It Started At The Record Store (Ponyboy X Reader)

Part 24

The next five days, I worked all day. I'm grounded, and my father has been harsh lately. I can't hang out with Pony outside of school for two weeks, which is till we graduate.

I'm going to take a year off before going to college. Just to get a taste of real life, and I may travel a bit.

Pony mentioned wanting possibly go to school for poetry since he won a scholarship. I just want to put my feet in the water before all of that, you know?

I shut the door into the store, and lock it. Today was a busy day. I never got a break, it seemed.

I back up, bumping into someone, "Sorry!" Immediately escapes my lips.

I turn around and see the smile I love. Ponyboy...

"Ponyboy, I'm not allowed to see you. Grounded remember?" I glance around, but there isn't anyone but us.

"I wanted to see you before you went home." He flashes his teeth, digging his hands into his pockets.

"My dad counts the minutes it takes me to get home after closing, and he'll know if I was around you. He already hates you, remember?" Panic washes over me.

"Okay, I'll walk you home." He grabs my hand and starts walking.

"We need to stop at the curb.. so my dad doesn't see us." I sigh, "He will break us up if he sees us together."

"Yeah, but we graduate in two weeks." He smirks, "You're eighteen, and get to do whatever you want."

"Yeah, but you're seventeen remember?" I raise an eyebrow.

"So? I have the intelligence of a twelfth grader. Remind him of that." We stop at the curb.

"Okay. Love you. Bye." I kiss his cheek and jog away before he can respond. I go into the mail room and grab a bill from our mail box. I then, go upstairs and into our apartment.

"I'm home!" I shout, walking down the hall into the kitchen.

My dad looks up from his paper, and studies me.

"What?"

"Nothing." He grunts.

I feel my cheeks heat up from his attitude, "What is wrong?"

"I'm just wondering when you're gonna get serious and forget about this boy."

My blood boils, and I slam the keys on to the table, "I love Pony, dad."

"Love? Sweetheart, you don't know shit about love." He chuckles, "You're eighteen, and too young for that."

"I am human, and do know what love is." I snap, "Ponyboy is super smart and is in my grade. He is a year younger than me, and has a scholarship for a college in New York."

"What does he wanna do? Deal drugs?"

"I can't believe you!" I raise my voice, "He wants to go to school for poetry, and I want to go to New York with him."

"Well you can't."

"I can. I'm an adult, and can make my own decisions. I'm leaving with Pony, the week after graduation." I straighten my back and give him a half smile, "Don't you expect me to visit."

"You want to start a life with a boy you have been dating for what... seven months?"

"Eight months, and yes I do." I cross my arms, "I know what I want, and don't need you babysitting me along the way."

"Fine!" He slams his fist against the table, "But when you leave, I never want you coming back. I thought you would grow to be so much more than a love struck, slut of a daughter."