Daniel was smiling at nothing.
Actually nothing.
He was leaning against the kitchen counter grinning like he'd just won the lottery.
Jennifer watched him from the couch.
"…You look stupid."
Daniel didn't even look offended.
"It went well."
She tilted her head. "Define well."
"She laughed. A lot."
"That's because you talk too much."
He grabbed a dish towel and threw it at her.
"It was good, okay? The date was good."
Jennifer stood slowly, crossing her arms.
"So. Johnny didn't show up and punch you this time?"
Daniel's smile faded slightly.
"He doesn't own her."
"Sure acts like it."
Daniel shot her a look. "You're obsessed."
"With what?"
"With him."
She scoffed. "Please."
Daniel flipped her off casually.
She returned it immediately.
He shook his head and changed the subject.
"There's a Halloween party tomorrow."
Jennifer blinked. "At school?"
"Yeah. Everyone's going."
A pause.
Then Daniel smirked slightly.
"You should go."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Oh?"
He shrugged. "You like causing problems. Might as well do it in costume."
She rolled her eyes — but the idea stuck.
The room was dim except for the vanity light.
Jennifer stared at her reflection.
White nurse dress.
Short.
Fitted.
Too fitted.
The red cross stitched over the chest.
Hair loose.
Lip gloss subtle.
She adjusted the hem slightly.
Not trashy.
Strategic.
She turned sideways.
Curves visible.
She exhaled slowly.
"Let's see how disciplined Cobra Kai really is."
Her lips curved faintly.
Music thundered through the gym.
Orange lights flickered.
Fake cobwebs hung from basketball hoops.
Daniel arrived in an orange pumpkin T-shirt.
Jennifer stopped mid-step.
"That's your costume?"
"It's festive."
"It's lazy."
Ali ran up immediately.
"You look adorable!" she laughed, tugging Daniel's sleeve.
Daniel blushed.
Jennifer rolled her eyes so hard it hurt.
"Adorable," she muttered. "He looks like produce."
She scanned the room.
And then—
There.
In the corner.
Black and white skeleton costume.
Lean.
Confident.
Still the center of gravity.
Johnny Lawrence
Behind him — Tommy, Bobby, Dutch, Jimmy.
Matching skeletons.
Cobra Kai in disguise.
Jennifer didn't hesitate.
She walked straight toward him.
Johnny noticed her before she spoke.
His gaze traveled slowly — head to toe.
Paused.
Returned to her face.
"You trying to get hired somewhere?" he asked coolly.
She smiled faintly.
"How's the party?"
He shrugged. "Better before you walked in."
Tommy snorted.
Jennifer leaned closer slightly.
"Still scared of me?"
Johnny's jaw tightened.
"I don't date little sisters."
"Good thing I'm not asking you to."
He scoffed. "You literally did."
"Still on for tomorrow?" she asked casually.
His eyes flickered — irritation and something else.
"I said no."
"Thought maybe you changed your mind."
He stepped back.
Keeping distance.
"You're weird."
She smiled softly.
"You're nervous."
He laughed once.
"About you? Please."
He turned away.
"Come on," he muttered to the Cobras.
They headed toward the men's restroom.
Jennifer stood still.
Annoyed.
"Difficult," she muttered.
She grabbed a cup of red punch.
Took a sip.
Watched the restroom door.
"Bold move."
She turned.
Tommy stood beside her.
Same skeleton grin.
"You like him," he said.
She didn't deny it.
"You like pissing him off," she countered.
Tommy laughed. "Yeah."
Bobby joined them quietly.
Tommy leaned closer.
"He hates losing control."
Jennifer listened carefully.
"Make him lose it."
Bobby smirked. "Not physically."
Tommy's grin widened.
"Embarrass him."
Jennifer's brows lifted.
Tommy shrugged. "He acts untouchable. Knock him down in front of people."
"And?"
"He'll chase you."
Jennifer studied him.
"You want to piss him off."
Tommy didn't even pretend otherwise.
"Always."
She smiled slowly.
"You're fun."
Tommy placed a hand over his heart. "I try."
The restroom door opened.
Johnny stepped out.
Jennifer moved without hesitation.
She walked straight into him—
And "accidentally" spilled the entire cup of red punch down his skeleton costume.
Red staining bone-white.
Gasps.
Silence.
Then—
Jennifer laughed.
"Oops."
Johnny stared at his chest.
Then at her.
His expression darkened instantly.
"You serious?"
Tommy burst out laughing.
Dutch choked.
Students nearby whispered.
Jennifer backed away slowly.
"Clumsy nurse."
Johnny's fists clenched.
She turned and ran.
Laughing.
He chased.
Through the gym.
Down the hallway.
Past lockers.
Her laughter echoed.
Daniel saw it.
"What the—?"
He started forward.
Ali grabbed his arm.
"Daniel."
"He's gonna kill her!"
Ali held him steady.
"Let them."
Daniel hesitated.
Johnny finally caught her near the stairwell.
He grabbed her wrist.
Spun her around.
Pinned her lightly against the wall.
Not violent.
But furious.
"You think that's funny?"
She was still breathing hard from laughing.
"A little."
"You embarrassed me."
"Good."
His grip tightened slightly.
"You don't know when to stop."
"Then make me."
A charged silence.
Then she said it again.
"Go out with me."
He stared at her like she was insane.
"You're unbelievable."
"I'll stop," she said calmly. "No more embarrassing you."
His eyes searched her face.
"You promise?"
She nodded slowly.
"And you stop targeting my brother."
His jaw flexed.
"That's not your call."
"Then keep chasing me."
A long pause.
Music thumping faintly in the distance.
Johnny exhaled sharply.
"Fine."
Her lips parted slightly.
"Fine?"
"I'll take you out."
She smiled.
Victory flickered behind her eyes.
"Tomorrow."
He rolled his eyes.
"You're pushy."
"Pick me up at six."
He hesitated.
Then—
"Six."
He released her.
Stepped back.
"You're crazy, Larusso 2."
She smirked.
"And you're predictable."
He walked away shaking his head.
But he didn't look unaffected.
Jennifer watched him go.
Heart racing.
Adrenaline buzzing.
Her plan worked.
Soft.
Strategic.
Calculated.
She brushed imaginary lint off her dress.
"Strike softly."
Tomorrow?
The real game would begin.