I'm having a little difficulty figuring out what to do with my third chapter of "Two of Us", so to stall, I'm updating this story. But I will promise a chapter of my Cherry / Steve story later. After that chapter, the rest should be a breeze. :)

When you get done reading, please review. C'mon, do it for Johnny. ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsider or The Karate Kid

Johnny exited the gym quietly with his head down. The day was over; he had survived his first day in a new school. He hadn't made any new friends, but that was okay with him. He didn't want friends. He had a bunch back in Tulsa. Johnny noticed one thing, however. He had physical education with another kid named Johnny. This Johnny was the same intimidating kid that was in his biology class. Wonderful.

"Johnny," someone called. His head shot up, and he noticed his older brother weaving in and out of people to reach him. "Hey, soccer tryouts are in a few minutes. Are you going to start heading home?" Johnny looked around at the other students. "It's only going to be an hour and a half."

"I'll go with you. I dunno how to get home," said Johnny, rubbing the back of his neck. A slight smile formed on Daniel's lips.

"Why don't you try out too?" Johnny looked up at him with wide eyes. "I bet you'd be good at it. That way you won't be entirely bored on the bleachers." Johnny kicked some dirt around and nodded his head.

"Okay, I'll try it," he said softly.

XxXxXxX

Johnny was lost in his own world kicking a soccer ball around. This was fun. He was glad Daniel talked him into trying out. Johnny kicked the ball really hard, and it went flying to the other side of the field. He was about to go grab it when he heard shouting.

"Look what he's doing to Bobby!" someone shouted loudly. He looked towards the noise and saw Daniel rolling on the ground with someone. Daniel sat on top of him and pulled his fist back. He released and punched the guy.

The coach quickly ran over to the two boys. He grabbed the back of Daniel's shirt and ripped him off the kid easily. The coach looked furious. He said something to Daniel, but Johnny couldn't hear him. Daniel started walking off the field.

"Come on, Johnny. We're going home!" he shouted. Johnny left the soccer ball and ran after his brother.

XxXxXxX

"I got it!" Darry shouted. He plopped into his dad's recliner and answered the phone. Ponyboy sat on the couch, homework in his lap, watching the television. Even though Two-Bit wasn't there, the Curtis boys were still watching Mickey Mouse. "Ponyboy, it's for you." Pony absentmindedly sat his notebook onto the couch and got up. He slowly moved towards the phone not taking his eyes off the small screen.

Darry rolled his eyes and handed Pony the phone. He got up from the recliner and wandered into the kitchen. To help his mother with dinner more than likely.

"Hello," Pony answered half heartedly. His attention was still fixed on Mickey, but once he recognized the voice, he snapped out of his trance.

"Hey, Pony," Johnny answered. Ponyboy frowned as he took a seat in his dad's seat.

"Johnny, what's wrong?" he feared the worst. Was his family abusing him like his old parents? Was his family ignoring him? What was wrong?

"Nothing," Johnny answered.

"Johnny . . ."

"No, I'm fine. I promise, it's Daniel that's upset," Ponyboy sighed. Emotions seemed to transfer over to Johnny. If someone around him was upset; he took on the emotion as well.

"What happened with Daniel?" Johnny hesitated as if he were looking around to make sure Daniel wasn't within ear shot.

"Well, there were soccer tryouts today after school, and he talked me into going, but something happened, and the coach had to pull him off this kid because he punched him. The coach yelled at him, I think . . ." Johnny explained.

"Whoa . . ." Pony said softly. Johnny stopped talking.

"What?" he asked.

"I've only seen this kid once, but he doesn't seem like the type to get physical," Pony explained. Johnny chuckled.

"Looks can be deceiving," Pony stared at the ground and slowly nodded his head.

"Hey, Johnny?"

"Yeah, Pony?"

"How old is Daniel?"

"He's seventeen," Pony was shocked. He didn't look old enough to be seventeen. "Why?" Ponyboy shrugged.

"I dunno. I was curious I guess," he answered. The front door opened. Pony glanced up to see Dallas entering his house. "Hey, Dal." Dallas looked at Pony and smirked.

"Who you talkin' to, kid?" Dally asked curiously.

"Johnny called," Dally's eyes widened. "You want to talk to him?" Pony held the phone out to the older boy. He accepted it with a big smile.

XxXxXxX

Johnny sat at the old, wooden table with the phone in his hand. He had nothing else to do, so he decided to call his friends. He talked to Ponyboy for a couple minutes before he stopped answering. Johnny sighed and almost hung up until another voice broke the silence.

"Johnny?" It was Dallas. Johnny felt tears well up in his eyes.

"D-Dally?" he asked.

"It's me, kid. How are you likin' California?" Johnny sighed and wiped his eyes.

"It's fine. I really miss you guys though," he answered.

"We miss you too," More tears formed in Johnny's eyes. He took a deep breath, but when Dallas started talking again, he lost it. It took Dally by surprise. "Whoa, Johnny, are you all right?" he asked. Johnny sniffled and made a noise in the back of his throat. "Are you crying? Johnny, don't cry."

"I just r-really m-m-miss you guys," Johnny spit out. Every word came out in a hiccup. It was hard to speak. Johnny took a deep breath to try and calm himself down.

"Johnny, calm down. Don't pass out on me," Dallas said. Johnny wiped at his eyes and continued hiccupping. "Are you going to be fine?"

"I'll be f-fine," he answered.

"Okay, I think Ponyboy wants to talk to you again. I'll talk to you later, Johnnycake," Dallas stopped talking, and moments later, Pony started speaking again.

"Are you all right?" he asked curiously. Johnny took a deep breath and sighed.

"I'll be fine, but I have to go now. I'll call later,"

"Stay gold, Johnny . . ." He placed the phone on its stand and got up from the table. He felt like he was going to throw up. Johnny wandered into his and Daniel's bedroom. Daniel was lying on his bed. He looked up from a notebook.

"Whoa, what's wrong, tadpole?" Daniel asked, sitting up quickly.

"Nothin'," Johnny managed to say. He continued towards his bed. Johnny picked up the pillow and found exactly what he was looking for. Dally's ring. He picked up the cold metal and observed it. Johnny felt the tears coming back along with the annoying hiccups. He suddenly felt weak and collapsed onto the bed. This time, he didn't bother holding anything back.

"Johnny, are you all right?" Daniel asked again. He sounded so concerned that it would've shocked Johnny, but he was too heartbroken to notice. Tears dripped down his cheeks. Daniel got up from his bed and slowly approached Johnny. "Johnny?" Daniel asked, taking a seat next to him. "Are you okay?" Johnny shook his head weakly.

Seconds passed, and his body started to violently shake with sobs. He made a fist tightly around Dally's ring and cried. Daniel wrapped an arm around his younger brother and tried to calm him down.

"Shh, Johnny, calm down," he said softly. Johnny leaned against Daniel and began to cry harder. Daniel frowned and held his younger brother tightly. He tried everything to comfort the younger boy. But nothing worked. Johnny continued to cry. Daniel just sat there, holding Johnny close to him and did what any other big brother should do for their sibling. Be there for them.

review loves. :)