What's up. I'm back. Who's ready for more tough Johnny?

Chapter 11: The Shouting

"Beatings, beatings, beatings."

"Lots of them."

"From teenagers, cops and dad. Continue."

………

Johnny continued his walk. He felt good knowing that his respect was rising greatly. He should be up to status in no time.

The only problem he had was that Dally seemed too worried. He really didn't want to keep him worried. What was he talking about? Dallas is a tough character. He wouldn't worry about him. Johnny needed a smoke.

He walked inside a store and stole a pack plus a lighter. He actually did what Two-Bit said. He was right. It was simple.

Johnny walked a couple of blocks and stood in front of another store. He got out the pack and the lighter. He flipped out a cigarette and lit it up. Took a good drag from it.

"Hey Cade!"

Johnny turned his head to see Curly walking up to him. Johnny blew out his smoke and yelled "hey" back.

"You shouldn't have left so early," said Curly leaning against the wall of the store.

"My brother had to convince Dally that you weren't going to be okay."

"Had to convince him?"

"Yeah. Dally said he didn't know if you could handle all the stuff that we do. But Tim reminded him that you survived all those beatings. Even Franklin's."

That was true. Johnny's dad beat him up a lot. And Franklin was just another person to add to the hit list. His mom too. He beat him verbally.

"I'm going to run back home and change clothes," said Johnny throwing away his cigarette.

"Okay."

Curly went ahead and walked off and Johnny headed in the other direction. Johnny then paused, and searched his pockets. He had a sigh of relief when he felt the money and his knife still in there.

He would have to get Franklin back at some point. But he would need a good plan. That would give him time to think, and when Franklin has his guard down.

Johnny reached his house and walked on through. His dad must have been at work. Good. He walked over to his room and started changing clothes. When he finished his mom appeared at the doorway. Just what he needed.

"So you're finally home, huh?" she said in a sour voice. "I give you a house to sleep in, and you don't even sleep in it!"

"How can I sleep if you're yelling all the time!" spat back Johnny.

Mrs. Cade's eyes widened with shock. That was the first time that Johnny had ever talked to her. Let alone in that tone.

"Excuse me?" she said in an even nastier voice. "Do you know you you're talking to like that?"

"You! I can't stand you, you know that? Always complaining about me when you have problems yourself. You don't care about me at all. And I've been too tame! You don't yell at me then I won't bother you sorry…."

Mrs. Cade mouthed dropped from the words coming out of her only son's mouth. Johnny pushed passed her and lit his next cigarette on the way out the door. He turned around, his mom was still standing at his bedroom doorway. He smiled, and blew smoke towards her. He walked off. Another incredible feeling, and it wasn't from the smoke.

Johnny was just a good two minutes from his house when he noticed Curly walking his way.

"Where you coming to get me?" yelled Johnny from a distance.

"Yeah," shouted back Curly. "Wanted to know if you wouldn't mind helping me and Tim's boys out."

"By doing what ?"

"Well. The Tiber Street Tigers are trying to ease in on us. It's close to war. Tim wanted to know if you'll help out. He thinks you'll be tough enough."

"Sounds exciting. I'm in."

"Good. Dally'll be helping out too."

Dally will be there. This would be Johnny's chance to show Dally that he'll be able to handle himself.

"So do y'all have a base or something?" asked Johnny.

"Just ask around. Ask Ponyboy. He's cool with me."

"Do you think he'll handle it?"

"He can fight."

"What about his brother?"

"What about him?"

"Darry will kill us if he knew we got him involved."

"Then Darry won't know."