𝐏𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐓 [𝟏] | 𝘿𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙨 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣

21

            The sunlight shining in through my window slowly starts to wake me up. As my eyes drift open, the memories from last night flood my mind. Making me smile. My hands rub the sleepiness out of my eyes as I slowly sit up in bed. I begin to stretch as I slide out of bed. My legs and arms stretching as I stand up. I run a hand through my hair as my other hand pulls the door open. My eyes adjust to the sudden change of light as I walk through the hall and to the kitchen. Familiar voices reaches my ears. The gangs all here. 
          Dal and I managed to pull ourselves out of bed and put on clothes. He drove me home, safe and sound. And no one was the wiser. Darry was in bed. Soda and Pony were relaxing. They asked me what I was up to and I just said I had been reading. They believed it and I made myself some food before retreating back into my bedroom for the night. 
         "Morning, sunshine." Steve says as I walk into the kitchen. 
         "Morning." I say sleepily as I pull open the fridge. I pull out the bottle of orange juice and open the top. Taking a swig straight from the carton. The rest of the gang is all helping themselves to breakfast. I decide on simply some toast. Putting two pieces of bread in a toaster and spreading jam on them when they are done. 
          As I take a bite of toast, I lean against the counter. My eyes drifting over to Dally. His gaze has been on me since I walked into the kitchen. I try my best not to get caught up in his gaze. The two of us need to be as inconspicuous as possible to keep us a secret. But he's making it really hard with the look he's giving me. I quickly turn back to face the counter to hide my blush. 
        "Looks like you had some fun last night, Dal." Soda said. Making me turn to see what he was talking about. The hickey from last night. It's in full view for the gang to see. 
         Dally's hand goes to his neck as the rest of the gang turns to look at him. "Yeah, a bit." He says vaguely.   
         "Back with Sylvia?" Two-bit asked, nudging Dallas. 
          I turn back to the counter to keep eating my toast. But I keep listening. I wonder how he's going to explain this one. 
          Dal chuckles. "No, I'm done with her for good." He says. "This girl is amazing." My cheeks heat up. "She's really tuff. And absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe I've gone my whole life thinking I should be with any other woman but her." 
        My heart practically jumps into my throat and my cheeks get hotter. I can't help but smile to myself. Damn, if it weren't for everyone else here, I would pin him against the wall and make up for all the time we've missed being together. 
        "Sounds like someone's got it bad." Steve teases. I try to hold back giggling. He has a point. Dal has it bad. But, I do too. 
         Soda and Steve announce that they were leaving for work. That makes me remember. I quickly turn around. "Soda! Did you ask about the job?" 
         He stops and turns. "Shit! No, I didn't. I will today!" He says. He looks at Steve. "Help me remember." 
        "I'll try." Steve says.
        Making me sigh playfully. "So, you won't ask today." I cross my arms. 
       Steve rolls his eyes. "See ya, Peg." He rushed over and gives me a friendly peck before leaving. 
        "Bye, boys." I chuckle. 
        "What job?" Dallas asked, walking over to me. He picks up a piece of toast and takes a bite. 
        "I asked Soda if he could get me a job at the DX. Or else I'll look elsewhere." I say. 
        "So they won't ask today." Dal chuckles. Stevie is netorious for forgetting things. 
         I chuckle as well. With the help of Dal, I finish my breakfast. Darry was already off to work. Two-bit decides to head off with Johnny and Pony. Which leaves just me and Dal. I wash my plate in the sink before setting it out to dry. I turn and see that Dal has left. Walking through the house and to the front door, I see him smoking on the porch. I walk out and to him, taking the cigarette from his lips and bringing it to my own. Making him smile as I steal a drag from his cigarette. I pull it from my lips and hand it over as I blow the smoke from my pursed lips. He takes it and takes a drag as well. 
        "Did you mean what you said in the kitchen?" I ask. 
         He paused as he hands the cigarette over to me again. "Of course, doll. Every word." He smiles. 
          I put the cigarette between my lips again and inhale before pulling it from my mouth. My eyes drift down to the grass in front of the deck. "I want them to know." I admit. "But you know how Darry can be..." 
         "I know, doll." His hand slips into mine. 
         "I will work up the courage to tell him, I promise." I say. 
         I reach to his cigarette but before I can, he pulls it from his lips and puts it between mine. I smile and take a drag from it. He pulls it away. His hand slips my mind and his arm snakes around my waist. Yanking me closer to him. I chuckle and blow the smoke into his face. Making him chuckle as well. This will definitely be a summer to remember. Complete with a new romance. I will tell Darry sooner rather than later. As he is my brother and he deserves to know. But after what happened with Johnny and Pony, maybe it will be smart to wait.