The Insiders

Part 7: Ponyboy's POV

I was so happy that Jesse could stay, was I supposed to tell her I like her now or... Anyway, I showed her around the house and then we settled in the chairs in my room with a couple of snacks, even though it was already 11:00 at night. We were talking and we heard the front door open and two-bit came in. "Imma stay by y'all for the night if that's okay with y'all." He was drunk again. Jesse went to the living room so I followed. "Hey, since almost all of us are here, why don't we play a game." "Like what sugar plum" two bit said. "Hey don't talk to her like that." I stated. "Oh sorry unicorn man" and he burst into laughter. Sometimes he annoyed me when he was drunk. "How about we play..." Then Jesse stopped to think. "DUCK DUCK GOOSE!" She blurted out.  Darry, Sodapop, Two-bit, Jesse and I sat in a circle to play. Gosh, she really knows how to light up the gang. Jesse started first. She tapped everyone's head and said duck every time she did. She went in circles for a pretty long time and after a while instead of saying duck she was saying random stuff like "watermelon" or "hippopotamus" causing the whole group to laugh. Finally, she tapped on my head saying "GOOSE, YOU BETTER CATCH ME" I ran after her and gave her a big hug. "I got you." I said quietly, but I didn't whisper. "Well what are you gonna do now that you got me." She asked. "I'm gonna... " then I kissed her cheek, and this time, I didn't accidentally kiss her lips. She giggled and Soda coughed intentionally. "Oh uh, my turn". I said breaking the silence. Jesse sad down where I was sitting in the circle and I circled the circle. I chose Sodapop, since he was sitting next to Jesse, and I ran. when I could, I sat in his spot so I could be safe, and so I could be next to Jesse. I put my arm around her and she rested her head on my shoulder. "Jesse" I whispered in her ear. "Yeah" she whispered back." "Jesse I love you so much" I said in her ear, so no one would hear. "I love you more babe" she whispered. We didn't realize, but everyone was looking at us. That night, Jesse slept next to me in my bed since there was no other place. I hugged her and  we fell asleep that way. I closed my eyes, about to sleep when I felt warm, soft lips on my mouth that tasted like the kit kats we ate earlier. I opened my eyes and there she was, she had pulled away by then, but she was starting to blush and I whispered "I loved that. I love you" and we fell asleep.