The Writing on the Walls

Chapter Nine

When I reach the Curtis' house I see sweet, innocent Ponyboy with shaky hands and even bloodier knuckles. And poor Johnny was softly crying. Don't they realize that I'm okay.
"Hey, I'm alright you guys. I'm fine." I say while putting my hands on both of their shoulders. They must not have noticed that I was back because when I start talking they shoot out of their seats and hug me so tight it almost hurts. I let out a soft laugh and kiss both of their foreheads before going back to Dallas.
"Can we go home? I'm kind of drained." I ask while looking up at him.
"Yeah, but grab an ice pack before we go." He says while rubbing my arm softly. I nod and walk into the kitchen to see Darry leaning against the counter with his eyes closed.
"Something wrong, Darry?" I ask while lightly placing my hand on his shoulder.
"No, I was just thinking." He says while looking down at me.
"You alright?" He asks.
"I'm alright." I nod before grabbing an ice pack and heading back over to Dallas.
"Ready?" He asks softly.
"Yeah." He wraps an arm around me and we walk back to my place. Should I tell my mom? I mean, I know I should. I just don't know if I'm going to do it. I guess I'll have to once she sees the bruises. They should heal in a day or two though. The ice will help and they are barely there as it is. I still wonder about Dallas though. He's just been quiet since the fight with the Socs.
"What's up with you?" I ask while looking up at him. He snaps his head in my direction like he was just brought back into reality.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been quiet. What's up with you?"
"I was just worried about you. Fucking Pony was screaming for us before he actually got inside and said some Socs had you. I'm still a little shaken up. And it doesn't help that–never mind." He says cutting himself off as we stand on the front steps of my house.
"What?" I ask while pulling the ice pack from my now cold jaw and tossing it in the small trash can on my front stoop.
"I just..." He stops talking for a minute and presses his lips to mine. I'm taken completely by surprise and just stand there for a minute before responding back. I feel like I'm on top of the world. Man, this is great! He pulls back and looks at me for a second before turning around and walking down the street. I press my fingers against my lips for a minute before walking into my house. My mom peeks up at me from the sofa and does a double take.
"My baby, what happened to you?" She asks while getting up from the couch and holding my face in her hands.
"Some Socs attacked me, but we have bigger problems. Dallas just kissed me." I say while taking her hands from my face.
"Oh, honey I knew that was going to happen." She says with a small smile.
"And you didn't tell me!?"
"You were always out." She shrugs with a sheepish smile.
"Mom! That was important!"
"Sorry!" She says with a small smile on her face.
"He beat up those Socs good, didn't he?" She smirks.
"I'm going to my room." I say while walking away from my silly mom. She can be so weird sometimes. I tidy up my room a little bit before heading into the bathroom to shower. When I finish I wrap the towel tightly around my body and slip on my undergarments. Don't you hate it when you step out of a hot shower and the air literally feels like ice? Yeah, me too. I slip on some shorts and climb into bed, exhausted from the long day. I turn off my bedside lamp and pull the covers over my skin. Just as my eyes begin to droop closed I hear the soft creak of my bedroom window. I sit up in bed and squint at Dallas. I hop off my bed and hop into his arms. He lets out a soft chuckle while stumbling back and wrapping his arms around me.
"Why did you walk away like that?" I ask while hopping down from him.
"I don't know, man. I didn't want you to freak out on me."
"I wouldn't freak out. I liked it." I say while biting down on my lip nervously. And just like that his lips are on mine again. I stumble back gainer my bed and let him hover me.
"My mom is still up." I whisper while pulling away.
"I figured." He mumbles, outlining my exposed ribs. I lean up from my bed and peck his lips quickly before moving into a sitting position.
"You alright, Dallas?" I let my fingers brush his hair from his forehead.
"Yeah, I'm just tired." He sighs while kicking off his shoes and pulling his shirt off.
"Then just sleep." I whisper while crawling back under the covers. He slides back under the covers and pulls me into him. Could life get any better?