𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜

February 4, Friday

"Really?"

Ponyboy had just told me that Darry preferred I didn't join the rumble. He didn't want me getting hurt—and yeah, I appreciated that.

But I still wanted to go.

"I mean, I don't wanna sound like some kinda mama bear," Two-bit said, rocking back on his heels, "but I guess he's right. It's dangerous out in the wild."

I raised a brow, biting back a laugh. "Now you're changing opinions?"

He leaned against the wall, flipping his switchblade open and close. "Sometimes they don't play fair, you get me?" He glanced at me, just for a second, more serious than usual. "I'd appreciate it if you helped if anything bad's gonna happen."

"Does that mean I can help if I sense trouble?"

He broke into a grin, not even being able to stay serious for a minute. "Hell yeah!"

I laughed then, nudging his shoulder. "Damn, Two, you really are something else."

We walked out of school together, the noise of the crowd fading behind us as we headed toward Dairy Queen. Two-bit hollered at some Greaser across the street, already distracted, while Pony and I fell into comfortable silence.

"Can I ask you something?" Pony finally said, kicking a rock along the cracked pavement.

We reached the DQ and slid into a corner booth, the vinyl squeaking under us. Two-bit was up at the counter, leaning a little too comfortably as he ordered—definitely flirting with the blonde cashier, holding up the line behind him.

"Yeah, sure," I said.

Pony fiddled with a toothpick, eyes fixed on it, he looked flustered. "What should I say to the girl I like?"

I turned to him slowly, narrowing my eyes just a bit. "If this is about Cherry..."

His head snapped up, eyes wide. "Huh? No—I mean... she's a different girl..."

I studied him for a second, then smiled, shaking my head. Good. I was hoping it wasn't Cherry. She'd already done enough damage and I didn't need him walking right back into that.

"Well, in that case..." I leaned back slightly, thinking. "Just be you. Talk to her, and if you get the chance—tell her how you feel. What's worse than a no?"

"Y/n, I—"

Two-bit suddenly slid into the booth, knocking the salt and pepper over with a loud clatter. "Why so mysterious over here?"

"Pony was about to say something..."

Pony froze, his ears turning red. "It's nothing."

"But—"

"Hey," Two-bit cut in, pointing a fry at me, "the kid says he's okay. Don't push him."

I glanced at Pony, but he had already turned away, staring at the table like it suddenly got real interesting.

I sighed softly, shaking my head.

Something was definitely up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pony's POV

Goodness.

If it wasn't for Two-bit jumping in like he always does, I probably would've told her. But no—there he goes, crashing into conversations like a wrecking ball crashing into a building. I mean, I don't blame him. That's just how he is. Still... why now?

I glanced at him across the table. He was laughing, saying something to her, acting like nothing in the world bothered him.

But there was something different about him.

It was obvious he liked her. But Two-bit likes everyone. Or at least, he acted like it. Flirting, joking—never serious long enough for it to mean anything. Even when it did.

I'm not like that. If I like someone... that's it. I stay. And somehow—that someone ended up being her.I never thought I'd meet a girl like her. Most girls I knew were all hair-dos and makeup, dresses and heels...She wasn't like that. Not that she couldn't be. She just didn't make it her whole world. She carried herself differently. Like she didn't need all that to prove anything.She's too already gorgeous.

"Hey Pony, you good, kid?"

I blinked, snapping out of it. The food had arrived without me even noticing. Of course Two-bit had already ordered—he knew my favorite burger by memory.

"Uh... yeah. Just thinking."

"About?" Two-bit asked, raising a brow.

"The mystery girl?" she chimed in, wiping her lips, a small smile playing on her face.

God.

That smile.

"About that—"

The waitress came over, grabbing the empty trays. "Anything else?"

I shut my eyes for a second, exhaling quietly. Of course. Two-bit interrupts. Then the waitress. What else? Will lightning strike in the middle of nothing to interrupt?

"Uh, no, we're good," Two-bit said quickly, flashing the waitress a grin.

As she walked away, the moment slipped right through my fingers. Again. I glanced at Y/n. She was laughing at something Two-bit said, relaxed, unaware of the storm going on two feet away from her. And just like that—I missed my chance. I leaned back in the booth, staring up at the ceiling for a second. The courage I held, only to be destroyed quickly.