DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING.
A/N: No one else seems to be writing Jonny Zero fics, so I guess this makes mine the first. Reviews highly appreciated.
It was a typical winter day in New York City. As usual, Jonny Calvo was hard at work in the gym. He looked up as the door opened, then bounced off the wall with a bang. Standing in the doorway was a short, skinny teenage girl. Her mousy, dingy-blond hair was partially obscured by a sea-green bandanna. Despite the cold, the girl wore only a zip-up sweatshirt over a gray muscle shirt, red Nike track pants with white stripes on the sides, and a beat-up pair of light blue-and-white Riddell sneakers. A black gym bag on a shoulder strap was slung across her body.
Jonny dried his face off with a towel, then made his way over to the girl.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"I need to learn self-defense," the girl said abruptly.
"Why? Are you in some kinda trouble?"
"No, I just need to learn," she said. "Can you help me out?"
"What's your name?" Jonny pressed.
"Angela Jamie Delvecchio, people call me A.J.," said the girl.
"Jonny Calvo," said Jonny, shaking her hand. He noted she had a strong grip. He jerked his head in the direction of the boxing ring. "Let's get down to business."
A.J. put on a pair of boxing gloves she produced from her bag, then stripped off her shoes and socks. She expertly ducked under the ropes and stepped into the ring. She looked expectantly at Jonny.
"Okay, first things first," said Jonny. He patted his front. "Hit me as hard as you can."
A.J. hesitantly punched. Jonny smiled a little.
"Come on, A.J. You can hit harder than that," he said. "Don't worry about hurting me. I can take it."
The teenager punched again. Jonny doubled over, all the wind knocked out of him.
"Better," he panted. "Much better."
A.J. offered him a smug look.
"Go ahead, punch me again," said Jonny.
A.J. offered a punch just as powerful as the last. After about five minutes of this exercise, Jonny led her to one of the gym's punching bags. "Okay. Practice on this for a while, instead of me."
A.J. went all out on the heavy bag, punching in time to the music on the Spanish rap station the gym radio was usually tuned to. Jonny watched her pound the bag for another half hour. Then he said, "I think we'll leave it at this. I don't think you should wear yourself out on your first day."
"Yeah, I really oughta get home anyway," said A.J. "Thanks for the lesson, JC."
"I want you to take it easy the rest of tonight, okay?" said Jonny.
"Same time tomorrow?" said A.J.
"Sure."
She started to walk out the door, but Jonny called after her.
"You need a ride home?"
"No." A.J. said abruptly.
"You sure? This is a tough neighborhood and it's really no trouble."
"Yes, I'm sure. I have got to get home now." said A.J., a hint of nervousness and urgency to her tone.
She pulled the gym door open, closing it behind her without another word.