AT THE DOJO the following day, I was there early again. My father had me doing a circuit of pull ups and I felt beat. Sweat dripped from my forehead and I greedily thirsted for my water that Sensei Kreese was holding hostage.

"Ten more!"

I grabbed the bar tighter and pulled my body upwards. I felt my muscles strain under the stress and hoped I was strong enough not to pull anything.

When I finally completed the last one, I dropped to the mat exhausted. My father tossed me the water and I caught it midair. I drank down almost the entire contents when the afternoon class came through the doorway.

Johnny was the first one in and we exchanged a swift glance before he went to the locker room to change with the other guys.

At the end of practice, I trotted up to Johnny where he was getting on his bike. "Can we talk?" I asked him.

Johnny's familiar smirk popped up on his face, "Did you decide to take me up on my offer of going to the dance together?"

I shook my head, "This is about something else." I could tell by the way Johnny's demeanor changed from playful to knowing that he was aware of what I was about to say. "How come you told my father about what happened at the mall the other night? You weren't even there."

Something along the lines of hurt flashed across Johnny's face but it was so brief that it was like it had never been there. "He needed to know. Besides, I figured if he knew what you did, it would make him a little less harsh on you about what happened at Coyote Creek."

I stopped short. Johnny had... looked out for me? That couldn't be right? Why would he go through that trouble just to get Sensei Kreese off my back about showing mercy?

"Why?" It was the only thing I could seem to say as I stood there.

Johnny's serious face vanished when a cocky smile replaced it, "Go to the dance with me and maybe you'll find out."

I scoffed slightly, "In your dreams Lawrence. I'm hitting this dance solo."

While Johnny looked disappointed he also didn't argue with me, "Suit yourself. But you should know that I can show you one hell of a time."

I smiled, "Somehow I'm not sure I'd like your idea of how to have a good time."

Johnny winked, "You'd like it." He leaned back on his bike a little. "Need a ride home?"

I shook my head, "No. I'm meeting Daniel's mom at the Orient Express." I gestured with my chin across the street. "I need a job to pay for a car."

"LaRusso?" Johnny asked with a little bitterness to his voice.

"Yes. His mom manages the place now. She's offered me an interview." I sighed, "As much as I like not working, I can't pass it up."

Johnny nodded, "Good luck."

"Thanks, Lawrence."

I waved goodbye, but was stopped as someone grabbed my shoulders from behind and planted a fat kiss on my cheek. "See you around hot stuff!" Laughed Dutch as he hopped on his bike.

Disgusted I wiped my face from the spit Dutch left, "Ugh!"

Tommy and Dutch cackled slapping their hands together. Jimmy was smiling and Bobby was just shaking his head as if he knew he was surrounded by children. Johnny had a faint smile on his face but wasn't laughing.

I sighed and rolled my eyes at their childishness. "Nice, Dutch. Some charm you've got there." 

"Love you too (Y/N)!" Dutch exclaimed.

Leaving the Dojo behind along with the Cobra Kais, I walked toward the restaurant. I couldn't help but keep thinking about what Johnny did. I was a bit mad at first that he went behind my back about it but ultimately he mean't well. I just couldn't figure out why he would want to do that. Why would he go out of his way to help me? It didn't make sense.

No matter what Johnny's intentions were, I was grateful to him now. It did get my father off of my back about the whole "mercy" thing.

With fresh resolve, I straightened my shoulders and stalked across the street, ready for my interview.

Lucille was kind to me and offered me the position of hostess. I gladly accepted it, excited that I could start saving more money again now that I had a job. The gig was only part time on weekends so I still had plenty of time for school and karate classes.

I asked Lucille if Daniel was around and she said he was in the back of the restaurant, finishing up some homework. I thanked her and went to find him.

It seemed like he and Ali were on the outs but I was determined to make it right. Johnny had been true to his word and stayed away from Daniel these last few weeks. If I could convince Daniel to go to the dance, maybe he and Ali could talk things over.

"Danny?" I asked him as I found him sitting in a small booth by himself.

"Oh, (Y/N). Hi, how's it goin'?"

Smiling, I sat down across from him. "Really good. Your mom offered me a position to work here as a hostess."

"That's good news," he said. Daniel seemed a bit distracted with his school work but I could tell that wasn't all that was bothering him.

"Missing Ali, I see."

Daniel shot his head up. "I..."

"It's okay. She still likes you, you know? Why have you been avoiding her? She's been trying to talk to you for awhile now."

Daniel sighed, "I know. I've been kind of a jerk. It's just that Johnny Lawrence and his gang are a real thorn in my side sometimes."

"I know, I heard about what happened to you on your bike a few weeks ago. I'm sorry about that. I did talk to Johnny though. He told me he was going to leave you alone from now on."

"That's too good to be true," Daniel scoffed.

"No it isn't." I leaned forward and smirked, "I've got Lawrence under my thumb."

Daniel raised an eyebrow at me.

"No, not really. I did ask him to leave you be though. So far he's been good to his word. Hasn't he?"

Daniel thought about this for a moment. "It has been awhile," He realized.

I nodded. "You should go to the dance. Meet Ali there and talk things through. She really thinks you're something."

"Ali is Johnny's ex. I don't need him breathing down my neck."

"Then go in a costume that he won't recognize you in."

Daniel sat silent for a second before nodding in agreement, "I do wanna talk to Ali."

"Then it's settled. Get a costume, go to the dance and talk to Ali. Make up already!" I laughed. Daniel laughed more excitedly. It was a good thing to see him happier now. I stood up, "If you need help with a costume, let me know and I'll be happy to come over and make you unrecognizable."

Daniel smiled and nodded thoughtfully, "I think I may have something in mind..."

"Good. I'll see you there then."

Daniel nodded again in excitement, "I'll see you there." As I turned to go, Daniel called my name, "Thanks."

"Anytime, LaRusso," I said sincerely.