Johnnyboy

Chapter 6

Have you ever been with the person you love for so long, and the moment they go, you don't know what to do with yourself? That's how I felt when Darry took Pony away.

"It's crazy what Darry is givin' Pony for this, man," Dally said. He turned to me. "I mean, it's not like he has a choice in who he loves, right? I would get it if Pony was datin' some guy that was twenty-five or whatever, but you're sixteen."

Dally continued to ramble on about how much he hates what's going on, but I stopped listening. I felt so bad for Ponyboy. He didn't deserve this, he really didn't. I felt like it was all my fault. I looked over at Dally, who finally finished rambling and was starting the engine. I put my head on my arm and stared out the window. It had been so long I had gone without being with Ponyboy, and now that I finally was, it was not a good feeling. I needed someone that I knew cared. I needed someone to hold. I didn't know what to do. I thought that I'd never see Pony again. Maybe Darry would trap him inside his house, and without Sodapop, there was no one to save him.

"Where are we goin'?" I asked, still looking out the window.

"First, we're gonna find Two-Bit. He doesn't even know about Soda," Dally said." Then, after that's settled, we're gonna go to Darry's house, and settle this once and for all."

I looked at him. Settle this once a for all? What did he mean? I didn't want any fights.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "No fights, man. I don't want any fights."

Dally rolled his eyes. "I know. I mean we're gonna go get Ponyboy back for you. Maybe if that doesn't work, we can fight. I doubt Pony wants to be there."

I didn't understand why Dally was being so nice to me all of a sudden. Normally, he wouldn't care about this. He wouldn't interfere. Now he was acting like he really cared. We didn't talk the rest of the ride.

We pulled up in front of Two-Bit's house. His house was really close to mine, so I had to lay low incase my parents saw me. Two-Bit was already walking down the steps in front of his house.

"Hey, Dally," he said. "Johnny! Where have you been? We missed ya'!"

"Oh, just, uh..." I said.

I didn't think Two-Bit knew about Pony and I being in a relationship, so I couldn't exactly tell him what happened.

Dally leaned over to me. "You're gonna have to tell him sooner or later, kid."

"Darry and Pony got in another fight, and we ran off again, except I didn't stab a Soc," I replied.

I knew I would have to tell him, but now just wasn't a good time.

"Oh, of course," Two-Bit said. "Where are you two headin'?"

"We're off to Darry's house. Lookin' like he kidnapped Pony or somethin'," Dally replied.

"Yeah, Darry's been real mad at Pony for the past two months," Two-Bit sighed. "Don't know what happened. Wish he'd tell us. Whatever. I'm goin' over to the gas station. Steve has to pick up a longer shift 'cause of Sodapop."

"Alright, see ya' around," I said.

Dally started the engine again. It took about five minutes to get to Darry's home. I noticed neither of us weren't calling it "The Curtis brother's house" or "Ponyboy's house" or whatever like we normally do. It kind of just seemed like it was more Darry's house now, since Sodapop was dying and Pony obviously didn't want to live there anymore. Plus, he was kicked out.

"When we get there, no interfering with Darry or Ponyboy, okay?" Dally said.

I nodded. "I wouldn't want to, anyway."