ITS ABOUT TIME ➤ Ponyboy Curtis

22

𝙿𝚘𝚗𝚢𝚋𝚘𝚢 𝙼𝚒𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚎𝚕 𝙲𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚜

   I woke up with a smile as wide as the Congo River. I reckon I fell asleep with one just as wide. I started thinking that maybe this was my year, the age where everything starts turning around. Sixteen made me feel like I could do anything.
I turned on my side and grabbed the book Georgia got me for my birthday. I flipped to the back and read the letter for the 27th time since the night before. That girl made me drunk on her words. I couldn't get enough of her.
"I think your close to perfect," she wrote, "You guys make me the happiest I'll ever be, especially you."
My heart swelled and I laughed out of pure joy. Georgia makes me more happy than anything. It feels like the start of summer when I'm with her. It feels like I'm surrounded by sunshine and all the love in the word when she's around. My heart feels like it's playing the grooviest love song with the highest notes that makes your head spin, like some of Van Morrison stuff.
I was lucky that a girl like Georgia even considered a guy like me a friend. I was a greaser, I knew that, but I didn't know what type of girl Georgia was—Soc girls held their noses high and dated guys who liked to beat us greasers up. Greaser girls could be heard from a mile away and dated just about any guy they saw. I suppose this goes for greaser guys as well. Dallas has probably slept with half of the female population.
I couldn't really figure out what type of girl Georgia was. She lived with greasers and hung out with greasers and liked greasers but she didn't act like most of us. After thinking for a while, I realized that she didn't have to be a greaser or a soc. She was just a person and I forgot that was an option.
I think that's the best way to be. She doesn't see the world in a black and white lens. Georgia see's things as they are and says things as they are. That's one of the reasons I loved her. The other reasons was her humor, how understanding she was, her smile and laugh, her intelligence, how caring she was, her thoughtfulness, and her beauty. She was a real beauty.
I had decided to do what I usually did, hang out with the gang. When I left my bedroom and entered the kitchen, I saw Darry, Soda, Steve, and Johnny talking and eating breakfast. I had my share of eggs and bacon and headed over to the Mathew's house to retrieve Two-Bit and Georgia.
The porch creaked when I walked to the front door. A few seconds after I knocked, the door swung open and I was met with Georgia's wide grin that made me loose my train of thought. She was wearing tight, bootcut jeans and a green tank top. She looked good in green; it made her red hair pop out.
"Hi, Ponyboy. What'dre you up to today?" She asked.
I unintentionally mirrored her expression and smiled. "I came over here to ask you and Two-Bit to come over. Everyone but Dally's over our place." I hoped I said it in a casual way because I was real nervous. We hung out all the time, but today felt different. The night before I had realized the full extent of my love for Georgia. It was more than just being friends now.
"Two-bit's still sleeping but I can wake him for you." She offered politely.
"No that's alright, he'll make it over when he wakes up." I said.
Georgia stepped out the door and I followed her. "How are you liking your birthday present? Have you read it for the hundredth time yet?"
"A hundred and oneth time, actually." I joked, thinking about how nice it was that she was always seemed interested in other people.
Georgia thew her hands up and laughed, "My bad!"
The gang, except Dallas and Two-Bit, were sitting in their designated spots in the living room—Steve and Soda on one couch, Johnny on the other, and Darry in his recliner.
After talking and playing a few rounds of poker, Dallas and Two-Bit arrived around the same time.
"Man, you guys are boring. Can we play cards or somethin'?" Dallas droned after have been sitting on the couch for not even five minutes.
Steve said beside him, "We jus' played cards 'fore you showed."
"We should watch a movie." I suggested as I slung an arm around Georgia's shoulder. She didn't seem to care, we were always acting like we were dating but we wasn't. I wished we were, though.
Georgia nodded. "Yeah that sounds good."
"Of course ya agree with Ponyboy." Dally scoffed. "I betcha'd agree to jump of a cliff if he asked ya too."
"Actually," Georgia began, "I have a brain that's made for making my own decisions. Too bad you lost yours, I heard they're really hard to replace." Dally chuckled lowly and kicked her in the foot. "Hey, didn't you ever learn to treat woman with respect?" Georgia said, and kicked Dallas back.
"What woman are you talking about?" Dally teased. "You're just a little girl."
Georgia scrunched up her face a little. "Sure Dally, pretend like you don't act like a baby when you think you can a get away with it."
"Oooo, Georgie's fiesty today!"
Georgia grinned. "Say it again and I'm kicking you right in the dick."
The gang, even Darry, burst into laughter. "Alright! You're a woman!" Dallas defensively threw his hands in the air. I don't think anybody but me noticed this, but he also moved the pillow he was sitting on to it was covering his crotch.
"Anyway," Sodapop chuckled, "What movie do ya'll wanna watch."
He got up from his seat and walked over to the T.V. While going through the channels, Johnny piped up. "Find somethin' with Steve McQueen. He's tuff."
We found a McQueen movie called "The Great Escape." That came out two years prior. None of us had seen it, so we were all pretty invested.
About half way through a funny line came on and we laughed. Georgia turned to me while she was giggling and a piece of her hair fell in front of her face. I insignificantly tucked the strand behind her ear and something changed. Georgia's expression usually twinkled with humor, but right then she seemed troubled.
I could feel the tension between us for the rest of the movie, so much so that I removed my arm from around her shoulder and placed it on my lap. The movie was the last thing on my mind after that, which was strange—I'm usually really into movies—and I was starting to worry that I had didn't something wrong.
"That was a good one!" Steve commented once the credits started rolling. I looked over at Georgia; she wore the same nervous expression.
Dallas noticed too. "Hey kid," he said, leaning forward, "did ya not like the movie or somethin'?"
Georgia gulped. "No I did, I'm just tired." She lied, "I think I'm gonna head home." Without a word, only smiling at the gang as she headed for the door, Georgia walked out the front door.
Not even thinking about it, I rushed after her. "Georgie!" I called. She stopped right in front of her front door.
I quickly walked up the porch steps. "What's the matter? Did somethin' happen?"
"Nothing happened."
"Then what was that all about?"
"What was what all about?"
"You runnin' off?"
"Oh." Georgia eyed the ground. "Was that rude? Should I say sorry to the gang." Worrying was Georgia's trademark.
"That's not the matter. What's wrong?"
Georgia shrugged, still looking at the ground.
"Do ya wanta talk?"
"It's nothing Pone." she said. I didn't believe her.
I looked over my shoulder to the porch swing. "Well at least sit with me." I said. "Please?"
I moved to the far left of the chair as Georgia walked over. The sun was beginning to set and we watched it in silenced
I usually have my full focus on the sky when the sunsets, but Georgia grabbed my attention more. I couldn't help but watch her as she admired the sunset. I loved the way her rusty red hair glowed and how her green eyes sparkled in the fading sun.
"Hey Ponyboy?" Georgia said, still facing the sinking sun.
I hummed in return.
"I'm sorry for bringing this up but it's been bugging me." She turned to face me. "Why did you get so mad when Phillip asked me out on a date?"
I felt my face get hot and I quickly looked down at my lap. Keeping my feelings for her hidden was eating me up inside—I was constantly wanting to tell her how I felt but it was never the right time. I wanted it to be perfect, like in the books. I wanted to wait for the right time, when I knew she liked me back.
She had figured me out, I thought. I was thinking that this was the most embarrassing thing to happen, it felt like my true identity was revealed. But then again, she couldn't have been upset about it, right? I mean, she must've had her suspicions for a while and she still talked to me. Maybe she didn't know. Maybe the stress had just gotten to me and I was just being a spaz.
"I don't know..." I was lying through my teeth.
The porch swing swayed slightly as Georgia slid closer, making me ten times as nervous. I felt her eyes on me. "Ponyboy, I know when youre lying."
I met her eyes and tried working up the courage to speak. This was the closest to a special moment that I would ever get. I had to tell her. It might ruin everything, but I had to tell her.
My hands were slightly shaking from my nerves. "Georgia..." I placed my right hand on her knee.
"Yes?" Georgia said softly. There was worry in her eyes. I couldn't blame her. I mean, from the way I was acting you would think there was something really wrong with me.
I shifted my body to face her completely and took a deep breath. I was nervous as hell—my mouth was like a desert and I felt as if I were going to have a heart attack. I was freaking out real bad. Georgia cupped my face with her left hand. Her touch instantly calmed me down, it always did. Her brilliant green eyes were filled with so much care. They stared deeply into mine and I felt that everything was okay. I could do it.
"Georgia, I love you. I can't even describe it." I rushed out. Once I started I couldn't stop. "I've never felt anythin' close to what I feel about you. The way I feel it's..it's- it's somethin' different, special. I feel like nothin' can go wrong if you're near me. When Bryon asked you out I was broken and scared that I was gonna lose you. You're such a wonderful person, and I knew that Bryon wouldn't ever treat ya the way you deserve. I lashed out at you and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for gettin' mad but I just couldn't stand knowing you were with anyone but me."
Georgia stared at me, seemingly shocked. I tried looking into her eyes to see how she felt but for the first time, I couldn't read her. There's a time and a place for reading faces and this wasn't it. My breathing got shakey, and I started to question all my decisions leading up to that moment: My decision of telling her how I felt, decision of getting mad, and my decision of ever talking to her. My love was too heavy.
"You don't gotta say anything I understan-"
"Kiss me." Georgia broke in.
I stared blankly at her. "Huh?" I was shocked to say the least. Her boldness was unexpected and I couldn't tell if she was actually serious or trying to fool me.
Georgia repeated herself, more definite that time. "Kiss me."
I looked from her eyes to her lips and back up to her eyes again. I had fantasied about kissing Georgia before, which might sound odd, and this wasn't like any of my daydreams. I was unprepared and absolutely terrified but I wasted no time and caught her lips with mine.
Her lips were soft and warm and I felt as if mine had been created to kiss hers. I felt her body relax and her hands resting on my face. It's sounds so stupid—like some teenage romance novel teachers make you read over the summer—but I swear that time stopped. Everything around us dissipated and all that I could think of was her.
We pulled apart after the best few minutes of my life. It was magical and everything felt different, a good different—everything seemed perfect. I felt whole, like I had been reborn.
Georgia dropped her hands to rest on my shoulders. "I love you Pony, I really do. I've never met someone that makes me feel like you do." She sighed, "I only agreed to a date with Bryon to make you jealous, y'know."
"Well it worked."
She giggled, "I'm glad it did."
"God, I love your laugh." I sighed and pulled Georgia closer to me, once again, kissing her lips. "And I love you." I said once we pulled away. I was smiling so hard my cheeks were hurting. Never would I have thought that Georgia Mathews would be mine. I was finally with the girl that I had dreamed of.
She laughed once again, "How much are you gonna say that?"
"A whole lot. Till the cows come home." I smiled. I really was going to use the hell out of "I love you." But that wasn't a bad thing. It's not a bad thing if really did meant it, and I did.
She rested her head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her waist. "I could get use to that." She whispered softly, then giggled. "Ugh! I've been waiting for that kiss forger!"
The sun had dispersed from our view and the sky was becoming darker. My face was buried in her hair. Georgia gasped quietly and cuddled closer as a cold breeze hit her skin. It was real cute. Georgia's always doing something cute. I couldn't help but smile. "God I love you."
"Oh stop it Ponyboy, you're making me blush."
"That's what made you blush?" I laughed, "Did your heart not blow up when we kissed or was that just me?"
Georgia threw her head back and laughed her sweet honey-like laugh. I admired her, something I did a lot. All I could think about was how lucky I was that she was mine. Georgia Dawn Mathews was my girl. My girl. My girl. I wanted to scream it out loud for all of Tulsa to hear. I'd scream until my throat bled.
"You're my girl, right?" I asked. My question wasn't answered right away, because we were rudely interrupted. "Speak louder, we can't hear you!" Dallas yelled from across the street.
I looked over to see the whole gang crowded at the window.
"You're kiddin' me." I mumbled. I felt my face get warm with embarrassment.
"Can it, hood!" Georgia yelled back at Dal. We both laughed and the window closed. Georgia looked up at me and smiled. "Yeah. I'm your girl."
I looked at her for a moment. "Say that again."
Georgia said it again. "I'm your girl."
I wanted her to say it over and over and over again. Georgia Mathew's was my girl. Georgia was my girl.
Suddenly she shivered. I noticed the top of her nose and the surface of her cheeks were painting a slight pink from the cold. "You cold?" I asked her.
"A little," Georgia yawned, "but I'd rather stay out here with you."
"Well I don't want you freezing, even if it's the middle of summer." Tulsa was hot, but the winds evened out the weather.
Georgia yawned again and I told her, "You should go to bed."
Georgia cocked an eyebrow. "You don't want to be with me?"
"What parta my love confession made ya think I didn't wanta be with you?" I stood up and pulled her along with me.
Georgia tiredly walked with me over to the door. Opening it, she swiftly kissed me on the lips. "Bye Pone."
"Bye Georgie." The front door shut and I immediately leaped off the porch as soon as I heard the click of the door handle.
There was an electric feeling running through my whole body. I was jittering and energized, my whole body was craving for movement to match the way I was feeling. I felt like the tuffest guy in Tulsa now that I got my girl. I replayed the moment I kissed her over and over again in my head, and my smile grew with each recallment. I couldn't wait to tell Sodapop about it.
I had just made it to my front door when I remembered that the whole gang had seen what happened, including Two-Bit.
I saw it nice how much Two-Bit cared for Georgia. I mean, Two-Bit would do anything for her. He followed her commands because she knew what was best for him, dropped plans the minute she needed help, worried about her more than she worried about herself, quit drinking too much, and protected her from damn near everything. That was part of the reason why I was so nervous about telling Georgia how I felt.
I remembered a year back, Two-Bit showed up with steam coming from his ears. He was flaming red and furious, telling us that his sister's boyfriend had forced himself onto her. Him and Steve beat him up that night. A few month later he found out that the kid was two-timing Georgia. I don't know what happened after that, he never told us. I wouldn't do anything close to what that chump did, but that didn't matter. Even though he liked, Two-Bit wouldn't hesitate to flatten me out if he didn't want be dating his kid sister.
Knowing that Two-Bit was vigilant made me as scared as a buck during hunting season. I stood in front of our front door. On the other side was the gang, likely waiting to bombard me with questions and quick jokes.
I twisted the door handle to the right and slowly pushed in forward. As soon as my foot touched the floor, the gang was cheering and whooping and whistling.
Dal sauntered over and gave me a pat on the shoulder. "How was the kiss, man? Were ya good?" A smirk was plastered on his face.
  I could almost feel the blood draining from my face, "Did ya'll see the whole thing?"
Sodapop was smiling real big. "We sure did!"
   Suddenly Two-Bit leaped off the couch. I was expecting him to beat the tar out of me, but instead, he gave me a big bear hug. Two had well built arms, and it hurt when he wasn't careful. It felt like my torso was bending, about to snap if he squeezed me any harder.
"You ain't mad?" I asked with a strained breath out.
   Two chuckled. "Mad? Shoot kid, i'm happy about it." He said with good-natured grin. "Just don't break her heart and I'll spare ya." He gave a hard slap on my back.
   Two-Bit was as predictable as the weather. Sometimes he makes a straight face that makes you think he's serious, and then starts cracking up.
Dally was giving me a look that I couldn't read. He was leaned against the wall and not quite smiling. "Treat her right, ya hear?" He stood up straight and looked like he was about to say more, but he used the little self-control in him and stopped himself. God knows why but he did. Dal and Georgia had a bond that I didn't understand at times. He would kill for her, and I didn't want to fall but victim.
Darry was wearing one of his rare grins. "So what's the deal." He nodded.
"Yeah, are you and Georgie going out?" Said Sodapop.
I proudly smiled. "Yep."
Johnny, who hadn't uttered a word since had I walked in, was smiling. "It's about time." He said, and I felt that was true. I had loved Georgia since the day I met her. Only recently had I discovered the love, but it had always been there. I had been waiting for somebody like Georgia to walk into my life and now I had her. I had the girl of my dreams and I was sure that I'd never let her go.
I went to bed that night with a smile twice as wide as the one I woke up with. Though it took my a while to fall asleep—I was too joyous to rest—I didn't really care that much. I felt so alive being in love that I didn't even need sleep.