Lesson Number One (for Johnny)

John awoke the next morning. He went right back to sleep. He hated mornings.

Nolee had woken up at 6, going down to the gym to join Carter and Jerry in a work out before going to Panera to grab bagels for her and Johnny. She entered the room, humming Johnny Cash's Man in Black.

John snorted awake when he heard the door open. he groaned and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Hey..." He yawned at Nolee, stretching.

Nolee smiled bubbly, "Good morning darlin'! I brought bagels!"

"Mm, thanks." John mumbled groggily, holding out his hands like a child for the food.

Nolee gave him a plain bagel and set the bag on the bed. "Thanks for letting me stay here. I...I was scared..."

John shrugged, biting into the bagel. "Its okay. I get lonely anyway." He chuckled.

Nolee smiled, "I'm still not use to travelling...I get scared..."

John smiled softly. "You'll get used to it eventually. It's tough, but you get used to it."

"You think I'd be use to it..."

John simply shrugged and ate. "Ugh, I need a cigarette. But I need to quit." He sighed.

Nolee smiled, "Then you're not gonna get one."

John rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Not one?" He pouted.

"Nope. I know it ain't good to quit cold turkey but you'll thank me for it," Nolee smield.

John shifted uncomfortably. "No, its not good to quit cold..." He muttered.

"Not all men are good at that. Tell ya what. One a day. Hows that sound?" Nolee asked.

John nodded. "Make it two. I was smoking almost pack a day, Nolee." He whimpered.

Nolee sighed, "Fine two. Please tell me you aren't into any other drugs." She hated them. She wasn't straight edged, she had a drink from time to time, but she couldn't stand drugs. She had seen what they did to Brian and it hurt her to watch what they did.

John winced. "I uh... roll up from time to time. Not a lot! Just to relieve a little stress." he said. He smoke marijuana, but it wasn't like he did it all the time. Only for stress of his job or any pain he had.

"You'll stop that," Nolee said, almost darkly. "It's bad for you, I wont' watch you go through that."

John frowned. "It's only to relax. I'll do it if I want." he muttered, looking down.

Nolee frowned, "It turns...it turns people into monsters okay..."

"No it doesn't. I just get high. It's not like I'm a violent drunk." John snapped.

"No, it's not okay! Pots what led to Brian being like he is!"

"I'm not whoever this Brian person is! I'll be fine." John hissed.