Melody Curtis (An Outsiders FF)

Chapter 9

I spread out the plaid picnic blanket on the soft grass while Nixxon settled down.

"Grilled cheese sandwiches make everything better." Daniel said, unloading the picnic basket. 

I smiled and sat down next to him. "I'm so glad you called when you did." I said.

Ponyboy and I only worked when the Joliets called us in. So there was really no official work schedule. It varied. Daniel took out the sandwiches and handed one to me. "At least Dallas helped the situation." The second after Darry said Daniel had phoned for me, I called him right back and told him I'd be there in a few. Then we had packed for the panic, and rode out to the little hill near the stables. I had told Daniel everything. 

I nodded in thanks. "And Two-Bit. And Ponyboy." I paused and took a bite of my sandwich. I laughed as Daniel fed Nixxon carrots from one hand and himself with the sandwich in another. "Mostly everyone besides Sodapop. And that Sandy of course."

Daniel grinned brilliantly and cracked open a Pepsi. "Oh, Mel. I'm sure this whole mess will be gone in, like a day. Or two. Give or take a few."

"Boy, I hope."  I looked down at my lap, embarassed. The whole thing seemed so tacky. With Sandy and Sodapop and Dallas and everything. It just screamed "DRAMA." And Daniel. I felt like I was in a cheesy movie. I mean, c'mon, riding out to a little picnic. It was corny but lovely at the same time. Did that make sense? "I just feel bad for everything.  I could've reached to Sandy and made things right. Like asked her what was up. But I didn't. I just kept playing the innocent stand." 

"Melody...Don't blame yourself. Everything happens for a reason. I think you're making a big deal out of nothing. Remember, insight is 20/20." He said. I looked up at him. Knees pulled up to his chest, denim-blue eyes glistening, hair slightly flowing. A blue baseball tee clung to him, and he was clad in old blue jeans. Yes, he was a Soc. But he was different, same with his family, as I said. I didn't care if he went to a different school, belonged to a different social class, the list goes on and on.  And you know what the best part about that was? He didn't care about any of those things too. He understood me like my brothers did. Ponyboy and Sodapop to be exact. Daniel Joliet only saw me as me, not the friends I had, or the tom-boyish way I dressed.

I knew that what he said was true. Heck, Dallas practically said it too. "I'm not blaming myself exactly. I'm just thinking 'what if.' I could've made everything better, but instead, I made it worse. And you can't help but to hang your head in shame knowing that you screwed everything up. I feel stupid, really stupid."

"Well don't. I feel stupid right now, because all I'm doing is telling you to not do things. I'm sorry." 

"Don't apologize! You're so damn nice, Daniel. I'm not even kidding. I mean, for crying out loud, you did all this for me." I exclaimed.

This made my friend smile. "Actually, I just really love going out to picnics with Nixxon and stuffing my face with grilled cheese." He teases. I pushed his shoulder playfully. 

"I'm sure." I chuckled. I laid myself back down on the blanket and stared at the clouds. 

Daniel did the same. "Actually." He said, interlocking our fingers, "I like having picnics to comfort beautiful girls, like you."

"Stop, you're making me blush." True to my word, I blushed a deep shade of violet. I smile as I realized I was still holding his hand.

He gave a little squeeze to my hand. "Awh, you're so adorable, I swear." We spend the rest of the picnic doing the stupid things couples do. Cheesy, I know.

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A/N: OKAY. This is extremely short and I wrote this in about 30 minutes, so I apologize for the crappiness. It's also very cheesy, like grilled cheese, but I wanted it that way. I'll try to update whenever possible! oh, yeah, and could you guys please comment more than, "love it" or whatever, because I want to hear what you liked about it, etc. Don't forget to comment and vote!

thanks