CHAPTER TWELVE

Time to quit Drinkin'

Thank you for the reviews for chapter 11.

Alexisle97 – thank you!

Aunna – Yeah I figured Steve's pov would be cool. And thanx!

Kitty Ghost – Thank you and I will do it again soon ;) I promise! And sorry this chapter is short. I just wanted to put something out today.

I will soon be wrapping up this story; don't know when, but soon. And once again I DO NOT OWN The Outsiders. S.E. Hinton does.

::Time to quit Drinkin'::

Two bit's POV

I was sitting at Buck's one late evening drinking of course. I had heard of Steve's intervention with Johnny he so proclaimed. He had told us he saw him in the garage with him but Sodapop said he saw nothing or felt or heard nothing funny in particular.

Ponyboy was still being silent like usual. He only talked when he had a really bad nightmare but otherwise looked at all of us hopelessly wishing we were to perform some miracle and change everything around. Not like that was going to happen anytime, soon. Although I wish it would. We needed one; for the Curtis house, for the gang, for everything and everyone.

"Shoot kid we all need a miracle." I had told him one day as we were walking to the nightly double to ease up a bit. But we never did ease up. We only tensed up more and more making it harder for us to relax.

Things were going down the drain as time moved on.

"Alright Two bit that's your tenth one. Why don't ya get on outta here and go home." Buck said to me, shaking his head. I sighed but took the one I was drinking anyway and stumbled out the door managing not to fall. It was chilly and I was thankful for my jacket. The wind was blowing and I shivered.

Somehow my feet winded me up at the Tulsa's local cemetery. What was I doing here? I looked around and I walked on past the graves that were old. I approached two that were brand new looking, well, maybe a crack or two here and there, but still new looking.

Johnny Cade's and Dallas Winston's.

I sank down on my knees in front of Johnny's grave. Why did he have to die so young? I didn't understand. Tears formed in my eyes making it icy cold and sting, but I just ignored them and sniffled, feeling myself cry for the first time in a long time.

It must've felt like hours of crying and mumbling how I must missed Johnny and Dallas, when a hand was on my shoulder. It made me jump slightly and I turned my head a bit.

"Darry? That you?" I asked not sure who it was. The person quietly laughed and sat down criss crossed next to me.

"Naw Two bit, it's me." He said and my eyes lightened up. I knew his quiet little voice anywhere; the quietness to it when he answered a question.

"Johnny?" I asked a small smile pulling at my lips. The figure nodded and he looked at me.

"Two bit." He said and smiled slightly. I turned to face whoever was beside me and I saw the full form of Johnny Cade, but yet he was slightly transparent. He was ghostly and dead. I blinked twice to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

"I—I can't believe I'm actually seeing you." I whispered my heart beating fast. Johnny chuckled and laid back and looked at the stars. Just like regular old Johnnycakes.

"Yep. You are Two bit. Listen buddy, don't cry over me okay? I'm….I'm fine right where I am right now." He sounded hesitant at his words.

"You sure don't sound fine." Johnny sighed and looked up at the moon or at least his black eyes showed the reflection of it. I couldn't tell, after all, he was a ghost. How would you know?

"Things are complicated right now, Two bit. I'm stuck here. I'm not in heaven. I'm still here, in Tulsa. I know of Ponyboy's silent treatment with y'all. And it's because of me." I furrowed my eyebrows but I could feel my drinking over powering me. Any speech of mine would come out weird and make no sense. Even Johnny would know that.

Johnny sighed.

"Listen, the important thing is, I have to find the light before it's too late. I must find a way before it's too late for me. Before it's too late for Ponyboy." Johnny stood up and brushed his jeans off.

"I'll see you around Two bit." he said before walking off and disappearing. I hiccupped and stood up, brushing my pants off as well. I groaned and looked around, at the moon then back around again.

"I so got to quit drinking." I muttered before heading to the Curtis's house.