Hello Young Lover

Perspectives.

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      Ponyboy leaned over the mirror examining his face closely. His face was bare, no sign of any significant facial hair. He looked over at Sodas and Darrys razors and sighed, feeling his jaw for any sign of stubble. He wished he was older. He wished that often.

      His thoughts began to drift to the events of the night. He wondered if Soda and Y/N were official? Was this night a one time thing? Soda was sleeping with Darry tonight, so Johnny could stay over with Pony. This worked for Pony, who was beginning to get annoyed with his brother. He didn't know why. He had no reason to be annoyed, but he couldn't stand the thought of talking to his brother tonight, of Soda talking about him and Y/N...

       "Pony," Johnny called to his friend from the other room, "You ready? You got classes tomorrow right?"

      "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," Pony grumbled. He laid next to Johnny looking up at the ceiling. Ponyboy thought for a moment before speaking to Johnny. "Hey, what do you think of Y/N?"

       Johnny pondered the question before responding, "she seems like a nice girl. Why are you asking?"

      "I don't know.  Answer me this Johnny: do I  have a shot with her or am I wasting my time?"

       Johnny smiled, and looked over at Pony, who was staring intently at the ceiling. "Shoot, I think you have just as good a shot with her as anyone. You have nothing to lose. I say go for it."

-

      Soda smiled to himself, folding his freshly ironed uniform.

      "What are you so happy about?" Darry asked, walking into the small bedroom. The air was cooler than the night before, but the boys still kept the window open, comforted by the sounds of the night.

      "Nothing," Soda said, hanging the clothing up, and sitting on the edge of the bed. "Just had a really good night."

      "Does this really good night night have anything to do with a certain new girl, who is the reason you don't have a jacket to wear for work tomorrow?" Questioned Darry, although he had a secret smile on his lips.

      "I like her Dar. A lot. She seems different. It's like, when I was with her tonight, I couldn't stop talking to her, and looking at her. I've never felt like that with any girl."

      "Sounds like you should ask her out sometime," replied Darry, looking at his kid brother fondly. It seemed like Soda had grown up a lot in the past three years. He had to. They all had to, ever since they lost their parents. 

      "Please," Soda sighed, falling back on his bead, and covering his face with his hands. "I don't have a chance. She's so smart. She's gonna go to school tomorrow, and find a guy who's future isn't working a DX. I know it"

      Darry chuckled at his brother. He walked over and ruffled his hair, before laying down and leaning across the bed to turn off the lights. "I wouldn't worry about that. I've got a feeling she feels the same way. Now shut up and go to sleep. We have work tomorrow."

-

      Dallas was laying on a bed, crashing at his friend, Bucks. Tim Sheppard had found him. Bruised him up pretty bad, so they went to go get drinks together at Bucks bar. Now, he was laying in a spare bedroom, while the music and loud talking continued downstairs.  Trying to fall asleep, he couldn't help but replay the events of the entire night. How could he be so stupid? His mind would not stop drifting to Y/N. She must think he was such an idiot. The way he acted toward Cherry. He made such a scene, and normally he wouldn't mind. Why did he care so much about what this stupid broad thought about him anyways?

      He shook his head, and rolled over on the dirty bed, seeping with cigarette smoke and spilled liquor. He knew why he cared. She was a fresh start. The only girl or person who didn't know what kind of guy he was. She didn't know the jail bird, stealing, cheating Dallas Winston. When she spoke to him for the fist time at the Curtis house, her voice wasn't laced with venom, or fear or superiority. She spoke to him like he was anyone else. Did it give him hope? For a new beginning  with someone? He didn't even know.

       It didn't matter anymore. A plan to make her laugh, or to get her attention by joking about the Soc girls, ruined any shot he had with her. His temper ruined it. He took it too far. Like always. He thought about Y/N. She looked pretty tonight. She always did. Even sweaty and frazzled after driving for who knows how long, she still looked beautiful. He smacked his forehead. 

       Who cares. Not his problem. He shouldn't have tried to be someone he wasn't, and this girl was just a distraction. But he knew that wasn't it. He knew he had a connection with Y/N. Did she feel the same way? 

      Is she with Soda?  He thought to himself. They seemed cozy tonight. Sure, Soda was good looking. But he didn't have what it took to be with a girl like Y/N. She would get bored with him within a month. He knew that. He knew enough about New York girls to say that much. But was she like those other girls? He didn't think so. There was something about her, he couldn't help but feel attracted to. Something different and new and exciting, something he had to get to know. That night, he decided he would.