Cigarette Daydreams ☆ The Outsiders Fan-Fictions

Johnny - Chapter 3

Warnings: none

Word count: 850 words

(Your POV)

I closed the door, Johnny and I sat on my bed. It was a bit awkward at first when we didn't know what to talk about. I began to twiddle my thumbs and look around until I fixed my eyes on my sketchbook. The gang knows how much I love art, so for my birthday two years ago, they all pitched in to get me a sketchbook.

I reached for the sketchbook and opened it.

"Wanna see some things I've been working on?" I asked. Johnny nodded.

I pointed to the first drawing. "This is a White-crowned sparrow. Birds are probably my favourite animal. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because I've always wanted to know what it's like to fly. If I could fly, I think I'd fly away to a place where everything is okay, where there's no pain and no labels on people. No greasers or socs, just people." I paused and frowned, "Now that I'm saying that out loud, it sounds stupid." Johnny shook his head, "It's not stupid. What's the next one?" He turned the page.

"Oh! This is the cat that keeps pooping on the lawn," I exclaimed with laughter." Johnny let out a low chuckle and turned the page again.

I felt my face getting hot. I forgot that I had drawn a picture of Johnny. He didn't seem to be bothered by it, though. Instead, a charismatic smile crossed his gentle face.

"This is really good, y/n."

He flipped the pages again, revealing even more illustrations of himself. I panicked and snatched the sketchbook from his hands then put it away quickly. I changed the subject and shoved a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth, "Have a cookie."

A shout echoed from down the hallway, "Y/n, supper's ready!"

"Okay, coming!" I responded. I held Johnny's hand as we escorted to the dinner table. 

"You're welcome to stay for supper, Johnny." My mom said. Johnny replied with gratitude, "Thank you." As soon as we all took a seat, my dad came through the front door holding his carpenter tools.

"I'm home!" He sung, planting a sloppy kiss on my mother's cheek. "Hello, Johnny!" 

I took the lid off the pot, causing steam to fog the air. I gestured for Johnny's plate. He handed it to me and I dished up some casserole for him, then for myself. Everyone was quiet, nothing but forks and knives scraping the plates was heard, until my dad started conversing.

"So, Johnny, how have you been?"

Johnny swallowed and mumbled, "Uh, good."

"Yeah? That's good," Dad continued, "Hey, you should come by more often. Maybe we could work on a car together or something." Johnny looked a bit awkward, he kept glancing at me to cut in. 

"Johnny's pretty busy at this time of year," I lied. My dad grunted, "Hm, that's too bad. You're welcome here anytime, Johnny." He paused, waiting for Johnny to reply, but he didn't say anything. "You're sure talkative, aren't ya?" Dad said in a sarcastic tone.

Both my parents know about Johnny's home life, I guess that's why they're always overwhelmingly friendly to him. However, I know that Johnny is still uncomfortable at times. If I was in his circumstances, I would be reluctant too. Johnny seems to have no issue with my mom, but I can tell he's hesitant when it comes to my dad. Hopefully he'll come through to them eventually. He needs to be reminded that there are still good people in the world. Good parents.

After dinner, Johnny helped me clear the table and wash the dishes while my parents got ready for a family-friend's party.

"Johnny can stay the night if he'd like to," Mom said while putting on her shoes. My dad nodded in agreement and helped my mom get her coat on.

Johnny sleeps over a lot, so much that he keeps his toothbrush, pajamas, and extra clothes here. When we finished putting away the clean dishes, Johnny and I watched some cartoons on the television. He laid down with his head in my lap so I could play with his hair and massage his scalp. He loves it when I do that. Only when nobody's around, though. He doesn't want to seem 'helpless' or 'weak'. Those were his exact words.

"Johnny, I'm tired. Let's go to bed."

We brushed our teeth, then went into my room where we set up his sleeping area on the floor and got into our pajamas.

"Okay, you go in that corner, I'll face this one. Don't look!" I instructed.

After changing, I got into my bed and Johnny snuggled into his sleeping bag. 

"Goodnight, Johnny!" I blew a kiss. He pretended to catch the kiss and lock it up in my night table drawer. We do that every night, it's our special routine. I personally think it's adorable, but Johnny thinks it's dorky. 

We were both out like a light.