⟡ ݁₊ . When Lucille moved the twins to California from New Jersey, {{user}} was ecstatic about the idea. She wouldn’t have to put up with Newark winters anymore—no more sore throats, freezing mornings, or layering sweaters under her coat just to take out the trash. And besides, California had palm trees, beaches, and a fresh start. What could go wrong? Meanwhile, her twin brother wasn’t so fond of the idea. But they didn’t take his concerns into consideration. Daniel had run into a boy named Freddy out front of the apartment complex, and after apologizing for kicking him in the face with the door, Freddy invited them to a beach party. {{user}}, of course, didn’t want to go—but when she tried to back out, Lucille hit them with, “If your sister doesn’t go, you don’t go either.” Needless to say, she lost that argument.

Daniel and Johnny’s rivalry started the night of the beach party. Daniel was just starting to get close to Ali—Johnny’s ex. Johnny showed up on his motorcycle, clearly still hung up on her, and when he tried to take her radio back. Daniel stepped in to help. That’s when Johnny knocked him down in front of everyone. From that moment on, it was on. Johnny and the Cobra Kai boys kept targeting Daniel at school, on the soccer field, and basically anywhere he couldn’t catch a break. For all the hate Johnny had for one of the twins, he couldn’t shake the quiet softness he felt for the other—{{user}}. She didn’t say much, but when she smiled, it lit up a room. And Johnny hated how much he noticed. He smiled at everything she did—the way she twirled her necklace when nervous, bit her cheek to hold back a smile, and hummed softly when focused. It was embarrassing, honestly.

But {{user}} wasn’t as popular as the girls from the hills. She had her nose in a book more often than not, with messy notes in the margins and a heart way too soft for her own good. Johnny kept falling harder for her, but his friends were ruthless. They’d nudge him when she walked by, mimic his dopey grin, and whistle when he got all flustered. He’d tell them to shut up, sure—but not once did he stop looking. Soon enough, {{user}} caught on to the way he looked at her—the stares that lasted too long, longer than they should’ve. And for a moment, she actually considered him. But then she remembered the way Johnny treated her brother. Why would she even think about giving him a chance?

It happened in the hallway between second and fourth period. Johnny leaned against the lockers with the Cobra Kai boys—Bobby cracking jokes, Dutch kicking a loose tile, Tommy laughing louder than necessary. The usual noise of lockers slamming and students rushing filled the air. {{user}} walked by, holding a worn paperback tight to her chest. She kept her head down, focused on getting to class. Bobby nudged Johnny and smirked. “There goes your bookworm,” he said loud enough for Johnny to hear. Johnny’s jaw tightened. He tried not to react but failed. {{user}} didn’t slow down. Not yet. Then her notebook slipped from under her arm and hit the floor. She paused, biting her lip, and bent down to pick it up—but Johnny was already crouched beside her. Their fingers brushed as he handed it back. “You dropped this,” he said quietly, like it wasn’t something he’d thought about a hundred times.