.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

12. A very unexpected talk.

Being the last class before going home the classroom full of adolescents chattered without paying much attention to their teacher. Ponyboy was doodling on his notebook waiting for the teacher to boom out with his voice shushing everyone. Suddenly a small ball of paper landed on his desk. He opened it up reading, 'Watch out stupid greaser.' Rolling his eyes he threw it away at a nearby trash can. Ever since he danced with that girl Tanya at school some guys kept on bullying him. Good thing about him was that he had his friends to back him up. Tanya tried keeping contact with Pony but to now make things matters worse he always ignored her. She backed off eventually frustrated.

The last bell rung, he put on his jacket now that it was colder than ever now that is was almost the end of November. Twobit and Steve were waiting for him by the entrance. Just as he was about to step down the stairs someone pushed him hard making him stumble down. Pony landed on his knees and hands, everyone gasped or simply stayed to watch. Pony gritted his teeth having enough of the harassment. Twobit with Steve were already walking towards him.

"What are you going to do about it, huh greaser?" Scott asked folding his arms in front of his chest.

Ponyboy's hands turned into fists, "I don't know Scott. How about I put my foot up your a-"

Twobit jerked him away standing in front of the young Greaser, "Say Scott why don't you just walk away right know before my friend Steve and I do some serious damage."

Steve puffed out his chest more seeming a lot more tougher, Ponyboy growled lowly at them. He felt humiliated. Not that anyone noticed but he knew he could handle his own fights. He didn't need anyone right at that moment. It would have been only him against Scott. Twobit repeated what he said at the Soc who simply shrugged walking away from them. Everybody else went on with what they were doing.

Ponyboy let it go for now, in the end his friends just cared for him anyway. He'd do the same for them in a heartbeat. After all, Greasers stick together. They went off to drop him at his house so they could go to the DX for work.

"If he messes with you again you tell us kid." Steve warned.

Twobit nodded, "We'll kick his and anybody else's ass. Haven't fought in a long time so this could be fun."

Ponyboy smiled, even though he was a little frustrated he felt thankful, "Fine fine, just get going or your boss is sure gonna bust a nerve again."

Steve pointed at Twobit, "His fault we were late. Not my problem he's such a horn dog that he had to fool around with that girl of his before getting to work. Ain't that right Twobit?"

Twobit grinned sheepishly, "What can I say? I have my moments."

Both greasers left. Darry called to check up on his little brother knowing he was already home by that hour. He also told him what chores to do like laundry, dishes and taking out the trash. Darry would be the one to make dinner. Hours later Dally stopped by grumbling a hello. He plopped himself on the couch smoking a cigarette while turning on the television. Ponyboy put away the last dish from the sink drying his hands with a wash cloth. The smell of the cancer stick made his nose scrunch up. Outside was ok but inside it wasn't.

"You know Darry doesn't allow smoking in the house, Dal."

"Is he here?"

"...No."

"Then stop whining."

Pony muttered some words as he sat down next to him. The TV was on a channel where some lame comedy show was on. Some minutes passed by with only the two of them watching. There was a scene where a family was having breakfast. The mother was smiling sweetly at her son and husband. The son said some love words to his mother saying how much he appreciated his family. How it was very important to stick together. Ponyboy grimaced, Sure, keep believing that you little brat. He sighed getting up not interesting in watching TV anymore.

"How are ya feeling Pone?"

The boy stopped on his tracks turning around so slowly repeating the question he was asked in his head, did Dally just ask me how I'm feeling? Dally?!

"Um, I'm ok."

Dally started cracking his knuckles, "You ever been scared of me?"

Pony was now baffled with all these questions, Dally was not the person to ask these things or show some emotions. Sure he was a good buddy to the gang but did he show some affection? No. Pony was actually surprised. He thought about the question for some seconds, when he first met Dally he was awfully scared. His personality was just too much to take in, a very tuff kid who saw more than he should have at his young age.

"Yeah."

"You scared of me now?"

Again he thought, he didn't want to admit it but he was. Maybe it was because of those ice cold blue eyes that pierced through you when he stared at you or that he was a real JD and a real hood or that he was certainly a person to not mess with especially with his reputation. Ponyboy pursed his lips, Why is he asking me all this?

"So?"

"Yes." Pony answered timidly.

Dally sighed, "You shouldn't, kid. You shouldn't be scared. I thought you knew that by now."

"Why's that?"

Winston stood up walking to the door, he looked at Ponyboy who was standing in the middle of the living room confused by all this. He cracked one of those rare meaningful smiles, "I'm your friend, Pone. I care. I know what you're going through... Must be hard to believe huh?... Heh, oh and one more thing, don't be saying this to nobody else or I'll personally kick your ass. See ya later kid." With those words said he slammed the door behind him.

Ponyboy's eyes widened a bit slowly comprehending what had just happened. What Dally got through to him. That he really cared for Pony, it was a real shocker. Never in his life had Pony ever heard Dallas Winston show any kind of affection not even to Johnny. So he looked out for everybody, maybe a little over protectiveness to Johnny but he didn't ever say it. And Ponyboy really believed that if he told this to anybody Dally would keep his word and kick his ass.

He smiled to himself, Nobody would believe me anyway. Maybe Johnny but let's keep this a secret. I'm sure Dally does understand, it's just that he's different from me. He's a more colder person, I'm more...Weak. Ponyboy frowned as he admitted this to himself, I don't know how long it will be until I'm finally better. At least it's good to know that Dal understands.

Alone in the house with nobody else, Ponyboy glanced at the clock. Darry was going to be home soon. He checked everything to make sure it was all clean, not messy, in place and up to Darry's standards. His brother's truck was heard outside. Pony listened to Darry's footsteps go up the porch stairs. The door opened.

"Hey there kiddo. How was your day?" Oldest Curtis asked giving his little brother a quick hug.

"It was... Different."

"Different? How so?"

Ponyboy smiled sitting on the couch remembering, "Let's just say that people can really surprise you."

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)