CHAPTER 5

LATER THAT NIGHT AT THE DINGO…

Pony and I sat in a booth in the back of the Dingo. It was surprisingly dark in the back. A waitress came to take our order of drinks and we both just got Cokes. We had barely made actual conversation since we left the lot. Mostly just glancing and giggling, like from earlier that day.

When the waitress came back with our Cokes, we actually began to talk. It was casual…I think so at least.

"So, what happened to Johnny? I haven't seen him all day." Pony asked as he took a sip of his drink.

I sighed, "Oh dear. Well, I came home to see him lying on the floor, practically dead. I had to call Two Bit over to help me move him to his bed. My parents sure did whoop him hard…"

He leaned back as he looked at me with concern, "They didn't hurt you, did they?" He tilted his head as I looked up at him.

"What?"

He leaned in, "They didn't hurt you, right?"

I rolled my eyes, "I wish… My mom—she slapped me. Right here," I pointed to my cheek.

He squinted his eyes, "Oh, it's still a bit red."

"Really?" I touched my cheek.

He leaned in closer, "Yeah," he slightly brushed his fingertips along my face, "right there."

I felt my cheeks turn red. I took a huge gulp of my soda to calm down, "So, what's the deal with Dally and Soda? Is Darry gonna bail them out?"

Pony leaned back as he picked at his jacket, "He said he's gonna bail Soda out tomorrow, but he can't get Dally out."

"You mean Dally is just stuck? Shit, man." I crossed my arms as I pouted, leaning back in the seat.

Pony sat up, "Yeah and I really wish we could, but we just can't afford it." He shook his head.

I glanced up and down from the table as I stuttered, "H-how much is it to bail D-Dal out?"

He looked up at me, "1200, why?"

I felt my mouth drop open as I picked at my nail, "$1200?! You can't be serious…" He nodded as he took another sip of his Coke.

"I am. Soda's was only $100 since he works there and all." He rolled his eyes as he stared at his converse sneakers. "Man, Darry was also kinda pissed at Dally about fighting with Soda at all. I know he was just defending himself… for once, he wasn't the one to throw the first punch." Pony put his head down. He looked how I felt—awful.

I stared at the floor nervously, "Um, Pony?"

"Yeah, Dani?"

I looked him in the eyes as I asked, "If I did something to get Dally out—something that might get me into trouble, would you lie for me?"

He shrugged, "Depends. What is it?"

I glanced around to make sure nobody was listening, "Do you wanna go smoke a cigarette outside? I don't wanna risk anyone hearing this…" He nodded and seized my hand, pulling me out of the booth.

As we stepped outside, there was an entire crowd of kids smoking next to the cars. I tugged at Pony's arm and dragged him around the corner before lighting a cigarette.

"So, what is it?" He leaned up against the building behind us.

I looked around again before finally speaking, "First I need to know, how long would Dally have to stay in jail for that charge?"

Pony shrugged, "Well, if I'm not mistaken, they said it would be a couple of weeks."

"A couple of weeks?! That's outrageous!" I shouted as I exhaled the smoke. Pony nodded slowly.

We just stood there in silence, smoking our cancer sticks. I knew that we smoked a lot, but it's what we did. Normally we smoked more than a pack a day if you want me to be honest. I knew Pony'd be cut from track if he continued to smoke, so I tried to narrow it down myself.

I don't know why it was so silent all of a sudden, and it honestly scared me. Pony then asked, "What were you thinking about doing to bust Dally out?"

I looked at him with wide eyes, "Maybe now isn't the right ti—" Pony grabbed my wrist and rubbed his thumb on it.

"It is. Don't be so nervous. Just tell me, Dani."

I don't know why he could always do it! Why he could always get me to talk even when I didn't feel like it… but he just could.

"Okay. I've been thinking about stealing some of my parents' money to bail him out…" I put my palm to my forehead.

He jumped in front of me as I put my hands over my eyes like a frightened child. He grabbed my shoulders, "Why would you do that? Dal isn't even worth it if they find out and beat you for it. You know that, right?" When I didn't respond, he shook my shoulders gently, "Dani." I still didn't respond. I didn't move my hands away either. He stood there for a minute just silently breathing. "Dani," he chuckled, "what are you doing?" He tried to pry my fingers off my eyes as I just stood there, refusing to take them away.

He then placed his hands on the wall behind me, blocking me from moving anywhere. I could feel my heart throbbing as he leaned in closer, practically breathing in my ear. He then grabbed my waist, startling me out of my skin.

"Pony, what're you…" I felt his warm hands touch my back as he smirked to my liking. I grinned as I completely relaxed my hands to my side.

He looked deep into my black eyes as I stared carelessly into his, "You may be seen as a lost puppy," he wrapped his arms around me, "but you're my lost puppy. No one else can have you," he said playfully as he held me.

I smiled as I put my arms back around him too, "I won't let anyone else take me away from you, Pony." I giggled, as did he.

That moment was better than any moment I'd ever felt before. I wished it never had to end!

-ONE WEEK LATER-

"Oh my God, Dani! Did you kiss him?!" Carla screeched as we walked around the corner of the lonesome street.

I giggled, "We didn't kiss, Carla. We just hugged really tight."

"Uh, why?" She asked with a puzzled attitude, "It's clear that you guys like each other!"

I rolled my eyes with a smile, "It's not—I'm not sure if he knows I like him or not…" I turned to her and stuck my finger in her face, "Don't comment on that!"

She laughed, "Guy, you gotta stop with this crap. If you know you like him, why don't you just ask him out? Sure it's not usual for girls to ask guys out, but the worst thing he could do is say no, right?"

I sighed with a bothered look on my face, "Yeah. That's the worst thing. Telling my crush, who's in the same gang as I am, who is my brother's best friend, who has a rabid ass ex girlfriend that I like him. What's the worst thing that could happen?!" I punched her arm, "C'mon, get real. As if the gang knowing wasn't humiliating enough, let's just bring the story to the goddamn newspapers, huh?"

She rolled her eyes as she mimicked me, "Blah blah blah…humiliating. Blah blah blah…newspapers. Girl, you know that Pony likes you if he grabbed you like that! Go on and ask him out."

"Do you really think I should?" I scratched my head.

"Yes! It'll be fine. Even if he does reject you, you've always got Dallas."

I jumped back in shock as she finished, "Woah woah woah! Wait a minute. Dallas? Why on Earth would I go out with Dallas? He's a bit old for me, yeah? And he doesn't think of me that way anyways."

She stopped and raised an eyebrow as her straight blonde hair drifted in the breeze, "What are you talking about? He's been all over town talkin' about you like you're his good luck charm or somethin'."

I snickered in disbelief, "What? There's no way he's into me. I'm like his little sister!"

Out of nowhere, she waved past my head like she was calling someone over to us. I turned around hesitantly as she kept waving, "What're you—" I stopped when I realized Dally was walking over to us with Johnny, who was feeling much better than he did a week ago.

I turned around and screamed at her, "What is wrong with you, Carla?!" I pushed her onto the patch of grass next to the sidewalk we were trekking along. I stuffed my hands into my pockets as I heard two sets of footsteps approach, one of them being the sound of the boots.

"Hey, ladies. What's hanging?" Dally smirked as he stood there leaned up against a tree.

I just crossed my arms and glared at him as Johnny, who happens to have a huge crush on Carla, gave her a hand off of the ground.

"What d'you want, dip shit?" I felt my nose scrunch up in anger.

He snickered as he lit a weed, "What's wrong with you? Did ya wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?"

"God I wish I hadn't bailed you out." I continued to walk down the street alone.

I soon heard the sound of boots following me, getting closer with each individual step. Soon enough I felt a hand grab me by the back of my jacket. I immediately slapped it away, knowing it was Dally. I sped up in desperate steps to have him away from me.

He then screamed at me, "C'mon, Dani. What's wrong? What's your problem?!" I felt his gaze on me from 15 feet away.

I turned around abruptly and hollered at him, "You are my problem! Now leave me alone or Johnny'll kick your ass!" I continued to walk away.

He chuckled grimly, "Oh sure he will." I stopped again. I turned around and angrily flipped him off.

"He will!"

Dally walked closer, "And what will he do? Just because I wanted to talk to you? Jesus Christ, I don't even know what I did to piss you off."

"Oh really?" I asked as I watched my shadow follow everything I did under the orange colored sunset.

He slowly stepped closer with a tough attitude, "Really."

"Carla told me, ya know? About how you've been going to the moon and back talking about me. What the hell am I supposed to think?! You're probably telling lies about me for all I know." I turned around and continued to walk.

I heard his boots hitting the concrete rapidly as he caught up to me, "Why would I do that? I'm not telling lies about you. I just—I've never met a girl like you before…" He closed his eyes, "Pretty, smart, strong for her age…" He looked away in irritation, "Ah, I can't believe I'm telling you this after so long."

"What are you telling me? 'Cause what I'm hearing is something I'm not understanding of." I crossed my arms awkwardly.

A moment of silence filled the air as he just stood there and looked deep into my eyes. He put his hand upon my cheek like Pony did.

I jumped back in alarm, "What are you trying to tell me, Dal?" He didn't respond, he just kept looking into my eyes with a cold, desperate expression.

"What is it you are trying to tell me?!" I screamed at him as he was frightening me. The way he looked at me… I wanted him to stop! I couldn't take it anymore!

I pushed him away and sprinted up the hill with no second thoughts. I never wanted to see him again if that meant he wouldn't bother me. As I approached Johnny and Carla, Johnny took notice of my tears and stopped me.

"Hey, man. What's wrong?" He grabbed my arm, his hands cold to the bone.

I sniffled, "I'm fine, Johnnycake. Can we just go? Please…" He didn't respond as he looked at me with worry.

Carla then stepped up, "Dani, what happened? Are you al—"

"No!" I shouted in her face, "Thanks to you, I'm crying! Thanks to you, Dally came over before I could cool off! Thanks to you—" Johnny shook me by the arm.

"Shut up, Dani. Let's go." He grabbed my wrist tightly and yanked me up the street and to the park. When I turned around, I was shocked to see Carla with an expression of hurt written upon her face. I saw her slowly walk back down the hill in the opposite direction of where we were headed.

When we got to the park, it was almost dark. We sat on the swings as Johnny had disappointment stressed deeply into his eyes.

"What's wrong, Dani? You acted like a complete jerk to Carla…"

I rolled my eyes as I swayed in the swing, "Don't tell me that I'm the jerk. She was the one who called you guys over to us! I really didn't need that after what she told me." I retied my shoelace.

Johnny looked baffled, "What did she tell you? What even happened on the bottom of the hill when you went down there with Dal?" He dusted off his jeans as they had a speckle of dirt on them.

I took a deep breath and explained, "She told me that he's talking about me all over town. That he's been doing it for a while actually. And at the bottom of the hill, Dally acted weird again. He acted almost as if…almost as if he liked me." I looked Johnny in his black eyes, his bangs spread over his eyelashes like something you'd see in a painting. I shot him a look of fright and worry and confusion. I still didn't know what to think about Dally's interaction with me earlier.

Johnny swallowed as he put his hands on the back of his head almost as if he was scared, "If I tell you something, you promise you won't tell the gang? E-especially Dally…"

"Oh my God, Johnny," I jumped off of the swing and on my knees directly in front of him, "What is it?"

He looked around nervously, I guess to make sure nobody was listening. He inhaled real heavily, "I think that maybe Dally… I don't know," he grabbed my hand and looked me in the eyes, "I think that he does like you for more than a friend or a sister type. And actually," he gasped for a breath of air, "he told me he feels something for you, Dani."

My eyes widened as I stepped back, letting Johnny's hand fall to his side. I felt worse than ever. Dallas Winston liked me? Why? What was so interesting about me?

I hugged myself as I stood there in shock, "Dally likes me? You've got to be kiddin' me or something." I looked at him, expecting for him to add to that thought.

His black eyes reminded me of Grandma Cade… They were like beauty in a case, the case being the shine they both shared in their eyes. Every time I would look into Johnny's eyes, I would see her. Her dark skin, slightly wrinkled and her hair, dark brown, almost black like mine. Her smile warmed hearts like the colors of the sunset reached my senses. Everything about her was bright and graceful.

He stared straight into my eyes with those eyes as he simply responded, "I'm not, Dani. Dally even s-said he l-l…" He turned away in embarrassment.

"Johnny, tell me what Dally said." I stepped closer.

He looked back at me in worry, "He…he told me he thinks he's in l-love with you, Dani…" Tears began to run down his face.

I started to hyperventilate, "Johnny, no. No, he wouldn't of said that. Maybe he didn't mean it."

"He meant it, okay? He never says anything he doesn't mean. You know that of all people." Johnny stood up and began walking toward the Curtis house.

"Johnny, wait!" I screamed. Johnny spun around with his hands in his pockets. I stood there awkwardly, "Why are you upset that he's into me anyway?"

Johnny grinned through his tears as he walked back over, "Because, Dani," he wiped his face with his sleeve, "you're my little sister and I love you. I don't want to see your heart get broke by one of my best buddies, either. Dallas is known for being real handsy with women as it is. I can't imagine what he'd be doing with my kid sister who's 3 years younger than he is."

I tilted my head in shock, "Handsy, huh? And you don't want my heart broke by one of the guys? I'm afraid it's a little too late for that since Ponyboy was with that crazy bat, Gwendolyn."

Johnny laughed as he put his arm over my shoulder. We continued walking to the Curtis house for the next couple of minutes.

When we got to the Curtis house, the door was wide open as usual and Steve's car was parked by the sidewalk…as usual.

As we walked into the front room, I noticed Gwendolyn was sitting on the couch, conversating with Ponyboy. She jumped up with enthusiasm when she noticed we were there.

"Hey, Dani. And uh—whatever your name is." He gestured to Johnny.

I responded by giving her a look of disgust. I walked over to Ponyboy, who appeared to be extremely uncomfortable by her presence, "I hate to ask, but what is she doing here?" I pouted with frustration.

He had his fist propped up against his forehead, "I dunno, why don't you ask her?"

I rolled my eyes in even more frustration as I turned to Gwen, who was now sitting by the television, "What are you doing here, Gwendolyn?"

She laughed like a maniac as she continued to watch Mickey Mouse, dodging my question. I stomped in front of her and flipped the switch to the TV. "Uhm, hello?" I clapped once in her face, pissing her off.

She jumped up, looking determined to fight me or something, "What do you want?!"

"Wow, I guess you're just plain stupid, cause it seems to be that you don't understand that you aren't wanted here for many, many, many… many, many reasons." I looked at her with frank eyes.

She pushed me, "Look, I'll tell him about your little crush on him if you don't just leave him alone!" She whisper yelled into my ear.

I jumped at her, "Go ahead. Tell him another thing he knows already! I am his girlfriend, ya know…"

She snickered as she glanced at Pony. I noticed he was now off the couch and standing up with shock written all over his face. She looked back at me a she pointed to him, "You guys aren't dating. I know you aren't."

Pony and I looked at each other in disbelief. I looked back to her, "Oh? And how do you know that?"

She rolled her eyes, "Because James told me he spotted you in the back of the Dingo. You guys didn't makeout. You didn't have sex. Good golly, you didn't even kiss! Obviously hugging isn't in for teenaged dating, so I'm convinced you two aren't together."

Johnny stepped up behind her, "Now wait a damn second, Gw—"

"Shut it, loser." Gwen shoved him back into the wall, making him fall to the floor. That. Pissed. Me. Off.

I grabbed her hair and yanked at it intensely, not thinking twice about what I was doing. I pulled and pulled, dragging her all the way into the kitchen. Pony went to help Johnny up as I smashed Gwen's head into the fridge. I then shoved her to the ground, making her wail like a baby.

She cried and cried and cried as I dragged her by the arm out the front door, "If you dare to do another dumb thing like that to Johnny, I won't even stop to think before kicking your goddamn skull in! Now get the hell out of here before I change my mind!" I pushed her off the porch and onto the walkway. She screamed loudly as she rushed down the street in tears.

When I walked back in, Ponyboy was rushing to Johnny's side with a wet rag as he had a gash on his forehead from hitting the coffee table on the way down. Blood was dripping down the side of his face like nobody's business. The odd thing was, he wasn't even crying the whole time. He just sat there, emotionless.

"Doesn't it hurt, Johnnycake?" Pony asked as he handed Johnny the rag.

Johnny just pushed the rag up against his head, "A little." He went silent as he stood up and motioned toward the couch.

"She didn't hurt you too bad, right?" I put my hands together as I sat down on the couch next to him.

Johnny chuckled, "Hell, she ain't done nothing. Nothing compared to home." He twitched a bit as he pressed it harder up to his head.

Pony stepped closer, "It looks… pretty bad, Johnny. I, uh, don't want you to have to go home with that." He smiled as he sat in the chair across from the couch, "Do you guys," he looked away cutely, "wanna stay over tonight?" He raised an eyebrow at me in specific as if it was up to me.

"I-I don't know, Pony…" I turned to face Johnny with a face of question, "What do you think, Johnny?"

Johnny shut his eyes tightly as I could tell he was giggling in his head, "Yeah. We can." He grinned like an oblivious idiot as he shifted his glance back and forth from Pony to me.

"Okay that's enough, Johnny." I stopped him abruptly. I stood up and grabbed Ponyboy's arm. I dragged him into the kitchen for a little bit of privacy, or at least, what I could get out of it considering Johnny was probably eavesdropping as we spoke.

Pony leaned back onto the counter sheepishly, "So, if you're staying the night," he chuckled sweetly, "I guess you can stay in mine and Soda's bed."

"Oh," I looked into his eyes briefly, turning away as soon as he noticed, "Won't he be a little upset about that?" I wriggled around with my fingers.

Ponyboy smirked, "Pissed." He laughed, causing me to burst out too.

As I laughed, I tripped over my completely unnoticed untied shoelace. I was gonna fall to my side when I suddenly felt someone grab me. The warm hands were soft to the touch as they wrapped around my arms and pulled me up. I looked up and saw Ponyboy, his dark brown-almost red hair fallen over his eyes. He looked into my eyes again.

I loved it when he looked into my eyes! I saw bright lights highlighting the starry sky when I looked into his eyes—almost like a painting, but even more beautiful.

He blinked, causing me to regain my focus. He kept holding me up against the counter as he held me tightly.

"If you wanted me to catch you, why didn't you just ask?"

My eyes widened in surprise, "What?! You mean you—"

"Knew? Yeah. I got the idea when you flipped out on Gwen like you did—you know, back at the Dairy Queen last week." He let loose, his hand still wrapped around my wrist.

I felt like I was gonna die right there and then. He knew. He knew. He knew. He knew!

"Well, I mean…" I smiled nervously.

Pony held his hand out to me, "That's how you feel, right?"

I stood there silently thinking. I felt a tear forming in my eye as I sighed, "Pony, you know that—" I was cut off by a sudden feeling of warmth upon my lips. Oh. My. God. I just stood there relaxed as I detected a hand on my waist. Then another. Oh. My. God!

Right as I was starting to enjoy this, I heard a voice coming from the doorway…

"Oh, you kids!"

My eyes widened as I recognized that voice. I was greeted by Pony's wide open eyes, too. We were too close to grinning to continue our little make out.

"Darry. Hey, man." Pony scratched the back of his neck tensely.

Darry shoved his hand in between our chests, causing us to depart. He reached into the icebox with a grin planted on his face. He began to laugh hysterically as we just watched awkwardly.

"What's so funny?" I grinned evilly, "Dar-Bear."

He pulled out a water bottle, "Y'all are what's so funny. Oh and, what was it that I said about calling me that?"

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, Superdope." I chuckled, as did Ponyboy.

Pony's eyes told me what we needed to do next. We needed to run.

We dashed off into the room, hearing loud steps behind us every second before reaching the door. They stopped when we slammed it shut behind us.

Pony laughed as he leaned up against the door, "I guess Darry still hates when people call him that." I chuckled a bit as I was leaned up against the wall adjacent to the door. It got silent for a second. Pony stared me up and down a couple of times.

"What're you doing? What're you looking at, perve?!" I screamed at him jokingly.

He smirked, "You. Those cute legs of yours." He leaned in closer.

What I did next, I couldn't even control…

I grabbed him by the neck and just pushed up against him as I passionately kissed his warm, sugary lips. I noticed he had his hands on me. One, going up my t-shirt, the other making it's way up the back of my leg.

It's not that I could help this or anything… I mean, I could've stopped him at any moment, but why the hell would I do that when for once… I didn't feel like a little girl. Nobody was telling me what to do. Nobody was telling me that I was too young or too weak. I could feel relaxed when I was with Ponyboy.

He backed up with a grin on his face. I tilted my head, "Is something wrong?" I put one of my hands in my pockets as he slowly back toward the door.

He snickered a bit as he reached for the door handle. He locked the door, his gaze still on me. He leaned up on the door coolly, "Nothing's wrong. Nothing at all, Dani." I beamed at him as I tip-toed closer.

He met me at the corner closest to the door. He started to slip off my jean jacket as I stood in front of him staring at him with adoring eyes. He pulled me close and started to kiss me again. Oh and the way he kissed… I felt like fireworks were going off! I felt like everything—all of the hatred put toward me by my parents, was going away. I knew I liked Ponyboy, but I knew I felt something more than just liking him then.

We slowly made our way over to the bed as we continued to make out. We sat on the edge of the bed. I had no idea what I was doing, really. But I knew it was something crazy! I grabbed the bottom of his shirt and started to pull it off. When he realized, he chuckled and pulled it off himself. When he pulled it off, it revealed his flawless chest. For a fourteen-year-old, he was pretty muscular. He had perfectly curved arms and a flat, yet fairly strong looking stomach.

He gently pressed me down onto the mattress, laying my entire body flat. He climbed on top of me with a smile on his face. He was sitting baseball player style across my hips as he leaned in to kiss me. I felt his brawny chest press up against my hands as he slowly made his way from my lips down to my neck. I let out a quiet moan of pleasure, to which he stopped and grinned at me.

I forced him off just to jump on top of his chest. I viciously forced my lips onto his. He didn't seem to have a problem with it; in fact, he actually seemed to like it. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I leaned in to kiss him again. We must've kissed for a full couple of minutes before there was a knock on the door…