Forever Apart (Johnny Cade) {The Outsiders}

Nine

We crossed Sutton and cut behind Spencers Special, the discount store, and chased two junior high kids across a field for a few minutes. Dally cackled the whole time. By then, it was getting dark enough to sneak in over the back fence at the Nightly Double. The fence was already broken at a metal post and was bent up a little, the dirt underneath was dug down a bit too, giving you a decent sized whole to climb in through. I knew Dal had enough money to get into the Nightly Double, if not, I certainly did, but I didn't push it. Dal went in first, then Ponyboy. Johnny and I awkwardly stood next to each other. I gestured that he go first, which he did. Then I crawled in right behind him. When half of my body was on the other side, I looked up to see Johnny holding out his hands, I blushed as I took them and he helped me up. By the time I stood on my feet, we were still holding each other's hands. "Thanks." I said.

"Come on, man!" We heard Dal impatiently yell.

We went to the rows of seats in front of the concession stand to sit down. Nobody else was there except two girls who were sitting down front. I recognized the look in Dally's eyes as he made his way to the seats right behind them. Dally sat next to the aisle, then Ponyboy sat next to him, then I sat next to Pony, and Johnny sat next to me. It wasn't long before Dallas started talking loud enough for the girls to hear. What he said embarrassed me greatly. "I'm gonna get a Coke." Johnny quietly informed me.

"I'll go with you." I didn't want to be around while Dal was doing that. If a boy did that to me, I probably would have slapped him silly. "You got money?" I asked Johnny as we made our way to the long line.

"Enough." He answered.

"I got some too." He nodded at me and we awkwardly stood next to each other in line.

"It's weird seeing you and Dally get along. I haven't heard either of you tell all day." Johnny said.

"Yep."

"This means you're gonna stop saying Coleman every five seconds?" We shared a laugh.

"We're finally getting along and understanding each other but..I don't like the reputation that comes with his name. Especially when I did nothing wrong. I don't even know these people, I haven't stolen anything, I haven't passed out drunk, I haven't gotten into fights..and they're already putting a reputation on me because of my name." I explained to him in a genuine voice.

"No I get it. You were pretty mad when that handsome Soc stopped flirting with you cause you were a Winston." I sensed jealousy in his voice.

"I wasn't mad, just..annoyed." I told him.

"You look real nice today. Think anyone here gonna hit on ya?" I giggled as we looked around.

"Nah, not with Dal near us." We laughed again as we finally got to the counter.

"Two cokes please." Johnny had just enough for two cokes. "Here." He gave me mine and we proceeded back to our seats.

As we walked down the aisle, I noticed Dally walking past us with a slight grin. "Hey Dal-"

"Shut up." He crankily snapped.

"Alright then." I muttered. "Maybe that girl put him in his place."

When Johnny and I sat back down, we noticed that the two girls had turned around and were talking to Ponyboy. They were very pretty and definitely part of the upper class. One had long red hair and a beautiful skinny face, her friend had short black hair and long eyelashes. "Hi." Johnny shyly muttered at the girls. I watched the movie but could see the red head staring at us out of the corner of my eye, trying to figure us out.

"This might cool you off." Dally sat in the seat beside the redhead who gave him a death glare. She then threw the Coke at his face.

"That might cool you off, greaser. After you wash your mouth and learn to talk and act decent, I might cool off, too." Dally wiped the drink off his face, but not a trace of anger was on his face.