What Can I Do // Dalpop

Concealment

(The next day)
Dally's POV

I had been trying to avoid Soda out of guilt, but after hearing him try to call for the 3rd time, I couldn't do it anymore.

"Hello?" I answered nervously.

"Where have you been? I called there twice already, and they said you couldn't answer."

"Sorry, I told them I didn't want any phone calls. I just have a massive hangover." It wasn't a complete lie.

"Well, the reason I called was to ask if you could come to the Carnival with us today?" He asked excitedly.

I didn't feel like going at all, but I also don't want him getting suspicious. I'll tell him about everything, I'm just not ready yet.

"Yeah, sure. When are we going?"

"We were gonna leave in about an hour."

"Alright, I'll be over there soon."

Then I hung up the phone and took a deep breath. I don't want to lie to him, but I don't want to tell him either.

I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this from him.

~

When I go to the Curtis's home, I saw everyone standing outside Darry's new truck.

"Alright, who's riding with me, and who's riding with Dally?" Darry asked the group.

"I'll go with Dally." Soda said, opening the passenger side door.

"Me too!" Two-bit said, getting in the back.

"Alright, Steve and Pony are with me. Let's hit the road." Darry said, looking at those two suspiciously as they filed into the truck.

I closed the door and waited for Darry to pull off so I could follow him there.

Soda glanced at me and gave me a flirty look before saying, "Hey."

I returned the look and said, "Hey."

"How was last night?" He asked with a smile, "It was crazy, I drank way too much and woke up regretting my decisions." I replied quickly. I'm such an asshole.

"You can tell me all about it later." He said, putting his head against the window.

I really hope he drops this.

After a while, we pulled into the Carnival and saw crowds of people. After I parked, we got out and went to the ticket booth.

We each bought our own tickets and started having fun. First me, Ponyboy, Steve, and Two-bit rode a fast spinning ride.

Then, Soda Two-bit and Ponyboy played a balloon popping game, and Two-bit won a tiny stuffed elephant.

"Fuck yeah, I'm naming him Keith Jr!"

Then we all walked over to the ring toss and bought a bucket of fifty rings to share.

We all threw them at the same time, but we only got three rings to land.

We let Ponyboy pick out the prize, and he chose an inflatable hammer. Then we all decided to get some food.

"I'm going to get a funnel cake. Whoever wants one can come with me." Darry said, walking away with Two-bit and Steve following him.

Soda's POV

Me, Dally, and Ponyboy went to the candied apple stand, and each bought an apple. We sat down on a bench near the Ferris wheel and started eating.

"This brings back good memories." Ponyboy said while biting into his apple.

"Remember when you were little and you dropped your apple as soon as Dad gave it to you?" I asked him.