East Side Sunsets

Chapter 11

I woke up the next morning with no blankets on, only wearing a bra and underwear. It was so hot that I couldn't even think straight. I slowly got up, trying not to wake Ponyboy, who was wearing the same thing as me (minus the bra, of course).

I slowly slid off of the bed, trying my best not to make any noise. When I finally got one foot on the ground, I felt Ponyboy's hand grip onto mine. I look behind me and see his smiling, tired face staring back at me.

"Don't get up, baby."

He said to me, pulling me into his arms. He kissed me on the cheek and held me in his long, muscular arms. He runs his hands along my stomach, making me laugh. I was very ticklish that day for some reason. I unwrapped myself from his arms, and lay on my back staring up at the ceiling. Ponyboy looked over at me, and stared at me for a while.

"I'm afraid. I haven't gotten a reply from the Times yet. I'm afraid they don't like me, and then ill have to figure out a new dream. It's real hard to deal with failure for me, you know."

He said to me. I lightly caressed my hand on his face.

"If you're doing what you love, everything else seems to fall right into place."

I said to him. He smiled at me, and got out of bed, making his way to the kitchen. I heard him making coffee as I curled up into a fetal position, attempting to fall asleep again.

I heard a knock on the door, then someone just run in. I quickly panicked and threw a blanket over me. Ponyboy slowly looked at the door to see who it was.

To our surprise, it was Jess, our neighbor, drenched in tears.