American Idiot

Chapter 2: To Live And Not To Breathe

Johnny awoke a few hours later, after passing out on his bed again. It was becoming a regular thing, but he wasn't worried. If his stepfather hadn't died yet, then he knew he wasn't going to any time soon either. A constant tapping was what had woke him, and he observed his room through drowsy eyes looking for its source, which he soon discovered was the window. Who the hell is chucking shit at my window? He thought, dragging himself over and opening it roughly, having to pull slightly harder towards before it opened fully, as it jammed at times. He squinted outside and saw Tunny standing there, holding a couple of stones.
''You alright mate? Get your lazy arse up and out! I'm flippin' bored to death and back out here on me own! Bet you've been on the booze again haven't you? Silly sod''
''Tunny...I am going to kill you. When I get down there.''
''Oh, that's okay then, plenty of time to plan an escape route then haven't I dear?''
Johnny laughed, then closed the window and went to put something warmer on, as purely underwear wasn't good for a person out in the cold.
Tunny just stood and waited patiently. He wouldn't deny it, he was worried about Johnny. Everyday he seemed to be changing, and not in a good way. He was at breaking point, and that was what worried him.
Tunny was a tall, slim boy, with spiked-up blonde hair and a face that you couldn't help but laugh at. He wasn't unnatractive, it was simply the fact that he was just a natural comedian, and just looking at him would most likely make a person smile. He heard the window open once more, and Johnny jumped out, landing on top of a large pile of garbage bags, placed there by Tunny a little bit before he first opened the window.
Johnny picked himself up and tore after his laughing friend, right up until they both ran out of breath, next to a pub.
''God...i'm knackered!'' Johnny panted, his hands on his legs, bent double.
''Do you spell that with a K at the beginning or an N?'' Tunny pondered.
''How should I know? Only place i've ever been taught is in this here pub!'' Johnny smirked, looking at the pub door admiringly.
''Oh aye, the seven-eleven eh? Good stuff mate, good stuff.''
''Why do we even call it that?''
''What, good stuff? We don't, we call it the seven-eleven you fool!''
''Oh shut it, let's go in...see if you can get served baby face.''
Tunny recoiled at Johnny's remark, and pushed in front of him confidently. There was no chance in hell he would have Johnny get served and him refused!
He strode casually over to the barman and coughed loudly. A bit too loudly actually.
The barman glanced at him, scanning his features. ''What do you want?'' He asked.
''Erm, a drink of course! What else would I want? Not like i'm not supposed to be here or anything...this is a pub after all! Right?'' Tunny stammered. He was losing his cool.
''I meant what drink do you want mate.'' said the barman, who now looked annoyed.
Tunny held in a sigh of relief, that would give him away for sure. ''Oh sorry, erm i'd like a pint please''
''Of what?''
''You know...the...stuff''
The barman rolled his eyes and went to the stockroom, grumbling.
cheery fellow Tunny thought, then turned to Johnny. Johnny wasn't there. 'Oh god, where the hell is he? Johnny? JOHNNY!' He yelled.
''I'm right next to you dickface''
''Oh, just testing your erm, close range hearing abilities mate''
''Course''
The barman returned, and Both Tunny and Johnny were stunned to see he had a bottle of alcohol clearly labeled, 'The Stuff' in his hands. He poured Tunny a pint.
Tunny paid him, still shocked, then sat down at a nearby table. He looked over at Johnny, who was very quiet.
''Johnny mate, I need to talk to you'' He said softly, looking at him in concern.
''You do that enough'' Johnny smirked, looking back at him, with eyes that didn't seem to see him at all.
Tunny ignored him and continued. ''Listen Johnny, lately you've been...different you know? I know you have problems with your mom and Phil but... come on mate, what's going on in that big ol' melon of yours eh?''
Johnny remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke. ''I'm sick of it all Tunny, sick to death and back. I can't take it much longer. Seeing my mom get attacked by that bastard every day and night, being stuck in my room with the only thing to help me through it all being drugs? I'm never going to make anything of myself around here,
with all this, and I aint' letting myself become a nobody...it's like i'm living but i'm not breathing... I want out of here'' He croaked, his voice cracking with emotion.
Tunny looked at him for a moment, then seemed to decide something. ''Right then, we're off. Tomorrow. Pack your shit and get ready, meet me outside your window at midnight. You want out, then you're gonna get out. Hell, both my parents are dead, I live in an orphanage, so it's not like i'll be missed is it? No-one except you cares what happens to me, you know what I mean? It's not like anyone's ever died for my sins! Well, least the ones i've gotten away with... so yeah, let's get out of here mate''
Johnny stared at him, dumbfounded. Suddenly, he jumped up and hugged Tunny, long and hard.
Tunny gasped in suprise, then relaxed and chuckled.
''Thanks Tunny...we'll make something of ourselves, just you wait and see!'' Johnny said, smiling broadly.
''You're damn right we will... we're off to the big city, to see the lights and the girls and the ACTION! Although I guess girls are action too...'' Tunny laughed.
''Guess we better say goodbye to the seven-eleven then?'' Johnny said, looking around.
Tunny jumped up and yelled ''SEE YOU MATEY!'' Then ran out of the pub, Johnny following and laughing. The barman smirked as he watched them go.