OMG! I hate it when stories never get updated!! Or take like 2-to-3 to weeks (or longer!) to update! Gahhh so irritating.

5
4
3
2
1

I opened my eyes slowly and checked out the time. Oh man, it was 11:30! I was so late! Oh well I guess. I can just get a late pass, hopefully I've missed maths.

I got out of bed and got dressed. I wasn't rushing, there was no need. I was late anyway so who cared!

I went downstairs after doing my hair and saw mum in the kitchen.

I tripped on an empty bottle and she turned around. She was leaning against the bench, in front of the kitchen sink.

Her cheek was bruised. I felt guilt boil down in my stomach like it was my fault, which it was.

I grabbed my bag and opened the front door.

"John, wait!"

I stopped and turned around, surprised.

She grabbed a bag off the bench. It was a brown plastic bag.

She walked over to me carrying it with a shy sorta look about her.

She handed me the bag.

I looked at it confused and then back at her. I was almost as tall as her.

She smiled and shrugged, "it's your lunch...I made it this morning."

My eyes widened the size of dinner plates, "you made me lunch..."

She looked at the ground, then left to right, in an awkward sort of way, then kissed my cheek, "have a nice day at school."

I smiled. I mean a really HUGE smile. It was like ear to ear sort of goofy smile when you try hard to get rid of it because you look like such an idiot, but the more you try to get rid of it, the more it somehow gets bigger!

"Bye, mum," I waved and walked straight into the door.

My face blushed with embarrassment and I opened the door, laughing stupidly at my mum.

Then I ran out of there, before I could do anything more embarrassing.

I walked down the street.

Why was my mum acknowledging me and being nice to me? She's never made me lunch. Not even when I was like 5!

Could my mum realize she loves me, and is now trying to make up for all those years of neglect? Oh god, I hoped so!

I was feeling great. Like I was loved. The sun was out shining down on me and I wanted to skip I was so happy, but if I wanted to get beaten up I better not...

Nothing can ruin this day! This is like the happiest day of my life!

3
2
1

"Late again, Mr Cade, step into my office please." The principal Mr Ward said in a deep low –almost threatening- voice.

I gulped and closed the door behind me, carrying my books.

I sat down on that little plastic chair.

Mr ward ran his hand through his imaginary hair since he was bald and then sighed.

"How many times have you been late this year, Mr Cade?"

"Um..."

"Too much!" He answered angrily. Then took a deep breath and sighed again, as if to regain his composure.

"And how many days have you had off?"

"Um..."

"That's right! Too much!"

"I'm sorry," I said, looking down.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" He was getting angrier.

I looked back up.

I hated to look at him. He wore the biggest and thickest glasses. They multiplied the size of his eyes to the size of sauces. They were so thick I could tell he could read my mind...

"You're failing all your classes and you're away all the time," he looked and sounded very frustrated, "there's only one thing I can do Mr Cade, and that's keep you down another year."

My eyes widened and my heart sunk to my stomach. How much air was in here?...I can't breathe! Heart attack!

No, remain calm Johnny. This ain't such a big deal. Keep your dignity.

I almost began crying, and I shouted, "NOOO YOU CAN'T KEEP ME DOWN A YEAR!" And then the thought of Two-Bit filled my mind. Still a junior at 18. I screamed and then fainted.

Okay, I didn't scream and faint. But I was pretty damn upset and angry about it.

Mr Ward sighed for what was like the hundredth time and took his glasses off to clean them with his tissue.

I looked around the room panicking. No, I can't stay down. Just can't!

I grabbed him across the table, at the collar, which was a complete shock to me, "you can't keep me down."

He gulped.

Was he scared? Well gee he should be! I'm a greaser! I wish Dally were here to see how brave I'm being and so in control. He'd be so proud. He's always telling me to be more assertive, well who can get more assertive than grabbing the principal by the collar! Woahh.

I let go of him, "please."

He sat back in his chair and looked through some papers. Then put his glasses back on, "if you pass English, I'll let you go up."

I grinned, "oh, thankyou! THANKYOU!"

He smiled and leaned back, "you've got a project to do haven't you for English? Better get a start on it."

"Yep, thanks again, Mr Ward," And I left.

Later at lunch I saw Ponyboy. He was sitting at a table, talking with some people I didn't know.

He noticed me, then quickly looked away. Then he began talking to the red headed girl next to him. She was giggling and fluttering her eyelashes at him. Grrrrr.

Ponyboy kept adjusting the collar at his jacket. I knew what he was trying to hide. That hickey I gave him yesterday. He was branded as mine, and he will remain mine!

I sat at another table with some guys I knew and talked to sometimes.

Later Ponyboy came over to me though, still holding his collar against his neck...he wasn't exactly the most subtle guy in the world.

"Um...Johnny," he said nervously, "can we talk?" Here we go...The regret.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me aside to a more secluded place.

"Johnny...about yesterday. Um...I wasn't acting like myself and just things got to far...you know?"

"Yeah," I said a little annoyed. He said no regrets! I looked away. I couldn't bear to look at him.

"Can we just pretend like it never happened? And still just be friends?"

"Okay," I said, trying not to sound too angry.

He smiled, "thanks, Johnny." And he walked away. He went and sat back down beside that red head, and she layed her head on his shoulder.

I growled. Well, whatever! I don't care! Go have your trampy greaser girl who wears way too much makeup! I don't care!

I glared at his back. "Hey, Johnny, what are you doing?"

I turned around. It was Jade, a girl who lived just a few doors down from me. We talked the off time, but weren't very close.

"Nothin'," I looked down.

"My parents are gonna be out late tonight visitin' my aunt... Wanna come over?" She had a coy smile.

I knew what she wanted! It was tempting... But, I looked over at Ponyboy.

But I really had to get a start on my English project, and I can't be distracted by floozy's wanted some Johnny lovin'! Hehehe...

Besides I've never done anything with a girl...I'm too shy. But I knew she wanted me. She's been hinting at it for months now.

"Naw, too busy, I've got a project to do."

"Alright," she said sadly, "but maybe after you're done, you'll come over?" She grinned hopefully.

"Um..sure," I shrugged, knowing quite well I wouldn't.

3
2
1

I was walking home from school. Ponyboy had ignored me all day.

"Johnny! Wait up!"

I stopped and turned around. It was Ponyboy. That was a surprise.

He gave me a sort of sad look, "I'm sorry."

I looked away, "'bout what?" I knew what!

"About yesterday. I didn't mean for it to get so out of hand, and sorta leading you on."

"Naw, you weren't. It was just a mistake. It meant nothing."

He looked at me sadly, "meant nothing? Nothing at all?"

I shrugged and put my hands in my pockets, "yep. Nothing." And I walked a little faster. Though, I knew I was lieing.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Home," I answered simply.

He walked a little faster to catch up with me, "why are you in such a rush."

I walked faster, "I just am."

"Will you just slow down!" He grabbed my hand. I looked down at it shocked. He grabbed my hand yesterday too and look where it lead us.

He looked at me sadly, "are you mad at me or something?"

"No," I shook my head. Now I felt guilty. "I've just gotta get home to do this English project."

"Do you want my help?" He asked, smiling a little.

It was a great idea, since Ponyboy was so smart, I would pass for sure!

"If you want," I shrugged again.

He let go of my hand and lifted his bag further up his shoulder. "Let's go then." And he walked ahead.

5
4
3
2
1

Another Pony/Johnny slash scene will be in the next chapter. It's sooo cliché, but I love them!