Misunderstood

Chapter 7

I swallowed hard; my mouth suddenly dry. I thought about his question. I started spiraling and didn't realize Ponyboy was shaking my shoulder, "Dally?" his voice was above a whisper now. He looked at me with a scared expression on his face. I couldn't stand that look.

"Pony," I started, keeping eye contact, "I'm really hoping you aren't messing with me or something because I've felt this way for so long and I don't know if I could deal with being rejected-" I was talking so fast that I had to cut myself off. I did mean what I said but I didn't mean to tell him right then and there. In his bed. At almost three in the morning.

Pony's face softened at my panicked state as he grabbed my hand. I almost pulled away, but his touch was reassuring, "I wouldn't joke about this, Dally. I've been trying to give you hints because that's what my friends do with their crushes at school. I haven't liked anyone since Cherry, so I didn't know what else to do." He explained, a light blush tinting his cheeks.

"Wait, what? What kind of hints?" I asked, horribly confused. I couldn't believe what he just said, and I honestly thought I was dreaming.

Ponyboy let out a small laugh, "Seriously?" he looked around, "I invited you to sleep in my bed where there's a couch and an entire spare bedroom."

I felt my own face heat up at the realization. I was a little embarrassed when I realized how oblivious I was to everything. The more he explains the more we laughed about the whole situation. I was relieved more than anything, though. I had no idea what to expect when the conversation started.

Sometime after talking about how we felt about each other, we decided to go to sleep as it was getting pretty late. Or early? Pony fell asleep curled into my right side as I slowly drifted off myself.

-

When I woke up, Ponyboy wasn't next to me as I stretched my body out. I suddenly remembered what happened the night before and smiled to myself. I sat up quickly, seeing that I slept past noon and gulped down the glass of water on the nightstand. I got up and opened Pony's door to go to the bathroom but was greeted with a dressed up Ponyboy.

"You're finally up." he said as he pushed me back into his room, shutting the door behind him, "Apparently social workers are coming to check on me. We've been cleaning all morning and Darry made me put my nice clothes on." he explained quickly. He looked exhausted.

"Hey, take a breath, Pone." I began, "How much sleep did you get?" I asked, noticing bags under his eyes.

He shrugged and sat on his bed, "Darry woke me up at seven telling me he got a call about it. They never tell us what time." Ponyboy was picking at his nails, I could tell he was worried.

I sat next to him, not sure how to really comfort him, "I'm sure it'll go just fine. Plus, if you're the one who did the cleaning, I'm sure the house looks real good." I smiled at him.

He gave me a tired smile and put his head on my shoulder. I felt my face heat up as I hesitantly put my arm around him.

"Is that your heart I'm hearing?" Pony asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence. I only blushed in return; I didn't know what to say.

There was a knock at the door and Ponyboy jumped away from me, "Come in." he called out.

It was Sodapop, "Hey, oh, you're still here Dally?" he looked confused. I tried my hardest not to look at Ponyboy, "I didn't see you on the couch this morning."

I opened my mouth to give him some lame excuse, but Ponyboy said, "He slept in here."

I slowly turned to look at the brunette next to me, he must be out of his mind.

"Oh, well Darry wants you in the kitchen. He's making lunch and wants to know what you want." Soda continued, unfazed by the new information.

Pony got up and headed to the kitchen and I was left with the middle Curtis. He sat next to me, so I knew something was coming.

"So, you and Pony," he began, causing me to stand from the bed. I was ready to run if I needed to.

"Hey, I won't tell Darry. Pony's been talking about you nonstop so I'm just happy you actually feel the same." He explained. It took me a minute to understand what he meant but once I did, I let out a relieved sigh.

"Wait, how long did you know?" I asked, I had to know how long Pony felt this way.

He shrugged, "I don't know, but it's definitely been like four months at least." He smiled to himself as he got up from the bed.

I watched his movements as he stood, "How come you're okay with this?" I asked.

"I want Ponyboy to be happy, so if you make him happy, I don't have a problem. Now, Darry is another story. I don't know his view on this type of thing, but it's not my place to tell him about this." Soda made it sound so easy. He made me realize that not everyone is like society. He made me feel like loving Pony was okay for the first time ever.

I got up and pulled him into a quick hug, pulling away soon after, "Thanks, Soda. Really." I said, finally feeling like everything could actually be okay.

He smiled and patted me on the back before leaving the room and shutting the door. I felt myself get excited at the thought of being in a relationship with Ponyboy. I lied back down in his bed, inhaling the smell of his blankets.

I could barely believe Pony felt the same way and now I find out that Soda's supportive of us. The only thing left to worry about was Darrel.

//Sorry this one's short, it's mostly a filler chapter but it's still important to the plot :) I'll see how I feel tmr about updating!