Thank you for reviewing! I loved how all of you were confused by the ending of the last chapter. It will be explained in a later chapter.

You're all going to love this chapter. :)

Also, if any of you are interested in the Discord group chat, please PM me. I'm still trying to start that up again. There's more information about that in chapter seven.

o-o-o

Archer didn't see Ponyboy at school the next day. Or the day afterward. Or even the day after that. When Ponyboy wasn't at school for an entire week, Archer started to become extremely worried. He was already worried before when he had left Pony's house since the younger boy was in a fragile state at that time. He shouldn't be worried at all, but he was. Mostly, it was because of his hesitant promise to not do anything stupid.

Where was he? Archer wondered. Did he take his own life even though he promised me that he wasn't going to?

He thought long and hard on it, trying to reassure himself that everything was alright. The Soc walked down the long, school hallway, eyes glazed over. However, since Archer was too caught up in his thoughts, he almost missed the flash of light, auburn hair that came out of a classroom. His head snapped towards the source, instantly pinpointing the back of Ponyboy's head. There!

"Ponyboy!" he called out. "Hold on!"

But, Ponyboy didn't turn around. Instead, the greaser seemed to have sped up his pace. Archer sped up as well, pushing through the crowd of students. He quickly caught up, grabbing Pony's shoulder. "I said to hold on," Archer repeated, spinning the other around.

When Ponyboy was fully facing him, Archer felt his chest tighten when he saw his face. Dark bags hung under his eyes as if he hadn't slept for days. Besides exhaustion, there was so much sorrow and pain in his eyes. It made it almost hard to believe that Ponyboy was standing before him. Archer had seen him in many heartbreaking positions, and he had thought that he had seen it all. But this was different. He seemed like he was moments away from shattering.

"What is it?" Ponyboy asked monotonously.

"Where have you been?" Archer demanded. "I haven't seen you around or heard from you."

The two stared at each other for a long time. The sadness in Ponyboy's eyes made it difficult for Archer to look at him. Right before he looked away, not able to take it anymore, Ponyboy spoke up again. "I've been going to school if that's what you mean," he answered.

His answer shocked Archer. He was here this entire time? Why hadn't he seen him around? "You've been here this entire time, but you never went up to talk to me or anything?"

Ponyboy pursed his lips, shifting on one foot to another. His eyes became sadder if that was even possible. "I didn't think you wanted anything to do with me anymore."

Archer looked at him incredulously. "What? Why would you think that?" Another thought crossed his mind at that moment. "Wait, you've been avoiding me this entire time?"

"It was for the best." Ponyboy looked down with that pitiful expression again. That look. It made Archer sick just looking at it.

He clenched his teeth. "I seriously thought that you tried to hurt yourself or take your own life." Heads snapped towards them, making Archer realize how loud he was being. But it didn't seem like Ponyboy noticed or minded.

"I promised, didn't I? I told you that I wasn't going to do that. You don't have to worry about it."

"I hope I won't have to… But why were you avoiding me?"

Ponyboy hesitated to answer. "Because you saw…"

"The notes and the newspapers," Archer finished.

Nodding, Ponyboy swallowing the spit that had been developing in his mouth since they had started talking. "I don't want to get hurt anymore. I don't think I can take much more. The gang doesn't want me around now. Who even does? Nobody wants to be around so much trouble."

"Hey, don't say that." Archer sighed, flicking Ponyboy's forehead, causing him to look back up at him in surprise. "They don't think that at all. Besides, you hang around Dallas Winston. He's the definition of trouble. No offense to him, but I would rather hang out with you than him."

The greaser tensed. One part of him wanted to defend his buddy and change the subject, but another part of him wanted to continue having the topic about him. He settled for the latter. "How do you know?" he demanded, voice wavering slightly.

"Because not everyone is the same as your brothers," Archer replied simply. "Your gang is worried about you. If you were avoiding me, that means you were avoiding them as well, weren't you? But then… if you were avoiding me, why come to school still? You knew that I would be here looking for you."

Honestly, Ponyboy didn't exactly know why he still wanted to go to school (not taking into account of him wanting to succeed academically). But even though he had been avoiding Archer, he still didn't want to be far away from him. It was torturous, being so close but never talking. Every time he saw Archer, he felt happiness bubble in his chest. It confused Ponyboy and it honestly scared him. Archer shouldn't have this much power over his feelings. What scared him the most was the rejection, however. Avoiding Archer was a way for him to escape it in a messed-up way. "I don't know… I knew that coming here would put me at risk of more of those notes but…" He trailed off, a thought coming to mind.

"But what?"

Ponyboy had to ask. "You know… I've been thinking about this for the entire week… How come you're not getting any of these notes?"

At those words, Archer went rigid. Ponyboy was right. He hadn't been getting any notes. He wasn't being harassed like he was. "Who knows… Maybe people think that you're an easy target?" It was the only excuse that he could think of.

Pony didn't comment anymore on the issue. He looked back down at his feet, frowning. Archer just wanted him to smile again. His smiling face was far more fitting than a frown.

He sighed, trying to think of something that would make him happier. But what would make him smile again?

"I need to get to my next class," Ponyboy suddenly alerted. "See you later."

Before Ponyboy could turn away, Archer quickly said, "You need a pick-me-up."

When Ponyboy looked at him again, Archer swore he saw some interest flash past his face. "What pick-me-up are you planning on doing?"

He didn't know, but what he did know was that he had a bit of time to figure that out. "After school, meet me outside of school."

o-o-o

The bell echoed throughout the school, signaling the end of the day. Archer quickly collected his stuff and exited the school. When they got out, his eyes instantly zeroed in on Ponyboy, who was already waiting outside for him.

"You got here fast. Excited to see me?" Archer teased to hopefully get Ponyboy to smile at the least.

Ponyboy only stared at him with dead eyes. "What are you planning?" he asked.

Archer grinned. "So, I've been thinking… We should go roller skating."

The suggestion caused one of Pony's eyebrows to raise. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you think roller skating will help me?"

The Soc shrugged. "One way to find out."

"Well… I hate to break it to you, but I don't know how to roller skate."

It was a popular hobby, but he didn't expect Ponyboy to know how to roller skate. He had never gone either, so it wasn't as if he was doing it to show off or anything. Archer had the opportunity to go plenty of times in the past, but he always had something to do whenever his friends went. "Honestly, I don't either."

"Then why suggest it?"

"It'll be an experience."

"My skills in roller skating would be no better than ice skating. Both bad."

Archer perked up at that. "Oh, you want to go ice skating instead?"

Feeling his soul leave his body, Ponyboy rapidly shook his head. Ice skating was a way worse idea than roller skating. Instead of standing on multiple wheels, he would have to be balancing on two blades. Just the equipment alone made it seem like ice skating would be a hundred times more difficult. "No! I didn't suggest that at all!" he objected but Archer ignored him.

"We're going ice skating! Thanks for giving me this idea." Archer patted his back in a congratulatory manner to which Ponyboy replied with a weak punch to the air.

"Great…" He should have kept his mouth shut.

They drove silently to the ice rink. Archer paid for them to get in because Ponyboy didn't have any money on him at the time. It wasn't hard to find out where they had to go after that. The two of them swiftly checked out their equipment, sitting down by the rink to put the ice skates on.

"I can't believe, out of everything that we could be doing instead, we're doing this," Ponyboy sighed.

"Hey, you're the one who suggested it," Archer pointed out, standing up. Ponyboy did as well, repositioning the sleeves of his hoodie to cover his hands. Man, it was cold in there. If he knew that they were going to be ice skating, he would have dressed in thicker clothing. But he was just stuck in a worn-out hoodie for now. He shivered violently. "Are you cold?"

Of course, Archer noticed. "A bit."

Sighing, Archer peeled off his gloves, handing them over to him. "Here. These will help."

For a long moment, Ponyboy just stared at the gloves. He then took them, slipping them on. They were too big for his hands, making them feel like they were going to fall off at any moment, but they were warm. It made the cold more bearable which he knew would make a huge difference in the long run. "Thanks."

When they were both ready to start attempting ice skating, they approached the gate. Looking at the rink, they noticed that it was mostly empty. In fact, now that they thought about it, the entire place was pretty empty as well. Only two kids, their parents, and a professional-looking skater were on the rink.

Ponyboy took a deep breath before he took his first step onto the rink. As soon as he was fully on the rink, he grabbed onto the wall as tightly as he could, feeling like he was about to fall. He was probably going to later. Archer joined him at the wall, grabbing onto it just as tightly. He did this just in time too as the professional skater raced passed them, startling the two of them.

"I don't think we're supposed to be on the side of the rink," Ponyboy theorized. "I think only the people who know how to skate are supposed to be here."

"We're beginners! Where else are we supposed to learn how this all works?" Archer asked, looking around the rink.

Ponyboy pointed towards the center. "Probably the opposite of the side. We probably need to skate near the middle of the rink."

"And how do you think we will get there? I don't know how to go forward, let alone balance on these blades." Archer was getting frustrated by the entire experience. This wasn't going as he had planned.

"I don't know… Maybe push off the wall and see where that gets us?"

It was worth a shot. They couldn't just stay at the wall and they already knew that they were going to fall down multiple times that day. Archer was the first the move out of the two of them. He pushed off the wall, but, because he didn't have his knees bent, he was top-heavy. Soon enough, as a result, he faceplanted on the ice. It happened so quickly and randomly that it looked a cartoon. It was so ridiculous that Ponyboy couldn't help but laugh at him.

Archer looked up when he heard the melodious sound of Ponyboy's laughter. A bright smile was on the younger teen's face that just lit up his face. It was a face that Archer had missed, although he wouldn't admit it.

"Are you okay?" Ponyboy giggled, trying to reach him, but only ended up falling down on his butt.

Both of them were laughing now. They were both laughing so hard that tears started to form at the corner of their eyes. Their stomachs burned, but it felt good. They both haven't laughed like that in a long time.

"See?" Archer chuckled with a loving smile on his face. "I got you to laugh and smile again. I would say that my mission is complete!"

At those words, a blush bloomed across Ponyboy's face, his eyes widening in shock. His heart was beating hard against his chest, stomach fluttering. The two stared at each other, Archer chuckling still, not knowing what effect he had on Ponyboy. They only decided to get back up when the professional skater raced passed them again.

Ponyboy massaged his cheeks which started to feel sore from all of the laughing. He shook his head, trying to get Archer off of his mind. Right, he had to concentrate in order for him to not fall down again. He looked around the rink, watching the feet of all of the other skaters. They were all practically doing the same motion with their feet and they also had very similar body positions.

Ponyboy stated to mimic them with wobbly legs. It was hard for him to get right. He fell down multiple times and so did Archer. However, both of them kept trying and trying, and, soon enough, they were able to move forward slowly without falling down.

The two of them skated around the rink together, side by side. Both of them had small, childish grins on their faces. It was just what Ponyboy needed to get everything off of his mind. He looked up at the Soc, smiling at him.

Thank you, Archer, for everything, Ponyboy said in his head.

However, while Ponyboy was looking up at Archer, he lost focus on what his body was doing, causing him to tip over. Fortunately, before he could fall over, Archer grabbed his hands, steadying him.

"You need to get your head out of the clouds," Archer commented and Ponyboy sent him a sheepish grin.

They both started to skate together again. They had skated for a minute before Ponyboy noticed that a kid was pointing at them. He didn't know why though. That was until he followed the exact trail of the child's gaze towards one of his hands. It was only then when he realized that Archer was still holding onto it. His face felt hot again. He hadn't noticed at all because of the gloves that he was wearing. But even though they were receiving dirty looks from the parents, he didn't pull his hand away.

The lights around them dimmed as disco lights danced around the rink. Soft music played in the background, but Ponyboy hardly noticed it at all. His eyes were too transfixed on the hand that was being held by Archer.

Ponyboy felt lighter than feathers. His heart was beating so quickly that it felt like it was going to run away from him. He shouldn't be feeling this way. The two of them were at most friends and Ponyboy was definitely not gay. He couldn't be. He was supposed to one day get married to a female. He liked girls… didn't he? But then, why had he never been attracted to a female before? He had originally thought that it was because he was still really young… but now, with Archer in the equation, he was starting to believe otherwise. Archer was making him question everything, making it all so confusing.

While Ponyboy was trying to figure everything out, he once again lost his balance. Archer turned around to steady him again but ended up losing balance as well, sending them both crashing towards the ice. The speedskater, who wasn't too far behind them, tried to skid around them in order to not get caught up in the mess as well. Although they managed to successfully do so, they ended up sending a small spray of ice over Ponyboy and Archer.

Both of them groaned out in pain when they landed on the floor, ice skates hitting against their legs. Fortunately for Ponyboy, he landed on something warmer and softer than the ice flooring. When his eyelids fluttered open, the first things that he saw were Archer's coffee-colored eyes. Their faces were only centimeters apart from one another, breath hitting each other's lips. Everything around them froze in time as it became only the two of them in the dimly lit room. Colors danced across their skin, causing the ice that was covering them like a sprinkle of snow to glow in a plethora of hues.

None of them moved. Ponyboy didn't think he wanted to anyways.

Then, all of a sudden, Archer's face scrunched up in pain. "Can you get off of me?" he groaned, trying to push Pony off. Ponyboy instantly snapped out of his daze, scrambling to get off of him.

"Sorry," he apologized, heart still beating rapidly as if he had just run a marathon.

Archer sat up, holding one of his ankles. He cursed under his breath, wincing when he squeezed it too hard. "I think I sprained my ankle."

"What? You sprained your ankle?" Ponyboy sat up straighter in worry, eyebrows scrunching together. This was all because he fell. If he had been more careful, Archer wouldn't have gotten hurt. "This is because of me…"

Ponyboy started to frown again, causing Archer to sigh. They were back at square one again. "Don't blame yourself for this. It wasn't your fault." He slowly got up, grimacing as he balanced on the blades again. "Besides… it's not that bad."

"You can hardly stand with a straight face."

"I'm fine," Archer reassured. Although, it wasn't convincing at all.

"We should go sit down," Ponyboy suggested. "Standing on it might make it worse."

It was a struggle, but, eventually, the two of them made it out of the ice rink. They sat down, Archer instantly elevating his foot as he started to take off his ice skates.

"I'm going to get some ice," Ponyboy brought up.

"I think we had enough ice for today," Archer joked. "I can hardly feel my feet with how numb they are."

"Still… I need to do something…" Ponyboy looked unsure. "I'm going to get an employee, okay? They'll know what to do."

The greaser stood up quickly before Archer could protest. He turned his body, running forward. However, he didn't get very far before he fell down. Through his worry, he had forgotten to take the ice skates off before taking off.

"Take off the skates! You can't run in them!" Archer scolded, causing Ponyboy to look back at him sheepishly. "And get back over here. I'm seriously fine."

"But…" Ponyboy wanted to protest. Archer was definitely not fine.

"I'm being serious, Ponyboy."

"Can I take a look, at least?" Maybe it wasn't as bad as he was making it out to be. Archer nodded in reply and Ponyboy gently caressed his exposed ankle after removing his gloves. Nothing seemed out of ordinary besides a few bruises that were already forming. He was sure that he had similar ones growing on his ankles from how many times he had fallen. But Archer seemed alright, much to his relief. "Well, your ankle isn't sprained. I think you just fell awkwardly. It's going to hurt for a bit more though."

Thank goodness… Ponyboy breathed out a sigh of relief.

When Ponyboy looked back up at him, Pony smiled again, eyes so gentle and filled with care. It caused Archer to feel butterflies in his stomach, but he blamed it on his relief. There was no way that he was feeling anything for Ponyboy. However, the expression he gave him made him feel horrible for using him, nevertheless. Ponyboy was an amazing person, someone who doesn't deserve to be hurt at all. Why did he have to be the person that walked through the bathroom door back then?

"Sorry…" Archer muttered and Ponyboy tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"Sorry for what?" Ponyboy asked. "I was the one who tripped."

How was he supposed to tell him? "No… It's not that… Just… forget it…"

Ponyboy wanted to press into it more, but something told him that Archer wasn't going to tell him anyway. He decided to drop it. "If you say so…"

"Now, smile again. That's what we came here for. Smile or I'm going to tape the corner of your lips up."

Ponyboy grinned, rolling his eyes. A thought louder than the rest of them blared in his head: I shouldn't be thinking this, but I think I might actually like you more than a friend.