Wow, you guys! Thanks for the reviews you guys are so nice!!! There's some a bit of angry-Dally profanity in this chapter, so don't say I didn't warn you! I've been getting all these weird inspirations from a lot of movies that I've been watching lately, so this chapter is probably going to be very fluffy at some parts, but in the words of Master Yoda: A little giggle we all do need!

Chapter 8: Publications

I could feel everyone's eye on me as I sat at the kitchen table, eating the breakfast that Darry had

cooked for me. He'd made me call my mother, who was worried sick about me. She continually

asked me what had happened, but I only told her that I'd explain when I got home after school

and that I was alright. Darryl looked a little disappointed in my choice of words, but he didn't

comment on them.

Just as I was taking my last bite of toast, Dallas Winston just about tore the door off its hinges as

he entered the house, sending the jellied bread out my hand. Ponyboy just about fell out of his

chair laughing as the food landed in the center of Johnny's white t-shirt.

"What the fuck'd those bastards do to you!" Dally was practically screaming in my ear as I handed

Johnny some napkins.

"Hey, Dal," began Darry, "Calm down a minute, huh?"

Dally shot Darry a menacing glance, but he flopped down on the couch nonetheless.

"Wait!"

Everyone in the room turned to stare at Sodapop, who had been silent the whole time.

"Dally has a right to be angry. Those Socs should pay for what they did to Angelina."

The silence of the room was deafening as all seven boys contemplated the justification of this idea.

"Maybe not," Johnny began in his usual quite voice, "I don't think we should start all this–"

"Hey, what's your problem, huh, Johnny?" Dallas had stood once again despite Darry's objection and was now hovering over Johnny's seated form beside me. Dally wasn't even speaking to me, but I could still feel his dangerous presence looming over my head. "She's your girlfriend, for God sakes! Don't you care?!"

"What do you mean 'do I care'? Of course I care, now all I'm saying is it's not worth making this big of deal about it! They didn't do anything to her, can't you see her Dally? She's sitting right here, DAMNIT!"

I gazed up in awe at Johnny, Sodapop was standing in the same position on the other side of me with his mouth hanging to the floor, Darry's ice-colored eyes flickered from Dally to Johnny, Ponyboy dropped his fork loudly, Two-Bit and Steve turned suddenly away from the television screen, and Dally remained stupefied staring down at "everyone's kid brother". It was the first time I'd ever seen Johnny truly angry, not to mention the first time I'd ever seen anyone mouth off to Dally like that and still be living. We all stayed that way for at least a minute, Johnny's eyes blazing.

Finally, Dally seemed to snap out of the temporary trance, his face rapidly turning a rapid shade of scarlet, and he rushed out of the house, slamming the screen door behind him.

Johnny sighed and continued his breakfast

"Uhhh..." Darry said, breaking the silence, "Angelina, do you think you'll be alright in school?"

I nodded, still shocked by Johnny's outburst.

Ponyboy, Johnny, and I packed up our books and Two-Bit drove us to the school a few miles away (Johnny was going to stay home, but Darry looked like he was about to lecture his head off, so he came with us).

Johnny walked me to my first period, both of us pretending not to notice the dirty looks thrown our way by a couple of Socs.

We slowed our pace even more as the classroom came into view.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later..." he said, staring at his shoe.

I nodded and hugged my books even closer to my chest.

I could see Natasha gaping at us from inside the classroom door, her expression very similar to Sodapop's that morning.

Johnny ran his hand through his hair nervously as he moved towards me for a brief and awkward hug. He eyes turned for a moment and, seeming to have decided something, kissed me quickly on the lips.

"Bye." he said, quickly, trying to suppress a smile.

I mouthed the same to him–for some reason, I just couldn't get the words to come out audibly.

The whole day, my thoughts were stuck on the interesting events of that morning: Johnny yelling at Dally and him not doing anything, that kiss that Johnny gave me before class, and that adorable grin on his face...

I sighed and waited for Health to come around. I only had lunch next, then I could see Johnny.

"Hey, it's Rama Lama Ding Dong herself!" I immediately recognized the shrill voice on the break of laughter as Two-Bit Matthews'.

He squeezed between me and Natasha, almost knocking my tray of food over and flung his arms around our shoulders.

"You girls heard that one before?"

"Which one," Natasha asked blankly. She wasn't too good with music and everything.

"By the Edsels," I explained, "It's a song."

I guess seeing Two-Bit could brighten up my day (even though he was a little more than annoying at times).

"So, Angelina, how's it going?"

I shrugged, absently playing with a leaf that had blown in from a nearby door that had recently been swung open.

"No, no, no," he said, shaking his head as if I was merely a naive child, chuckling to himself all the while, "I mean how's it goin' with Johnny?"

I blushed at the mention of Johnny's name, turning away to hide my embarrassment.

"Things? Okay, I guess..."

Natasha looked confused (as usual) and gave me a quizzical look. "Johnny...Is that that greaser that I saw you with this morning, Angie?"

Two-Bit turned to her sharply. His eyes were narrowed and I could tell that he was getting angry–and fast.

"Hey, Natasha," I began giving her a warning look. Natasha and I knew each other well enough that we didn't even have to use words to communicate. Apparently, she just didn't get the point this time:

"Angelina," she said, angrily standing upright, "I don't know what's gotten into you lately with your crazy boyfriends! Next thing I know, you'll be knocked up or something!"

I stared up at her and I knew that Two-Bit probably was looking at me with the exact same expression on his face. I felt like I'd just been slapped out of my incessant daydreaming. I guess I'd never really thought of what my best friend thought about Johnny and I's relationship. But then again, how could she judge him just because he was a greaser? If I liked him, did she really think he could be that bad?

I stared after as she stomped away from the lunch table, her knee-length skirt swishing behind her.

"Bitch," I heard Two-Bit murmur under his breath.

"Shutup!" I punched him hard in the arm. I don't care if even I called Natasha that, I sure as hell wouldn't let him!

I could feel Johnny's eyes on me as I struggled to concentrate on my essay. I slammed down my pen, frustrated with reading the same first line over and over.

Johnny's POV

I didn't know what, but something was definitely wrong with Angelina. Usually, she seemed at least a little excited to see me, but now, she wouldn't even look in my direction. She usually made good grades and everything, but today, she just seemed...distracted.

I quickly scribbled a few words on the paper I was supposed to have been using to write a paper on reproduction, and tossed it onto her desk.

Angelina's POV

I stared at the note for a while, knowing where it had come from, then hesitantly opened it.

What's wrong? You seemed so happy this morning. What happened?

–Johnny

I sighed, knowing I couldn't bring myself to lie to Johnny.

I'll talk to you after class...

Johnny waited for me outside of the classroom, as I expected him to. He was leaning with his back against the wall, his black eyes gazing down at the ground as they so often did.

Johnny's POV

We just stood there for a while, just kind of staring at each other. I forced myself to wrap my arms around her, despite my conscience telling me I shouldn't. As soon as I'd touched her she let out a little whimper into my shoulder.

I could see the people passing by us staring at the image of Angelina and I standing there, her head buried into my jean jacket. I'd never seen her like this before. She just always seemed so calmed about everything, so in control of her life.

Finally, after a long while, she pulled away. Her eyes were a light pinkish color, and despite the situation, I couldn't help but admire her good looks. I held her hand as we strolled down the hall, her explaining the story of what had happened to her at lunch between sniffles.

By the time she was finished, we had reached outside and were perched on top of this brick wall, waiting for Two-Bit to come out of the school building.

I couldn't think of anything to do to comfort her except to just put my arm around her shoulder. She allowed her head to rest near my collar. I guess crying had tired her out an awful lot. Her eyes were half open and she looked as if she could fall asleep right there. I was kind of glad that she hadn't looked up at me right then to see the grin on my face. I must have looked crazy.

I just wished that she actually would go to sleep instead of staring into the distance like she always did. I wanted to feel her head relax against me as if nothing could ever happen, as if the world would just disappear and it would be just us................

Hope you guys liked it! Oh gosh, I love being fluffy–butterflies are about to fly out of my ears or something. A similar situation is going on right now with one of my best friends and this guy I like...lot of conflict going on there. Maybe I'll take some real-life events from my days on this earth and incorporate it into this fic!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to start on the next chapter!!!!! AHHHH, I'm going Johnny-crazy right now!!!! See ya soon (Remember, R&R)!