Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
══════⊹⊱❖⊰⊹══════ XVIII ... fall from grace ══════⊹⊱❖⊰⊹══════
FLASHBACK — ENCINO HILLS, CA, 1984 POST ALL-VALLEY TOURNAMENT
"how does second place feel now?"
those words echoed through johnny's head the entire night. it has been hours since the all valley, but the numbness was still present. after the incident in the parking lot, the last thing he remembered was the terror in bella's eyes as well as chrissy driving him home.
normally, after a tournament, him and the cobras would go out and have a few drinks, but tonight was the opposite. tonight was different. tonight was the night he lost his title and was almost strangled to death by the person he trusted the most. he didn't feel like having a drink, much less talking to anyone.
upon arriving to encino, he kissed bella good night and went up to his bedroom. sid and his mother weren't home, so he didn't have to worry about an argument until the next day, maybe even the next week. his friends were downstairs, in silence. they didn't wanna leave him alone.
bella paced around the room, twirling her hair and occasionally, running her hand through her hair. the group say there in silence, reflecting upon what had just happened.
"i'd never seen him this quiet." jimmy sighed as he got up from where he was sitting and paced.
"i'm just glad sid isn't home." bobby said as he wiped his palms on his jeans. "he didn't have to hear him bitch at him."
bella sat there quiet, taking a long deep breath as she sank into the sofa. "so what now?" bella sighed.
"that's a good question." bobby said, holding the ice pack in his hands. "well, i'm not going back."
"if johnny's off the team, i'm pretty sure we're all out." tommy said. "i'm definitely not going back."
the boys then looked at jimmy and dutch, who were standing around. "yeah, right. so kreese can kill me too? don't think so." dutch scoffed.
bella began to fidget in her spot on the sofa before speaking up. "i don't know about you guys, but i'm kinda worried about him." bella said as she stood up. "i think i should go check up on him."
"you sure?" chrissy said as she got up and followed her to the staircase.
"just let her go chrissy." bobby said as the rest of the guys stood up. "i'm pretty sure she's the only person he'll want to see."
bella sighed and went up the staircase, before approaching her boyfriend's bedroom door. she knocked softly, waiting for a response. "what?" johnny responded, before bella opened the door. the room was dark and her boyfriend laid in bed, cuddled up to a pillow.
"it's me." bella softly smiled as she stood at the doorway. "you okay? you need anything?"
johnny simply nodded his head, without saying a word.
"i'm down here with chrissy and the guys. they're worried about you too." bella sighed. "i'll be downstairs."
"wait." johnny spoke up, as bella turned back. "just, stay with me. tell the guys to go home and stay with me."
bella nodded and closed the door behind her. she walked downstairs back to where the group was. "he wants me to stay with him and for you guys to head home." bella said. "i'll stay with him. you guys go get some rest."
the group walked out of the house as bella went back upstairs, back into her boyfriend's dark room. she closed the door behind her and shyly walked into the room. bella looked around the room; his karate trophies, the stereo system with his vinyls, and posters that adorned his walls of swimsuit models from sports illustrated along with pictures of him, the cobras, and a photo of bella next to his nightstand.
"bella?" johnny spoke up, snapping bella out of her thoughts.
"yeah?" bella said as she sat on the edge of his bed.
"stay the night." johnny whispered as he intertwined his hand with hers. bella simply nodded as he shifted his body to the side and made room for her. the brunette laid down next to him as she placed the covers over their bodies.
bella turned to face the blonde as he wrapped his arms around her and admired the girl he held. "you wanna talk about it?" bella whispered, brushing a small strand of hair from his face.
johnny nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, kissing her temple. "you're a sight for sore eyes, princess." he softly whispered. "you're so pretty."
bella smiled as she softly closed her eyes. johnny laid next to her, examining her every feature and tightening his grip on her body, as if he were gonna lose her. she was the only thing he cared about now, this beautiful brunette, who he held tightly in his embrace, the girl that ran into his arms once he stood up from mat, after the defeating kick.
"bella?" johnny softly whispered as she slowly opened her eyes.
"mhm?" bella groaned as her emerald green eyes met his blue ones.
he felt his chest tighten as he thought of the right words to express his feelings, something he's never been good at. he played with her light brown hair, taking a deep breath. "what if kreese is right?"
"johnny, no." bella sighed as she maintained eye contact with him.
"i tried my best and did everything he told me to do." johnny sighed.
"baby, you're not a loser." bella said as she rolled onto his chest and looked into his eyes, that were close to tears. "i'm not with you because of your trophies or your title. i'm in love with you because of how you love me. you mean so much to me, title or no title; i'll still love you."
"you really mean that?" johnny softly smiled as he held bella in his arms.
"of course." bella said as she softly pecked his lips. "you don't have to worry about anything. i'm here and i love you."
"i love you too." johnny said. bella softly closed her eyes and cuddled closer to him as he placed a small kiss on her temple. as bella laid sleeping, he felt her heart beat against his own along with the soft sound of her breathing. he tightened his grip around her body and admired the girl once more.
he was lucky to have her. aside from his mother, she was one of the few people who cared about him. as she laid there, he smiled at the thought about someone loving him for who he is, champ or not; and that someone was the beautiful brunette with the hypnotizing green eyes that had come into his life and rocked his world.
