I'm in Love with a Ghost: The Outsiders [COMPLETED]

5. Meeting Johnny

The boys cleaned out an empty bedroom for me.

I went home when I knew my parents wouldn't be, and I discreetly packed. Darry forced me to write a note to my parents stating where I'd be, plus his home phone number.

It's been a few days, and they haven't come to check on me or take me back. I saw that as a good sign.

The boys seemed to accept me, maybe even enjoy my presence, and Ponyboy took me under his wing. I think I was becoming his new best friend, and he was becoming mine.

They sure talked about Dally and Johnny an awful lot. I learned lots about their late friends, and I thought I knew them myself. I could tell you their favorite food, favorite pastimes, something that sounds like something they would say, and so on. It was a little scary.

All of the stories that involved Dally were like watching a scary movie right before you go to bed. His actions and words made my skin crawl, I was kinda glad that I never got to meet him, no matter how much the gang reassures that he would have loved me like he did Johnny. How he would never hurt me, I found that doubtful.

Phrases Dally was famous for saying, and actions he was expected to do, would make my grandmother faint if she heard.

The more I heard about Johnny, the more I fell in love. Well, "fell in love" is pretty strong... but the more I miss him. Sure, I knew him from eating with him at lunch, but he barely spoke. He seemed like a sweet kid, I just wished that I got to know him more before his untimely death.

My heart fluttered whenever I heard his name, and it felt weird to think that I have a crush on someone who was dead, besides James Dean. He was a real heartthrob of the time.

**********************

One night, it was pretty late. I had just finished watching a late showing of Mickey Mouse episodes with Two as the rest of the gang was getting ready for the rumble. Two was going too, but he's always prepared for a rumble.

Darry won't let me participate in rumbles, without a true reason. I don't care, that really isn't my speed anyways. I think it'll be fun for just going once, but that'd be it.

I'm not keen on purposefully putting myself in dangerous situations.

I went to my room and immediately ripped off my sweaty shirt — it was a hot summers day in Tulsa. I replaced my clothes with my pajamas, when a small gust of cold air went past me. I shivered, and looked at the window. I shut it right and twisted the lock. I rubbed my hands against my arms to warm them up again. Why was it so cold in my room? It's summer, it is still hot at night!

I flicked the light switch off and crawled into my bed. I usually take the comforter off at night, but tonight I kept it on.

Was I getting sick?

I felt my forehead and I didn't feel hot.
I tucked the covers under my chin and felt instant warmth.

I debated on bringing Darry or one of the boys into the room and take their word if they think it's hot or not. If they think it's hot, I should probably go to the hospital. If they think it's cold, then yay, I'm not losing my mind!

While I was having an argument with myself if I should, I became too tired to move. As I was slipping into my sleeping coma, I felt a very distinct feeling of a pair of ice cold lips on my forehead. I fluttered my eyes open to see a boy standing over me. He had a pair of dark, friendly eyes with dark skin, but he looked awfully pale. My first thought is that he needs some sunlight, then I wondered why this boy was looking at me while I slept. My half asleep brain didn't register that he wasn't part of the gang. When it finally clicked, I recognized him as Johnny.

Johnny?!

I screamed bloody murder...