My semi-fictional boyfriend - Young Johnny Lawrence (The Karate Kid)

Chapter 6||Show-off

The club wasn't as full as I'd assumed it would be. Honestly, it was nearly empty - after all old-fashioned dance clubs weren't everyone's cup of tea. The outside was exposed brick and a pretty roof over the door. Inside, banners hung from the roof while star lights flickered across the floor. Chairs and tables were arranged all around the floor and one or two bored-looking kids sat around while their parents danced.

Some old slow song was playing.

"Cyndi Lauper," Johnny gave an appreciative nod. "Classic."

I gave him a puzzled look.

"Time after time? What, you've never heard this song?" I laughed as he started to belt out the words at the wrong times, completely out of tune with the music.

After his terrible duet with whoever Cyndi Lauper was, he poked me in the side. "Are you sure this isn't the eighties?"

It sure felt like the eighties in the club. Johnny looked right at home.

The song ended while we stood in the doorway, observing the place.

"Tonight is retro night, Ladies and Gentlemen. So remember, we're playing all of those golden oldies you used to dance to on Friday nights. Enjoy!"

That explained the eighties vibe. And the lack of teenagers. And people.

I've gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over...started crooning over the speakers.

Johnny's entire face lit up and he grabbed my hand without saying a word. He rushed us over to the dance floor.

"Uhm, Johnny. I actually can't dance." My cheeks warmed as I confessed, expecting him to mock me. Instead, he took my one hand in his and the other he rested on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Sunshine. I've got you." His free hand rested on my hip, making sure not to go too low. My heart nearly exploded out of my chest when he pulled me closer, leaving barely any space between us. "Just follow my lead."

And so I did. We danced and twirled and laughed. Eventually my hands found their way around his neck and both of his were around my middle and every time the chorus came on, Johnny would look me dead in the eye and whisper the words to me, like we were the only people in the world.

"I wanna know what love is...and I want you to show me..." For once, I didn't overthink everything. While we were dancing, I didn't think about what time I had to get home, or how I probably caused my parents financial ruin or how I get beat up every then and when. There was just us, here and we were having a great time.

When the song finished, we kept dancing. "Johnny."

"Hmm?"

"The song's over."

"So?"

I didn't know what to say to that, so I didn't say anything. The next song seemed to have him equally as excited as the first one and we danced until my feet ached.

We sat down for a minute - Johnny grabbing a drink for each of us. He sat down across from me, his eyes never leaving my face.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I wondered if I had somehow managed to smudge the mascara all over my cheek. Maybe my lipgloss was overdone? Should I have done my hair differently?

"Nope. I just can't seem to take my eyes off of you tonight. You look really pretty."

That warm blush spread from my chest to my cheeks and I smiled at the table, unable to meet his eyes. He tilted my chin up and gave me the biggest grin possible.

"Another dance?" I nodded awkwardly, my chin still held between his fingers. He took my hand and folded his fingers between mine.

The rest of the night went like that - my arms around his neck, his arms around me and our foreheads touching or with us just staring at one another. I could feel myself starting to like Johnny a little too much. Again, I questioned my sanity. He was a class A asshole, a bully and he wasn't even REAL!

But it was difficult to remember these things as I stared into those deep ocean eyes and felt like I was the only girl he had ever known. We bought food at the kiosk - chicken and potatoes. Johnny wrinkled his nose at first, but after taking a bite he devoured the rest.

Around ten my feet were killing me and I was exhausted, but Johnny seemed to have enough energy to literally dance the night away. When he saw I was tired, though we left hand in hand, our fingers intertwined.

I bought each of us an ice-cream at the store on our way home and we sat on the curb for a few minutes to finish them.

"You know, tonight's been the most fun I've had in...well, ever." He confessed.

"Me, too." I replied, leaning my head on his shoulder.

When we finally got home, laughing and talking my dad opened the door. My heart sank to my toes as I watched his curiously angry face. He was a little bit taller than Johnny and a lot stronger, too.

"Where have you been, Mija?"

"We went out dancing, Papa. This is my...friend, Johnny. Johnny this is my dad."

They shook hands and Johnny swallowed a little bit. "Nice to meet you, Sir."

"You, too Son. Don't you think you should be getting home?"

"Yes Sir. I better get going."

Dad watched as I gave Johnny a hug and whispered "Bedroom window." in his ear. He squeezed me a little tighter as an acknowledgement. Nodding to my dad, he left - presumably to hide in the bushes until the coast was clear.

My dad let me pass without saying anything and closed the door behind us.

"He looks like a nice boy, Mija. I just wish you'd told me you were going out. Left a note or something." I wish he'd been in so I could tell him.

"I'm sorry, Papa. I didn't think we'd be out so late."

"It's okay. Your mom's working late. Have you eaten yet?"

"We have, thank you. Good night Papa." I kissed him on the cheek.

"Good night, Billie." He watched me leave with suspicion glinting in those eyes.

Please don't check on me. Please don't check on me. Please don't check on me.