Intoxicated | Ponyboy Curtis

7

"I'm okay, Ponyboy." The lie came so easy to Layla.

"Yeah, that's because I rip myself apart to keep you whole!"

"How could you say that to me?"

"Don't think I don't notice. I've seen every inch of you, and each time you're just deteriorating more and more!"

"I'm happy, Pony. Aren't you happy?"

"I'm losing my mind!"

"It's crazy, the things you would do for love, isn't it?"

And she had never been more right.

-

Walking home from school the next day, Layla walked ahead of me, ponytail of messy blonde hair bouncing with each step. I smiled, the smallest things meant so much.

She was wearing her old sneakers, the white faded to a dull. She turned her head to see if i was still walking behind her, and my heart almost lept out of my chest.

When I arrived home, Darry was already back from work and was sitting on the couch taking off his boots.

Melly was playing with Johnny, who was being held by Soda.

It was relieving to come home to peace and quiet, and not the usual argument between Dally and Jess, or children crying.

"Pony, don't you have cross-country practice today?" Darry asked, and I shook my head, throwing my bag onto the couch and taking a seat. I tried focusing on the tv, but when Melly came up to me, asking if she could sit on my lap, I simply couldnt deny.

"Uncle Pony, can you braid my hair?" She asked sweetly, and I chuckled, mumbling "sure."

Layla always had me do her hair for her when she got bored, or when she was stressed. It helps girls calm down to play with their hair I guess, something like that.

.

I was leaning against the counter at the DX, listening to Two-Bit ramble on about this broad he met at Al's diner a few days ago.

"She had the fullest lips, and the nicest smile, and she was just the curviest thing I'd ever seen. I think I might be in love with her." He said, eyes wide with admiration, and Steve just chuckled at that.

"So what's up with you and Evie, you two gettin' hitched yet?" Two asked, changing subject. I looked up from my set gaze, and the both of us were focusing on Steve, waiting for a response.

"She thinks she's pregnant with my kid, so I don't know. I'm not a father type of guy, you know what I mean?"

It was only then I realized how much things were changing.