THE NEXT MORNING I woke up on the floor. I barely slept after the events of the night before and I could only wonder what the rest of the girls were thinking. In fact, we ended up sleeping over at Ali's. Even if it was a school night. I made the effort to call my father and tell him where I was. Not that he answered but I did leave him a message. Hopefully he got it. It was just that none of us wanted to be alone after last night.

I shifted under the blankets, snuggling into my pillow while trying to avoid the sunlight peaking through the windows.

"Okay! Up and at em! Let's go ladies! It's a school day!" Suzi was at the windows, opening up the blinds all the way and letting sunlight in from every which way.

I groaned and rolled over, burrowing my face in my arm. "Let's skip."

"And get in trouble with our parents? Yeah, no deal (Y/N)."

I shot up, snatching my pillow and hurling it at Suzi. Maybe a good wack over the head would help her realize we could have a day of playing hooky.

"Hey!" Suzi's hands flew to her head as my pillow made contact with the back of it. I laughed and she grabbed the pillow, throwing it back at me but missing.

I caught it by leaning way off to one side, "Nice aim."

"Oh shut up."

We ended up going to school that day. It seemed now that we were back in our daily routine, things felt as if they were returning to some aspect of normalcy.

Susan, Linda and I met Ali and Barbara in the busy hallway after school, talking once again about the dance. "Hey, are you guys helping set up the gym?" Ali asked as we exited out of the classroom.

"I don't know," Linda said. "I've got a load of homework to do and my parents want me home early."

"You don't have to stay the whole time. Just come and have fun with us." Barbara encouraged.

"It definitely won't end like yesterday. Don't be afraid to hang with us. That's never happened before," Ali said.

Linda shrugged, "Okay. But only for a little while. I can't stay long."

"Great! (Y/N)? How about you?"

I hesitated. There was a part of me that wanted to go home and take a long nap but then there was the part of me that didn't want to find out what could be waiting when I got there. "Sure, yeah. I'll stay and help."

"Yes!" Ali was elated.

The gym was somewhat crowded. A ton of other students showed up to help with the preparations. Ali led us over to an area where tanks of helium stood, ready to start filling up balloons.

"The only colors are orange and black! Where are the other colors?" Linda asked.

"Those are halloween colors Linda. It's kinda the point." Barbara's tone was a little annoyed.

Ali picked up a balloon and placed it over the nozzle, letting helium leak out of the tank to fill up the balloon. "Come on guys," She waved.

I found my place next to her and she handed me the balloon so I could tie it off and attach a string on the end.

As we worked, I noticed the Cobra Kai gang saunter up, looking at the skeleton bones behind us and playing around with them. Johnny picked one up, swinging it about before putting it back down and grabbing another.

I didn't feel like talking so I just continued what I was doing.

"Hey, (Y/N)...  You know, I'm sorry about all I ever thought about karate. I think it's cool. Plus you were badass for sure last night when you used it on those jerks. They deserved every bit of that ass-kicking they got from you."

I smiled at Barbara, unsure why she was bringing that situation up again when finally it seemed like we were over it. I looked at the others and they were all a little uncomfortable. I was more embarrassed than anything though. I had used karate to beat up those guys. Sure they were jerks who had no right to be harassing us. They deserved it. Didn't they? Who was I kidding, of course they deserved it. They weren't going to leave us alone. I defended my friends and I'd do that again in a heartbeat if I needed to. So, why was I feeling hot under the truth being said?

"Who'd you beat up (Y/N)?" I heard Johnny's voice from behind us and turned a little to look at him.

"It was nothing."

"It was not nothing. She beat up four guys last night at the mall when they wouldn't leave us alone." Barbara was letting her mouth run and I wasn't comfortable with it at the moment.

"Four of them eh?" Johnny leaned on the table where the skeletons were laying. "Impressive," he said, showing regard for what I'd done with a small incline of his head. But there was something else. Something in his eyes that I couldn't read. Something that was barely even there. Was it... concern? No... he would never.... I had to look away from him.

"Yeah four of them. She beat them up so good I'm surprised if they'll be able to walk upright for a week."

"Barbara," I warned lightly.

The girl looked at me and then went back to blowing up more balloons.

Tommy whistled, "It was probably something to behold. I would have paid to see you beat up guys in public."

"It's something I'd rather never have to do again."

I turned back to helping the girls but it felt as if the eyes of the guys were still on me. Specifically one certain Cobra Kai.

We stayed for over two hours helping set up for the dance on Friday night. Linda left earlier, saying she had homework to get done and her parents would be expecting her.

Ali dropped me off at home later that night after we had dinner at her place and I went straight to my room to study. I had a load of work to get done and I felt overwhelmed to just be starting it now. By the time I would be finished it might as well be time for me to get up for school.

"How come you never came home last night?" My father's voice from the doorway always seemed to take me by surprise.

"I stayed over at Ali's place," I said. It wasn't the whole truth still but it was something I could say without being embarrassed.

"I know. I got your call. What I'd like to know," He said and came into the room further. "Is why I was told you beat up four boys at the mall yesterday. And why it came from the mouth of Johnny Lawrence and not you?"

Johnny? Why would he tell my dad about those guys? He wasn't even there when it happened.

"We ran into a bit of trouble at the mall. Those guys came at us and I did what I had to."

Replaying the events of the night before, I admit that it seemed crazy it had ever happened in the first place. Was it my fault? Did I cause those guys to come back for us after I had twisted that guy's wrist and humiliated him?

"I see," My father said and then was silent for a moment. He seemed to be thinking things through. When he looked at me again, I was waiting for a scolding. "Good job. I'm happy to hear you showed no mercy. I want you still coming to the Dojo early. You need to train hard for the tournament. I want you in peak condition. There will be no other girls there and you will need to prove to everyone what you can do."

"Yes, Sir."

I watched my father leave, feeling a little put out that he didn't even ask if I was okay after what happened.  It seemed all he cared about was karate.  Sure, I liked it too.  But what I really wanted was a father who cared more about me.