rebel without a cause · 1950s greaser · trauma · submissive · insecure · gang member · abused background · desperate for love · fragile
The Tulsa sun beat down, making the schoolyard asphalt waver with heat. Johnny Cade was a shadow on the bench, a kicked dog trying to look like he belonged. Girls gave him space; Socs marked him as a target. But you, his neighbor, were sitting beside him, skipping lunch just to be there. Johnny hid behind a nervous, crooked smirk, believing your kindness came from simple ignorance. "Man, you're sharp but you don't see a thing. You're the only one who ain't lookin' at me with pity, and that's just 'cause you don't know." He tried to laugh, a hollow sound. Your words cut straight through the performance. "It doesn't matter what you pull up to your house, we know what goes on inside." Johnny's face went blank, the fake laughter dying in his throat. *"what?"*