DIET MOUNTAIN DEW. Johnny Lawrence

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THE DOOR OF APARTMENT 20 opened revealing Mrs. Larusso. "Hey Mrs. Larusso! Is Daniel ready? I told him I would give him a ride to school".

"Sorry honey, he left just a few minutes ago on his bike"

"Oh ok, thanks. I'll see you later Mrs. Larusso!"

"Alright, have a good first day!"

"I'll try" Valeria got in her car and drove off. She didn't think Daniel was going to ride on his bike to get to school. It's whatever, no big deal.

Valeria parked her car and got out. She swung her bag over her shoulder and began walking. She quickly noticed Daniel and walked over to him. "Hey Daniel. I thought I was supposed to give you a ride to school today?"

"Oh sorry I completely forgot" he pushed up his sunglasses. She grabbed the sunglasses and put them over his eyes and saw his black eye. She put the glasses back and sighed. "I'm sorry Daniel".

"No no, don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault"

"I know but I feel so bad. Like I should've done something or not even bring you to that party in the first place"

"It's alright. It happened, and now it's over. No big deal. Plus I feel fine"

"You sure? Cause it looks really bad"

"Well it feels way better than it looks"

"Ok. So, soccer tryouts are today. I know you played back at home, you trying out this year?"

"Yeah I will. How about you. Are you still doing cheerleading?"

"Yeah with Ali"

"Ali" he said with a laugh. Valeria smiled at her best friend. "I can tell you have a little crush on Ali"

"Yeah I guess I do"

"What about Judy?" Daniel shrugged. "We kinda sorta broke up. And I think we'd be better as friends" Valeria nodded. "Well at least you have Ali. And I think she has an eye for you" she smiled.

"Does Ali have a crush on me? D-did she talk about me??" Valeria shrugged and smiled. "I gotta go but I'll see you later during soccer tryouts!"

"Ok but we gotta talk about this later!" He called out. "Yeah yeah whatever"

Valeria turned the corner and bumped into Johnny. "Hey Val. First day of senior year huh?"

"Yep. And I'm super excited to spend it with you!" She said sarcastically. But a part of her felt like she wasn't being sarcastic at all. Johnny smiled at her and she laughed. "Keep on dreaming Johnny!". She continued walking down the hall.

• • • •

The cheer team and the boys who were trying out for the soccer team were all outside. Ali and Valeria stretched and talked with the girls on the cheer team. Ali kept looking over Valeria's shoulder. And Valeria knew exactly who she was looking at.

"You know I talked to Daniel this morning and I think it's safe to say that he also might have a little crush on you" Ali smiled and blushed. "Really?" Valeria nodded.

"But don't take my word for it! I think you should go talk to him"

"Yeah I will" she grabbed a soccer ball and ran over to Daniel. She continued her stretching with the girls. As she was doing so, Valeria felt a pair of eyes burning two holes into her.

She looked over her shoulder to see a shirtless Johnny staring at her. Valeria couldn't lie but he did look very good without a shirt on. He licked his lips as he looked her up and down in her t shirt that showed her breast perfectly and shorts that fit around her thighs very nicely. Valeria just flipped him off and turned back around.

She wasn't going to fall for shirtless Johnny after he beat up her best friend not even 24 hours ago.

"Cheerleaders over here!" The cheer coach yelled. Ali ran over to Valeria as all the girls walked over to their cheer coach.

The girls practiced their cheers while a few feet away from them, the boys were playing a game of soccer.

Valeria looked away for one second and when she looked back, she saw Daniel on top of Bobby as he punched him in the face.

"What he hooked me!"

"I said out of here!" The coach yelled at Daniel. "This school sucks man. It sucks!" Daniel walked off the field and Valeria ran after him. She felt a pair of hands pull her back and of course it was Johnny.

"Leave him be Val. Let him throw his little tantrum"

"Tantrum? He's mad because you and your stupid friends won't leave him the hell alone. And for what? You just met him yesterday" she pushed Johnny back and caught up with Daniel.

"Daniel! Hey, don't let those stupid assholes get to you. They're a bunch of d!cks"

"Second day here! Second day here in California and I'm already getting picked on by these idiots. That guy Johnny gave him a black eye and now they're all just messing with me!" He yelled and walked off.

Valeria felt bad for him. He was right. Only two days living in a new place and he was already being bullied. And for what? He did absolutely nothing wrong.

Later that day, Valeria sat by her car waiting for Daniel. A few minutes later he came out of the school and grabbed his bike. "Daniel! Let me give you a ride home" he sighed and walked over to her car.

He got in the passenger seat and they drove off. It was silent. No words were spoken. Valeria didn't know what to say and Daniel didn't really have anything to say.

Valeria looked over at him and he had a slight look of anger. Valeria can't even remember the last time she's seen him so mad like this before. I don't think she even has.

She stopped her car right outside of the apartment with the big blue letters of "South Sea Apartments". Daniel got his bike out the car and began walking away. "Call me tomorrow if you need a ride!" Daniel didn't say anything but just continued walking.

• • • •

Valeria sat at the dinner table with her mom and little sister, Vickie. "So how's Daniel liking California so far?" Her mom asked. Valeria shrugged. "Not that much.."

"Well it's just his second day here. Maybe as time goes by, he'll like it better" Valeria sighed. "Yeah maybe, maybe not..."

"Why? Is something going on with him?"

"Well he's been getting picked on at school.."

"Oh that's awful. Is he ok?"

"Nope. I know he was very pissed about it earlier"

"Don't worry Valeria. Tell Daniel I'll fight those bullies off for him" Vickie said as she put her fists up. Valeria laughed. "I'm sure you will..."

"Well I hope the bullying will stop for him hopefully he will like California better" her mom said. "I'll pay his mom a visit tomorrow".