemed pleased with himself. Dutch high-fived him. Tommy patted him on the back and shared his sexual plights too.
But then Dutch blurted out "You know who's not getting any? Bobby." Heads turned his way and Bobby's face turned tomato red.
"Look, I'm fine," he told them. He downed another beer.
Dutch pointed at him. "Liar." He drank and then stated "You are the worst liar. You haven't had a girl since that horrible chick last year. You need to date a good girl. Someone sweet and kind like you." Where the hell did sweet and kind come from? Booze always loosens his lips.
Eating a handful of peanuts, Johnny agreed. Bobby gazed off in the distance. "I'm working on it. There's someone I want to ask, but I don't know if she'd say yes."
Johnny shook his head. "No, Man. Stop asking out idiots. You need to ask Ava's friend, Rachel. She's kind and sweet and would be good for you."
Before Bobby could respond, Tommy pointed at Johnny. "You're not getting any either."
Staring at his friend, and peeling the wrapper off his beer bottle, he reminded him "I'm in a serious relationship. I don't need sex. There's more to having a strong relationship than sex. There's plenty of time for that later."
"You're such an old fart, boring, boring, boring," Dutch accused. He downed another beer. His buzz is getting bigger.
Rolling his eyes, Johnny proclaimed "If I'm such an old fart can I do this?" He proceeded to chug three beers.
By the time the guys were ready to call it a night, they were drunk (except Tommy). He piled them into Jimmy's mom's SUV and drove them all home. First, he dropped off Johnny at the Malibu house. Ava met him at the door and took him off his friend's hands.
She helped her boozed boyfriend up the stairs, but not without tripping (twice). "Kreese will kill you if you're hungover tomorrow," she reminded him.
"I'm not drunk, completely. I'm semi-drunk. Just buzzed enough to be calm, but more than enough to not drive." He laid face down on the bed. He then felt his girl take his socks and shoes off. Helping her along, he unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them down his hips. She finished pulling them off the rest of the way, in a swift move.
Tossing them into a chair, she told him "Shirt." He sat up and took his shirt off, then laid back down. Once he was situated, she walked to the door.
Turning his head to look at her, still laying down, he wondered where she's going. "Why are you leaving?"
"Because you need rest and sleep, for tomorrow." Her hand reached for the doorknob, but his voice stopped her.
His hand reached out. "I can't sleep without you. Please don't leave." She changed direction and went back to the bed. Taking her robe and slippers off, she climbed in. He rolled over and they cuddled. He ran his fingers through her hair. With a sigh, he asked, "What if I don't win tomorrow?"
Placing a kiss on his arm, she told him "If you don't win then life goes on. Remember you're more than a win. Life isn't about winning, or being popular, highly educated, or perfect. It's about being kind, being real, and being humble. If you don't win, then we'll figure it out. You'll still have me." She raised her head to look at him. He'd fallen asleep. After kissing his cheek, she drifted off too.
In the morning, when they both woke up, they lay in bed just cuddling and snuggling together. Her pajama pants leg is bunched up and she hates that, so she rose up to fix it, but his strong arms pulled her back down. Instead, she turned to see his face. "How do you feel? Do you still have a buzz?"
Running his free hand over his face, he replied "I feel fine. Just nervous. Not really sure why. I mean I've won the past two years." He's never felt nervous before. It's rather odd.
This time she sat up and didn't let him pull her back down. She wants to see his face. "I'm sure you'll do fine. I have faith in you and your karate abilities. What do you want for breakfast?"
That is a loaded question. "Besides you?" He saw her face redden. "I want you all the time. How could I not?" She's addicting. "I wish I could make you understand I'm in love with every little thing about you. Your smile, your eyes, your mind, your heart, your body... everything."
It's hard to resist a bad boy with a good heart, who's also a good man. What turns her on? Him. "You make my heart skip a beat every time I'm with you, or if I see you across the way and your eyes catch mine. It doesn't matter, you are addicting. You make me nervous in a good way, a really good way."
His hand reached up and brushed her hair off her shoulder and caressed her jaw. He fell in love with her soul before he could ever kiss her lips. If that's not real love, then what is? "So in the off chance I don't win, you'll still love me? You'll still want to be seen with me?" Sometimes he feels like people just want to be his friend if he's on top. If he loses then where does that leave him? And in truth, that's why he's nervous about today. Karate is all he has. It's who he is.
Oh... She realized he's feeling so self-conscious. "How do I put this? You're worth isn't in what you do. It's in here." She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "And it's in here." Then she placed a kiss over his heart. "And even if you win or lose, I will still love you because my love isn't based on winning or losing. Calling me hot is great, but calling me yours is all I want." He nodded and pulled her down so she's on top of his chest.
Holding her close to him is never enough. He wants her closer still. But he held her to him and ran his hands over her back and inhaled the scent of her hair, light and sweet. And he felt her heartbeat. All of those things calmed him. It would be so easy to kiss her like this, but that could lead to hot, passionate places. In order for him to maintain respect and patience, he has to stick to his rule of never making out in bed. So he held her, for as long as he could.
Raising up, she gave him a peck and asked "What do you want for breakfast? You have to eat something before you leave for the tournament."
With a nod, he sat up. "I think maybe bacon, eggs, and toast if we have any." She acknowledged the request with a smile and got up. Before she made breakfast she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and put her hair up. Then put her slippers on and went to get started on breakfast.
When she left, he got up, showered, and began getting ready for the day. He put on a pair of khakis and a blue button-down shirt. Carrying his tennis shoes and red jacket downstairs, he went to find Ava.
In the kitchen, she had made the eggs and toast. After setting the table with plates, silverware, orange juice, and jelly, she waited for the bacon to cook. Johnny came in, sat down, and put his shoes on. "I'm glad one of us in this relationship can cook. I can't." He took some toast, buttered it, and put blackberry jelly on it.
"I'm surprised you can't. Your mom's a great cook. Â Whereas my mom cannot. Which is ironic since I can, but you can thank both of my grandmothers for that." She set the bacon on the table. Then she sat down and waited as Johnny served her plate.
He forked some eggs. "She tried to teach me once, but I didn't have the patience for it." He ate the eggs.
"Why am I not surprised?" They both gave each other looks and ate the rest of their breakfast. Once done they both cleaned up, together. Since it's almost ten-thirty, she inquired "What time do you have to be at the arena?"
Rinsing a dish off, he responded with "Kreese wants us there no later than twelve-thirty. The tournament officially starts at one." He handed her the dish.
"I see. Have you changed your mind, and want me there for the whole competition, or just the main event like we spoke about before?" She dried and put the dishes he handed her away.
Stopping his dishwashing, his head moved in her direction. "The whole thing. I really want you there the whole way. With you there, it'll help me stay calm because I'm already tense. I don't know why I'm nervous and tense, but I just am."
She quit putting the dishes away and looked at him. Her eyes started at his shoulders, as that's where he carries his stress. Then they went up to his neck and finally to his jaw. Yup. He's as tense as a coiled snake. She hopped up on the kitchen counter and opened her arms. He walked into them.
Since they're eye level now, she brushed his blonde hair off his forehead and placed a kiss there. "You are amazing and strong and brave and totally wonderful. Remember that." He kissed her forehead and smiled a soft smile, one that's only for her. They rested their foreheads on each other and stayed like that until he pulled away.
"Alright, I need to get going. I'm stopping by home and grabbing my competition gi and stuff. Then I'm picking up Bobby and Tommy. But," he stopped his words and looked at her again. "But make sure you see me before the tournament. I could use your reassurance."
With a nod of her head, she asked "Do you want me to bring you anything?"
He took her hand and played with her fingers and twisted her bracelet around. "No. Just you. That's all I need. So there's a hallway off to the right side of the arena. Meet me there."
"OK, I will. Do you want me to make you a poster that says Johnny Lawrence Is My Hot Hero?" She laughed at the thought of it.
Rolling his eyes, he replied "No. Please don't do that. I would never live it down. Is Rachel still coming with you?" She saw her shake her head yes. "Good. You can both sit behind us." He kissed her cheek. "Alright, I'm heading out. But I'll see you in a bit."
Turning to walk away, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him back. He trapped her in with his arms on either side, and she did the same with her legs. With a smile, she told him "Wear your black headband. It's hot." He smiled as he brought his smooth lips to hers. His tension relaxed and his heartbeat picked up.
"I need to go," he whispered in her ear. Although he currently didn't want to. They both released each other and she planted sweet kisses all over his handsome face. Their breathing was heavy as they regained control.
With a bright smile, she commented "At least you're more relaxed now." She winked at him and hopped down.
He smiled back, picked up car keys, waved bye, and left. In his car, he played with the radio and admitted she's right. He does feel more relaxed.
Back inside Ava heard the car drive off, and finished putting all of the dishes away. Then she called Rachel, who said "I'll be at your house at eleven-thirty. Thanks for letting me ride with you." She hung up the phone and rushed out the door. She doesn't have long to get home, change, and freshen herself up before it's time to go.
She tried to obey the speed limit, but it didn't work out so well. Being in a time crunch makes you disobey things like speed signs. Luckily she didn't get stopped. Pulling into her driveway like a bat out of Hades, she jumped out and ran to the front door.
Inside Clara met her. "Read me, Ava," she said holding out her princess book.
Ava looked at her little sister and told her "I can't right now. I'm in a hurry. But I will read to later." She kissed the curly mop of sandy blonde curls on top of her sister's head. Then flew up the stairs and into her room. First, she freshened herself up, then raided her closet for something to wear.
After throwing a pile of things on the floor saying "I hate you. Why can't hang right?" to sweater after sweater, she finally landed on a neon striped cashmere one. The stripes are bold and bright, which she loves, in colors of turquoise, hot pink, purple, yellow, white, black, and mint green. She can wear that with black skinny jeans, black boots, and a long pendant necklace around her neck.
She was in the process of taking the big rollers out of her hair when Rachel entered. "Hey, just find a seat wherever. I'm almost finished in here." She heard her friend answer "OK". As soon as she shook out her hair, sprayed it to lay soft, and applied lip gloss, she was ready.
In the bedroom, she sat and put her boots on. "Do you want to eat here or get something on the way?"
Rachel looked up from the magazine she's reading. "I vote on the way."
"Great! I was thinking the same thing. Any suggestions for where we should go?" She finished zipping up her boots.
Putting the magazine aside, Rachel responded "No. Not really. Whatever you want will be fine." The two grabbed their purses and headed out. They met Chase on the way.
"Hey birth defect," he told his sister. "I take you're going to watch Rat Face lose today."
Turning to Rachel, she questioned, "Do you hear that Rach?" Her friend shook her head. "Me neither." She turned back to her brother. "It's the sound of no one caring what you have to say." Then the two of them walked down the stairs.
From up top, her brother yelled "Rat Face is going to lose. When he does you'll be so sad and I'll laugh."
Through gritted teeth, she stated "He's such a horrible person with a nasty disposition. How he's related to me I'll never know."
Rachel patted her friend's back. "Just forget about him. In a little bit, we're going to see the Cobra's win." There was an understood I hope hanging in the air.
The girls left and went through the Burger King drive-thru. They ate on the way to the tournament. At the arena, she spotted Johnny's car as well as Dutch's and parked close to them. The two friends got out and went to the entrance. Johnny had given her two tickets, so she wouldn't have to purchase any.
They handed them to the attendant and he let them through. Before they went to claim seats, and find the guys, they both headed to the restroom. While they were in the restroom, the Cobras were finishing dressing out.
Tommy unwrapped a handful of mints and put them in his mouth. Dutch looked at him and said, "Do I even want to know?"
Through a mouthful of mints, Tommy responded. "These are my encourage-mints."
Dutch glanced at his friends, then back at Tommy. "Somewhere out there is someone who thinks you've had a tremendous impact on their life." Tommy smiled a great big grin, thinking this is nice of him. But then Dutch added "It isn't me. I think you're an idiot. I'm sorry but it needed to be said." Tommy mocked his words.
Trying to diffuse the situation, Bobby asked "What time are the girls supposed to get here?"
Jimmy glanced at his watch. "Charley's bringing Kara and they're supposed to be here by now." He turned to Johnny. "What about Ava?"
Tying his black belt around his gi, he answered "Same. I told her the competition starts at one, she's supposed to meet me beforehand." He put on his flip-flops. Raising an eyebrow at Bobby he declared, "She's bringing Rachel." His friend turned as red as his Cobra jacket beside him on the bench. With the flip-flops on his feet, he stood and took the remaining piece of his outfit out of the bag. The signature black headband, brought especially for his girl, felt good in his hands.
As soon as all the guys were ready, they exited their part of the locker room. On the way out, Dutch stopped them. "I want to check something. That dweeb has to be around here somewhere." They walked around and found him changing too.
Leading the group, Dutch sauntered in saying "Well, well, well. Look who we have here fellas. Our little friend Danielle." The guys followed him. "What's the matter, Danielle? Mommy not here to dress ya?"
Trailing in last, Johnny twisted the headband in his hands. This is a waste of his time. He'd rather find his girl.
Tommy laughed while the others stood around, watching the interaction between Dutch and Danielle. "I'm talking to you punk." Dutch shoved him hard. "Come on! Come on! Make a move."
One of the refs intervened. Johnny sighed. This idiot always has someone intervene on his behalf. It's disturbing. He saw Dutch stare him down.
With a hard look, Dutch told him "Points or no points, you're dead meat. Dead meat."
Laughing, and pulling Dutch away, Tommy said "Way to go. I think he's gonna cry."
When they left the locker room, Johnny immediately went to the spot he told Ava about. She's the only one he wants to see. He continued to twist the headband in his hands. Hurrying to the location, he saw her waiting for him. Since she hasn't noticed him yet, he can admire her. Black pants that accentuate her butt, bright sweater, hot hair, and boots that make her legs look longer. If he weren't already dating her, he'd ask her out for sure.
She still hasn't seen him and continued to search her purse for gum. While she was rummaging around, something dark was placed over her eyes. She started to scream, but a hand covered her mouth. Her heart picked up speed. Instead of trying to find gum, her hand reached for the pepper spray. Just as she was going to bring it out and step on whoever's foot, a smooth voice whispered in her ear "What's a hot babe like you doing in a shady corner like this? Do you have a boyfriend?"
Relaxing into his arms, Ava announced, "I have a boyfriend but he's an idiot. He thinks he smooth talk me and that he's the best around." Removing the black band from her eyes, she spun around.
With a smirk, Johnny told her "Your boyfriend sounds badass." He winked at her, as she put her arms around his neck.
"He is badass and you're not an idiot and you are the best. Are you ready?" She pecked his lips.
Holding her gaze he claimed "As ready as I'll ever be. I feel better now that you're here. Will you help me with this?" He held out the headband. She moved her arms from his neck and took it in hand. He knelt on the floor. She put it around his head and tied it. Then coming to stand in front of him, her fingers fixed his hair.
"You look good and ready to go, Killer." Offering her hand, he took it and pulled himself up. Then he wrapped his arms around her. The scent of his cologne wafted in the air, as she rubbed her hands up and down his arms. "You're competition gi is hot. It shows your muscles and arms and if you loosened the belt, it would show your toned chest. Just saying."
So, she thinks he looks hot. "How about tonight, I wear this just for you? I'll even leave open." He waggled his eyebrows.
"That would be super. Now you have a contest to win." She saw his face change. It's clear his nerves are talking still. "Hun, you're important. You're needed. You're loved and you're simply amazing. Remember that, win or lose."
Rubbing her back, he admitted "This is why I needed to see you. You're my best friend and my encourager. I love you." He pecked her lips once, twice, three times. Then held her hand and walked her to the seat. They nodded at each other and he left to meet up with his Sensei.
Sitting she put her hobo in her lap and inclined her head to Rachel. "Did you see Bobby?"
A soft smile graced her face. "Yeah. He came over and said hi."
Oh! That's awesome. "One baby step forward. That's a good sign. He acknowledged you. Woohoo! Just remember, Bobby's shyer than most. So this is really good." Turning her attention to the floor, the Cobras are doing a pregame sprint around the arena. She shook her head. They are in full arrogant mode, but they do look fierce in their competition uniform.
When the tournament started, Bobby was up first. He actually turned to look at Rach and smiled. Ava nudged her friend, who had a permanent grin attached to her face. They both found out Bobby may be shy in real life, but he's definitely not shy on the mat. His voice saying "You're history Man. You're dead," floated up to them over the crowd. He won his match.
Then Johnny won his super quickly. He kept on winning and winning making it into the semifinals. But when Daniel took out Tommy, he was the first Cobra to fall. Dutch was the next. However, he landed a nasty kick to the nose. Ava and Rachel held nervous hands the whole time.
Before the semifinals started, both girls went for a potty break. Luckily they got there before the line started to get long, but not before Kara and Charley had left. Both Jimmy and Tommy are out of the tournament. Ava said "Sorry Jimmy and Tommy got out. I was hoping they'd win."
Her two friends (ex-friends, semi-friends... she's unsure what to call them) gave her a snide smile but didn't speak. Rachel patted her back. "It's OK Ava. Just know they wouldn't treat you like this if they didn't have anything to hide." Ava agreed.
When they left the restroom, it was almost time for the semifinals to begin. They took their seats just in time. Up first is Johnny facing Dave Redell of Locust Valley. Redell has flashy moves but he's no match for Johnny, who won with ease. Ava clapped fiercely and yelled, "Go, Johnny!" His eyes met hers and they shared a smile.
Up next is Bobby. Tired of sitting, they both stood. "It's Bobby's turn. He's got this," Ava stated with assurance. Well, she did until Johnny looked her way. His face seemed pensive and... dispirited? Something isn't right. She grabbed Rachel's hand.
They both saw Bobby slow walk, unconfidently to the mat. Ava muttered, "Something's wrong. Something is so wrong."
Rachel can tell too. "Yeah, Bobby looks uncomfortable." When the match began, Bobby sent a kick to Daniel's knee. Boos sounded all around them and the announcer said Bobby has been disqualified. The air left the room. Another one bites the dust. Rachel shook her head, "He was put up to it. He would never." As Bobby walked off, in shame, his eyes sought Rachel's. Ava squeezed her friend's hand and saw Rach smile at him. Thank goodness.
All that's left is Johnny. The girls saw Daniel carried off, and Johnny going to the mat with his Sensei. There's something about that man that gives her the creeps. She shivered. The two-minute mark hit and Daniel still wasn't out. The head guy in charge was ready to give Johnny the trophy, but at the last second she heard "Daniel Larusso is gonna fight."
"Oh dear God. I have a bad feeling about this," Ava told her friend. "I feel it in my bones." She smiled big, or as big as she could when Johnny turned to look at her.
Rachel whispered, "I feel it too." The match began with Johnny taking control. "All he needs is three points, Ava. Just three points."
A knot formed in her stomach when Daniel landed a kick on her guy. He came up with a bloody nose. Some idiot yelled out "Johnny you're a cream puff." Anger fuming, turning around she yelled back "No he's not, idiot! He could take you any day of the week." Returning her attention to Johnny, Rachel held her hand again.
And then she saw it, a momentary moment of freak out on Johnny's face. What is his Sensei telling him?
"Sweep the leg," Kreese said in his gruff voice.
Johnny stood there frozen. His heart pounding as loudly as his ears were inside his head.
Kreese looked at him sharply, "You've got a problem with that?"
Yes, he does have a problem with that. But instead, he said "No Sensei."
"No mercy," Sensei told him.
He literally doesn't know what to think and he dare not look at Ava, or he can't go through with this. Disappointment will be written all over her face. She'll dump him for sure. He put on a brave front and tried to look fierce.
When the match resumed he took control. He thought for sure he's going to win, especially when he landed a chop on Daniel's leg. Tommy's voice yelled "It's over Johnny. You did it. Get him a body bag! Yeah!"
And then just like that, his hopes were over with a kick to his face. He crawled off the mat like the loser he is.
In the stands, Ava put her hand over her mouth and sank into her chair. How could this happen? "Isn't that kick illegal?" she asked Rachel. Rach didn't know and shrugged. Her heart is heavy and her head hurts as she chewed her bottom lip. Her eyes also moistened over. But when she saw Johnny hand Daniel the trophy, she could not have been prouder.
As heartbroken as she is, she's equally proud. She'll help him through this. They'll get through it together. Like she told him, he's still amazing and she still loves him win or lose. But she noticed he couldn't look her way. He started to hold his head up, but he put it back down. She'll wait for him outside.
He can't look at her. He just can't, not yet. This was supposed to be his golden year. This tournament was going to propel him forward and help him own his own dojo one day. Now that's gone with a kick to the face. Failure, worthless, stupid...
In the locker room, everyone was quiet. Not really speaking, especially Bobby. Bobby's just as beat down as he is. The things Sensei had them do are crossing lines. There's tournament fighting and street fighting. He could take Larusso in a street fight any day of the week, but the tournament has rules. And he takes those seriously.
After showering and dressing in his regular clothes, his second-place trophy felt heavy in his hands. Second place, that's all he'll ever truly be. As he and his friends walked to their cars, he saw Ava. Her face seemed happy, truly happy to see him. Her eyes met his and something in him snapped. All he wants is her and her comforting, loving arms wrapped around him.
But Sensei came flying out of the arena like a lion stalking its prey. Kreese came over to him and started yelling in his face. "That sucks. I did my best," he said back. He's not in the mood to argue, especially not in front of her.
"What did you say?" Kreese wasn't having this.
Johnny wasn't having it either. He's tired. "I said I did my best." Then he heard his Sensei, the guy who's been like a father to him, say the words that echo in his head often.
"You're nothing! You lost. You're a loser!"
That was it. "No. You're the loser Man."
"Oh. I'm the loser huh?" Kreese took his trophy out of his hands, broke it like some kid's toy, and tossed it aside. "Now who's the loser?"
Stunned, Johnny spoke. "You're really sick Man." Then Kreese grabbed him and put him in a chokehold. His friends tried to help but they got slapped around. He couldn't breathe. His oxygen is low. He heard Ava yell and knew he was about to pass out. Then Daniel's Sensei stood up for him and finally, he could breathe again.
Falling to the ground, Ava rushed to him. She pulled him into her arms. His throat hurts. His neck hurts. His heart hurts. And he's totally humiliated. Yet, in her arms, he feels at home. He let her hold him and comfort him. With a weak hand, he put it on hers as she cradled him to her.
Vaguely paying attention, Kreese got destroyed by Miyagi. But he doesn't care, he's where he needs to be. Helping him stand, she kissed his hurt neck. "Johnny I want you to ride with me. I don't trust you driving right now," she stated with authority.
Funny because he doesn't trust himself driving either. He tossed his keys to Bobby and grabbed his bag from the back seat. When he got in Ava's car, he just sat there staring ahead. She got in and looked at him and sniffled. "Johnny, I love you." Starting the car, she pulled out and put the blinker on to turn towards home.
He put his hand on hers and looked at her. With his hoarse voice, said, "Love you too." He pointed with his finger the opposite direction of her blinker. Not wanting to go home, not yet, he's in the mood for something different.
**Author's Note**
Get ready... I debated and debated on how I wanted to go through the aftermath of this. Do I play it safe and sweet, as I did with Bobby and Mary, or do I ride the crazy train? I decided to be a little reckless, like Tommy when he does something stupid in front of Dutch. Buckle up because the crazy train is coming. Â Cue Ozzie, stage left...