Drunk love - Johnnyboy

chapter 5

Ever since yesterday, Johnny has been avoiding me. Did I do something wrong? Did I make him uncomfortable? I was stressed, for sure.

"Hey, Soda!" I heard Steve call. It's time for them to hang out alone. Again. Why? I get it, they're best friends, but why can't they stay with the gang for a little while? What's so important about those two? What if they're..

I shrugged away my thoughts and yawned. I heard a knock at my door. "I'll be out in a sec-" The door opened.

It was Johnny! I thought he ran away. No. Of course he wouldn't. "Hey.." Johnny started, looking down. "Hi." I bit my lip. I was feeling hot, but it's cold in my room. I'm still sick. "Um, how are you?" Johnny asked, awkwardly. "I'm.. I'm okay," I nearly whispered. Why were things so awkward between us? Nothing was ever awkward between Johnny and I.

I felt my toes curl as I stood up. "I'm sorry for runnin' out like that, Pone. I was just.. confused, I guess." I nodded. "I know. It's okay." I said, staring at my feet. I felt tight arms embrace me into a hug, and I immediately felt better. I hugged Johnny back and sighed, placing my cheek on Johnny's shoulder. This was nice, I thought. I didn't want to let go. It felt real good. Even better than when Cherry and I hugged. Why? I'm assuming it's because I was worried Johnny hated me.

I would never recover if Johnny hated me. He only hates the Socs and his folks.
I would do anything for Johnny. I know it sounds weird, but he would do the same. So I would.

He let go and smiled at me, weakly. "Thanks, Pone." I felt my cheeks heat up. I smiled back and shrugged. "No problem." I swear, his eyes were glowing. It looked majestic, almost. I snapped out of my thoughts as Darry knocked on the door. "See you boys later. Johnny, keep an eye on Ponyboy. Ponyboy, be good." I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a kid no more, Darry! Quit buggin' me." I nearly yelled. Darry gave me an angry look.

I felt cold all of the sudden. "Quit it, Pone." Darry walked away. Johnny was still staring at me, and I felt lightheaded. "What do you, um, want to do?" I asked. Johnny shrugged and walked out of the room. I followed him. "I don't know. We can just stay in. It's pretty cold out." Johnny said, quietly. We sat down on the couch.

"There's still some of that chicken salad, Johnnycake. Want me to get it out for you?" I offered. Johnny smirked and nodded. "Sure." I stood up and walked to the kitchen, fixing up some salad for Johnny. I set it down on the table. "Johnny, it's ready." I said.

He came walking into the kitchen, and I felt my ears heat up. Why? He took a seat, smiling. "Thanks." I shrugged and grinned. He sat down and smiled at me.

I smiled back and watched him eat. "It tasted better yesterday." Johnny grinned. I laughed. "Yep." I mumbled, chewing on my nails. Why was I getting so nervous? I went to the fridge and grabbed myself a Pepsi.

I nearly choked on it when Johnny began to talk. "Dally's supposed to be out of the cooler soon." I coughed until I was able to speak again. "When?" Johnny shrugged. I sighed.

"It's sometimes better without Dally." I mumbled. He nodded. "I like good ol' Dal. But he can be a little too much, sometimes." I grinned slightly.

--

After a while, Johnny went out with Two-bit and I stayed home. I heard the door open and close. "Hey, Pony." I heard Sodapop say. I smiled and sighed.
"Hey, Soda. How was.. hanging out with Steve?" Soda reddened and smiled. "It was nice." I smiled. "Soda, can I talk to you about somethin'?" He nodded, as I took in a deep breath. "Okay.. so, basically.. um.. I've been.. having weird feelings, towards Johnny. You know?" Sodapop cocked an eyebrow and grinned. "What kind of feelings?"

I bit my lip. "I don't know how to explain it. It's like.. my day is so much better when Johnny's around. And even better when he's having a good time. Or when he looks at me, I feel my face get hot. Or when he slightly touches me.. I don't get it. Did he give me a disease?!" I yelled the last part. Sodapop laughed. Why was he laughing at my problems?
"Pony, it sounds like you're in love."

I froze.

"In.. in love?" I whispered. I felt like I was shaking. I felt nervous. I felt weird. "Yeah. That's okay, Pony. I accept you, alright?" I felt tears swell in my eyes.

No, no. This can't be happening. I bit my lip, I felt my body heat up and shiver. This will completely 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯 our friendship. This can't happen.

"Is there any way to fix it?" I whispered. Sodapop looked at me, wide eyed. "What?" He spoke after a minute. "Ponyboy, you can't just.. fix your feelings. At least, not for people. Ponyboy, it's okay that you like him. It's okay." I frowned and felt my lips shake. I had a lump in my throat. What would Johnny think about this? "No.. Soda, it ain't." I whispered.

I felt his arms around my body. "I'm in love with Steve, if it makes you feel better." I stepped away. "I called it." I smiled through tears. He laughed. "I guess so." I chuckled and wiped my tears. "So.. I'm just- in love with Johnny, huh?" Sodapop grinned and nodded.

"Yep. But don't worry, I'm pretty sure he feels the same." I scoffed, doubting it. "Yeah, sure." I said, sarcastically. Sodapop nudged me and opened the fridge, grabbing leftover pizza. "Grab me a piece." He did.

Pizza tasted better when it was cold. Unpopular opinion, really. Almost every supposed-to-be-warm food is better when its cold. Not soup, though. Not ever soup. Or popcorn. I giggled at my own thoughts and rolled my eyes.

Johnny.. What if what Sodapop said was true? What if he was in love with me, too? I felt warm. I ate the pizza and walked into the living room, plopping down on the couch.

Johnny..