Ponyboy POV

Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders. *Sob*

A/N: Thanks to Underworld Chick and Biblicalforte for reviewing! *Gives out mugs of hot cocoa to go with candy canes!*

Stone Heart

Chapter 6

I leaned forward and kissed her. It was impulse. Her shell had cracked and for a few minutes she had seemed so small. The moment our lips touched, Tori tensed. Then, for a few seconds, she kissed me back. The forest had gone silent. That's when she punched me. I heard my jaw crack, but I didn't think it was broken. Tori's eyes were wild and crazed. "I'm sorry" She whispered. She turned and ran. Tori was gone. I knew where she was heading too. Tori was going back to New York because I had hurt her. I looked up and could barely see the sky through the canopy of the trees. The birds started singing again. I rubbed my jaw and started to run back towards the house. I quietly pushed the back door open. The house was silent which meant both Soda and Darry were still asleep. I walked into the living room to find Tori's stuff gone. I knew she would go, but I just hoped she would come back. I walked into the kitchen. On the counter was a scrawled note. It read, I'm Sorry... I just... I can't... Just give me some time to think... I bowed my head in guilt.

Suddenly, the floor creaked and Sodapop walked in. "Watcha reading?" He asked. I slid the note across the counter to him. "But. You guys looked like you were getting along pretty well." Soda said, obviously confused. I shook my head. "Not exactly." I told him, "But she told me her story. It's not something that's pleasant to hear." Soda nodded and spotted the plate of eggs that Tori had failed to finish. He took the plate and put it in the microwave. "You're really nice. Some girl runs back to New York after staying with us and all you worry about is the scrambled eggs she failed to finish." I said as I tossed the bottle of ketchup to Soda. He laughed and stirred ketchup into the steaming eggs. I rolled my eyes and glanced at the clock. It was only ten. Both Soda and I heard a door slam. Darry was up. Darry walked groggily into the kitchen, cracking his knuckles. "Where'd Tori go?" He asked, walking towards the fridge. Soda tossed him the note. Darry read it slowly and put it down. "She just left a little while ago." I said. Darry raised one eyebrow. "I guess I don't have to hunt her down and kill her." He said while rummaging through the fridge. Soda laughed and continued eating the eggs.

The door slammed open and in walked Two-Bit and Steve. "Hey, where'd the bitch go?" Steve asked as Two-Bit threw himself onto the couch. "She left." Sodapop replied simply, throwing the TV remote at Two-Bit. He caught it and the television flickered on. "What a loss." Steve said, sarcastically. The cut on his cheek had already healed. "Do you think she'll come back?" I asked Darry. "If I was basing my assumption off of the note she left, then yes. If I was basing off of what I know about Tori Winston, then no. There's a 50-50 chance." Darry replied, looking me up and down. "Thanks. That really helped." I said, sarcastically. I shook my head and walked out the front door. Darry followed me out. "What's wrong, Pone?" Darry asked. I looked around and made sure that no one was watching. "I'm the reason she left." I answered, "Tori told me what had happened to her and I did something stupid. She just seemed so lost and helpless and I kissed her. I should've known better, but it was impulse. I scared her so that's why she's going back New York." Darry nodded slowly and put a hand on my shoulder. "In that case, I think she's coming back." He said, looking off into the distance. "What?" I asked. "Tori's not going to let us think that we scared her off. She thinks she's much too badass for something like that." Darry said, smiling. I nodded and smiled back. "I think I love her Dar." I said, my smile slipping slightly. Darry nodded. "Just be careful. That girl's got a heart of stone." He said.

We both walked back inside. Steve was sitting in front of the couch along with Sodapop. Two-Bit was still sprawled out on the couch. They were watching Mickey Mouse cartoons. I laughed and walked back into the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of milk. Darry came in and sat on the counter, facing the television. "How many times is this one gonna be on?" He asked to no one in particular while staring at the television. Nobody was worried that Tori was gone. Steve was glad as far as I knew. Suddenly, the phone rang. I hurried over to answer it, hoping that it was Tori. Instead, it was Cherry on the line. "Hi. This is Cherry Valance. Is Ponyboy there?" Cherry said. "Speaking" I replied. "Oh! Hey, Ponyboy! I was wondering if you wanted to go see Planet of the Apes with me in an hour? Sorry for the short notice, but my other friends bailed on me!" Cherry said, enthusiastically. "Um... Hold on one moment." I told her. I covered the mouthpiece of the phone with my hand. "Hey Darry!" I called. Darry turned towards me, "What?" "Can I go see Planet of the Apes at 11:30?" I asked. "Yeah sure..." Darry said, slowly, "But now that you mention it, I'd like to see that one as well." I groaned because I knew what was next. "You guys want to see Planet of the Apes?" Darry called to the boys in the living room. He got a garbled response which meant yes. I went back to my phone conversation. "Yeah, I can come." I said to Cherry. "Great!" She exclaimed, "I'll meet you at the theatre in an hour!" She hung up.

I punched Darry's shoulder. "Thanks a lot." I said, smiling. I walked away to get changed. After changing and carefully greasing my hair back, we spent the next hour watching cartoons. Darry hopped down from the counter. "Come on guys or we'll miss the movie" He said, loudly. We all leapt up and followed him out the door. Within minutes we were at the theatre. I took a seat next to Cherry while the boys found a row in the front. The lights dimmed and the movie began.

A/N: *Stares* Ok, so I didn't think it was that great, but please R&R! Anyways, check out Zoe and I's Facebook page, Underworld Chick and scorchclaw1. If 30 people like our page there will be an art contest! So head on over to Facebook and check us out!

PS. Next chapter is going to be somewhat short, but I think (hope) it's good!