𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁

c h a p t e r 20

burgeon -
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish

i looked around trying to find boxes, bags, or suitcases to use. i soon found a few and decided to start in the living room.

i started by looking at a few films we have and kept only the ones i liked. there really wasn't anything in the living room except a few films, books, and the television.

i then headed my way over to the kitchen. i kept only the silverware and plates that were not broken. i headed over to the bathroom. i kept all of my things and threw out all of my mother's. i looked outside and it seemed to be getting dark and i was getting tired.

i remembered the officer telling me i needed to stay somewhere else other than here for the night. i made my way to the phone and dialed a number. "hello?" a man's voice said. "darry?" i asked leaning against the wall. "that's me. is this bella?" he asked.

"yeah it's me. hey you think i could stay over for the night?" i asked crossing my fingers. "of course. no need to ask." he responded. "alright thanks dar. i will be over in about twenty." i almost ended the call when suddenly, "hey you want dally to just come pick you up? he said he don't mind." he told me.

"alright go ahead and send him." i put the phone up and looked around again. a few minutes later i got a knock on the door. i opened it to reveal dally.

"hey hey hey. look who's back." he told me as he walked in. i shook my head. "woah but what the hell happened here?" he asked stepping over the glass. "when my mom got told she was going to prison, she must have gone mad and did all of this." i told him pointing around. he walked around sticking his head in some of the rooms.

"damn this really sucks. don't it?" he asked coming over to the kitchen. i nodded. we soon talked for about ten minutes and caught up on a few things. we then finally decided to leave and head over to the curtis' house.

man was i excited to see everybody even though i had no energy. we pulled up to the house and i jumped out the car running to the door. i slowly and quietly walked in.

soda turned his head. "oh my god." he stood up and came walking over to give me a huge hug. i hugged him back. man was i happy to be back where i was supposed to be.

the rest of the evening contained all of us talking, playing cards, and eating chocolate cake. the only one i hadn't seen yet was ponyboy.

i decided, after i lost the game of poker once again, to go up to darry and ask about pony. i walked my way over to the kitchen and found him making up some kind of dinner.

"what you need kid?" he asked me, not even bothering to turn around. "you know where pony's at?" i questioned as i crossed my arms over my chest.

"i've been wondering the same thing frey. he might be in his room though, you can check if you'd like." he told me as he waved me off. i nodded and quietly headed down the small hallway.

i slightly knocked on the door and opened it to reveal ponyboy sleeping peacefully in his bed. a small smile tugged on my lips as i walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. i was surprised he was still asleep from all ruckus in the house.

i just stared for him for at least five minutes, admiring every feature he had on his face. i swiftly got up and as i was about to close the door, ponyboy murmured something under his breath. i stayed for a second longer.

he spoke up louder. "come back and sit down bella." he muttered as he patted the bed. i walked over and sat down again.

he took my hand in his and started rubbing my hand with his thumb. tingles went throughout my body from his touch. for the next half hour we talked about god knows what.