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Secrets were something sacred, if you shared them, it was like a betrayal. If you're in a tightly knit gang, like the Curtis gang, that's the only way secrets weave through, staying in the people circle. Some of them could include cheating or getting in a rumble or relationships. Lots of secret relationships. If any got outed, then it'd most definitely be a betrayal.
That happened once because someone wouldn't shut up and a fight was caused. It was because Two-Bit was gabbing about Ponyboy and Johnny. It stung and he received silence from the two, not even laughing at the good jokes. It only lasted for a few days until an apology was formally given. That never happened again.
Dallas’ tongue sometimes slipped and he'd reveal at least one secret every other month at the minimum but nobody listened because he was always talking, and then he casually said:
“Darry and Paul had somethin’ back in High School.”
It was almost as casual as saying he was going to the drive-in. It caused a lot of loud talking and he wasn't allowed into the Curtis house for a few weeks.
Yet, nothing had slipped for a couple of months now. It had to be manually found out via clues or appearances or talking manners, but if anything was found?
Private. Keep it secret. Share only with the person involved.
Johnny and Ponyboy frequently didn't follow that rule, they were addicted to gossiping and sharing everything.
“I saw Soda not use food coloring during breakfast.”
“Really?”
“Mmmhhmm. Rare occurrence.”
“Dal's ring is still missing. I think this might be a new record.”
“Tuff enough.”
“Cherry started yelling at the Socs again in the hallway.”
“Really?”
“Mhm!”
“That's tuff.”
“Dal's in the cooler again.”
“Shoot, really?”
“Mhm.”
“Dal's tryin’ to become my legal guardian!”
“Seriously!? That's amazing, Johnnycakes!”
“I'm really excited, but I ain't walkin’ around with him to sleep somewhere. He's mainly at Buck's now.”
“Soda said he's thinkin’ of forever with Steve.”
“Seriously? What are you thinkin' of that?”
“I don't want him as my brother-in-law.”
“Why do you hate Steve?”
“‘Cause he hates me!”
“Pony.”
“What?”
“He doesn't hate you.”
“Uh-uh, he does.”
The English classroom was burning hot. It always was. The stupid school was never cool. Ponyboy was half awake as he heard the teacher drone on, his chin resting on top of his arms, one hand extended out so Johnny could draw on it. They hadn't been separated in a little while, thank God, but only because they weren't talking due to exhaustion. Ponyboy turned his head to the side to look at Johnny, a sleepy smile automatically appearing on his face. He liked this boy with the dark hair and eyes, he liked how the sunlight and moonlight fell on him, he liked how he didn't give up and instead kept going no matter what he went through, like the scar spanning from his cheek to his temple. He liked how his eyes relaxed when he was focused.
Johnny looked over at Ponyboy and the latter immediately turned his head away to face the front, not wanting to be caught standing at his boyfriend. Johnny smiled and went back to drawing. Ponyboy turned his head to the side again to stare out the window, but also indirectly look at the other. He poked his elbow, causing the pen to create a sudden line across his hand.
“Pony,” Johnny whispered, sighing and rolling his eyes.
Ponyboy shrugged, and poked him again before looking forward again. He felt the pen poking his hand still. “Who do you think Dally’s with?” He whispered, trying to be quiet so the teacher wouldn’t hear. They didn’t want to be separated again. Johnny shrugged, tilting his head. “I think it’s a lady, honestly. Have you noticed anythin' about him?”
“Not really, just that he seems happier,” Johnny mumbled quietly. Ponyboy nodded, nudging the other’s foot under the desks.
The rest of the day passed by slowly, but as soon as school was over, the two were walking, hands occasionally brushing. Johnny was carrying both of their school stuff in a tote bag, Ponyboy offered to help out but failed. The sidewalks got more rough and the houses were more run down the further they walked, and pretty soon they were holding hands.
The two always did that when they got closer to the familiar grounds.
Suddenly, Ponyboy picked up the pace, practically dragging Johnny. The latter was surprised and tried to catch up, protesting loudly. He may have been a slow walker, but he didn’t want to be pulled along. It just wasted more energy that he needed to keep up with everything that they were talking about, because someone always jumped around from topic to topic. Yet, Johnny still liked Ponyboy and didn’t mind, except for moments like this. He didn’t like that. At least they talked openly.
Johnny wasn't able to sleepover that night because Darry found out Ponyboy still had homework. That may have sparked an argument as soon as Johnny left which caused Sodapop to be the middle man again.
Arguments were stupid.
The next day, Johnny slid Ponyboy a folded note. The teacher was still talking. They were taking notes.
Why did he talk so much?
Ponyboy opened the note and it took him a second to read the note. Sometimes it was difficult to read Johnny’s handwriting.
Dal & Tim Shepard
Ponyboy furrowed his eyebrows and looked at him. Johnny snatched the note back and frantically drew a heart to replace the ‘and.’ The former didn't respond for a minute before his eyes widened. He slowly turned to look at the latter, who was smirking as he fidgeted with the pen cap he was holding.
The topic was dropped as soon as the teacher called them out for passing notes.
As soon as school was out, the questions from Ponyboy started immediately as they were walking again.
“How'd you find out?”
“I'm not sharin’ that.”
“Johnnycakes, please.”
“Shoot, you're nosy. Just… saw it. Like, the ring, y'know?”
“Really?”
“Sure.”
“Johnny.”
“Ponyboy.”
“Give me straight answers, please?”
“I did! The ring, man!”
“I hate you.”
“Just tellin’.”
It was a Friday, so they got to go to the drive-in with Dally. Ponyboy and Johnny decided it would be a fantastic idea to joke around with Dallas and Tim sittin' in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. It was a bad idea, and they've both had worse ideas, because it was the only time Ponyboy had actually seen Dally yell at Johnny. He also got yelled at, but that was normal, he always at least someone upset, especially Dally.
Then it was silence for a little while.