Neon Lights

Chapter 46 - Stay Gold

•Johnny's POV•
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December 27, 1968
6:07 p.m.
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Thank God for visiting hours. Not that anyone will visit me, of course, but while most of the other inmates are busy with their visitors or busy avoiding visitors, I get off their radar for a few hours.

I sat in the privacy of an almost empty dining area. The only people here were huddled in the corner, ignoring me. Possibly smuggling cigarettes. Speaking of which, I haven't had one in over a month and I think I may go insane. Severely insane.

I hung my head, running calloused hands through my - God forbid - non-greasy hair. They make me wash and well you don't exactly find hair grease lying around a prison. My hair is softer and lighter than usual, and it's uncomfortable on my head.

"Hey, hoodlum," a gruff voice called from the door. I trailed my eyes along the figure's shadow until I gazed upon Officer Henriksen, his physique somewhat terrifying.

I motioned with my hand for him to continue. He grimaced at my sass but strode forward anyway, "You have a visitor. A 'Ponyboy Curtis.' Know him?"

"Y-Yeah," he's the one who got me here, "I know him. Friend of mine."

"Well he wants to see you. Should I tell him to go, or...?"

I shook my head quickly, "No. Take me to him."

Henriksen shrugged and led me to the visiting room. It looked much like a lobby in a mental hospital, with clean tables and plush chairs. Inmates sporting faded orange jumpsuits talked quietly to relatives and friends across their tables. It didn't take me long to spot Pony sitting by the window, nervously biting his lip.

Annoyance bristled under my baggy prison slacks as I briskly sat down across from him, jolting him out of his daydream. I stared at him blankly.

"Hello."

He looked guilty - really guilty - when he heard my harsh tone. "Hi...Johnny."

"So," I leaned forward, propping myself on the table with my arms, "You haven't seen me since the court date, and it's been a month. So tell me, why now?"

"I'm sorry," he directed his gaze to the generic dentist-lobby table, "I got caught up with school and--"

"That isn't what I asked," I cut him off, not caring to hear whatever lame excuse he comes up with, "I said why now? After a month, why come now?"

"I wanted to come as soon as I could...which happened to be now," he explained lamely.

I huffed, "Alright. How's the gang?"

"Fine. Dally's lost it though."

I nodded with a laugh, "Uh-huh. And my parents? Rejoicing, right?"

"I-In a sense..." Pony stammered, picking at a hangnail.

I stared at him suspiciously, "What?"

"The-They...they left," Pony choked out, "They left Tulsa, left Oklahoma. Fo-For good - packed their bags and left."

I shouldn't be sad...I should be used to my parents not caring about me. Why shouldn't they leave? Took the first chance they got and flew the coop. What was stopping them? Why should I want them around anyway?

"Oh well," I acted nonchalant despite myself, "By the time I'm outta here, I'll be 18 anyway."

"You could stay with us," Pony suggested, though without even a hint of burning hope or a crush, "Darry and Soda suggested that."