Just friends, best friends -Johnnyboy

Part thirteen: January and Johnny

-Johnny-

As I stepped onto the cold bus behind Jan, I pictured Ponyboy, probably scared and confused, I tried to ignore it for now, I knew this would be good, to get away, even for a little bit. Plus, I trust Jan, and I know she loves Pony too, she wouldn't let me be away too long, atleast I think. 

"You okay J?" She asked reaching for my hand.

I reached back and we made our way to the back seats of the bus in the corner. I sat next to the window and began to replay the last hour back in my head. I could have worded what I said way better, and maybe if I had, I wouldn't be on a bus at one in the morning. But, I am here, and I'm starting to regret it. 

"Hey, everything is going to work out fine, we're staying with my friend Will." Jan said in an attempt to comfort me.

"Yeah, okay." I said trying to sound postitive.

She smiled, then reached for her bag.

"Hungry?" She held a granola bar.

I shook my head and looked back out the frosted window. Still in disbelief with myself, and still thinking of Pony.

A while had past, we were still on the bus, January had fallen asleep on my shoulder, she's one of the only people I know that is smaller than me. Surprising. Though time had past, my brain was still fixated on Ponyboy, like, I couldn't think of anything else, my head is occupied. I leaned forward placing my head in my hands, Jan's head slipped back to the seat. I tilted my head to the window and saw fog, I raised my cold and frail hand to it and found myself tracing letters.

P

O

N

Y

B

O

Y

I felt a tear trail down my rosy cheek, at this point, I was horrified of what was going to happen next.

-January-

I woke up to Johnny drawing in the fog on the window, after I saw what he had written, I pretended to still be sleeping. I'm not sure why, but I felt like what happened could have been partly my fault, I just let Johnny have a moment.

I know Johnny was thinking about Pon, but I was just thinking about Ronnie, I mean, I basically lived there, so I guess this would fall under the category of running away. I just couldn't be in that house with her dad anymore, not after what he did. Perhaps, I sent the wrong impression, that for some twisted reason he thought I was into older guys. Everytime I think about it, I throw up in my mouth a little. I don't ever want to go back, not even for Veronica.

Suddenly, I felt a shake, it was Johnny. 

"Hey Jan, Jan! Wake up we're here." He whispered.

I stretched my arms up, then reached for my bag standing up.

Johnny linked his arm with mine, it was late and I could tell he was frightened. 

"All good J, only a few blocks from here." I said stepping out of the vehicle.

We walked fast, the wind was in my hair, and it was cold. For some odd reason, I felt free, free of Ronnie's family, free of Tulsa. I looked over at Johnny and could immediately tell the feeling wasn't mutual.

"Hey J, what is it? Is it Pony?" I questioned.

He nodded and I watched a teardrop form. I wiped it away as we paused walking.

"Listen, I get it, but even if we're only here for a few days, things will get better." "And, I may not know what happened between you two, but I do know that you guys have such a strong love, and nothing could break that. Ponyboy is so in love with you Johnny, trust me." I said reassuringly.

"Thank you, really, for everything." He said leaning in for a hug.

-At Will's house- *Johnny's POV*

"This is the one." Jan said turning to a small bungalow at the end of a street.

I read the numbers sixty seven. 

"Ready?" She asked.

"Yes." I said trying to be confident.

Jan reached under the door mat and grabbed a key, she then continued to unlock the door and revealed a brown and white living room with an old, torn couch in the corner. We were greeted by a tall, slim guy with black hair and pale skin, he looked to be about twenty.

"January, welcome." He said with open arms.

"William." She said giving into the hug.

"And who do we have here?" The man asked looking at me.

"This is Johnny Cade, a good friend of mine." She replied.

"Good to meet ya." Will said reaching his hand out.

I shook it. "You too."

"Come on in," He said trying to pull Jan in by the waist. I was slightly confused but entered despite.

I could tell Jan was uncomfortable, but this was our only option, or as she would say, "It's fine, we'll do what we must, am I right?" 

After settling in, Jan and I were introduced to the guest bedroom, I insisted January sleep on the bed while I sleep on the floor, she gave in. I gathered two blankets and a pillow. After I quickly changed to different clothes to sleep in, it's no good to sleep in double denim. I was exhausted to say the least so I dazed off real fast.

"Night J, love you." Jan said in a raspy voice.

"Love you too, sleep good." I replied beaming.