Back to You

Hoping For The Best

The next day Johnny was up walking around some. He was limping a bit and would occasionally wince out of pain, but other than that he seemed fine. His ribs were still sore but he would manage. He had more important things to worry about. Christmas was tomorrow and Johnny had nothing. But something else was bothering him too. Something he couldn't tell Erin.

Johnny sat on the couch trying to wrack his brain for something to do for Erin tomorrow. He could take her somewhere (as long as she was safe), but he could forget about buying her anything. If he was going to take her anywhere he couldn't take her far because the gang was all meeting up tomorrow night to spend the holiday together.

He also knew that Erin would insist on him staying home. She's been by his side the entire day, but not that Johnny minded. He loves to spend time with her. He loved how Erin would baby him, as weird as that may sound. He loved that he was her full attention. He's never gotten this attention from anyone before, and it made him feel really special. Every time Johnny would wince in pain Erin was always there to ask if he was okay. She would get him an ice pack, kiss him, sit down beside him, and, all in all, be there whenever he needed her.

"So, Johnnycake," Erin flopped down beside him on the couch. "what do you wanna do tomorrow?"

Johnny threw an arm around her, scooting closer to her. "I don't know," He said causally. "I was thinking 'bout taken you somewhere."

Erin gave him a worried look. "Are you sure you're up for it?" She didn't want him getting hurt trying to have a good time. "If you get hurt—"

"I'll be fine, Angel. I want to show you a good time. I...I feel bad because, truthfully, I don't have a plan for tomorrow. I did. But that was when I had the money saved up. Before the Socs took it." He looked down at his hands. He figured he might as well just tell her what he had planned. It's not like he would be able to make it come true now. "I was going to take you out to eat and maybe somewhere else. Then I was going to buy you something special, but I never got the chance. I'm so sorry."

Johnny was trying his best to make it seem like he was okay. Trying his best to hide his feelings. He wanted to take Erin out, but he was scared to death of what might happen if he did. When the Soc's jumped him yesterday, they not only threatened to hurt him but her too.

"We want that girl of yours. We know how much she means to you." Shawn was the one saying all this. He was the one who always found a way to get to Erin. He knows how much Johnny cares about her, knows that that is the only way to truly break him. That was proven when she was in the hospital and when she went back to 2019.

"You can't have her. You better leave her alone. If I see you touch her, I'll—"

He was cut off by Shawn laughing. "Don't worry, Cade. We won't hurt her yet. First we gotta have some fun with you. We still haven't got you back for what you did to our buddy."

Erin's voice broke him from his thoughts. "Aww, Johnny! That's so sweet of you! But I don't need anything. I know you love me." She leaned over and kissed him. The kiss was passionate and longer than their first one. There was even some tongue involved.

Johnny pulled away and smiled at her. He sure hoped she would be okay. Hoping that was just a dumb threat the Soc's made. But you never know about them.

He just hoped he could make things better. Things just had to work out.

...

Johnny wanted to do something fun with Erin yesterday but all they did was stay at home and watch movies. But he couldn't complain. He loves to watch movies, and as long as he got to spend time with Erin, and as long as she was safe, he was happy.

Now they are all getting ready for Christmas. Putting up more decorations and stuff. There was a mistletoe up at the doorway of the kitchen that Erin was just dying to stand under.

"Blanca!" Soda yelled. Her ran up to her and spun her around. "Merry Christmas!"

She laughed. "Merry Christmas, Sodiepop."

"Awwwww!" Erin was watching the whole thing. Blanca glared at her but it only made her laugh. "What? It's cute!"

"Shut up," Blanca said through gritted teeth. "Johnny make her be quiet."

Johnny laughed. He looked at Erin and kissed her cheek. He pulled her into his arms and held her. "Awwww!" Blanca said, getting her back. She even made her hands into the shape of a heart. Erin just blushed and buried her face into Johnny's shirt.

Blanca smirked and walked off with Sodapop. Erin uncovered her face and looked up at Johnny. She laughed and buried her head back in Johnny's shirt.

...

All the gang was over now. It was Christmas night and the place was kind of festive. The house was loud as usual. Christmas was never a big deal at the Curtis house. It's basically a family gathering where everyone receives a present.

Everyone was gathering in the kitchen to eat dinner. Blanca was standing in the doorway, unaware of the mistletoe hanging above her head. Erin almost wanted to scream when Sodapop walked over to her.

He tapped her on the shoulder and pointed upwards. She looked up, mouth hanging open when she seen the mistletoe. Sodapop pulled her closer and leaned down and kissed her. You could tell Blanca was tense. But she finally relaxed in Soda's arms.

He pulled away and Blanca was smiling like crazy. "I suppose this is a good time to ask: will you be my girl?"

Blanca covered her mouth with her hands. "Yes!" She kept saying over and over while nodding vigorously. Sodapop laughed and wrapped an arm around her. "Hold on," She said, bouncing up and down on her heels. "I'll be back."

She walked outside. At first Erin was concerned. "Is she—" Johnny was cut off my a loud scream and a fit of laughter.

Sodapop grinned from ear to ear. He had no idea Blanca was that excited. Erin just laughed. She knew that happy, crazy, giddy feeling too. She looked at Soda and made a heart with her hands just like Blanca did with her and Johnny. "She hearts you!" She said in sing-song voice that made Sodapop blush.

"Oh yeah!" Two-Bit said, throwing an arm him and messing up his hair. "She loves you! Are you two going to elope with Angel and Johnnycake?"

"No," Soda said.

Blanca came back in and Two-Bit just smirked. "Not yet!"

Erin laughed and stood up. She grabbed Johnny's hands and pulled him up. They went into the kitchen and grabbed their food. When they sat down they locked hands under the table. Johnny wanted to hold on forever. At least he would know she was safe.

Next came the presents. Everyone gathered in the living room and handed each other their gift. Johnny felt bad as he just sat there. He had nothing to contribute. Erin rubbed his shoulder and handed him a bag. She smiled as he pulled out the jean jacket with fur on the inside.

Johnny gasped and looked up at her. "Thank you!" He said. He really felt bad now that he didn't have anything for her. Then an idea popped in his head. It wasn't much, but he figured she would love it.

He pulled off his jacket and handed it to her. "Here."

Erin stared at it blankly. "No. You might need it."

"I won't. You keep it. I know girls always want their boyfriend's jackets anyway."

Erin smiled. He wasn't wrong. Erin can't deny that she hasn't thought about taking his jacket. So she took the jacket in her hands and clutched it close to her. It would be a piece of Johnny she would have whenever he wasn't around. She was grateful for that.