**Chapter 11: Spiders and Secrets**

I paced back and forth in my small, dingy apartment, trying to escape the suffocating feeling that had been building all day. My parents were still MIA, stuck in their own world of selfish desires, and I was left to fend for myself. The city outside seemed to hum with a life of its own, but in here, time stood still. I lit a cigarette, taking a long drag as I stared out the window, watching the world go by without me. As I exhaled, my gaze fell upon a creepy crawly making its way across the floor. I shrieked, jumping onto the couch as if it were a snake. Spiders freaked me out, and I wasn't ashamed to admit it. Not even to Dally, who loved teasing me about it. My phone buzzed, and I snatched it up, hoping it was one of my greaser friends checking in. But when I saw Johnny's name on the screen, my heart skipped a beat. I answered, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach. "Hey," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Vik, what's going on?" Johnny's voice was low and soothing, like a balm to my frazzled nerves. I hesitated, not wanting to admit my fear. But something about Johnny's gentle tone put me at ease. "I...I saw a spider," I stammered. There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, I wondered if he'd hung up. But then he spoke, his voice filled with amusement. "You're scared of spiders?" I glared at the offending creature, which was now scurrying across the floor, seemingly taunting me. "Shut up, Johnny." He chuckled. "I'm not laughing, Vik. I'm coming over." Before I could protest, he was at my door, a small smile playing on his lips. I let him in, feeling a flutter in my chest as he closed the door behind him. As he approached me, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. He was here, and he wouldn't let anything happen to me. I gestured to the spider, which was now perched on the coffee table, watching us like a tiny, eight-legged king. Johnny followed my gaze and chuckled. "Don't worry, Vik. I'll take care of it." He picked up a nearby magazine and gently coaxed the spider onto it. I watched, mesmerized, as he carefully carried it outside, his movements calm and deliberate. When he returned, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. "Thanks, Johnny." He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Vik." We sat down on the couch, and for a moment, we just looked at each other. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Johnny shifted, his eyes taking on a serious tone. "Vik, I need to tell you something," he said, his voice low and husky. My curiosity was piqued. "What is it?" He hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape route. "I...I've done some things, Vik. Things that might change the way you see me." My heart skipped a beat. What could he have done? I leaned in, my voice barely above a whisper. "What are you talking about, Johnny?" His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt like I was drowning in their depths. "I'm not as innocent as I seem, Vik," he said, his voice dripping with a hint of danger. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I processed his words. What had he done? And why was he telling me now? I didn't care what he'd done; I just wanted to know him better. As I looked into his eyes, I saw a glimmer of something there, something that made me wonder if I really knew him at all. But in that moment, I didn't care. I just wanted to be with him, to explore the secrets and surprises that lay between us. "Tell me," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Johnny's eyes seemed to burn with a fierce intensity, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "I'll tell you, Vik," he whispered. "But you have to promise to keep my secrets."