Thoughts: Italicized

P.O.V. Switch: Bold

Regular P.O.V.: Johnny Cade

Chapter 8: Reality

Johnny Cade

He walked inside the building and silently went down the hallway till he pushed open the last door. Before I could question him, he plopped me down on the bed and quickly sat next to me. Almost immediately I shot up and saw him taking off his shoes. Wait, I thought he told me that we weren't going to do that. I thought to myself as I felt my heart jump around in my chest, and if I knew better, I'd say that it was about to explode. "I-I thought we weren't going to ... do that." I finally got myself to say. I didn't even dare to look at Dally. Everyone was afraid to look at Dally in the eyes, but for me, this was one of those moments.

Hearing him toss his shoes on the ground I felt the bed shift along with the sound of the springs in the mattress creaking. So I glanced past my shoulder to see him laying on his back with his arms folded behind his head. "Psh. You said that you wanted to sleep next to me, so that's what we're going to do." I literally felt my heart stop once I heard him say those words. It even took me to breath again to notice how much I was holding my breath. "I figured that if we're going to take a nap, might as well be on a bed. Now hurry up and lay down; I could really use the rest after layin' my hands on Tim." He tiredly grumbled.

Slowly I nodded my head and carefully kicked off my shoes before I cautiously leaned back till my back touched the mattress. Me and Dally slept in the same space before, but I can't help but feel the butterflies gathering my stomach. Man, this is not tuff. I took a deep breath as I gathered enough courage for me to scoot a little closer to him, but that was till I felt an arm wrap around me and pull me closer.

It happened too fast for me to say or do anything about it. But then again, I don't think I should. Geez. Dally is strong as always, but man does he smell like ... Dally. I lightly sniffed him so he wouldn't notice. I couldn't help but do so now that I'm all close to his side nd' all. Just as I thought. Cigarettes, Dairy Queen fries, and the musk he always have whenever he get's into a scuffle. Ponyboy and them probably would complain about it, but I think it suits him because it "is" him. "Hey, Johnnyboy" He whispered "Does anyone know that you, uh, like me?" He questioned. I honestly thought about it for a second and had Two-bits face pop up in my head, but then I realized that I'm not a snitch. But if it involves Dally, should I tell him?

So I got up on my elbows and looked at him in his icey-blue eyes and felt my mind turn to mush for a second. But I quickly shook the feeling off and said, "Well, this was by accident because I was talkin' to myself. But Two-bit kind of knows-. But he promise not to tell! ... He's scared that you'll beat the livin' daylights out of him if he so much as tell anyone else."

"Well that just mean that he still has some sense left in em'. I'll beat him till the fuzz show up, and that's a promise." He then chuckled beneath his breath.

I couldn't help but do the same after hearing him say that. It was just like him to say stuff like that. "And I know you mean what you say." I lastly said before I allowed my eyes to close.

7:23 p.m.

Dally took me back to Ponyboys place after we woke up. I honestly didn't want to go but I knew Dally was either going to Ol'Rustys again or going out to look for trouble. Either way I didn't want to leave him. So I sat in the car quietly, not daring to open the door.

He parked not too far from their house and didn't say anything. I had a feeling that if I said anything, I'd have to get out. But I knew Dally. He won't let me out to walk at night unless I'm around the gang or him. Just in case the Socs tried to jump me.

He turned to look at me and opened his mouth to talk till we heard, "Hey! Where have yah been, Johnnyboy? You've been gone all day. I mean we'd expect Dallas to be missin' instead of you." Sodapop sprinted towards my side of the car and leaned against it as Ponyboy, Two-bit, and Steve followed behind. "You had the gang all worried and what not. Where'd you guys go?" He then questioned.

"Well me and Johnnycake chased down some fuzz and made them buy us some coke" Dally joked as he pulled a cigarette from his jacket and lit it. Everyone began to laugh.

"It's good that you weren't around. Your old man was going on a rampage lookin' for yah. And man-oh-man was he a drunk one." And it was then that I felt a chill run through my body once two-bit said that. "I mean I think Johnny should stay somewhere else besides Curtis home. Your pops been looking for you there. Almost got into a scuffle with superman."

I didn't want to believe a thing Two-bit was sayin', but right when I looked at Ponyboy, I knew this wasn't a joke once I saw him looking down. "He's right. It's not safe at my place today, but I'm sure it's just for today."

"No problem. I got a hideout he can use till that bastard leaves" Everyone had then stared at Dally as he inhaled deeply into his cigarette. And since the Windows were open, the breeze had caused his hair to sway, and it made him look real tuff. "If this goes on, I'll personally go to his house and pack Johnnys shit. ... I'm just waitin' for the day his dad to fuck up." We then became quiet.

Everyone knew when Dally is upset, he'll curse in the worst way possible.

It kind of scared me because Dally meant everything he says. The part that scared me was the thought of him and my dad getting into a scuffle and Dally get hurt. Or my dad will find me and beat me to death. ... What would I do if either one of those things happen?