*A week later*
Dally, Johnny and I were heading to the DX to visit Soda and and Steve.
I haven't had much to do now that things have calmed down a bit, and since I've been expelled from school.
Speaking of being expelled from school, my grandpa still doesn't know... all the times I've headed out in the morning he's expecting me to be at school, but I'm not...
The guys will hardly let me go any where alone, and they say I always have to have one of the group members escort me.
And by the way they escort I feel like I'm supposed to be staring in some big movie or TV show.
Even Johnny takes it seriously, and acts like a tough bodyguard, his cute face fading till I was at my location safely.
Pony was supposed to come with us today, but he ditched again like all the other times he was supposed to do something with us.
The gang thinks he's just really busy with school that he doesn't have time or he's forgetting, but I think he met a girl.
Hell with how much he's been gone lately he probably has three or four.
When Dally and I reached the DX we entered the building, the bells clanging together creating an annoying sound causing Soda to look up from the counter where he was staring at.
"Hey guys!" he says cheerfully, a smile forming onto his face.
He scans the three of us as if expecting one of us to be someone else.
He then looks around for a fourth person, but he isn't successful.
His smile fades a bit, but he doesn't let it fall apart completely, "where's Pony?" he asks.
Johnny looks at Soda sadly, "sorry Soda, he didn't come" he says sincerely.
Soda just nodded his head.
"He probably just forgot again, no big deal" he says a little disappointed, but trying to hide it.
"Am I the only one thinking he met a girl?" I asked confused looking at the guys.
Dally chuckled, "nope" he says while taking out a smoke.
Johnny just shrugged his shoulders, and Soda looked up in amusement.
"I don't know, he's Ponyboy. You have met Ponyboy right? The awkward teen?" Soda asks with a raised eyebrow, "besides, he's to focused on his school work to be meeting with any girl" he says shaking his head and leaning back into the wall.
"I don't know Soda, your kid brother has some moves" I say with a smirk causing Dally to jerk his head over to me with wide eyes.
Soda's eyes also widened with shock, "what?" he asks shocked as he un crosses his arms and takes a few steps forward.
"That little punk has been making moves on you?" Dally asks sternly.
"He ain't that bad" I say with another smirk.
Soda shakes his head fast, "he still would never go with a girl" he says while sitting back on his stool.
"I don't know Soda, he is growing up" Johnny says kindly, "and he has been pretty close with that Cherry Valance girl too" Dally says, spitting her name out.
"She's older. Pony wouldn't go for older girls" Soda says continuing to shake his head.
"Soda stop shaking your head, your gonna get a headache" I tell him, and he listens.
"It's not a big deal Soda" Dally says letting out a big puff of smoke.
Soda lingers on what Dally said before he spoke again, "I know" he says.
"Wheres Steve?" I ask, "out in the back working on a car" Soda, using his thumb to point to the doors behind him to the left.
As if on cue Steve came barging from the doors, car grease on his face and arms, and a little on his slightly exposed chest.
"You ate my chocolate bar!" he yelled angrily.
"Like hell I did" Soda says in defence causing me to slightly chuckle.
I did see a little bit of chocolate on the corner of his mouth when we got here... but I kept my mouth shut.
Dallas, Johnny, and I watched their bickering enjoying ourselves until I heard the sound of the bells clang against each other signalling that someone has entered.
When I turn around I see a tall black haired guy with blue jeans, and a black and red flannel over his white shirt.
I couldn't exactly see his face.
After I finished checking who came in I turned back around to see that Soda had paid for another chocolate bar, and gave it to Steve who kindly accepted it and turned calmly to face us.
"Hey guys" he finally greets.
"Hey Steve" I chuckle as I begin to crave some chocolate.
"Excuse me" a masculine voice speaks up causing me to slightly jump.
We all moved out of the way so he could get to the register without having to push through us.
I swore his voice sounded familiar.
I brushed it off and brought my eyes down to look at what the guy had bought because I am a curious person.
A pack of smokes, gum, and... sparkling water?
Who drinks sparkling water on it's own?
Then it hit me.
He loves sparkling water, and he loves bubble gum.
I take a look at the flavour of the gum and sure enough it's bubble gum.
My heart races in excitement, but I'm to afraid to do or say anything.
I can see Steve, Johnny, and Dally look at me in confusion as I eye this guys and his purchase, but I don't care.
I finally got some courage before Soda could hand him back his change.
"Mikey!" I yell out.
Hmmm does that name sound familiar to you guys?
The guys jerks his head up before taking his change and looks me in the eye.
"Gracie?" he asks in disbelief.
I quickly jumped into his arms and wrapped him in a big hug, him returning a bear like one in return.
"I thought I was never going to see you again!" I yell tears of happiness running down my cheeks as I clung onto him, taking in his scent of pine trees.
I have never smelt a christmas tree before, but I knew this was ten times better than one.
I was interrupted with my clinging when I heard an annoyed cough coming from behind me.
My eyes widen and I quickly let go and took a good step back.
I look up at Dally who is giving Mikey a death stare, clenching his fists together as he eyes him up and down.
I look back at Mikey who doesn't bat an eye at Dallas cold stare.
"Sorry" I mumble as I try to restrain from jumping back into his arms.
"Guys this is Mikey. A child hood friend from New York, we've been through a lot together. Mikey this is Soda, Steve, Johnny, and Dally" I tell them as I point to each of the guys.
"A guy friend?" Dallas asks with gritted teeth.
I roll my eyes, "yes Dallas, just like all my other friends" I tell him.
"And I'm going to hug him again, so please don't kill him" I warn as I reach out for another hug which was gladly accepted.
I could feel Dally's burning rage.
I felt bad, but I really never thought I would ever see him again.
I never thought he would still be alive.
I was just so happy that Dally could be jealous for a little bit as I reunite with one of my best friends ever.
Okayyyy.
This chapter was super short, and I apologize, but we're getting close to the end, and it makes me sad!
We still have a few more chapters to go, but I'll be making them this length so that theres more of them.
And also........
You might want to go search for a certain chapter that has a certain glimpse of a certain character....
You don't have to.
Just kidding it would be very useful, but if you don't and wait till the end to find out it's fine to, but you might not have as much of a fun time reading and yelling at your screen out of dramatic irony.
I'm also thinking of publishing the chapters around this time now, so don't get to afraid if you don't see a chapter right away.
And if someone does find it please don't put it in the comments.
And thank you all for supporting and understanding that I have a hard semester this term, I appreciate it, you guys seriously are the best, and I will not let you guys down!
Till next chapter.