"I miss her." Ponyboy said laying his head on my shoulder. I felt tears seep into my shirt. I glanced up at Sodapop and Darry, giving them a 'what do I do' look. They didn't know either. So I did what I do best.
"You want some coffee?" I asked pulling away and for some reason that made him laugh.
I giggled at his laugh and Darry and Soda joined in. It was one of those moment where nothing was funny, except our laughing. It grew louder and louder until all four of us were crying laughing. And this went on for minutes I swear. Us just laughing at the world. Soda sat on the floor and Darry threw an arm around me and kissed my temple in between laughs. Finally I could speak again.
"What's so funny?" I cracked out.
"You. You CAFFEINE are funny." Sodapop said emphasizing my nickname. We all laughed again. I loved my brothers so much. I couldn't live without them.
"Well I'm making coffee." I said getting up and leaving my brothers to continue to laugh.
When the humor had vanished and I came back to living room, Darry had taken my spot next to Pony and I sat in the ground next to Sodapop.
"Ponyboy she wanted me to tell you something." I began and all was serious again. The boys faces grew curious and Pony's was anxious. "She said she loved you. And she always would. She just had to leave because she needed a new reputation, Ponyboy."
I'm not sure if my news hurt him or not. I'm not entirely sure if it helped or not either. He just sat looking at the floor, but he wasn't crying.
"I understand why she left. I would have to. But I still miss her." He still wasn't crying, just sad. But deep down I think he would be more sad if she had stayed. He loved her, I could see it in his eyes. And he wasn't selfish, he wanted what was best for her. And leaving was what was best.
"I wonder what she's doing right now." Soda said making us grin at the thought of our reckless friend.
"There's no telling." I laughed.
"Probably learning to surf on the West coast. Or getting an acting job in LA." Darry answered making us grin at how true both of those possibilities were.
I sat up and grabbed Ponyboy's face with my hands, forcing him to look his older sister in the eye.
"I love you. And I know you love Dani, but that's the thing about love, it's not a once in a lifetime thing. You'll find her Ponyboy I promise." I hugged him and he pulled me tight. I loved my brother with every little bit of me. Seeing him like this was hard, but I knew he'd be okay.
"Do you think if Dallas left, you would move on?" Ponyboy asked and Darry and Soda looked like they were wondering the same thing. All three of them looked at me wanting to know the answer.
"No." I thought to myself. "Not a chance." But that isn't what I said.
"Of course I could. I have you boys and that's all I need. I would find someone eventually, just like you will." He looked hopeful at my lie. Sometimes the truth is the right thing to say, and sometimes... it's not.
Ponyboy went to bed early, he was tired. I on the other hand was wide awake from the Coffee.
"Hi guys!" Opal greeted walking in. She took it hard when Dani left, but after a week or so, she was back to normal.
"Hey smiley." She winked at Sodapop and sat next to him in the couch.
"Eww." I said getting up and pouring myself another cup of coffee. Sodapop and Opal had a little thing going on.
"What's with my friends getting with my brothers? It's weird."
She giggled at me and rolled her eyes. "Get over it Caffeine." She said and Soda leaned in and kissed her. I grimaced and then walked to my room upstairs.
I walked in and turned the light on and almost screamed when I saw someone laying on my bed.
"Dallas!? What the hell!?" He sat up and shrugged making me laugh under my breath.
"Missed you." Was all he answered.
"We are breakfast this morning? And you could have used the front door you weirdo." I sat on the bed and he kissed me.
"Stay here tonight." I pleaded.
"I think your brothers would have a cow." He laughed at the idea of him spending the night.
I sighed and laid my head on his chest and he wrapped me up in his arms. I had wanted to talk to Dally about our future but was afraid. I was afraid he didn't see the same one I did.
"Dal," I started proving myself up on my elbow looking at him. "Do you wanna marry me someday?" I asked bluntly.
He chuckled lightly and kissed me. "Of course I do." I was relieved when I heard this. I smiled at him and kissed him again and laid back down. I was completely and madly in love with Dallas Winston. A love that wasn't going away, even if one of us did.
'I am going to marry Dallas Winston' I thought to myself. And with that I fell asleep, in the love of my life's arms.
