I don't know how long we stood there together in silence. Maybe it was five minutes or ten or thirty. My mind wasn't counting. All that mattered was this moment. Finally when my body calmed itself and I was breathing easier, Johnny pulled back. Not much but enough where he could look at me fully again.

His gaze momentarily landed on my neck again but in another instant he had my scarf and was pulling it around back in place the best he could. "I'm sorry," he said again softly and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear in an endearingly. When his gaze found mine once again he asked, "Can you tell me what happened?"

I wanted to, but I also didn't. Part of me wanted to tell him everything and how horrible I was feeling, but then another part of me screamed not to. I didn't want Johnny being aware of how helpless I'd been in those moments last night. I didn't want him to think of me as weak. I nearly laughed at that thought. Not very long ago today I'd wanted nothing to do with my father's motto about no weakness.

Johnny inched closer, "Please? I promise I won't judge you. For anything." I looked up into his blue eyes, finding concern clear on his face. He did care about me. And who was I thinking a relationship could work with keeping secrets. I should know better.

Even though reluctant, I ended up nodding in consent. I breathed deeply, preparing myself. Johnny waited patiently, not rushing me for an explanation. It felt as if it was no use since I knew I'd never be ready but I knew the right thing would be to tell him. "It was last night after work."

"You get jumped or somethin?" Johnny asked and I saw fear cross his face and his eyes glazed over as if not seeing for a moment, "No one... did anything to you did they?"

I briskly shook my head, "I wasn't jumped and no to that too." I hesitated before continuing, the words feeling stuck in my throat. "I was... home."

Johnny's breath caught almost imperceptibly, "Sensei Kreese?"

The bare incline of my chin confirmed his question.

"Shit." Shit was right. Johnny's jaw clenched and unclenched in time with one of his fists. "Are you hurt anywhere else? Has this happened before?"

"No," I whispered answering both questions at once. There was dread knotting in my stomach. Not yet anyway.

Johnny cursed again under his breath, looking out across the street towards the dojo. This late the sign for Cobra Kai was visible from the lights lining the streets. It's snake emblem stark black against the light stone of the building. "You aren't going back home are you?"

"I don't really have a choice."

"Yes, you do. You can stay with me, my mom won't mind. Sid 'll need convincing but he'll come 'round if my mom has anything to say about it."

"Johnny, I can't do that. Besides, even if I wanted to it'll only make things worse with my dad..." Johnny's offer was so tempting but I knew it would only cause things to get more complicated. "It was a one time thing."

Heat rose to Johnny's face, "And if it wasn't?"

"Please let me handle it," I begged him. "It won't happen again. I wasn't focused yesterday and with the tournament coming up he's just been on my case about it."

Johnny sighed, obviously torn on what to do. Finally he stepped closer to me, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek, "I don't want to see you hurt. I know how Kreese is. He's aberrant."

"You have to trust me."

"I do. It's Kreese I don't trust."

"I don't either, but I have to go back." He didn't looked convinced at all. "Please, Johnny. Let me handle it."

He scoffed as if it was the most absurd thing he's ever heard. His blonde hair swishing as he shook his head to himself. "This is fucking crazy." I took a deep breath, readying myself for him to object again. And when he looked at me again his eyes were blue fire but his words were surprising, "Alright, but if he so much lays a finger I'm gonna beat the shit out of him."

"I'll agree to that."

Johnny shook his head clearly not convinced this was a good choice but pulled me to his chest again. His warmth ensconced me and it was like a brief feeling of safety. "Promise me you'll stay out of his way," he muttered against my ear.

"I will," I assure him.

He sighed again and his eyes flitting down to observe my neck now covered up by my scarf once more.

"Take me home?" I asked softly.

Johnny's jaw clenched but he didn't object and led me to where he had his bike parked on the street. I hopped on behind him, fastening the helmet on my head snuggly.

The ride back didn't take long and Johnny parked a little bit down the street to keep out of sight from my father. When he removed his helmet I kissed him lightly on the cheek "Thank you."

Johnny grunted in response and as I moved away he caught my hand, pulling me back to him. He captured my lips with his and I leaned into it, letting my mind forget about the last twenty-four hours and just being in the moment with this handsome boy. When we pulled apart, Johnny kissed my forehead, "Let me know if you need anything. I only live up the hill."

I smiled, "I will."

He nodded and settled back on his bike and motioned with his head towards my house down the road, "I'll wait til you get in."

"Okay, goodnight." I said.

"Goodnight babe." He said too waving while I started making my way down the sidewalk. When I got to the door I glanced back, Johnny's figure was still visible down the street and he was still watching me as he waved goodbye again.

When I turned around back to the front door, my legs suddenly felt leaden, and a fresh wave of dread washed over me. Stay out of the way, I told myself. That couldn't be so hard right?

Opening the door, I noticed the living room was empty. Once inside the house more I noticed Kreese was in the kitchen, his back to me as he fiddled at the stove. For once the house smelled not bad and I took note of the windows open. Even the beer bottles were gone from their usual perches.

When I got to the kitchen, I stopped. "What's the occasion?"

My father halted what he was doing and looked at me as if I should know. "I thought we could have dinner together. I'm making chicken."

Wariness crept out of my chest and I wanted to bolt up the stairs and lock my bedroom door but I seemed rooted to the spot.

"Set the table will you?"

"Sure..." was all I could manage and somehow I moved further into the kitchen to grab plates and utensils.

As I set the table, I was fully aware of every movement my father made. I wouldn't let him catch me unaware again. But if my father had any reason to test me it wasn't at this moment, for he was engrossed in flipping chicken on a skillet. I don't think I had ever seen him cook much. Maybe once?

When he was done cooking he filled my plate up and we sat at the table to eat. We were both silent as we shoveled our food down. I ate but there was no taste since I hardly had an appetite.

"Thanksgiving is coming up, I don't really do much for it but I figured I'd ask if you wanted to do anything special?"

My throat tightened. I didn't really want to have a thanksgiving with my dad. The last one I had was with my mom. I quickly lied, "I think Barbara is hosting a friend's giving. I am gonna go to that I think."

"Oh. That will be fun." Kreese picked at his food after that and the silence resumed for the remainder of the the evening.

When I went to bed that night, I locked my door. Although the lock wouldn't give me much protection it at last made me feel slightly safer. It took a long while to fall asleep but I was finally able to. Only about six months left until graduation. I could make it through until then!

When Friday came, I found Johnny by his locker after school. He kissed my cheek lightly and smiled. I returned it but it quickly dropped, "Have you been sleeping? You look exhausted," I told him.

Johnny nodded, "Yeah, yeah I am." He scratched his neck, "Lots of homework lately."

I nodded distantly, "Okay, well if you want help let me know."

Johnny smiled and kissed me, "Thanks babe. Have you been okay?"

"I have," I said. "I also wanted to run by you an idea?"

"Oh?"

"I was thinking it would be cool to have a friend's giving. What do you think?"

Johnny's eyebrows went up, "Hell yeah I'd be down! That would be wayyyy better than what my family does."

"Cool! Do you think everyone would go?"

"Go to what?" Asked Dutch as he and the guys sauntered up to us.

"Friendsgiving!"

Tommy shrieked with a broad grin lighting up his face, "Alright!"

"What do we bring?" Jimmy asked me.

I shrugged, "Yourself and whatever food you like best."

"I like beer best," Dutch commented and Bobby nodded in agreement.

I laughed, "Perfect, we just need to figure out where."

"How about the beach? Johnny suggested.

"Yes!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Then it's settled!" I stated. That was easy. I had to say that I was thankful for this Friendsgiving. I'd rather spend the day of celebration with people I cared about. It didn't mean I didn't care about my dad. But he wasn't really someone who cared about me. His life was all karate. My life was more than that. Maybe if he could see that at some point he'd be different. Until then I was happy to stay clear of him as much as I could. 

My friends were worth ten times more than Kreese.