Chapter 7

The next couple of days before the rumble were a blur. Darry made me go back to school and I was nervous as heck. The Socs were definitely waiting to get to me for killing their buddy, but Steve and Two-Bit wouldn't let them have me alone, so I was safe for now. Johnny didn't come to school on Monday or Tuesday, but decided to come Wednesday.

Two-Bit and Steve quietly nodded in his direction, both trying to keep their reputation at a good point, but I knew they wanted to crush him in a hug, because he hasn't showed up at our house still and no ones seen him. Soda wanted to go out and search for him, of course thinking the worst, but Steve talked him out of it, knowing Johnny wouldn't want that.

/\/\/\/

After school Johnny was waiting by Two-Bits car, smoking a cigarette, probably hoping for a ride and a chance to talk to us again, which made me happy that he wasn't in any kind of trouble.

"Sup, Johnnycakes." Two-Bit nods Johnny a hello, hooking his thumbs in his jeans, as I slouch a bit as I spot some Socs eyeing us from their car.

"Just thought I'd lay low for a couple days after everything, but I have a feeling these damn Socs ain't gonna care how long it is, they will always want to attack, any chance they get." Johnny sighs.

"Tuff enough. Want a ride to the Curtis's?" Two-Bit asks.

"Alright" Johnny agrees.

I get in the backseat of the car and notice the Socs who were eyeing us do the same.

Oh no, I thought, hopefully they won't want to much trouble, since as far as I know, Two-Bit was just driving straight to my house.

I'm happy to soon realize the Socs don't trail us with their car and we arrive to the house safely. I head inside with Johnny by my side and I walk straight to the kitchen table, pulling out my homework. Johnny follows pursuit, but I doubt he will really focus on homework. Meanwhile, Two-Bit heads to the kitchen probably for a beer and to see if there's any cake.

/\/\/\/

Steve and Soda come home from work and Soda is happy to see Johnny is at our house at last.

"Happy your okay." Soda says, smiling at Johnny.

Johnny nods at Soda and continues on his homework.

"Pony, how was school?" Soda asked, like he does everyday.

"Alright, I guess. Didn't get hurt by any Socs, so that's always a good sign." I lightly say not looking up from my homework.

I faintly hear Soda chuckle, as he heads into the kitchen to fix dinner.

/\/\/\/

Darry comes home a while later and sits at the table, looking over my math homework, because I always seem to get a few wrong, no matter how hard I try. He points out my mistakes, gives me the paper back, ruffles my hair a little bit and walks into the kitchen, where Soda is pulling out plates for dinner.

I quickly correct my mistakes and clear off my homework from the table in time for Soda to come in and set the table.

I smiled in spite of myself. I was so happy that things were finally getting back to normal. Soda looks up to see me staring at him, smiling in the doorway to the dining room. He chuckles and continues to set the table.

/\/\/\/

The whole gang stays for dinner and I'm personally happy. Things were truly normal again, Soda and Steve were chatting about the girls who visited them at the DX today and Dally and Two-Bit were chatting about how the rumble was all set and stone for Saturday and how they couldn't wait for revenge to be ours. Darry was eating his dinner peacefully and Johnny was sitting right next to me, eating his. I was happy to finally be home, where it seems nothing could harm us, as long as we stuck together.

Too bad I've been wrong before.