Saturday morning, saw Ava getting up and ready. It's the beginning of October and already the weather is chilly. They must be in for an early Winter. With this in mind she put on a pair of polka dot skinny jeans, and a long sleeve grey knit top. She paired this with tall black boots.
Today she's going over to Johnny's house. They're going to put together a dressy outfit, one that will be suitable for the hospital fundraiser. Similar to a stuffy country club function, the hospital is having a silent auction and dance this night. Her parents want her to go. They said "For one it's a good opportunity to make connections. Also, there are supposed to be many interesting items for auction. Some of which we think you'd be interested in."
After wrangling Johnny into attending with her, they agreed to meet at his house. She'd help him pick something out to wear and if there's nothing in his closet, they'd go buy a whole new suit. Plus the fact of spending time together is a win. It seems like her favorite thing to do these days, besides golf and shop, is hang out with Johnny. And the more they spend time together, the more they learn about each other. New, exciting things they didn't know before.
For example, she had no idea Johnny could kind of surf. According to him, "I can't really but I enjoy trying. Sometimes I'll go just by myself. The wind, the surf, the water, and the sun are soothing." She also found out he wants to major in business. "I have goals of opening my own dojo one day. To do that I need money and business knowledge, you know?" She thinks he can achieve it too. He's really not as dumb as people think he is. There's a big brain and a big heart inside his fit body, along with a big ego (sometimes).
Once downstairs the triplets bombarded her with leg hugs. They are three sweet, crazy children. First, there's Clara the oldest by a minute. Then Vera who thinks she's the oldest. Finally, there's Toby. Her mom thought she was only having twin girls. Well, surprise! A boy also came along. She named him Toby, much to Ava's dismay. She told her mother "Mom! Toby sounds like a dog's name." She still thinks it sounds like a dog's name. But he's a cutie pie with his curly brown hair.
"Ava! Ava!" they shouted. She hugged each one individually. "Where you going, Ava?"
Her mother looked at her. "Yes. Where are you going, Dear?" She is stirring some kind of a batter mixture. It looks maybe like pancakes?
Opening the freezer, and taking out the box of Eggo Waffles, Ava answered. "I'm off to Johnny's after breakfast. I'm helping him decide what to wear tonight." Taking three waffles out, she put the box back into the freezer and closed it.
Continuing to stir the batter, Linda gazed at her daughter. "That's nice Ava. He's a good boy. One worth holding on to." She's glad Ava is back together with Johnny. They were always a darling couple. Why they broke up she'll never know.
Why did her mother say that? One worth holding on to. How does she know Johnny is that guy. All this love stuff is making her brain itch. Yet... "Mom, how do you know a relationship is real and worth holding on to?"
Laughing a bubbly laugh, the one she gets when something is amusing, her mother put the bowl down. She came to stand in front of her, at the kitchen island. "Well, Ava that's an interesting question. A true relationship is two unperfect people refusing to give up on each other. No relationship is sunshine and rainbows all the time. The rain will come, but you learn to dance in it, together. You and Johnny just got back together at the end of August. You're still learning each other again, working past the hurt that broke you up the first time." She laid a hand on top of her daughter's.
"But Ava, real love isn't just about chemistry and sex. It's about shared priorities, truth, kindness, and all the reasons that defy reason. Real love doesn't meet you at your best. It meets you in your mess and loves regardless." She patted Ava's hand then went back to stirring the batter in the bowl.
Ava smiled at what her mother spoke. "Mom, he has the cutest smile and the prettiest eyes. But I swear, his arms feel like home. He's kind and funny and is just the best guy. And he's going slow for me, like so slow. I really, really hope that in the end, it's he and I."
Smiling to herself, Linda let her daughter's confession sink in. She loves him. It's clear.
As soon as she polished off the waffles, Ava cleared her plate and got up to leave. Grabbing her big brown hobo shoulder bag, she took her keys and was off. Off to Johnny's for a day together. A fleeting thought of should she bring him some waffles passed her mind. In the driveway, she waved to Tommy's father across the street. He's out mowing the lawn on his riding lawnmower.
This is such a funny thing. Tommy's dad is the only dad on the block who does his own home maintenance. He even goes so far as to make his son get in the yard and help. She will NEVER forget that summer day a year ago when Tommy wore these ridiculous plaid short shorts and a T-shirt that read Kick Grass. Hilarious! Even now she laughs at the picture of it in her mind. Too bad she hadn't thought to get her camera.
Pulling out she drove less than a mile to her boyfriend's house. Parking and getting out, she walked fast up the stairs. The wind is blowing making it colder than it actually is. It kissed her cheeks and made them chilled. This is why she became overjoyed the minute the door opened.
Johnny took sight of her rosy cheeks and felt her icy hands on his arm. "Dang! You're ice-cold woman. Keep your paws off." He felt a hit to his arm then.
With a sunny smile, she declared "It's OK Mr. Grinch. I'll melt your heart yet." She pushed inside and closed the door.
He knew she meant those words, but if she only knew how melted his heart truly is around her. Taking her hand, he started to lead her upstairs. Then he thought better of it. "Are you hungry? Mom made a breakfast quiche."
Of course. Her stomach growled at the thought of it. "I wish you had told me earlier. Then I wouldn't have eaten frozen waffles."
He shrugged an I'm sorry, then took her cold right hand and led them upstairs fast. Trying to match him step for step, but his legs are longer, she asked him to stop going so quickly. "I go slow for no one, but you" was his response. They walked the rest of the way.
When they neared his room, his sanctuary, a fluttering in her stomach started and her heart danced with nervous energy. She hasn't been in here since... well since ninth grade. Plus they've taken to hanging out at her house, as a way to avoid Sid. The minute he opened the door, a shiver ran through her.
Thinking she's cold, Johnny suggested to "Go on inside, Â I'll turn up the thermostat." Which he did, down the hall.
Stepping into his room, her eyes surveyed the surroundings. His bed is still in the same position as before, in the middle of the wall on the left side of the room. It takes up the majority of the space, not that his room is small cause it isn't. On his bookshelves are karate trophies, cassette tapes, videos, magazines, and a  sound system. In front of the bed is a chest of drawers with a large TV on top and a VCR underneath.
But her eyes are drawn to the object lying on his desk, which is littered with papers spilling over onto the floor. Making her way over to it, she reached out her hand to touch it. That is the exact moment she felt his arms around her waist. Picking up his signature black headband, she ran her fingers through it and wrapped it around them. He never wears it anymore.
Turning around in his arms, she asked "Why don't you wear it anymore?"
A pained grimace crossed his face. "Because she gave it to me. And now I hate it."
Oh, so that's why. But still... Running her fingers over it, she addressed this. Â "I think you should wear it."
Blinking, he raised his chin higher. "I thought new girlfriends wanted to get rid of stuff old girlfriends gave."
Headband still wrapped around her fingers, she placed a hand on his arm. "Sometimes, but this is significant. It's your signature look. And I for one, have missed seeing it on you." She saw his eyes flash with surprise. "But if you want to get rid of it, then you should. It's yours to do with what you want."
Not believing this, he asserted, "You've missed seeing this thing?" She shook her head yes. Maybe he hates it a little less now. Which prompted him to say, "Put it on me."
Now it's her turn to be surprised. With a feeble voice, she said she would. He sat on the edge of the bed and she came to stand behind him. Her hands shook a little as she placed the black band around his head. Once finished she made to stand back, but he grabbed her left hand and pulled her to come in front of him.
"How do I look?" he questioned with an equally weak voice. Her hands flew to his silky hair and fixed it over the band. He mourned the loss of them when she stopped.
Sparkling eyes and a flush to her face, she admitted "You look like a badass, an adorable badass." He does look cute with his headband on, in his golden hair. His blue eyes shining, wearing nothing but jeans and a white T-shirt. She could kiss him. Before their emotions got out of control, she started for his closet. "We need to pick something out for you."
His shoulders slumped a little and his expression turned downcast, like his eyes. He thought they would kiss then. Getting up he followed her into the closet. Inside she could smell the faint smell of his cologne. It smells masculine, rich, and spicy like him. With Johnny standing behind her, her senses became overloaded.
Trying to concentrate, she pushed hanger after hanger back. He has a ton of solid colors and plaid. What is with him and plaid shirts? It's almost as bad as Bobby and stripes. Smiling to herself, she continued. Her hands landed on a pale blue dress shirt. Pulling it out, she handed it to him. Then went to the other side of the closet, where she browsed through his pants. Finding a black pair she gave those to him as well.
"Where are your blazers and sports coats?" she inquired. He entered all the way inside and went to a section at the back and motioned with his hand for her to join him. "Oh" was all she said. Flipping through those, she stopped at a black and grey plaid one. "This is the one you should wear. What about ties?" He took the blazer down and showed her where he keeps his ties. She chose a solid skinny black one. "Now go try all of this on and let me see how it looks."
In the closet he stayed, changing into his outfit. While he was in there, she browsed his trophy collection. All Valley champion trophies sat on top of the bookshelf. The others sat on other shelves. Outstanding Kicks winner is the majority of those. He does have a fierce kick. On one of the shelves, she noticed some pictures in frames. There's a lot of him and the guys at the beach, in their karate gi's, and on their bikes. But then way at the back, there's one picture that looks oddly familiar.
Taking the picture frame in hand, she stared at it. It's a younger version of her and him. They are standing in front of a door, her house door. They're dressed up in formal attire. She is in a purple satin dress with a black sleeveless sweetheart neckline. He wearing black slacks, a black blazer, a white shirt, and a grey tie. Both smiling beautifully for the camera. They were on their way to the Sadie Hawkins dance at school. Why had he saved this picture, especially after their breakup?
The closet door opened. Not having time to put it back, she held it in her hands. Johnny came out and modeled the outfit. He turned around to let her see him at all angles. "Will it do?" he asked.
She nodded as he came to stand by her. Handing him the picture, she wanted to know "Why did you save it?"
Studying the photo, he responded. "Because." He couldn't bring himself to get rid of it, so he placed the frame in the back. Ali had never commented on it, and even if she did he still wouldn't have gotten rid of the picture. It's one of his favorites. That was the night of his first real kiss with Ava. He remembers it well and wants to do so again, soon.
Nodding her head, she put the picture in the back where he had it. But he took the frame and put it out in front, where it belongs. They held hands looking at it. "You should go change, so the suit doesn't get too wrinkled." He nodded, but she couldn't see since they were still looking at the photo.
Leaving to change, she kept looking at that picture. The two of them arms around each other are so precious. She knew it then and she knows it now. But she can't bring herself to say the words, yet. It's too soon and they just got back together. Plus they haven't even kissed. But when you know, you know right? Shaking the cobwebs from her head, she went to sit on the edge of his bed.
Once Johnny returned, looking casual, he sat beside her. He took her hand in his. "What do you want to do?"
That's easy. "Watch movies, TV, and snuggle until I have to leave to get ready," she told him. That's exactly what they did for the remainder of the afternoon. With the added bonus of lunch, which his mother carried up to them. His mom had ordered take-out subs. After lunch, they snuggled under a large quilt, her head on his chest and arm wrapped around his torso, legs locked. He had one arm around her and the other holding hers. It's comforting being snuggled up, especially since he's a closet snuggler.
He kissed her forehead and all the warm, sweet, romantic feelings returned. Heart beat fast, and a shiver too. Since she's laying close to it, she planted an affectionate kiss on his heart. She felt it beat fast too. Looking at the clock, "I need to go. I have to start getting ready or I'll never be on time."
Sitting up, she put her boots back on and took her hobo bag. He followed her out of his room and down the stairs. Before she left they held each other's eyes. Smiling she kissed his cheek, squeezed his hand, and left. He laid his head on the door and closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing and heartbeat. He's never wanted anyone, or anything, as badly as he wants her. And he wants her. Her love, her kiss, her everything.