𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜 | 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Chapter 24 - Johnny

We walked along a dirt road for awhile. As we walked we passed run down buildings on the way. Something about them seemed charming in a way, I don't know why. They felt more realistic than the buildings on the south side, I liked it.

I was talking with Ponyboy on the way while Dallas was smoking and kicking a rock along. I didn't exactly know where we were going but it seemed like we were headed towards the Curtis house.

"So where does Johnny usually hang out?" I asked, turning to Pony. "There's an empty lot near our house that's he always hangs out at." Ponyboy answered. I nodded my head.

Johnny Cade. He was mysterious, he didn't talk much. He always seemed very timid, especially around me. He seems to be uncomfortable around socs, something must've happened between him and socs. He always seemed scared around me. I hope that goes away someday though, I hope to be his friend someday.

We walked for awhile until we arrived at an empty lot near the Curtis house. The lot had a big tree standing high in the middle. There was green grass throughout the lot with dirt patches here and there. I looked around the lot until my eyes landed on Johnny. He was sitting at the foot of the tree smoking a cigarette. "Hey Johnny!" Ponyboy yelled as he ran over to him. Johnny stood up and walked towards Pony with a smile. "What are ya doin here Pony? I thought you were in school." Johnny questioned Ponyboy. I stood by Dallas as I watched Johnny and Pony talk. Ponyboy pointed at me as Johnny looked to me, his smile fading.

After a moment Dallas left my side and walked towards Pony and Johnny. He ruffled Johnnys hair as he approached him. I stood quietly, I didn't want to make Johnny more uncomfortable than he already was.

I stood still for awhile, fiddling with my hands. I was always the silent type so I didn't mind being by myself while everyone else talked. Many thoughts ran through my head as I stood there playing with my hands. I don't even know half the things I thought about because I thought so much.

After a bit everyone headed towards me. They must've seen me standing there. "What  ya doin y/n?" Ponyboy asked. I looked up from my hands. "Just thinking." I answered him. "Are you ok?" Pony questioned me. "Yeah, I just don't wanna intrude to much." I said. "You're good." Pony stated. I nodded my head.

Johnny stared at me timidly, he seemed very uncomfortable. I felt a little bad for him, I knew how it felt having to meet someone for the first time. Especially someone I had already felt uncomfortable around in the first place. I didn't talk much, I didn't want to make him uncomfortable, I just listened to the conversation everyone was having.

I ran many thoughts through my head as I stood silently. Thoughts of the day, one being the time at the Dingo. Just like when I got drunk with Dallas, I felt free. Free from the high expectations and fake personality's of the south side. Free from being a soc. I wanted to stay in the north side forever. Something about it was different, new. Something about it felt right. Something about hanging out with "greasers", felt right. Something about causing trouble, felt right. It was an odd feeling, something I had never felt before. Nothing in my life ever felt right up until I crossed the tracks. I thought about it for awhile.

I also thought how my sister might react to them. Would she be rude or disappointed somehow? I was a bit nervous about introducing them to her. Although part of me felt she would love them. She wasn't a regular soc, she was more kind and accepting. Her and Cherry Valence were the only two socs I had known that ever acted that way. I sure did hope she liked them.

"Y/n?" Ponyboy said. I snapped out of my thoughts. "Huh?" I asked in confusion. Everyone was staring at me. "We're going to the house." Pony said. I was confused as I looked around. The sun was lower in the sky than before. I looked to Ponyboy. "What time is it?" I asked, confused. Pony shrugged. "Probably around two or three." Pony said. I looked at him confused. "How long have we been standing here?" I asked. "Probably about thirty minutes or something." Pony answered. I paused. "Come on." Pony said as we all started walking. I guess time goes by quick when you're drifted off into thought. 

We walked for a couple minutes until we arrived at the Curtis house.