*cautiously opens door and peers head in, waiting for my inevitable demise*
You guys. I am so sorry it's been so long. 2 and a half years. That's not okay and I am so sincerely sorry I haven't updated.
This will be the final chapter. The story has come to a natural close and I don't want to drag it out just for the purpose of keeping it going. You guys have been wonderful with reviewing my story and I appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart. I couldn't have done it without your support.
So here it is, the final chapter of Behind Closed Doors. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to writing more fanfiction stories, most definitely for The Outsiders. I also need to finish some other ones. But if any of you have story ideas or requests, please private message me and I would be happy to oblige. I love you all.
Love, Vanessa.
Johnny turned around and started heading up our front steps. I watched anxiously as he opened the door a crack and then slipped inside. The door shut behind him and I stood on the front stoop shaking, even though it was easily over 80 degrees outside. What was about to happen in there? What had already happened in there? The possibilities were endless, and that was seriously horrifying.
I waited outside for what felt like an eternity. I kicked around a pebble, I knelt down and inspected an ant hill. I did anything I could to just distract myself while sure chaos was unfolding behind the front door.
And then the door opened. Johnny stood in the doorway and cracked an earnest smile.
"It's clear," was all he had to say, and suddenly I felt brave enough to enter. I smiled back and stepped inside as Johnny held the door open for me. When I first walked in, I didn't see anybody in the living room. I looked at Johnny, perplexed, but he quickly told me to go to the kitchen and then excused himself and left me alone with my brothers. I took a few deep breaths, trying to steady myself and be prepared for the worst. For all I knew, the worst may be about to happen.
I entered the kitchen and saw Darry and Sodapop sitting at the kitchen table, a surprisingly calm atmosphere.
"Hey, guys," I said cautiously, trying to gauge their reactions. Soda gave me a little smile and so did Darry, and my heart could finally rest in my shaky chest.
"Hey, Pony. Have a seat," Darry said, and pulled out the chair next to him for me to sit. I quickly took the seat and got prepared to hear them out. The news could make or break Darry and me. This could be it. This could be the moment that Darry made up his mind not to be with me, maybe forever. Maybe Soda had convinced him that what we were doing really was wrong. Did Soda have the power to change Darry's mind? Probably. And that thought was terrifying.
"So... which one of you is going to deliver the news?" I asked impatiently. Darry and Soda glanced at each other, neither sure which one of them should start. Finally, Darry broke the silence.
"Ponyboy, you know that we love you very much, right? And what we're about to do is for your own good." That's it. That was the end. Darry and I were done for sure.
"Fucking great." I laughed darkly. "This is just great. Thanks, Soda. Thank you for ruining everything." I stood up abruptly and turned on my heel, heading for the door. But before I could get too far, I felt a hand grasp my wrist. Darry.
"Sit back down, Pony. You didn't let him finish," Soda said softly.
"Finish? Finish telling me that having Darry ditch me for the millionth time is what's best for me?"
"That's not what we were about to say." Soda's remark rang through my hollow heart and I wanted to grin but I still didn't know where Darry and I stood. I returned to the seat I was in before and plopped down, prepared to be told of my fate.
"Ponyboy, you and Darry have never really seen eye-to-eye. For our entire lives, you two have been butting heads constantly. You used to fight about every single little thing," Sodapop began. "And recently, I have seen you two connect. Finally, for the first time, well, ever. I've never seen you guys so close. The way you look at each other is just... amazing. You finally like each other. We're finally a family."
I grinned from ear to ear. "You really think so?"
"That being said," Soda interrupted, "I still think the way you're connecting is... Fuck, I don't want to say it's wrong. I can't say it's wrong. How can I object to both of you being happy?"
"Pony, I couldn't be happier about the two of us getting along. But this is really hard for Soda and I don't blame him for thinking we're wrong. It's okay to say it, Soda. From now on, I want only the truth spoken in this house."
"Well," Soda sighed, rubbing his forehead. "The truth is... I don't want to see you guys doing any of the... well, stuff that you guys do. I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying that I really, really would rather not see it happening or hear about it. And Pony, you still have to share a room with me."
"Come on, seriously?" I complained. That part wasn't fucking fair. But I guess I couldn't complain. Soda was actually attempting to understand what was happening between Darry and me.
"Pony, listen to your brother," Darry said firmly, and then I knew that there was no room for arguments.
"That's called a compromise, Pone," Soda chimed in. "You're underage. Darry's an adult. You two fooling around is bad enough. But I would really prefer that you stay in our room, okay?"
"Okay. Fine. What else?"
"Fine? You're actually agreeing to it?" Darry raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
"I'm agreeing because I love you guys and I want to make Soda happy while still doing what I want. Now, I repeat, what else?"
Darry and Soda looked at each other and Soda gave a tight smile. "That's all."
"That's all? I'm off the hook?"
"You're off the hook until we decide on other rules regarding the situation. For now, you're golden." Darry gave me a sly smile.
I grinned from ear to ear and felt myself start to tear up.
"Aww, Pone, don't cry," Soda said softly, reaching across the table to place a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm just so happy," I choked out. "For the first time in forever."
"We're glad you're happy, baby. That's all we want for you." Darry leaned over and hugged me and I grasped onto him with every bit of strength I had, melting into him.
Everything was okay. Everything was going to be just fine. No more hiding. No more closed doors. Just Darry and me, together.