It's been three days. Three days since he last saw his girlfriend. Three days since she's been at school. Ava hasn't taken his call or tried to see him. They were supposed to meet Tuesday afternoon. When he knocked on the door, at her house, Ms. Linda answered. "Johnny, Ava isn't feeling well. I'm sorry." He asked if he could see her, but she said no. Which is understandable, because if she's got the flu he doesn't want it. He had that once and thought he was going to die. A shudder ran through him at the memory.
But this, this is not like her. Something is going on. Something other than being sick. The last time she was like this the nasty rumor about her virginity had started. It only makes him wonder if something like that happened again. If it did, whoever's doing this is going to answer to him and it's not going to be pretty. This time he's playing to win. He doesn't care if it's a girl either. Chicks... Sure they may have tiny hollow bones and crap, but some chicks need to be treated like a dude. His mom taught him never to hurt a lady, but some chicks aren't ladies. Especially the mean ones.
At the beginning of lunch, he saw Rachel and stopped her. "Hey, can I speak with you?" She nodded and they walked into a vacated classroom. He put his books on the teacher's desk, leaned on it, and crossed his arms. "I haven't spoken to Ava in three days. I'm going out of my mind here. Do you know what's wrong? The story is she's sick, but I don't think she's really sick."
Rachel let out a huge sigh and pushed the sleeves, of her rainbow knit sweater, up. Does she tell him the truth and run the risk of stirring up his temper? Or does she not and go with the story Ava's telling. Seeing Johnny's concern, for her friend, sealed the direction she's taking this conversation.
Closing her eyes, she collected her thoughts. When they opened, she told him "OK look, what I'm going to tell you is only for the benefit of my sweet friend. I really need you to not fly off the handle here." She saw him nod to continue. "Tuesday when we had finished golfing we were walking back through the club, to exit. On our way out, we had to pass through the heated pool area. Well, we overheard some gossipy girls." She saw his face turn hard.
Oh, dear. She can tell he's getting wound up tight and ready to strike. It may or may not be a good thing. "What the girls said was just mean and terrible. They were making fun of her, but not just making fun. They were talking about her past anorexia problem."
Turning around he faced the chalkboard and put both his arms on the teacher's desk for support. Hearing that made his teeth on edge and his muscles tense. He set his jaw. Now he's good and angry and really wants to know "Who? Who did that?"
Rachel told him. "Dawn found out. Joy and Misty started it and they told the cheerleaders. I guess the whole school knows now. And Ava feels like crap. She's embarrassed, sad, and just plain hurt. I know she may say she doesn't want to see you, but I feel certain she does. I just think she feels ashamed and doesn't want you to worry." She doesn't know if it's a good thing she named names or not. She and Dawn gave Joy and Misty, and all the cheerleaders, a piece of their mind the other day. Part of her hopes he'll tell them off too.
When he heard the names Joy and Misty his temper went through the roof. Of all the "Bullshit! How can those two make fun of something serious?" But right now they'll have to wait. His girl is hurting and he needs to help her if she'll let him. He took the tape dispenser on the desk, turned around, and threw it across the room. "I need to go." Picking up his books, he started to walk out of the room. But he turned back and said "Thanks. You're a good friend to her. Just so you know, Bobby's favorite color is blue. He always stops at the Tasty Shack, on the way home every Friday. He orders a shake and some fries and sits in the last booth." Then he left.
There was no stopping until he was at his bike. Not even when the guys called after him, he still continued on. Ava is more important than afternoon classes. Besides they're all easy anyway. He got onto his bike and put his helmet on. Before he drove off, he saw her hateful cousin and ex-friends. Glaring at them, they'd get an earful later.
Zooming out of the lot and stopping only at the florist, to pick up two dozen roses, he pulled into her driveway. He made record time, but no one needs to know that. Taking the flowers, he got off, put his helmet on his handles, and went to the door. Ringing the doorbell, he waited with a lump in his throat and his heart on his sleeve.
Linda answered the door. She took one look at her daughter's boyfriend and her heart hurt for him (almost as much as for her daughter). "Johnny, aren't you supposed to be in school?"
With a worried voice, he spoke the truth. "I should, but I can't. I need to see her. Please. I beg you." If he's turned away again he might break down in the driveway.
She just didn't have the heart to say no another time. "Come in and go on up. But Johnny, she's really fragile. She's barely eaten anything. I'm greatly concerned and hope that whatever is wrong isn't going to push her back into terrible, old habits." She saw him nod and stepped aside, so he can come in.
Racing up the stairs, his only thoughts are of his girl. He can only imagine how fragile she truly is right now. Forgoing knocking on her door, he just went on in and closed it behind him. It's dark and gloomy inside. A stark contrast to her bright and beautiful spirit. Knowing that she's depressed and not eating, makes him torn up. His heart is heavy and it aches for her.
His eyes searched the room and found her curled up in a ball, in the middle of her bed. Not saying anything, he laid the flowers on her nightstand, took off his shoes, and joined her. She comforted him after his loss. Now it's his turn to do the same for her. Curling around her slim and curvy body, he held her to him.
She seems very delicate, as her mom said. There are tons of tissues all around mingled with Hershey Kiss wrappers. After what seemed like the longest time, she rolled over into him. She cried and held on for dear life. Her whole body is wracked with sobs and it tore at his heart even more. It made his chin tremble and tears spill out of his own eyes.
When she stopped sobbing, he rubbed her back and kissed her head. He wants to see her and to do that there needs to be light. Reaching over he turned on her lamp. Appraising her, his eyes saw red puffy, swollen ones, lounge clothes, and just a mess on her bed and floor. None of it is good.
"Babe I know what happened. I'm so sorry." He continued to rub her back.
Sniffling, she told him, "They talked about my problem. They shared that with people whose business it isn't. Why is my life suddenly so interesting that all of my secrets have to be shared? I had anorexia in middle school and tenth grade. But I've been fine since. Yes, it's a sickness and it's hard to get rid of the mentality that precedes it. But I've tried. I've worked so, so hard to overcome it. And to be treated like I'm trash and like it's something to laugh about is justâ-"
Stroking her hair, he finished her sentence. "Bullshit. Babe, I know you've been horribly broken by all the gossip. I know you were hurting, to even have that sickness. But Ava despite that you're one of the kindest, sweetest, tastiest, hottest girls I know. No matter how much people hurt you, you're still gentle and considerate to others. You're a badass with the heart of an angel. I should know cause you're my angel." He kissed her forehead and wiped her tears with his thumb.
She started crying again and he doesn't think he can take anymore. His heart hurts so, so much. It's why he said, "Ava if someone treats you like shit, just remember there's nothing wrong with you. There's something wrong with them. Normal people don't try to destroy other people. But Babe I also know you need to pay attention to what mean people say and do. They've been dying to tell you. Joy and Misty have been dying to tell you what they really think of you."
Not understanding, she asked "But why? Why Johnny?"
That's easy. He's been there and done that. "Because they're unhappy and miserable. They did it to cause you pain. It's like the Cobra Kai motto. Strike first, strike hard, no mercy. They did all of that to you. You're their enemy and they treated you like one. And they're the worst kind of enemy because you thought they were your friend. And the whole time you weren't." He saw the pain in her eyes at his words, understanding it's hard for her to hear.
But he kept talking. "One of the reasons I joined Cobra Kai was because it's about strength. Strength on the inside and outside. If you're not strong on the inside, you can't be strong on the outside. It's being a badass. You're badass. Like you told me, don't give up and keep moving forward. You're not alone. You have me." He gave a small laugh. "I don't know if that's good or bad though."
"It's good." She held him and breathed in his scent. It soothes her. "My head is an awful place to be right now." A kiss was placed on her head and suddenly she was tired. Really tired. Tired of hiding. Just tired. Getting up she went to her dresser and opened the middle drawer. Hidden underneath tons of lounge clothes, is what she needs. Picking it up, she climbed back onto the bed and handed Johnny the piece of paper. She sat cross-legged and waited.
Looking at the folded piece of paper, he wondered "What's this?" His eyebrow raised and waited for a response which he didn't get. So he unfolded it and studied the contents. What the hell? "Is this for real?" She nodded. His mouth went dry and his heart began beating wildly in his chest. If that paper is correct, then "We're married?" A confused look passed over his face. His lips pursed together, his nose wrinkled, and a lump formed in his throat.
She knew he would freak out. He has every right to. "Yes, we're married."
With a strangled voice he spoke. "How? When? Explain. Please." He looked to her for answers.
Taking the piece of paper from his hands, she began. "In Vegas, we were drunk, very drunk. So we went to this chapel" â she pointed to the name on the marriage licenseâ "and got married. An Elvis impersonator officiated for us. I walked down the aisle to I Can't Help Falling In Love With You with the biggest big, big hair ever."
His arm now covered his eyes. Feeling crushed, he asked "Why didn't you tell me? Do I not matter to you?" His eyes grew misty at the thought.
Tears returned to her own eyes. Her weak voice explained further. "You matter so, so much to me. That's why I didn't say anything. When I woke up the next morning, naked in bed, feeling like a truck ran me over, I went to the bathroom and discovered my wedding band. Then I found the license and it all came back to me. I knew my parents would put me on the street once they found out. And that made me think if we're both thrown out of our houses, then where would we go? What would we do? So, I wanted to find us a house and then I was going to tell you. And that's the truth." Her sweater sleeve wiped her tears up.
Knowing what he knows about her, he knew she didn't do it with malicious intent or because she doesn't love him. She did it because, like she's told him before, she overthinks and plans and tries to control situations out of her control. Ironically he's the opposite of her. He doesn't think or plan. He just feels and reacts, sometimes too much.
"You have every right to hate me and be mad. If you want a divorce I'd totally understand." She laid down, curled into herself, and cried.
He pulled her to him and wrapped himself around her again. "I am mad, but I could never hate you. And I'd be stupid pussy to divorce the love of my life. I've done plenty of stupid things before. I've made you mad too and I probably will again in the future. In fact, you can count on it. It's part of being in a relationship. While I don't like you not telling me, I understand why you did it."
Rolling back over, she locked eyes with him. He continued telling her "Just in the future, include me in the big things like being married. Cause it would be kind of weird for you to show up one day with our baby and be like oh here's our child." She laughed and it was the sweetest sound.
But he really wants an explanation for something that's been bothering him. "Just answer me this. It's been driving me crazy. I have this hot, steamy dream where we're on a bed, wrapped up in each other. I'm brushing the hair off your face. And it's the hottest thing ever because you look at me with so much love and lay your hand on my face. We lace hands and my mouth finds yours."
He sees her look shy, but he's not having that. Taking her hand and lacing their fingers like in the dream, he says "It's obvious we have sex, but it's not sex. It's love. Did that really happen or is it some wicked fantasy? Because if it's not real, we're married now so, I think I'd like that to come true."
She brushed her hand to his face. "It's real. That really happened." She kissed his forehead.
Then he had a thought. "I didn't hurt you did I?"
Canceling out his doubt and worry, she told him "No. You're a gentleman, even when drunk." Her hand caressed his jaw and he kissed her fingers.
His eyes brightened and he relaxed. "But Ava, you have to tell me, did I even propose to you?" If he didn't, he'd have to make amends for that. Sitting up, she began laughing. "What's so funny?"
Laughing so hard, she had to fan herself, before she finally calmed down. "Well yeah. You did propose. But I'm not sure if you want to hear it."
Thinking this is going to be terrible, he questioned her. "I know I was drunk. Did I say something stupid like I want to have hot sex with you for the rest of my life?" She shook her head no. "Then what? Tell me."
Her finger poked his chest. "Just remember you asked. You proposed in a way only drunk Johnny could. In front of everyone at the bar-restaurant, you began quoting the lyrics to the Barry White song You're The First, You're The Last, You're My Everything. You even sang the last part of it."
With a horrific look on his face, he sat straight up and yelled "Quiet!" He got up from the bed and began pacing at the front of it, only stopping to point his finger at her and say "You lie."
Ava had no idea what to do or say. He's never used his quiet on her. She sat stock-still.
Stopping his pace, he turned towards her. His blue eyes bore into hers. "I would never go around quoting Barry White lyrics. Never ever. That's bullshit." His pacing began again.
Not being able to help it she started laughing. "But you did." She strangled out the words "Only you would get super upset about proposing via a love song."
He sat on the bed with her. "Ava this is not funny. This is serious." Her face continues to sparkle with happiness. "Do you know what that means?"
"Yes. Deep down you're a closet cheesy love song listener." She laughed some more.
Letting out a huff of breath, he told her "No. It means I'm wussy, a weak pussy. You cannot tell anyone I proposed by using that song. I'd never live it down and my reputation as the top Ace Degenerate badass would be ruined."
She came behind him and put her arms around his waist, and held him to her. She questioned, "What should I tell people then?"
His head turned to her. "Tell them what I had planned to tell you."
"Which is what?" she asked into his ear.
Her breath on his neck left a tingle on his skin and caused a shiver to run through him. It was hot. And the good news is, he can act on hot impulses because they're married now. "I was going to ask you after graduation. It's obvious my drunk self wanted to get a move on." He heard her chuckle and he turned around fully to face her. They both sat cross-legged. Â "I had started working it out in my head."
He took a breath and let it out. His eyes caught hers and held her gaze, while his hands gripped hers. But then he thought better of it and got off the bed. Kneeling on one knee he said his proposal.
"I wanna marry you because you're the first person I want to look at when I wake up in the morning and the only one I want to kiss goodnight to. Because when I first saw you, you made me feel alive and I had never been interested in girls before. When we started dating in ninth grade I held your hand and I knew I never wanted to let go. You take care of me. You calm me. You listen to me. You get me like no one else does. You've seen my worst side and you stayed put. You're my best friend. It's you and it will always be you. Even if I had a choice between you and a million things I've always wanted (including the raddest motorcycle money can buy), I would still choose you. But mainly when you love someone as much as I love you, getting married is the only thing left to do. So, will you marry Ava Leigh Lawrence?" He smiled big at the sound of his last name.
With tears, she said "Yes." She jumped down and practically fell into his arms. Her legs wrapped around him and he held her because legally, and lovingly, she's his for life. They cried together, happy tears.
Her fingers wiped his tears and he did the same for her because only Ava knows how truly romantic Johnny Lawrence really is. He scooted back to sit against the bed. Resting his forehead on hers, he declared "Whether you like it or not, I belong to you now."
Playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, she told him "That's good because I love us. Besides I told you before, you're my person."
His lips sought hers, but she pulled back, a groan left his mouth. Then she got up and he really groaned. "Be patient," she stated. He raised an eyebrow as if saying when have I ever been patient. She walked to her dresser again and took her Faberge egg. Walking back over to him, and sitting in her same position, she opened it. Her fingers took out his wedding ring. "This is yours," she said as she put it on him. Then she brought hers out. "And this is mine." She held it up so he could see it.
A knowing expression came over him. He took the dainty thing from her fingers. "That's the ring you had on at Christmas. I was the special person who gave it to you?"
She nodded her head yes. "You did. You're my special person." His eyes flashed bright of something.
Holding the ring up, he reminded her "I'm your only person." He slid it on her ring finger. And then a memory hit him. "Wait. Did I say that this is sweet and pretty like you?" He heard her soft "yes". A huge smile lit up his face. "Awesome. All of my drunk memories are slowly returning. But I beg for the drunk proposal to stay forgotten."
With a mischievous sparkle in her own eyes, she reminded him "But Johnny, it will never be forgotten. I plan on reminding you of it for the rest of your life. In public, I will tell people all of the beautiful things you just told me. But when it's you and I, I will help you remember that you're the first, you're the last, you're my everything." She burst out laughing.
"You are a wicked woman," he accused.
She kept laughing. "You said you like wicked women."
Rolling his eyes, he admitted "I do. I'm married to one." Then he caught her lips and she had no choice but to stop laughing. Their previous kisses were nothing like this. Before they were sweet and romantic, but now it's different somehow. This is the first true kiss between them as husband and wife. It means more. It's infinite and unconditional and amazing.
His hands stroked her back and hers ran through his hair. And it was hot, really hot. A wildfire of scorching flames raced through his body and everywhere her hands touched seared him. She clung to him and this time he held onto her for dear life. There are inches between them and it would be so easy to close that gap all the way. Now that they're married there's no holding back, except "We have to wait. Your mom is downstairs." He panted out the words.
Realization dawned on her face, and she made to get off of him. But he held her in place. If she left he might die, not really, but it feels that way. And as she held him and their breathing regulated to normal, she knew without a shadow of a doubt "We need a house."