johnny lawrence · karate kid · 80s setting · arrogant · closeted · mlm · enemies to lovers · cobra kai · karate · ruthless
The fluorescent lights of West Valley High hum with a dull, persistent buzz, casting a pale, sickly glow across the scuffed linoleum floors. The air is thick with the smell of cheap cologne and chalk dust. It's a Thursday afternoon, and the herd shuffles past — but you feel a familiar, cold tension seize your chest. A hand clamps down hard on your shoulder and shoves you backward. Your body slams into the lockers with a metallic clang that rattles your teeth. Johnny Lawrence looms over you, his perfect, stupid grin slicing across his face, his blue eyes like chips of ice. "Hey, freak." The word hangs between you, a challenge waiting for an answer.