Morning at West Valley High felt louder than it should've been.
Lockers slamming. Sneakers squeaking. Laughter too sharp.
Jennifer stepped through the front doors with her headphones on — not playing anything, just a shield.
She wasn't here for class.
She was here for information.
She spotted them immediately.
Red jackets.
Cobra Kai stitched like a warning label.
Tommy laughing too loud. Dutch leaning like he owned the hallway. Bobby calmer. Jimmy scanning.
And in the center—
Johnny Lawrence
Like gravity bent around him.
He noticed her almost instantly.
His mouth curved slightly.
"Hey," he called.
She kept walking.
"LARUSSO 2."
The hallway quieted just enough.
Jennifer stopped.
Slowly turned.
One eyebrow raised.
Tommy grinned. "Guess they come in pairs."
Dutch added, "This one smaller. Travel size."
Jennifer slipped her headphones down around her neck.
"I'm flattered," she said coolly. "Did you rehearse that?"
Johnny stepped forward.
"You're Daniel's little sister, right?"
She tilted her head.
"And you're the guy who needs four friends to win a fight."
Ooooh.
The circle tightened.
Bobby's jaw tensed.
Dutch laughed darkly. "Careful."
Jennifer's eyes flicked to Johnny only.
"You gonna hit me too?"
A beat.
Johnny didn't blink.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Tommy leaned close. "You think you're funny?"
Jennifer lifted her hand.
And flipped them off.
Clean. Casual.
Then she walked straight past them.
Tommy barked a laugh. "I kinda like her."
Johnny didn't respond.
He was watching her walk toward Daniel.
Daniel stood near the fountain, nervously shifting his weight.
Across from him—
Ali Mills
Blonde hair pulled back, smiling gently.
"You're staring again," Ali teased.
Daniel blushed. "Sorry. I just… yeah."
Jennifer approached just in time to see Daniel tuck a loose strand of hair behind his ear like he forgot what hands were for.
Ali noticed Jennifer first.
"Hi," she said warmly. "We didn't properly meet yesterday."
Jennifer forced a polite smile.
"Jennifer."
Ali extended her hand. "Ali."
Jennifer shook it.
Her grip firmer than expected.
Daniel jumped in quickly. "I was just asking her if she wanted to—"
"To what?" Jennifer cut in.
Daniel hesitated. "Go out."
Jennifer stared at him.
"At school?"
Ali laughed softly. "Not right now."
Daniel rushed, "Like… Friday. Maybe. Dinner or something."
Ali's smile softened.
"I'd like that."
Jennifer's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Then she looked at Ali.
"If you hadn't jumped on him yesterday, none of this would be happening."
Silence dropped.
Daniel blinked. "What?"
Ali's brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"
Jennifer's voice stayed calm.
"You know he's psycho about you. So maybe don't encourage it."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Jen. Stop."
Ali held up a hand gently.
"It's okay."
She looked at Jennifer directly.
"I didn't encourage anything. Johnny doesn't own me."
Jennifer held her gaze.
"I know."
Daniel exhaled sharply. "Can we not do this?"
Ali nodded.
She looked at Daniel. "What were you saying earlier?"
Daniel jumped at the subject change.
"Oh — yeah. The All Valley Tournament is coming up."
Ali smiled. "You competing?"
Daniel hesitated.
"…Maybe."
Jennifer snorted softly.
"You don't even know karate."
Daniel shot her a look.
"I will."
Ali blinked. "Wait, what?"
"I'm training," Daniel said. "With Mr. Miyagi."
Ali tilted her head. "The maintenance guy?"
Daniel nodded.
Jennifer rolled her eyes.
"This whole karate thing is childish."
Daniel stiffened. "It's not."
"You got beat up yesterday."
"Exactly."
Ali stepped between their rising tension again.
"Okay. Deep breath."
Daniel looked at Jennifer.
"I might be busy sometimes. Training."
Jennifer crossed her arms.
"Do whatever makes you feel less dramatic."
Daniel frowned. "You don't get it."
"No," she said quietly. "I get it."
From across the courtyard—
Johnny stood watching.
Arms crossed.
Dutch muttered something.
Johnny didn't laugh.
He just raised his hand.
Middle finger.
Directly at Daniel.
Jennifer saw it.
Daniel didn't.
Ali didn't.
But she did.
And something inside her shifted.
Daniel and Ali started walking toward the parking lot together.
Jennifer lingered.
Watching.
Johnny's crew began dispersing.
But Johnny stayed.
Waiting.
She turned.
Walked toward him.
He didn't move.
"You stalking now?" he asked.
She stopped a foot away.
"Is that what you think?"
Johnny leaned back against the lockers.
"You always this annoying?"
She stepped closer.
"Only when I'm bored."
He laughed once. No humor in it.
"Your brother's got guts. I'll give him that."
"He doesn't need your approval."
Johnny's eyes flicked down briefly. Then back up.
"You think I care about you?"
Jennifer shrugged.
"You noticed me."
He stepped forward suddenly.
Too close.
"Only because you're loud."
"Then make me quiet."
His jaw tightened.
"What's your deal?"
She softened her tone slightly.
"Maybe I just think you're interesting."
Tommy, passing by, whistled. "Ohhh."
Johnny ignored him.
"You're Daniel's sister."
"And?"
"And that makes you off-limits."
Jennifer tilted her head.
"Didn't stop you yesterday."
That hit.
His hand shot out suddenly.
He pushed her against the lockers.
Metal clanged.
Not hard enough to injure.
Hard enough to intimidate.
Students nearby pretended not to watch.
Johnny leaned in.
"You don't get to play games with me."
Her pulse jumped.
But she didn't show it.
"Who says I'm playing?"
His breath brushed her cheek.
"You think you're funny."
She let her voice lower.
"Maybe I think you're lonely."
His eyes flashed.
Anger. Real.
"Watch it."
"Or what?" she whispered.
A long beat.
Then she said it.
"Go out with me."
Tommy choked somewhere behind them.
Johnny blinked.
"…What?"
"Friday."
"With you?" He laughed. Sharp. Disbelieving.
"You serious?"
"Why not?"
His expression hardened.
"You're outta your mind."
He pushed off the lockers.
Shook his head.
"Stay in your lane, Larusso 2."
He walked away.
Dutch slapped his shoulder.
They laughed.
Jennifer stayed still.
Then—
She chuckled softly to herself.
Almost pleased.
"That went well."
Her eyes followed Johnny as he disappeared down the hall.
He was angry.
Good.
Anger meant reaction.
Reaction meant interest.
She brushed invisible dust from her sleeve.
Softly murmured:
"Strike softly."
And this time?
There was a plan behind it.
She just hadn't told anyone yet.