Changes

Chapter Fourteen

At least it was Friday. I was having such a hard time getting out of bed for school. Dally was still sleeping so I kissed his cheek and then got ready. I put on a pair of jeans, a black tank top and a blue print flannel.

I had breakfast and then I grabbed a notepad and wrote a note for Dallas.

Sorry I couldn't stay in bed with you all day, that's what I want, but schools important, but thank you so much for last night, I'm not sure what I would've done without you this past week. Love you baby!

~Jana

I grabbed my binder and bag and walked outside. It was really warm which made the walk more enjoyable. I never realized how cute this side of town was. I liked it. "Hey Jana!" A familiar voice called out. I looked over my shoulder to see Ponyboy and Johnny walking up the side walk. "Hey guys!" I smiled and waited for them. "Where were ya yesterday? We missed you." Pony smiled as we started walking again. "Oh, I just wasn't in the mood for school so me and Dally went to this really pretty look off place just outta town a ways." I smiled and looked at him. "Shoot, I'd love to just skip school whenever." Johnny kinda laughed. "I really needed it. It was nice to just have a day to relax." I smiled and listened to Johnny and Ponyboy talk about some project they were working on in their biology class.

We got to school and the bell rang. "I got math, I gotta go, see ya guys at recess!" Ponyboy smiled and ran up the stairs into the school. "What class you got?" Johnny asked shyly. "I have art, I'm not sure if Two-bits here so I might be all by myself." I laughed and he smiled. "I'll walk ya to class, c'mon." He smiled and we walked up the stairs into the school. "So, tell me about you, I feel like I know everybody else in the gang, but you, tell me your life story." I smiled and he scratched his head. "Well, there ain't much to tell, I've been here in Tulsa my whole life, my parents wish they never had me and the only reason I'm still here is because of the gang, they're my family. They're always real nice and protective. I got beat up a couple months ago by some Socs and the guys helped me." Johnny smiled as we walked down the hallway. "I feel like no one wants me. I'm just so used to people always leavin' that I try not to get too close to anyone, but now I've stupidly fallen in love with Dallas. Johnny, what have I done?" I stopped and Johnny looked at me. "Dally may seem like the kind of guy that would just leave, but he really does care and he wouldn't do that to you, especially with everything that's happened  to you. Dal's a good guy Jana, don't worry." Johnny smiled and softly placed a hand on my shoulder. "He read cares about you and thinks you're a good kid." I looked at him and his face lit up. "Sometimes, I feel like it'd be easier if I killed myself, just to get away from everything. I know my folks wouldn't care, the boys would but sometimes I just wanna get away from everything, ya know?" Johnny said and I was surprised that he was opening up and talking to me.

I pulled him to the side of the hallway. "Johnny! You are not gonna kill yourself! For Christ sakes you're only 16! Live! Don't let your home life stop you from doing what makes you happy sweetie because you deserve to be happy. Everyone deserves happiness and it pains me to see someone not happy because I've been unhappy for so long that I know how it feels and I want them to be happy. If it weren't for Denise volunteering to take me in, I would've killed myself because I didn't have a thing to live for before I came to Tulsa, now I have a group of amazing, tuff guys that I love! Y'all make me feel happy and you're like my family." I smiled and Johnny smiled back. "You're something special Jana, I think we needed you as much as you need us, for support." He shrugged and looked at a clock hanging on the wall. "Shoot, we should get to class, I'll meet up with you and Pony at recess." He said and gathered his stuff up in his arms and started walking down the hallway. "Johnny Cade!" I called and he turned around. "You're worth it! Have a good day bud, and hey, if you ever need to talk or just let your feelins' out, I'm your girl!" I smiled. "Thanks! I'll see ya later Jana!" He smiled and we walked separate ways to class.