Chapter Text
Johnny's Perspective
Ponyboy dragged me along to the Dingo. I followed behind him, using my crutches to brace myself against the cement sidewalk. Being back in Tulsa finally drove the point into my head that I can't move like I used to. I mean, I was able to walk—that was a miracle on its own—but I felt kinda pathetic, having to use crutches for a fifteen minute walk. At least I could keep up with Pony when I had them; he already had to hang back so we were next to each other, and so I didn't feel rushed.
When we finally arrived, Ponyboy looked around the parking lot for a minute before he spotted a car and tugged me over. There were three guys at the car, two sitting on the hood and one leaning on the side as he smoked. Pony's new friends. For the first few months I was out of state, I was a little mixed up about him making a ton of new pals while I was stuck in a hospital all alone. But, I realized that it was good for him. He was happier every time he visited me, and it woulda been selfish of me to want him to be lonely just cause I was. Plus, I got to meet new folks. Middle class folks. I've always been kinda shy, I barely talked to other greasers until I eventually found myself in the Curtis' group. Now I was talking to guys who weren't even greasers.
One of the guys on the hood looked over and nodded at us. "Hey, Curtis! Who's yer friend?" He asked, glancing at me—his eyes flitting to my crutches—before looking back at Ponyboy. I felt my face get a little warm. I was gonna have to get used to this. People assessing me because I was on crutches.
"Hi, Terry. This is Johnny, I told y'all I was gonna bring him." Pony said to the guy, Terry it seemed.
"Ah, Johnny, nice t' meet you, man!" The guy said, sticking his hand out to me. I shifted my crutch so I could shake it. I looked away, the nervous part of me flaring. This is why I didn't socialize outside of the gang.
"So, yer Johnny, huh?" The guy smoking said. "Curtis talks about you all the time, y'know?"
Ponyboy's cheeks flared red and he tensed next to me. "I do not! Shuddup, Will!" I giggled.
"Aww, you talk about me that much, Pone?" I asked, poking his freckled cheek.
He smacked my hand, blushing harder. "Oh, shove it, all of ya!"
The rest of the guys chuckled, teasing Pony themselves. One of the guys looked at me. Our eyes met and I stared into his bright gold eyes for a while, until I felt anxious again and looked at my converse. The boy that Ponyboy called Will stomped out his cigarette and straightened up.
"Did y'all wanna get some food?" He asked.
I followed the others into the diner. It was the middle of the afternoon, so it was nearly empty. I slid into the booth next to Ponyboy, propping my crutches against the cushions. Terry and Will were on the opposite side and the boy I didn't know the name of was on the side of Pony I wasn't occupying.
When the waitress came over for drinks, me and Ponyboy both just ordered waters. I didn't have any cash to spare, I was just there to meet the others. And I guess Pony couldn't swing it either; I was surprised he didn't get a Pepsi. The boy on his other side hit Pony in the back of the head.
"Order what you want, I'll cover you." He laughed. He looked past Ponyboy to me. "You too, I got it."
I smiled back at him. "Thank you." I was surprised that he was offering to pay for a stranger. But I wasn't gonna complain.
"Yeah, thanks Mark." Pony said, rubbing the back of his head. "Didn't have to hit me though." He grumbles.
"Feels like I do sometimes, knucklehead." Ponyboy swore at him but focused back on the menu eventually.
The waitress came back and we ordered. Terry flirted with her a little. She was a pretty broad; blonde, slim, tan. If I wasn't out of my element I might have tried to pick up on her too; but I wasn't feeling it. I could barely even look at her when I ordered a sandwich. While we waited I listened to the other's chat.
They mostly talked about school, which I wasn't interested in. I hadn't been to school in a year; Dally would just occasionally come up to the hospital I'd stayed in and give me a tonna worksheets so I finished sophomore year.
"Oh, shut it, William. Yer failin' English too." Mark huffed, crossing his arms. "Besides, my average is passing and there only a few weeks left until summer." He shrugged.
"Well if you keep playing hooky yer gonna flunk out." Pony laughed.
I leaned back on the seat. My legs hurt a little. I didn't think I'd ever be back to how I used to be. I didn't think I'd ever be able to walk like normal. I didn't think I'd ever be able to see hospitals the same way. I didn't think I'd ever be able to take off my shirt and not hate the way my skin is warped, and charred, and disgusting.
"What about you, Johnny?" Mark asked, snapping me out of it. Ponyboy looked at me like he'd just remembered I was there.
"Oh, what did you ask?" I stammered, feeling bad I had zoned out.
Mark leaned his forearms on the table so he could see me better. "I asked if you're into music."
I nodded. "Uh yeah, I like music a lot." That's true. I'd always liked music. It was calming, I liked to listen to it while my parents fought in the other room, or when I was at the Curtis' house; usually with Pony next to me drawing.
"Oh, really?" He grinned. "Me too. Do you play anything?" I shook my head.
"I can't really afford instruments." I laughed nervously. "Do you?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I play guitar."
"Oh, that's tuff!" I meant it. I'd never had a ton of interest in learning an instrument, but I thought anyone who could was automatically cool. I already thought Mark was cool though.
Before Mark could reply, Ponyboy cut in, changing the topic. "Hey, Mark, isn't there a party in a few days?"
Mark nodded. "Yeah, it's not exclusive or nothing. Any of y'all can come, it's probably just gonna have booze." He specified. "You guys should all come." He glanced at me. Was he trying to tell me to come? Ponyboy seemed to notice because he glanced between us.
"Oh uh, yeah, Johnny, you outta come." He said hastily. "If you're up to it." The other guys nodded.
I half shrugged. "I dunno maybe."
"You should." Terry said, sipping his Pepsi. "There's gonna be chicks. I'm sure you could pick one up."
I couldn't hold back a laugh. Girls weren't into me like that. Never had been. I was scrawny and awkward, I wasn't attractive—especially compared to Ponyboy and Sodapop—and now I couldn't even able to walk. "I doubt I could meet any girls who would be into me."
William scoffed. "No way, you've got like, the thrill factor." He could probably tell that I was confused because he clarified. "I mean, girls gotta like murderers, huh? Bad boys and all."
I froze. Laugh it off Johnny—I told myself—don't be a pussy. Just smile and nod. I choked.
"Oh, yeah, I didn't think of that. I– I'll probably come." I tried to subtly calm myself down. I'm okay. It's okay. Man up.
Ponyboy looked at me anxiously, shooting a very small glare to Will before asking, "Can you drive us, Terry?" Terry nodded.
"I was gonna carpool with all of y'all." Terry said, running a hand through his hair.
"Alright, it's a plan." Pony replied, leaning on me a little. I took a deep breath, righting myself. The food came and we descend back into random chatter. I think I fit in better than I thought I would. The guys seemed to like me, and I liked them. This was going better than I imagined...