Disclaimer: I only own Bleu! And I made up names for Johnny's parents…if they were something else in the story I'm sorry! Let me know and I'll change them ASAP! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! Hehe thanks…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~Chapter 5: Meet The Parents~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Johnny and I found ourselves at his house. He glanced at me and whispered, "I think we'd better tell them you're here. I don't hear anything in there, so they must be sober."

I gave Johnny a small sympathetic smile and followed him up the steps. Johnny opened the screen door cautiously and stepped inside. I saw my uncle sitting on a chair watching TV and my aunt in the kitchen washing dishes. The house looked the opposite that it did last time I was here. Instead of a nice, clean house, I found that there was empty and broken beer bottles scattered around the living room and the kitchen floor looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a year.

I swallowed and made my way into the kitchen to greet my aunt. "Auntie!" I cried in fake enthusiasm, "How are you?"

She looked at me blankly, and then returned the false excitement. "Oh, Bethany! I've missed you so!"

She gave me a hug and snapped, "Earl! Get your ass in here and greet your niece!"

"Shut your trap Doreen! I'll get up if I wanna!"

Aunt Doreen gave me a slow smile and turned to Johnny. "Johnny, would you be a dear and show Bethany around the neighborhood? Your father and I need to have a talk."

Johnny nodded and took my hand. "Come on, Bleu."

As soon as we were outside I heard shouting and screaming. I couldn't exactly make out the words, and I was glad. I really didn't like to eavesdrop on angry adults. It gets ugly pretty fast.

"Wow," Johnny whispered, "What's the first time she's spoken to me this week."

I put my arm around my cousin's shoulder. "You don't need them, Johnnycake. You've got me, and your friends. We all love you very much."

We leaned against each other's shoulders and walked back to the Curtis' house.

Before we could walk up the steps of the Curtis residence, Soda came running out. "Two-Bit loves you, Bleu!" I saw Two-Bit come dashing out and chased Soda all the way to the park, which is a good half-mile away. I blushed furiously again and glanced at Johnny. He nodded his head towards the open door, and inside I saw Dally fuming. He dropped that expression as soon as I entered, though.

I sat down next to him. "Hi Dally," I said. I was going to live up to my word with Johnny; I'm going to get to know him. "Where's Pony and Darry and Steve?"

"Hey, babe," he answered, putting his arm around my shoulder. "They went over with Darry to one of the houses he roofed. He forgot something. How was your walk?"

"Good. We stopped by Johnny's house and-"

"Why'd you go there?" Dally interrupted harshly.

I stared at him in disbelief. "W-well we just went, and Johnny told my aunt and uncle I was here…why are you so upset?"

"Johnny's parents are assholes. You shouldn't have gone there."

I glanced over at Johnny and he was staring at the ground. "Dally!" I cried. I was about to say something else, but I couldn't figure out what to say. I just sat there with my mouth gaping open like a fish out of water.

Dally harshly withdrew his arm from around me. "I can't believe you made Johnny go back."

Johnny's head snapped up. "She didn't make me Dally! It was my idea to go inside! Don't you yell at my cousin when she had nothing to do with it." Johnny's voice got considerably lower when Dally advanced on him.

"Why'd you go back there, Johnny? Those no-good bastards don't deserve you! Don't go wasting your time heading over there. Do you think my father gives a damn where I am? No. They don't give a rat's ass about me, and it doesn't bother me none!"

Johnny sulked and stared back at the floor, speechless. I hated to see Johnny this way; he was so full of life before. Anger overcame me. How could Dallas say these things to Johnny when Johnny adored him?

"Dallas Winston!" I shouted, "Get your ass over here!"

Dally's head swung around and stared at me with the coldest blue eyes I've ever seen. He slowly walked over to me and looked me square in the eye, daring me to talk. It was enough to make me collapse, but I gulped and went on, "How could you say those things to the guy that looks up to you so much?" I whispered.

He just stood there, an inch from my face, staring me down. Fear washed over me like a tidal wave; Dally looked furious enough to kill someone. I slowly sat down. I saw him clench his fists, then he let go and walked over to Johnny. He kneeled close and said, "Johnnycake, I'm sorry. I just don't think you should keep hanging around there. I mean, there's nothing over there. Here, you've got all sorts of friends that'll do anything for you."

Johnny looked up at Dally with wide eyes. "Even you?"

The corners of Dally's mouth turned upward. "Yeah, Johnnycake."

Johnny grinned and stood up. Dally did too, and got an unexpected hug from Johnny. I could tell Dally felt awkward, but made the best of it. Johnny looked over to me and gave me a smile and a wink.

"Ok, this is all very touching, but can you spare me?" A deep voice said, coming from the doorway. Tim Shepard stood in the doorway, grinning.

Dally spun around, nearly tossing Johnny over the couch. "Tim," Dally began, raising a finger, "You say one word about this to anyone and-"

Tim held out his hands defensively. "Hey, my mouth is shut. I just came to ask Bleu something."