BACK AND FORTH (𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘺)

eight

Ponyboy didn't fall asleep for hours. How could he? He had found out that the person who he was sure hated him for years, secretly longed to be even friends. He pondered over why Steve had pretended for a while, and eventually, he understood.

The two boys had only just become friends, and Steve kissed him. Pony found himself smiling at the thought, and then quickly tried not to think about it. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing or bad thing that he had liked the kiss. In all honesty, he had always suspected that something was different about himself, but that didn't mean he was okay with it. He tried being 'normal', and almost thought that he was after meeting Cherry Valance. But after a week alone in the church with Johnny, he knew that he liked boys, at least a little bit.

  Pony groaned in frustration, causing his brother to stir a little bit in his sleep. "Pony? You okay?" Soda slurred, still half asleep.

  "I'm fine Soda," Pony sighed. "go back to bed." Soda reached his arm out and wrapped it around Pony's waist, pulling him closer. With the comfort of his warmth, Pony was finally able to fall asleep.

-

  Pony was distracted mess at school. All he could think about was how many more hours until the end of the day. He wanted to see Steve, and bad too. His excitement hadn't ever been like this before. He couldn't focus, and every time the older boy crept into his mind, his stomach would get butterflies.

Finally, the last bell of the day rang. He stood up quickly, collected his things, and began walking swiftly to the door. "Pony?" His teacher called out.

Pony stopped and turned around, fighting back a groan. "Yes?"

"Could you stay back a minute please? I wanna talk to you."

Pony glanced at the clock. If he wasn't out to Steve's car in the next ten minutes, Steve would have to leave without him or else he'd be late for work. "Yeah, sure." He walked to the teachers desk.

"I can't help but notice that you were a bit zoned out today in class."

Pony sighed. "I'm sorry sir. I've just got a lot on my mind."

"Trouble at home?"

"No, more like..romantic trouble? Someone I'm not sure whether or not I like kissed me yesterday, and I've sort of just been thinking about it all day."

His teacher chuckled lightly. "If you haven't stopped thinking about it, then is it possible you liked it?"

"I think I liked it. Maybe.."

"Well, I hope that you can find a way to manage your romantic life and your school life separate. You missed three pages of notes today."

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Good, now run along. I'll see you tomorrow."

Pony nodded and then walked swiftly out the door. He checked the clock and groaned. He only had a few minutes to get out to the parking lot. He began walking faster, until he finally made it to Steve's car. Steve was sitting in drivers seat, tapping his hands on the steering wheel when Pony got in the passenger side, sighing. "Geez I'm sorry. My teacher made me stay back, I tried to hurry. I hope you ain't late for work now."

"I'll be fine, I was more worried about you. A few more minutes and I would have been looking for you." Steve looked away. "I was worried some soc had gotten ya.."

  Pony watched his face as they pulled out of the school. He saw him swallow hard and take a shaky breath. "I..I'm sorry. I didn't even think that you'd be worried." Steve didn't say anything, and just kept driving.

  "I care about you, Ponyboy." Steve finally said once he pulled into the Curtis driveway. "I care about you a lot. Why do you think I always had lunch with you and walked you home or gave you a ride everyday? Even though I didn't talk to you, I still looked forward to those moments, just..secretly. Like I didn't wanna admit it to myself, but I always knew."

  Pony stared at him, and for the first time since they had began hanging out, he believed what Steve had said. All doubts had been cast out. "Thank you." He said quietly. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I guess you should get to work. You're already late enough as it is, huh?" He hopped out of the car. "Thank you for driving me home. Happy birthday Steve. Don't forget about me tonight, okay?"

  A smile appeared on Steve's lips. "Yeah, I won't kid. See you then." He waved and then began backing out.

  "Wait!" Pony shouted and ran over to his window.

  "What is it, kid?"

  "I'm not aloud to go anywhere in school nights. Can you like, park a bit further down the street tonight, and I'll sneak out?"

  "I don't wanna be getting in any trouble with your big brother.." Steve said, raising an eyebrow.

  "Don't worry about it, you'll be fine." Pony smiled. "I promise." He backed up from the car, finally letting Steve leave.

  He walked inside and sighed lightly. His stomach felt all funny again. Was his teacher right? Did he really like Steve? He didn't know him all that well yet.

  How could he like someone he hardly knew?