Johnny's POV 

I was sitting in the living room with the rest of the gang, minus Ponyboy. Dally and Darry were quietly arguing about something. I heard the words "Tim" and "Curly Sheppard" thrown around quite a bit. I wondered if Curly was back in the reformatory. 

Two Bit, Steve, and Soda were sprawled across the couch. They were all bumping into each other every few seconds, but they didn't mind, because they were laughing about something. I wasn't really paying attention to the details.

I was sitting in the arm chair, by myself. I couldn't get my thoughts off of Pony. Things were changing between him and I, but I wasn't sure what it was.

I felt bad for him, especially after he told me about his eating problems. I was trying to look out for him. I cared about his health, and I knew that he wasn't fat like he thought.

Ponyboy was perfect.

Lately, he always seemed shy or flustered around me. His face would always be flushed pink, or he was looking down that the ground, smiling. 

He was also trying to take care of me, especially after the beating I got from my dad. I knew that he cared about me, but sometimes it was hard to believe.

-

I was sitting on the couch in a ball, crying. The gang moved to the kitchen, talking about what to do. I had never come over so bloodied up or bruised. For the first time, he cut me.

I was whimpering quietly, when I heard someone come through the door. I heard them walk closer to me, and then sit down.

"Johnny?" Pony asked, his voice low. I immediately looked at him, and the moved away a bit. It wasn't intentional. 

"Ponyboy?" I replied. I relaxed a bit.

I wasn't curled in a ball anymore, but I was still shaking.

"What's going on?" I questioned. I whimpered and then looked down. I felt ashamed.

He put his hand on my shoulder. I shuddered, but then I realized he wasn't going to hurt me. 

"Can I trust you?" I whispered. He nodded.

"Of course you can," he stated quietly. I felt my breathing get rigid, as I touched the bottom of my shirt.

I looked away, and pulled my shirt up. 

It hurt to breathe.

All across my chests were fresh bruises, and a big cut down my chest. It was red, and you could see it was fresh. It hit really badly, but I tried to put up with it.

I looked at him for a reaction.

I expected disgust. All the other guys were disgusted.

Instead, there were tears in his eyes.

"Who did this?" he mumbled. 

"My dad.." I said, trailing off. I couldn't help but cry.

"Why did you go back home?" he asked, surprised. 

I wiped my watery eyes.

"I wanted to get a change of clothes, and I- and I-, I went home to get a ch- change, and he grabbed me and he- he-, he beat me," I stuttered. 

All I wanted was clothes.

But instead, I got beat.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he whispered in my ear. He out his arm around me. 

I felt my insides get warm when he called me baby. I knew that he probably meant it as a brother, but it made me happy.

I wouldn't mind he called my baby everyday, but in different standards...

I was stiff, but before I knew it, I threw my arms around him.

Immediately, I was bombarded by his smell.

He smelled like freshly washed clothing, cigarettes, chocolate, and cinnamon. 

My face was on his chest as I began to cry. My arms were wrapped around him, and I shook quietly as I sobbed. 

The guys were still yelling at each other in the kitchen, but I felt safe in his arms.

He was rubbing circles on my back. I melted under his soft touch.

"Hey, Johnny, how about you take a shower, and then I can give you some clothes?" he suggested.I pulled away and looked at him.

I didn't want to bother him, or his brothers. They already had too many problems, and I didn't want to add to them.

"I don't want to be a bother.." I said, trailing off. He hushed me.

"You're never a bother,"he  replied. He grabbed me by the wrist, and pulled me up.

-

That night with Ponyboy was one of the best ones I had in a long time, and I needed it. He knew how to make me feel better.

He had gathered up a bunch of pillows and blankets, even though I insisted that it wasn't necessary. He refused to listen to me.

Ponyboy was rummaging through his closet, pulling out blankets I was confused.

"What are you doing, Pony?" I asked. I walked up behind him, and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I'm making you stay the night with me, and I want you to be warm and comfortable," he stated. I gasped.

"No, Pony! You don't have to do that!" I exclaimed. He turned around and looked me in the eyes.

"I want to."

-

I ended up cuddling in the bed with Pony that night. He had made us both hot chocolate. It was nice. We would talk occasionally, but for the most part, we just enjoyed each other's company.

I enjoyed how his arms felt around me. They were strong. I would love to feel how they felt on a daily basis. 

I could also see how pretty his eyes were up close. They were green, but there were flecks of browns and greys mixed in.

Suddenly, I knew that there was some sort of feeling there..

-

Ponyboy had just gotten home. No one had noticed yet, but he looked like he was in pain. He was stumbling.

I saw him blink a bunch, and then clench his fists.

"Hey Pony, are you okay?" I asked. 

He never answered, because almost immediately, his body fell to the ground. 

His body hit the ground with a loud thud.

Everyone rushed to his side.

"Ponyboy? Ponyboy!" yelled Soda. He began to shake him. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"We have to take him to the hospital," I mumbled. I think I already knew that was wrong.

I couldn't remember the last time I saw him eat a meal...