Focus

{27}

Johnny's POV

I groaned and sat up as I opened my eyes. I whipped them clean of sleepiness before standing up.

"Where ya off to?" I heard Ponyboy whisper through the night. I looked around the dark room and saw him sitting in a chair by the window.

I smiled sadly yet tiredly at him. "Gotta go back home. Dad would be upset if I'm not there when he's awake" I whispered back.

I saw him stand and walk over to me. "Johnny, ya don't have to go. Just stay here" he begged. I heard the plead in his voice but shook my head.

"I can't Pony. You remember what he did to me the last time I was late" I said as my mind trailed back to that day.

Flash back

I slowly crept through the wooden door of the place I used to call "home". On the outside, there were pretty flowers along with the greenest grass I've ever seen.

Though, on the inside, we're a boken family living in a broken home. Mom and dad are always getting drunk and never paying bills, which is why I usually work during the days instead of going to school.

I silently closed the door and waited a couple of seconds in case I heard anyone getting up. Silence. That was all I could hear besides the quiet breeze coming from an opened window.

Wait a minute. Dad never leaves that window open unless he-

"Welcome home boy. Had yourself a good time at a friends I see" a voice slurred. My breath hitched and my heart began beating rapidly.

He's drunk. He's drunk. He's drunk.

Was all I was thinking.

"Stand here boy, wanna show ya somethin'" he slurred. I didn't move an inch. I knew I should've but it just scared me to them like this.

"I said get your ass over here!!" he yelled. I jumped back and quikly walked over to where he was. I soon regretted it.

He grabbed me by the back of my shirt and threw me to the ground. I whimpered and scooter back. He chuckled darkly as he stood over me.

"When I tell you to do something you do it!"

I don't remember much of what happened that night, but I do remember waking up in a hospital. Pony said I was out of two days.

"You don't deserve that. You don't deserve that Johnny, and you know it" he said as his eyes began to water.

I smiled softly as I landed a hand on his shoulder. "You know it's the only way I get paid Pony. And besides, I don't want yo loose you guys" I said as I felt my eyes sting.

He nodded as he whipped at his eyes. "Will I see ya tomorrow then?" he asked looking at the ground. I nodded even though he couldn't see it.

"'Course Pony, Giselle's birthday is tomorrow. I wouldn't miss it for the world" I smiled. I saw him nod and took it as my que to leave.

Later on during the day

Darry's POV

"Heya Gis, how ya been?" I asked as she walked into the house. She smiled at me. "I've been doing good, I actually came to see-"

"Hey Darry?! Why is Dally sleepin' I thought we were-"

Everything froze. Giselle and Two-Bit stood staring at each other and I couldn't take it.

"Dally took Johnny home last night so he gets to sleep in longer. You still have to do the yard" I said, interrupting the silence.

Two-Bit glared at me. "You said Dally was-"

"Well Dally is-"

"Right here"

We all jumped back when we heard Dally speak.

"I already cleaned up the weeds, you need to water the- Hey Giselle" he said stopping as he saw Gis. She shuffled on her feet as she became uncomfortable.

"You got a weed Dal?" Two-Bit asked as he took out a pack of matches. Dally nodded and handed him a smoke.

They went outside and began to talk while I guided Giselle to the living room. "So what brings you here?" I asked as we sat down.

She sighed. "I was trying to see if Johnny came here but apparently he isn't here" she answered. I nodded. "He-uh. He went home to his folks to make some cash" I answered running the back of my neck.

She nodded with a sad smile. "He doesn't need that" she said in a low voice. I sighed. "I know. But we can't just take him. His dad'll kill me" I said.

"He could live with me" She said quickly. I looked at her then thought for a while. I smiled at her. "That ain't a bad idea Gis. We've just gotta convince him" I said.

She smiled brightly. "We could do that easily! I just need his things and I'll have a room for him" she said. I chuckled. "I've got that, he should be movin' in in about two days" I said.

She jumped in her seat. I laughed. "That'll be my gift for you" I said with a smile. She looked at me with watery eyes and a smile. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She yelled as she tackled me in a hug.

I chuckled as I wrapped my arms around her.

This should be good