Disclaimer: I don't own any of the wonderful Outsiders characters, but I do own Ginny, who is mine, and u can't have her! ;) 3

Johnny POV:

When I walked into the house, the first thing I noticed was that the only sounds were coming from the kitchen. As I walked closer I heard that it was a radio of my mothers that I had never heard on. I saw mom at the sink washing dishes, singing quietly.

"Hey ma," I said not expecting an answer.

"Hello Johnny," I whipped around at my mom's soft voice. She held out the dish towel, "help me dry dishes?"

"Sure ma," I answered. My heart was soaring, my mom was actually acknowledging me!

"How are you doing lately?" mom asked.

"Fine," I answered.

"How are your grades in school?"

"Passing."

"I hear you have gotten yourself into a bit of trouble. Mind filling me in?"

Now I see where this is going, she just wants to tell how much of a failure I am.

"Well, me an' Ponyboy Curtis were walkin' home and some socs came an' started buggin' us. They started drowning Pony in the fountain, and they was gonna kill him, so I pulled out my blade, and stabbed one of em.

"We got scared, and so we went to Ja mountain, up in Windrexville, and stayed in that old church.

"Him and me stayed there for a while until our friend came to get us. He took us to eat, and when we got back, the church we were staying in was burning.

"There were kids inside, and Pony and I went in to save them. We got them out and our friend got us out, me with a broken leg, but nothin' serious." Now i waited for the cut downs.

In stead what I got was a pat on the back, "well Johnny, you did a good thing up in Windrexville. Evan got yourself made a hero."

I heard a car door slam and knew dad was home.

"Here," mom said, grabbing a red apple off the table, "you go tidy up your room real quick-like, I'll occupy your father, and then you get out of here, go see a movie."

I ran up the stairs and into my room. My room wasn't all that messy, but I always clean it up on Sunday. I picked up some papers that fell off the desk and sorted through to see what they were. After the bed was made, cloths picked up and in the hamper, closet cleaned, and magazines on the shelf, I grabbed the apple and quietly went down the stairs.

My dad was eating at the table, facing away from the door.

As I closed the door, my mom's dark eyes met mine. She gave a nod and I returned it with a small smile.

I headed over to see Ponyboy, I just had to tell him about my moms sudden interest in my life.

"Johnny," I heard a feminine voice from behind. "Hey Johnny, wait up."

I turned around and saw Ginny running to catch up. "Hey Gin," I greeted, taking a bite of my apple.

"Hey there," Ginny said, "you look pretty happy Johnny," she observed.

"Yeah, well come on over to the Curtis's house with me and I'll explain," I laughed.

Ginny shrugged and fell into step with me.

When we got to Pony's only he and Dally were there.

"Hey guys," I greeted, "I have something to tell you."

"What is it Johnny?" Pony asked, putting down his book.

"Well, when i got home I said hi to my mom, and then... she said hi back. I helped her wash dishes, and we had a conversation," I said happily.

"Woah Johnny-cake," Dally said, "don't get your hopes all up."

"Dallas, now that my mom is actually acknowledging me, asking me how my grades are, I'm going to take advantage of it," I said.

"Well, you be careful," Dally said.

"What do you think Ginny?" I asked

"Well... I must say, I am real jealous of you Johnny Cade. I wish my mom would pay attention to me."

There was a silence after Ginny spoke.

SLAM "Hey all," Two-Bit called.

"You don't have to yell Two-Bit," Dally glared, "we're all right here."

"Where's everyone?" asked Two-Bit.

"Darrys' at the store, Soda an Steve pulled double shifts, Pony answered.

"Well then, Dal, you wanna go hunt some action?" Two-Bit questioned with a grin.

"Sure, why not. You three wanna come too?" Dally offered.

"I probably shouldn't, Darry will be home soon and I don't think he'll like me gone and him nor me knowing where I'll be." Pony answered.

"I'll come," Ginny and I answered at the same time.

"Cool, we'll see you tomorrow Pone." Two-Bit said.

"See ya Pony," I called, walking out behind everyone.

"Bye Johnny," I heard pony say as I closed the door.

"So, where are we goin?" Ginny asked.

"I think we'll go see Tim first," Dally said, "See if he wants to have some fun tonight."

Ginny looked to me, "who's Tim?"

"Tim Shepherd is one of Dally's friends," I explained.

Thanks to all of u who have reviewed, I'm glad someone likes my story.

I'm not so happy with this chapter, but i have to keep the story going.

plz r&r