𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓- 𝙟𝙤𝙝𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚

22. 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑

— MY HEART DROPPED AT THE  NAME

"H-Hey.. Bob, what can I do for you?" I spoke in a nervous tone, looking at Johnny and watching as his eyes widened. There was a long pause, the same routine of stifles of laughter and hushed from Bob.

"Listen uh.. we heard you're with that Johnny kid and uh.. well, he's got some explaining to do for us. He helped that Winston kid slash our tires a few days ago. Ya' know anything 'bout that?" He sounded angry, as all Soc's do, especially when running into problems with a greaser. Honestly Bob's words shocked me as Johnny usually didn't do anything illegal, so the fact that Johnny helped Dallas with something as dangerous as slashing a Soc's tires, made me nervous.

"No. No I don't, and even if he did do that which you don't even know for sure, why does it matter? it's happened before hasn't it? I don't see you goin' after those greasers?" I snapped back at him which got a chuckle out of him. Johnny was now coming closer toward me, leaning in so that he could hear what Bob was saying through the phone.

"We ain't talking 'bout other greasers. We're talking about your boyfriend!" Johnny looked horrified, not just by the fact that Bob had caught him, but the fact that I had found out what he had done. "He needs to meet us at the park, Friday night at 10 pm— or he's dead." and with that, the line went flat.

"Shit.." Johnny mumbles to himself whilst running his fingers through his thick, greased hair. Johnny muttered more curses under his breathe before going silent. I walked closer to him before beginning to play with his hair delicately as hopes to calm him down. Johnny then looked up at me with his innocent, sweet eyes. He grabbed me by the hips before moving me to straddle his waist, my arms immediately enveloping him into a cuddle. He held me tightly, tucking his head into the crook of my neck as I toyed with his hair once again.

"It'll be okay baby" I whispered into his ear before kissing
the top of his head.

"That's all he said?" Dally questioned as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. The gang sat around us as we explained the call and what Bob and his Soc friends wanted. Johnny wanted to ask the gangs opinion on what he should do, whether he should fight the fight or take the loss. "He didn't ask for anything specific, just for you to go?"

"Yeah.. nothin' to it. It was bizarre, and I also heard his friends chuckling in the back." I explained, my voice somewhat shaky as I recalled the incident.

"They are definitely planning something. Why else would they call and ask for something like that?" Two-Bit piped in, of course getting his two bits worth in, as always. the rest of the gang all nodded in agreement whilst also muttering a few 'yeahs'. "We'll all go with you as back up. We don't want you gettin' hurt like last time-"

"No." Johnny cut Two-Bit off, everybody's face turning to shock. "Imma do this on my own this time around. I don't need to be babied anymore. This is my fight to win, I'm strong enough to do it. Besides, we don't know if he's bringing anybody else."

"What! Johnny no! I'm not letting you get hurt again, not like last time. At least let me go with you." I protested, placing my hands in his and squeezing them. He shook his head no once again, biting his lip with a guilty expression. It was as if he knew that it would end in trouble, and yet he still wanted to go through with it. He wanted to prove to not only us, but also to himself that he was strong... that he was brave. I already saw him in such light, but I knew he didn't see himself that way, and he didn't believe that others saw him like that either. It hurt me that those thoughts were his reality.

"I'm doin' this on my own. I don't need anyone alright?" Johnny got up in a fuss and left quickly, not saying a word. Everybody looked at me awkwardly before I stood up and went after him. Johnny looked back at me and waited as I walked toward him. He swung his arm around waist and pulled me into his, rubbing circles on my skin as he slid his hand under my shirt. "I don't want you to come with me and end up getting hurt."

"Johnny.." I cupped his face with my hand, stroking his cheek with my thumb. He leaned into my touch, placing his hand over mine. "Baby, I want to be there for you." He sighed at my words:

"Okay.. but you gotta stay back alright? if things get dangerous, promise me you'll go" He requested, giving me those beautiful puppy eyes that he only gives when he really wants something— something he knows he might not get unless he asks in such a way that makes me melt and give in, and it always, always works. I sighed as I knew that I wouldn't be able to say no, so I nodded. He smiled at me before giving me a passionate kiss, one filled with love and passion. "I love you" He whispered to me before laying another kiss onto my lips.

"I love you too." I smiled before wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly, never wanting him to let go of me. His arms found their way to my waist before he fully embraced me. His grasp around me grew tight, as if he would never let go.

"I wish I could hold you forever.." He whispered into my ear, his words making my stomach fill with butterflies. His eyes lit up as we pulled away and stared into one another's eyes. I knew I would never be able to find another love like his. He was special, his love was special. The way he loved me, and the way I loved him was irreplaceable. We both knew it, and that's what made it all the more worth while.

— HE WAS MY PROTECTOR, AND I WAS HIS