Pony's POV (again)
"So are you"
Hardly, I thought, she was the only one in the room I'd give the title of pure perfection to. Dally had damaged too many souls and Johnny was so afraid of leaving a footprint on the world that he hadn't damaged any. Darry was hardened and strict beyond the point of anybody feeling anything positive radiate off of him; and as for Steve... Steve was wild and ruthless - he didn't see a point in being careful about anything other than cars and maybe himself or the gang. I always figured a girl oughta see that in him, and realize how hard getting through to Steve's soft side would be.
As for Soda, he was probably the closest to being considered perfect. He had golden looks and a heart to match...but Soda could be reckless. He could put himself in danger without thinking about the people that could be affected by his getting hurt.
I suppose I could be like that too, but Soda was more thoughtful; Darry and I expected more detail in his decision making skills I think.
"A-ahem..." Kathlee's voice radiated from my shoulder and I felt her grip on me loosen.
"Thank you," she mumbled under her breath, flashing her in-depth iris's up to me after attempting to straighten out her hopeless hair.
"Thank you...all of you. This really does mean the world to me, especially now since I didn't have anywhere to go. But, um..." She had raised her voice and started speaking with the only burst of confidence I'd ever seen from the girl; but had now moved on to stuttering and pulling at the end of my old blue sweater.
"Um..." She continued, softer than before. "I'll try to stay out of your hair as much as possible, and help around the house as much as I can. I don't go to school...so I can do housework and all while Pony and Soda are at school, and when Darry is working..."
Soda coughed, interrupting the girl and raising his hand. "I don't go to school," he smiled, "I'm a drop-out and I work at the DX with ol' Steve here," he nudged at his best friends shoulder and smirked at Kathlee. "I appreciate your assumption of my smarts though, doll."
Leave it to Soda to thoughtlessly hit on our new house guest, an hour or so into meeting her.
I turned to her, only to see a slight crimson rise to her cheekbones and a smirk play out on her rosy pink lips.
Damn Soda.
"So...Kathlee..." I began, attempting to break the awkward silence following my brothers flirting.
"We should probably start by getting you some clothes and finding a place for you to sleep... Darry, what do you think?"
"Well..." He sighed, leaning back into the chair and running his thumbs across his temples, "I suppose you, and either Pony or Soda could share a room... Whoever isn't with you can sleep on the couch and whoever is with you can sleep on the floor. Am I clear, boys?"
Soda and I perked up and stared in disbelief at our brothers words.
1. Soda and I had never not slept in the same bed/room.
2. One of us has to permanently sleep on the couch?!
3. The other one gets the graduated honor of sleeping on the floor...
"Darry, that's crazy!" Soda piped up, taking the words straight from my mouth, "she's a new guest that's going to be living with us permanently for goodness sakes! We ain't gonna mistreat her! Nevertheless make her feel uncomfortable, but Darry making us sleep on the couch and floor is no way of handling that 'problem'." He spat, and air-quoted the last word.
"Um...Darry, sir..." Kathlee continued, "if you don't mind me saying, there's no way I could do that to Pony, or Soda. I don't mind sleeping on the couch or taking the floor and if you won't have me do that, I definitely wouldn't mind sharing where I sleep with these two." She said softly, indicating to me and Soda. "I mean, if y'all are accepting me into your family permanently, might as well do it in all aspects."
Gee, this girl sure had a way with words... Like I said before, perfect.
"Well..." I heard my oldest brothers voice chime in. "I'm still not sure..."
"Ah c'mon Darry, you know your brothers are good kids. Let them be kids and get to know their new addition to household, ain't that right guys?" Dallas persuaded.
Soda and I solemnly nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, Darry c'mon! You bringing her into your family, its not like you can just leave her out and make her feel awkward from of something like this" Two-bit continued.
Soon enough the entire gang was pushing for the option of what would be most comfortable for Soda, Kathlee and I, until Darry finally gave in.
"Okay, okay!" He hollered, his voice rising above the rest of the gangs. "Whatever makes Kathlee comfortable..."
Darry looked towards the positively deflated looking girl to my right and indicated for her to decide how the whole situation was to be handled.
"I used to get bad nightmares..." She explained, somewhat drifting from the topic, "and the only way I could get back to sleep after I woke up from them, tired and afraid, was to be with someone... If the boys are okay with it, I'd be happy to share a room with two-thirds of my new family." She smiled lightly at the bad memories indicated in her story, but progressively looked happier and happier as she realized we were in her lives and she was permanently apart of something new with good people.
I knew the gang and I were going to protect this new addition to our lives and house if it sent us to heaven, and deep down I knew Kathlee would do the same. She was apart of the gang now. When you're in a gang, you stick up for the members. If you don't stick up for them, stick together more like brothers, it isn't a gang anymore.
And we'd always be a gang, Kathlee included, till the day our hearts stop beating.
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Ooooh yay Outsiders quote at the end there, (all rights go to S.E.) so I hope you all liked that lil' book cameo.
Anywho, hello there again, you wonderful, wonderful people, thank you again for reading this and supporting Stay Mine. You are all truly fabulous and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So as usual, if you have anything you'd like to share with me (tips, critique, etc) please do not be afraid to do so.
And of course, hearing comments from you guys are totally rad, but there is never any pressure for you to do so.
Until next time, lovelies.
~Mads~
Ps - I'm sorry my authors notes are so long...
Pss - I'm thinking of doing a dedication type thingy to get more involved with you guys... I don't know, if you care to share your input, feel free to let me know.
Adios!
Stay Gold.
