Second Chances: A Punk Rock Love Story

Chapter Two: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

Second Chances: A Punk Rock Love Story

Chapter Two: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

Saturday afternoon had come far sooner than Johnny expected. As a matter of fact, he overslept and was running low on time to prepare for his date. When Johnny looked at the clock on his bedroom wall, hanging next to his Beatles poster, he noticed it was already one in the afternoon.

Johnny got dressed and showered. Though when it came time to stand in front of the mirror to do his hair, he just couldn't get used to the person staring back at him. That wasn't him. Not anymore, anyway.

Now on his way to Diane's house, Johnny saw three boys from school. Jim and two of his friends. Of course, their girlfriends were there, as well.

"Shit! I don't need this right now!" Johnny sighs.

"Where are you going, John?"

"It's really none of your business. Now, get out of my way, Jim!"

"Wait a second, you're going to Diane's house! If you were planning to take her out, you really shouldn't."

Jim and his friends form a circle around Johnny and Johnny makes his hand into a fist.

"I guess you didn't  hear me when I told you to move." Johnny raises his voice.

"No, I didn't. Did you hear him?"

"No!" Both the girls and Jim's friends answer.

"Well, I said fuck you!" Johnny yells.

Jim takes a swing at Johnny, but Johnny ducks and punches Jim in the stomach. Both of Jim's friends jump on Johnny and begin hitting repeatedly on his back and his sides. Of course, the girls were cheering them on the entire time.

Suddenly Dee Dee, who was then known as Doug Colvin shows up, out of nowhere and pulls out a switchblade.

"Hey! Why don't you assholes leave him alone?" Doug yells, waving his switchblade around.

"Hey, he's got a weapon! Let's get out of here!" Jim and his friends run away.

"You ok, Johnny?"

"Yeah. I think so. Thanks a lot, Dee Dee."

"What? My names Doug. I know we don't really hang out, but I thought you at least knew my name." Doug laughs.

"Thanks for the help, but I gotta go."

Johnny escaped the fight, but he had to return home. Once there, he made himself presentable, once again. When he was done doing that, he convinced his father to let him use the car. When he was done with that, he called Diane and informed her that he would be late.

Johnny eventually made it to Diane's house, safely and with a bouquet of red roses. She was delighted to see both the roses and Johnny.

The trip to drive in theatre was a little awkward, as you might expect. Luckily, it wasn't a very long car ride.  However, long or short, it was still very quiet.

Johnny and Diane were already at the Drive-in. Johnny had bought them soda and popcorn to share and the movie was just starting. Johnny had seen the film a number of times, but he had not seen it with Diane and he wanted so desperately to spend time with her and to tell her how he felt about her.

As they sit there enjoying each other's company, Diane being her observant self, spots a bruise on Johnny's cheek.

"What happened?" She asks, as her thumb gently grazes the bruised area on his cheek.

Johnny tells her about the fight between him and Jim. He could've lied, but he didn't. He could've said he fell, or made up a million other lies, but he just felt so comfortable around Diane.

"Does it still hurt?"

"No." Johnny flinches.

"I'm so sorry they did this to you."

"It's ok. Your friends are very protective of you."

"There's being protective and there's being mean."

"I know they don't like me. Honestly, I don't care if they like me. I only care if you like me, Diane." Johnny stares deep into her eyes.

"I really like you. I know you don't have a boyfriend. I was wondering if you'd be my girlfriend? Because I wanna be your boyfriend."

"Of course! I've liked you since the beginning of the school year. Aren't you going to kiss me, Johnny?"

"Oh yeah," Johnny replies as he leans close to Diane so their foreheads are touching.

He notices her smile, which in turn makes him smile. Perhaps, he sat there a bit too long, but he was undeniably nervous. Their hearts were racing fast, their breathing was heavy and both their faces were flushed. At last and maybe she was slightly caught off guard when it did happen, but finally, Johnny's lips pressed firmly against hers. Once the kiss broke, they each let out blissful sighs.