Chapter 9

A/n: Everything seems to have calmed down quite a bit. You guys are the best! Let me tell you, I would have never gotten up so many chapters in one week had you guys left me hanging. Give yourselves a pat on the shoulder and treat yourself to a slice of chocolate cake with a glass of chocolate milk. By the way, after this week, I have off for Mardis Gras vactation. If you haven't realized it yet, I'm from South Louisiana. But anyway, I have a whole week off, so we decided to go up to Mississippi to see some of our friends up there. But it's in the middle of nowhere, and I get no internet service whatsoever. So this week, I'll update as much as I can to give you something to read. I'll also bring my iPad, in the special event that i do make a chapter, and get the service to post it. Love you all!

Ponyboy POV

I woke up with a start, the smell of carnations leaving my nose. That dream... it seemed so real. A funeral...what did it all mean.

"Hey Pony, you ok?" Katie said as she sat up. She looked so beautiful at that moment, hair slightly messy and falling over her shoulder while the moonlight made her glow a pale blue color.

"Yeah, just had a rough time sleeping is all." I said, and pulled her back down. She struggled and pushed herself back up.

"You sure? You were mumbling about flowers and a casket. Is something up?" She said. I couldn't help but start letting the tears fall down my face. I just couldn't. I sat up and began to wipe my eyes.

"I had a dream. It freaked me out. I don't really know, I saw a casket and white carnations with red tips. It wasn't like Mom and Dad's funeral at all though. The place was so fancy. But it scared the wits right outta me." I said as I sobbed a little. Who wouldn't be scared? You see a funeral and you think: 'Who's died? Who might die?'

"Shh... it's ok. I promise it's ok." She said as she wrapped her arms around me, and rocked us side to side for a while. I stopped crying after a few moments of silence.

"You wouldn't happen to know anyone who likes carnations like that, would you?" I asked her as I picked my head back up, and she kissed me softly.

"It's really funny that you mention carnations Pony, because my grandmother who passed away not long ago, and my friend who died from cancer...they both loved carnations. Especially ones that were tipped with red. Funny huh?" She said, and she started crying.

"Oh hey, what's wrong? Why're you cryin'?" I said in a panic. I don't like seeing girls cry, and to see my girl cry...well it's a heartbreaker.

"You see, I ran away because after they died, I saw so many things in town that reminded me of them, and I couldn't take the pain. I miss them, but we went everywhere in town. Being in my own room and bed killed me. I had two options to stop the pain, kill myself or run. I wanted to live a full life for them, so I ran. I ran until I couldn't run, and stopped at Dingo's. Next thing I know, I'm living with you and your brothers, who didn't hesitate to take me in. And you still kept taking in more people. I'm so lucky Pony...If Rin would have never put me in that booth with you..." She choked on her tears and began bawling really hard.

"Shh...you would still be here, you wouldn't have done anthing wreckless to get yourself hurt. You might not have known me, but you would still be here." I said as I held her close to my body. She shook as if there were small earthquakes hitting her on the inside, and she cried until my shirt was drenched in tears.

"Thing is Pony, if I would have never met you, I'd be long gone. I wouldn't have anything to live for. I need you more than what you know." She said as she squeezed me a bit tighter.

"I would have never guessed...Katie. My poor Katie...I love you so much, you know that? I would have just given up too. My parents are gone, my brothers and I didn't even have the time together after that. I felt alone in this world. I took Rin and Kyla in because I wanted to fill the void that was made in me. I took you and the others in for that reason too." I started crying with her. "Damnit, Katie. I love you! I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here." I said as I sniffled and let her go to wipe my eyes.

"Pony...I didn't realize you were hurting like me. All this time I thought that I was hurting all by myself, when truth of it all, we're all hurting in some way. I bet even Dallas hurts in his own way too." She said and she hung her head. "I feel so selfish.." she whispered.

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain." I said as I held her again. "But God did promise strength for that day, comfort for the tears and a light for the way." I said, and she held me.

"Everything's gonna be ok, huh Ponyboy?" She said and sniffled.

"Yeah. As long as your my Ponygirl, everything's gonna be ok." I said. I laid back down, and decided that it was time to go back to bed.

"Ponyboy, will you hold me?" Katie asked as she laid down.

"Sure." I said, and flung my arm around her.

"Promise to never let me go?" She asked as she turned over and snuggled close to my chest.

"I promise, Katie. I'll hold on forever..." and with that, I drifted off to sleep.

A/n: I would like to dedicate this chapter to greasy girl love. She is the girl behind Katie, and i thank her for helpingme with this story. If she hadn't accepted my offer to be in this story, well where on earth would we be? I know that this chapter is short, almost came face-to-face with another writer's block. Yikes! greasy girl love helped me with that too. Love you guys! Thanks so much, you've made me one happy...well let's call the greaser fan girls "The Greasettes" makes sense? no? if not, submit an idea for a name.

R&R