Warning! Implied slash! Don't like, leave now.

I own nothing at all.

In case I didn't already mention this, the time setting is summer vacation.

I had like no ideas at ALL for this, so I almost skipped it entirely. That's why it's short. :)

I opened my eyes, I was flat on my back. I was still very tired, and then memory swept over me. I was worried for a moment that Johnny had called, but I looked over at the window and I barely saw the rays from the sunrise.

I relaxed again. I closed my eyes and thought of nothing else besides Johnny. It was like meditation, only I didn't breathe like I should have.

Which is probably why I ended up short-winded. I ended up thinking of the time he and I were forced by Darry to take a shower together. Soda laughed it up and Darry said it was to "conserve water". We were in a drought, but still.

It was an awful experience. I had to hide my arousal and pray that I wouldn't turn around enough to show it to him. It was uncomfortable enough for me and Johnny kept apologizing. "For what?" I had asked.

I had questioned my sexuality fiercely after that. I had hardly saw a girl as a romantic or sexual figure. Girls were good friends, and companions and wise but men were special. Things of great power and beauty. I was proud to be a man and I knew that I wasn't straight.

I opened my eyes again, and I had to blink several times. I wondered where Sodapop was. I wasn't paying attention as to whether or not he was next to me asleep.

He wasn't. He had probably rised early to make a cake, or to see if Steve had stayed the night.

I got up out of bed and went to take a shower.

The house was deserted. Maybe everyone had left early. It was a Monday. I forgot. Damn.

I sat down and watched T.V. waiting for Johnny's call. I had hoped that he would call while everyone was gone. Maybe I would get my wish.

Riiing, riiing, riiing. My heart lept to my throat.

"Hello?"

"Ponyboy."

"Oh, hi Tim."

"Listen Pony, you seen Dallas 'round?"

"Uh, not today, I haven't."

"Alright, then."

Click

The anticipation was terrible. So I decided to read more on "Apathy and Other Small Victories".

"The scream was primordial. I have never heard another human make such a sound. Her jaw distended like she was a snake about to eat a small child and her whole body shook, her two fists out like she was a pilot trying to pull a 747 out of a nose-dive."

I had hoped that Shane, the character in the book, wouldn't get killed by Gwen. She was sadistic and abusive and scary. Or that's the profile I got from reading about her.

I was reading at a pretty decent pace and then I sped up and didn't realize that the phone was ringing.

"Hello?" I wasn't so optimistic this time.

"Hey, Ponyboy!" It was Johnny this time.

"Hey Johnny. How are ya?"

"I'm alright. I'm in Oklahoma City."

"That's awesome. What time are you gonna be down here?"

"It won't be long. Matt made me call and make sure you guys were ready for me."

"Well, everyone's at work right now but I sure am ready to see ya." And I felt my face burn.

"Great. I have to go, but I'll see you in about an hour."

"Alright. Bye."

"See you."

Click.

And as soon as I hung up the phone, I had so many things I wanted to talk to him about.

Which sucked because I had to wait an hour to talk to him. So I had nothing to do but read. And so I did.

The excerpt from Apathy and Other Small Victories belongs to Paul Neilan. As does the rest of that book.

Chapter 4 will be up alot sooner than this chapter. I promise!

(Constructive criticism is welcome. Flames are used to heat up proud gay lovers!)