Thoughts : Italicized

Regular P.O.V. : Johnny

P.O.V. Switched : Bold


Chapter 4: Secrets


I stirred myself awake only to be blinded by the sunlight peering through the Windows, but it didn't take too long for me to hear Ponyboy say, "Mornin' Johnny." I was confused for a moment as to where I was. I'm always confused whenever I wake up. You never know where I'll be sleeping at next because I'll always be sleeping in random places if it's not at home. I slowly sat up on the couch and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes real quick before Soda handed me a plate with eggs and chocolate cake.

"Eat up! You need to fill up on the energy if you're gonna go to school with Ponyboy." Soda gave his casual large-grin to me before he took a big swing of the chocolate milk in his cup. "Even if you're not gonna go to school, you still need energy from just hanging out with Dallas." I froze for a second once he said his name. That's right. Last night Dally and I ... made out. I took a dry gulp before I picked up the fork on the plate and shoved a large piece of the chocolate cake inside my mouth.

As I ate I heard the screen door smack against the wall, indicating that someone had just walked in. I didn't have to turn to see who it was once I heard Two-bits voice almost immediately. "I'm tellin yah, the guy didn't wanna rumble with me cause I had that look" He told a story to whom I guess would be Steve. Even though I didn't live here, I knew it was a routine having Two-bit and Steve come in the morning, and Steve came over so he could go to work with Ol'Sodapop. Two-bit just came over, well, for no apparent reason.

I didn't so much as bother looking over to Two-bit. He'd give me that same look he'd give to everyone, but this time I knew he had dirt on me. So I finished up the last bit of my cake and stood from the couch and hurried myself into the kitchen to wash my dish. I just wanted to leave and go hang out with Dally again.

"What's the rush, Johnnyboy? Are yah that eager to see Ol'Dallas?" Two-bit mused. I should've knew he was going to follow me into the kitchen. "I'm kinda surprised he ain't hangin at Rustys, or around Tim's territory." I then sat down the dish and turned to look at him. "Me and Steve found him smokin' a weed inside the lot. I tried askin what's he doin there, but he only told me to shut up and tell you to meet him there." He shrugged his shoulders as I quickly made my out the kitchen and towards the door.

Ponyboy was about to stop me till I quickly told him, "I'm not going to school today. I'll talk to you later" before hopping out the front door.

I began running towards the lot. It's never usual for Dally to be at the lot. He's always out doing something that's illegal. Geez, nothing is really "usual" lately. I went around a small gate and stopped running, trying to catch my breath as I began to walk into the lot. It didn't take too long to spot Dallas sitting on one of the tires that are scattered around the field. The sun was bright and high in the sky, and even though it was hot, there was a slight breeze in the air that caused my hair to sway, making me remember how I forgot to do my hair. Dang it. I should've asked to borrow some of Pony's grease.

Shoving my thumbs into my pocket I stopped a couple steps away from the man and shyly said, "Hey, Dally."

"Hey. Pop a squat, Johnny" His voice came out seriously. I nodded my head and did as he said, sitting on the tire across from him. I wonder if him and his dad had it out again. I thought quietly with worry of what might've happened. It was rare for Dally to be serious like this, and when he was, something bad had happened.

"Well, what's wrong? ... Is Tim looking for you again?" I then thought. Him and Tim were always having it out every now and then, and most of the time it was because Dally was "borrowing" Tim's car or slashed his tires. But he only shook his head silently. I looked at him in the eyes and saw that something deeper was on his mind and it scared me. It was when his strong but deep voice came out that I jolted a little.

"Johnny. Your age is the thing that'll be added to my criminal record." He simply stated.

I was confused as to what he meant. Shoot. It ought to mean something if he said it so seriously. "What do you mean-?"

"Last night." He quickly responded, and once he did, I felt my blood run cold. I didn't utter a single word as soon as he brought up last night. No. He couldn't have remembered. He'll always get drunk and have a hangover forgetting what he did! There's just no way in hell he would've remembered! "You ain't gotta get scared now, Johnny. We just need to talk about this." His blue eyes softened, and yet it did little to ease my fear. "I can't really explain what happened last night, but I shoulda told you that I drank three beers yesterday, so there was no way in hell I was going to forget anything. I woulda drank more if me and that bastard Tim didn't get into a small rumble. The damn bar owner kicked us out" He paused, realizing he was getting off topic. "Anyway, what I wanted to say was that I've been doing some thinkin ever since you left about you and the make-out session. I already kinda knew you were a queer"

Does everyone think the same about me or somethin? First Two-bit, and now Dally says he kinda knew I was a queer. I timidly nodded my head to him.

"But I ain't had a clue you were in love with me. S'not like I have a problem with it though" My eyes lit up for a second.

"Y-You don't? Why?" I held onto my breath the more I became excited. To be truthful, I didn't even know what I was getting all excited about.

"Look, Johnnyboy. I'm just going to say this once so you better listen" He strictly said. "If we were to do things, it'd have to be a secret or else I'll be sent to the cooler again."

"Wait. Does that mean ... you" I spoke in disbelief till he abruptly stood up and began walking out the lot. I quickly got up and hurried over to follow behind him.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Johnnycake. I just think all these chics are broads. I'd figured I could have some fun with yah, unless you don't want that?" He glanced at me last his shoulders and I nervously struggled to say anything, so I shook my head. I heard a deep chuckle escape his throat before he lastly said, "Good. It'll be our little secret. Now I gotta take care of some business with that damn bar owner. I'll drop by later to come pick you up."

My legs stopped moving after those words. I didn't believe a single word he said and yet it felt like the sun shined only on me. Everything on and in me felt hot because I couldn't believe It.

I should hurry home. Dad should be at work and I could get cleaned up a little more before Dally come back for me! My lips curved upwards into a small smile at this dream. But in the back of my head I couldn't help but think, "Are we even anything?"