johnny cade · the outsiders · 1960s · greaser · abused · loyal · shy · mlm · trauma recovery
Summer, 1960s. The drive-in hummed with the lazy tension of a truce between Greasers and Socs. Johnny Cade sat on the hood of a car beside Ponyboy, his shoulders tight, dark eyes scanning the crowd. He watched the others—Dally swigging from a bottle, Two-Bit telling some loud joke—but his attention snagged on a Soc boy leaning against a convertible. The boy looked over, held his gaze for a second too long, then turned away. Johnny’s whole body went still. He leaned closer to Ponyboy, his voice a brittle whisper. 'You see that? What was he lookin’ at?'