When Louis woke up next, Johnny was watching television..
"Hey, Johnny," he said sitting up. His head was feeling a lot better. Johnny turned around and said 'hey' back. Louis then looked around.
"Where's everyone else?" he asked. Johnny sat on the couch beside him and answered.
"Pony, Two-Bit, and Steve are at school. Darry and Soda had to go to work. I'm not sure if Dally went to school or not. He might have skipped again."
That sounded like Dally. A tough troublemaker. Louis still felt protected by him, even if he was a hoodlum. Johnny then asked Louis,
"What happened?"
"About what?"
"Last night. Dally said you were unconscious in a alley."
"Oh. Some socs chased me into a building and I slipped out of a window."
"Oh. Darry had to calm Dallas down when he brought you here. He was gonna go out and get the socs."
"How would he know which ones?"
"That's the thing Darry stopped him for. If he had just gone around beating up people, he would have got jailed."
Louis thought for a moment. Dally would do all that just for him? They just met each other. Why would Dally want to protect him? Louis knew he didn't do that for everyone.
Johnny broke into his thoughts.
"I walked out of the bathroom and walked outside and didn't see you. I went around shouting your name and Dally heard me. He ran up to me and we started looking for you. Dally then saw a bunch of socs getting into a car and driving off. He saw where they were coming from and found you in a alley. We were both scared like heck."
Louis felt better. He knew he was surrounded by kindness. This was something different.
"Johnny."
"Hm."
"I just want to say. I could say you're my best friend."
Johnny was silent. He had never had a best friend before. Pony was close, but Darry kept him inside all the time. It felt good to have a best friend.
"I can say the same," Johnny said smiling.
Louis smiled too. He too had never had a best friend. Since he had a best friend…
"Johnny. Because I think you're my best friend, I feel I can tell you something."
Johnny looked at Louis.
"Tell me what?"
Louis gulped and sighed.
"My past."
Johnny wanted to hear this. He heard from everyone else that Louis was quiet about his past. Louis started…
Sorry for it being shorter than usual. But I'm trying to build suspense.