Misunderstood

Chapter 8

It's been exactly three weeks and two days since Pony and I started dating. We've been sneaking off to go on dates and Soda's been really good at helping us get away with it. Despite the ongoing fear that Darry will find out, it's been nice. Well, as nice as it can be when I haven't even kissed him yet. Not even a mere kiss on the cheek.

I can hold his hand, I can cuddle next to him, but I can't bring myself to kiss him. I feel like I've never just kissed someone; there was always more afterward. I don't know if I can go there with Pony, yet. On the other hand, I think about his lips so much that it's starting to drive me up a wall.

-

I woke up next to a sleeping Ponyboy clinging to my left side. Sometime in the night, we had swapped sides of the bed. I turned my head slowly toward the clock, not wanting to wake him. It was still early so I decided to sit there until Pony had to get up for school. Moments like these make me never want to get out of bed. I could literally lay in bed with him forever.

There was a knock at his door about ten minutes after I woke up, it was Darry telling Pony to get up. Oh, how grateful I am that Darry knows boundaries. I sleep better knowing Darry rarely comes into Pony's room.

Pony began to stir in his sleep, "You're late for school." I whispered into his ear.

Ponyboy groaned in return, pulling away from me to stretch his body out. I dug an eye crusty from the corner of my eye before flicking it off of my finger.

"That stopped working weeks ago," he groaned as he sat up, his hair pointing in all directions.

I grinned at him, "You think of anything better?" I asked sarcastically.

He got up from the bed, "You gotta be more creative." He said as he dug through his dresser drawers for some clothes, "Maybe you could k-"

His sentence was cut off by a loud knock on the door, "Why didn't the dishes get done last night?" Darry asked through the door. Even though he was asking Ponyboy, I felt myself freeze at his question. I know Pony forgot because of me.

Ponyboy stuttered as he replied through his door, "I-I fell asleep. Sorry, Dar." Pony gave me look telling me it wasn't my fault. I ignored that look and decided I'd do the dishes after everyone left.

"Just make sure they get done before I get home, I gotta go." We listened as he walked away from the door and left the house. He didn't sound too mad so Pony should be okay.

I sat up in his bed, "I'm sorry, Pony, I made you forget-"

"Dal, It's not just your fault." He gave me a reassuring smile, "You didn't force me to sneak out last night." He blushed as he pulled his left sock on and then his right.

I could only smile back; he always knew just what to say. I would give anything to kiss that face of yours right now.

I got up and fixed his blankets as he left the room to go finish getting ready. I could get used to waking up to Ponyboy every day.

-

It's been exactly a month since we've been together and all the sneaking around is finally getting to me. I think it's been getting to Ponyboy, but he just didn't say anything about it. I know we aren't officially together or anything, but I can't help but feel like something's off. I don't know what it is.

I sat down on the couch next to Soda, Steve was on the other side of him. Mickey Mouse was on, but I wasn't paying much attention to it like Steve and Two-Bit were. Ponyboy was in his room doing homework and Two-Bit was in Darry's usual spot: the recliner. Darry wouldn't be home until late, so we had dinner without him and put his leftovers in the fridge.