thirty eight

***Soda's POV***

We spent the next two days hiking, fishing in the nearby river, and doing the gang's second tradition - a talent show.

Since most of us just got girlfriends and no one knows everyone super well, we decided to just go with our lovers, and Bryce tagged along with Ponyboy. It's the gang's tradition to do a talent show every year, and every member of the gang has to participate.

So when the time came to perform, everyone was very excited.

The first act was Bailey and Two-Bit. They told us some super cheesy Christmas jokes, but they had fun and were an adorable couple up there.

Next was Lauren and Darry. Their whole act was a demonstration of how to make a chocolate cake. I'm pretty sure it was supposed to go smoothly, but Lauren dropped her spoon and splattered the batter all of everything, which made it 10x better.

Following them was Kayla and I. We spent the entire day teaching Lulu tricks, and she nailed every single one of them. The crowd favorite was "dance", where she would stand on her hind legs and spin in a circle.

After us was Ponyboy and Bryce. They sang cute little Christmas songs, and it was pretty funny how Bryce couldn't quite get the lyrics perfectly.

The next act was Johnny and Victoria. They did a dance, but Johnny tripped over the root of a tree in the middle and everyone died of laughter before they could finish.

Steve and Ellie followed them. Their act consisted of a short Christmas skit that really got everyone to laugh.

The final act was Dally and Alex. They did the most cheesy number that I would bet my life Alex forced Dally into doing. She was an elf and he was Santa. The gang could not keep themselves collected while they danced and sang.

All in all, it was a great show.

***Alex's POV***

After the talent show, everyone was pretty tired. I climb into my tent after saying goodnight, figuring no one would follow me since they were all gathered around the campfire. I climb into my sleeping bag and feel an arm around me.

***Dally's POV***

Alex looked awfully tired and lonely when she climbed back into the tent. I decide to go with her because, no offense to anyone, but I'd rather sleep with her than to force my eyes open with the gang.

I find her in her sleeping bag, so I rest my arm around her hips. She turns to me and smiles.

"You don't have to go to sleep yet if you don't want to," she whispers to me.

"But I wanted to," I tell her. "You know I'd never miss an opportunity to cuddle with you."

She kisses me and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Dally, the clouds made it look like it was going to rain tonight," she says with a shaky voice.

I pull her closer to me and hold her tight. "You know I'll have you against me the whole time, right?"

I feel her small head nod against me.

I hold her for what seems like maybe an hour before I begin to hear the soft pelts of rain on the tent. Alex, who had fallen asleep long before, stirs a little bit but doesn't fully wake.

After about 5 minutes, though, the rain picks up speed.

I could hear the shuffle in the campground as everyone ran for their tents. Soda, Kayla, Lulu, Ellie, and Steve book it into our tent and throw themselves inside. I silently thank Darry for bringing the waterproof tents as Alex officially wakes up.

"What's going on?" she whispers.

"It started raining," I calmly tell her.

"Oh. I can handle a little rain," she says and turns to face away from me so I couldn't snuggle with her anymore. I sigh and turn the opposite way so I can look at everyone else.

Steve is helping Ellie lay down, and Kayla is fast asleep on Soda's chest. I make eye contact with Soda and he gives me a weird look.

What's up with Alex? he mouths.

I dunno man, I return. He shrugs and closes his eyes. I do the same.

-------

It continues to rain throughout the night. I can't fall asleep, I gave up trying around a half hour ago.

Thunder rolls through the clouds, but Alex hasn't flinched yet. I'm guessing she's asleep, which is good because I don't want her to be scared.

Suddenly, I hear lightning, followed by a small whimper.

I turn around and lean over so I can see over Alex's turned body. She has tears running down her face and is clinging to the sleeping bag so tight her fingers are turning white.

"Baby..." I whisper.

"Yeah?" she chokes out.

"Why won't you let me help you?" I question.

"Because I'm okay," she stutters. I grab her gently and lift her into my lap. She immediately hooks her arms around my neck.

"How'd you know?" she whispers.

"I know you, Alex. You don't like storms," I say gently into her ear. "You know I'm not going to judge you for it, you just have to let me help you, okay?"

She nods into my chest and I feel a spot on my t shirt become wet. I ignore it and rock Alex back and forth slowly. Eventually, I position her so that she's pressed against me but can still fall asleep. She lays herself on top of me and I feel her body go limp and her breathing grow slow. I lean down to kiss her forehead and whisper I love you, and I swear I see her smile.

***Ponyboy's POV***

I lie awake and listen to the rain.

I couldn't sleep, and somehow my mind wandered to Jessica.

It all started when we got set as table partners this year for English. That blonde cutie sat down right away, and I guess we really hit it off. Every day, we had to talk about whatever the teacher had us talking about, but we usually got bored and ended up having fun together. It's been almost 4 months of me sitting by her, and I get the remaining 6 to spend with her too.

I finally caught feelings for her one night when our school had a party and she pulled me outside to run around in the rain. How happy she looked just flailing her arms and being content with my company and the rain, my heart finally made the connection. I liked a girl.

She couldn't like me back. I'm a lowlife greaser, and she's kind of in the middle of the classes. She probably only talks to me because we've been forced next to each other until next year when we move up a grade.

Don't put yourself down, Ponyboy. She might like you.

It's impossible. There's no way she does. She probably thinks of me as more of a friend, anyway.

Either way, she's still the first girl I've ever liked, and I guess that makes her something special.