Cigarettes & Sunsets (A Ponyboy Curtis/The Outsiders Fanfiction)

Chapter Three

Regular POV

The next day my mom woke me up and we all had breakfast together. I took a shower and let my hair naturally dry, because I didn't plan on doing anything that day. I was lounging around the house in pajama shorts and a t-shirt. I went to go watch TV for a while, until someone knocked on the door. I got up, and opened it, surprised to see Ponyboy. I laughed nervously, 

"He-Hey Pony! Whatcha doing here?" I stammered. 

He shifted awkwardly onto the other leg, "Well, just wanted to stop by and ask if you wanted to hang out a little, grab something to eat, meet the gang?" 

I thought it over quickly. "Let me ask!" I exclaimed running to the stairs. 

"Wait.." I ran back and saw him still standing outside. "Where are my manners! Come inside please, you can sit right there!" I said, motioning towards a couch.

I ran upstairs and asked my mom and dad. 

"Just stay safe and call us." 

"Yes Dad, yes Mom." I ran into my room and put on some printed shorts and a white halter tank top. Then I ran back downstairs and slipped on my sandals. I looked over to Ponyboy. 

"They said I can go. Ready?" I asked.

He smiled and nodded, as we made our way out the door. We walked down the street, cracking jokes and just having a nice conversation. Somehow, Pony managed to sliver his arm around my waist, and he pulled me in closer to him. I smiled warmly, as my stomach filled with butterflies. About a block from his house, a Mustang rounded the corner, making it's way towards us. I gulped, and Ponyboy reassuringly pulled me in closer. We stepped up the pace and tried our best to avoid confrontation.

"Hey, Greaser!" One boy said as he leaned his head out the window. I averted my eyes, and looked down at the floor. "You heard me. What about you, pretty girl? I remember you. Come take a ride with us." The car came to a halt, and I heard car doors open. 

Ponyboy whispered in my ear, "When I tell you to, you gotta run. As fast as you can. My house is just a block down, the one with a porch." I nodded. 

"Secrets don't make friends, Baby!" The Soc said. I looked up and saw 3 of them. They were walking towards us. 

"Why don't you just leave us alone, huh?" Pony spoke up bravely. Luckily, the three Socs weren't close enough to see him shaking. The Soc in the front stopped walking, and the ones behind him followed. 

"Now why would we do that?" He asked menacingly. "Just let us take your girl for a ride, show her how it is on the west side." Pony's jaw tensed, and he was getting heated up. "How about that, Babe?" The Soc asked me.

In that moment, Ponyboy leaned down, and whispered in my ear, "Run." I broke out into a full blown sprint, propelled by a huge rush of adrenaline. I ran up the stairs, to the dingy screen door. I struggled to open it due to my clammy hands. Once I did though, I burst into the room. Several people were there. 

"Celeste, what's wrong are you okay?" Sodapop asked, concerned. 

In between breaths, I answered, "Pony and I were walking... and some Socs showed up.. He told me to run." 

Everybody in the room instantly sprang up, and started running down the street. I followed as fast as I could. Johnny took my hand as he helped me get closer to the scene. By the time we got there, it looked like Pony had gotten punched in the jaw, by the way he was clutching it. The eldest of the "gang", and the most buff, was able to step between the two groups, severing anymore conflict. 

"Get outta here." He said simply, causing the Socs to glare as they got back into their car. "Stay out of here too, you hear me?" He added. 

They sneered, as the driver pulled away. 

"Pony, what the hell were you thinking?" The buff one said, as he whipped around. 

"Hey stop Darry! It's not his fault. Those Socs have been coming over here more often!" Soda spoke up. It looked like 'Darry' was about to retort, but he looked over at me and decided against it.

"Darry, Two-bit, you haven't met Celeste yet." Soda said, quickly switching moods. 'Darry' looked over to me, and a boy in a Mickey Mouse shirt, presumably 'Two-Bit', did too. 

Darry extended his hand, "Darrel Curtis. Call me Darry." 

I shook it. "Celeste Murano." 

Two-Bit have me a goofy smile. "I'm Two-Bit." Somebody 'coughed' the name Keith. Two-Bit rolled his eyes. "Well my actual name is Keith Mathews, but don't go by calling me that." 

I smiled, "Nice to meet you, Two-Bit." 

I heard Pony groan behind me. I turned around to see him cradling his jaw in his hands.

"You okay Ponyboy?" I asked. 

He nodded, "Yea, I'll be fine." 

Johnny helped him up, and he leaned against the wall for a second. I joined him by his side, and he happily draped an arm around my shoulder. Whether it was to regain his balance, or just to show a little affection, I didn't know. We all walked down to the Curtis house. Sodapop was telling Two-Bit and Darry all about me. I smiled at his excitement.

"Sorry this all happened." Ponyboy said, looking over to me. I looked up at his greenish-grey eyes, almost getting lost. I regained my composure. 

"Oh it's ok, Pony. It's not your fault." 

He smiled and gave me a reassuring squeeze. We walked up the steps to his house, and filed through the door. I sat next to him on the big couch.

The rest of the day I spent getting to know the gang a little better. They were all a real fun group. They all had different personalities, that somehow meshed so well together. It felt good to be mixed into such an exclusive group. The whole time I was here, Pony found a way to be close to me. Touching me in some sort of way, whether it was his arm around my waist, or simply rubbing his thumb over my hand. 

It was a fun relaxing day, after the incident earlier. When it was finally time for me to go home, Darry didn't want anybody walking. Soda ended up driving me back to my house, and of course Ponyboy tagged along. He pulled up to my driveway. 

"Thanks for the ride Sodapop!" I called, while opening the car door. 

"Let me walk you up, I mean, it-it could get dangerous." Pony stammered. 

Soda stifled a laugh, and I smiled widely. "Sure Ponyboy." 

He held my hand as we walked to my front door. 

"Thanks for having me today." I said. 

He shrugged. "My pleasure! And sorry again about earlier." 

I playfully slapped his shoulder. "Stop apologizing. You're the one that got hurt!" He rubbed his jaw, suddenly remembering his injury.

I walked up a step to my door, and turned back around. "Bye Ponyboy." 

I stopped for a second, and despite my reservations, quickly went down and kissed him on the cheek. Before I could see his reaction, I swiftly opened my door and entered.

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Aren't Pony and Celeste cute? I love writing this story. As always, PLEASE leave any comments or suggestions you have! Make sure you like the story too. It makes me want to update sooner :-) See you all soon! xx