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I sat on the couch comfortably, Johnny next to me. We were currently at my house, with Darry in the kitchen, making dinner for the two of us, and my brothers. We had the TV on, but mostly just as background noise for our small talk. Pony suddenly burst through the door, slamming it shut and holding it closed with his back. He looked to Johnny, "Shit! I'm sorry, Johnny, really! I didn't mean to tell them, they just sort of got it out of me an-"
I stood up, immediately worried about my brother, "Woah, Pony, calm down. What's happening? Are there some Madras-belted boys after you?"
Johnny blushed, standing up as well and ignoring me, "What do you mean, Pony? What did you tell 'em?"
The door behind Pony clattered as other people behind it slammed into it. Pony yelped, "I told them that you two were together!"
Johnny grabbed my hand and gently, but hurriedly, guided me to the back door, suddenly splitting into a run until we got to he old football field. We hid under the bleachers, catching our breath. I frowned at him, "Johnny... What was happening back there?"
He blushed again, digging his hands deep into his pockets, "I- I told Pony about the two of us bein' together..."
"You did what?!"
He winced a little and I immediately lowered my tone, "You did what? Johnny we talked about this!"
He sunk into his collar, obviously ashamed, "I know, but lying just ain't in my nature! I-I'm sorry!"
Me and Johnny had been together for five months. Nearly half a year. We hadn't told anyone, for numerous reasons. We didn't tell Pony, because we didn't want him thinking about his sister dating his best friend. We were worried about how it would effect their friendship. We didn't tell the rest of the gang because they would make too many inappropriate jokes. It would just make me and Johnny both uncomfortable. That, or they wouldn't care, so telling them would be pointless.
As it seems though, Johnny had already told Ponyboy. He was now claiming that if Ponyboy found out some other way than Johnny telling him, then he wouldn't trust Johnny around me. Apparently, Ponyboy had just told the rest of the gang, and they were all anxious to get a word in.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, rubbing my eyes tiredly and leaning my head on Johnny's shoulder, "You know we have to go back there. We have to face them eventually. They're our friends."
He shrugged the shoulder my head wasn't on, "We don't have to go back... we could just stay here... Just for a little while."
I looked up through the slits in the bleachers at the sky, "Yeah. Just for a little while... No. we have to go back and explain ourselves before Darry loses his shit."
Johnny got a little pale, "You think he'll be mad at me?"
"Oh please. If anything, he'll be mad at me. If you want, you can stay here and I can talk to them."
He shook his head, his bangs falling over his forehead, "No... I want to go with you..."
I grabbed his hand, and we walked back to the house. We snuck in through the back door, and I heard the conversations in the next room, wincing inwardly at the questions we were soon going to be bombarded with. We walked in, and on instinct, Johnny took his hand from mine and shoved it into his pocket. I stared Dally in the eye, and he stared back, studying me for some reason.
I felt my knees lock.
"So?" I raised my brows, "Questions, comments, concerns? Anyone?"
Two-Bit raised his hand and I smiled a little, calling on him like a teacher. He grinned recklessly, "You two shake a bed yet?"
Johnny blushed and I shook my head, "No, Two. Not yet."
Darry had his arms crossed and sat on the couch, "When were you plannin' on tellin' us?"
I shrugged, "Well... I don't really know..."
Darry looked to Johnny, who suddenly found the detail of our counter very interesting. Ponyboy apologized to us again. Soda stood up, walking over and putting an arm around my shoulder and squeezing me comfortingly, "If you ask me, you and Johnny make a real fine couple."
I smiled, "As good as you and Sandy?"
"Sure! Maybe even better!"
I chuckled and hugged him. He yanked Johnny into the hug, and he just kept his arms stiffly by his sides. I pulled away, looking at my older brother, "Thank you for understanding."
