So sorry for the long wait, I'm sure you've all heard about my laptop by now…

Ponyboy reached the store in minutes. He stood outside, panting, catching his breath. He figured Two-Bit wouldn't be here for about a half hour.

He sat down on a bench nearby to think.

Pony had thought Two-Bit was talking about how wrong Ponyboy's feelings were for Two-Bit, but really he'd been talking about Ponyboy sulking about Johnny's death.

So confusing.

He was so stupid.

Great, Pony thought, so I just poured my heart out, pretty much. Two-Bit probably thinks I belong in a crazy house.

He looked around at all the average people. He wished his life were as easy as theirs. Sure, he had the gang. And his brothers. And really there wasn't anything horrible in his life, besides the death of his parents.

He missed his mom.

Ponyboy started to tear up, just thinking about her. She had long, curly hair, the color of Sodapop's, with brown eyes, and a fair complexion.

Pony could talk to his mom about almost anything. It made him wish he had someone to talk about this…situation he was in.

Then he thought of Johnny. His best friend. The boy he'd had a crush on for so long.

I am so screwed up, he thought.

He heard someone sit on the bench beside him, and he looked up.

It was Two-Bit, sitting as far away from Ponyboy as possible on the small bench.

Pony looked away. Great, he thought, now he thinks I'm a freak.

Two-Bit put a hand on Ponyboy's shoulder. Pony's heart started pounding and he thought of how Two-Bit's hand would feel--

Stop, he told himself.

Two-Bit spoke. "Ponyboy, did ya mean what ya said? That ya…liked me?"

Ponyboy groaned. "Yeah. I did. I don't blame ya if ya think I'm crazy either."

He looked up at the older boy.

"Well, Pony, what if…what if I don't think you're crazy?"

Ponyboy's heart raced. "W-what?"

"What if…" Two-Bit started, "what if I liked ya, too?"

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