rainy days, an outsiders story

chap;6

The next few weeks pass quickly; I visit the Curtis house almost every night. Some nights I would help Pony with his homework others I'd help clean the house. The nights were special in their own way, yet uneventful. Well they were until three nights ago.

Me and Pony were lying on the porch; watching the stars. "You'll near enough freeze." Darry had said to us before throwing a blanket over our outstretched limbs. After the comfort of the blanket arrived Pony and I had begun to doze off. His hand brushed my arm as he murmured, "You know, you're gold." I turned round to look at him quizzically but his eyes were closed. "Johnny woulda thought you were gold."

This brought questions to my mind, that name again. Johnny. I wanted these question answered but we laid there in silence and didn't speak again.

-

"The end of year dance!" Marn squeals at us all, as we sit around a lunch table.

"I'm so excited!" Sue enthuses.

I smile despite myself and begin playing with my lunch. The dance isn't something that me and Pony had talked about. But I sure wish he'd ask me, after all I think he likes me.

All the girls depart to get more food leaving just me and Marnie. I desperately want to tell someone about Pony. When you have a crush its normal to want to tell someone. Guess I'm calling whatever I feel for Ponyboy a crush now? I tell it all to my parents but that's not enough. I glance at Marnie now, she's in a good mood and I make my decision. I know I'll be revealing myself as a liar but I'm too love-struck to care too much.

"Marn."

"Yeah?" She demands, sensing the serious tone in my voice.

"I've been seeing Ponyboy Curtis." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them; I watch Marn's face for her reaction.

"You what? You...you lied to me!" She hisses, hurt evident on her face. Her bottom lip begins quivering and the guilt that engulfs me begins to feel like too much.

"I'm sorry Marn, I tried to stay away, I promise. But I...I really like him."

Marnie holds her hand to her chest as if her heart will fall out, "God Sage, I wish you'd use your head sometimes, he dangerous!"

"No he's not!" I argue, thinking of the boy who I shared countless starry nights with, the boy who likes sketching and is proud of his brothers. "I've been seeing him and I'm fine, I do really like him and I'm sorry but I wanted to tell my best friend."

Marnie regards me for a moment then she sighs and takes my shaking hand, "I'm sorry I just..." She brings her hands to her forehead and rubs, "I just think you should be careful with him he's...damaged."

"What do you mean?" I ask, raising my eyes to meet hers.

"Look, I don't know pony very well heck I don't really like him but I feel that you should hear the story from him."

"Okay... thanks." I reply, squeezing her hand before letting go.

Marn is about to say something when she changes her mind, "Look who it is." I follow her gaze and see Matt and Tom walking towards us. Tom begins talking to Marn and Matt comes to me. He talks to me about some football game then playfully takes my hand. I let him hold it when I catch sight of Ponyboy across the field. My face lights up and I know Marn can tell, but we say nothing.

-

The fact that Marnie didn't completely freak out about Ponyboy gives me courage, I've decided to ask Pony about his past when we walk home from the dance. He's going to ask me, he's invited me to his house right now for that very reason.

I knock on the familiar Curtis door and for the first time Steve answers, "Pony's not here, he's on a date." My heart sinks slightly but I know that me and Steve still don't get on and he's lying.

I push past him into the house to see for myself, I go straight to Pony's bedroom and find Soda on the bed. "Where's Pony?" I ask, knowing that Soda would never lie to me.

"He's with a girl." Soda states, not realising the enormity of what he is saying.

"Oh." I reply, already stepping out of the room as I feel the tears forming. I leave the house and the cold air that had seemed so welcoming before whips at my face. Pony had invited me to his house only to let me know that he was seeing someone else.

I hug myself against the cruel truth and begin my walk home; my heart aches and I swallow my sobs as the sun ahead of me begins to set.