Yellow Roses// Johnnyboy [𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝓁𝑒𝓉𝑒𝒹]

n o v e

hi everyone!

a special thank you to TeaAndHamilton (paRt Italian friend) because she came up with the concept for this chapter for me, cause I couldn't think of anything. so thank you, Tea!❤️

I don't have any personal life updates to give you, so thanks for reading and enjoy the chapter!!

*tw: possibly offensive Italian slur*

(I'll explain the slur at the end, if you don't understand it- sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, wasn't in the mood to edit!💗)

Johnny's POV

Pony still held my hand in his, as we started to climb the stairs up to the entrance. We were walking to school, and Pony had to meet with a teacher before class to discuss something he turned in. So I had to be alone for a while, but it's not a big deal.

"Bye, Babycakes," He whispered, smiling just a little.

"Arrivederci, tesoro," (bye, baby) I replied, as he kissed the top of my head. I grinned, while he walked through the door, and down the hallway.

I took the last few steps more slowly, since I wasn't in any kind of hurry.

"Hey, hood!" I heard someone call. Someone's about to get beaten up by the Socs, I better go. I picked up my pace, finally making it to the school door.

"Hood! In the jeans jacket!" I winced, freezing in my tracks. I carefully glanced around, first. No one else was wearing a jeans jacket. Just me.

I sighed, taking my hand off the door handle.

They'll chase me if I don't stop.

"What do y'all want?" I mumbled, keeping my spot at the top of the staircase. There were four of them, standing at the bottom. Had they been there the whole time?

Oh, man, I'm in trouble..

"That your boyfriend? Kid in the sweatshirt?" One of them asked, pointing towards the hallway.

Shit. If I say yes, they'll probably try to beat me up, for 'sodomy', or something totally ridiculous. If I say no, I'll be lying. They saw him kiss my head. They can find the tattoos. Will they call me out for lying? Would it be worse?

I hesitated, before shaking my head 'no'.

"Oh yeah?" The same one who asked me about Pony replied, walking up a few steps. I stood my ground, anxiety rising in my stomach.

I recognized him. Bob Sheldon. The red-head, Cherry's asshole soulmate. I couldn't find my voice, so I silently nodded. Pony would know what to say.

"A liar and a homo," Bob remarked, hooking his thumbs in his pockets, as he took the last few steps, ending up on the one just below mine. But even with that, he was still MUCH taller.

Fear was rising in my throat. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't. I could barely even breathe.

Trembling in every limb, I looked up at him, in the face. I didn't know what else to do.

"I see you around here again, contaminating love, you'll both get it, got it, wop?" He sneered, with narrow eyes.

Wop. I winced. Being called a wop stung more than a slap to the face. I averted my eyes, and tried to swallow my fear.

My stomach lurched with anxiousness, and I thought I might be sick. I opened my mouth to reply, before I felt a hand on my arm. I whipped my head over, already jumpy enough as it is.

Ponyboy! Thank god, I was about to throw up or something.

"Here to save your boyfriend?" Bob mocked, focusing on Pony, now. I tugged on Pony's arm, whispering "Come on, let's go, Pone,"

Pony stood for a few seconds, before giving in, and I pulled him away, and through the door. I'm surprised Bob let us get away, I was almost 100% sure he would've followed.

We dashed all the way to our lockers, where we could finally exhale, and lean against the lockers.

"Hey, Hey-" Pony said, looking me over quickly. "Did they hurt you, Johnnycake?" I shook my head.

"Nah, nah.. I'm fine.." He nodded, leaning against the wall next to me. I rested my head on his shoulder, sighing. We stood in a comfortable silence, for a few moments.

"Hey, Johnny?" Pony asked, looking down at me.

"Mhm?" I hummed, still trying to calm the anxiety-turned-ice feeling in my stomach.

"I got some good news," he began, pausing for a second. "There's this program.. that takes couples like us to Italy.. Florence, to be exact. After we get to Florence, we take a train or somethin' to Naples for the special parade they got, for people like us.. Do you want to go?"

I'll bet you my whole face lit up, in that very moment. I bolted up straight, with what I'm sure was a huge grin on my face. "Really? To Florence?"

Pony nodded, "Yup, to Florence."

"And we can go do it?? That's a thing?"

"Sure is, baby. And if you wanna go, we can go."

I could've squealed, or jumped up and down, I was so surprised.

I just hugged Pony, as tight as I could. I can't believe we're going to Florence!

a/n: oookay y'all lemme explAin the Italian slur

On urban dictionary, it says "An epithet used for those of Italian descent. WOP stands for WithOut Papers. Many Italian immigrants had no papers to identify themselves, and were branded as Wops."

sO that's why it's offensive

Also the program Pony's talking about, I jUst made up, but I wish it existed. Anyway, he means that they're flying gays to Naples for the pride parade they have, which is a real thing, I think.

anyway, hope you enjoyed!!💓