Chapter Text
Johnny was known for not staying at his house often, and today was like any other day. Except, he was out alone at the drive-in. He was scared out of his mind of being jumped but he still wanted to watch the movie—he'd been waiting a bit to watch it. So there he was, watching a movie while being hyper aware of his surroundings. Sadly, that didn't stop him from flinching what someone spoke to him.
"Hey, is this seat taken? You won't mind if I sat next to ya.. Would ya?" She asked in a soft tone.
He looked up and saw she was a soc—though, he could tell by her voice. She was pretty—like any other soc gal—with brunette hair, slightly tan skin, rosy cheeks, doe eyes that were the most beautiful brown color, and a nice figure. He wasn't much of a pervert—not like Dally—but he could notice when a gal had a nice build. She looked like a lamb and he felt like a stupid, ugly dog next to her. He almost forgot to answer her from all his thinking.
"Oh. Uh, yeah. I don't mind."
His eyes followed her as she sat next to him. He's never been this close to a girl—that was embarrassing, especially considering he's 16 years old. Two-Bit had told him to stay away from broads—ironic coming from him—since they can cause trouble. He didn’t talk to them because of that though. He was just too shy. He could barely talk to the gang properly at times, so talking to a pretty gal he didn't know? Yeah, he'd become even more quiet.
"I can go if you'd like. I don't mean to bother ya."
He quickly snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head towards her. He didn’t know what she was talking about. Then, he remembered. The gang had told him that he could look angry or annoyed when he went into deep thought. They knew he wasn't mad since they'd known him for a long time, but to anyone else, he looked mad. He quickly spoke in a panic.
"No, no, no! You're not bothering me. You're fine. I promise."
"Oh. Okay. Sorry."
"Shit," he muttered under his breath.
He wanted to ask for her name but he doesn't want humiliate himself. She already thinks he's mad at her, he doesn't want her to think he's only talking to her because she's pretty. Maybe that's not what she's gonna think, but that's what Johnny thinks she'll think! The movie's about to end and who knows if she'll stay for the next one. So, he speaks up.
"Hey, uh. What's your name?" He asks in the tuffest voice he can without his voice shaking.
"I'm Clara. Uh, what's your name?"
"Johnny. How old are ya?"
"sixteen."
"Huh. I'm also sixteen.
"Really? How come I've never seen ya school before?"
"Oh. I skip most times and I failed a year. I don't mind, though. "
"Oh. Well, you don't seem like a bad guy. Is it bad grades?" She asked in a voice that seem to indicate she understood.
"Yeah."
"I also get bad grades. But my parents pay off the school to let me pass so."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm. You uh- you wanna ditch this place and go somewhere else, Johnny?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that."
"Cool."
They got up from their seats as they made their way to the exit of the drive-in. They walked around town for a bit without saying a word. Johnny wanted to impress Clara—even if he didn't know her. He didn’t know why, yet. He's heart was pounding against his chest, he's legs felt like jello, his stomach was doing backflips, and it felt slightly hotter all of a sudden. He hooked his hands on the pockets of his jean jacket. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so tuff. He felt like a puppy trying to look cool but was failing at it. He peeked over at her and saw she was looking around in fear. Fear? He suddenly realized he had taken her to the east side—aka, the greaser side of town. He felt as all the color drained from his face. He tried to play it off.
"Oh, don't worry. This place ain't as bad as it seems. We can go to the convince store in the corner." "Sure..."
He mentally slapped himself. What if she wasn't worried before but now she was because he mentioned it. God, he felt stupid. They entered the corner store called "Kale's store." The familiar sound of the bells ringing made Johnny calm down a bit. Suddenly, Kale called him.
"Hey, Johnny! Who's the gal?"
"Hi, Kale. Uh, this is Clara. Clara, this is Kale."
"Hey pretty, lady. You lost? Because I ain't ever seen a cutie like ya around this side of town."
"We should get going, Kale. See ya."
Johnny exited out of the store with Clara following suit. He hated Kale. He didn’t know when to not be perverted. Most gals didn't go into that store because Kale would flirt with 'em. He remembered when Soda and Sandy went in there once and Kale tried to flirt with Sandy. Oh boy, Soda knocked back his front tooth and fucked up a few of his other teeth. He'd never seen Soda so mad before. But now, he knew how he felt. Yeah, he and Clara only just met but he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry about, Kale. He's like that sometimes. I'm sorry"
"It's fine. I'm used to it."
"Oh."
"Say, you're real cute. You could be a model."
"huh. I've never been told that before. Thanks."
Johnny looked away nervously as he felt his cheeks start to burn up. He sure was lucky that it was night. They kept walking until he stopped at the lot. He could hear the owl and crickets.
"So, where's your house?"
His house. A house was a place that was meant to be comforting and bring joy to you when you entered. That's what he understood at least. But that wasn't his home.The place where he lived was filled with drunks who would shout and throw beer bottles at him. He didn’t have a bed, just an old mattress and a blanket that was as thin as a piece of paper. God, he hated that place. And he'd hate it more if this pretty gal who has been nice to him to know that. She had probably only seen a kid being shoved and cried at that. If she heard how his home life was like, she'd get sick. He must have zoned out again because he heard her speak.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset ya."
"No, no. You're fine."
"No, really."
"Let's just sit down."
It came out more angry than he intended it to. He didn’t mean to though. He looked at her. The way the moonlight hit her face made him believe that God was real—even if only for a moment. I mean, a gal like her being the same species as him? No way. She was too pretty, kind, caring, and loving to be like him or other socs. Yeah, soc girls can be pretty or cute but they weren't as kind as her. If they were, it was that fake niceness that he hated. But Clara? Clara was everything he wished for. She just had to be an angel—No, a goddess. He must have been staring for too long because he felt her finger gently push on his forehead.
"Are ya gonna keep starin' at me like that or are we gonna talk?"
"Uh. Yeah, sorry. I uh, forget faces easily. So."
"That's fine."
"Yeah. Fine."
"So, you got any siblings?"
"Nah. Only child."
"Mh. Good. Cause I'd hate to have to share ya," she joked.
"Ahaha. Yeah, well, my gang likes me around a lot, so"
"A gang huh?"
"Oh, not that kind. It's like uh, a group thing. We just call it a gang."
He kept talking with her like he's known her since forever. What was up with him? He could barley utter a sentence at times in front of his friends and now he was having a full blown conversation with a gal he just met? He couldn't understand. She just, brought something out in him.
"So, how are your parents like?"
"Oh. You wanna know about them."
"Why not?"
"Uh. They can get violent and I'd rather not talk about."
"Oh, Johnny. I didn't know. I'm so sorry."
"It's fine. I usually stay here in the lot. It's nice."
"I guess. The stars look nice."
Johnny stared up at the stars. They were so many that if one died, no one would notice. It reminded him of himself. No one would notice if he died or ranaway. He was taking up space anyways. He suddenly felt hands on his shoulders and a voice that shouted "You filthy greasers! Get away from her before I kick your ass!" Johnny shoot up, hand already on his switchblade. He turned around and saw it was Two-Bit. He sighed. He looked down at Clara who was wide eyed and holding her hand up to her chest. Two-Bit was laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.
"Hey, Two-Bit."
"Hey ya, Johnnycake! Who's the pretty gal?" He slurred. Johnny could tell he was drunk not by his voice but by his breath.
"Oh, this Clara. Clara, this is Two-Bit. He's a friend. I promise he's not like Kale."
"Hm. Hi, Two-Bit. It's nice meeting ya." She greeted politely.
"Hey! Dang, Johnny! I didn't know you were hanging out with a cutie! You lost, doll? You don't look like no greaser gal. Unless you dolled yourself up for little old Johnny!"
"Haha. No, I'm a soc. Johnny and I were just talking."
"That's nice, doll. How 'bout you come with us? It's getting late and a doll like ya shouldn't be out this late. They'd snatch ya up like that!"
"Nah. I'll be handing back now. It was nice talking to ya, Johnny. I'll see ya around," she waved before turning a corner and disappearing into the dead of night.
Johnny didn't want her to leave. He realized he never asked for her number. He didn't know where she lived—and he'd rather die before going to the west side. He walks off with Two-Bit to the Curtis house. Ponyboy and Sodapop were asleep but Darry was still up. Two-Bit came in and almost slipped. Dallas was on the couch watching Micky-mouse since he had nothing better to do. Two-Bit couldn't keep his mouth shut about Johnny being with a gal and shouted it out.
"Hey! You guys wanna hear something!"
"What is it Two-Bit? You found a broad or something?" Dally asked sarcastically.
"Not me! Our buddy, Johnny, was with a gal! And a cute soc one at that!"
"You're joking? Johnny?" Dally smirked at Johnny.
Johnny felt his face go red as he stammered a response, "We were just talking."
"Two-Bit! Quiet down," Darry said.
"C'mon, Darry! This is important. Johnny's finally getting a cute gal. Maybe they'll start making out in the lot!" Two-Bit joked as he made kissy noises.
"Cut out, Two-Bit."
"Well, if your gonna go with that broad, make sure to be dressed nice. Socs like her hate a guy dressed down. They'll whine about it all the time."
"She's not like that, Dal. She's nice and caring. She has
"Oooohh! Sounds like our Johnnycakes has a crush!" Two-Bit teased.
"Look Johnny, if you really like this girl, you should go for it. But lower your voices. Ponyboy and Sodapop are asleep." Darry said.
Johnny sat on the old leather couch with sigh. He didn’t know what a crush felt like or how to get girls to go out with him. The last time he spoke to a gal was with Sylvia—she just flirted with him—which had lead to the gal talk with Two-Bit. But, he's friends had talked to gals before and even had girlfriends. He looked over at Dallas who was smoking—much to Darry's dismay.
"Hey, Dal. How do ya get gals to go out with ya?"
"I don't know. Broads just like a man with confidence and that looks handsome. And I'm both."
"What about ya Two-Bit?
"Easy, I just give say some of my jokes and they're smitten by me!"
"Hey, Darry. How do you get gals to swoon over ya?"
"I don't get girls to Swoon over me?"
"Sure ya do, Superman! You'll see ladies stop and stare at your muscles!" Two-Bit commented, "Look, Johnny, you just need to be like Superman over here and be big and strong!" Two-Bit jokingly flexed his arms.
"Cut it out you two," Darry said.
"Ask Stevie or Soda. They have girlfriends," Dally stated.
Johnny thought about it and decided he would skip class tomorrow to find Soda and Steve at the DX. He thought about what Dally and Two-Bit said. He wasn't very strong or muscular like Darry and he didn't have too much confidence like Dally. But he could be funny like Two-Bit. Anyone can be funny. Right? He sighed and laid back on the couch. He really wanted to impress Clara. Dally did say gals liked guys who were dressed nicely so maybe he could borrow one of Ponyboy's fancy suits. He wish he could remember what happened after that but he could only picture and think about Clara. She smelled sweet, like vanilla. He keep thinking about how she made him feel alive and useless at the same time. It wasn't her fault he felt useless, he just felt useless compared to people he cared for.
He had a dream where he was a knight in shining armor. He was everything he wasn't in real life—smart, handsome, strong, funny, and brave. She was trapped in a tall tower where a fire breathing dragon was guarding the tower. He stepped up to the dragon, back straight. The dragon stared at him and charged at him. With one quick motion, he took out his sword and stabbed the dragon on its chest. It let out a roar of fury as the fire glowed. Johnny fought the dragon in a tough battle. Finally, he cut the dragon's head off and won. He climb up the tower where he saw her—Clara in a a stunning blue dress. He walked up to her but not before she came running towards him. She looked up at with eyes that made him melt.
"Oh! My hero! Thank you for saving me!"
"It was no problem. I couldn't let a stunning beauty like you stay here," he said in a deep voice as he caressed her cheek.
"What's your name?"
"Johnny."
"Oh, Johnny," she whispered softly.
She leaned in to give him a kiss. He could feel her warm breath inches from his lips. Suddenly, he felt himself being shooked and his name being repeated. He woke up to the lights hitting his eyes. It took him a bit for his to adjust to the lights but when they did, she saw who was shaking him. It was Two-Bit.
"Hey, Johnnycakes! Up and at it, sleeping beauty!"
"Ugh. What time is it?" He yawned as he rubbed his eyes.
"Uh. 10:32!"
"God."
Johnny looked around the Curtis house and found it empty except for Two-Bit being there. He wondered where Dally went this time. He looked over at Two-Bit than remembered he need to ask Steve and Sodapop about girls.
"Hey, Two-Bit. Could ya uh. Could ya drive me to the DX."
"Sure, Johnny. Let's go."
Johnny entered Two-Bit's old car that was still running somehow. He couldn't tell if the round was bumpy or if the car was failing on them but they made it to the DX safely. Johnny exited out and saw Steve leaning on one of the fuel pumps.
"Hey, Steve."
"Oh, hey, Johnny. What ya doing here?"
"Uh," Johnny's face went slightly red before speaking, "I wanted to you and Soda somethin'."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Um. How do ask out girls?" He stammered out
"Why do you ask?" Steve teased with a grin
"He's gonna ask out a cute soc girl!" Two-Bit shouted.
"A soc girl, huh? Well, I'd say to dress nicely or she'll leave ya immediately. And bring flowers. Or chocolates. Or both! Girls love those, essentially Evie. She'll whine to me if I don't get 'em!"
"Hey, Johnny! Hey Two-Bit! What brings you two around?" Soda asks as he comes out of the DX.
"Johnny's gonna ask out a soc girl and wants some tips," Steve explained.
"A girl? Hmm. Well, don't grease your hair. Soc don't like that. And be confident! Talk cool and calm but not so calm that she thinks you're not listenin' or carin'. Girls dig cool guys who'll love 'em! And be funny like Two-Bit!"
"Confident, cool, calm, and funny. Geez, that sounds like a lot.."
"It is. Oh! And bring her a stuffed animal! Preferably a bear but it can a bunny or a cat. Or even a bird. Sandy used love birds.."
Johnny pretended he didn't hear the last part. Sandy had gotten pregnant a few months ago and it wasn't Soda's. Still, Soda was gonna raise it but her parents moved her to Florida. And that was the end of the relationship. Johnny really liked Sandy. She was nice enough and was almost like a sister to him. But he knew it was only him who saw her as a sister. But whatever, right?
Two-Bit talked to Steve and Soda a bit longer but Johnny's mind wondered off to Clara. He was always different from most kids his age. He was pretty skinny, still had a baby face, he's voice wasn't all too deep, he didn’t have an ounce of body hair, and he hadn’t even held hands with a girl yet. But for once, he felt like a normal 16 year old. He had a crush on a girl and was gonna ask her out.
As he kept daydreaming, he noticed her walking nearby from the corner of his eye. He quickly went up to her.
"Hey! Clara!"
"Huh? Oh, Johnny! Hey!"
"Hi, uh. I was wondering if you could meet me at the park at uh- at 7:30. Tonight."
"Oh, sure. I'll met ya then. Well, see ya, Johnny!"
"See ya.."
Johnny stood there for a while before walking back to the DX. Two-bit and Steve were making "ooooh" sounds as Sodapop chuckled. Johnny went home—luckily his parents weren't home—and grab the old piggy bank money he had. $25.35. Perfect. He ran to the store and found a box of chocolates, flowers, and a cute little teddy bear. It cost him $18.61. But it was all worth it for her.
He entered the Curtis home at 6:24 with the box of chocolates, flowers, and teddy bear. Ponyboy was in the kitchen doing his homework and the gang was watching the TV. Darry was helping Pony a bit with his homework. Ponyboy looked up and saw Johnny. He saw how Ponyboy's eyes lit up when he saw him.
"Hey, Johnny! Uh. What's that in your hands?"
"Uh. Hey, Pony. This is for a-"
"It's for his date!" Steve shouted.
"A date?" Ponyboy questioned.
"Yeah. No! Um. I'm just gonna ask her out. Uh. Is it okay if I wear your suit, Pony?"
"Uh. Sure?"
"Thanks."
Johnny walked into Ponyboy and Sodapop's room and rummage through his closet. Eventually, he found his suit and put it on. It looked pretty good on him. He went into the bathroom next and grabbed a bit of jel and style his hair neatly. He grabbed an old picnic blanket and ran out of the house. He ran all the way to the park and began to set up. It looked pretty good.
7:30 came and Johnny started getting worried Clara wouldn't show up. Luck for him, he spotted her walking towards him. He's eyes light up and walked up to her.
"H-hi, Clara!"
"Hi, Johnny."
"Come," he held out his had towards her.
She took his hand and he lead her to the picnic blanket. He gently sat down next to her. Good, she was pretty. He couldn't mess this up now. He couldn't be strong like Darry but he could try to be confident. Though, he sucked at that. He also had to be romantic. Romantic. He read a bit about that in one of Pony's book. Girls dig cool, nice guys.
"So, you enjoying your day," he said with the most calm voice he'll have.
"Mhm. It's been real nice. It's nice seeing ya again, Johnny."
"Yeah. So, uh. I brought you a box of chocolates. Oh, and some flowers. They smell like vanilla. Like you.."
"Huh?"
"Nothin'!"
"And a bear. I hope you like it."
"I do."
"So, I wanted to meet ya here because I wanted to ask ya out. I mean- only if you wanna."
"Oh, I'd love to, Johnny. Hehe."
"Really!? I mean- cool, cool. So. When do ya wanna meet up?"
"Hm. How about next week on Saturday. We could come at the same time as today."
"Cool, cool, yeah. Sure whatever, ya want," Johnny tried to act cool and was failing.
"Hehe. Good. I'll see ya then," she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
He felt his face go red as he watched her walk back to her house. As she left, he couldn't help but break out into a smile. He ran back to the lot giggling like crazy. He couldn't understand this feeling fully but he did understand one thing—this was the happiest he's ever been.