My Greaser Girl

Four

A m a n d a

I woke up with the familiar sent of mint hitting my face. My body was pressed against something, warmness taking over my body. The sun peaked through the window, giving the room a faint glow.

My arm was thrown across someone's torso, that said someone's arm around my waist. I moved my head so I could see who was with me, causing a stinging pain to shoot through my head. I kept in a groan, not wanting to wake the person beside me.

I was met with Ponyboy sleeping soundly beside me, our bodies molded together, fitting perfectly on the couch. Our legs were tangled together, my body pulled close to his.

Memories of last night were very faint, I remembered getting in a fight with that Soc, him saying stuff about my parents. Everything after that was a haze.

My shirt was thrown on the floor with a hole in it, one of Ponyboy's shirts replaced with it, and it smelt just like him. His eyes were shut lightly and his lips were parted, just like last week. He looked so young when he slept.

I started drawing random patterns and swirls on Ponyboy's shirt with my finger, hoping he wouldn't wake up.

"That tickles," I heard him say quietly, his voice rough from just waking up.

I flattened my hand back out and blushed. "Sorry."

"It's okay," he smiled faintly, keeping his eyes closed.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Well I'm sure you remember the fight," I nodded, "well, you were beat up pretty bad so I took you here, Dally was worried, we all were. Soda said I should stay home from school and make sure you're okay."

I smiled at their carefulness towards me. "Thanks, Pony."

"For what? I didn't do much," he said.

"Sure you did," I said, "you looked for me, didn't ya?"

"Well, yeah, but--"

"I'm thanking you, Pony," I interrupted him, "Take it."

He sighed and smiled. "You're welcome, I guess."

I rolled my eyes playfully. My head and jaw still ached, and I'm pretty sure I had a few bruises.

Things had felt different the past few days, my soft side was coming out, not my weak soft side, but my loving one. I usually never let anyone get this close to me, but Ponyboy was an exception. I'd never thought I would like anyone this much, except for Dally, he practically saved my life. He wouldn't tell anyone how or why I ended up on that park bench that night, not even Darry, and I was thankful for that. Not because I didn't want them knowing, but because I was embarrassed by it, and I didn't want them feeling bad for me.

"Where's Dally?" I asked. I knew how he was when he got mad, and it wasn't pretty.

"He ran out last night to go find Bob, the Soc that jumped you, hasn't been back."

"Oh no," Bob ain't gonna look pretty.

We stayed in our position on the couch for a while, talking about random things. We were sharing thoughts on things and asking questions until he brought up a question that I had deep thoughts about.

"What scares you the most?" He asked.

I thought about it for a few minutes, not thinking about the stupid things like spiders or snakes. "Rejection, letting someone get too close, not knowing when someone you love could leave you."

"Do you love anyone?" He asked. "'Cause I'm sure they'd never leave you."

I thought about it for a minute, did I love anyone? Yeah I liked Ponyboy, but I'm only fourteen, my brain isn't fully developed and things are confusing. "I don't know, maybe? I mean, I love Dally, he's like my brother."

"But do you love anyone, to the point where you would take a bullet for them."

I looked up at him and stared right into his green eyes, not breaking eye contact. "Would you take a bullet for the person you love?"

He nodded slowly. "Without hesitation."

"Then I must be in love," my voice was quiet and shaky.

"Woo!" The door flew open and Steve walked in with a piece of chocolate cake shoved in his mouth. I jumped and rolled off of the couch, landing hard on the floor.

"Ow," I groaned, holding my head.

"Woops," Steve pulled me up, "sorry, Manda."

Ponyboy sat up straight and stood beside me, throwing his arm over my shoulder. "Hey, careful, she ain't feeling to well."

My skin burned at his touch, we had hugged before, obviously, but it never felt like this. We were young, stupid, didn't understand feelings.

Steve apologized again and gave me a real tight hug, making me light headed for a few seconds.

"Can we go to the ice cream parlor?" I asked, holding onto Ponyboy's arm.

He nodded and we told Steve before walking out. A few people from school passed and asked why we weren't there, a few had some dirty things in mind.

"Aw, look, Greaser finally got a girlfriend!" A Soc shouted from across the street. That's when I realized Ponyboy's arm was still around me and I was holding onto his wrist.

We both put our arms by our sides and rubbed the back of our necks shyly.

You've known Ponyboy for five years, nothing's changed. My subconscious said.

Except for the fact that you love him now.

I told my subconscious to shut up and go to bed as we stepped up to the parlor.

--

Ponyboy and I walked along the sidewalks in the darkness, the moon being the only source of light for us. We would trip over our own feet or a can every so often, making each other laugh and fall ourselves.

"The stars sure are bright tonight," Ponyboy said, looking up at the sky and coming to a stop.

Dally's place was close by, I could hear the music and shouts from the bar.

"Yeah," I agreed quietly. We both laid down in the grass and just stared at the sky, our bodies close together, but not touching.

"Amanda?" Ponyboy broke the silence, using my real name, which kinda worried me.

"Mhm?" I hummed.

"Who have you told other than Dally," he paused, "about that night."

"No one," I answered.

"Do you plan on telling anyone else?"

"I don't know," I said truthfully, our conversations have been real deep lately, "maybe you . . . someday."

"I ain't gonna pressure you," he said.

I didn't thank him, or speak, I reached out and laid my hand on top of his, stroking the back with my thumb.

"Manda?" I heard Dally's voice in the distance. "It's time to get inside."

I yawned and stood up, Ponyboy following behind.

"See you tomorrow, Pony," I said, heading off in Dally's direction.

"See ya," he smiled and started off towards his house.

I ran towards Dally and walked beside him.

"What were you up to?" He asked, throwing an arm over my shoulder.

"Just . . ." I trailed off, glancing to the side to see Pony glancing back at me, "lookin' at the stars."