Where Have You Been? - Ponyboy x Reader

"Coughing fit." - Chpt. 3

2nd Person PoV

You entered the bedroom and shut the door behind you.

"Hey Pony, you okay?" You asked with a look of sympathy.

"Yeah, I'm all good. I'm sorry, I didn't wanna weird you out, that's all. We just met, I ain't want you to think I was after somethin' or had some ulterior motives. Of course Two-Bit had to go and humiliate me for no damn good reason." He kept his head down as he spoke, clearly frustrated with the recent turn of events.

"Why don't you come on out? If you don't wanna be around everyone, we can go outside for a bit." You held your hand out to him as an invitation, hoping this wouldn't ruin your budding friendship. He took it with a weak smile, letting you lead the way to a breath of fresh air. Walking past the gang earned Pony a few whistles and shouts but he managed to brush it off once you got outside. It was still warm out, and you came out at the perfect time to watch the sunset. You sat down on the edge of the curb, Ponyboy doing the same.

"So, you feelin' a bit better now." You tilted your head to get a better look at his face.

"Yeah, it's rough bein' a guy sometimes. Uncontrollable embarrassments and all." He chuckled and glanced back. God did he look good in this lighting. You had to admit he was very attractive, an attribute you noticed when he first opened the door. Its crazy that just a few hours ago you were stuck as a babysitter in such an agonizing place. You felt lucky to be sitting here with him. It was fate.

"(Y/n) since you're a girl you'd probably know more 'bout them than I would. I was wondering if I could get some advice." You nodded along for him to continue.

"I kinda met this girl, few days ago. She goes by Cherry Valance. She has bright orange hair, and she goes to school with us." Oh yikes. Not Sheri, a soc. She was always hanging out at the pizzeria with her disgusting boyfriend - or not boyfriend? You weren't completely sure. All you know was that she bullied you relentlessly in middle school. Of course, she had her claws sunken into him.

"Yeah, I know of her. What's up?" You already knew what he was gonna say and you didn't want to hear it. You felt it would dull the nice moment you were sharing together.

"Yeah well, she was real interesting to me. I just hope to talk to her again. I think I got a little crush. How might I get her attention if i see her again?" Sigh. And there it was. If only he knew who she really was.

"Well Pony, when I like someone I usually have a way of doing things. First, if I think I'm gonna see them I dress up a bit, not too much, but enough to stick out a bit. Then, I'll figure out a way to talk to them, usually by 'coincidence' or just plain actin' dumb. Once I get a chance at conversation, I try to look attentive, leaning into them, asking questions that I wouldn't particularly want to know, but to show them I'm interested and make them feel heard. Next, it starts to feel more natural and friendly every time I talk to them, so I'll start to bring extra snacks, treats, gifts - little things, to engrave myself in their mind a bit so that the next time they see me, their mind will associate me with the same sort of joy they'd have from receiving those things. Don't make anything too obvious, make them feel like they're the one who wants to talk and be around you. Sometimes, it results in them liking you back. Who knows though? I haven't had a boyfriend in a while." He looked at you with wide eyes as you spoke, as if you'd just told him the secret of life.

"Wow (Y/n). You seem to know an awful lot. I'll definitely keep those in mind... thanks." You gave him a warm smile and a pat on the back. You didn't have the heart to tell him your thoughts on the girl. Hopefully he'd figure it out soon enough. He didn't seem too dumb.

You sat beside him enjoying the comfort silence surrounding you, watching as the sun fell from the sky. You wondered where the night might go from here. It'd be a shame if everyone just sat around, leaving you to ride home eventually. You hoped that these rowdy boys would have something up their sleeves. Hanging out with such a reckless and rough group of boys made you feel cool, you were worried that after today you'd never get another chance to get close with them. Your thoughts were interrupted by the opening and closing of the front door. Turning around you saw Johnny.