Fast Cars and Freedom

Chapter 14- 3rd Gear & 17

Fast Cars and Freedom

Chapter Fourteen: 3rd Gear & 17

Nobody ever realizes how quickly their whole life can change within a matter of days, minutes, or seconds. Just days previously, Soda and I had been happily together- hanging out down at the DX, playing around with the boys, sneaking kisses at the Curtis house. It was great and I felt like I was in a wonderful bubble of joy.

How cheesy is that?

As I turned the corner of Soda's street several days after our talk at the DX, I only felt awkward and confused. I walked slowly, recalling my conversation with Steve and Two-Bit earlier that day.

"You plannin' on comin' back to the Curtis house ever again?" Steve had said half-jokingly.

"I'm lacking one tiny brunette chick to scold me about my beer drinkin'," Two piped up.

"Well, you could listen to your momma for a change."

Two-Bit pretended to cringe, feigning horror. "And miss out on your hasslin'? Not in a million years, babe." I rolled my eyes at his dramatic wink.

"Anyway," Steve crossed his arms, strongly resembling a parent lecturing a stubborn child, "Now that you and Soda are back to being friendly or whatever, you ought to come hang out with us again."

I wasn't all that enthusiastic to see if Soda and I would be awkward around each other, but somehow was cajoled into a promise to show up when the boys would gather to watch football on the Curtis' television that night.

I noticed a lone figure sitting on the steps of the Curtis house as the small white building came into view. A head of long reddish brown hair looked up and I was met with Ponyboy's green eyes as I slipped through their gate.

"Hey Pone! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!" It wasn't all that dark out yet, so I knew he wasn't watching the sunset.

"Emily! You haven't been around in days!" He seemed genuinely excited to see me. He tossed out a cigarette and I plopped down beside him.

"What are you doin' out here? Aren't all the boys inside?"

I raised an eyebrow in interest when Ponyboy's eyes darted away from my gaze. His face and neck quickly became flushed. "Aw, the guys were...uh, making fun of me," he mumbled lowly but I heard.

I coughed, resisting the urge to laugh because he was just too cute, "Oh, yeah? What exactly were they makin' fun of you for?"

He faced me once again and I became serious when I noticed the conflict in his eyes, debating on whether or not to tell me about what is actually going on with him.

"Well, uh," he started, scratching his head, "It was nothing, really. It was just...Two Bit had to go run his big mouth and tell everyone he saw me talking to this girl at school..." He muttered the last part quickly. Quickly, he added, "It didn't mean a thing, anyways. Just some chick!"

A girl?! Our little Ponyboy Curtis with a girl?! I didn't know whether to be sad because Ponyboy really was growing up now or excited because the gang honestly thought this day would never come.

I licked my lips nervously, not sure how to answer. I had to remember that Pony was a sensitive guy, so he needed someone to be supportive. The gang was obviously doing nothing to step up into the role of supportive friends, so it appeared that I was left to the task. "Well, uh, what's she like?"

"Who? The girl?"

"No, I mean Ann-Margret," I rolled my eyes, "Yes, the girl!"