ʜᴇʀᴏ

safe and sound

later that evening, the rest of the gang was finishing up dinner. i had lost my appetite again, so i was sitting on the couch, sketching.

i had been sketching a lot, my book was almost full after only a few weeks.

i heard a knock at the door and hesitated for a minute before standing up. i peaked out of the window and saw cherry.

i unlocked the door and opened it.

"hey cherry. ponyboy! cherry's here."
i called out to him.

"i'm actually here to see you. do you have a minute?"
she asked sweetly.

"oh uhm.. yeah. we can talk out here."
i said, stepping outside and shutting the door behind us.

i led her over to the porch swing and we sat down.

"i just wanted to say how bad i felt about what happened at school today.. no one deserves that."
she said, turning to face me.

i looked at her and nodded, smiling slightly.
"yeah.. it was quite the welcome back."

"and i think it's stupid you got suspend. from what i heard, vanessa deserved it."
she giggled.

"she really did."
i laughed.

"just know that there's a lot of people behind you, fizz. most of the socs don't think you murdered jamie."

she placed her hand gently on my arm. she really was the sweetest person. she didn't act like the other socs. cherry was kind and had a good heart.

"we're all here for you. i even saw some of the lacrosse team clean up your locker after school."
she said reassuringly.

i smiled softly.
"that's good to know. thank you.."

"you're ponyboy's sister. which means you're my friend now. and i protect my friends."
she smiled a big bright smile.

"i don't know how that dork got a girl like you.."
i snickered.

she giggled.
"no, he's amazing. he's so funny and kind.. and thoughtful."

"he really likes you, cherry. his pupils practically turn to hearts every time you're even mentioned."
i said.

"i think i'm gonna marry him, fizzle. i really do."
she whispered gleefully.

i looked at her for a second and smiled.
"how can you know? we're still so young.."

"when you know, you know. i just.. i can imagine us building a family together. being happy together and spending the rest of our lives together."

she closed her eyes as if she was picturing the future she was talking about. her face lit up and she placed her hands on her heart.

"i think i may feel that way about johnny.."
i admitted, looking out.

she squealed and grabbed onto my hands.
"you and johnny? that's amazing. ponyboy always said he thought you two would end up together.."

"i just.. i feel so safe with him, ya know?"
i asked, holding onto her hands.

"you two would make the cutest babies, i can already see it."
she laughed.

"woah, don't get too excited."
i chuckled.

—————

the next morning, the gang had just finished up breakfast while i finished putting some books into my bag.

the boys gathered their things and started to head out to door.

"wait for me!"
i hollered.

"what are you doing here?"
i heard soda ask in disgust.