I Hate Myself For Loving You

Chapter 9

Daniel turned around with three different shirts, analyzing himself in the mirror before turning to Johnny and saying, "Which shirt should I wear? I think the blue plaid looks nice on me, but I also have this light burnt orange one, as well as a checkered shirt."

Johnny let out a groan and rubbed his temples in annoyance and said, "Would you just pick a shirt? You're acting worse than a girl, for goodness sake. You've been standing in front of your closet for the last ten minutes."

"Jeez, sorry that I want to look good for you."

Johnny chuckled and shook his head while exclaiming, "You could wear a brown paper bag over your head and you'd still be able to take my breath away. Just wear the orange shirt. It highlights your brown eyes."

Daniel's eyes lit up like the Fourth of July as he hurriedly pulled the orange shirt over his head and said, "I take your breath away?"

"Yeah, yeah, and if you gloat about it to anyone I'll whack you over the head with a broom and deny it."

"With a broom?" Daniel questioned as he crinkled his nose in confusion.

"It's the first thing that popped into my head, alright? But I do mean it. I'll take a corn broom to you."

"Are you threatening me?" Daniel said, tilting his head and crossing his arms.

"Perhaps. Now, will you get moving? You're slower than molasses in January!"

Daniel finished getting ready and grabbed his sunglasses, placing them on top of his head, causing Johnny to let out a wolf whistle and Daniel's cheeks turned pink as he nudged Johnny's shoulder with his lightly. The boys slinked off like two alley cats prowling in the shadows. Johnny loosely grabbed Daniel's hand and intertwined it with his, pulling him alongside like a rag doll.

"Can you slow down?" Daniel whined as he tried keeping up alongside Johnny.

"Do I have to carry you?" Johnny said with a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Not my fault you have long legs like a spider!" He said with a huff.

Johnny rolled his eyes, slowing down so that Daniel could keep up. Johnny abruptly stopped in front of the amusement park as the burnt-out sign stared back at them. Johnny entered the amusement park as Daniel trailed closely behind him. Johnny slapped the money on the counter and grabbed the tickets, shoving them into his front pocket.

"Are you ready?" Johnny said happily as he clapped his hands in excitement.

"Can we do the bumper cars first, please, please?" Daniel begged like a little kid as his honeyed eyes lit up.

Johnny nodded and raced Daniel to the bumper cars, jumping into a bright red car as Daniel occupied a light blue one. The circus-like music billowed loudly out of the speakers as the mixture of the boys' laughter filled the spacious room. The front of Daniel's bumper car hit the side of Johnny's and he giggled like a little boy who just won a stuffed animal. They circled each other, bumping into each other every so often until the cars came to a halt. By the time their ride was up both of them were slicked in sweat as little sweat droplets fell from their hair like rain. Daniel saw a food stand full of cotton candy and he licked his lips, causing Johnny to laugh.

"Do you want some?"

"Yes, please!" Daniel shouted, running to the stand and plucking out the pink cotton candy, tearing open the bag and feeling it melt on the tip of his tongue. He stuffed more into his mouth as his cheeks were bulging with the remnants of cotton candy.

"You're acting like a raccoon rummaging through the garbage with the way you're eating that cotton candy," Johnny exclaimed, shaking his head.

"Yes, but a very cute raccoon," Daniel said between bites of the cotton candy.

"Whatever you say. Come on, let's go. I have another surprise for you."

Johnny escorted Daniel out of the amusement park and back into the sweltering California heat, causing the boys' t-shirts to cling to their sweaty bodies. In the distance, Daniel saw his mother, and fear coursed through him as he grabbed Johnny roughly and pushed him into the alley.

"What the hell?" Johnny said in annoyance as he rubbed his sore shoulder, glaring at Daniel.

"My mother is up ahead! She can't know I'm not at school right now." Daniel bit on his lip, trying to figure out what they can do.

"You're being such a pansy right now."

"Really, Johnny? Now is not the time for name-calling! How are we going to do this without getting caught?"

"I don't know."

"This was your bright idea! I should've never listened to you."

"Shut up and let me think," Johnny said as he put a hand over Daniel's mouth to quiet him.

Daniel licked his hand and Johnny pulled his hand away from his mouth and scoffed while saying, "Alright LaRusso, you're asking for it."

"Oh, yeah? Whatcha gonna do, hmm?" Daniel said antagonizing him.

Johnny looked around and made sure no one was looking and smashed his lips up against Daniel's, biting on his lower lip, causing Daniel to let out a small whimper as he gently bucked himself up against the taller boy. He soon pressed Daniel's back up against the stone wall and attacked his neck in fluttery kisses before pulling away.

"Hey, I wasn't done yet!" Daniel shouted with a small pout visible on his face.

"And?" Johnny said nonchalantly, turning away from the brunette-haired boy while a teasing smile fell upon his lips.

"How dare you," Daniel said with a small growl, glowering at Johnny.

Johnny threw his head back laughing like a little child before saying, "Can we get out of the alley now?"

Both of the boys emerged out of the dark alley and ran smack dab into Mrs. LaRusso. Daniel's eyes widened in panic as he looked at Johnny and then back at his mom with a dumb expression on his face.

"What in the world are you doing? You're supposed to be in school and you're out here cutting class?" Daniel's mother said in a disapproving tone.

"Ma, I can explain-" Daniel said before his mother cut him off.

"Damn right you'll be explaining to me about these shenanigans of yours as soon as we get home," his mother stated as she grabbed him by the arm as Johnny mouthed 'sorry' to Daniel.

"I'll call you later!" Johnny shouted as he scurried away, leaving Daniel with his irate mother.