𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓- 𝙟𝙤𝙝𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚

21. 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔

— A LUMP SAT IN MY THROAT

Tears threatened to fall as I looked, at what appeared to be, Johnny's lifeless body— only he wasn't dead, but his body had gone rather numb. His body was battered in cuts and bruises as he lay on the couch of the Curtis home. The gang surrounded him, some of us sitting and others standing. Johnny's head laid on my lap as his chest slowly rose and fell. He looked peaceful and at the same time disturbed.

The pain that he must have been feeling was immense. I wished more than anything that I could take it away, but of course, that was impossible.

Johnny had been jumped again, not as bad as last time, but not better either. He wouldn't have any more scars on his face, which is something I knew that he would be thankful for as he already hated the scar on his cheek. He always told me how much he wished he could scratch it off and throw it away— but I always told him how much I admired it, which was true, it made him look tuff.

It pained me to see him in such a state. He was the last person that should ever have to endure such a situation. I knew that he was going to be even more jumpy after this— hell, he may not even want to go out of the house.

As I ran my fingers through his greased and disheveled hair, Johnny began to groan and his body moved slightly, Johnny was now looking up at me as his body lay flat on the couch. I smiled down at him as he slowly opened his eyes, Johnny's eyes immediately going from wide and scared to soft and eased. He reached up and stroked my cheek with his thumb, smiling back at me. "Mi Estrella.." He whispered so that only I could hear. His calmness surprised me as he had just gone through something extremely traumatic, and yet here he was, smiling up at me without a care in the world.

"Johnny.. how are you feeling baby?" I whispered back to him, to wish he shrugged in response before smiling a bit.

"I've felt better.." He told me smugly, making us both lightly chuckle. Johnny looked around and saw the gang standing around. They were watching me and Johnny converse which made the situation somewhat awkward and uncomfortable. They noticed me and Johnny's off behaviour and quickly left the room— Darry had already patched Johnny up when he was resting so there was no need for it now. "I wanna go back to your place, I wanna be alone.." He whispered to me, even though the gang was out of hearing distance.

"Johnny Cade!" I smirked, slapping his arm lightly as we both laughed.

"No, I didn't mean it like that! although..." He smirked at me and I slapped his arm again before throwing my head back laughing. Johnny laughed along with me, the gang staring at our outburst in confusion. "I'm joking, I won't be able to for a while." He confessed, sounding somewhat disappointed at the idea. I nodded in agreement as we both knew we'd have to go without anything sexual for a while until Johnny healed fully.

"C'mon, I drove here so it'll make it easier." I told him as I helped him up off the couch. I put his arm over my shoulder to help support him better. The gang quickly rushed over, eager to help Johnny before Johnny shooed them away and said his goodbyes.

Johnny quickly opened the drivers door for me to get in, making me blush. "You don't have to do that baby" I smiled at him. Even when injured, he's still a gentlemen.

"I don't mind" Johnny shrugged, giving me a bashful expression before he limped over to the passengers side and hopped in. As I drove back home, Johnny kept his hand on my thigh and rubbing circles on my skin which made me blush. We shared occasional glances to one another, a spark setting off in my stomach each time.

How could I be so in love with someone? I thought to myself. It was a fair thought as it was also a question that I desperately needed answered. Every time Johnny would look at me, or I would look at him, something went off in me. Like a flame that was set ablaze by the spark within his eyes. People find that after couples get together, the spark of a crush isn't really there anymore because it's official and there is "nothing to crush over"— Yet I still find myself crushing over Johnny, as if he was a boy from school that I would admire in the hallway and never spoke to. I was grateful for such emotions, regardless of what he felt.

As me and Johnny made our way up to my room, the lights blinded our eyes slightly as we needed to adjust from seeing in the dark. We both got dressed into something more comfortable. I wore one of Johnny's oversized shirt with only panties underneath, while Johnny wore only his boxers. Johnny's fresh cuts and bruises were now visible to me as they were practically on display.

I straddled Johnny's waist as he leaned against the headboard of the bed, holding my hips and rubbing circles underneath my shirt. I frowned, that same lump as when I first saw him reappearing in my throat. I lightly dragged my fingernails over his wounds, my eyes welling with tears. "Baby.." Johnny whispered, cupping my face and wiping the tears from my eyes that were threatening to fall. "I'm okay, this is nothing. I've been through worse"

"I know but.. it still hurts.." I whimpered as I lay my hand on top of his that continued to rest on my face. I tucked my head into his neck as I held onto Johnny's shoulders. His arms immediately enveloped me, cradling me and protecting me. "I hate seeing you like this.." I mumbled, my words muffled by his skin. Johnny's hand moved up to the back of my head and he began to stroke my hair.

"I know baby. But it will be okay, I promise. I'll be healed up in no time." Johnny reassured me as he took my head out of his neck, cupping my face. I nodded before we kissed one another passionately.

Johnny then moved the both of us so that we were laying down, still embracing one another. The moment was peaceful and quiet, and yet, it had to be interrupted.

The phone on my dresser began to ring, the vibrations creating a clacking sound on the wooden top. I groaned, as did Johnny. I got up and walked over, picking up the phone and holding it to my ear. "Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

"Hey, is this Astra?" An unfamiliar voice asked me through the phone. I looked over confused at Johnny, him returning the same expression back.

"Yes.. I'm sorry, who is this?" I questioned, dragging out the yes. No response, only some breathing and light chuckles in the background followed by shushing sounds coming from the person on the other side.

— "THIS IS BOB SHELDON"