𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑. ( 𝘫𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

NINE.

DECEMBER 17TH, 2018. (MONDAY)

It's been a full week since Johnny almost kissed his best friend and a week since Johnny fell asleep in his best friend's arm. They haven't talked much since then but it was a small conversation when they talked.

The two boys wouldn't even so near the subject of them almost kissing. It was almost as if they were both afraid, ashamed, or something else. Johnny didn't mind not talking about it but he really was curious as to why it happened.

"Johnny, wait up," someone calls.

Johnny stops in his tracks, turning around. Ponyboy was jogging over to him with his bookbag. He was dressed in his track uniform, a large grin on his face, and sweat almost pouring from his skin. It must be he was walking by his practice.

"Hey, Johnnycake," Ponyboy says happily, a small breathless sound coming out. He seems to be tired. "I haven't seen you in forever."

Johnny couldn't help himself and he smiles softly at the younger boy. He truly did adore the boy so much, although, he couldn't tell in what light.  Was it as a best friend, as a brother...? Or something else completely that he didn't understand?

"Ponyboy, you just saw me before you left for school, " Johnny teases softly, shoving his hands into his denim jacket pickets.

"Yeah but then I had track practice and stuff," Ponyboy says. "10 or 11 hours is too much time to be away from you. I can't help that I miss you so much."

"Awe, I missed you too, Pone," Johnny says.

It wasn't a lie. Johnny loved having Ponyboy be around him and he loved being helped and cared for by him. He didn't understand why but he liked it. Maybe it was because his parents didn't do that for him? He's just longing for something a little more.

"How about we go to your place and then we can talk and hang out?" Johnny questions softly.

"I think that's wonderful," Ponyboy responds, his goofy grin growing wider.

Ponyboy grabs the older boy's hand lightly, pulling him along down the sidewalk. The younger boy of the two only lived about a block away from school. He walked home plenty of times.

The two boys walk in comfortable silence, although Johnny was nothing but silence on the inside.

His heart was racing and his stomach was twisting. The teen's face was getting warm and his mind was spinning. He feels dizzy but it was still one of the best feelings in the whole world. Johnny wouldn't trade it for anything.

After a little bit of them walking, Ponyboy pulls Johnny into his house. They go to the bedroom and close the door. Johnny sits on the bed and hums, turning around as Ponyboy changes out of his track clothes and into something much more comfortable.  He sits on the bed next to him.

"So, Johnnycake," Ponyboy starts softly. "What this is that you want to talk about?"

"Well, it's kind of important," Johnny says. "It's important to me but I wanted to bring it up with you... I just wanna know if you feel like I do."

"What do you mean?" Ponyboy questions softly. "Am I supposed to feel something for you?"

Johnny swallows thickly and looks up into his best friend's greenish grey eyes. He was scared to admit how he feels. What if it was something bad? What if Ponyboy hated him?

"A week ago... We almost kissed," Johnny says softly. "And I really wanted to... Cause... Because my stomach gets all fluttery and my heart beats really fast. I feel different towards you and I don't know what it is... All I know is that I just wanna... I just wanna kiss you..."

Ponyboy looks back at Johnny with a slightly flustered look. His older brother described this feeling to him before when he was with Sandy... Johnny... Johnny likes him.

"Johnnycake," Ponyboy starts. "That means you have a crush on me..."

Ponyboy swallows thickly and he feels his heart rate pick up. His stomach started twisting a little bit because of his nerves. He didn't know how to feel about Johnny.

"Oh," Johnny murmurs softly, biting his bottom lip carefully. "That's what that is... Do... Do you like me too?"

Johnny looks up at his crush with his big brown eyes. The teenager was a little nervous about being rejected or something like that.

The two boys stay quiet for a minute, just staring into each other's eyes. Ponyboy slowly reaches his hand up, cupping Johnny's cheek. He slowly leans in and continues to look into his eyes.

"I... I like you too," Ponyboy murmurs softly.

Ever so slowly, Ponyboy leans in the rest of the way and connects their lips. Instantly both boys feel butterflies floating around their stomachs.

Johnny melts into the kiss, feeling his heart speed up. He kisses him back, focusing on the feeling of Ponyboy's lips against his own. His lips were soft and just absolutely perfect. It was a wonderful feeling.

After a minute, both boys pull away and Johnny smiles sheepishly. He looks like a fool but the teenager couldn't care less. Ponyboy looks about the same; a goofy smile and flushed red cheeks.

Johnny slowly and hesitantly moves a little closer to him, grabbing his hand. He rests his head onto the 14-year-old's shoulder, humming a small tune. The younger boy puts his free hand over their intertwined hands.

"I'm glad you like me back," Johnny says softly. "I was so scared that you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore..."

"Johnny, no matter what, I would always be your friend," Ponyboy says. "Besides, I promised you that I was going to be with you every step of the way."

"But wasn't that just meant for my disorder?" Johnny questions gently.

"It was then but now it's for everything," Ponyboy says. "I promise you that I'm gonna be by your side through thick and thin. I care for you a lot, Johnny Cade."

"I care a lot for you too, Ponyboy Curtis."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Word Count: 1018

How was this?

I apologize so much for not updating this for about 2 months now. I've just been so stressed and busy with school work and personal things. It's cooled off just a but so I'm hoping to update a lot more.

I really hope this update makes up for my absence on this story. If not, I'll try my best to do better.

I love you guys so much and I hope you liked this update ♥