Ages:

Johnny-12
Ponyboy-11
Dally-13
Sodapop-13
Steve-13
Two-Bit-14
Darry-17

Johnny frowned as he neared the clearing. Shouts of happiness were already reverberating from the lot. He was late. They had started already.
He snuck into the bushes noiselessly, getting comfortable in his regular hiding place. He slowly took out his notebook, eager to draw the kids playing together.
For the past three months, Johnny would sneak out of his house and watch the boys play. He wished he could talk to them, but he could just imagine how that would go; they'd shun him and laugh at him, and he'd lose the only thing he could look forward to.
They were all enjoying a game of football. Although Johnny had never played it before, he had memorized the basic rules by watching them so much. It was clear they weren't all related-just the three boys Johnny assumed were Curtis's; Darry, Sodapop and Ponyboy. The other three boys; Steve, Dally and Two-Bit, weren't family, but Johnny was amazed at how much they acted like one. His own parents, blood and everything, didn't care about Johnny the way these teenaged boys cared about each other.
"Pass it here, Soda!" Steve, Soda's friend called out. Soda threw the football to his buddy, but it was intercepted by Darry. Dally stole in from Darry's arms and threw it to Ponyboy.
"To me!" Two-Bit cried, waving his arms frantically.
Johnny watched in awe as the ball flew through the air. Two-Bit fumbled with it, and it flew out of his hands. The next thing Johnny knew, something had hit him on the head-hard.
"Ow!" He cried out as the bushes shuddered. He silently cursed himself. He'd blown his cover! He wondered if they'd heard him.
His question was answered when all the voices stopped. He heard grass crunching, as if someone were walking closer and closer to him...
"Aha!" Called Two-Bit as the bushes that Johnny was hiding behind were torn apart. Towering over him was Darry.
Ponyboy rushed over and stood next to Darry. "What do we do with him?"
"Well that's obvious, we-" Darry started, but was cut off by Two-Bit.
"We eat him!" Johnny gave him a terrified look. "Just kidding." Two-Bit quickly added.
Darry rolled his eyes, then held out his hand to Johnny. "Do you want to play football with us?"
Johnny nodded his head timidly.
"Yes!" Ponyboy exclaimed. "Maybe we'll finally win!" He glanced towards Two-Bit and Dally, the other members of his team. "Not that you two aren't good, but Darry's a professional. It's hard to compete."
The two others nodded in agreement as Darry gave them a cocky grin.
"So, new game?" Ponyboy asked.
"Well shouldn't we introduce ourselves first?" Darry asked. He gave Johnny a kind smile. "I'm-"
"Darry." Johnny finished for him, and instantly wished he hadn't when he saw Darry's expression.
"Yeah," Darry gave him a curious look. "How'd you know?"
"Uh...I've...seen you guys around." Johnny silently cursed himself again. Now they knew he'd been watching them!
But, to his surprise, they started laughing. Not a mean, gawking laugh, but a friendly one, like they'd just seen a kitten playing with a puppy.
"So," Sodapop stepped forward. "You know that I'm the handsome lady's man."
They all laughed again, and Johnny couldn't help but grin.
Darry smiled at him again. "What's your name?"
Johnny hesitated, before finally shaking Darry's outstretched hand. "Johnny." He told them. "Johnny Cade."
"Johnnycake?" Two-Bit asked. Everyone laughed again. Johnny smiled happily.
Although his own life at home was bad, maybe he'd found friends in this group of Greasers.
Maybe he'd finally found people who loved him.

A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY CADE!!!!!!!!! I hope you and Dally are having a great time being tuff and staying gold in the afterlife. :')

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHNNY CADE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay Gold, Tucker, Stay Gold.

Orange_Elephant a.k.a. SCR