Chapter 10

The next morning, I told Ponyboy what my parents had said about him after he'd left.

"My mom 'loves you already'", I recapped, "And my dad said that he thinks you're trustworthy, smart, and you'll protect me".

"Oh, thank God", he sighed, "I was terrified that they'd hate me. Especially since you and your dad got in an argument over us dating when we first started going out."

"Trust me, it's a weight off my shoulders too."

Pony's eyes suddenly drifted downward.

"Ponyboy 'Middle-Name' Curtis", I reprimanded him, "I swear on all that is holy, if you are lookin' at my chest…"

His eyes suddenly widened and his ears went red, "No! I promise I wasn't lookin' there! I was looking at the necklace I gave ya. Have you even taken it off since I gave it to you?"

Relieved, I answered him, "Well, yeah. I take it off when I go to dance, when I sleep, and when I take a shower, but other than that, I'm always wearing it."

He smiled, "It's good to know that I got you a good gift, then, darlin'".

"I wouldn't have cared if you'd gotten me a necklace made of string. All that matters is that it's from you, hun."

"You're too sweet, Lily", he said with a smirk before giving me a kiss.

"And when you where threatening me", he started, "Did you call me 'Ponyboy "Middle-Name" Curtis'?

"Yes I did. I don't now your middle name, so I had to improvise".

Pony started to laugh which made me laugh.

"It's Michael", he said when he had finally calmed down, "You know mine, so now you have to tell me your's Lily 'Middle-Name' Smith".

"Grace. Lily Grace Smith", I admitted.

"I think it's beautiful", Pony said smiling and looking into my eyes, "Almost as beautiful as the girl the name was given to".

"Thank you, Pony", I thanked him bashfully, "But I'm not that pretty".

"Yes you are, darlin'!", he exclaimed, "You are beautiful."

"No I'm not", I argued, "Name one thing on me that is beautiful. I'd be surprised if you could find any more than that."

"I accept your challenge", he said.

"Then start", I said, not believing that he could come up with more than one.

Ponyboy stopped on the sidewalk and grabbed my arms, "Your hair. It is golden and long and frames your face beautifully. No matter how you style it, the sun glints off it and makes it look like a halo. Your smile. It's adorable and crooked and just you. I love watching you smile, especially if I'm the one that is causing it. It shows just how happy and loving of a person. Your lips. I love kissing them. Your hands, They are small and fit perfectly in mine. Your height. You're just tall enough that you don't have to crane your neck to see me. And you are just small enough for me to pick you up and spin you around. Your face. It shows exactly how you feel, When you read or when someone is telling you a story, your face is so expressive. Your eyes. Where to start with your eyes. When you are talking about something you love, they sparkle and shine. When you're mad, they hold fire in them. They are the most beautiful color I have ever seen, like chocolate. The corners of your eyes crinkle up when you laugh or smile and your eyes almost close. Your eyelashes frame your eyes perfectly. They are long and dark. After we kiss, your eyes show so much happiness and joy. And last, but certainly not least, your laugh. Your laugh is the most beautiful sound that I've ever heard in my whole life. It show just who much joy you have inside of you. It makes me so incredibly happy when you laugh. When I'm the one who made you laugh, I feel like just accomplished something in making you happy. You are beautiful, Lily, and never ever let anyone tell you differently."

At this point I was crying. Tears were rolling down my cheeks and onto my jacket. I jumped up into Ponyboy's arms and hugged him as tightly as I could. He just held me around my waist and squeezed me equally as tight.

"How'd I get so lucky that I found you?", I asked through tears.

"I could ask the same question, darlin'", he told me. His voice was comforting. My hand had started to run through the hair on the back of his head. It was stiff from all the grease in it.

"C'mon, now, darlin'. Ya gotta stop crying. We have to get to school", Pony whispered in my ear a before setting me down.

"It's a good thing I forgot to put on mascara this morning", I told him jokingly as I wiped my eyes with my sleeves.

"Goodness, Lily, you're turnin' into Two-Bit", he said with a smirk, "Next thing you know, you'll be stealing and drinkin' all the time. And you'll be 3 years behind in school."

"Oh, shut up", I laughed. I was luck that I wasn't one of those people whose face gets and stays red after they cry. Because if I was, I'd be screwed.

"Let's get to school", Pony said, starting to drag me along.

Nothing really happened at school that day. Nothing important, anyway.

It was about 5 o'clock when I got a call from the Curtis house.

"He did what now?!", I practically screamed through the receiver.

I could almost feel Sodapop flinch at my voice on the other end of the line, "He got jumped".

"How in God's name did he manage that?", I asked, my voice slightly calmer now.

"He went to see a movie alone at the movie house and was jumped while he was walkin' home", Soda told me with a sigh.

"Is he alright?", I questioned, concerned.

"Yeah, he's gonna be fine, Lily. One of the Socs pulled a blade on 'im. He's got a little cut on his neck, but he'll survive."

I sighed, "Well, tell Pony that I'll see him on Monday and that I hope he feels better soon."

"Will do, doll", Soda assured me. I could tell he was smirking.

With that I hung up and groaned. Damn Socs, I thought, Always jumpin' us.

Little did I know that I wouldn't be seeing Pony on Monday. Johnny either. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a long, exhausting road full of sadness, heartbreak, and loss. If only I knew. It would've stopped what was to come in it's tracks. But unfortunately, I'm not a fortune teller. If I was, I would've put the breaks on this entire thing before it even started.

I think y'all know what's going on now. This is the beginning of the end. Wow, I sound dramatic. Let me rephrase that. Right now is where the actual book "The Outsiders" essentially starts. Pony just got jumped. Now with what's to come, what's Lily going to do? How will she react? What's going to happen to her while Ponyboy and Johnny are gone? Keep reading to find out. Sorry this chapter was so short. I promise, once we get into the thick of things, they'll get longer again. I love y'all and stay gold! -AthenaRavenclaw13