The Outsiders Fanfic: Where Does the Time Go?

Chapter 13: Alone

A/N: So I've been writing kinda weird without things like italics and indents and bold because I write on my phone all the time now. Sorry if it's weird to you! But I just figured out how to do it on my phone so yaaay!

Spencer's POV-

Darry, Soda, and Pony go out every year for a fishing trip. This year, all the boys wanted to go, but of course it was one of those "guy things" where I didn't really feel like I should go with them, so I opted to stay home, but I didn't stay home alone. Johnny stayed with me; he said he didn't want me to get lonely, and he was feeling a little sick anyway. So three days ago, the boys left for their trip. Johnny and I have had no problem keeping ourselves busy. We play card games for a majority of the day, but somehow Johnny always has something new to do. We've gone to the park to watch the clouds, we've skipped rocks in the stream, he even brought me shopping for some new clothes. Yeah, there's a lot to do in Tulsa. It ain't that bad, I actually like hangin' out with Johnnycake. Much better than some fishing trip.

"We better get ta bed," Johnny says after we finish our last game of BS.

"Yeah, I guess we outta," I say,
yawning.

"I'm gonna get some medicine, my head's hurtin'," Johnny says. I head into Pony's room to get in my pajamas, and Johnny heads into Darry's. I sit on Pony's bed trying to remember how long I've been in Tulsa when Johnny comes in, holding a glass of water.

"I thought maybe you'd like some water fer the night," he says, setting the glass down on the nightstand.

"You thought right," I say. "Hey, could you hand me that brush?" Johnny reaches into the cubby, pulling out a gold brush, and hands it to me.

"Thanks," I say, starting to brush my hair. Johnny watches, deeply fascinated. I stop brushing, "What?" I ask.

"We don't have no girl greasers. Not even lil' sisters. Yer hair is so long," Johnny says.

"Well yeah, I'm a girl," I laugh.

"Must be hard to brush through alla' it," he says.

"It's not too bad, just takes some time, and sometimes it's hard to get the back," I say.

"I can help ya if you'd like," Johnny offers. His face looks eager with a mix of embarrassment.

"Go for it," I say. Johnny picks up the brush and sits behind me on the bed. He starts brushing through my golden brown locks, being extremely careful with the knotted areas.

"Gee, it sure is soft," he says.

"Thanks," I says, smiling.

"Why's it so soft?" he asks.

"Because I wash it?" I say, not sure how to answer. "Shampoo and Conditioner every other day."

"Hm. Darry had long hair once. It wasn't this soft. Guess he don't shower as much, does he now?" Johnny says with a light laugh.

"Guess not!" I say, returning the laugh. When my hair is silky smooth, I pull the blankets down and get under the covers. Johnny helps get me settled in.

"You want me to wake you up 'morrow morning?" he asks.

"Yes please. 9am at the latest!" I say. "When them boys gonna be back?"

"Sometime in the evening, 'round 5pm I reckon," he says.

"Great, so they'll be hungry," I say, rolling my eyes. Johnny just laughs, a little nervously.

"Anything wrong?" I ask.

"No, well, I mean I just ain't feelin' that great," he says.

I touch his forehead, "You feel warm," I say. He sits down on the bed, suddenly dizzy.

"Johnny!" I say, worried.

"I'm a'right Spence, just real tired," he says, barely audible. I stand up and help him into the bed. I pull the blankets down because I'm almost positive he's burnin' up. I just stand there and watch him for a bit. Thinking he's asleep, I start to walk out of the room, planning to sleep in Darry's room.

"No, wait," Johnny says, mumbling a bit. "Stay."

"Are you sure?" I ask in a whisper. He doesn't answer. I go back to the bed and lay down next to Johnny.

After a little while, he says, "I'm sure," and we doze off.