𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 ❥ 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬

𝟢𝟢𝟩

"i'm just thinkin' 'bout you."

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐩.𝐨.𝐯

     A couple of weeks had passed since I started writing in my journal again.

     Pony hadn't mentioned his date since that night and I was too busy with basketball to care. When tryouts are over the coaches waste no time with introductions, which meant we were practicing everyday of the week after school.

The gang knew how serious I was about basketball so no one's too surprised when I go straight home after practice without stopping by to say hello.

Today was one of those rare days when practice was finished early and I wasn't too tired. I headed over to the Curtis house and was pleasantly surprised to see the entire gang there.

When I opened the front door I heard someone yell, "Val, is that you!?"

Soda and Two-Bit immediately ambushed me. Two-Bit picked me up and spun me around before handing me off to Sodapop who gave me one of his famous hugs.

"Boys, let the girl breathe for a minute." Darry yelled.

"It's good to see you all," I smiled.

"Good lord," Dally said. "The prodigal son has finally returned." He smirked.

"Well I couldn't be gone for too long. I'd hate to return months later just to find out you're in the cooler." I teased.

I wedged myself between Soda and Steve, thankful for a break from my usual routine.

"Oh, in case you're wondering Pony's in his room doing some homework." Soda said.

    "I wasn't wondering." I replied, not removing my gaze from the TV.

     Pony and I hadn't talked in weeks. I ate lunch with the basketball team now, we had no classes together, and I never stopped by the house as often, so we really didn't have any chances to spend time together.

     Some friends we are—and I mean that in the most sarcastic manner possible.

     "Don't you miss him? I mean, you haven't seen him in awhile." Soda asked.

     "I'll live."

     My sarcastic replies shut him up quickly. Soda just shrugged and stood up to grab a drink from the kitchen.

     Johnny hesitantly sat next to me and didn't say anything for a second.

     "He misses you, you know." He whispered.

     I wanted to think of that in another way, but I knew it was because I was his best friend. And it was killing me.

     "Because I'm his friend, right?" I replied. I could hear the bitterness in my voice but I didn't care. Not at that moment.