Disclaimer: Man, I wished I owned 'The Outsiders'. Especially Johnny because Ralph Macchio's cute and he was perfect for the part (: But no...they belong to THE S.E HINTON ! She's one heck of a genius...However, I do own the characters you've never heard about in the book or the movie.

Love Ain't No Joke

What Did You Do With the Real Dally!

How can I tell him? Hmmm...how about Johnny, I love you. Naw, too forward. Besides, it's not like I dig him like that. I ain't never told no one I loved them before. Hell, if i did they'd probably burst out laughing in my face. Now, I ask you: is it my fault Johnny has everything I need in life? Someone to love, to be my pet, to be there when I need him, ya know? I'll tell you the answer: it's not my fault. I need to think of a way to tell Johnny that I love him and I care about him, but I just don't want to make it seem like I dig him...

"Dal! Dal! DALLAS!" I heard Sodapop scream in my ear.

"Huh, what, man?"

"You daydreamin' Dal? That's one thing I wouldn't 'spect outta you!" He said suspiciously.

"Nah, man. Just thinkin' on some things, ya know? Like what law I'm gonna break next." I relpied with humor.

"Ha! Yeah, right, Dal. You ain't never done any thinkin' about that or about anything as long as I've known ya. You don't think before you act. Kinda like Pony here." Darrel said.

"Hey, cut it out! You shouldn't pick on your little brother. Well, at least not your youngest. Pick on Soda and not me for once!" Pony said.

"Hell, Pony. If I was picked on by Darry, I'd be picked to the bone. Have you noticed the size of this guy?" Soda said picking up Darry's arm and feeling his muscle.

"Yeah, and if you don't keep your trap shut I just might use them on ya little buddy." He said trying to give Soda precaution. It worked, too. Soda widened his eyes and sat down slowly on the couch.

I dazed back off into thought again while they continued talking about work and cars and other normal things that guys talk about. You'd probably be right if you guessed a few. I still couldn't figure out how to tell Johnny, though. It was eating at my mind like me wantin' to punch some guy when a parole officer was right behind me or somethin'. I was trying to think of the right words...hmmm..well, I could always use something like Johnny, I really care about you. I love you like family and I just want you to know that. That I care and I love you. Yeah, that was pretty good, if I do say so myself...but how would I possibly get Johnny alone? Speaking of which, I wonder where the little guy is...

"Hey ya'll!" I heard Two-Bit yell from his old beat-up Pontiac. "I brought Johnny along with me! I hope ya'll don't mind!"

Well, that just answered my question. I heard the engine stop and the car doors slam. Two-Bit and Johnny walked through the front door and Two-Bit yelled, "Where are ya'll? I'm not that boozed up! No need to run away."

"We're in the kitchen, genius!" Pony said like Tow-Bit was an idiot.

Johnny came walking in first with his hands in his pockets and a puppy-dog-face look. He still had that nasty scar from when Bob the Soc beat him up. I never did get a chance to take care of that guy. Johnny did that for himself. But that made him look all the more innocent and puupy-like. It made him look nice. Like he could be mean if he wanted to, but overall, a good person. He was wearing the same old jean jacket that was way too small for him and the beat-up, ripped pants. He had a lot of grease in his hair and a sad look in his deep, black eyes.

"Johnny, man! What's up?" I asked him.

"Nothin' Dal, just the usual. Parents fighting, beatin' up on me. I had to get away. I really don't think I can take it any more, ya'll." He looked like he was about to cry. I hated it when he did that. It made him look even more cute.

"Well, Johnnycake, you know you're always welcome to stay with us, if you'd like. Any night, any day, any time, kid. You know our door's always open. Literally." Darry said with sympathy.

"I know, Darry. I just don't wanna seem like a bother. You know, like a pest." Johnny said. There was the nice, caring part of him showing.

"Come on, now Johnny! You know you're never a bother! Besides, I could use the company, what with Soda working full-time and Darry...well, not wanting to hang out with me and working."

"Well, would ya'll mind if I stayed here tonight? My dad really did it this time."

"Johnny, man. He really does it all the time. You really don't deserve that." I said with surprising compassion. All of a sudden I felt my cheeks turn red because all my friends were staring at me like I was some kind of a freak show.