Just The Two of Us (Johnnyboy)

Chapter Two

As they approach the open door, they hear Two-Bit going on about something. As they walk through the front door, they see Two-Bit sigh and kind of shake his head. He seemed almost wistful, not a usual emotion for him. Then he chugged a beer and started shoving cake into his mouth.

Ponyboy looked at Johnny and they shared a laugh about Two-Bit's beer and cake. Together they walked in and sat on the floor in front of the couch. Soda walked in from the kitchen, holding a piece of cake and laughing with Steve.

"Hey guys!! Took ya long enough." Two-Bit laughs before he chugs his beer again.

"Hey Two-Bit." Ponyboy says not addressing the last comment, looking up from the floor at the couch. He notices Johnny scoot closer to him, and his cheeks feel warmer. Johnny and Ponyboy's knees touch as they sit next to each other on the couch. They get pushed even closer together as some of the rest of the gang tries to pile onto their small sofa.

"Golly, Darry watch out! You're squisin' me and Johnnycake!" He says, ignoring the rising heat in his face.

"Sorry little buddy." Darry pats Ponyboy on the head and gets up and sits in the recliner next to the couch. Ponyboy and Johnny are still pretty squished next to each other. They're right in the middle of the couch, right up next to each other. Ponyboy notices how Johnny isn't looking at him at all. His face is looking down at his beat up black converse. But Ponyboy can see the blush on his cheeks despite Johnny trying to pull his popped collar up higher.

"Is it hot in here or something, bud?" Ponyboy asks, noticing the redness of his cheeks. His eyebrows knit together with worry.

"Yeah, yeah. A little, man." Johnny says avoiding Ponyboy's eyes. He seems real shifty and weird.

"Oh. Maybe take off the jacket, eh?" Ponyboy smiles, trying to take Johnny's mind off of whatever was bothering him. Little did he know that thing was him. Johnny takes off his jacket, which he's been even more reluctant to do lately because of his arms looking like leather due to the burns. He hesitates to take off his jean jacket but he does, slowly. Then he sets it down in his lap.

Ponyboy tries not to show the scared feeling that arises whenever he sees Johnny's burns. It just reminds him of the horrible days waiting for Johnny to get better, never knowing if he would.

"I-I'm feeling really hot right now." Johnny says. He's fanning himself and he seems a bit uncomfortable. His cheeks are bright red.

"Do you wanna go to me and Soda's room? We have a fan in there." Ponyboy says, noticing the blush. But that can't be right because nothing would be making him blush right now. Johnny stutters over his words. He scratches his head before looking slightly over at Ponyboy.

"Sure... yeah." Ponyboy nods. He goes to take Johnny's hand but realizes he's already holding it. Tightly, too.

He pulls Johnny off of the couch and shouts, "We're going to me and Soda's room!" He hears Steve grumble a complaint about how they were going to hangout there.