I stand there, dumbfounded.
I gingerly touch my lips and eventually smile, soon running down the street.
What I didn't notice is that ponyboy was staring at me through the window the whole time.
___________
It's that time of day again.
That time of day that I get chased down by a soc.
I pant as I run faster into an alleyway.
I get to a dead end and I back up once they get to me. They take steps closer to me and I step back.
"W-What do you want with me?" I stutter as my back hits the wall.
"You made my girlfriend's mouth bleed the other day, now I'm gonna make yours bleed too" he chuckles and I gulp.
He gets close to me and pins me up against the wall, putting a knife to my throat.
"T-That ain't gunna make flinch" I growls at him.
He chuckles and tucks the switchblade into his pocket.
"Fine.." He says and punches me in the stomach.
I fall into the ground, gasping for air.
I grab his leg and pull it towards me, causing him to fall.
He kicks me in the face and I knew right there I was going to have a bruise.
The other guys pin me down as the main soc punches me repeatedly in the face.
All of a sudden, he gets knocked out.
I put my head up looking at the people running towards us.
The socs let go of me and I see the rest of the gang throwing punches and tackling the others.
I groan and lay my head back down onto the concrete ground.
"Ari? Ariana are you okay there, kid?" I see a blurry vision of dally reaching towards me.
He grabs me by my jacket and pulls me up a little.
He shakes me, "wake up kid" he says and my vision clear up a little.
I see the boys gathered around me.
I lean on the wall, trying to pull myself up.
"Oh you look bad we need to get you to the hospital" Darry says and I look up at him.
"N-No I'm fine" I say and Johnny helps me walk by slinging my arm over his shoulder.
"Thanks Johnny.." I say.
"Let's get you home, kiddo" Darry says.
______
"Ouch, that stings!" I hiss.
"Sorry.." Soda mutters as he cleans out my cuts.
When he finishes he puts the stuff away. "Thanks soda, I appreciate it" I smile and he smiles back.
"No problem"
I go to the porch to get some fresh air.
I should've pulled the switchblade on them bastards.
I sigh and lean back on the chair.
Then I hear the door open, I look over and see ponyboy walking down the porch steps to the gate.
"Ponyboy!" I yell and he turns around.
"H-Hey.." He stutters.
I walk over to him.
"Ari I'm sorry that I-"
"It's okay, really. I honestly didn't mind." I smile and put my head down.
He looks at me in surprise. "Wha- really?"
I nod and he smiles, "I-I.." He looks like he's at lost words.
"Cmon pony I gotta talk to you" I say and he nods as we walk inside his house.
We walk into his room and he looks at me. "What'd you wanna tell me?"
I sigh and look at him,
"Ponyboy.. D-Do you.. Do you like me?" I ask and he pauses.
"Y-Yeah..." He puts his head down.
"Well, I like you too.." I say and his head shoots up to look at me.
He doesn't say anything but stares at me, surprised.
He walks up to me and puts his hand on my bruised cheek lightly.
As he leans in the door suddenly opens, both of our head turn towards the door.
"Woah there pony!" Dally stumbles back in surprise.
We scoot away from each other.
"G-Get out Dal" he yells and dally slowly walks out.
"Well, I'll see you later" I say and stand up.
He all of a sudden slams me into the wall, his hands on either side on me.
"Wait" he says and lightly pressed his lips onto mine.
I kiss him back and he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
I lean my head back a little and he leans his foreword.
We pull away and he stares into my eyes, our faces inches apart.
"Don't tell Darry" he chuckles quietly.
