✓ | falling ➝ j. cade

v. girl colored blue

❝A LITTLE SMALL TALK, A
SMILE, AND, BABY, I WAS STUCK. I
STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT
YOU'VE DONE TO ME..❞
- ABBA, LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME

×

The walk to Theodosia's house was quiet. It was an awkward sort of quiet. Theodosia didn't really mind, though. It was nice to have some quiet. She wouldn't have any during the next twenty-four hours. She and Lilli would stay up late, doing what they normally did. Laugh, (awfully) sing, and talk. They would stay up late and then they would help James and Josiah repaint Theodosia's house.

Soon, it came into view. Theodosia smiled to herself. The porch light was on. Her mother was home. Theodosia's mother had been back in Tulsa since Monday evening, but Theodosia barely got to see her. Her mother worked two jobs to keep themselves above water.

"Is this it?" Ponyboy asked.

"Yeah," Theodosia nodded,"it is."

"Looks real nice."

"Thanks."

The boys stopped at the bottom of the porch steps. Theodosia looked to Lilli.

"You can go on in if you want. I'll be there in a sec," Theodosia said quietly.

Lilli nodded and headed in without a word. Theodosia looked at Johnny and walked down the porch steps to him.

"You can just come here tomorrow, Johnny. We can decide what we do when you get here, okay?"

Johnny nodded,"Okay."

Theodosia smiled at him again. Her red hair seemed to glow in the light of her front porch. Only then did Johnny, standing in front of her, realize how short Theodosia was. She couldn't have been 5'3". She was the only person who made Johnny look tall.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Theodosia's gray eyes sparkled.

"Yeah."

"Goodnight and thanks again," Theodosia stepped back up onto her porch and smiled at both boys.

Neither Johnny or Ponyboy made a move to leave until Theodosia walked into her house. Only then did they leave.

"If I didn't know any better, man, I'd say she digs you," Ponyboy said on the way to the Curtis house.

Johnny slightly shook his head.

"I doubt it. Probably a joke or somethin'."

"I wouldn't sell yourself too short, Johnny."

Ponyboy knew Johnny didn't see it yet. He was too blinded by his self doubt, but Ponyboy saw it. Ponyboy saw how she had smiled at him. She had saw Johnny and only Johnny.

"Whatever, man."

"Are you gonna go home?" Ponyboy asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah. I hadn't been home all week," Johnny answered, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jean jacket.

"Al'ight, but come to my house if ya need, okay?"