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

Chapter 8||The beach

The beach had quickly become our go-to place. Ice-cream and warm sand became a second home to me. Johnny complained about it being incredibly hot outside for ten minutes before I couldn't take it anymore.

I yanked off my shirt and kicked off my shoes - leaving him wide-eyed and gaping. Laughing at his reaction, I turned around and ran for the water in my bra and my jean shorts.

"You coming or what?"

Snapping his mouth shut, he pulled off his jacket and shirt, while simultaneously shoving his shoes off of his feet. For a karate-kid he had very bad balance all of a sudden, stumbling around while getting his clothes off.

Running full speed, he caught up to me from behind just as I yelled, "Bet you can't catch me!" Grabbing me around my waist, he spun me around and ran for the water.

"What was that, Sunshine?" He mumbled in my ear, making goosebumps rise along my arms and legs.

I laughed as we splashed deeper into the ocean. Panic quickly replaced my sudden burst of joy as I realized how deep we were going. I clung to him a little tighter, pulling myself up against him even though he was carrying me in his arms.

"Johnny, I'm a terrible swimmer. Please don't go too deep."

He smiled gently at me. "You don't have to be a good swimmer. I've got you, Sunshine."

I still panicked. "Trust me, would ya?"

A week ago I would just have said 'Hell no!' and stormed off. But right then, after we went dancing, after he taught me to fight, after he seemed to understand me, I realized for some reason that I did trust Johnny. With my life, in fact.

Trying not to freak, I relaxed a little against him. He stopped going after a while (probably where his feet could just touch the ocean floor) and let my legs drop gently. Panic rose in my chest.

Taking my hands, he wrapped them around his neck like when we were dancing and while the lazy waves lapped at us, he stood firm with his arms around me. Again, it felt like we were the only two people on the entire planet.

The rest of the day he swam around, pulling me along so that I didn't drown. I still couldn't swim but at least I was having fun, which is something I never have near deep bodies of water. We played volleyball with the kids on the beach - I didn't know most of them but I recognized one or two from school. They were oddly nice to me as I joined their team.

Later we sat around a bonfire with them, melting marshmellows over the fire and singing along to songs Johnny didn't know. He didn't seem to mind though as he sat watching me, a smile dancing on his lips. Someone brought a guitar out and to my horror one of the kids from school grinned down at me.

"Hey, didn't you play guitar in middle school?" I felt myself go pale and warm at the same time.

"Yeah, but I wasn't very good." I tried.

"No way, you were awesome!" Eric piped up. I didn't even see him in the crowd. And I didn't even know we went to the same school.

"Come on man, tell your girlfriend to play for us." One of the guys - the one holding the guitar - joked at Johnny. Johnny who didn't mind playing along, apparently.

"Yeah, Sweetheart. Play something for us." I glared at him as he smiled triumphantly, knowing I could only argue for so long.

Sighing, I took the guitar. "Just one song." I warned. Everyone laughed.

Finding a familiar position for the guitar proved easier than I thought it would be. I wasn't as rusty as I let on - I practiced once a week at the music shop a few blocks over. Music was one of the last few things I really enjoyed and I never wanted to give that up.

Strumming a few chords, I started playing Sweet Caroline for lack of other inspiration. Everyone sang along, even Johnny. Five songs later, I realized that I had been playing songs from Johnny's era all night and people were starting to go quiet.

So, for a last hoorah, I played Cheers by New Rules and I put the guitar down. Everyone cheered for me, telling me I still had it. It was curious hearing these people who never spoke to me encourage me like that. It was invigorating.

Johnny and I drove home on my bike, and he had to climb through my window again. After I said goodnight to my parents, I closed the door as always and opened the window for him.

He fell down on my bed and let out a low whistle.

"You were great tonight. I didn't know you played the guitar."

"Well, you never asked." I retorted, falling down beside him.

He turned on his side to look at me, our foreheads nearly touching. My heart raced at his closeness. Reaching a hand out, he brushed a curl behind my ear.

"I think..." He hesitated. "I think I might be falling for you."

I stopped breathing. Falling? For me? That wasn't possible. Boys never felt the same about me as I did about them - not that I'd had much experience in falling in love. And what about Alli? He would go back and he would fight for her again.

He leaned in to kiss me and one part of me wanted to kiss him, too. But the other, more selfish part didn't want to get even more attached to this strange boy. When he left, it would be painful enough. I moved back.

He gave me a hurt look, but quickly hid it behind a small, sad smile.

"Johnny, I..."

"It's okay, Sunshine." He whispered. "It's been a long day, get some sleep."

Before he could get up, I leaned over and rested my head on his chest.

"Sorry. Please stay?" I mumbled.

I fell asleep on his chest, his arms around me. My heart ached at the thought of him leaving and I couldn't help but wonder what it would have felt like to kiss him.