Johnny woke up early Monday morning. This is weird because he never wakes up early for anything, much less school. He's even awake before Ava, which is also strange cause she's always up before him. Not thinking anything of it, he got into the shower and began his morning routine. While in there he sang a song, a stupid song, that he just made up. It's sung to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas. "On the first day of school since the drugging happened to me..."
When he finished and walked into the main bedroom, he noticed his wife still in bed. They have class together. She needs to be up. Turning on the lights, he called out "Ava. It's time to get up." She threw the covers over her head and grunted. Coming to sit on the edge of the bed, he gently pushed her shoulder. "Babe if you don't get up, then we'll be late."
Speaking from underneath the covers, she told him to "Go away." He yanked the covers back and realized, from her expression, she was not happy. Far from it. "Johnny, stop. I don't feel good. I'm not going to school today." The covers were jerked back up over her head.
Not believing this, he pulled at the covers again. "You don't look sick. Besides I need you with me. I can't do English lit without you. Your crazy cousin is in our class." He took her hand and began tugging' her up.
She smacked his hand away. "Johnny, I feel like crap. My throat is scratchy, my eyes hurt, my nose is stuffed, and I think I have a fever. Feel my forehead." Grabbing his hand, she placed it right there on the middle of her head.
It feels warm, but "You're still coming to school right?" He needs her there. "Look, how about this? I'll make you a Nyquil on the rocks."
Cutting her eyes at him, she exclaimed "Great balls of fire! Johnny, I'm sick. I have a fever. I'm going nowhere. You have the guys. You'll be fine. And if she tries something then go straight to the principal or come home." She rolled over.
That's not a good enough answer. "No, no, no. Babe, I need you! Please go to school," he begged.
Men! Knowing he's going to pester her forever and a day, Ava flung the covers back in dramatic fashion. She got up and stomped into the bathroom. Not even caring, she threw her hair up and brushed her teeth, etc., etc. Because etc. is how she feels. Then stomping into the closet, she threw on whatever clothes were closest to her.
When she came out, Johnny pointed and laughed. She gave him the evil wife eye. Faster than you can say scrambled eggs and bologna, he stopped laughing. Looking down a discovery was made. She's wearing neon yellow pants and one of his plaid shirts. Crap. She took the shirt off, threw it at him, and went to try again.
Returning into the bedroom, she's dressed in her normal skinny jeans with a red sweater. Picking up the perfume bottle, a fierce statement was made. "I feel really sick and you're making me go. Just know I'm doing this for you and because you'll pester me otherwise." Grabbing her bag, she huffed out of the room in a haze of perfume and coughs.
In the kitchen, grumpy and ill, Ava took an orange cranberry muffin and a glass of orange juice for breakfast. She loaded herself up with vitamin C, zinc, and elderberry. Then to top it off she took some ibuprofen and totally ignored her husband. She feels miserable and is upset with him for pestering her. Why is it when men are sick they get to act as if the world has come to an end?
But if a woman gets ill, then she must continue on as normal. No! She must go to school, go to work, clean up the house, pay the bills, take care of the children, do all the things while coughing up a lung, running a fever, snot pouring out of her nose, and hair looking all a mess. If a zombie apocalypse ever happened women are prepared. It's OK because the next time Johnny is sick with a cold, she'll remind him of how he dragged her to school with a fever.
Knowing she's unhappy with him, he counted it a small victory she's up, dressed, and actually going to school. He took a bagel and poured himself a glass of orange juice too. Then picked up his binder and car keys. Turning to his wife, he asked "Are you ready?" The look she gave him could melt ice. His perfect smile plastered on his face, he tried to smooth things over with the words "I love you". It did not work.
On the way to school, he let her control the radio. She turned it off. Music is the last thing she wants to hear. It only serves to hurt her head even more than it's already pounding. At school he parked beside Bobby's car. They got out and began walking to meet their friends. She kept thinking about how she should be at home in bed. When they met up with everyone, her finger poked Dutch in the arm.
"You," she said with disgust. "You got me sick. You brought your sick germs into my house. I hold you responsible." She turned her head and sneezed into her arm.
Not bothered by her words, Dutch assessed her appearance. "Yeah, you look and sound sick."
"Gee thanks," she mentioned.
Then he asked, "Why are you here today?"
Pointing at Johnny, she told him (or rather all of them) "Because he made me. He literally yanked me out of bed and made me get up. If I hadn't he would have bothered me until pigs began to fly. I just want to sleep until I feel better and wear pajamas all day." Oh that would so lovely.
Rachel came over and felt her forehead. "You're hot." She agrees, her friend should not be here.
With quick thinking, Johnny could not let that comment pass by. "Yes she is hot," he stated giving Ava a heated look.
Annoyed, she shook her head at him. Of course he'd say that. The first bell rang, and the group dispersed. Johnny held his wife's bag and hand, as they made a stop by their lockers. After they both got what they needed, they headed off to English literature.
A sick feeling, not the same as her cold sickness, washed over Ava. Something told her there would not be any desks available side-by-side today. When they entered the room, sure enough, her feeling had been correct. There were two seats left, but they were separated. One in the back of the classroom and one by Misty. Of course it is entirely convenient a spot had been left beside her.
Noticing how Johnny tensed up at this, since she could feel it in her hand, she told him "Go sit in the back. I'll sit by her." Although he didn't like the idea of her sitting by that lunatic, he went to sit in the back anyhow. He glared at the girl the whole way.
As soon as Ava sat down, she began a fit of coughing. Misty turned to her and said "Why don't you go take your sick germs somewhere else."
Already in a bad mood and feeling like crap, her eyes bored into her cousin. She glared as she spoke. "You have no power here. Why don't you begone before somebody drops a house on you."
Glaring back, Misty told her "I see you wore your cranky pants today." She began taking out her notebook and pen.
Not backing down, Ava smirked. "Yes, I wore them and my butt looks fabulous." Maybe it's the fever talking. Maybe it's her, or maybe it's both. A snap decision was made to push the girl a little more. "But you need to be careful. Your crazy is starting to show. You might want to tuck that back in."
Misty stabbed her pen into the wood of the desk in a fit of anger. Her glare became a permanent glower. Even as Ms. Kirkwood started class and they discussed The Scarlet Letter, she continued to scowl in Ava's direction.
Taking notice of the tension, between his wife and her deranged cousin, Johnny also had a feeling. He just knows that crazy, whacko is going to do something to Ava. And sure enough when class was over, and the students filed out, Misty was waiting in the outside hall. The one leading out into the courtyard.
Ava and Johnny had just left the classroom, holding hands. Ava spoke saying "I think I'd like to take your car home. I feel terrible and just want to sleep. The class is over and your other classes are with the guys."
Johnny squeezed her hand and opened his mouth to respond. Words could not get out because, from nowhere, a huge SLAP occurred. Everyone around them stopped what they were doing and stared. Misty had hauled off and slapped Ava's face. It happened so quick, he was powerless to stop it. Not only has he let this psycho get the upper hand on him, he let her hit his wife. In a fit of rage, he slammed his books on the ground.
Jimmy and Tommy were near them and rushed over. All three of them were fighting mad and ready to strike. Johnny, yelled out "Stay the hell away from my wife." His eyes sought Ava's, who had her head down holding her cheek.
Then Misty acknowledged his presence with "Like you can do anything. You can't prove anything either." She gave him a subtle dig, as she flipped her hair and started to whirl on her heels.
Lifting her head up, while holding her right cheek, Ava remarked "When karma slaps you in the face, which it will, and soon, I hope to God I'm there in case it needs help." She glowered at her cousin, who's doing the same to her. "You may look pretty but your soul is shitty. Now begone before I release the flying monkeys."
Heated and incensed, Misty strolled off. People followed after her. Once she had left, Johnny pulled his girl into his arms. His hand ran over her cheek. "She hit you hard. How do you feel?" He stroked it with his fingers.
Looking up at Johnny, she told him "I'm not going to lie. It hurts pretty badly. I shouldn't have pushed her buttons before class, but I want her to know she can't hurt us. And I still feel terrible from being sick." Even still she felt him hug her a little tighter.
Jimmy and Tommy wanted to know "How did the slap happen? Did either of you see it coming?" Ava responded and told them all about the beginning of literature class. Jimmy was unhappy with her. "Yeah, don't do that again. She's batshit crazy and she may decide to target you now. So just try not to even speak to her."
Perturbed and annoyed with himself, Johnny admitted "I can't believe I let this happen. It's the last time I let that girl get the upper hand. Next time, girl or no girl, I'm slapping her back."
Poking her finger into his chest, Ava reprimanded him. "No you will not. You will not do anything unless your provoked or she deliberately tries something on you. You don't want that used as ammunition against you."
He wants to disagree with her, but he knows well enough to keep quiet. Besides she's right. Knowing she already feels awful with her cold, and now her cheek, he reached into his back pocket and handed her his keys. "Here. Go home and rest. I'll bum a ride with one of them or Bobby." She nodded and hugged him. "I would kiss you but you're sick." Smiling Ava raised up on her toes and started to lean towards his lips. His reflexes kicked in and his hand pushed her head away. She laughed and he kissed her hurt cheek instead.
After saying "I love you" Ava left Johnny at school, in the care of his friends. He turned to them. "I'm telling you if that Crazy tries something else today, you're going to have to hold me back. Literally. Cause I'm done." His eyes turned into a venomous stare as they looked across the schoolyard. His poison filled blue eyes were locked onto Ava's cousin.
And they both knew Johnny meant what he said too. He has the patented Johnny Lawrence eat shit and die face on. He's mad as hell and rightly so. Messing with him is one thing, but messing with Ava is another entirely. You'd have to be certifiable to do that, which is the case here.
The rest of the day passed by quietly. No slaps, no tension, no weirdness, and no burnt trollops. For which Johnny is thankful. After Jimmy dropped him at home, he found his wife lying on the sofa with a pile of tissues thrown on the floor. The red plaid blanket is tucked under her chin, Â a bottle of NyQuil sits on the coffee, her eyes are closed, and her cheek is looking fine. Although if he touches it, it still may be sore.
Placing a sweet kiss to her forehead, and letting her sleep, he went into the bedroom. There he changed into a tank and gym shorts, then went into one of the spare rooms on the other side of the house. In one of the extra rooms a home gym is set up with weights, treadmill, exercise bike, and yoga mats (for her not himâ- "Yoga is for chicks" he states). It's here he lifted weights for a while.
Having done a set of diamond press-ups, a few deadlifts, and some bicep curls, his body is on fire. In the middle of a bench press, Ava announced her presence with a cough. Stopping, he sat up and wiped the sweat with his tank. Looking in her direction, he motioned for her to come near.
She's seen better days, that's for sure. But she came near to him and sat on the bench anyway. If she can't look ill and be sick with her husband, then who can she look terrible for? He turned and straddled it so he could get a better look at her cheek. Reaching out and caressing it with his hand, he asked "How's your cheek?"
Moving so she could sit crisscrossed, she held his gentle hand still by covering it with her own. "It's sore but doesn't hurt. Did she try anything else today?"
He took her hand in his and brought her fingers up to his lips. After kissing them, he answered her. "Nope. Nothing, but if she hits you again I'm pushing back. No one hits you Ava, no one." His look alone let her know he meant it. "How are you feeling otherwise? When Jimmy dropped me off, I saw you were asleep with your mound of nasty tissues."
Pushing him lightly with her hand, she said "Ha, ha, ha." Scooting forward, she told him "I went by the Sandcastle doctor's office. I have a sinus infection. The doctor prescribed me an antibiotic and cough medicine. I took the NyQuil to knock me out. I didn't sleep well last night, unlike you. You sleep like a rock no matter what."
She stood up, came closer to him, and ran her hand through his sweaty hair. He rested his head on her tummy. It was an affectionate tender moment. Then he said "Too bad you're sick." His eyebrows rose up and down in a knowing gesture.
"I know. You were looking kinda hot before I came in," she commented. He gave her a look that said kinda hot. "Alright, you looked very hot." Then she teased him by saying "Vain man." With that she left the room and let him finish his weight routine.
The rest of their night was cozy, as was the rest of the week. By Friday, Ava was feeling a lot better. She could breathe out of her nose again and taste food, glorious food! But the best thing was, her throat wasn't sore anymore either. Antibiotics are miracle workers. Wrapped in happiness, she woke her husband up with a HUGE kiss.
He started as if waking from a dream, but this is infinitely better than any dream. This is real. Her mouth is firm and gentle at the same time. It was as if she wanted to give him comfort and strength and joy. The brush of her lips against his set a fire ablaze throughout his whole body, complete with sensuous tingles. It filled him with warmth and love.
That warmth and love blossomed and spread from head to toe not only in him, but also in her. They wanted to be closer. So much closer. And that's how the Lawrence's woke up Friday morning.
The rest of the day paled in comparison. But then PE happened. The coaches decided on the brilliant idea of dodge ball, boys vs girls. Johnny mocked Ava's throwing arm mercilessly. "You have tiny hollow bones. You aren't meant to throw far, just like you're not meant to fight. You're going down wife." His friends snickered.
They will definitely be discussing this tiny hollow bone theory at home. Sizing him up, she mentioned "Johnny, I already went downâ-" She was cut off with a hand over her mouth.
"Shush. No one needs to know that," he whispered. A big raspberry was blown on his hand for his effort. "Play nice Woman and I'll play nice with you later." He kissed her neck for good measure.
Unaffected, or trying not to be, she pledged "I'll play nice if you do." They shook on it, not knowing he had his fingers crossed behind his back. So did she.
When the game commenced lots of students got out, guys and girls. Although, all of the guys were ruthless. Everyone was having fun, even Ava who hates PE and games like this. True to his word, Johnny played nice with her especially that one time she was open duck. He could have easily gotten her out, but a good evening (like the morning) played on his mind.
As the game progressed a ball was lodged, rough and intentional, at Ava's head. Not expecting it, she fell to the ground. The breath knocked out of her, tears came to her eyes. Rachel and Dawn were there first. They tried to check on her, but she wouldn't budge. Johnny rushed over as fast as feet would carry him, his friends following close behind. "Ava! Ava look at me," he commanded. She raised her head and he cradled it in his hands. "Babe, talk to me."
She looks woozy. "Hurts. Head hurts." His hands ran over her head inspecting it. The coach came over and inquired about her. He instructed her to be taken to the school nurse, Ms. Wheaton. Before Johnny could lift Ava, a peal of noxious cackling laughter could be heard. Turning around, eyes blazing, he saw Misty and her group of girls pointing and laughing.
There comes a day when you realize you're a survivor. You're no longer a worrier but a warrior. That's powerful. Even a crippled cobra is warrior. It dawns that you're tougher than anything life throws at you, even a dodge ball to the head. That moment is now for Johnny Lawrence.
Looking at that witch and her group of skanks, laughing at Ava, made him see nothing but red. Not thinking about anything except his hurt wife, he picked up the forgotten dodge ball and aimed it as hard as he could. It made direct contact with Misty's face. His friends eyes widened in worry, but Johnny didn't care.
He's done being a victim and he's not going to let his wife be one either. She's not a casualty, in this psycho's fruit cake war. She's his main concern. He's used to being an Ace Degenerate. He's used to being a badass. Now he's a badass for his wife, his friends, and his family. The badass Ace Degenerate has returned. Deal with it. He lifted Ava and carried her off to the nurse, then home.
***Author's Note***
Merry Christmas Eve! I may update tomorrow, as a Christmas gift, but I might not. Which is horrible I know, especially since the big confrontation (we've all been waiting for) with Misty is in the next chapter. Any guesses as to who Ava is working with behind the scenes? Let me know who you think it is in comments. Blessings for a happy Christmas to you all!