Who would've thought

Protective

Aiden's POV

"Well, they've spotted us." Cherry sighed wearily. I turned to look behind me as that blue Mustang pulled up beside us.

Crap.

Two figures stepped out of the car and I hid my face in Johnny's shoulder. "Keep walking." Johnny whispered to me shakily. I shook my head. "They've already seen us. If we go, they'll go after us. Just don't talk to them." I advised.

We turned our heads back to Randy and Bob. I took deep breaths and Johnny started shaking. He was staring right at Bob's rings. I was ready to faint right then and there. The deep breaths weren't helping.

I was more scared for Johnny's sake. I could stand up to Bob no problem. He could hurt me physically for sure, but I didn't care as long as Johnny was safe.

He was more delicate. Johnny was more broken. He needed protecting and I would be there to do it for him. I didn't want him to get hurt any more than he already has been.

"Just because we got a little drunk last time..." Bob started. "A little? You call reeling and passing out in the streets a little?" Cherry snapped. "Bob, I told you. I'm never going out with you when you're drinking and I mean it. It's me or the booze."

Bob didn't know what to say. Randy started talking to Marcia. "Baby, you know we don't get drunk very often, and even if you're mad at us that's no reason to walking the streets with these bums."

Bob glanced over us and caught my stare. He smirked and shook his head. He then looked to Johnny. My eyes immediately went cold and hard. My look told him not to go anywhere near Johnny.

"Who you callin' bums?" Two-Bit asked coolly. He rested his arm lazily on my shoulder. "Listen, greasers, we've got four more of us in the back seat."

"Then pity the back seat!" Two exclaimed. "If you're lookin' for a fight..." Two-Bit cut Randy off. "You mean if I'm lookin' for a good jumping, you outnumber us, so you'll give it to us? Well..." Two grabbed an empty bottle and busted off the end. He then gave it to Ponyboy.

He took out his switchblade. "Try it, pal." Bob and Randy were about to call the others in the back seat, but Cherry stopped them. "No! Stop it! We'll ride home with you. Just wait a minute."

"Why? We ain't scared of them." Two-Bit stated. Cherry shivered. "I can't stand fights. I can't stand them..." Ponyboy then pulled her aside to talk.

They discussed something for a few seconds, then the girls left. Pony was standing there with his mouth open. The Mustang drove off into the night.

. . .

We continued the walk home in silence. Johnny had calmed down and stopped shaking. We arrived in the familiar neighbourhood and sat down on the curb.

"Well, those were two good-lookin' girls if I ever saw any." Two-Bit yawned tiredly. "Hey! Ain't I good lookin'?" I asked playfully. Two nodded his head.

"Yeah, you're good lookin'. Just not my type. An' not to mention you're taken by someone else." He gestured to Johnny. We both blushed.

Two then took a paper out from his back pocket and ripped it up. "What was that?" Pony asked. "Marcia's number. Prolly a phony one, too. I must've been outta my mind to ask for it. Y'all goin' home?" He asked as he got up from the curb.

"Nah. I'm stayin' here with Johnny." I knew Johnny would sometimes sleep outside in the cold. I would bring an extra jacket for him so he wouldn't freeze to death, and I would sometimes stay out with him.

Two-Bit talked to Pony for a bit, then left. Johnny, Ponyboy and I stretched out on our backs. I observed the stars and all the constellations. I was tired and almost fell asleep, but I stayed up for Johnny's sake.

They chatted about greasers and socs for a while, and I zoned out. I was only partially listening. I then heard Johnny say, "I can't take much more! I'll kill myself or somethin'!" I shot up.

"Don't say that!" I exclaimed. "Don't you even think about it. Johnny, you can't kill yourself." I was worried now. I didn't even want to think about it.

If I lost Johnny, I don't know what I would do. I couldn't live with myself if I knew anything happened to him. I hate it when he talks like that...

"Well, I won't. But I gotta do somethin'. It seems like there's gotta be someplace without greasers or socs, with just people. Plain, ordinary people."

I was now fully awake. I still lay down, though, trying to relax. But I couldn't... not with what Johnny said. I looked over to him and Pony. They had fallen asleep and I let them be.

Johnny needs to stop talkin' like that. I watched Johnny as he slept peacefully. I really can't imagine what life would be like without him. If he died... No. I can't think like that. Johnny won't die. Not any time soon, at least. I fell asleep as well, lost in my thoughts.

I was shook awake by Johnny. "Glory, what time is it?" Pony asked as he got up. "I don't know. I went to sleep, too. You'd better get home. I think I'll stay all night out here." Said Johnny. "I'll stay here with you." I told him.

"Okay-" Pony yawned, "If you guys get cold or somethin' then come on over to our house. Though seein' as it's you two, you'll find ways to stay warm." He winked.

"My gosh, Pony." I rolled my eyes. I knew what he was implying. My face turned red in the darkness of the night. I mean, it is still a way... I shook my head and mentally laughed at myself.

Ponyboy got up and headed over to his house. Johnny and I sat beside each other with his arm around me, shielding my body from the cold wind of the night. I rested my head on Johnny's shoulder and we fell asleep once again.

"Johnny? Aiden?" I heard someone yell. I shot up and looked around. "Come on, Johnny, we're running away!" Ponyboy yelled dramatically. They bolted off with me following behind. "Hey! Guys wait up! What about me?"

I caught up with the boys and we ran for several blocks. Pony sat down on the curb and cried. "What happened?" I asked, out of breath. He didn't answer me and continued crying. "Gotta cigarette?" He asked Johnny.

"Johnny, I'm scared." He said. "Well don't be. You're scarin' me. What happened? I never seen you bawl like that." Johnny stated.

"It was Darry. He- He hit me. I don't know what happened, but I couldn't take him hollerin' at me and hitting me too. I don't know... sometimes we get along okay, then all of a sudden he blows up on me, or else he's naggin' at me all the time." Ponyboy explained.

"I think I like it better when the old man is hittin' me." Johnny sighed. "At least then I know he knows I'm there. I walk in an' out of that house an' no one says anythin'. I stay away all night and no one notices. At least you got Soda. I ain't got nobody."

I wrapped my arm around Johnny. "Hey, listen. You got me." I reassured. "Shoot. You got the whole gang." Pony nodded his head. "Yeah. Dally didn't slug you tonight 'cause you're the gang's pet. I mean, golly, Johnny, you've got all of us."

Johnny shook his head. "It ain't the same as havin' your own folks care about you. It just ain't the same..." I sighed and gave Johnny a comforting hug. "Let's walk to the park and back. Then maybe I'll be cooled off enough to go home." Ponyboy suggested. We went off towards the park.

You all know what's gonna happen next! Now go read the next chapter please.
Stay Gold! 💛