King of New York - Newsies

I wake up a few hours later to Ponyboy shaking me gently. My eyes open slowly and I see him, instantly burying my face back into his blankets.

"Johnny c'mon, Darry finished supper. You can eat and then go right back to sleep, I promise," Ponyboy says softly. "Please get up, for me?"

I look up at him to see him using puppy eyes and he pokes his bottom lip out. He looks like he was about to cry.

"Fine," I whine out. "Your lucky I like you..."

"Aw, how sweet Johnny? You like me," he teases. "I oughta just kiss you."

My face heats up and I know that I resemble a cherry. He smirks softly at me.

"Someone's awful red," he teases softly.

My face burns more and I get out of bed, fidgeting with the sleeves of his sweater. Ponyboy grabs my hand and intertwined our fingers, leading me to the kitchen.

I put my head down, hoping my face turns to normal color and it stops burning. We stop walking and I look up, seeing Darry.

I couldn't help but stare... He was just so tall and scary looking.

Ponyboy squeezes my hand and I snap out of my trance, shaking my head slightly. I bite my lip lightly and look back at the floor.

"Go set down in the living room Johnny and I'll bring you your food," Ponyboy says to me.

He lets go of my hand and my body suddenly felt so empty, nothing was there to keep me safe... I make my way over to the couch in the living room and take a seat, shifting slightly.

A few minutes later, Ponyboy came out with what looked like pizza. He sets a plate down in front of me and smiles, placing his plate on his lap and instantly digging in.

I stare down at my plate for a moment before grabbing it. Slowly, I eat and set my plate back down, hesitantly resting my head on Ponyboy's shoulder.

"You comfy there Johnny," I hear Soda ask.

"U-uh huh," I murmur softly.

"May I ask a question," Ponyboy asks.

"G-go for it," I tell him.

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be long of New York," Ponyboy asks.

I turn to him and give him an odd look. He just grins at me and wraps an arm around his shoulder.

"Even if it were only for a minute, I could make some sort of difference. Maybe I could get us some more money to get the things we need... Have you ever though of that," Ponyboy asks.

"N-no actually... I-I haven't but it would be nice to get some money... M-maybe be able to afford some place to stay," I say softly.

"What do you mean by that," Ponyboy asks.

"O-oh, i-i uh... N-nothing," I murmur. "N-nothing at all."

"That doesn't sound like nothing Johnny.... Do you not have a place at all," Ponyboy asks me.

"I-I... I-I... N-no," I whisper softly. "I-I don't..."

"Oh Johnny... Why didn't you say something," Ponyboy asks.

"I-I didn't wanna bother you... Y-you and your brothers have already don't so much f-for me," I say. "I-I already can't repay you."

"Johnny you don't have to repay my bothers and I, we're happy to help you at anytime you need it," Ponyboy says. "You know that right?"

"Y-yeah but I don't want you wasting your money and time on m-me when you have better things to do," I say. "B-besides, it'll get better..."

Yeah, when you get enough money and you leave the only people who will probably ever care about you. You can't get attached anyway, he'll leave you soon enough...

"It's okay Johnny, you can stay with us until then," Ponyboy says happily. "I can help you get a job if you'd like?"

"I-I already have a job," I murmur.

"What do you do then," Ponyboy asks.

"I-I draw people and get paid for it... I-I'm too stupid for a job anywhere else," I tell him.

"You draw Johnny? Is that why you needed that bag so badly," Soda asks. "How much money do you make?"

"Y-yes, that's why and i-i make decent amount," I say. "E-enough to get by."

"Can I see one of your drawings," Ponyboy asks. "If you have any that is..."

"S-sure, I bought another sketch book after I saw mine was stolen... T-there should be a few drawings," I trail off.

I get up and look around, spotting my bag on the kitchen table. Walking over, I grab it and take it, sitting over next to Ponyboy on the couch.

Quickly, I pull my sketch book out of my bag and flip open to a page. I turn the book around and show him, looking down in embarrassment, knowing it wasn't one of my best pieces.

"I-it's not finished," I murmur softly.

"It doesn't have to be, that's absolutely amazing Johnny," Ponyboy praises. "Who is it supposed to be?"

"I-its uh... I-its supposed to be y-you," I say in almost a whisper. "A-after we met... T-that's why I looked at you so long... Y-you looked too handsome and i-i just had to draw you... P-please don't be mad?"

My face heats up and I put my head down more, hiding it behind my sketch book. A hand sifts through my hair softly and I peek up from behind my sketch book.

"Why would I be mad? I think that was real sweet of you to draw me. Do you think you could teach my how to draw like that," Ponyboy asks.

"O-of course Ponyboy," I say grinning. "I-it would be my pleasure to teach you."

"When do we start," Ponyboy asks excitedly.

"First thing tomorrow..."

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How was this?

And also, I love Newsies and I couldn't help myself 😂