Chapter Text
Johnny hasn't been himself lately after that bad breakup with Lola. Peanut knew how much he loved her, even after all the times she tried to went in the pants of other men. Johnny would go through hell and back for her and now.. he's barely going to the classes in school and Miss Danvers started to question his absence. All of the other Greasers tried to cover up by saying how Johnny was probably sick (most likely) but 2 weeks of absence isn't going to look good.
Peanut banged on the door of Johnny's house. He didn't expect an answer as the others who tried to contact him was only greeted by silence. It was closing in on the night and the cold wind started to chill. He was ready to go home until he heard the door click and swung open. Peanut couldn't believe it, the door finally opened and he saw that Johnny was hiding behind the door. He didn't spoke but his hand gestured for Peanut to enter the house and he did.
He observed the room and noticed how there were some trash on the floor, indicating that it wasn't looked after. The room was dimly lit and he couldn't really make out what other items are laying around.
Johnny closed the door and made the room more dim than it already is. Peanut turned and was horrified. He was so out of shape and had dark circles under his eyes, he never saw Johnny like this so the view made his legs tremble.
"Oh my god! what the hell happened to you?!"
Peanut rushed to Johnny's side, he didn't intend to make it seem like he was hugging him, but he complied to his better nature and held Johnny close.
"Why are you like this? Are you trying to kill yourself?!"
He tried to not cry but damn, his voice caught on his throat. Johnny then reciprocates the hug and pats his bestfriend's back.
"Didn't know you were worried sick.."
His voice was low and raspy, almost like a whisper. He sounded like he struggled to speak as he didn't even let out a squeak these past few days.
Peanut held back his tears and sighed, his sadness turning into anger as he heard Johnny's words
"Are you kidding me?! We're worried to death about you!"
He can't help but be angry that Johnny thinks that nobody cares about him. Of course there is always people who worries about him and that is Peanut and the Greasers.
'For goodness sake, he finally opened that damn door of his and that is the first thing he says?!'
Peanut bit his lip and pulled back, looking half like he's about to cry and half looking enraged. His eyes met with Johnny's and gleamed
"Let's get you something to eat 'kay?"
They both went to the kitchen and noticed how messy the counter was, but yet, no dish or leftovers food on the sink. It was clear that Johnny barely ate, or even, did he actually eat something these past few days?
Didn't look like it.
Peanut told Johnny to sit down on the dining table as he scoured the insides of Johnny's fridge. Figures, there nothing much in here except wilted vegetables, some containers of food that is inedible by now, half bottle of water and bread. He took the loaves of bread and saw it's going to be expired tomorrow.
'Thank god it's still safe to eat' Peanut thought.
He closed the fridge with bread and the bottle of water in hand, putting them on the table. Johnny stared as his friend went back in forth, opening drawers and cupboards to look for, something more, maybe something to make this dish complete.
"If you're looking for peanut butter, it's on the top cupboard"
Peanut glanced for a second then promptly reached for the top cupboards and opened it. He smiled when there, in fact, was a jar of peanut butter. He liked peanut butter, hence his nickname. His buddies often stole his lunch at school and noticed how it was always peanut butter sandwich all the time. Course, he knew the food in the cafeteria was, well.. putrid, so he always tried to make his own lunches from then on.
Snapping from his little daydream, Peanut continued to look around to finish fixing up the sandwich. He returned to the dinner table and served the sandwich and a glass of water to Johnny.
Johnny cracked a tiny smile at him, "Heh, a peanut butter sandwich from Peanut himself.."
Peanut only snickered as he'd taken a seat across Johnny who slowly ate the sandwich in front of him.
Peanut finally spoke again after Johnny finished his meal. "Man, what's gotten into you? You're like, not the Johnny Vincent that I know of"
Johnny only stared at him blankly, before replying.
"I.. I don't know man, I'm just.. nothing without Lola.. she meant so much to me and now.." his eyes looked glassy, trying to hold back his tears.
Peanut knew how much Lola meant to Johnny, but seeing as she didn't took the time off her day to visit Johnny or just talk to him, even once after their break up is just too much. Johnny deserves better than this, he thought
"Hey hey, forget Lola, you should look after yourself first, man. I mean look at you!" Peanut took off from his seat and put his arms around Johnny and spoke, "You're Johnny Vincent, my bro, my buddy, my bestfriend, leader of the Greasers, be stooped down by a chick? You can get much more than a chick, man!"
"I'm disappointing, aren't i?" Johnny held his head low
Peanut looked at him with pity, which is something he will never, ever tell to Johnny or even anyone.
"You're not... c'mon Johnny, you're the best guy I've met.. I'm trying to help you.."
Peanut grabbed Johnny's hands and held it tightly.
"Johnny, you're not acting like yourself.. and it's killing me, man.." His voice was caught on his throat, he didn't want to cry in front of his bestfriend, not like this anyway.
Johnny returned Peanut's gaze and sighed,
"Alright, I've been acting a little out of myself..but okay, I'll.. do my best"
He smiled at his friend, leaned forward for a head bump. Peanut was slightly taken aback by Johnny's sudden gesture, but he was relieved.
They both let go of eachother's hands and returned to their seats. Johnny finished the last bit of sandwich as Peanut watches him.
"Say, you going to class tomorrow? The boys miss you real bad"
"Sure, I'm gonna get back to my feet sooner with you and them's on my back"
He was glad that he got Johnny to snap back to reality, but he knew Johnny still needs some encouragement from his buddies.
After another brief conversation, Peanut decided that it was time for him to go back, as it was starting to get late into the night. As Peanut was about to head into the street, he turned to face Johnny who was standing near the doorway
"You want me to pick you up tomorrow? I'll give you a ride on my bike" Peanut offered.
Johnny paused for a second, then shook his head.
"Nah, don't need. I don't plan on spending more time alone in my house. I promise I'll see you in campus"
They both exchanged looks. Peanut nodded at Johnny's response and waved.
"Aight, see you tomorrow buddy"
Johnny closed his door and mentally prepares himself for his heading back to the academy.