𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑. ( 𝘫𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

FIVE.

DECEMBER 1ST, 2018. (SATURDAY)

It was the next day when Johnny's new plan would be set into action. Ponyboy was going to help him out and that's what the younger boy intended to do. The 14-year-old has been googling information and writing it down in a notebook so he could remember everything. He was going to try his hardest to fight alongside Johnny, no matter how long it takes to get him better.

The two ended up falling asleep in Ponyboy's bed, curled up and wrapped around each other. They both were awful tired from all the shed tears and confessions. It was an awful night but they would both benefit from it later on.

Johnny tiredly tugs Ponyboy close to him, nuzzling his nose into the younger boy's hair. He was awake but still fairly tired. The boy fell asleep after Ponyboy did but it was a comfortable sleep that lasted throughout the rest of the night. He hums softly and messes with the fabric of Ponyboy's shirt, keeping his eyes closed.

Ponyboy shifts in the older boy's arms, slowly opening his eyes. He sees a denim jacket and smiles tiredly, knowing it was Johnny. The boy slowly wiggles out of Johnny's arms, causing a whine to escape the older boy's lips. Johnny was never a morning person.

"I know, sleepyhead," Ponyboy murmurs, stretching and rubbing his eyes. "But we have to get up and get you some breakfast." Johnny tenses up a little and opens his eyes, looking at Ponyboy.

"I know it's going to be hard for you," Ponyboy says. "But I'm here for you all the way and I'm going to make sure that you get healthier again. You're gonna feel so much better, I promise you."

"Do you really promise me," Johnny whispers, slowly standing up. He stretches his limbs out, a few obnoxious pops and cracks coming out in return. His best friend nods his head.

"Of course," Ponyboy says. "We're gonna start off super slow anyway. Nothing too big, Johnnycake. But I am going to watch you after you eat to make sure you don't throw it back up."

Johnny's face heats up in embarrassment and he nods his head sheepishly. This meant Johnny was going to be treated like a child for quite a while until he could be trusted not to relapse. He knows it's for the best but it was going to be rough.

"Another thing is that I'm gonna keep a notebook for all of this," Ponyboy says. "You know, to track your progress and all. Your weight, what you eat, possibly how you feel."

"Yeah, all right," Johnny replies quietly, stuffing his hands into his denim jacket pockets. "Whatever you say, doctor." The younger boy laughs a little.

"I'm a doctor now?"

"Kind of. You're just acting like one right now."

Ponyboy grins widely and laughs, nodding his head a bit. He was acting like a doctor at the moment. The boy was having fun while doing it though.

"So... Johnny," Ponyboy starts. "Are you willing to get on a scale for me? I have one in the bathroom... I won't make you look at the numbers or anything. I just wanna know where we're starting from?"

Johnny swallows thickly and looks at Ponyboy with slightly widened eyes. He's never liked scales, not at all. Especially after what his parents did when he was 12, the incident that caused this entire mess.

"I uh... I guess so," Johnny says. "I just don't wanna see the numbers... I don't think I could take it if I saw the numbers..." Ponyboy nods his head.

"You won't see the numbers," Ponyboy says. "Just tilt your head back and look up. I won't say the numbers out loud. I just wanna write them down."

Johnny nods his head and Ponyboy starts walking to the bathroom, leading the older boy with him. He pulls out the scale and sets it down, looking back at Johnny.

"Step up," Ponyboy says. "I'll make it quick." Johnny swallows thickly and steps on the scale, instantly tilting his head back.

The older boy could hear the scribbling of Ponyboy's pencil against the notebook pages. He didn't wanna know those numbers. After a moment, Ponyboy grabs Johnny's hand gently and pulls him off the scale.

"All done," Ponyboy says. "I told you I'd be quick about it. Now, let's go at least try to get something in your stomach. Yeah?" Johnny nods.

Ponyboy leads Johnny into the kitchen, setting his notebook down on the table. The younger boy goes to the cupboards and opens them up, looking around. He finally pulls out a granola bar after a minute and walks back to the table.

"Here you are, Johnnycake," Ponyboy says, handing it to him. Johnny hesitantly takes it.

Johnny sits down at the table and slowly unwraps the granola bar, looking at it as if it were some sort of poison. Ponyboy sits next to him and wraps an arm around his waist.

"You got this," Ponyboy encourages. "I know that you got this."

Johnny hesitantly bites a bit of the granola bar off, chewing. To him, it almost felt like lead was in his mouth. He looks at Ponyboy with a sick look on his face before swallowing. The boy was a little disgusted that he ate even as much as did.

"I don't wanna eat anymore," Johnny says, shaking his head a little. "I dunno if I can do this, Ponyboy. I'm gonna get sick."

"I know that you don't wanna do it right now or that you feel like you can't," Ponyboy says. "But I'm here for you always. One more bite. That's all I ask of you for right now. I'll be so so proud of you, Johnny."

With that, Johnny takes one last bite and sighs, chewing slowly. Making Ponyboy proud was a thing that Johnny always wanted to do. He wanted to feel good enough for people and well enough for someone to be proud of him. Johnny swallows and sits the granola bar down, looking at Ponyboy who was smiling back at him.

"I'm so proud of you."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Word Count: 1025

How was this?

This update came a little quicker than I thought and I'm a little proud of myself for doing that. I hope you guys enjoy reading this