Hey! I know I've been gone for a while, but hopefully I'm finally pulling myself out of my rut and will be able to work on things a lot more. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
~XII~
Getting back to his room, Peanut's relieved to find that he's alone. With how today's been, he doesn't want to hear Lefty's questions about where he's been or how his day's been going. He climbs into bed with audible sigh, kicking his shoes off and shrugging off his jacket in the process. His head hurts, along with his feelings. Of course he never liked fighting with Johnny. The two were so close and he hated making the senior mad. But that didn't mean Johnny needed to get so angry at him!
He lays there for a while, staring blankly at the comforter that's been pulled up to his chin. It's not Johnny's fault, he decides. He was just wanting what was best for him, and he understood that. Maybe he shouldn't have acted out so aggressively. However, as he went to reach for his phone, he stops. There's no way Johnny would want to hear from him after the little act he put on. No doubt he's still fuming to the rest of the clique, or even Lola.
Even thinking of that girl makes Peanut cringe. There was no denying he had tried getting Lola's attention a few times before. Of course, this all happened before he realized how Lola was. How she would throw herself at every guy who would have her and see what she could get away with. He didn't understand why Johnny stayed with her. He deserved so much better! Why couldn't he see that?
Before he has a chance to fully pull his hand away, his phone dings and his heart skips a beat, wondering if it's Johnny. Much to his dismay, though, it's only Lefty, informing him that he'd be spending the night with Vance. Well at least he didn't have to deal with the kid tonight. Tossing his phone to the side, he rolls over, snuggled under the covers. His mind wanders. Vyvyan's bright and cheery face whenever he shows up. Dan's usual upbeat and calm manner. The news of Dan transferring. The idea Vyvyan would falter and go back to being a hermit like before. The yelling of the other patients.
Thinking of the yelling actually caught his attention. The dorm was silent, for once. Surprisingly, it was almost louder than the usual fighting and yelling. He didn't like it. Sitting up and grabbing his phone, he plays music at a low volume. The old band, Stray Cat, makes him smile. Johnny had introduced him to this band back when they started hanging out. He remembered sitting in Johnny's room, both doing homework. There was one time Johnny had gotten up, grabbed Peanut's hand and the two started dancing. They never spoke of that night, and Peanut assumed Johnny either forgot, or just didn't want to admit he had danced so close to another guy. Whatever the case was, he loved that night. Especially to see his boss so happy and carefree.
Reaching down to retrieve his lighter and pack of cigarettes, he goes through the memories he's shared with Johnny. The times they'd sneak out of Johnny's home late at night, ran from the cops and joined the now graduated greasers at the tenements. Of course, Peanut always made sure to stay close to Johnny, always uncertain of being around the older teens. They always made him feel so insecure with their confidence and attitude. Of course Peanut had acquired some of that over the couple years, but he was still stuck on his height. Of course he had grown some since first meeting Johnny, but he still felt so small compared to the taller students, especially Norton.
Lighting up a cigarette, he pulls his ashtray closer to him, tapping the ends off as he continues to think. He lets his eyes close, inhaling the smoke as his mind wanders from Johnny, to the greasers, to Vyvyan. He smiles. Of course Peanut didn't really feel accepted home, especially with how his mother acted to his new friends. He wondered what she would say if she knew he was going to the asylum to talk to a girl.
With a soft chuckle, he flicks off the ashes, checking the time. It's only around 6:30 and there's still some daylight left. He doesn't like the silence that's still hanging around in the dorm. So finishing up his cigarette, he puts it out in the ashtray and stands up, slipping his feet back into his shoes and pulling on his jacket. He hurries out of the room, shoving his phone back into his pocket as his eye finally catches the darkest part of his room, giving him an uneasy feeling. No use in calling Johnny tonight. Not like the senior would reply, honestly. He was probably still mad at him.
Slamming his door shut as a sign he was done with his little "stalker" Peanut notices the pink colored shirt across the hall, jumping at his hostile actions. The freshman everyone had talked about for the first couple days then completely forgot about.
"Oh… hey..." he greets softly, guard on an all time high as he stares down at the younger teen. "Whatcha doin', hero?"
"Oh! I'm uh… nothing," He fumbles over his words and Peanut smiles. "I'm Pete. Pete Kowalski!"
"Larry Romano," he replies, shaking the hand that's been extended to him. "You're new 'round here, ain't ya?"
"Yeah, I am," Pete seems so flustered and unsure of himself. Almost like him when he arrived at Bullworth.
"Well, it's a dump," Peanut deadpans, turning to walk towards the exit. He turns back to look at Pete, biting his lip for a moment. "C'mon. Let's chat."
The boy perks up at this, practically running after the greaser, though he does his best to act cool. Peanut just chuckles as he pushes open the door, letting Pete out first and into the chilly night. The door shuts with a bang and Peanut realizes why there's anyone back at the dorm. He can hear the cheering and yelling from the football field, signaling a game is occurring. He didn't care for it, but Pete's little face seemed filled with wonder by the ongoing commotion.
"You wanna go check it out?" Peanut asks, catching his attention. Timidly, Pete nods his head, following the greaser to the field. Along the way, the two chat a bit, mainly Pete telling Peanut about his life. How he felt as though his parents looked at him as a bother and just dumped him at Bullworth to get rid of him. He honestly felt the same way. When his mother blew up at him for having his new friends. He didn't even like going home for the holidays, always hating that judging face of hers.
They get to the field in no time, Pete picking a seat for them at the very top. Not many people paid them any mind, too enticed in the ongoing game. Of course there were girls screaming Ted's name, cheering him on. Peanut just rolls his eyes, smiling as the other team scores another touchdown. Bullworth didn't have the best football team, he had to admit. But he supposed they tried. And looking at little Pete, seeing him so interested in the game, was kind of worth it. At least it got him out of that damn room. However, Pete finally looks up at him.
"Why aren't you with the other greasers?" he asks. Peanut just stares at him, not fully understanding. Wasn't it obvious they just weren't around? "I mean, instead of being with your friends, you're spending time with me. It's kinda strange…"
"Oh! Well, I just didn't feel like finding them," he tells him softly, pulling his phone out of his pocket and looking at it. No new messages. "Besides, I usually really hang out with Johnny, but… you know."
"Oh, yeah," Pete smiles slightly and the greaser cranes his neck to look at him fully, wondering what's so funny. "People have been saying stuff about this Peanut guy having a thing for him. Like he's in love with him."
His face goes red as his balls his hands into fists. He bet it was those bullies that hung around the parking lot so much. He'd throttle them the next time he saw them. Though, he supposed it was how he was always mentioning his boss. But was it bad to have a best friend you admired?!
"Johnny's my best friend!" he shoots back, surprising Pete. "I don't have a "thing" for him!"
"I-I didn't say that!" he squeaks, curling in on himself. "It was some bully saying it! Davis, I think!"
Of course it'd be Davis. Always trying to show off. But Pete was right, it really wasn't him that was saying those things. It just something he had heard. So with a sigh, Peanut forces himself to relax, his face still red as he glares at the football game going on. After a bit, he nods.
"Well then, he's gonna have some explaining to do," he grumbles. Pete's expression turns to remorseful, no doubt because he just got someone in trouble, but Peanut just smiles. He reaches out, patting his shoulder. "Can't have liars at Bullworth, now can we, hero?"
"I guess not..." he replies softly. They sit there for the rest of the game, Peanut going over all the cliques and most of the students at Bullworth. He gives him tips on surviving the academy, mainly to just stay away from people until he got a group of his own. He would've offered for the kid to come around the shop, but he knew that'd be a bad idea. Some coward hanging with greasers? No way. Not until he had gained at least an ounce of confidence in himself. Johnny probably wouldn't have it anyways.
Johnny. He frowns thinking about his boss. He supposed he'd apologize when he got back to his room. He shouldn't have snapped like that. But for the moment, he feels at least content. Pete, as awkward and quiet as he is, provided some entertainment. Enough to at least get his mind off of everything. And Mandy jumping around helped a little as well. As bitchy as she was, Peanut did find her attractive, as did most of the school. But as the game ended, with Bullworth of course losing, Peanut slowly guided Pete down the stairs, making sure he wouldn't trip or have someone push him. The kid looked so frail, he was scared a strong wind would knock him off his feet. But, he seemed grateful anytime Peanut would look back and check on him.
They hurry away from the crowd of students and parents, Peanut grabbed Pete's sleeve and practically dragging him away from everyone. He would've liked to stay out longer, but with how much Pete was yawning he figured it was time to go back. And face the possible wrath of Johnny after he sent his apology text. It wasn't exactly something he was looking forward to, but he had classes with his boss anyways the next day. Might as well try to ease the tension some.
"Thanks, Larry," Pete finally says as they get back into the dorm. "Or uh… do you prefer Peanut?"
"Call me Peanut, and you're dead," he replies. The freshman looks at him in complete fear and he laughs. "I'm jokin'. I don't like the name, but it's stuck you know?"
"Y-yeah. I guess," Rubbing the back of his neck, Pete opens his door to his room, giving him one last timid smile. "Goodnight!"
"Night, hero," With that Peanut enters his room, shutting his door more gently this time. The shadow's gone from the corner and he can't see it, so his nerves are set to ease. On that note, at least. He sits on the edge of his bed, pulling out his phone and staring at it. He feels sick as he thinks about the possible outcomes of texting Johnny so soon, but he can't risk the hate he'd receive tomorrow if he didn't try to make things right.
Peanut: hey. I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I shouldn't have snapped like that. I know you're only trying to help and I shouldn't be doing those things. See you tomorrow?
He's hesitant to hit send, but he forces himself to after rereading it multiple times. As he suspected, he doesn't hear back right away. Or after five minutes, for that matter. He just sighs softly, putting his phone down and laying in bed. He's probably busy. Or just doesn't wanna hear from him. The second thought hurts him, actually. To think Johnny wouldn't want anything to do with him hurt his feelings. They were so close, he would hate if some stupid argument ruined their friendship. But he jumps when his phone goes off, and his heart skips a beat when he sees Johnny's name pop up.
Johnny: it's whatever. I get it
Johnny: think you could come over?
Peanut: sure! Omw
He's excited as he sits up, stuffing his phone into his pocket and grabbing his backpack. He's out of his room within minutes, listening to the prefects he pass telling him to be back before curfew. Of course he ignores them like always. Even if he was coming back, they wouldn't be seeing him anyways. But as he walked his way to Johnny's house, he noticed how the house had no lights on, except for Johnny's room. That wasn't normal, considering Mrs. Vincent usually stayed up pretty late. Maybe she decided to turn in early?
"Johnny! I'm here!" Peanut shouts, knocking on the front door. He stands there for a bit, looking around. No one's out and everything's quiet and peaceful. But when he sees his friend open the door, the peaceful feeling disappears. "You alright?"
"Come on in," he says softly. Peanut obeys, shutting and locking the door behind him. It's so quiet and everything except the hall light is off.
"Is your mom already asleep?" he asks. There's no reply for a while, until they enter Johnny's room.
"Mom and dad got into a fight earlier," he grumbles, sitting on his bed. "Cops got involved and the rest's history."
"Johnny..." Peanut took a seat next to him. It wasn't a secret that Johnny's parents got into fights regularly, and sometimes it would escalate to them screaming at each other or even physical. It's why he was never surprised about his friend's short temper and hostile nature. Of course Mrs. Vincent was always an angel to Johnny and the friends he brought around, but it was a different story when Mr. Vincent was around.
"Cops just finally got tired of coming around for fights, I guess," Johnny mumbles, "Plus I guess they found some stuff on my mom. Norton's dad is gonna try to sort everything out, but we'll see."
He couldn't even believe it. He felt so bad. Giving Johnny stress when he already had things going on at home. He wanted to apologize over and over, but before he could, his friend continued.
"I didn't mean to get so upset earlier," he tells him, "I was just mad at everything, and to see you hadn't been going to class kinda sent me over the edge. I'm sorry."
"Johnny, it's fine," He gives his friend a smile, going to rest his hand on his leg. "I shouldn't have been so stubborn. Or yelled at you."
It comes as a surprise, but Johnny wraps his arms around Peanut, pulling him into a tight embrace. He's hesitant but finally hugs him back, head rested on his shoulder as his hands softly grip the familiar leather jacket. They stay that way for a bit, the leader squeezing him just a bit.
"Let's just stay home tomorrow," Johnny finally suggests, "I don't really feel like goin' to school, and I don't wanna be alone."
"Whatever you want, Johnny!" He's excited to spend the day with his friend, especially since he didn't have to worry about classes. And as they turn on the TV and start up a movie, Johnny gives Peanut a small smile.
"Thanks for always bein' here, Larry."