—————————————————————————

It's been a while since my first date with Johnny, to say it's all been a whirlwind is an understatement. I went from being nameless to people I don't know saying hi to me in the hallway. I can't differentiate is it because they want to say hi or they're afraid of Johnny but I won't read into it.

Caroline has actually grown fond of Johnny too, they hate all the same things , cheesy pop songs , chick flicks and vegetables.

I still haven't spoken to Daniel since our fight. I haven't tried to talk to him and he hasn't tried to talk to me and that's fine. Sure it's disappointing but I guess I can't be too mad, I don't particularly like Daniels girlfriend either so.

Currently i'm sat with Johnny at the beach. It's kinda become our meeting place. The peace is nice here, we get to be ourselves, no interruptions and no feeling like we are being watched.

I shiver from the cold.

" You want my jacket ? " he asks as my grip on him grows tighter trying to soak up his body heat. Of course my stubborn ass replies with...

" No no it's okay " I smile through the pain.

He stands up reaching out for my hand. I look up at him confused but take his hand anyways. He walks towards the entrance.

" Where are you going , we don't have to leave i'm fine honestly " I say not wanting to go home.

" Come on just get in " He says with a smile opening the car door for me.

" Where are we going ? " I laugh sitting in. He rounds the car and sits into the drivers seat.

" I'm gonna take you to my house " he smiles turning on the radio.

" Johnny I don't know if i'm ready to meet your-"

" Calm down my mom and Sid aren't there "

—

This is my first time at Johnny's house. I step in and am instantly hit with the echo from all the high walls. The staircase was shaped like a ' Y ' and i'm mesmerised.

" This place is amazing " I stand looking up towards the ceiling.

" It's alright I guess " he calls out from the kitchen, he appears again with two sodas in his hand. He hands one to me and I kindly thank him. My eyes follow picture frames that scatter the hallway.

" Is this your mom ? " I ask looking at a picture of a blonde woman with blue eyes just like Johnny's.

" Yeah " he smiles.

" And this man....I assume is Sid " I ask pointing to the heavy set man who rests his hands on Johnny's shoulders in the picture.

" Unfortunately yes " Johnny rolls his eyes.

" Hey you wanna see my room " He asks excitedly, not in a suggestive way but in the way of a child wanting to show off what they just drew.

As strong and tough as Johnny is there is still a slight innocence about him which i'm learning to love.

I follow him up the staircase and into what I assume is only his room. It's not what i expected , no offence but I expected it to have clothes thrown on the floor , a dirty poster or magazine laying around but no.

Johnnys room is painted cream with no pictures or posters on the wall, his bedding is just plain grey , he has a beside locker with a lamp, an en-suite bathroom which again is immaculate and his desk with his computer.

" This is nothing like I expected " I say looking around.

" Trust me if it was my way it would look nothing like this " He puts emphasis on the my making me think.

" You're not allowed posters or anything like that are you ? " I ask and he shakes his head which makes me pout.

" Awh cool you have a walkman " I say picking it up from his desk. He comes over quickly.

" Careful with that , she's my pride and joy " He says I look at him taking fake offence.

" After you of course " He smiles , I go to nudge him but he grabs my arm stopping me. We then get into a play fight , him winning of course.

He pushes me onto the bed holding back my hands from tickling his sides.

" Ow Ow Ow " I yell in pain, he lets go of my hands as I wince in pain.

" I'm sorry are you okay !? " He asks worriedly.

" Never let your guard down Lawrence " I say flipping us over and grabbing his hands above his head. We look at each other in the eyes, noticing the close proximity , I can feel his breath on my face. I lean in until....

" Johnny!! What have I told you about leaving your shoes by the front door "

" Shit " Johnny groans standing up.

" Is that ? "

" Sid yes.... ugh you stay here i'll be back in 5 minutes " He says before leaving the room.

I can hear shouting from downstairs, Johnny hasn't said much about Sid but I can just tell whenever he's brought up Johnny gets uncomfortable and irritated.

I open Johnny's door and slowing making my way out into the hallway so I can hear their conversation better.

" Oh yeah and what have you done while we've been gone besides from playing with your right hand because look at these dishes in the sink" The man shouts.

" Sid " I hear a woman speak in a defeated tone who I can only assume is Johnny's mom.

" Those dishes are from this morning I literally just got home from Cobra Kai and I had school before that I had no time to wash up " I know he's telling a lie but who cares.

" That karate is the worse thing you've gotten into it's made you mouthy , before you would apologise like you're supposed to and that would be that "

" Well maybe if any of you bothered to show up to any tournaments you would see that i'm actually good at karate and that we're a family " I smile as Johnny's defends Cobra Kai and stands up to that asshole.

" Well good for you cause you're no family of mine" I hear the old man say.

There was then a silence before I hear loud footsteps coming from the stairs. I meet an angry Johnny at his doorway. He just stares at me and I stare back before he pushes past me and into his bedroom.

He grabs his jacket before grabbing my hand and pulling me down the stairs. He opens the door pulling me outside I look back to see his mom visibly crying , she looks at us before Johnny slams the door. I'm too shocked to speak as I follow Johnny to his car. We get in and without saying a word he speeds off down the street.

I'm not sure if anything I could say would make him feel better , or maybe not saying anything will make this all worse.

" Are you okay ? " I ask looking over at him , he keeps his eyes on the road but tightens his grip around the wheel.

" I'm fine " Is all he replies.

" Johnny you know you can talk to - "

" I told you I was fine " he snaps, I stay quiet for the remainder of the drive.

I understand his frustration, but I sense that a lot of his anger stems from his home life, Johnny's not a bad person I know that , but what he sees at home evidently has an effect on him and how he sometimes treats people.

I recognise that Johnny is driving me home , it's not long before he pulls up outside my apartment building. He parks up and turns off the ignition. There's a silence before he speaks.

" I'm sorry for snapping at you I umm " He stutters.

" It's okay, I understand " I say resting my hand on top of his.

" Sid he's just he's just a bad man and I don't know why my mom puts up with him or let's him speak to me like that... " I can hear the sadness in his voice.

" Unfortunately sometimes it's easier say nothing than it is to fight back , but whatever Sid says to you I hope you know it's not true , don't let what he says determine how you think of yourself, cause sure i've only known you for a couple of months but I know you're pretty damn special Johnny Lawrence " I smile at him.

" Thank you " he gives a small smile back. I look up at my apartment block.

" Hey um, if you want you can stay over tonight i'm sure my dad won't mind and he'd love to meet you" What I said is true my dad would like to meet him , but the reason i'm saying this is maybe Johnny might want an escape from his house tonight.

" ugh yeah i'd love that...you sure that's okay " He asks unsure.

" Of course come on ! "

We exit the car and make our way to the gate, the feeling of embarrassment by my little apartment is long gone , although Johnny lives in a fancy house in Encino it's been made clear just because you have nice things doesn't mean nice things are happening.

" Does that pool have no water in it " he asks as we climb the stairs.

" Yeah , that was my first thought when I saw it too" I laugh.

I slowly open my front door just in case my dad fell asleep after work not wanting to wake him. As we enter I hear the television on a low volume , the room is illuminated by just one lamp.

" Hey sweetie how was your - oh you've brought company " My dad says exiting the bathroom.

" Dad this is Johnny i've been telling you about....ugh Johnny this is my Dad David " I smile introducing the two , it's clear Johnny is nervous as he shakes my dads hand.

" Firm grip you got their son " My dad laughs.

" I ugh do karate " Is all Johnny is able to say.

" Karate...really , I done a little karate back in my day" Dad says proudly of himself.

" Grandma said you quit after two lessons " I laugh causing my dad to make a face at me.

" So what are you kids up to " Dad asks sitting down in front of the tv.

" Oh nothing really just went to the beach after school " I shrug.

" Can I use your bathroom? " Johnny asks.

" I don't know can you " My dad says cracking up at his own joke.

" Dad don't be a wise ass , of course you can just down the hall to the left " I smile as Johnny walks away. Dad gives me the eyes, I quickly make my way over to my dad.

" Look dad I don't have a lot of time to explain but Johnny's having some problems at home is it okay if he stays with us tonight...please " I beg , dad just looks at me intently.

" Sure he can but no funny business, the door might be closed but doesn't mean I don't know what's happening in there " I scrunch my face.

" Ew dad....but thank you i appreciate it " I say kissing my dad on the head before Johnny makes his way back to the living room.

" Okay then night dad love you " I say quickly pulling Johnny into my room.

" Thank you Mr. Jones " Johnny says before I slam the door.

I turn on my lamp and watch as Johnny stands looking around.

" Sorry it's a bit messy " I say as I pick up clothes from the floor.

" Look at all your posters this is awesome " he says looking at my wall.

" I collected those for years " I say standing beside him.

" Why does Nikki Sixx have lipstick all over his face" He asks staring at my motley poster, I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks.

" Shut up Johnny " I say giving him a nudge. I walk over to my bed kicking my shoes off and laying down. He looks over at me.

" What ? " I say.

" Where will I stay ? " He asks looking around.

" It's a double bed Johnny jeez i'm not that big" I joke.

" No no that's not what I meant I just - "

" Johnny I know don't worry , you can obviously sleep with me...only if you want to if you don't I can grab the air mattress- "

" No I want to " He says approaching my bed, he sits at the edge beside me.

" Thank you for this Kate...really it means a lot to me" He smiles as he moves strands of hair from my face.

" I'd do anything to make you happy Johnny I hope you know that " I respond with honesty. A smile tugs on his mouth as he leans down.

He kisses me softly, I knew this kiss wasn't like the others, this was emotional something you would rarely get out of Johnny. It was sweet and innocent.

That night we fell asleep in each other's arms, he held me tightly like a child with a stuffed animal. I looked at him as he slept so peaceful, as if he was an angel, his blonde hair almost covering his eyes.

It made me sad to think he's going through a hard time. His mom clearly just wants him to have nice things so he wouldn't be the one getting bullied for living in shits when in reality he's just getting bullied at home by that asshole.

I know people at school look at him and think he has it all, I definitely know Daniel thinks that. Daniel thinks no one's situation could possibly be worse than his....when really Daniel doesn't have to go home everyday wondering if he'll get yelled at or not.

I'm sorry Johnny, i'll have your back always.