Forbidden Love |✩ Johnny Cade✩|

|Chapter 8| The Park

The next morning, I woke up feeling a little better. I was in my bed and not the living room.
The sun was shining through the window, casting a warm glow on the room. I sat up slowly, feeling the stiffness in my muscles. Soda was awake  beside me, his head resting on my shoulder.

"Morning sleepyhead" he said with his raspy voice. "How are you feeling?" "Ok." I said my voice barley above a whisper.

Soda looked at me with concern, his eyes searching my face. He knew that I wasn't okay, that I was still struggling with the pain and darkness that had consumed me.

"You don't have to pretend with me, Y/N," he said, his voice gentle. "I know it's hard, but you don't have to go through this alone."

"I know thanks." I said getting up to use the bathroom as Soda  got up with me.

I walked into the bathroom and Soda stopped the door from closing.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Me the gang and Darry decided you cant be alone anymore."

"That's ridiculous!" I yelled. " I just have to pee."

Soda chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know you just have to pee, Y/N," he said, his voice light. "But we're serious. We don't want you to be unsupervised anymore."

I looked at him, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude. I knew that my brothers and the gang meant well, that they only wanted to help. But I also knew that I needed space, that I needed to be able to deal with my thoughts and feelings on my own.

"I appreciate it, Soda," I said, my voice soft. "But I need to be able to do things on my own. I can't rely on you guys all the time."

Soda nodded, his expression serious. "I get that, Y/N. But we're here for you, whether you like it or not. You're not alone in this."

I sighed, feeling a sense of defeat wash over me. I knew that I couldn't push my brothers away, that I needed their support and love. But it was hard, admitting  that I couldn't handle things on my own.

As I finished using the bathroom, Soda waited for me  facing the door. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leading me to the kitchen.

"Come on, let's go get breakfast," he said, his voice cheerful. "I'm starving."

I smiled weakly, grateful for Soda's lightness. We headed to the kitchen, where the rest of the gang was already gathered, talking and laughing.

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"Heyyy kid you finally wake you gave us quite the scare yesterday." Dally yelled.

I smiled weakly at Dally, still feeling a little overwhelmed by the attention. "Sorry about that," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Darry got up from the table and walked over to me, his eyes filled with concern. "How are you feeling, Y/N?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"I'm okay," I said, trying to sound convincing. "Just feeling a little tired."

Darry nodded, his expression serious. "We're here for you, Y/N," he said. "Whatever you need, we'll do our best to help."

I felt a lump form in my throat as Darry spoke, grateful for his support. I knew that my brothers and the gang were there for me, that they cared about me deeply. But it was hard, accepting their help and vulnerability.

"Thanks, Darry," I said, my voice shaking. "I appreciate it."

But I could see the concern in Dally's eyes, the way he was watching me closely. And I knew that even though he didn't show it, he cared about me too.