Chapter Nine

I woke to hear the door slam carelessly. I sat up straight and realised I had been sprawled across the whole couch. I looked down and saw Johnny on the floor. Guilt flowed through me but was quickly replaced with fear.

"Oh! Good, you came home!" Rick said while eating a donut and leaning against the counter.

At the sound of Rick's voice, Johnny jerked awake and shot up straight. Rick's eyes rounded at the sight of the blinking Johnny.

"You little whore!!" he roared at me furiously, dropping the donut. "Get him out of here!!"

I sprung to my feet but Johnny was quicker. Completely terrified, he basically ran for the door and I tried to follow but Rick grabbed my arm.

"Don't come back!!" he shouted after Johnny.

"No! Let go of me!!" I cried, struggling.

I glanced out the window and saw Johnny had stopped on the lawn. He wasn't going to leave without me! I almost smiled but then I remembered my horrifying pervert uncle had hold of my arm.

"Let go!!"

"Why? So you can go over to his place?"

"NO!!" I screamed and dug my nails into his arm.

He yanked his arms away but shoved me as hard as he could into the table beside the couch. I smashed into it and crashed to the ground, my whole body aching. I knew Johnny was having a heated debate with himself over what he should do. He was too scared and knew he was too small to face Rick but he was also too kind-hearted to leave. But I wanted him to go – I didn't want Rick to seriously hurt him.

I tried to get to my feet but a sharp pain shot through my spine and my legs trembled too fiercely. Then I saw a small black blur bolt in the door and soon Johnny had hold of my wrists and was pulling me to my feet, swinging my arm around his shoulders for support. He then started to help me across the room as fast as we could.

"I told you to never come back!!" Rick bellowed at him, his face turning red with fury.

He ran up to us and ripped me away from Johnny. Johnny cringed, trying to duck out of the way, but Rick didn't miss. He hooked Johnny on the side of the head with his fist, knocking him to the ground.

"NO!" I shouted and bit Rick's arm.

"Ow!" he roared and let go but grabbed me again with his other hand. I pushed on his arms and scratched him repeatedly until he grabbed my wrists and pushed me up against the wall, my wrists pinned on either side of my head, the same way my Dad used to.

"Aw! You're cute when you're scared," he said, smiling creepily.

I spat in his face and his eyes grew huge with anger. Just when he shifted positions, planning what to do to me, Johnny spoke up:

"I have a blade!" he threatened, his voice quiet and shaky.

Rick frowned and turned to look at him. Johnny stood behind Rick, his switchblade pointing at him, as Johnny swayed slightly. His eyes were huge and full of fear and I knew he was terrified enough to actually use it. Obviously Rick saw the frightened sincerity in his eyes too because he let go of me and backed up.

"Easy, kid."

Johnny kept the blade directed at him, held loosely but securely in his hand, as I slipped out the door. He slowly backed to the door then quickly tucked the blade in his back pocket and bolted after me. We didn't stop running until we were closer to the Curtis'.

"Well, that was a mistake going there," I exclaimed, starting to laugh nervously as I sat down on the grass, panting. Johnny settled beside me. I sat cross-legged and he hugged his knees. Getting more hysterical, I lay down on the grass and laughed and laughed and eventually Johnny slowly joined in until we were both rolling around not really knowing why we were laughing. Until we heard shouting:

"SODA!! DARRY!! DARRY!!!"

Johnny and I jolted up straight and looked at each other, laughter completely gone.

"Is that Pony?" Johnny asked quietly, his eyes wide again.

"SODA!!!"

Without another word, we jumped to our feet and ran towards Pony's voice. As we neared we saw Soda, Steve, and Two-Bit bolt past. Once we'd reached them we hid behind some bushes and watched through a gap as the whole gang chased away the socs. Soda, Steve, Two-Bit, and Dally chased their car while Darry came back to check on Pony. That's when Johnny and I crept out. Though Johnny left Pony to Darry and Soda, I could see the worry and caring in his eyes, and it made me want to smile. He tried not to watch when Pony started crying so he stared at Dally instead and shifted on the spot awkwardly. Dally came over and patted Johnny's shoulder.

Pony wiped his face hurriedly. "I didn't know you were out of the cooler yet, Dally," he said, trying to take the attention off himself.

I zoned out as Dally explained why he was out early and sat on the sidewalk by Pony. Johnny sat between us and took the lit cigarette from Dally's outstretched hand. Dally handed me one but I shook my head.

"Don't know why you don't smoke, kid," he said, watching me. "It'd get rid of some of that tension in your life what with your insane uncle."

I blinked at him and shrugged. "I just don't like the smell and taste."

"Don't like the smell, huh? How do ya stand Johnny then? You guys are basically attached at the hip and he's always smokin'!" His voice sort of hinted a kind of jealousy.

Johnny glanced at me, looking guilty, and pressed the butt of his cigarette into the ground.

"No! It's fine," I muttered. I didn't want him to be even more anxious and tense just because I didn't like the smell. "I'm alright. I can handle it."

"Well … I guess I kinda should be cutting down anyways."

I sighed and grew silent and sat in my thoughts for a bit until I heard my name:

Me, Johnny, and River'll come," Pony said to Dally, then looked to Darry, "Okay, Darry?"

"Yeah, since it ain't a school night."

I glanced around confused then leaned in to Johnny. "Where are we goin'?"

"Movies," he said under his breath.

I nodded and sat back, staring up at the clouds.


Oh! And as you have now guessed I added River into the story so she will ... be there ... even though she wasn't in the book (or movie) Um yes. REVIEW!!! And I REALLY love Johnny in this chapter. He's so sweet. Especially with the cigarettes. I know - weird- cuz i wrote it but I love him!! Keee!!!