inspired by The Outsiders '83
"One Double Diamond darlin'."
Every day at 8, this kid could stumble into my uncle's bar while I'm serving, orders the same old beer and sits in the stool directly opposite me to drown himself in alcohol and confessions. Somehow when he stumbled into the bar, he'd leave more sensible and sober than when he came in. Maybe it was the therapy phenomenon.
"Aren't you a lil' young to be drinkin' kiddo?"
I'd call him kid but he was the same age as me I'm sure, maybe even a little older.
"Aren't you a lil' cute to be workin' here baby?"
I loved hearing about his friends and family, at this point, I knew all about them! I recognised the twinkle in his eye each time he spoke about them, what happened to them, how they made him feel that day and I genuinely did not understand how he was lonely so. This twinkle applied especially to his buddy Johnny, who was a little closer to his age than the rest and a little more understanding of his ways. 'Cause Pony was real different. He never rumbled once in his life, never done anything with a girl except hold the door open, loved to read and write and would choose the movies over drugs any day. Johnny understood that and respected it because he did it too.
The day he died, Pony came in and drank twice the usual, it tripled when it was Dallas Winston's turn. I gave him a little therapy for the price of a cheap bottle.
Dally was the man he secretly wanted to be, just to fit in. Dally was a bad boy, a horrible itch that passed around town without actually having to be there. Dally was like when you thought about a bug and feel once crawlin' all over you even though it weren't there.
The town's bicycle.
Still, his death was sad all the same.
Today when he came in, there was less of a spring and more of a shrug. he sat down heavier than usual and did not look at me in case he broke out into tears in front of a chick; a big no-no in Tulsa in both sides of town.
He ordered his drink, took a seat before chewing on the awkward silence.
"Cherry broke up with me last week."
Cherry was a soc that promised to treat Pony equally but I saw 'em around town a couple times. She'd wear her fancy pretty clothes and grimace at the dust on the ground beneath her flats. Sometimes she wouldn't even kiss him in case she got dirty. But, of course, Pony didn't mind.
It the truth but I couldn't tell him that.
"Now, why would she do that? You're damn near perfect Ponyboy," I chuckled while drying a fresh glass.
I made him chuckle but it could've also been a scoff at his situation and himself, I went for the first one.
"Said it was 'cause she missed me too much but I know it's 'cause I'm a dirty ol' greaser, that she's embarrassed to be with me in public! Sorry, I couldn't tell you, I was too embarrassed," his voice spoke so much hurt and self-loathing I wanted to cross the barrier and squeeze him tight no matter how dirty I got.
He was right, but I couldn't tell him that.
"I mean listen to this, we went to the movies a couple weeks back to watch the new Paul Newman, amazing by the way. We had to move seats 5 times just so she didn't get her skirt dirty. I knew it was 'cause a couple of her old buddies were sat near our original seats and there was a greaser holdin' her hand. We didn't even get to watch the movie, had to watch it that weekend by my self."
Sigh.
"Didn't I tell ya from the start that she was the wrong sort? Those people Pony, no matter how much they say they'll change, won't give up their fancy clothes and cars for nobody, especially no greaser. Just remember, being a greaser ain't all that bad. I'd rather be working here than some fancy office, feeling alone with more money than I know what to do with."
His recently dyed blonde hair moves as he nods at my words. For the first time in a long while, it seems like the kid actually understood what I was saying for a little. His eyes spoke his thoughts as if everything was making sense. His eyes got a little lighter and skin got a little pinker.
"Thanks, Y/N, you know I never understood why a pretty lil' thing like you never has a man for herself. You help others with love stuff so much but what 'bout you?"
His cheek squishes on his palm as he seems genuinely interested in my love life. I grow flustered, fumbling with the bigger bottles of liquor behind me to hide my bright red cheeks.
"Maybe it's 'cause this pretty lil' thing got a big brain and speaks her mind. Guys don't like to be talked back to nowadays plus ain't nobody taken my fancy in this little town."
My hand shakes on top of the rag. I clean the same unit so much I could see my own blush in the reflection as I waited for his answer. I was nervous. This moment could lead to something and I wasn't sure what or even if I wanted it yet but I knew there was something bound to happen.
"You know, I think that's where Cherry and I sucked a lil' bit. She was always so clingy and quiet when it came to important things. I like a lady who speaks her mind, it's hot."
There was heat and temptation dripping in his charming accent. I turned my head a little over my shoulder only to see him desperate to see my response. He took a large swig of his drink, watching me watch him as he gulped and licked the liquid away from his pink lips.
Tempting was too weak 'a word.
"Maybe you're not looking close enough," I lean back over the bar, elbow slipping and missing the ledge as soon as he starts to get closer.
I mentally curse myself for being so weird under pressure.
"Oh I think I'm looking just right you know," his head was tilting, lips ready to slot perfectly into my own just a cm closer.
"Can I take you out sometime?" He pauses, searching my eyes for rejection or disgust only to find amusement and pure joy but also doubt.
I go back to wiping and drying.
"Pony, you know it's too soon, you're only askin' me 'cause you're vulnerable. And, I respect you 'n all but I ain't no rebound 'till the next best thing comes along. This could be a blip, by morning you could be back together skipping into that sunset of yours"
He suddenly grows shocked, chest throwing itself so far across the bar i can feel it grazing my own. He cups my hands in his, throwing my dirty rag to the side.
"You know that ain't true! Do you really think I'd be comin' in here every single god damn day just for a couple of drinks? A little advice? I like you Y/N, it's always been your pretty lil' heart for me."
I look to the side, grinning since I just couldn't help it. I pick up my rag, swatting him on the shoulder for being so affectionate in public.
"I can't think of any more reasons not to go out with you now."
Ponyboy smirks, drinking his fear away with the last drop of beer in his glass ready for a clean slate with a whole different species of girl.
