Summer Time Love
Chapter 1
The day Johnny Cade came out of the hospital he stayed with his friend, Ponyboy Curtis. They stayed up all night talking about what had gone on while Johnny was in the hospital.
"Two-Bit and Dally got jailed again." Ponyboy said, handing Johnny a lit cigarette.
"Wha'd they do?" Johnny asked, taking a long drag.
Ponyboy couldn't help but grin at the question, "They were stripping in the mall…" He answered.
Johnny laughed, "How far did they get?"
"Let's just say Two-Bit was helping Dally take his underwear off then the fuzz showed up." Ponyboy then took a hit of the cigarette and held the smoke.
"The hospital was so boring. You and Dal were the only ones to visit me." Johnny said, snatching the cigarette back. "And I couldn't smoke."
Ponyboy chuckled and lit another cigarette for himself.
"I could smell the smoke on you and Dally. You shoulda snuck me some." Johnny told Pony as he leaned against the couch.
"Darry told me that if I did he'd skin me." Ponyboy said with his cigarette hanging out of his mouth. "Sodapop got a promotion." He added.
"To what?" Johnny asked.
"Manager. He's real glad bout it."
Johnny nodded and looked Ponyboy over.
His hair was still blonde, with a few strands of chestnut brown hair that would turn red brown in only months. His face had small scars from the fire and his hands held the burns. Ponyboy was still too skinny and it was real noticeable through his thin hand-me-down shirt.
"You okay John?" Pony asked rubbing his arm, giving the older boy goose bumps.
"Yeah." He chocked out. The red on his tan checks stood out to Ponyboy.
Ponyboy turned around to hide his blushing, but knew Johnny couldn't feel the same way.
"So, your summer break start yet?" Johnny asked, controlling his emotions.
"Yeah. Finally. Those Socs were really startin to get to me." I want to just go back to the right grade. I don't know why they pushed me up a grade." Ponyboy told him.
"Oh come on Pony, you're up a grade cause you're smart. Ya made Darry real proud. Forget bout them Socs they're just made that they aren't as smart as you." Johnny explained, putting his arm around Ponyboy.
Ponyboy sighed and leaned into him. "Right... They'll just beat me up next year anyway."
"No they won't. You'll be with Two-Bit next year."
Ponyboy smiled and put his cigarette out. "Will you?" he asked.
"Probably not, Pony. You know I don't go." Johnny answered.
Ponyboy sighed and looked up to him. "How come?"
"Cause there ain't no reason. No one cares if I go or not." Johnny explained. "I'm stupid anyway. I just can't learn like other people."
"You aren't stupid, Johnny. You just have to have things explained."
"Whatever you say Ponyboy…"