In his room, he sat on the bed putting on his sneakers. As he sat he fumed. The irritation sparked inside him. It threatened to grow like wildfire. How could she dump him like this? How? Why will she not even talk to him? They'd been together for two years. Two stinking years down the drain. Two years he'll never get back. His eyes turned to his desk. On it sat the black headband. The one he always wears outside of school. She gave it to him. He hates it. Stupid black headband.
In disgust, he stuck his tongue out at it. Childish, yes. But it made him feel a teensy bit better. Getting up, he went to the closet and pulled out a khaki shirt. After throwing it on, and popping the collar up, he grabbed his walkman. Music is a must-have to get him through this bleak day. Rummaging through the massive cassette collection, on the bookshelf, he pulled out a rock mixtape. Pink Floyd, Rat, Metallica, AC/DC, The Who, Scorpion, Aerosmith, Def Leopard... Can't get any better than this.
Over on the dresser, he picked up the comb. Once he finished running it through his silky hair, until it gleamed, he spritzed a touch of cologne. Chicks dig cologne. Taking the black binder by the hands, he picked up his bike keys too. The guys had all decided to drive theirs for the first day of school. First day of Senior year. Yay. Whoop-de-frickin' do.
This made him simmer inside too. Everything was supposed to work this year. No longer would he be an Ace Degenerate, but an ex one. All he wanted to do is get through the year without detention, a lot of F's, win the tournament again, be crowned Prom King, get accepted to Stanford, and maybe just maybe let love triumph.
But no! Everything is ruined now. All because she broke up with him. To top it off she chose some dweeb over him. Him! He's Johnny Lawrence, for Pete's sake. He's King Karate and one of the best-looking guys in the grade. What's wrong with him that he can't keep a girl? What does he have to do? And not just any girl, the right one. There's a feeling in his heart for who that is, but he pushed it down. He doesn't want to think about it, not now, maybe ever.
His mother's words echoed in the brain. "Well if she was truly the one for you, she'd accept you warts and all. But you'd also want to change for her. It works both ways, my Baby."
While he walked down the stairs, he thought that through. What is she on about? Changing for her? He made a face at those words. Johnny Lawrence does not change. Not fully understanding, he put this out of his mind. Except it refused to go quietly. In the kitchen, his mother hugged him and kissed his cheek.
"Happy first day of Senior year," she exclaimed with a smile. He couldn't help but smile back, despite not having much to smile about these days. Laura Lawrence is the quintessential mother. She loves her son and would do anything for him, like cook a "first day of school" breakfast. This is one of her many traditions. She's done it every year since kindergarten.
Loading his plate down with bacon and eggs, he set it down on the bar counter. His mother handed him his favorite breakfast drink, orange juice. Looking into his blue eyes, she questioned her child. "Are you ready for Senior year?"
Is he ready? No. He was in June. But he can't say that. It isn't what mothers want to hear. "Yeah, I guess." He mumbled it out.
Shaking her head, she knows how torn up he is inside. This breakup hit him hard, but not as hard as the one with Ava. Personally, she thought he and Ali were an unstable couple. But then what does she know? She's married to a curmudgeon. Johnny needs to get out of his head or he's going to make bad choices, so she tried to encourage him. "Son, today's a new day. It's the first day of school. You have an opportunity to change things around. A new chance to be a happier, better version of yourself. Don't waste it."
Seriously, he doesn't need a therapy session. He needs food, music, friends, beer, and a babe. When he finished breakfast, he carried his things to the garage and put them inside a new backpack. Slinging it on, along with his helmet, he started up the bike. There's just something about riding that makes him feel less like a mess.
It doesn't matter if it's the convertible or the bike, either one. Feeling the wind on his skin makes his mind clearer and his life freer. When life is out of control, behind the wheel is where he wants to be. It's a spectacular form of amnesia and adrenaline rolled into one. The way he drives is an expression of his inner self. It's how he feels. Right now it's an escape.
Pulling into the school parking lot, he drove up beside his friends. Cutting the bike off, he took off his helmet. Before he said anything, the comb came out of his backpack and ran through his golden locks again. Helmet hair is the worst.
Getting down from the bike, he high-fived the guys. Bobby looked at his friend and stated, "Hey Man. How's it going?" Like he didn't see him just yesterday.
What could Johnny do except shrug? In the distance, he saw his new ex and her two gal pals. Tommy noticed them too. Instantly Johnny knew if he says something stupid, he's going to smack him one. Rounding his head Tommy spoke to his tall friend. "Remember when you thought this year was going to be better than last year? A big laugh that was."
Narrowed eyes and a smack to the back of the head, came from Dutch before Johnny could even do anything. "People say everything happens for a reason. So when I punch you in the face, remember I had a reason." Tommy didn't mention anything else about Johnny's girl troubles after this.
Pretty soon they all caught sight of Barbara and Susan heading their way. "God, what do they want?" wondered Jimmy out loud. He doesn't particularly care for Susan. She grates on his nerves with her dry tone and ill humor.
The two girls strolled up and said "Hi guys. How are things? How does it feel not having any girls fawning all over you? Maybe now you'll come down from your high horses."
Feeling Jimmy's disdain times a thousand, Dutch remarked "Thank you, ladies. In the spirit of things, I don't have the energy to pretend to like you today. We aren't accepting negative vibes here. Now move along." He waved them off with his hand. He and Jimmy got on the ground and inspected the tires on his bike. He put a new set, a better set, on it yesterday.
Once they left, Tommy expressed his annoyance. "What's their deal? We know Ali dumped you, but do they have to be ugly too?" He whipped out a comb from his back pocket. Looking in his bike mirror, he combed it through his hair. He's just as careful with his hair as Johnny is.
With the frustration mounting, Johnny wanted to shout Is it SO hard to find a girl? A great girl? One who will listen and not judge? If there exists such a creature, then she's in another place.
As if out of thin air, a black Mercedes convertible pulled into the lot. Bobby pointed in the direction, "It's your lucky day Man. Two exes to start the day off."
Great! Another ex who's not his friend, or his enemy, just a stranger with memories. The good thing about a stranger is it's an opportunity full of potential. Not wanting to look in her direction, but unable to help himself, his eyes drifted to the sleek black car.
Ava Green, much girlier than Ali. Always one for bold wardrobe choices. If driving is Johnny's way of expressing his self, then fashion is Ava's. Currently, her mood is optimistic with a side of skepticism.
For the first day of school, she chose to wear a pair of fitted shortalls. Underneath is a short-sleeve plaid shirt with bright colors like pink, blue, orange, and yellow. On her feet are a pair of contrasting yellow sandals. She's waited all summer to wear this outfit. She bought it with her own money, saved up, from babysitting. Her colorful shirt and shoes say "I'm hopeful", but her short overalls say "I'm comfortable and you can't fool me"
Stepping out of the Mercedes, she fluffed her brown hair and grabbed the straw handbag in the front seat. Never did she notice the pair of blue eyes on her, from across the way. She scanned the area and saw two of her best friends, Kara and Charley. She waved, they waved back, and her walk to them began.
All the while Johnny tried to take his eyes off of her. He did, really. She would be walking by the Cobra's any minute. With quick thinking, he appeared to be interested in something Bobby and the guys were looking at, concerning the bikes. He smiled and glanced down. "Yeah Man, those new tires are badass."
Dutch's eyes raised, "You think? I thought so. They give me more grip."
As Ava walked by, he chanced a peek while not moving his head for anything. No matter what, she's always wearing a smile. And all he is, is a mind full of unsaid things.
Bobby noticed his friend is unusually quiet. He lifted his head up from staring at Dutch's new tires and followed Johnny's eyes. Ava Green. That explains it. "You know maybe you should talk to her."
Who asked him? "Who asked you, Man? I'm not and I won't. If I do I'll make a fool of myself and I don't need that right now. Besides, I'll feel like I'm waiting for something that isn't going to happen. And I'm sick of getting my hopes up for nothing. I'm done with chicks, for now." Great! He's in another surly mood. He sighed a frustrated sigh. One that's full of unfinished business and regret.
Across the way, Ava, Kara, and Charley were joined by Joy and Rachel. The group is all here! They squealed and hugged as if they hadn't seen each other all summer. "How were the mountains?" Kara asked Joy.
Joy scowled and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. "My mom said we were going to have an adventure. It was more than I expected, like all of the bugs. They bite like hell." She did not have fun. The great outdoors is not so great.
Moving to hug her friend, Charley pouted out "Poor JoJo. In the mountains, communing with nature."
As they hugged, Rachel looked in the Cobra's direction. "So, you all heard about Johnny and Ali right?" She inquired after them all. The girls gave her bored looks.
Ava crossed her arm. "Everyone has heard about them. Headline flash, West Valley's Teen Beat couple broke up. I'm not surprised." She dared to stare in the boy's direction. Her eyes caught Johnny's gaze. After holding it for a minute, she quickly looked away. What was that all about and why did it make her heart speed up? Closing her eyes to gather herself, she breathed deeply and released it. No, no, no. Big no.
Wanting to know, Rachel asked, "Why did you say you're not surprised?" She played with her glitter bangles.
Feeling something rise up inside her, be it irritation, concern, defense, or indigestion, she wondered as to the answer. "Well, it's just Johnny is Johnny and Ali is Ali. She's perfect and demands it with others. He's so not and doesn't give a care." Without warning her mouth kept speaking. "He needs something more than she can give. He needs to be attended to with love, understanding, compassion..." Her words trailed off leaving her thought unfinished. What she wanted to say is a kick to the pants. Where the heck did all of that come from?
And why are her eyes drawn to searching him out today? They are over, done with, WAAAAAY back in ninth grade. Yet their eyes caught each other for the second time. She smiled a half-smile. Weirder things have happened.
Rachel saw through her friend, but let it go. Now's not the time to bring it up. She noticed Ava looking in the distance. Like Bobby, she followed her friend's gaze and saw her and King Cobra checking each other out. Major unfinished business there.
The first bell rang. Kids scrambled to either class or their lockers. Ava was part of the latter. She high-tailed it to her locker and grabbed her English-lit book (and a few others). She's glad her mother had her come get her books earlier in the week.
After snatching them up, she made a mad dash to Mrs. Kirkwood's English-lit class. On the way, a kid ran into her. The books tumbled from her hands and arms. Kneeling, she began trying to pick up her things. What's with people? They all kept passing by, not bothering to help. But then, a hand passed her the math textbook she was trying to retrieve.
Wanting to say "thank you", she glanced up. Shock blonde hair and blue eyes greeted her. Her pulse raced and something she hasn't felt in a long time flooded her stomach---butterflies. Is she coming down with something? "Umm, thanks." Why have her words left her?
Johnny felt the same as her. His pulse also raced and he could swear his heart skipped a beat. "You're welcome, Ava. It's nothing. Here, let me help you up." He stood and offered his hand.
He noticed she didn't look at him and started to drop it down by his side. His heart also dropped in the process. All of a sudden, she reached out and grabbed it. He helped her up and swears the tingles can still be felt on it, even after she let go.
They stood in front of each other. Staring but not talking. It should have been awkward, but it wasn't. This was the first encounter they've really had in a few years. Not for trying, just they didn't have classes or lockers together.
Before the final bell could ring, Ava commented "I should get to class. I don't want to be late on the first day. Thanks again, Johnny." She turned on her heels to leave. His voice stopped her.
"Hey which direction are you going?" Is it wrong for him to hope she's going his way? On some level it probably is, but he didn't bring himself to care. Isn't he supposed to not be talking to her? Isn't that what exes do? And isn't he supposed to be staying away from chicks?
Which direction is she going again? Oh yeah. "Mrs. Kirkwood's English-lit class." She continued her walk. He followed beside with his long legs.
Amazing. "I'm going there too. We can go together." This is also the first class they've had together in years.
Her eyes grew as round as cantaloupes, and her brow furrowed. "You're in advanced lit?"
Oh super. Here it comes. Some snide remark about his intelligence. "Yeah," was all he said. He waited for the punch line that never came. Instead, the opposite happened. The opposite never happens. He's usually left laughing along like it doesn't hurt.
"That's incredible. I always knew you were smart underneath your tough exterior. Come on. We don't want to be late." She motioned for him to follow and they walked fast. At the last minute possible, they entered the classroom as the bell rang. Two seats were available, side by side in the back. They took them.
Mrs. Kirkwood, a squatty older woman with hair pulled into a tight bun, began her first-day speech. She told the students "This semester we will be reading, dissecting, and discussing a famous English literature masterpiece... Pride and Prejudice by the renowned author Jane Austin."
Ava freaked out inside. She could give a happy dance! This is her favorite book, hands down. She knows this book from cover to cover. This is why when Johnny whispered to her "Is this a chick book", she huffed in annoyance. A chick book! "It's a great work of literature. It's romance at its finest." Seeing the disdain on his face, she muttered, "Yes, it's a chick book."Â Equal disgust at his calling it a chick book played on her mind. The nerve. And the nerve of him to whisper "I knew it."
When class ended the first four chapters had been assigned, by Thursday. She and Johnny parted ways, with him returning a borrowed pen. He said he forgot his in his locker. "You can keep it," she told him. He flashed a thousand-watt smile her way. Those are always his best smiles.
As he watched her leave, and he turned to go to Spanish II, something like hope filled his body. He didn't want to call it hope because hope implies wishing and dreaming. Those sorts of things never turn out well for him, in real life. Life has a way of kicking him in the junk. But perhaps this year won't be so bad, maybe. And there's definitely unfinished business between the two of them.
Then it happened, just as he felt a bit of peace. From his line of sight, Ali and that dweeb Daniel were walking together. Seriously? Who does he think he is? The guy is a pest, and like all pests, there's only one thing to do. Squash them. With these thoughts, he stalked off in the direction of Spanish class.
The rest of the day passed quickly. Finally, last period PE came. As Ava dressed out, she put her hair up in a top knot and pulled on her golf cleats. She grabbed her clubs. Today's PE would be different. Soccer tryouts were being held, the cheer team was using the time for tryouts too, and the golf team would be practicing. Everyone else was allowed to spectate.
Her friends decided to watch her swing the clubs. There was no need to "try-out" for the golf team unless you're a freshman, sophomore, or new kid. The team's Juniors and Seniors would stay intact. That meant she held one of the top spots on the girl's team. In fact, her swing could rival fellow Senior Clay Redford's any day of the week. It's also why she gets to practice driving with the boy's team.
While carrying the golf bag on her shoulder, she put her team visor on. Her girlfriends met her outside the locker room. It's there they ran into the Cobras. The ten of them sized each other up with naughty eyes, flirtatious looks, and cold shoulders. Tommy spoke first. "Kara are you committed to anyone?" He heard groans behind him.
With her green eyes, she made a face. The audacity of him to ask that. So blunt! "The only thing I'm committed to right now is bettering myself." Her hands went to her hips.
"That's a shame. Because I could better you, myself. Wanna try?" He thought that was clever. Even Dutch clapped him on the back.
She laughed at his tenacity. "If I ever want to I'll call you." She patted his arm.
As Tommy was playing cutesy with Kara, Johnny tried to catch Ava's eyes but she wouldn't take them off the golf bag.
Dutch began speaking to Joy. "Joy do youâ-" She cut him off with a quick "No". "I agree Joy. I'm not perfect either, but I am a limited edition. Care to go for a joyride? Get it?" She rolled her eyes at his lame attempt. He's been bothering her since forever. It's getting old.
Growing antsy, Ava was ready to swing the clubs. "As fun as this has been, I'm ready to crush some balls." Oh, God! Did that really come out of her mouth? Yep, it did. She looked around at everyone's face. "OK just forget I said that." She stared at Dutch who snickered at her. "You," she pointed at him. "Just don't say anything." Turning to Tommy she said "You either. I know where you live." He motioned like he was zipping his lips. She dared not look at Johnny. That would be way too embarrassing.
Swiveling on her heels, she began stomping off to the field. Her golf bag clutched tight in her grip as she went. Her friends followed. While they walked, the Cobra's admired them from behind. Especially Johnny. When the girls were out of earshot, they all laughed at Ava's flub of words.
They also headed out to the field. Once there the five of them split into groups. Bobby, Tommy, and Jimmy on one. Johnny and Dutch on the other. Feeling more alive, Johnny grew impatient, ready for the tryouts to begin. After warming up with some stretching, he fell in line with the team to run drills. As they ran, the team rounded a corner and ran back up. With his keen perception, he spied Ali and said hi to be friendly. She snubbed him, of course.
The guys ran in the other direction this time. It happened to be the one the golf team is stationed at. Trying not to stare, he casually glanced to see Ava. Her golf bag was set up and her driver taken out. She's practicing her swing, beside the tee.
With her hands clutched around it and feet planted just so, he admired her form. As quickly as his heart sped up, his eyes drifted away. It's just the effects of running. He caught back up with the rest of the group.
When Johnny ran past, Ava took in her ex. His short gym shorts left little to the imagination, really. Her ex is a mess, a hot mess, but still a mess. Interrupting her appraisal, Coach Johnson came up. "OK, team we're going to practice our swings today. Set the balls up on the tees. And show me what you've got. Hopefully, you haven't been lazy over the summer."
She took a golf ball and set it up. Then she gripped the driver. Just as she was about to swing, she noticed something through her sunglasses, on the other end of the field. Johnny made a kill sign. But to whom? Then she saw Bobby rush to trip some new kid. The same guy who's been following Ali. For some strange reason, her heart dropped to her feet.
"Come on Green. We don't have all day," Coach shouted at her.
Gripping the driver, and planting the feet she squared her shoulders. Then the most important part is next. Clearing her mind, she visualized where the ball should go. One, two, three... whoosh. The ball soared.
She thought it was a great swing, but Coach disagreed. "Green, that was weak. I know you can give me more power than that."
More power he says. Swinging the ball is the most cathartic thing. When you're angry you can pretend the ball is a face. She won't say she hasn't done that, often. Swinging and following through, is so fun. It's like a Ferris Wheel and merry-go-round blended together to get a Tilt-A-Whirl. That's what swinging a club is like.
If Coach wants more power, then more power he'll get. Putting another ball on the tee and planting her feet, she positioned her fingers on the driver. With a deep breath, she visualized the end result again. This time she's going to hit her mark. One, two, three... swoosh. This had to have hit the mark, for sure.
"Way to go Green! That's what I'm talking about team. More power!" Coach beamed with pride.
Out of nowhere, Dutch felt something sharp hit him in the back. What the heck? Has he been stung by a bee? He's allergic to those things! They hurt like hell too. He began swatting the air all around him, like a madman.
Johnny saw it coming and started to warn his friend, but the ball had already hit him. He picked it up and turned it around in his hand. Staring at the other end of the field, he noticed Ava. She waved as if nothing had happened. He held up the ball, high in the air. She shrugged.
He clutched it in his grasp. Turning it over and over in his palm, he thought about their breakup. All the feelings he's suppressed came to the surface. He acted like it wasn't a big deal when it was really breaking his heart. All the memories of them came with it. Sometimes happy memories hurt the most. When she wasn't looking, he took the ball and threw it away from him, over the fence... hard.
Author's Note:
Dutch wants you all to know that he plans to still be a sarcastic, egotistical guy. He likes his personality that way.
Look for the next update on Thursday.