Drunk love, a sequel - Johnnyboy

Chapter 5

Love is the most beautiful thing. You really love someone, and you'll wait for them forever. Your heart is where they go. Maybe they got crushed, and maybe my heart followed.

-

I woke up, with Ponyboy in my arms. It was bright out, the sun was almost orange, beaming on Ponyboy's skin. He looked unreal. I smiled. I bit my lip and sat up. I scratched the back of my neck and yawned. I stood up from the bed and walked out of the room, hearing the radio play some music.

I saw Sodapop and Darry in the living room, whispering. I scratched my collarbone and walked in. "What's going on?" I asked, and Sodapop looked up at me with a tearful face. "Nothing." He said, wiping his eyes. I walked closer and sat next to him. "You can talk to me."

"He's afraid. Afraid of loving Steve." Darry mumbled, looking down. I nodded. "Don't be scared, man. When I fell in love with Ponyboy, it was like a dream. It didn't feel real. He 𝘪𝘴 a dream. And, for you, Steve is. He's your dream. Your heart follows wherever your love and hurt goes. That's my heart with Ponyboy. Hurt and love. Love is full of hurting people, but it's so worth it. It's worth that you get to finally feel something, right? Follow your heart, even if it hurts."

That was quite a big speech for me, but I knew Soda needed to hear it. I needed to hear it, too. Sometimes I'm hurt because I love Ponyboy. Sometimes I 𝘥𝘰 wish he was a girl. "Thanks, Johnny." Soda said, smiling weakly. I nodded. I stood up from the couch and walked into the bathroom, combing my hair. I heard footsteps. "Johnny?" A weak, hoarse voice asked. "Yes?" I said back, setting the comb down. I turned to look at the opened door and saw a curious Ponyboy. "Hi, sweet boy." I said, softly. He waved and scratched his head. "You just wake up?" I said, breaking the small silence.

"Yeah. I'm not really hungry, I don't know why, though." I chuckled. "You ate like a cow last night, that's why." He giggled and nodded, yawning. Gosh, he was so pretty. I stared at him for a while. "Ponyboy, come here."

We both had a nervous expression on our faces, mostly because the tone of Darry's voice was so serious. Ponyboy gulped and nodded, walking into the kitchen. I continued 'minding my own business,' but I really couldn't. I wanted to hear what they were going to talk about.

"You alright?" Darry mumbled. "Yes, I'm fine, why?" I heard a small groan and a slam on a table, or a wall. "You can't keep doing this, Pony. Only talking to Johnny? You just can't, bud. . . Is it bad again?" I swore I felt my heart stop. ". . Yeah. I feel like- I feel like Johnny is the only thing keeping me going. But, is that so bad?" I gulped and shut my eyes closed, tight. "Yes, Ponyboy. I get it, you're in love with Johnny, but please acknowledge that we're here for you, too!" Darry was Yelling now. I was shaking. Something in his tone of voice reminded me of my old man.

"Don't you get it?! You can't. . . you can't be mad that I found love. He cares about me, he really does!" Ponyboy's voice was cracking. I felt my heart crack and shatter into pieces. After a minute of silence, I heard a door open and shut, loudly. I gulped and hesitantly stepped out of the bathroom. I heard silent sobs, and I followed it.

"Darry? Where's Ponyboy?" I asked. My voice was unsteady. "He ran out. Go make sure he's okay, will you?" I nodded and pulled my shoes over my feet, and I ran out the door,trying to find Ponyboy.

It's almost funny to me that I found him in a matter of twenty seconds. I felt exposed. We were still both shirtless, and boy, was I going to regret that later on. Ponyboy and I were sitting on the ground at the lot. "What's going on, Ponyboy?" He sobbed and shook his head. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing, Johnny. Darry's just a jerk. I hate him, I really do." I bit my lip and stayed silent. I knew all about feelings - he was in a state where he clearly needed to take it out. Take out his sadness, his loneliness. His fear.

I heard loud footsteps sneak up a few inches away from us. "Darry told me to give you guys these." I perked up and saw Dally, holding two t-shirts. I chuckled and stood up, grabbing the clothing. "Thanks. Tell him we'll be back later." Dally nodded and ran off.

"Here, put this on." I handed Ponyboy the light green shirt and he pulled it over his torso. I put the black shirt on, feeling hot, all of the sudden. "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, Pony. I understand, really." He hiccuped and sighed.

"I'm tired of Darry hollering at me all of the time. You know, I'm just a kid. I don't know anything. I'm not smart. He uses his head, I don't! Johnny, why am I like this? Please, for once in my life, I need someone. I need someone to tell me that Darry loves me." I drew a quivering sigh. It hurt me - hearing Ponyboy talk so low of himself. Maybe he doesn't use his head all the time, but he's perfect just the way he is. And I wouldn't trade anything for him to change. He's smart, gorgeous, kind. . How could he think of himself like this?

"You're going to be alright, Pony. Darry does love you, I know he does. He told me. And he's not wrong for that. He just gets angry because he's worried about your well-being. You're fine, okay?"
We stayed silent for a few minutes, until Ponyboy spoke up.

"I don't know. . I'm just. . so scared, Johnny. I just. . . have a bad feeling about something." He whispered, chewing on his fingernails. I sighed and looked at the sky.

Little did we know, Ponyboy's gut feeling was right. Something bad did happen. Nothing will ever be the same.