The Storm!
"Alright boys!" said Darry excitedly as he pulled off our covers. "You three boys, the Matthews, and Emily, are going to live, by yourselves, in the country for a month!" Sodapop, Johnny, and I looked at each other confused. Sodapop opened his mouth but before he could even get a squeak out Darry stopped him, "No talkin' little man!"
We finally got to the countryside house where Two-Bit, Roxxy-kay, Stardrop, and Emily were waiting for us. "Darry- what's this gonna prove?" asked Johnny. "That your big brother Darry needs a break!" he chuckled. 'Well- this won't be too bad- I have my brother, my best friend, and my girlfriend, Star!' I thought. And Johnny's finally worked up the nerve to ask out Emmie- so… This was gunna be fun!
Darry basically threw us out the window and drove off. Stardrop walked over to me and I kissed her cheek- which made Two-Bit roll his eyes. He had no problem with me dating her-thank God- and neither did their mom. I told Stardrop what Johnny was gunna do and she said, "Aw! Oh my gosh! That's so cute!" You know- the normal girly stuff. Then she went over to Johnny, "She likes you- go ahead and ask her!"
"Emily!" Johnny half whispered half yelled. She looked over and he motioned her over. I had no clue what Johnny would do- considering he's never asked out a girl before. Star and I had already told the gang what was going on. And next thing we know were hootin' and hollorin' for Johnnycake- he kissed her... And they actually stayed like that for a while. I didn't get to see what happened next because Star pulled me over behind a big tree.
"Ponyboy- mind asking me out again?" she smiled. "Uh- what?" She rolled her eyes, "Be like Johnny- and be smart." I knew what she meant- But I never kissed no one before. "Come on, Pony! Don't make your own girlfriend BEG for a kiss!" She smirked. I couldn't resist! I crashed my lips into hers, and softly pushed her against the tree. She was smiling as she kissed me back.
Soon we parted and she was blushing. And then I heard a, "Way to go man!" By Two-Bit, and a pat on the back by Sodapop, and Johnnycakes. I did it...I actually KISSED a girl! (and she didn't slap me for it!)
I noticed as we were walking to the house that Sodapop, Two-Bit, Rox, Emmie and Johnny were walking away... I was carrying Stardrop on my back and she yelled right in my ear(ow), "Johnnycakes! Come here!" Johnny stopped surprised and turned around. "What? Why?" he asked as he came closer. Stardrop didn't answer. As soon as he got to us Stardrop called Sodapop over. "Sodapop- go tell Two-Bit, Emmie, and Roxxers that us four are gonna go out for a while," he went on and we sat down in the grass… Waiting for Sodapop is like waiting for a seahorse to come across the ocean.
Star had fallen asleep- It WAS pretty late. "What's it like having a girlfriend Ponyboy?" I looked down at Stardrop and back up at Johnny, "It's nice to have a girl with you. A girl you can trust not to be rude, snotty, or cheat," I smiled. Johnny looked at me, "I don't think I can trust Emmie not to be rude…" he laughed. "Did she even say yes?" I asked. "No… But she didn't say no either," I wanted to change the subject. I shook Stardrop to wake her up, "What are we even doing?" She smiled, "My mama took me out here when I was real small and showed me this beautiful place in the middle of the woods."
Johnny asked, "Why do you want to show it to us?" She scooted over to me, "'Cause you three are my best friends!" Man- Star's so cute it don't matter if she don't make no sense! I kissed Star on the cheek. Sodapop came trotting back, "Two-Bit said you better get his little sister back by tomorrow night!" he laughed. "That's my big brother!" giggled Star. We all stood up and she stretched. "Come on guys!" She called after us as we all started running into the woods. We ended up in a HUGE wooded area… A small river surrounded it. It was gorgeous! "Wow…" I said.
"When I was real little my mama told me not to tell ANYONE but the ones I trust most…And you three are the only ones I trust enough to hold my deepest secrets," she smiled. "This is a kingdom of magical things, of beauty and friendship, and power. Only the trusted can see through and can feel what only God feels…" she said throwing her arms in the air. "Yeah- I don't think I'm trusted…" joked Sodapop. "Soda…" said Stardrop. "Yes?" he replied. "Shut up," she smiled. We all laughed.
There's this tiny little gazebo. It's white with pink laces around it. Stardrop walked over to it and sat down. I followed her while Johnnycake and Sodapop were tryin' to catch fireflies. "This place is so…pretty!" I said sitting down next to her. See those lanterns in the trees?" she asked. "Go get one," she ordered. I went and got one and brought it back. "My mama told me when I think I've found the one I love to take a lantern off a tree and tell it who I love out loud," she said. "And if he's the one I REALLY love- the lantern will light up." She looked at me. "I'm almost positive I've found him."
She took the lantern and said, "Ponyboy Curtis" And I really hope her mom was right because the lantern lit up. She smiled, and so did I. I kissed her. It was quite and sweet until we heard, "Ponyboy and Stardrop sittin' in a tree…" from Sodapop, and, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G," from Johnny. Star smiled- "No- not in a 'tree' in a gazebo." I stood up, and so did she. "I thought you stopped carrying around lighters Pony!" said Johnny. Me and Stardrop told them about the lanterns. "You really did that?" asked Sodapop. Johnny came back with a two lanterns- "Here, in the first one say Dallas' name, and the second one say Pony's name." "Okay," she smiled and grabbed the first lantern, "Dallas Winston." Nothing. He handed her the second one, "Ponyboy Curtis," and it lit up.
Sodapop and Johnnycake were obviously shocked. "I didn't think my kid brother would find love before me! The MASTER!" said Sodapop in shock. "Ow!" said Star rubbing her head. "What happened?" I asked. "Somethin' real small- like a rock hit me in the- Ow!" she yelled. It was hail… This was bad… Johnny and Star BOTH are deathly afraid of storms… Soon enough it was raining, with a low rumble in the distance. Sodapop was rubbing Johnny's back but he seemed okay, but not Star. She held on to me and was shaking. "Was that thunder?" she asked. "Don't lie to me." I rubbed her back.