Unexpected

Chapter 6

Dally's POV

     I headed back upstairs to get myself ready. I still had a little while, so I had to be quick. When I stepped through the door, the first thing that I saw was a now awake Johnny, rubbing his eyes and yawning quietly. I smiled softly, closing the door and pulling off my shirt, heading to the small closet I had. I could feel Johnny's eyes on me as I got a new shirt on.
     "Morning Johnnycakes," I said softly, looking back at him.
     "Were you really gonna leave without sayin' goodbye?" he asked. I quickly shook my head.
     "Nah, I was gonna come get myself ready then head out. I would've left a note anyway," I told him, going and kissing him on the forehead. He gave a small smile.
     "Well, good luck. You doin' the horse races this year?"
     "Yeah, I'm barrel racing. Let's jus' say that I'm sick of fallin' off a bull every year." He smacked himself for not remembering what the races were called.
     I finished getting dressed, then grabbed my jacket real fast, slipping it on. I stretched a bit, dreading the hour and a half drive I'd soon be going on. Sure, I hated the drive almost, almost, more then I hate kids, but the reward was worth it. I was extra lucky, however, because good ol' Buck let me pick my horse early this year. He owned 'em all, and was proud of 'em too. I'd picked this black one named Bandit. He looked real tuff to me, like a true winner. I'd said that about a lot of other horses, but this time I meant it.
     I ruffled Johnny's fluffy black hair one more time, saying my goodbyes and leaving the room. Once I got back downstairs, I stole the keys for the T-Bird from Buck's counter, then ran outside. He was driving the truck because of the horse trailer, so he wouldn't yell at me. I got in the T-Bird and sat in the driver's seat, starting it up. I let the engine roar for a bit before taking off, and from the mirror, I could see Johnny and Pony waving at me.

Pony's POV

     Once Dally was out of sight, I told Johnny about Steve and Evie, then about Two-Bit. He was just about as shocked as the rest of the gang had been. He was also far less keen about a rumble then I was. I can't say exactly what he was feeling at the time, because reading Johnny's emotions is sometimes like trying to read the emotions of a rock. If Johnny's scared, he can act like he isn't. If he's happy he can act empty. It's a skill he picked up after many years of beatings that no one could seem to stop. That's something that I really took notice of. For once, Johnny didn't have any bruises,  and he was dressed in new clothes, which isn't something you'd expect if he were to have been at the lot. I decided to ask about it. That's when Johnny started to shuffle awkwardly beside me.
     "I uh... I moved in with Dal Ponyboy. He got real sick of me gettin' beat up so much. Real sick of it."
     I nodded quietly, then started to walk off, hoping that he was following me. I wanted to find Curly. The only issue with that, was the fact that the rodeo was happening today. Curly could be there with Tim, but he could've stayed home too. Both were likely, and I wanted to know which it was.