7. Keep the faith!

Pony's POV

I read a bit after dinner.
But I couldn't concentrate on the book any more, because I thought about the meeting with Claudia.
She seemed to understand me somehow, although we've met each other only yesterday.
But who knows if we're gonna see us once again at all...

What did she say?
Something like if I would like, we're gonna see us again, right?
How did she mean that?
Where should she know if I would like it and even if I would, how's she gonna know it then?
I had no idea where she lived and I guessed she didn't know as well where I live.
Perhaps she lived near the lot, so that she could see when I was there again?
But how high was that possibility?

I thought about it and then came to the decision that I would like to see her again.
We seemed to be alike, as I could say that from our first meeting anyhow.
And I would like to be friends with her, even if she seemed to be a few years younger.
I didn't mind at all.
The age is not the most important thing, I think.

And also her social standing shouldn't keep me from it.
Even if she would be a Soc, what I didn't really believe though, it wouldn't be any reason for me not to be friends with her.
I didn't know though what Claudia would think about it.
And the only chance to find that out was to ask her straight about it.

I would like to have her as a friend, though not the sort of friend Two-Bit and Soda thought of.
Can't you perhaps be friends with a girl just like that, without regarding her as your girlfriend right away?

I would like to have her just as my friend.
To have someone you can talk to, one you can tell your fears, wishes, dreams.
Someone you can laugh with and also cry, one you can trust.
Just a friend, like Johnny was for me!

I need such a friend like Johnny, because Johnny had been my best friend.
He understood me as no one else.
I even haven't entrusted Soda with so much, than with Johnny.
He knew me!

And since Johnny wasn't here any more there was nobody left I could talk about everything, who was just a good buddy for me.
Sure, I always could come to Soda with my problems and also Darry was interested in me more now, but they are my brothers and just not my friends.

Though, I still know a few other boys I get along well, but to neither of them I'm that close as to Johnny!

And there such a little girl appeared and I felt connected to her right away somehow.
She also reminded me of Johnny anyhow.
And that was also secretly the reason why I would like to become friends with her.

I still read a bit in my book, but the interest in it went down a little.
Sometime I got up and searched for Darry.
I found him in the living room, reading the newspaper.

I stepped in front of him hesitantly.
He didn't seem to notice me at first and I already would go again when he looked up once.

His expression changed from surprised to worried and he asked right away, "Hey Ponyboy. What's the matter? Everything all right?"

I answered him, "Um, yeah, I'm fine. Darry, may I go to the lot?"

"What? Now?"

I nodded.

"You're gonna meet Claudia there?"

I hesitated.
Then I nodded again.

There was no use in lying to Darry.
He would find it out anyway.
That's why I better told him the truth right away, although I wasn't that sure if Claudia really would come there, too.
But I rather didn't tell Darry that.
He only would be worried again and I would spare him that and myself, too.

Darry was the one who hesitated now and I already prepared myself mentally for the disappointment of his prohibition.

But to my surprise Darry said, "Ok, ya may go, Pony!"

"Thanks, Darry." I smiled at my brother gratefully.

I was about to leave to get my jacket when Darry called me, "Pony."

I turned around slowly.

"Please ask Claudia if she likes to drop in for today's supper. We also would like to get to know her."

I didn't like this idea and I didn't know how Claudia would react to it.

But to avoid further trouble I replied, "Ok. I'm gonna ask her."

Darry nodded and smiled contented.
Then I really turned to go and disappeared shortly in my room to get my jacket.
Then I walked in the direction of the front door.

"Oh, Pony." Darry called me again.

"Yeah?" I asked unsure.

"Please don't come home too late."

"Sure thing, Darry. Bye."

"Take care and have fun."

"Yeah. Thanks." I replied and walked out quickly before Darry could change his opinion.

So I went to the lot and hoped that I really would meet Claudia there.