Running Towards Home

CHAPTER 13

PONY'S POV:

I get back to the house, and the cold is settling into my bones. I curl into Darry's chest, his warmth welcome. Him and Soda carry me into my room. I hear Soda say "We have to get him out of these clothes. They're soaking wet." I feel my wet clothes being peeled off of me, and some warm clothes being put on. I am tucked under the covers. I start to feel warm again. I feel Soda climb into bed next to me. He hugs me close, and I fall asleep next to him.

I wake up in the middle of the night, and I'm sweating. I get up to grab some water, and I stumble. Soda wakes up. "Pony, where are you going?" I try to stand up again. "I need water." Soda gets out of bed and comes over to me. He feels my forehead. "Pony, you're burning up. I'll get you some water." He helps me back to bed, and goes to grab me some water. My head is pounding, and my limbs ache. Soda comes back with my water, and I drink it. I lay back down and fall immediately back to sleep.

I wake up late, and I look around. The bed next to me is empty. Darry peeks in. "You're up. How ya feeling?" I smile a little. "I'm feeling better. Shouldn't you be at work?" "I took the day off. Everyone went out, but Sam is sitting in the living room if you want me to grab her. She's been waiting to see you." I nod. "That would be great Darry."

Darry comes up to me first, and sits down next to me. "I am so, so, so sorry Pony. I never meant for any of this to happen." Darry has tears in his eyes. "Darry, it's okay. I promise." Darry pulls me into a hug, and I hug back. "I love you, little colt." he whispers to me. "I love you too, Darry." I say.

Darry leaves and a few minutes later he brings Sam up. Sam's eyes light up when she sees me, and I smile at her. She comes and sits down next to me. "How ya feeling?" she asks, her face concerned. "Not great. But hey, I got to kiss you last night." Sam laughs. "Not how I imagined our first kiss." I blink in surprise. "You imagined us kissing?" Sam blushes, hard. "Maybe." I grab her hand. "Me too."

SAM'S POV:

Pony likes me back? I smile wide, blushing. He looks drowsy, like he might fall asleep again soon. I noticed a book on his night table, Gone With the Wind. "I've never read this one. Is it any good?" Pony nods. "One of my favorite books." Pony smiles at me. "Want me to read some aloud?" I ask, nervous. But Pony nods again, and I begin to read.

I really like it. I can tell it's been read many times before. The spine is creased and cracking, and I can see dog eared pages throughout the book. The text looks worn, as if someone had run their fingers over it again and again.

I read about two chapters before it looks like Pony is asleep again. I walk over, silently place the book down on the nightstand, and turn off the bedside light. I hesitate, about to leave. Then I kiss Pony's forehead, and head back to the living room.

PONY'S POV:

Sam reading to me was nice. She pronounced every word perfectly, and even gave some different voices for the characters. I love Gone With The Wind. It's my favorite book. I've read it at least twenty times. I would like to stay awake longer, but I feel my eyes closing again. I start to fall asleep. I hear Sam put the book down and turn the light off. Then she kisses my forehead. She must have thought I was asleep. I smile a little as she leaves. I like this girl.