࣪ ˖ 𖦹°⋆ cornerstone - johnny cade
-chapter 2 | crumbling walls
johnny hadn’t meant to follow you home. he’d just started walking, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes on the sidewalk like always. you just happened to be going the same way. that’s what he told himself at least.
you’d looked back and asked if he was following you. he wasn’t. not really. he just didn’t like the idea of a girl like you walking alone at night. not in this part of town. not when he knew what could happen.
but when you disappeared through the doors of your apartment complex, it took him a minute to move again.
still, he noticed the way your smile had looked under the streetlight, quick, and a little nervous.
he’d walked home that night. kicking trash into the gutter, air cold enough to bite. but after arriving to find his parents arguing he settled on the lot instead.
he’d seen a lot of people pass through this town but something about you felt different.
“glory, she cleaned up nice,” johnny said with a sigh.
“think she’s ready for the road,” steve replied, grinning and patting the car like it was a kid.
the car had been a project steve and johnny were working on after johnny’s dad left the thing to rot, and now he had a ride for himself.
the bell above the DX door chimed as you pushed it open. the sun was setting and the golden hue poured in through the windows. you’d needed some gas. or at least that’s what you told yourself. that’s was true. mostly.
soda was behind the counter, rag slung across his shoulder, stupid grin on his face like always. “well, look who it is,” he said dragging out the words like he already knew why you were here. in all honesty, he 100% knew. who else comes in for gas and a new car problem every few days for a month straight? but in the end it paid off because you could tell johnny was warming up to you.
you forced a casual smile but your eyes betrayed you. looking past soda and into the garage to find johnny underneath a beat-up ford. he didn’t look up right away but when he did you felt it. it was sharp and quick before he rolled under the car again.
“yeah. and uh, my brakes are giving me a hard time.”
“course it has,” he grabbed your keys and called out. “johnny, give me a hand.”
he rolled out from underneath the ford and walked over, movements clipped like he’d rather be anywhere else.
you leaned on your car to talk to sodapop. his easy jokes, light teasing, the kind of conversation that filled the air without effort. you couldn’t help but wish that between you and johnny.
he didn’t say a word, just glanced at you once like looking too long might burn him.
soda noticed. of course he did. his grin turned sly as he leaned against the counter. “y’know, we’re havin’ a little get-together tonight over at the house. nothin’ fancy burgers, beer, the usual idiots hangin’ around. you should come.”
you blinked. “uh…well my cars gonna be at the shop.”
soda’s eyes flicked between you and johnny, and that grin grew into something downright mischievous. “well, lucky for you, johnny boy here’s headin’ there in a bit. ain’t that right?”
johnny stiffened, like soda had shoved him into a corner. “i guess,” he muttered, not looking up.
soda tossed the rag over his shoulder. “perfect. problem solved.”
you laughed under your breath. “you sure? i don’t wanna bother anyone.”
“you won’t,” soda said, already walking back behind the counter. “you’re practically family at this point. plus, someone’s gotta keep johnny from brooding himself into the pavement.”
ohnny shot him a look. soda only raised his brows like he’d hit a nerve on purpose.
when johnny was done checking your brakes, he handed the keys to soda. “they’re fine. just worn. i’ll fix ‘em.”
his voice was low, steady, but there was a tension threaded through it.
you swore you saw his eyes flick down to your mouth then back up to your eyes so fast you almost thought you imagined it. “thanks,” you said, trying not to sound as flustered as you felt.
you were leaning against the curb of your apartment building when the low rumble of johnny’s car broke through your thoughts.
johnny stopped the car beside you, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the drivers side door.
“get in,” he said simply.
you slid into the seat, the door closing with a heavy click. the car smelled like him, cigarettes and denim.
the first block or so was filled with silence. despite going to the DX every few days to “get gas” which was your way of saying, get all the info you can about johnny, you still couldn’t think of a single thing to talk about.
you stole glances at him. his fingers tapping against the wheel in a rhythm, eyes fixed on the road.
“does soda usually make you drive people around or am i just special?” you finally say, trying to keep your tone light.
that earned you a small huff or laugh. you couldn’t quite tell him it was there. “you’re just special, i guess.”
the comment made your heart skip a beat before silence washed over you to again. although, this time it wasn’t an awkward silence. it was the comfortable kind.
the wind slipped through the window, rustling your hair and letting fresh air in. johnny glanced at you, his gaze lingered long enough that you got worried that he would crash the car.
“you keep starin’ and i’ll think there’s something on my face,” you teased.
his lips twitched. “maybe there is.”
you laughed and he looked away quickly but you swore his ears turned pink.
the curtis house came into view sooner than you wanted to. but even hours would feel too soon when you were with him.
he pulled over but didn’t turn off the engine straight away. the world outside was loud. laughter, sizzling food, voices. but inside the car it was quiet.
“c’mon. they’ll be thinking we eloped to mexico or something.”
