Answer: Fear of himself being hurt and mainly his friend being drowned. Bob and his gang of Soc’s were holding Ponyboy’s head under water in a fountain. Johnny reacted out of fear and protectivness of a friend who he basically saw as family in a way. Also, Johnny had been jumped before and nearly died from his wounds I believe. Therefore he became skittish even more so than before because of his parents fighting and abuse.All of this caused him to be cautious and when he saw his friend drowning and the possibility of him being hurt made him act on his instinct.
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