The night was quiet except for the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. You and Johnny lay side by side on an old, worn blanket spread out in the empty lot. The stars above were bright, scattered like tiny diamonds across the dark sky.

Johnny let out a long sigh, his hands resting behind his head. "It's kinda funny, y'know," he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of sadness and wonder.

"What is?" you asked, turning your head to look at him.

"How the stars are always there," he murmured. "Even when the world feels like it's fallin' apart. They just... stay."

You bit your lip, sensing the weight behind his words. "Yeah," you said quietly. "It's like they don't care about all the stuff we're going through. They're just there, shining, no matter what."

Johnny nodded, his gaze fixed on the sky. "Sometimes I wish I could be like that. Just... stay out of all the mess. Not feel so... broken."

The vulnerability in his voice made your chest ache. "You're not broken, Johnny," you said gently. "You're one of the strongest people I know. Even with everything you've been through, you keep going."

He turned his head to look at you, his dark eyes filled with an emotion you couldn't quite place. "You think So?"

"I know so," you said firmly. "You're here, aren't you? That's proof enough." J ohnny smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You've been through a lot too," he said after a moment. "Sometimes I think you get it more than anyone else."

You looked away, your throat tightening. "Maybe I do. But I think... maybe that's why we're here, Johnny. To remind each other we're not alone."

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The silence wasn't heavy or awkward-it was comforting, like the stars were listening to the words you couldn't say out loud.

"You're a good friend, y'know," Johnny said softly, his voice almost a whisper.

You smiled, blinking back tears. "You are too, Johnny. And no matter what, I'm here for you."

As the night wore on, the two of you stayed there, the world feeling less heavy.