Lydia's POV:

"So Dally kicked you out? Just like that?" Hope asks.

"I mean... I never really lived there," I explain, kind of unsure of how to respond to that comment.

"But he told you that you could stay there as long as you want. Then he brought you to the Curtis's?" She asks.

"Yeah..." I mean, it's true. There's no way to defend it.

"So what after that? Did you end up staying at the Curtis's?" She asks. I nod.

"For a while, yes I did. I knew I was welcome, but after a few weeks, I ended up leaving. I felt bad eating their food and sleeping on their couch every night when they could barely afford to support just the three of them," I explain.

"Yeah, that makes sense. So what did you do?" She asks me.

"Went back to Dally's," I say with an ironic laugh. Her eyes widen.

"Really?" I nod.

"It is weird, isn't it?" I ask her.

"Yeah," Is her response.

"But why Dally's again? After he made you leave already?" She asks. I smile at my beautiful daughter, staring at her. She looks so much like him...

"Let me explain," I respond.

*Flashback*

"Are you sure you have to leave, Lydia?" Ponyboy asks me. I nod, picking up my two bags. I've been at the Curtis's for about three weeks, and even though they're the greatest, most hospitable people I've ever met, I just can't stay anymore. 

"Yeah. I'll find somewhere to stay. Thank you, Ponyboy. For everything," I say, giving him a hug.

"Where are you going to go, Lyd? Honestly?" He asks me. I shrug.

"I don't know. Maybe my mom will let me back in?" I suggest.

"Don't even try," He responds. My eyes widen a bit.

"Why not?" I ask. On the inside I know that he's right, that I shouldn't go back, but she is my mother. Maybe she's realizing what she gave up when she kicked me out. Maybe she misses me.

"Lydia, I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt again. And I know she hurts you... in more ways that one. Please stay here," He begs.

"Ponyboy," I sigh, already starting to walk out. He grabs my hand.

"You can stay here. You know we don't mind," He says.

"I know... But I just feel bad," I explain. He frowns.

"Don't. I love it when you're here. Soda and Darry love it when you're here. We love you.... Lydia... I love you," He says. It's the most matter of fact statement I've ever heard, and I'm a bit taken aback by it. I've never heard those words spoken to me. And the only person I've ever said them to? Dallas Winston.

"I.... I love you too," I tell him. I'm not totally sure about my feelings, to be totally honest, but we do have a connection. He was my first real friend, my best friend, maybe my true love too. And as unsure of my feelings as I am, I know I wouldn't have been able to say it if it wasn't at least a little bit true.

"Y-you do?" He asks. I nod. At least I think I do. Although I don't say that.

"Well, then it's settled. You're staying here," He says. I just sigh.

"No, Ponyboy. I can't. You can help me find somewhere to go, I guess," I suggest. He nods.

"Maybe you should go back to Dal's place," He responds. My heart skips a meat. Dally already said no, that that wouldn't work.

"Would Buck be okay with it?" I ask him. He shrugs.

"I dunno. But I don't see why not," He says, taking my suitcase.

"Why don't we go ask him," I suggest, walking with him out the door. But on the inside I'm begging him to find somewhere else, someone else to bring me to. It would just be too awkward there....

"Why can't you just stay here?" He asks after a moment. I don't even respond. I mean, haven't we already gone over this?

"I... I just can't Pony," I say, talking his hand in mine, which shuts him up immediately. We both stare at our hands, linked together.

"Hey, Lydia?" He asks. I look up at him.

"Yeah?" I respond.

"I was serious when I told you that I love you," He says. I can feel myself beaming that the thought of being loved.

"So what are you going to do about it?" I think to myself, and almost say out loud. But I don't.

"So I was thinking... Do you want to go out sometime? This weekend maybe? I could take you out to dinner... Or something," He asks me. I stop walking, suddenly unable to breathe.

"Um... S-sure, Ponyboy," I say quietly. He looks at me weird, almost like he doesn't believe that I do. Which, yes, I do, but he's also my best friend, and I don't want to ruin that.

"Okay," is all he says. I smile at him, and keep walking. Finally, we get to Buck's and knock on the door. He opens it after a second, and peeks out.

"What do you want?" He asks. I look at Ponyboy, suddenly nervous. Buck always freaks me out.

"Uh, well..." I say after a moment.

"Get to the point, I gotta go set up for the party tonight," He says. I nod.

"Dally told me a few weeks ago that I was always welcome here if I needed a place to stay. And now... I kinda do. So would it be okay if I stayed in the room next to Dally's for a few weeks? I won't bother you, or eat your food or anything. I'll pay for myself and you won't even have to worry about me," I explain, talking faster and faster after every word. He raises an eyebrow.

"I guess so," He says. Man, he must think I'm weird. Some teenage girl that he's met twice in his life walking in and asking for a place to stay...

"Thanks," I say with a smile. He shrugs.

"You can go up there if you want," He says. I nod and grab my bags, Pony at my tail. I can't get rid of the sinking feeling in my stomach, even though I know this will be better for me. Once I figure out how to get some money, I'll provide for myself - something the Curtis's would never let me do - and then I'll be back on track. 

Putting my bags down next to my bed, I look at Ponyboy.

"Thank you for coming with me," I say. He nods.

"No problem... So I guess this is goodbye?" He dramatizes the situation.

"I guess so," I play along. He takes me in his arms, and I stay there for a moment, my head leaning on his shoulder.

"I'm excited, Lydia," He says. I look up at him.

"For what?"

"Us," He says.  I can feel my eyes widen, and the words replay in my head over and over.

"I'm excited, Lydia."

"For what?"

"Us."

I'm not sure how to respond, but in the back of my head, I wonder if this is what I really want.

Coming out of my momentary daze, I see Ponyboy leaning closer. I do the same, and as soon as I feel my lips touching his, I know that this is what I want.

At least I hope so...

crap that was the worst thing I've ever written

A/N: Well, this story is coming to an end, I realize as I write this chapter sitting in a bank in China. (Chinese banks are surprisingly like American DMVs) Yes, I'm in China now! (And unable to focus so blame that for the bad chapter... Better ones to come, I promise😌) I'll be living here for a year, and I'm so glad I can get on Wattpad and share my journey with all of you! If you follow my Instagram @/_OutsidersObsessed_, please don't unfollow, as I can't post as of right now, but I'm doing my best to get on there as much as possible to at least check comments and things! I may send my friends edits every once in a while to post for me, but other than that, Wattpad is my best form of communication! (: