I looked over at Gabby and Sodapop staring into each others eyes and all the guys sniggering. After that we went in to get some milk and cookies. We all sat down at the table and after a few minutes Lance Ferman, our stable manager, came in. Gabby silently excused herself from the table and walked away. I knew Lance made her nervous, though I didn't know why. Sodapop stared after her and Steve kicked him under the table as my mom looked at Sodapop and grinned. He grinned back and drank some milk. "Hey, who are these guys?" asked Lance looking over the gang of greasers. "These are the friends Ally always talks about." said my mom making me blush slightly. She pointed out the guys and Lance nodded in acknowledgement. I could already tell he didn't like the way Sodapop's eyes had followed Gabby out of the room. I think he was jealous. "Who could stand a chance against gorgous Sodapop?" I thought to myself. "Hey guys, do you want a tour of the barn?" I asked suddenly. "Sure." said Ponyboy and suddenly blushed as Two-Bit grinned. "Yeah." said Darry. "We'll all come." I smiled my thanks at him. "Come on." I said and they all followed me out. We walked into the well-lit barn and Sodapop looked around. "Wow, horse heaven." he said loudly. Everyone smiled at that and I walked to some steps. "Come on guys. I'm gonna show you the hayloft."

Two-Bit grinned and looked at Ponyboy who blushed deeply. Johnny followed me first, then came Steve and the rest of the gang. "Hey, it's pretty cool up here." said Steve."

"Yeah." Dally said grinning. "I like it up here!" Johnny hitched his fingers in his pockets and walked around the loft. Soda spoke up, "I want to see the horses." Ponyboy grinned and led the way downstairs. Now I knew why Soda wanted to see the horses, Gabby was standing at her horse, Pegasus', stall, feeding him carrots. Peg was a milky white, gelding horse with blue eyes. He was an albino. I smiled at Sodapop and Darry pushed him towards Gabby. "Get going little buddy." he said. Soda walked up to Gabby and took her hand. She looked up at him with worry but as soon as she saw that it was Soda she smiled. Sodapop looked a little confused at her worry at first but it soon vanished. Gabby looked around the barn as if searching for someone and then turned to smile at Soda again. All of us broke up to look at the horses and Ponyboy and I walked to my horse, Whisper's, stall. Whisper is a beautiful chestnut, gelding with the sweetest eyes. "This is Whisper." I told Ponyboy. "He's my horse. Hey, do you want to go for a hack?" Pony looked at me. "A..A what?" he asked. I laughed a little. "A hack. A horseback ride on the trails." I answered.

"Ok." said Ponyboy happily, "Which horse should I ride?" I lead him to Jade's stall and lead her out. Jade was a black mare. "I pulled Pony's hand, realized what I was doing then dropped it, blushing furiously. Pony blushed too, but took my hand back anyway. I smiled at him and we heard Two-Bit chuckle. Deciding to ignore him we tacked up our horses and asked the others if they would like to ride too. "Sure." said Johnny, Steve, Sodapop, Gabby, and Two-Bit said. Dally and Darry said they would sit this one out. Johnny rode a black mare, not unlike Jade, named Dime, Steve rode a big paint gelding named Lil Bit, Sodapop rode a dark brown chestnut gelding named, Oshire, and Two-Bit rode a bay gelding named Jag. Of course, Gabby rode Peg.

They tacked and we set off, Two-Bit and Steve complaining about the pain already. I grinned. "You guys better get ready for tomorrow then." I said to them. "You aren't used to horseback riding so you will be some sore boys in the morning." Gabby and I exchanged glances and smiled. Two-Bit rode up front with me for a minute before asking, "So Allygirl, do you still have a little old crush on Ponyboy?" I know I blushed clear to back because I sure did. It wasn't just a crush anymore though. I really liked him. Two-Bit knew what I meant and laughed. "Well, Allygirl, to tell you the truth I think he likes you too. I blushed even deeper at that and suggested we return home. I started galloping through the meadow and passed our sign that said "Dogwood Acres, the place to be". I heard thunderous hoofbeats behind me and urged Whisper to trot. I turned and looked back and saw Steve on the ground and Lil Bit standing by him. "He through me off!" yelled Steve. "The son-of-B through me off!" I started to laugh and tried to get ahold of myself before Steve saw me and tried to strangle me, but I just couldn't help it. I slid off of Whisper and onto my knees laughing so hard. After Steve jumped back on Lil Bit I realized something. Two-Bit had never ridden horses before and he was still on! That amazed me! Ponyboy too! I turned around and trotted back to them and said, "You guys are naturals! You haven't fallen off once!"

I looked at Sodapop, Steve, and Gabby all riding in a group ahead of us and laughed. "The two best friends and the newly found girlfriend." Even Ponyboy laughed. When I saw the barn I jumped off of Whisper and told Pony and Two-Bit to do so also. Two-Bit looked up and saw the other group doing the same. "Is something wrong?" he asked. "Why are we walking?"

"We're cooling them off before we put them back in their stalls." I said. Ponyboy shrugged and started to pet Jade. "She's a real sweet horse." he said. I smiled at him and blushed. He had such a dang cute smile! We arrived at the barn and put the horses in their stalls just in time for dinner. Lance was in the barn when washed off our hands and Gabby paled a little. Soda looked from Lance to Gabby and back to Lance. I saw his jaw line firm and he took Gabby's hand leading her into the house. Lance followed them with his eyes and shot daggers with his eyes at Sodapop. "What's wrong?" I wondered aloud as I walked in. "What's wrong with what Baby?" asked Dally. "Oh nothing Dally. Just wondering aloud again." Dally smiled and draped his arm across my shoulders. "Aloud? Ain't you sophisticated." he said. I blushed and punched him playfully. What I didn't see what Ponyboy looking at us with a sad and defeated look on his face.