Second Chances: A Punk Rock Love Story

Chapter One: Sixteen Again

Second Chances: A Punk Rock Love Story

Chapter One: Sixteen Again

It was a midsummer day in 1977 and the Ramones were in the midst of rehearsal. Of course, all that could possibly go awry did. This had taken its toll on Johnny's nerves, even more so, considering Tommy was absent, therefore leaving the guitarist in charge of the band.

"You know Johnny, maybe if you weren't such a prick, you wouldn't still be alone." Dee Dee says, lighting a cigarette.

"Yeah? And I'm supposed to take advice from a junkie? Fuck you! I'm going home."

Once band rehearsal had come to a close, Johnny left to his forest hills home. Once there, he found himself resting comfortably on his couch in front of his television set.

Try as he might, Johnny absolutely could not stop thinking about what Dee Dee said. Was it true? Was he alone? Suddenly, he begins to remember, her, Diane McNeil. The one that got away.

Johnny rushes to his bedroom closet. He digs violently through the useless clutter until he finds his high school yearbook. He flips rapidly through the pages until he finds his class. There she is, beautiful as ever. Thin, average height, blonde hair, blue eyes, and freckles. Seeing her picture puts a smile on Johnny's face.

For reasons unbeknownst to him at the moment, Johnny and Diane never dated in high school. Although, he was sure she was smitten with him and he was madly in love with her. As madly in love with someone as you can be when you're only sixteen years old.

Johnny heads to the bathroom and stands in front of the mirror, staring at his own reflection, he wonders where he went so wrong in his life to end up alone. He turns on the faucet and lets the water run and catches a portion of it in his hands, he closes his eyes tight, as he splashes the water on his face.

"I wish I had a second chance to be with her. Oh, Diane, we would've been great together." He says before opening his eyes.

As Johnny opened his eyes, he had a strange feeling. Little did he know, things would only get stranger in the moments to come. As he lifted his head and looked in the mirror, he noticed the reflection he was staring at, did not belong to him. Or did it? It was mimicking his movements, perfectly. It was him, only as a teenager!  His wish had come true. He was in the bathroom of Forest Hills High School!

Now that Johnny knew where he was, he had to find Diane. Luckily, it was lunchtime. He had to hurry! He rushes out of the bathroom and to the cafeteria.

Once he got to the cafeteria, Diane wasn't hard to spot. She was sitting in her usual spot, with all of her snobby friends. They hated Johnny and he hated them, but she wasn't like them. She was nice to everyone.

Johnny contemplates going to sit with Diane. Johnny looks around and also sees Tommy, Joey, and Dee Dee. He ultimately decides to go over and talk to Diane.

"Hey, Diane. Why don't you come and sit with me? There's an empty table right over there."

"Hi, John. You can sit here if you want." Diane smiles. Oh, how Johnny loved her smile.

"Oh my God, Diane! He can not sit here!"

"Betty, do you have to be so mean?"

"I'm mean? Johnny just came over and asked you to sit with him, alone! Don't you think that's rather fresh?" Betty asks.

"I apologize. It's just, there's something I wanted to ask Diane."

"Well, maybe she doesn't wanna talk to a punk like you, John!" Says Jim, a star basketball player and one of Johnny's biggest rivals.

"Actually Jim, I'd really like to hear what Johnny has to say." Diane says as she and Johnny walk to a secluded table. Johnny gives Jim the middle finger, as he's walking away, which makes Diane giggle

"So Johnny, what did you want to talk about?"

"There's this movie, 'The Brain From Planet Arous' and I wanted to know if you would go with me to see it. Like, on a date. So, will you?"

"I'd love to!" Diane smiles.

"Great! How's Saturday afternoon?"

"That's perfect." She replies.

"Ok. So, I'll pick you up at three." Johnny smiles.

Diane runs back to the table with her friends. Johnny goes to sit with Tommy.

"I have a date for Saturday!" Diane tells Betty.

"With who?"

"Johnny!"

"No way! He is such a jerk." Betty says, rolling her eyes.

"He's always been really nice to me. Plus, he's really cute."

Almost as quickly as it began, the day had ended. At the end of the day, Johnny simply went home and let the time pass.

The following day, Johnny and Tommy were conversing just as they normally did. Johnny desperately desired to tell Tommy about the wish he had made, but he did not. He still was not quite certain of what exactly was going on.

For the time being, Johnny thought it best to focus on Diane. She was, after all, his first love. He was on a mission, a mission for love! And he couldn't fail, not again!

He knew the odds were against him. He had a reputation for being a jerk. Her friends didn't li!e him. Though, she seemed to like him.

Even more, days have passed. And it is now Friday afternoon. School has already ended and Tommy and Johnny have just finished rehearsing with their band, the Tangerine Puppets.

"So Johnny, are you ready for your date with Diane tomorrow?"

"Yes, Tommy, I am. I won't lie though, I'm more nervous than I thought I would be though and it's making my stomach feel terrible."

"Well, that's normal. I mean, this is your first date, after all. You should probably bring her flowers, too. Girls love flowers." Tommy assures Johnny.

"That's a good idea. I gotta make sure everything is perfect tomorrow. I can't mess this up."

"What are you talking about, John?" Tommy asks, confused.

"The future! I have to make sure Diane and I end up together!"

"Wow! Slow down there, buddy. You're only sixteen. Just enjoy the date tomorrow. Ok?"

"You don't understand Tommy. I'm in love." Johnny says as he stares off into space.