Chapter IX

"I'm sorry I scared you Johnny," Avianna had said to him for the fourth time. She was doing much better in the hospital. Ponyboy, Dally, Two-Bit, Steve, Sodapop and even Darry had come to see her. Johnny just held her hand.

"Don't be sorry," he just told her, and kissed her forehead. Ponyboy peeked through the door.

"Hey," he smiled. He was still somewhat jealous, but he was getting used to the fact that Avianna was Johnny's.

"Hey Ponyboy," she sat up. "So, how have you been?" Ponyboy looked down, and tried to scuff the floor, but it only made a high-pitched screeching sound against the tile.

"Well, not well," he hanged his head. "Been cutting school and not studying on purpose, and my grades are low."

"You gotta go back to school, Pony."

"Yeah, well how come Johnny doesn't have to?"

Avianna was about to start crying. She didn't know what to say to that. Johnny just really cared for her, and so did Pony, but he should go to school...but then again he couldn't. He wouldn't go to school. He would just stay in this hospital until Avianna was better. He was scared to leave her alone. And the fear just got stronger when her heart stopped. He had to stay with her.

Ponyboy saw the expression on her face, and he felt awful. He was her friend, and he hurt her. "Avianna, I'm sorry. I know, he needs you. But I just thought-"

"I know, I know, it's okay." Avianna hugged him. She looked at him. "After all, I am a Curtis," she said jokingly. Ponyboy turned red.

"Aww lay off," he just scratched his head.

"Hey, blondy out of the way!" Steve and Two-Bit ran in, and shoved Ponyboy off the bed.

"So, how ya doin Sugar?" they both asked the same question. Ponyboy just looked irritated about his blond hair.

"I could be better," she honestly told them. She looked at Ponyboy. "Hey, I think you look cute blond."

After Ponyboy turned red, he asked, "Oh really?"

"No." Ponyboy turned even redder after him being teased, especially by a girl. Especially by a girl he had a huge crush on.

"Aww, you're right Avianna." Two-Bit messed up Ponyboy's hair. "He does look cute."

"Shut up greaser," Ponyboy playfully insulted him. Johnny just smiled. She was doing better, right? She was going to be alright. Even though Avianna was doing better, and would do better, Johnny still had doubt. Not on her, on himself. He knew she was strong enough. He didn't know if he was.

"Darry, I don't want her coming home from the hospital," Johnny told Darry. Avianna had shown all the normal vital signs for a week, and her ribs had healed, and there was no internal damage not counting the torn muscles that were ripped from Jason's switchblade. She would be just fine. But Johnny was scared. Scared to see her come home, and maybe die in her sleep.

"You have to get over your fear Johnny," Darry just said. "She's gonna be fine. That's what the doctor said, and I trust the hospital."

Johnny stuck to Avianna like glue. She was eating fine, and still a little sore and had to take some pain meds, but she was fine. Darry forced Johnny to go to school. So much had happened in the past two months that Johnny hadn't even thought about school. Avianna helped him with his homework.

It was January now, freezing as ever. Avianna was getting worried, because Johnny was supposed to be at the Curtis house at three and it was four forty-five. She called his house, no answer. She decided to go to to house to see where he was.

She walked up the steps of the broken down house. It was deteriorating, falling apart. With a gulp she opened the door. Johnny had told her to never come here, but she just couldn't help feeling that something was wrong.

With a creak she opened the door. It was even more of a mess inside than outside. "Johnny?" she echoed. She looked around. It was a mess. Knocked over chairs tables, the couch ripped. A window half-broken was makeshift fixed by old duct tape. She was scared. Really scared. The refrigerator was half opened and food was spilling out, and there were numerous beer cans and bottles everywhere. "Johnny?" Avianna looked in the living room, and behind the couch, the table on his legs, was Johnny Cade.

"Johnny!" Avianna almost screamed. He had a black eye, and the side of his forehead had a gash. His shirt was ripped, and there was blood all over his chest. He had been cut, bad. She knelt down beside him. "What...happened?"

"My old man," he groaned. Avianna burst into tears. He looked horrible. Awful. She used all of her strength to pull the heavy wood table off of him. He somewhat sat up.

"Are your legs broken?"

"No, but they hurt real bad," he gasped, crawling up. "He belted me with a bottle." Avianna just put her arms around him and cried. "Hey, don't cry," he said, wiping her tears. "This happens all the time, 'Anna. It's okay."

That's when Avianna finally understood. Johnny in despair, seeing her on the ground in a bloody pool. Seeing Johnny beat up was horrifying. Oh sure, Avianna's beating was a million times worse, but still…

"You better go. My old man will be coming back soon, and I don't want you to see him when he comes. He'll probably beat me more anyways."

"Why don't you come?" Avianna asked him angrily. Johnny held his legs. He couldn't stand on them. "Johnny I-"

The floorboards creaked. A drunk man with gray hair and cold, hard eyes came into the room. "Johnny," he questioned, bending over in the doorway. "Why is there a girl in this house?"