~III~

Peanut stays quiet for a bit, still wondering how he's gonna explain what he had seen back at Johnny's house without sounding crazy. But, he can't think of anything. So when they near the parking lot he lets out a sigh.

"I think I'm just tired," he finally tells him, "It'll probably go away when I get some rest."

"That's it?" he asks as they near the auto shop. "Was that why you screamed and fell in the shower?"

"Not really…" He hops off the back of the bike as they come to a stop, watching as he puts his bike away in the garage.

"Would you just tell me what's going on?" he sighs, both making their way towards the boy's dorm so Peanut can grab his things. "We're supposed to be best friends, right? So why ain't you being truthful?"

"Because it sounds crazy," he grumbles. Johnny just chuckles, reaching out to punch his shoulder.

"We've told each other some pretty crazy stories in the past," he replies, "Why would now be any different from that?"

Peanut doesn't respond. He's right. During their couple years of being friends, they had shared stories of what they went through, crazy or not. He supposed he just didn't want Johnny looking at him in a different light.

"I just saw something," he confesses, the leader raising his brows. "It looked like a person and it ended up running at the shower curtain and scared me."

"A person?" he repeats, "Well, that's how I know it was your imagination, because not only was it me and my mom home, that damn door was locked. While we're on that subject, please don't lock that door again. You had me worried."

"Sorry, Johnny," A hand is rested on his shoulder and Peanut smiles. "I dunno. I just didn't want you thinking I was crazy and end up avoiding me."

"We have a few classes together. How am I supposed to avoid you?" he laughs, "Besides, I'm here to help everyone in the clique! Especially you."

"Thanks, Johnny," They reach the dorm, going inside and towards Peanut's room, Johnny shoving Davis into a nearby trash can for bumping into him and running his mouth about something. They don't stay in the dorm for long, Peanut grabbing his backpack and fixing up his hair. They're out within a minute, Johnny commenting about how rowdy that building is and how he's glad he doesn't stay in it. Honestly, it probably was for the best that he didn't, considering he would probably fight every student in there.

9:00 and class has started, the two greasers taking their seats by each other as more students walk in. Mr. Galloway is already having his morning "tea" as he explains the assignment for today. It's simple, really. Read over some short stories and analyze them. If they finish early, then they could leave or do any homework they had for their next class that they didn't finish. They had the option to work with partners and right as he's done talking, Peanut's turning around in his seat to face Johnny, dropping his paper beside his so they can work together. Well, more so talk and joke around, even though Johnny had wanted them to get it finished. Oh well. It could just become homework if they didn't get it done.

Class is almost over and Peanut can feel his eyelids grow heavy and he's occasionally nodding off every now and then. Johnny just chuckles every time his head dips forward, only to have him panic and snap it right back up.

"Are you gonna be okay, kid?" Johnny asks, watching as his head dips once more.

"Hopefully," he grumbles, finally crossing his arms and resting on them. "If anything, I'll just sleep throughout gym."

"And who said you could do that?" he teases. There's just a yawn and he shakes his head. "You can sleep during gym as long as you promise to participate next time."

"Will do, boss," His response is soft as he fights to stay awake. The bell startles him and Johnny laughs when he jumps. They gather their things and follow the rest of the students out, Mr. Galloway reminding them to either turn in their work or finish it for homework. Making their way to the cafeteria, Johnny throws his bag on their table, Peanut taking a seat and using his own backpack as a pillow. He sits next to him, the look of the food Edna had cooked being completely revolting. God knows what she put in it.

The rest of the greasers join them minutes later, Lefty looking equally as tired as Peanut.

"What's wrong with you two?" Ricky asks, taking a seat by Lucky.

"Woke up early," Lefty replies, going to kick Vance's shin under the table. "Thanks to this asshole!"

"Ow! What the hell?!" He kicks him back, the two fighting for a bit and Ricky regrets asking. Had he known this would be the result he would've just kept his mouth shut. But they continue to bicker, Lefty complaining about how he was kicked in the face this morning and wasn't able to fall back asleep. Peanut's just groaning at the noise, attempting to bury his face further into his crossed arms.

"Both of you knock it off," Johnny snaps, catching their attention. "No one wants to hear it."

They obey his command, giving a soft apology. And after that, they start to talk amongst each other, Peanut and Lefty staying out of the conversation to try and get in some rest. Of course, with all the talking in the cafeteria it's pretty much impossible to with how loud everyone is. Peanut can make out some of the insults the rest of the greasers are throwing out about the preps, Ricky occasionally badmouthing the jocks. Hal, of course, doesn't really talk about anyone, except how pretty much the entire student body is nothing but people that resemble twigs.

Though he doesn't sleep, Peanut's eyes feel less heavy. Just like last time, the bell ringing makes him jump, along with Lefty who had successfully gotten in a good half hour sleep. He doesn't look any better though, now seeming even more tired. Norton has to pretty much carry him to the next class they shared together. Gathering up their things, the greasers say goodbye as they make their way up the stairs and towards their classes, agreeing to go hang out after school. Peanut wondered if he would be rested enough to hang out with them again tonight, or if he would just to go back to his room and crash. And, to none of their surprise, Johnny has to shout at Ricky to make sure he goes to his own class, Photography. The teen just rolls his eyes, responding with a "sir, yes, sir."

A couple jocks are already in the gym when Johnny and Peanut get in there, throwing a football back and forth. The two greasers make their way towards the pool area, Peanut dragging himself up the stairs and towards the bleachers, throwing his bag down and laying on it. Johnny just watches him with an amused smile.

"You really that tired?" he asks, the junior just nodding. "I'm actually surprised, since you were the first one to fall asleep last night."

"I've just been tired," he tells him softly, "Ever since I went to turn in my pictures for photography, I've been feeling really tired."

"Maybe you just need to rest more," he suggests, pulling out his phone. There's a picture message from Ricky, showing him the inside of the art room, the message "are you proud of me?" being sent right after. He just chuckles softly, responding with a simple yes and putting his phone back in his pocket. "How much you been sleeping before yesterday?"

"I don't know," he sighs, picking up his head to stare at his boss. "I thought I was getting enough, but I guess not."

"And about that shadow," Peanut groans at the mention of the earlier event. "Was that the first time you've ever seen something like that?"

Before he can say no, he stops himself. Back at the dorm after he woke up. That figure that moved across the room. He sighs.

"Before I came over to the tenement," he confesses, surprising him. "I woke up and I thought I saw Lefty in the room and walking around, but when I turned on the light no one was there."

"Really?" It was a bit of a surprise to hear his confession, but he was glad he wasn't keeping it from him like he tried to last time. He reaches out, giving him a comforting pat on his leg. "Well, if you ever see it again, just text me and I'll come get you. You can spend the night at my place."

"You sure?" Peanut picks up his head, a smiling on his face. "What if it's like… really late or past curfew?"

"That don't matter," he replies, "Besides, I think my mom likes having you over. Said something about you being a good influence."

"Really? She said that?" It's a surprise, considering that the greasers weren't saints. They started fights, broke the law, and even had been arrested a few times. They were lucky that Norton's father was an officer, since he usually let them off with a slap on the wrist. Where did "good influence" come from any of that? Maybe she saw Peanut as one of the greasers who didn't cause the most trouble… which again was a lie. "Heh. Your mom's pretty great, you know?"

"Yeah, she can be," Peanut rests his head back down, closing his eyes. He's lucky to have such a caring friend. Honestly, his family wasn't the most supportive. His father was decent, being the one who got him into bikes and cars. But his mother, on the other hand, wasn't too supportive of his ideas becoming a mechanic. She also hated how he befriended Johnny Vincent his freshman year, becoming a greaser along with Ricky and Lucky. His grades slowly started to slip and he didn't come home after school like he used to. His father was okay with it, saying he had went through the same thing when he was in high school. This wasn't the same reaction from his mother, though, and she told him to leave if he kept wanting to hang out with them. Guess what he chose. He wouldn't have it any other way, though. He went back on holidays to see his parents, and even though his mother wasn't the most ecstatic to see him, his father always greeted him with the warmth and love Johnny's mother had for them when they went over this morning.

When the bell rings to signal it's the end of the day, Peanut actually sleeps through it. Johnny has to violently shake him to wake him up, deciding it's best to have him sleep in a bed rather than on a bleacher. He just groans, batting his boss away in an attempt to stay asleep. With a smirk, Johnny reaches into his backpack and pulls out a bottle of water. Uncapping it, he pours a bit on his friend's face, watching him panic and thrash himself awake.

"Johnny! What the hell?!" he whines, and that voice makes him laugh.

"C'mon," he says, capping the bottle and throwing it back into his bag, slinging one of the straps over his shoulder. "The bell rang and I'd rather have you back in your room."

Peanut stumbles to pick up his bag, following his boss down the stairs and out the door, being greeted by the basketball court. The cool air makes Peanut shiver, both walking towards the fountain.

"You still tired?" Johnny asks, looking back at him. "Or do you wanna come hang out with us?"

"I… think I'll come hang out," he answers after some hesitation. This just makes his friend smile. They take a left at the fountain, headed for the auto shop, finding the rest of the clique waiting for them.

"There you guys are!" Hal greets with a smile, "We thought you wouldn't be comin'."

"I had a hard time waking Peanut up," Johnny tells them, returning the smile.

"Yeah, so did I with Lefty," Norton grumbles, the sophomore just letting out a nervous chuckle. "Anyways, you guys ready to go?"

"Yeah!" They leave the auto shop, Peanut on the back of Johnny's bike like he was when they had arrived that morning. Though he was still tired, he figured hanging out with his friends would do him some good.