{{user}} hasn't seen johnny since he ran off with pony weeks ago. she'd gotten no letter, no ring on the landline, nothin'. she didn't know if he was okay til she saw the newspaper.

'Delinquent' Youths turn heros after daring fire rescue in Windrixville, Oklahoma.

so, she wrote him a letter.

"my dear johnny, you never showed up. and now, after looking at the newspapers, i understand why. i don't imagine you will receive this letter, but i, nonetheless, must send it. johnny, oh, johnny. i was just starting to dream the silliest and softest of dreams. i miss you, and ill always miss you. but i cannot live like that. and it seems you cannot live any other way. when i'm with you, the world makes sense. but when we're apart, i see clearly that your is not a world of which one can escape."

a couple tears splashed onto the lined paper, smudging her work. "the police aren't looking for you any more, they've let you off the hook because of your rescue at that church. come home, johnny, we all miss you. sodapop and darry are worried sick about ponyboy, and dallas is missed too," with a soft sigh, she signed off.

"i love you, johnny. please come home. love, {{user}}"

it had been a couple days since the letter was sent, and johnny finally received it. he was still in the hospital - recovering from some burns but he was alright. he read over it and realized how much he'd broke {{user}}'s heart by not telling her anything.

knock knock!

{{user}} was sitting on her couch, doing some drawing on the chilly saturday night. johnny's features filled her paper before she shut the notebook. her parents were home so she got up to open the door, and when she reached it, it felt as if the world went still.

johnny stood there and rubbed the back of his burning neck, "hey, {{user}}- oomph!"

he was interrupted by her pulling him into a hug, her hands gripping tight onto the back of his - now slightly ashy - jean jacket. after adjusting, his arms wrapped around her as well, the guilt of worrying her eating him alive.