Johnny's Little Sister (A Ponyboy Curtis Love Story)

Chapter 31

When we got back to the Curtis house all the boys helped with the tree. I just sat on the counter and watched them. They stood it up and let it adjust to the room while I helped them do some other decorating. Most of the decorations were in the basement so cold air was engulfing the living room. I walked over to Ponyboy to help him with the bucket he just opened. I glanced over his shoulder to see a figurine set. I think it was of Jesus when he was first born with all the barn animals and the shepherds. He sighed in sadness then looked up at me. “These were my mother’s before she died. Every year she would argue with Dad so she could set them up.” Pony smiled slightly at the memory. I kneeled down next to him and pulled him into a small hug. I released him from my grip. “You wanna set them up?” I asked softly. He nodded, “Yea, I’d like that.” I smiled at him as I grabbed a couple boxes along with him and followed him to the banister above the fire place they never use. I let him boss me around a little telling me where to put the ceramic figures because I knew this was important to him. Once we were done Pony and I stepped back and Soda and Darry came over to look. Soda patted our heads. “Good job guys.” He said smiling. “Thanks.” Pony answered for both of us. “Darry,” Dal said coming over to us, “the lights and stuff for the tree are in the attic.” “Yea, so?” He asked. “Well nobody can fit, our shoulders are too big.” He said and that’s when everyone in the room looked at me. “Oh, no I am not climbing in the cold attic alone, I’ll freeze to death.” I said and backed up from everyone. “Come on Jennie, it will only be for a couple minutes.” Johnny said. “Yes, says the boy who once forgot I was still in the attic and shut the hatch and didn’t notice until three hours later.” I said and walked into the kitchen. “I said I was sorry and that was years ago.” Johnny said following me. I heard the gang snickering behind him. “He locked you in the attic?” Two-Bit asked. “Yes, and I nearly froze to death.” I said looking at Johnny. “Okay, fine I screwed up I know that, but how ‘bout this. They don’t let me be in charge of the door.” He said and I nodded. “I’m still not going up there.” I said and Johnny pushed Ponyboy forward. “What makes you think I can convince her?” He asked turning to him. “You’re her boyfriend that should be easy for you.” Johnny said. “Johnny, you know as much as I do that she’s as stubborn as a mule.” Pony said then looked at me. “You know I love you.” He said and I chuckled. “Just try, I may be her brother but I can never get her to do anything.” Johnny said. I loved how they were having this conversation right in front of me. “Fine.” Ponyboy sighed then turned to me. He was about to speak when I held up my hand. “Save you breath and effort, I am not going in the attic.” I said and turned around to grab a drink from the fridge. “I can solve this.” I heard Dal say then I felt his arms wrap around my waist as he lifted me up. “Dallas put me down!” I shouted as he walked out of the kitchen. “Someone go open the hatch.” He ignored me. “I hate you all.” I said and pointed at all of them. I tried to pry his arms off me, but it didn’t do anything. “I will get you all back.” I said in a low tone. Dal lifted me up into the attic and I swear it was below freezing up there. And get this the way they were talking I thought it was just a couple of bags that were gonna be near the hatch that would take me five minutes, but no. I was up there for nearly an hour looking for the lights and ornaments. When we got home I had taken off my shoes, vest, and beanie so I was left in my socks, jeans, and shirt. My teeth were chattering and I am pretty sure my whole body was covered with goose bumps. I brought another bag over to the hatch to a waiting Johnny. “Hey Jen, wait here for a second.” He said, “Hey Darry how many bags are you waiting on?” Johnny asked. “Just one, the one you’re holding is the last one Johnny.” Darry replied and Johnny put the bag down and held up his arms. “Come on you’re gonna freeze if you stay up there.” He said and I stuck my legs through and jumped down. “To l-late I’m al-already fr-fr-frozen.” I said through chattering teeth. Johnny held me against his chest. “So you don’t get cold being out in the snow but you’re cold being in an attic.” He said and I nodded. “You sure are strange, Jen.” He said and I chuckled. Ponyboy came over to us and saw me freezing and his eyes lit up. He went into our room then walked back out with a blanket. He wrapped it around my shoulders and I pulled it tight around my body. I walked over to the couch and Soda handed me a mug of hot chocolate. “It’s like the day I first met y’all.” I said and smiled. “That’s how I thought of the blanket.” Pony said sitting next to me. He put his arm around my shoulder and I leaned against him. “Hey Darry, where’s the angel for the top of the tree?” Soda asked digging through bags. “We had to get rid of it last year remember, it fell off the tree and broke.” Darry answered. “If you want Jennie, can run back to our house and get our angel.” Johnny said and I looked at him. “Why me?” I asked. “Because you deal with cold better than I do.” Johnny responded. I sighed, “Fine, I will.” I got my boots, hat, and vest from the other room. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.” I said and walked out the door. I was always looking around me to see if there were any Socs around. Thank god there weren’t. I forgot my blade at Pony’s house. It was a slim chance I would see any, they were actually kind of nice this time of year. Key word: kind of. I got to my house no problem and, along with the tree angel, I decided to grab a few other things while I was there, like my small makeup bag, more of my beanies, I swear I have too many of those, and a couple sweat shirts and my old beat up leather jacket. I stuffed it all into a backpack and threw it over my shoulder. I locked the door and began to walk back to Pony’s. I was thinking about Christmas presents for the boys. I had been saving up all year, I wasn’t really sure what for but I had enough to buy something for everyone. I was about half way to Pony’s when I felt the urge to look behind me. I turned my head to see a red mustang trailing me. I walked faster keeping my head forward. Maybe they didn’t see me. I heard the car speed up. Yup they saw me. They pulled in front of me and climbed out. There were five of them, who all surrounded me. I was scared to death; this is the first time I have ever been jumped, who knows what they could do to me. I’m screwed.