Greasers Promise // YN x Ponyboy Curtis

Ghosts of the Past.

The next morning, I woke to the sounds of the house stirring around me. The smell of bacon wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of coffee. I stretched out on the couch, my limbs heavy with sleep, but there was a lightness in my chest that I hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time, I could almost believe that I had left my troubled past behind me.

I padded into the kitchen, my eyes still adjusting to the brightness. Dally was at the stove, flipping pancakes with a practiced ease, while Johnny sat at the table, pouring syrup into a small bowl. The sight warmed me. It was so ordinary, yet it felt like a piece of home.

"Morning, sunshine!" Dally called, a playful grin on his face. "Sleep well?"

"Better than I have in ages," I replied, pouring myself a cup of coffee and joining them at the table. "What's the plan for today?"

"Not sure yet," Johnny said, his soft voice barely rising above the sound of sizzling bacon. "Maybe just hang out? We could hit the drive-in later."

The thought of the drive-in sent a thrill through me. "Sounds great! I'd love that." I glanced at Dally, who was pouring pancakes onto a plate, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Can I help with anything?"

"Nah, I got it," he said, flipping the last pancake. "Just sit tight and enjoy. It's your first day here; you should relax."

As we dug into breakfast, I felt the easy banter between them—the teasing and laughter that made me feel like I was part of something special. But there was an undercurrent I couldn't quite identify. I had heard whispers of trouble, and I sensed that beneath the laughter, something was brewing.

After breakfast, I wandered into the living room, where I found Ponyboy sprawled out on the couch, a book resting on his chest. He looked peaceful, his soft curls falling over his forehead. I didn't want to wake him, but a part of me couldn't resist the urge to be near him.

I plopped down beside him, careful not to disturb him. He stirred slightly, and his eyes fluttered open. When he saw me, he smiled, his eyes brightening. "Hey, Y/N. Didn't see you there."

"Sorry if I woke you," I said, leaning back on the couch. "What are you reading?"

"It's just a book for school," he replied, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "But it's really good. You should read it sometime." He handed it to me—a worn paperback with the title Gone with the Wind scrawled across the cover.

I took the book, running my fingers over the cover. "I've heard of it. I'd love to read it." Our fingers brushed briefly, and I felt a jolt of warmth flood through me, making my heart race.

"Want to sit outside? It's nice out today," he suggested, standing and stretching.

"Sure!" I agreed, following him outside. The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze danced through the air, rustling the leaves of the trees lining the street. We settled on the steps, the warmth of the sun casting a golden glow around us.

As Ponyboy began to talk about the book, I listened intently, captivated not just by the story he was sharing but by the passion in his voice. There was a fire in him, a drive to escape the harsh realities of our lives. I found myself hanging onto his every word, mesmerized by the way he saw the world.

"But it's not just about love and war," he said, his eyes shining with excitement. "It's really about survival and the choices we make."

"Sounds like it hits close to home," I remarked, glancing at him. "I think we all have our battles to fight, don't we?"

He nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Yeah, we do. Sometimes it feels like it's never-ending."

I could feel the weight of his words as we sat in silence for a moment, the world around us fading away. It was a rare moment of vulnerability, and I wanted to know more about the battles he faced, the struggles that shaped him into the person he was.

Before I could ask, Dally burst through the door, breaking the moment. "Hey! You two lovebirds ready to hit the drive-in? Or do I need to come drag you both out?"

I laughed, the tension dissipating. "We're ready! Just give me a minute to grab my jacket."

As I dashed back inside, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the interruption. There was so much I wanted to know about Ponyboy, about his dreams and fears. But maybe today would be the start of more moments like that.

Once outside again, we piled into Dally's car, Johnny sitting in the back with me, while Dally took the wheel. The drive was filled with laughter and chatter as we raced through the streets of Tulsa, the wind whipping through our hair. I felt a sense of freedom I hadn't experienced before, as if the weight of my past was slowly lifting.

Arriving at the drive-in, I was captivated by the sight of the large screen illuminating the darkening sky. People milled around, laughing and enjoying the evening. It was a vibrant atmosphere, and I felt a thrill of excitement course through me.

As we settled into our seats, the familiar scent of popcorn wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble. Dally leaned back, putting his arm around the seat behind Johnny and me. "You guys ready for some classic Greaser fun?"

"Always!" I replied, my heart racing with anticipation.

The movie started, and I found myself engrossed in the story playing out on the screen, but it was hard to focus entirely. I kept stealing glances at Ponyboy, who was completely absorbed in the film, a soft smile on his face. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about him, something that drew me in like a moth to a flame.

Halfway through the movie, I noticed Johnny lean closer to me, whispering, "What do you think of the movie so far?"

"It's great! But honestly, I'm more interested in the company," I admitted with a grin, and Johnny laughed softly, a hint of color rising to his cheeks.

"Yeah, it's nice to be out," he said, glancing at Ponyboy. "We don't get to do this often."

Just then, I felt Ponyboy's shoulder brush against mine, a slight electric shock racing through me. My heart pounded in my chest, and I looked over at him. He caught my gaze, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Are you enjoying it?" he asked, his voice soft, barely audible over the film.

"I am. Thanks for bringing me," I replied, feeling a surge of warmth wash over me.

As the movie continued, the bond between us grew stronger, the laughter and shared glances drawing us closer. I felt like I was finally beginning to find my place, weaving into the fabric of this new life. But I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that darkness loomed in the shadows, ready to disrupt the fragile happiness we were building.

Little did I know, the events that would unfold in the coming days would test our friendships and force us to confront the ghosts we were all trying to escape.

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Thank you for reading part 2/20!

"It has gotten better before, it will get better again."

Faye out!

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