It'd been a whole two weeks since my step-dad was arrested, something that got me and my mother both pretty relieved. No more moving. We were going to stay right where we were, and that meant I could still see my friends. Well, more so Ponyboy than the rest of the Greasers. You could say I was much closer to Ponyboy than anyone else, and mostly because we related so much and we hung out an awful lot. Sometimes, we even watch the sunset together on some old bridge. It's peaceful, and I like to sit there next to him and watch the sun sink in the sky. Sometimes, I get real close to him, and lay my head on his lap. He lets me do that, and I let him let me. If that makes any sense at all.

So, I ain't the best writer, or speller, but Ponyboy has taught me a good bit of it, since, you know, he's wantin' to be an author and all. Anyways, about two weeks after my dad was arrested, I was over at Pony's for dinner. Darrel had invited me over; see how I was doing and all. Me and Ponyboy were sittin' in his and Soda's room, well; really we were sittin' out on a little bench outside their window. We'd climbed through the window to get there. We were talking about a bunch of different stuff in clumps of conversation, because both of us ain't so good at making small talk.

"So, what happened to that one kid? What's his name that took you to that Soccy party and all?" Ponyboy asked me, taking a rock and throwing it across the side yard. "I remember you coming over that night all upset, but I don't know what happened. You don't talk to him no more." I looked over at him and shrugged my shoulders, looking down at my feet and kicking some stones.

"Nothing, really. I just realized that Soc's ain't who I need to be hangin' with, ya' know? I like sticking with my own kind. Greasers are way more trustworthy." I explained to him, not wanting to mention the kiss that me and the boy had shared that night. Really, I didn't want Pony to think I was interested in anyone else, because…he was who I liked. I'd liked him since I met him. He was different than other people. Ponyboy was more understanding, sweet, and boy was he cute, with his hair all greased back, nice and neat and all. But, I didn't think he liked me all too much as more than a friend, because he was always staring at that stupid, Cherry Valance.

"Oh, well, I'm glad you don't hang out with him anymore." He said, and I thought he would say more, but he didn't. Smiling a little, I stood up and brushed off my pants. He was glad I wasn't hanging out with that Soc, because…he was jealous of that Soc, maybe? Doubtful, but I hoped.

"We best go see if dinner's done." That was how our conversations were. We said a few things on the subject, and then the other changed the subject. Unless we started talking about Ponyboy's old friends, Johnny Cade and Dallas Winston. The two that died not too long ago. He had lots to say about those two. I could tell they were pretty close. Ponyboy stood up next to me, brushing his own jeans off and nodding, running his comb through his hair once or twice.

"Alright. I guess it should be done by now. But, who knows with Soda cookin'." He joked, grinning and slipping back through the bedroom first, with myself following behind. Ponyboy led me from his bedroom to the kitchen, where the table was set straight in the middle due to little space in the small little house. I was surprised the first time I walked in three boys could live in the small house, and parents with them before that.

Sodapop was just finishing with the burgers, and I helped Ponyboy set the table so Darry didn't have to worry about it. I had heard that Darry'd been in a fight, and he was still cooling off from it, so I thought I'd help as much as I could. I reached up towards a cabinet, trying to grab a few glasses from the top, but I was a tad too short. Ponyboy came up behind me, reaching up and taking down four glasses. It made me feel a little warm, having him so close to me right then, but I hid it well by ducking under his raised arm and sitting down at the table where it was normally empty.

"Hey, Scout." Darry said, coming from his room with just jeans on and sitting down at the table across from me. I waved my hand casually, smiling slightly to be polite.

"Hey Darry. But, you know, you didn't have to invite me over. I know how you guys are having trouble with the budget; I don't want to be an extra mouth to feed and all." I mumbled, glancing down at my plate and looking at him through my bangs. He just shrugged, waiting for Soda to put the food on his plate.

"No, it's alright Scout. You're always welcome. Just like any of the other guys." He told me, though only gave a polite smile back my way. I knew that was how Darry was. He didn't have to much emotion to show, because he tried to hide it a good bit of the time. Ponyboy had explained this to me a few weeks ago. I believed him, since he lived with the guy and all he must know a bit more about him than I did. Ponyboy filled three of the glasses with chocolate milk, and the other with water for Darry. The chocolate milks were for him, me, and Soda. After everyone had sat down we started to eat.

"So, Soda, I heard that…what's her face wasn't really…with child." I said, hesitating a bit before deciding on what to say for the last few words. I wasn't good with serious talk, but I tried to be when I was talking around Darry. That guy was as serious as the color brown. Sodapop lifted his head, his chewing slowing and placed his burger on his plate. Darry's head shot up and he narrowed his eyes on Scout.

"What are you talking about? Who was 'with child' in the first place?" He asked, also dropping his burger on his plate. Soda swallowed and jumped up from the table, coughing.

"Excuse me," He said and hurried out of the door. I felt kind of bad for bringing it up, because I truly thought Darry had known as well! It wasn't my fault, but I still felt terrible now. Darry stood, following his brother out the door and leaving me and Pony alone at the table.

"I'm real sorry, Pony, I thought Darry kn-"

"That's alright. I know you didn't know. Don't worry about it, Soda'll understand." Ponyboy assured me, smiling and continuing to eat his burger. I didn't know how he could be so calm about it.

"But, Ponyboy, won't Darry yell at Soda now…for not telling him?" Ponyboy shook his head, taking a long sip of his chocolate milk and wiping his mouth.

"Darry never yells at Soda. He only yells at me." He told me, shrugging nonchalantly and moving to take his plate to the sink when it was empty. I threw the rest of my burger away, not really having the appetite for it tonight, and put my plate with Pony's.

"Oh, come on. I'm sure that ain't true." I rolled my eyes in disbelief, leaning against the counter and looking over at him. Ponyboy nodded his head, though shrugged again like it didn't bother him.

"Yeah, it's true. But, it don't bother me none anymore. I'm used to it," He nudged me to the door with a small shove. "Come on, I'll walk you home." He grabbed his brown, leather jacket, which I had figured out used to be Dallas Winston's before he had died, and put it over his shoulders as he took me outside the front of his house. I shouldn't have felt so giddy, because Ponyboy always walked me home when I came over, but this time I did. Boy, I hated how I felt. My crush for Ponyboy grew every time I saw him.

"Alright. So, uh, hey. My mom is having some friends over tonight. They might get drunk. If it gets to crazy, can you leave your window open for me? I'll just sleep on the floor or somethin', since Darry don't want me on the couch anymore." I asked a bit timidly, not wanting to invade on any plans he had for tonight. Maybe fantasizing about Cherry Valance, I thought bitterly.

"Of course I will Scout. You don't even have to ask. Just tell me to leave it open." Ponyboy grinned down at me, his hands shoved in his jacket pockets. Man, he looked so cute like that. Especially with that grin of his. It got my heart thumping.