.::I do not own The Outsiders::.
15. Surprise for Johnny, surprise from him.
The first of march, the beginning of a new month. Spring break was just around the corner and the climate started getting more hotter. Ponyboy wiped his forehead with his sleeve as he walked towards his house with a small package in his hands and a bag full of groceries. He hurriedly made his way inside quickly getting out some bowls, the food from the bag and other ingredients. Glancing at the clock Pony went faster. He'll be here around five. Where the hell is everybody?!
Twobit barged inside shouting his presence as he slammed the entrance door. Ponyboy rolled his eyes irritated. It was no use in telling the guys to close the door nicely, always they had to slam it shut. Only he and Darry were the ones to do it. Twobit went into the kitchen arching an eyebrow intrigued at what Ponyboy was doing.
"Making a cake I see. Don't you got one already in the fridge?"
"Yes but this one is more special. More chocolatier. Oh, can you open the bag of chips inside and put 'em on um...That bowl over there?"
The side burned greaser shrugged and did what he was told. Steve was the next one to come inside as he dropped his ass on the couch taking a big deep breath letting it out slowly, he was tired after all from much work.
"What's the big occasion?" He asked as he put his feet on the coffee table.
Ponyboy had put in the cake into the oven heading to the living room snatching a small bag of balloons from the kitchen table. Slapping Steve's feet off, Pony blew some air into the plastic objects. Twobit shrugged again sitting down next to him, "I dunno. Is the president coming?"
Ponyboy smirked as he tied up one of the balloons, "You guys aren't being serious are you?"
Both simply stared at him. He rolled his eyes, "It's Johnny's birthday, for cripes sake!"
Twobit jumped from his seat, "What? Really? Why didn't you say so?!"
"Shut up already and help out some. Geez."
Twobit helped out with the balloons, Steve set the table and Ponyboy checked outside the window for any sign of Johnny. An hour later Darry arrived. He put away his tool belt in his room then checked up on the guys having a confused look on his face. He saw his brother Ponyboy take out a very delicious looking cake from the oven. Twobit was licking away the spoon, Pig, and Steve was sitting down sticking some balloons on the walls.
"Uh-what's going on?"
Ponyboy growled, "It's Johnny's birthday!"
Darry's eyes widened, "Oh. Sorry...Wait...where'd you get the dough to buy all this stuff Pone?"
His brother responded, "I saved it all up from my allowance. No big deal."
Just then the door swung open with Dally coming inside smoking a cancer stick. He looked behind him then to the Greasers, "Ya'll better hurry up, Johnny's coming this way."
Ponyboy had already told Dally the surprise party a day before believing he was one who wouldn't remember. Turns out it was the opposite. Twobit hid behind the couch, Steve crouched down under the table, Ponyboy turned off the lights and Darry went behind the door. Dally simply sat on the recliner finishing up his cigarette. Darry hissed saying no smoking allowed inside. Dally grumbled some words as he put it out.
The door creaked a bit as it opened slowly. Johnny's head was inside puzzled at why no one was home. Suddenly the lights were on and everybody shouting, "Happy birthday!"
Johnny blushed absolutely surprised. He thought that everybody actually forgot. Maybe not Ponyboy but everybody else. He grinned sheepishly as the gang one by one congratulated him for turning seventeen. Ponyboy gave him his present which was a new switch blade he had bought, it was used but he made sure he had cleaned it up shiny new. Johnny was in awe, so he gave him a warm hug smiling very thankful.
The rest murmured a sorry for not buying him anything although Johnny didn't care. Dally on the other hand said he'd buy him something next week. The whole night was a blast as music was playing on the radio, the cake sliced for everyone. Twobit bought some booze later on getting himself, Steve and Dally drunk. Striking twelve at night Darry called it a night. He let the guys sleep over knowing that in the morning they would have a mayor hang over.
Ponyboy quietly said a goodnight, Johnny stopped him for a moment. He smiled, "Thank you Pony. For all of this."
"Don't thank me Johnny, thank them too. I mean, we all planned it out after all."
Johnny smirked, "Twobit told me everything. How you were the one to save up cash. They didn't remember."
Pony narrowed his eyes at Twobit in the dark, Stupid! "Yeah well at least he blew some balloons. That's helping out ain't it?"
Both chuckled, Johnny smiled again, "But really Pony. Thanks. You're the best buddy anyone could ask for."
Ponyboy grinned happy to hear his commentary, "And you're mine Johnny. Don't ever forget that."
He opened his eyes squinting, the light was too bright. He sat up rubbing his face yawning. Somehow he felt awfully tired. Standing up putting on some pants someone called out for him. He froze knowing exactly whose voice it was.
"Pony..."
Turning around he saw his middle brother laying on the bed with one of his famous care free grins, "Hi Pony. Missed me much?"
Ponyboy backed away shaking his head, "Wh-what are you doing here?
Soda cocked his head sideways, "I live here... What's wrong honey?"
Young Curtis flattened himself against the wall, "You! Y-you're supposed to be gone! You left! You left me!"
Sodapop looked hurt, "Pony..."
He felt tears slide down his cheeks, "I hate you."
His brother frowned sadly, "Don't say that Pony..."
Ponyboy gritted his teeth, "I hate you!"
The boy woke up in cold sweat, beside him was Darry watching him closely sitting on the edge of the bed. Apparently he had woken up his older brother. Pony smeared his hand on to his face sighing, it had been almost awhile since he had nightmares. Or dreams like these. He gulped searching for his bottle of aspiring in the drawer next to his bed feeling an upcoming head ache.
Darry stroked Pony's wet hair from the sweat, "Another bad dream huh?"
Pony sighed, "Yeah...I thought those were over."
"You need anything else?"
"I-I think I'm ok now."
Darry nodded, just as he was about to leave Ponyboy quickly called out for him.
"What is it, kiddo?"
Ponyboy pursed his lips embarrassed to say it, "Could you...could you sleep with me?"
Older Curtis nodded, "Sure. I will."
That night both brothers slept soundly, maybe Sodapop wasn't there to fight off his demons but there was Darry. Someone else who also loved him very much, Ponyboy smiled contently, I'm sure happy Darry's still here. At least we get along better. Closing his eyes Darry held on to him tightly as if he were to slip away. His little brother meant the world to him and seeing him distraught from all these nightmares all he could do was be with him. Make sure he felt better.
I love you baby brother. I won't ever leave you...
Spring break, the students walked home excitedly making plans for their small vacation time. Johnny didn't show up probably skipping class. Ponyboy shook his head not believing how many days his friend has missed of school. Twobit was waiting for him by his car, Steve left an hour ago going to work. Twobit would be going a little later. In the car, Ponyboy asked if he'd seen Johnny around.
"He said he was gonna be at your house. Saw him with Dally in town in the morning. C'mon lets go or Darry will bust a nerve."
Getting home Twobit waved him a goodbye, inside was Johnny sitting on the couch watching some television. As he entered Johnny looked nervous. Ponyboy dropped his backpack at his room coming back to the living room answering the ringing phone.
"'Sup...What?...Yeah ok I won't answer like that anymore...Ok...Fine...Sure...Bye. Hey Johnny Cakes."
"Hey Pony."
"You all right?"
Johnny swallowed, "I have something to tell you."
Ponyboy sat down deliberately, "Okaaay."
The tanned greaser licked his lips trying to figure out how to say what he wanted. He had made a big decision weeks ago, he already told Dally. He was very angry but Johnny didn't care much. The reaction he cared for more was his bests friend's. Ponyboy. He thought that now was the right moment to say it since summer was coming soon. He ran his hand though his hair nervously.
Pony's eyes widened for a moment blurting out, "Did you get a girl pregnant? Is that it?"
Johnny gaped for a second until he shook his head fast, "What-no! That's no it Pone...It's just that...I think you've noticed I haven't been going to school."
"Uh-huh..."
He took a deep breath, "Pony. I'm dropping out of school."
When those words were out of his mouth a sudden tension filled the room. Ponyboy blankly stared at Johnny. D-dropping out of...school? Johnny? But he's not dumb. He can't drop out! He only has one more year! No no no. Not him too!
"No...Johnny...You can't drop out! Why? I mean, I can help you! I-I can do your homework! Help you pass the tests!"
Johnny frowned sadly, "Pony-"
"Please Johnny! Don't drop out." He pleaded with much hope in his voice.
"It's just too hard Pone, I can't see myself graduate." Johnny spoke softly.
Pony's eyes watered from frustration of the memory of Sodapop telling him he was going to drop put and work at the DX. And now Johnny doing this too. His chest was filled with more frustration, anger, disappointment. Johnny noticed this, "Awe Pone..."
"Do whatever you want! I don't care!" He stomped off to his room slamming the door to his room.
Johnny was left shocked at his angry response, he didn't expect him to be this mad. It actually hurt. He let down a person he cared about deeply which stung him in the back of his mind. His own eyes began to form tears so he walked out of there. Damn it. Damn it. I'm real sorry Pony. Really. I'm really stupid. After all you've been through and now me ruining his day. Jesus what kind of friend am I?
Inside Pony's room he wiped away the fallen tears, sitting on the floor he shut his eyes closed wanting to let the anger go away. He knew Johnny had potential, maybe it was a little harder for him to pass grades but at least he passed them. Graduation wasn't very far away for Johnny and hearing his decision made him sad. Sighing, Ponyboy sprawled himself on the floor staring up at the ceiling. Deep down he'd get over it soon, he couldn't stay mad for long at his best friend.
If that's what he wants I'll support him. I'll get over this...It will all be fine. It has too.
oOoOoOo
(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)
Thank you for the reviews and keeping up! Sorry for the late update. Soon things will get sizzling. Hope you all are enjoying this! Things in the story happen for a reason so stay tuned to find out.(: