"I don't think they like you much," I smiled at Ponyboy, who rubbed his head sheepishly. Justina's arms were crossed as she looked at Ponyboy, her lips pursed. Ponyboy sighed, nervously turning his head away from Justina. Kelsey was quiet this morning, twirling her hair childishly as she read over her homework. I always got my English homework from her, if I felt like handing it in on time. Mr. Roth, our science teacher, stood in front of the class, tapping a piece of chalk against the blackboard to get our attention. It didn't matter, once he started talking, everyone would go to sleep anyway.

"Pair up, now, we have an experiment with electricity to do." The room was in chaos as everyone rushed to get their friends for a partner. I didn't have to move this time, though, because I had gotten my partner back, and he was sitting right next me.

The experiment was on static electricity and how it was made. Each group was given a blown up balloon, and we were told to rub the balloon on our partners head. Of course, this experiment would only work if someone didn't have grease in their, and since I couldn't stand it when my hair was greasy, it was clean, thus making me the one with messed up hair. Pony got a thrill from rubbing my head with the balloon, I could tell from the way he laughed at me. Soon, most of the guys and only a few of the girls had messed up hair. The point was that wherever the balloon went, our hair followed because it had electrons or something in it. I dunno, I had a hot partner, I wasn't paying any attention to the teacher.

The day went on without anything real interesting happening. Me and Pony talked a lot during all the classes we had together, we caught up on what's been happening in our lives. Of course, my dad leaving was the most important in mine. In fact, I even told Ponyboy about how scared I was. I was scared because I knew he would come back for me. Ponyboy promised me he wouldn't let my dad hurt me, he wouldn't let him take me away. And I trusted him. I trusted him completely.

He told me all about what was going on at home now that Sodapop was gone. Darry had gone easier on Ponyboy, but at the same time, he was still very strict and wanted Pony to get work done. Ponyboy had, at first, been depressed when his big brother that he told all his problems to was gone, but he realized Kaylyn needed Sodapop to be there for her when she was pregnant. He couldn't keep calling and complaining about Darry to Soda, it just wasn't right. So he had learned to deal with Darry's speeches, he knew Darry really loved him no matter how different they were. They learned to leave together semi-peacefully. I was glad to hear that tensions had gone down in his house, because in my house things certainly hadn't.

I had two older sisters and one brother. My sisters names were Sarah and Christine, the first being 19, the second 25. My brother, Andrew, or Andy for short, was 28, and he still lived with us. All three of them lived under the same roof, and it was hell. I swear, they all thought that I shouldn't be there, when I was the only one who couldn't live on my own just yet. I wanted to tell them to get off their asses and get to work, buy themselves a car and house, and than they can move out and I can have peace for a few more years before I'm forced to move out.

"Ponyboy, you have track today, don't you?" I asked. He nodded at me, closing his locker as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. We walked out towards the football field where some greasers I knew and loved were hanging out.

"Heya Two-Bit!" I cheerfully waved at him. He grinned, walking over and pulling me from Pony's grip.

"Hey there, Kimmy, whatcha' doin' with that punk?" Ponyboy rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. I smiled. Boy, I hadn't talked to Two-Bit in a long time. He was wearing jeans, and his comboy boots. He also had on his orange Mickey Mouse shirt that Kaylyn and I had stolen for him.

"Aw, shut it Two-Bit." Pony crossed his arms. "I'll see you later, Kim, stay safe, alright?" I smiled at him, nodding and hugging him tightly. It was pure bliss to be in Pony's arms, it felt good to relax in his arms again. Pony quickly pecked my forehead without any of the greasers seeing, before letting me go.

"I'll walk 'er home, Pone." Pony's eyes kind of lit up.

"Will ya, buddy, that'd mean a lot to me?" It sounded like something else besides Two-Bit walking me home was about to go on.

"Sure, sure. Let's go Kimmy," Two-Bit pushed me forward, away from Ponyboy, and towards the road that led home.

"Soooo, are you and Pone back together yet? 'Cause he's crazy 'bout ya. Man, he can never shut up about how much he misses you." Ah, I see his game. That was how Steve was with Kaylyn, telling her that Sodapop loved her a lot more than Sandy and things like that. I guess Two-Bit was Pony's double agent. Ugh.

"Naw, we ain't. We're just beginning to talk again, you know, don't wanna rush things..." I murmured. I did wanna rush things. I wanted to have a good reason to kiss Ponyboy, to hug him, to be around him every moment of the day, people would find it weird if we weren't going out or something. I brushed my hair back, thoughtfully tapping my chin. "Things between us are gonna be awkward, Two-Bit." He grinned.

"It didn't seem to awkard back there when he kissed you, did it?" I let out a gasp, slapping a hand over my mouth before turning away. He saw? "I'm stupid, not blind." I laughed.

"Okay, okay. I can't tell you if I still have feelings for him, 'cause than you'd tell Kaylyn, and she'd call me and start freaking out, and being crazy and things. She's like that."

"Ha, I'm sure Kaylyn already knows that you're still in love with him." Two-Bit stuck his hands in his pockets. "It's real hard to get a secret past her, and since I could figure it, she's probably known for a long time."

"Aw, shut it, please?" I begged. My defense was getting weaker. I was ready to scream in his face that I loved Ponyboy Michael Curtis and I was proud of it. Maybe she did know, but she didn't say anything to me about just going to him. I sighed. I really needed to talk to her.

"Here's your house. Are you gonna be okay?" The house was silent. That means Mom wasn't home, which meant I didn't have to whisper when I talked to Kaylyn.

"I'll be fine. Thanks, Two-Bit." He smiled at me, ruffling my hair.

"Remember, kid, he's in love with you, so don't lead him on if you're not interested." I nodded. He was right. Did I want a relationship with Ponyboy? Would it work between us again? Ugh, so many questions. I watched Two-Bit walk towards the school before entering my home. It felt so different without my dad and mom in it. Peaceful. Safe. Comfortable. Loving.

"Wow, I haven't been alone in a long time..." I closed the door, pulling it shut tight before running over the phone. I dialed her number, putting the phone to my ear and waiting for her to answer.

"Hello?"

"KAYLYN!" I shouted accidently, and I could just see her cringing away from the phone.

"Hey, Kim. What's up?"

"IKISSEDPONYBOYYESTERDAY!" I screamed into the phone so fast I could hardly understand what I had said, but Kaylyn always could understand my mini freak-outs.

"You guys kissed? Kim, don't lead him on." Man, she got down to things quick.

"Well, that's the thing." I was toning it down a little bit. "I love him. A lot. I mean, all day I was with him, and I felt so happy. I don't know if I want to go back out with him, I mean, things will be awkward, won't they?"

"No." Blunt as always.

"But, I'm just scared. And it's only been a day."

"That's why if you want a relationship you'd have to act now. Otherwise, tell him you don't like him like that." Kaylyn's voice was in a monotone, and in the background I heard a little whining sound. Lise. "I gotta go- SODAPOP LISE'S GOT YOUR DX UNIFORM!" I grinned.

"Alright. You're gonna come down soon to see us, right?" I smiled.

"'Course I am. Me, Sodapop, an' Lise." I nodded.

"Then I'll see you soon." I was about to hang up the phone when Kaylyn called out to me.

"You've gotta decide on whether or not you love him. It might be hard, but you gotta do it."

'Kaylyn, come onnnn, me an' Lise wannna go get ice cream!' I smiled at hearing Sodapop's voice. He was still adorably chilidish, I guess Kaylyn was really happy with him. She giggled from the other end of the phone.

"I'll decide, I promise. See ya..." She hung up, as did I. Now I had some serious thinking to do. Was I going to go out with Ponyboy again, or was the spark between us really gone?