ALI STILL IGNORED me. I wanted to go talk to her to try and amend things but she never gave me a chance. Anytime I'd try to go over by her, she'd see me coming and walk away. Barbara and Suzi tried to help but even with their efforts it seemed to be useless.

"She just needs time to get used to you and Johnny. Once she sees that it's a good thing she'll lighten up about it." Barbara's words were sweet but did little to encourage me. Ali had been my friend and then turned her back on me and it didn't seem like she was willing to forgive me. At least not anytime soon.

I left the girls in the hall, making my way towards class when I noticed Linda and another girl talking on the side of the hallway. No, Linda wasn't talking, she was standing in front of the other girl who I recognized as Cheryl Kelly. One of West Valley High's notorious mean girls.

My feet wandered purposely in my friend's direction, wondering what was going on. Cheryl towered over Linda's short build. Just from the look of things, I could tell it was not a pleasant discussion they seemed to be having.

Cheryl was flanked by her own cadre of acolytes: Tracy and Lori. The two encouraged Cheryl in this one-sided conversation and when I saw her snatch Linda's backpack, only to toss it into the nearby garbage, I made a dive for Linda.

"What is going on?" I barked in an accusing tone.

Cheryl gave me a sweet smile, "Little Linda and I were discussing that her backpack is so out-of-season. I decided that I'd be kind enough to help her out in this unfortunate scenario." Tracy snickered and peered into the garbage.

I wasn't going to play games with these girls. They needed to leave my friend alone. "You and your little girl-gang can leave. Don't bother my friend again or else."

Cheryl placed her hands over her mouth, feigning fear, "Oh! I'm so scared." She and her other friends turned around laughing. "Let's get out of here. This hall smells like losers."

When they had turned the corner, I faced Linda again who was fishing her pack out of the garbage. The poor bag had a dark brown stain from someone's lunch and was dripping just a little from one end. I didn't dare peer into the can in case I didn't like what I saw. Linda however didn't seem too fazed by the whole occurrence, making me wonder if something like this had happened before.

"Linda, what was that? Why were they picking on you?"

Linda looked up at me, holding her bag an arm's length from her. "Because they can. They know I'm an easy target."

I followed Linda into the nearby bathroom and helped her wash her bag off. "Have they done this before?"

She shrugged as if she was embarrassed and busied herself with running the water over her bag, "A couple of times. I can handle it."

Not from what I had seen. She didn't even try to stop them, just stood there and let it happen. Then a thought hit me, "The other day, you wanted to go to the Dojo. Is this why?"

Linda guiltily found my gaze in the mirror, "Yeah. I thought it would help but I'm nothing like you. I could never stand up to them. You're tough and I'm..."

Anger coursed through me. If I had known, I could have helped her. I could have shown her how to defend herself. To stand up for herself. I huffed, determined to help my friend. "Okay, those girls will not be harassing you anymore. I won't let them. And I'm going to teach you karate. You'll learn how to defend yourself so you won't need me."

Linda looked up at me, "You will?"

"I promise Linda. You've been there for me, and I'm here for you. I won't see you being bullied around by anyone."

A grin started to form on Linda's face and she hugged me suddenly, "Thank you."

I smiled and warmth filled my chest, "Of course, oh and one more thing." I couldn't help but smirk a little. "I'm gonna get the guys to help too."

Or Jimmy rather. It would give them the perfect opportunity to talk to one another. I didn't want to say anything about Jimmy quite yet to Linda but I really hoped he would take initiative and ask her out soon.

I finished helping Linda clean off her bag. "You can stand up to them. Don't worry, you'll be your own Sensei in no time."

Later I found the guys huddled at Bobby's locker, chattering away with one another. I went right up to Jimmy excitedly, brushing past a suddenly rejected Johnny and grabbing my friend's shoulders. "You're going to teach Linda karate!" Jimmy stared at me obtusely as if he couldn't understand what I was telling him. "Jimmy? Did you hear me? You-are-going-to-teach-Linda-karate," I repeated a bit more slowly for him.

"Linda? Who's that?" I heard Dutch snicker. Obviously none of the others knew about their friend's love affairs. I probably shouldn't have said anything in front of the guys but I couldn't help myself. I was too excited to tell Jimmy of my plans.

I let go of his shirt, "It's all taken care of. Linda and I are staying after school on Friday so I can help teach her a few defense moves but I thought you could join us." I said and winked, satisfied with my plan.

Jimmy looked at me skeptically, "Are you sure? What if she doesn't want me there?"

I flapped my hand at him as if he was crazy, "You'll get the chance to talk to her before you ask her out. It's the perfect plan Jimmy." I slapped his shoulder playfully, "Come on! Just go for it."

Jimmy hesitated, holding his breath slightly as if he was weighing the risk of rejection. In the end he let out the breath again and nodded, a tiny smile playing on the corners of his mouth. "Alright, but if this ends badly I'm blaming you."

I held up my hands, "I'll be totally accountable. But, I have a feeling it will go well."

Jimmy still looked skeptical of the whole thing but at least he agreed. I felt Johnny's hand on my waist, and finally gave my gaze to him. He was smirking, "Are you playing matchmaker?"

I faked a guilty face, I totally was but I didn't care much. I was helping out a friend. More than one actually. "Maybe."

"What I wanna know is why you didn't tell us anything about this Linda chick, man. Why all the secrets?" Dutch teased Jimmy and shook his shoulder roughly.

Jimmy shrugged and blushed, obviously embarrassed by the fuss.

"Do I get to join in on the karate lessons? After all," Johnny leaned over to kiss my jaw. "I think since my girlfriend is going to be there, it only makes sense. We can partner off a lot easier, don't you think?" Johnny's eyebrows lifted mischievously.

"All right, Hot Stuff," I replied, using the nickname he said he preferred over 'Karate King', "I could use someone to spar with I guess."

Johnny's mouth twitched upwards, "I was thinking of something a little different than sparring."

"Aren't you getting tired of me?" I laughed.

Johnny smirked again, "I never get tired of seeing you. Any time I can get, I'll take. Or I'll just come and collect when I feel it's not enough."

My cheeks warmed but I leaned up and kissed him, "Don't get any ideas please."

Johnny and I arrived at the Dojo earlier than even expected of us. I wasn't going to let Johnny give me a ride but he convinced me that if my father had any suspicions it could be backed up by him wanting us to train together.

We were each starting with a bout of warm up drills when John Kreese prowled into the Dojo, his steps echoing in the foyer. Immediately we halted and stood at attention when he bowed at the flags and stepped onto the mat. "A hundred sit ups each! Go!"

"Yes, Sir!" We responded in an echo together and dropped to the mat. My stomach burned from difficulty and effort but I didn't let it stop me. I pushed my body up and down a hundred times before jumping back up and waiting for the next drill.

"Face each other," My father barked the command at us and we complied. Johnny and I stood there, while my father slowly stalked around us, his eyes never leaving to look anywhere but at the both of us. I could feel his gaze burning into my back as he came behind me. "The enemy is ever present. No mercy, doesn't extend to just you. Your opponent will look for weaknesses and use any against you if possible. They will show you no mercy. Don't let your enemy take you down because you aren't ready to strike first! I'm training you to fight not to play games."

This is just a tournament, I thought to myself. I wondered if my father realized that it was really no big deal to me if I won or lost. With his intensity and hard training, something told me he'd be willing to bend a few rules and cross a few lines to get to the top.

Even though I loved karate, the more time I spent with my father in the Dojo, the more I stopped looking forward to class. I thought about Daniel for a moment, wondering how he was fairing with his Sensei. A sudden inclination to leave Cobra Kai for another Dojo or perhaps even train with Daniel's teacher, crossed my mind briefly but passed just as quick when my father lunged at me, tossing me to the mat in a matter of seconds.

The breath was instantly knocked from my chest and I struggled for a little air. "What are you doing?" He hollered in my face. Lines of anger framed his sharp features, his eyes lighting with a flame of fury and frustration. "You're completely distracted." My father stood, letting me up as he did so. Seething still, he pointed to the edge of the mat, "Fifty push ups now." His finger returned to point straight at me, "I don't want to know where you're head's at right now but you better find it quick. I won't waste my time with you if you're head's in the clouds."

I bowed to my father in recognition before doing as he told and started heaving myself up and down on the mat.

"On your knuckles Miss Kreese!"

"Yes, Sir!" I growled through gritted teeth, pushing up onto my knuckles and performing the exercise again. Ten. As I worked on the side, my attention did drift slightly towards Johnny and and my father who were sparring together now. Twenty. I gritted my teeth. Why did he have to push me so hard sometimes. I did my best to please him, but why was it never seeming to be enough? Thirty. My muscles started to shake, I could feel myself starting to slow my pace, but I pushed myself harder. Forty. I. Would. Not. Break. Fifty!

I leapt up, finishing and returning to position near the sparring pair. My father wrapped up their match and glanced at me. "I expect no distractions."

"Yes Sensei!"

With a satisfied nod, he motioned for me to join them. "Now, take up your stances!"

Immediately I went into a back stance for defense with my legs staggered in an L position. Johnny took up his stance, it was more aggressive than mine but when I glanced into his blue eyes, a spark of mischief was hidden there. I think he quite liked the idea of us sparring together properly.

No mercy for you Hot Stuff.

"Hai!" My father called for our match to start. Johnny lunged straightaway as I expected him to. His fist swung forward in aim to connect with my chest and I blocked him swiftly with my inner forearm, before grabbing his wrist, turning and launching him forward.

Johnny barely stumbled a step before trying a back kick at me. I slipped to the side and blocked his foot from it's path to my face.

My father paced nearby, "Strike Miss Kreese! I want to see more offense!"

"Yes, Sensei!" I replied and struck out using the back of my fist and catching Johnny's shoulder roughly as he moved.

I heard the slightest approving grunt from where my father stood as Johnny and I kept up our sparring, going back and forth with kicks, blocks and punches. It was easy to see we were fairly matched even with Johnny's more muscular and tall build. But my previous training with Mr. Tamaki had me light on my feet and suddenly, as I thought about my old sensei, a newfound energy surged up from inside me.

I saw Johnny lunge and I reacted. My fist flung forward in a jab that did not connect with Johnny's face but I never intended it to because as I jabbed, my leg came forward too and collided with the back of Johnny's leg, throwing him off balance. As he stumbled I reached over his chest and pulled him down to the mat, finishing our match with a simple strike to his neck that I didn't let totally make contact. After all, I didn't want to hurt him either. I just hoped Sensei Kreese hadn't seen it fully.

A glance at Johnny made me see the surprised yet respectful expression on his face.  

A single clap sounded four times before I turned my gaze to my father and stood. A proud but sly smirk was plastered over his lips as he inclined his head to me, "Well done." It was all he gave for praise as we moved onto the rest of the drills he had planned for our session.

After class, Johnny and I met outside behind the Dojo. I went straight to him and checked the spot where I had struck him earlier. I was relieved to find no bruise. "You didn't even hit me hard, Princess," The blonde said with a casual smirk. I realized how unalike it was comparing it with the one my father had.  Johnny's was one I enjoyed seeing over and over again.  

I huffed and shrugged, "I wasn't even trying to anyway."

Johnny shook his head and swung his arm around my shoulders. "So, how about dinner yeah? I'm thinking we could go get Pizzazi's pizza."

"I'd love to but," I pointed across the street where the Orient Express was, "I gotta work tonight."

Johnny nodded and a part of me wondered if he knew what it was like to have a job. "Oh sure, no prob." He followed me out onto the street as I made my way down the crosswalk. "Tomorrow then?" Johnny said hopeful.

I opened the door to the restaurant but turned back to the cute blonde boy trailing me. "Tomorrow works great," I leaned over to lay one on his cheek but Johnny grabbed my face and I met his lips instead.

When he pulled back a smirk was once again present, "Perfect."

I smiled and turned back to head into the restaurant but I was stopped one last time as Johnny blocked my path.   

"I noticed you haven't been wearing my jacket to school.  Make sure you do.  I want everyone to know that we're together."  

I laughed, and rolled my eyes, "Will do, Hot Stuff."

Johnny's eyes sparked and he left in a dizzying frenzy as he bounded down the sidewalk to meet the guys.