I walked into Johnny's house the next morning, smelling the strong smell of bacon. I slowly made my way to the kitchen to see Johnny singing while making bacon and scrambled eggs. I rubbed my eyes tiredly as I walked over to the dishwasher and opened it, before grabbing a cup. I set it down on a counter before walking over to the fridge and getting out the MinuteMaid. I walked back to the counter, taking off the cap before glancing at Johnny who was looking at me oddly. "Are you on MinuteMaid," he asked with a chuckle.

"Ya bet your high horse I am," I grinned before looking at my cup and pouring the orange juice in. I set the MinuteMaid down, putting the cap back on. I lifted my cup to my lips, taking small sips. "Hey Johnny, make sure ya don't burn our breakfast."

He scoffed. I knew he was rolling his eyes at me, even though I couldn't see it. I knew he wouldn't burn anything, seeing as he was a better cook than I was but I like to tease him sometimes.

•

Johnny and I were now sitting on his couch, watching a movie. I was stuffing my face with popcorn, when Johnny turns to me with a questioning look. "Hey Danny?" I hummed in response, bouncing my leg.

"Do you like Ali?"

I choked on my popcorn but swallowed thickly. My cheeks felt like they were burning as my brown eyes met Johnny's dark blue ones. "W-wha...W-what makes you say that Johnny?" He chuckled, his eyes having a knowing look. "Just answer my question Danny boy." I sighed, biting the inside of my cheek. "Fine...I do like her." He beamed at me. "You should totally ask her out. You both have a lot in common."

"Like what," I murmured. "You both like art, you both have the same taste in music...Plus you both like to dance." I looked to the ground, right at the red rug. He did have a point but I've never liked anybody like that before...

"I-i d-don't know Johnny. What if she doesn't feel the same?" He shook his head. "Just try man." I nodded before pursing my lips. "Alright but there's something I gotta tell ya. So get comfortable because this is gonna be a long long story."

He nodded before I took a breath."First things first, I wasn't born in New Jersey. Ma and Pa aren't my real parents either. They're my foster parents and I met them when I was in the park one day, when it was pouring out, after I had ran away from my biological-"

Johnny interrupted me. "Where were you born then? Why did you run away?" I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "I'm getting there dumbass." He shot me a glare but I ignored it and went on. "I ran away from my biological parents and my "gang" in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And no, I wasn't in a real gang Johnny. I was poor and so were the rest of my buddies, my gang. We were greasers, we wore our hair long and greasy. Most of us didn't have good homes, especially me. My parents were drunks. My mom always ignored me, except when she was hacked off about something. And my dad...He would always beat me, physically, drunk or not."

I stopped to catch my breath and glanced at Johnny, who's eyes were wide and he held his hand over his mouth.

"Most of the time, I'd sleep in the vacant lot in the warmer months. In colder months, I'd sleep at at Two-Bit's house. He's the second oldest of the gang. But most of the time, I'd sleep at the Curtis'. That family was the only family that had a good relationship. They had three sons; Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy. Steve Randle was Soda's best friend, and Dally and Two-Bit were Darry's buddies. Ponyboy and I were the youngest and we were about as close as you and I are now. But one day...I said that I didn't want to be a greaser. I mean, who could blame me? I thought that my parents wouldn't hate me as much if we weren't greasers. But the gang didn't like that idea and started to yell at me. Me not being able to take it, I ran out of the house and hitched a train. It went all the way to Jersey and I ran to the park. But when Lucille and Isaac asked for my name...I didn't want to be known as Johnny Cade anymore so I told them that it was Daniel."

I finished and glanced over at Johnny. "Why don't we go to the park Daniel, get some fresh air?" I nodded slowly. "Sounds like a plan to me."