There was not much to be heard in the Cade household besides the clicks and scrapes of silverware on plates. It was a better night than most. There was dinner on the table. And there was the façade that they were a normal family. A veil of tension hung heavy in the air.

"Good grub," Ralph mumbled into his fork full of spaghetti.

Johnny and June nodded silently.

"Thanks," Velda said flatly.

With a limp hand, she motioned to the two teenagers. "You two plan on loafing around here this weekend? Or are you going out?"

Johnny cleared his throat and nodded. "Probably go see Pony Boy. Might go to the movies or swimming at the lake."

Velda's eyes fell on June suspiciously. "You planning on going?"

"Of course. I like the Curtis boys well enough. Besides. It's bound to be a beautiful weekend," June said lightheartedly.

"I don't know Ralph. Don't know if she should be running around with a bunch of teenage boys." She leaned back in her chair keeping her eyes on the young girl.

"Now Velda," Ralph sighed. "I'm sure her brother watches over her. Huh kid?" He lightly slapped Johnny on the shoulder. He was so ambivalent about the teenage girl. Somedays he saw her as a second chance to do better as a father. She could be daddy's little girl, and all that jazz. Other days, he wanted to selfishly keep her all to himself. Those days, his mind went to a darker place.

"Yeah, mom. She's alright with me." Johnny straitening up in his seat.

Velda muttered something June couldn't completely hear. The last words she caught though. "Just like her mother."

Ralph slammed his fist on the table. June jumped as if she'd been slapped. These were the type of interactions Johnny had grown used to. Ralph's eyes met his wife's. His tone was dangerous. "I don't wanna hear that talk about my daughter."

"Course not. Not about your precious princess," She snorted. Every word dripping with implications. Velda abruptly got up from the table and stormed into the bedroom. Ralph's chest was heaving. Roughly rising from the table, he made haste in storming into the room behind Velda. And explosion of yelling and banging rang through the air.

June quickly rant to her room and grabbed her backpack. She bit her lip hard and took a deep breath. She wasn't naïve; she knew she was fortunate. She didn't grow up in this mess. She didn't have to blossom amid all this hatred. Johnny's eyes. His sad, sad eyes. She couldn't bear to look at them sometimes. She found herself wondering when his parents managed to snuff the light out of his eyes.

She emerged from her room and leaned over Jonny's shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

"And go where?" He mused.

She lingered in the front door. The living room illuminating her figure. She shook her head sadly. "Anywhere else."

Johnny caught up to her half a block away. "What was she talking about?" He panted.

June wrapped her arms around herself to stop shivering. Turning away from him she looked out down the road. "I-," she stuttered.

"June," Johnny sighed. "What's going on?"

"He-he grabbed me. That night at the lake. Wasn't too gentleman like..I don't like the way he looks at me. Like a hungry animal."

"You didn't fall did you?"

She shook her head in silence. "He pushed me. Wasn't too keen on me back talking him."

Johnny kicked up the gravel roughly. "I wish you would've told me June. I said I'd look after you didn't I?"

"I don't kno-I mean, how do I even Begin to-" She tripped over her worlds as she blinked away tears.

Johnny wrapped an arm around her and leaned on her comfortably. Crickets could be heard chirping, and the wind blew softly. "If there's anyone you can count on here, It's me. June, you gotta trust me."

She nodded and sniffled. "You're…You're one of the good things here in Tulsa."

"June, there's plenty good here. Just gotta keep your eyes peeled."

"What now?"

"It's not too late, we can got to Darry's."

The walk to the Curtis household was a short one. Soon enough that familiar poarchlight could be seen. They could faintly hear the sound of the Curtis boys talking as they rapped on the door.

Soda opened the door with his usually grin. "Hey guys," he said motioning them inside. "Ralph and Velda being a pain again?"

June shook her head and forced a smirk. "Oh no. Downright pleasant tonight. Supper followed by pleasant and witty conversation. Turns out, it make's me just as uncomfortable."

"You've been hanging out with Two-Bit too much," Darry Chuckled. "You're welcome to stay the night." His gentle eyes fell upon the teens.

There was a scary movie marathon on television for the night. Darry and Soda had to turn in early for work, but Ponyboy, Johnny and June took advantage of the TV line up.

"Shit," June whispered as she hid her eyes.

"Aw, man," Johnny sighed. "The Wolf man ain't scary."

"Speak for yourself Johnnycakes," she mumbled into her hands.

Ponyboy leaned over and whispered into her ear. She could feel his breath tickling her ears. "I'll protect you from, 'The Wolfman.'"

The teens watched movies late into the night. Until nothing could be heard but light snores. June and Ponyboy were still in their positions on the couch, June leaning slightly on Ponyboys shoulder. Johnny noticed how comfortable they looked and migrated to the chair. Johnny was leaned over on the arm of the chair, huddled in an old wool blanket. He wasn't stupid, he knew Ponyboy was sweet on June. He may be inexperienced, but he wasn't exactly subtle. He didn't mind all.

Dally slipped in the house, quiet as a church mouse. He wasn't in the mood to deal with his mother. On nights like this, he could always count on the couch at the Curtis's for a crash pad. He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed the teens preoccupied his hopeful place of rest. He immediately sighed in annoyance.

"Goddamnit," he muttered.

She looked so innocent when she slept. Her eyebrows furrowed. The locks of hair the fell around her face. And his favorite: her pink lips, slightly parted.

He wasn't sure if it was the wasted trip or what he walked in on that annoyed him the most. Either way, he didn't want to be here anymore. Quietly, he slipped out of the house and headed to the lot.

A doe eyed brought like her wasn't going to stay single for very long on this side of town. She's what his dad would call a ripe peach. He just figured he'd be the one doin' the picking. He shook the thought away immediately. Could he really do that to the kid's sister?