"MISS KREESE I will not tell you a third time to stay awake in my class," Mr. Hobbs my Lit teacher tapped his fingers irritatedly on his arm as he watched me impatiently for me to lift my head from the wooden desk. I glanced around me, the entire class was staring at me and I sunk back into my chair, feigning putting my attention back on our teacher.

Mr. Hobbs continued the discussion and the attention was suddenly gone from me, although my embarrassment lingered. I fiddled with the end of the scarf I wore around my neck today, underneath the clear reminder of last night's escapade and one I wished to keep hidden. Even with layer upon layer of makeup it didn't do quite enough to hide the large bruise that had formed overnight. How I was going to cover it up at the Dojo was yet a mystery to me.

Once class was over, I fumbled my way through the halls to my locker, switching out my literature books for the ones on mathematics. Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of blonde heading in my direction. Luckily I had avoided him all morning so far. I felt uncomfortable, and unsure of what to do or say. There was a part of me which wanted to talk to Johnny and that could use his comfort. Yet, there was another part that was utterly embarrassed by what had happened and made me want to shrink away from his gaze in hope I could get through things without him becoming any wiser.

"Hey beautiful," His charming voice echoed softly off to my right. A second later warm lips pressed to the back of my head.

Despite my fear of him being close to me, his touch gave me a reassurance of safety that I didn't realize I was in need of. I snuck a quick glance up at his gleaming blue eyes, "Hey."

"Hey is all I get?" Johnny jutted his lower lip out playfully but then recomposed himself after I smiled. "I didn't see you at all this morning. Are you avoiding me?"

My body stilled at his casual accusation but I forced myself to continue grabbing my last notebook for my next class. I shrugged with indifference, "I'm not. I just didn't sleep much last night. I'm tired."

Johnny took a moment assessing my explanation but in the end shrugged it off, "So I have an idea about where to train at on Friday. I was thinking we could go down to the beach. It'll be softer turf there and we can go swimming afterwards. It's the perfect plan."

I offered Johnny a smile again, I liked that he helped me plan things. "Sounds perfect to me." Then I thought about hiding my bruising again. Being in a bathing suit and water might not be the best idea.

"Is this new?" Johnny suddenly asked and picked up the edge of my scarf. I pulled away too fast from his hold making Johnny's face contort into confusion briefly.

Instantly feeling bad I tried to fix the situation, "Yes, so keep your paws off I don't need you getting it wrinkled."

Johnny took the bait, feigning to be insulted, "Me? I would never do such a thing."

"Says the guy who can't wash anything without shrinking it. Wanna walk to class together?"

"Always," Johnny replied and took my spare hand to guide us down the hall. I felt better in his presence but I was also lying to him today. I didn't know what to do, I just hoped I'd never have to be in this position again.

As we walked to class Johnny continued telling me about all the things we should go over on Friday. "It's supposed to be me planning out the training session," I said sarcastically but really I was thankful to him. Due to all his talking it was starting to clear my mind and with his hand in mine the warmth from him calmed my fast beating heart. Suddenly I could take a deep breath since yesterday.

Before going into class Johnny stopped and turned to look at me. "I was thinking... Sunday is some family-" He waved a hand in the air as if he didn't know what to call it. "-get together and I thought... if you wanted to meet my mom?" Hopeful yet questioning eyes gazed at me.

I genuinely smiled. "I'd love to meet your mom. And whoever else of you family will be there."

Johnny's face went in one second from nervous to ecstatic. "Great! I'll her know!" The smile stayed on my face. I could tell how important Johnny's mom was to him and I wanted to see the woman who had raised him. It would be a nice change of scenery too. Lately it was school, the dojo or... home.

The day cruised by too quickly after that and soon I was heading from school to the dojo. I approached the entryway into the building, my feet slowing as I continued to the two steps leading up. I wanted to turn back the other way, do anything but be here at this moment facing not only Kreese but my fellow peers.

Slipping inside I bolted straight to the back of the dojo where the locker rooms waited. I changed briskly and then went to stand in front of one of the mirrors. I adjusted the collar of my shirt. Luckily I had an undershirt that hid a good portion of my neck. At the top however I wasn't so lucky and even trying to wrap the collar of my gi around did nothing to hide the other half of the bruise. I did bring more makeup with me and did my best to hide the rest up. I wasn't very skilled at it but it turned out alright. It would have to be the best I could do at this point.

When I was finally ready, even though I didn't feel like it - I walked out into the main space of the dojo. Johnny was there and he gave me a smile that didn't touch his lips but could be clearly seen in his blue gaze. I let the corner of my lip twitch up in exchange before bowing and emerging onto the mat.

Once again it was just Johnny and I having an early practice before the scheduled class began. When my father walked in he paid us no heed and crossed the mat. He did not even linger to bow to the flags hanging on the wall before stepping on the mat. A feeling of disrespect composed itself for a fleeting moment until he started speaking taking my mind off of it at once.

I let my body move through the motions of the training, not giving my father any reason to suspect I was not on my game. But my heart was not in it. Fear and anger were beginning to fashion their sharp claws in my gut and a heavy weight clung to my chest.

I was more than relieved when our trio session was over and the rest of the class began to pour in, changing and taking their places on the mat too. With the crowd I hoped I was less noticeable but still forced myself to focus my body on the training. Series of kicking techniques were my favorite and when we were practicing those I unhooked the claws of anger digging into me and let them fly at the wave master dummies in hope they'd stick. However there was no resolve and it only fueled it further. My father had to bark an order for me to stop and let the others go. Although a look of approval was clearly plastered over his face.

Seeing that disgusted me more, because no longer did I want his approval. I watched the others continue training. Karate was turning into something different then what it had once been. Instead of a place of knowledge and strength, it had become something else entirely. It was a place of fear, aggression, ambition and no mercy. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a part of it any longer. I longed for my old Sensei.

Thankfully training flew by. I changed into my work clothes and swept up my bag in record time. I was just barging out of the dojo when I ran straight smack into Johnny who was lingering around the corner. "Whoa, slow down there, tiger," he said amused with a smile tilting at the edges of his mouth. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Heat rose to my cheeks and I sidled away from him slowly as to not draw attention to my uneasiness. "Work," I said plainly as if bored.

"Oh," Johnny nodded, clearly bummed. His disappointment however vanished only a few seconds later as he trailed me while I walked down the sidewalk towards The Orient. "How about I pick you up after work? When will you get off?"

I wanted to say yes but I stopped short. My fingers rose up to brush against the fabric of the scarf wrapped snugly around my neck. Just the thought of Johnny even getting the slightest inclination of what had happened to me gave me the chills. I didn't want him knowing what had occurred in that room last night. Another thought hit me then, would this happen again? Fear slid through my chest.

"Sorry, I've got too much homework."

Johnny didn't seem fazed by me turning him down. "We could get some ice cream then, it would be quick. There's a new joint down the roa-"

"Not today Johnny, I'm already exhausted. I'm just going home after work."

This time Johnny paused, almost taken aback by my rejection. Even a brief form of hurt crossed his features. My heart sank with guilt.

As quick as it had appeared Johnny buried his feelings, obviously annoyed with himself for letting his ego be bruised. A mask of indifference now sat across his face although his blue eyes let on otherwise. "No biggie, another time then."

"Yeah," I answered.

Johnny clearly couldn't bring himself to stay any longer and without so much as a goodbye he spun on his heel and trotted back the other way where the guys waited for him.

Once again my body went through the motions of what it was supposed to be doing. I cleaned a table here, waited on a table there, even helped clean the dishes since we recently became short staffed a few days ago.

When I took the trash out at the end of the night I half expected see Daniel lolly gaging about. But tonight the alley was empty and only the sounds were of my footsteps echoing on the concrete.

My shift lasted until eight o'clock but I ended up staying a little later, still helping the kitchen staff. It would have been pitch black if not for the street lights lining the road. I stepped out alone into the night air, slightly adjusting my scarf to a more open position since it had been wringing my neck all day long.

I closed my eyes briefly as the breeze kissed my face and then made to turn to start the trek home when I unknowingly slammed into someone for the second time that day. The person grabbed my shoulders, steadying me, "Geez, sorry! I - oh." My words were cut off when I realized the person I'd bumped into was yet again Johnny Lawrence.

Johnny's hands still held onto me and without any hesitation his lips came upon mine. My loss of words no longer mattered because there was no need for any at the moment. My worries of the day washed away from the warmth of Johnny's hands holding me and the tender yet seemingly yearning kiss between us.

At last the blonde boy pulled away, haggling to catch his breath. My lungs too thirsted for a decent gulp of air but I finally found words, "What are you doing here?" Johnny was still very close to me but his eyes were averted and he backed a half step away looking like he was readying himself for some sort of discussion. Dread boiled in my gut.

For another minute he warred within himself plainly trying to find the best words in which to use. Finally he shook his head, his blue gaze finding my own. "I'm an ass."

Three words I'd never thought he'd say. It shocked me. "Well, you have one but honestly I wouldn't describe you as such.... Not anymore at least." I smirked.

If Johnny heard my jest he didn't seem to care, his eyes were clouded as if in pain. It was the most I'd seen him even close to being distraught. "I - If there's something I've done wrong would you tell me?"

"Of course," I said confused. "Johnny, what's going on?"

His defensive side kicked into gear, "Nothing, I just wanted to know if you would." I raised my brow, no way near impressed with his answer. He caved quicker than expected. "Okay, look. It's just today things seemed a little off and I wanted to make sure that you were alright. If you didn't want to go to Pizzazi's that's totally okay but I kinda thought...," His words trailed off into silence.

Pizzazi's? Pizzazi's! Our plans made from yesterday! It had completely slipped my mind! My hand went to my mouth in horror. No wonder Johnny had looked buffeted by my refusal. At work yesterday I had offered to pick up extra hours for today, not even thinking about our plans for dinner. And now today I had forgotten again. Johnny clearly hadn't and now was not just hurt by my lack of remembering but also from me telling him I didn't want to hang out with him tonight even after we had plans made.

"Oh my God, Johnny. I - I am so sorry I wasn't thinking, I..." I placed my hand in his squeezing lightly with reassurance, "I didn't mean to, I just... It's been a long day."

Johnny's hand closed more firmly around mine and his voice was soft, "It's all good, I just thought maybe... well, that maybe you had come to your senses about being with me. I know I'm no prince charming, if anything I'm whatever the opposite of that is but... I care about you (Y/N)."

A smile spread over my lips and I placed my hand on his cheek. The slightest of stubble was growing on his face and it was rough against my palm, "I care about you too. And F.Y.I. if you hadn't noticed, I want to be with you goofball."

Johnny smiled in relief and pecked my cheek, "Glad to hear it." His blue eyes flickered down catching on something.

Confused I started to speak, "What's - "

His blonde brows furrowed slightly but then in an instant later his hands were hurriedly fumbling to remove the scarf around my neck.

"Wait! Don't!" Panic ensconced me as I tried to turn away and out of his grasp. Unfortunately that only made matters worse and the scarf I'd been wearing was in Johnny's right hand a moment later.

"What the fuck..." Johnny's voice was laced with shock as he looked at the scarf and then back up at me, his blue eyes finding my neck and the dark bruise that was so easy to see even with me touching it up with makeup at work again.

Fear uncoiled in my belly and my ears went hot from the predicament as embarrassment rolled over me in a horrible wave. I stumbled back and when my eyes met Johnny's I couldn't look at him and moved to run away again.

Johnny was quick though and grabbed my arm nimbly, holding me steadfast so I would not try to run from him. "What the actual fuck." Johnny took a step closer his right hand holding the scarf still but his left coming up to touch the tender purpled skin on my neck.

"Please don't," I whispered my eyes shut tight to avoid his discriminating gaze. This wasn't supposed to happen. He can't know! Tears streamed out of the corners of my eyes, leaking down my cheeks.

"(Y/N), what the fuck happened?"

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw ached. "Nothing," I whispered covertly.

Even with not looking at him I felt rage radiating off him. His body trembled with it. "That is not nothing! Did someone do this to you? Who hurt you?" Suddenly he stilled, "Daniel... I swear I'm gonna fucking kill that son of a - !"

"No!" My eyelids flew open at his accusation, "It wasn't him! I - please just stop!" I seethed through a blight of new tears. My knees felt weak as if they were going to give way from the panic coursing through my veins. My body careened to the left hitting the stoney wall of The Orient.

Johnny held me up and suddenly I was pressed against him. His arms enveloping me tightly as if he would never let me go. His warmth was pleasant against the night's chill. "I'm sorry," he breathed into my ear. A sob threatened to emerge, making my throat tight but I nodded, not trusting my voice at the moment. Johnny's however was even and soft when he spoke again, "I'm here for you."