Another one for sarahperez13! Hope you like it ❤️

Ponyboy's POV:

"Alright, Class. It's time to start class. Please settle down," my English teacher, Mr. Symes says. It's only the first day of school, so slowly people are piling in, but I'm in his homeroom, so I'm already sitting down, being quiet, reading a book, that I quickly shove in my backpack when he starts talking.

"Good morning," he says. No response from the class, just blank stares at the front of the room from all of this.

"Okay, class. We're going to be starting a new project today, and I'm going to let you pick your own partners," he says. Some of the class cheers, and the others groan at the sound of "project", but the girl sitting next to me doesn't do either. She raises her hand.

"Sarah," Mr. Symes says, calling on her.

"Do we have to work in partners? Can some of us work alone?" she asks. Work alone? Why would anyone want to do that when they could have someone to help you?!

"I'm sorry, Sarah. This is a group project, meaning two students work together on it. It won't work with just one person," he tells her. She nods, but doesn't say anything in response.

"Alright, everyone. The idea of the project is to pick a book: at least 200 pages that both of you have read, and discuss it. The two of you together will have to write a few paragraphs with your perspectives of the book. It's more in depth than that, more information will be on the rubrics and direction sheet that I'll pass out in just a moment, but before I do that, why don't you all go pick one partner and go sit with them," Mr. Symes directs us to do. I look around the room, filled with Socs and Socs and new kids that I don't recognize. So, I stay in my seat and wait for someone to come to me. Except no one does, so when Mr. Symes tells us to raise our hand if we don't have a partner, I have to. And so does Sarah, that girl that wanted to work alone.

"Alright, Ponyboy and Sarah, I guess you two will be working together," Mr. Symes says. I look over to Sarah and make awkward eye contact with her. She smiles at me.

"So, everyone. This project is pretty simple, it's just going to give me a feel for all of your personalities and where your writing skills are," the teacher explains, "So, I'll pass the directions out now, and give you all a little bit of time to work on it, but it is due this Friday at the beginning of class." We all nod, and I get up to go sit next to Sarah, as he passes them out.

"So... We have to pick a book," I say, skimming the page. Sarah just nods.

"What's your favorite book? Maybe I've read it," I tell her.

"Hmm... Gone With The Wind," she says after a moment of thought, her voice a light and wispy dreamlike sound.

"Really?" My eyes widen in surprise.

"Yeah. You've read it?" Sarah asks, suddenly excited. I nod enthusiastically.

"Yeah. I saw it at the movies a few months ago, and went to the library and got the book right after. It's my favorite!" I exclaim, surprised that she's even heard of it. That books almost a thousand pages, most people wouldn't even touch a book that size. Most people...

"Alright. What to you like about it?" She asks, taking a piece of paper out and jotting down some notes. She and I talk and talk about the book until the end of class, when I ask her if she wants to come over after school to work some more with me.

"Yeah, I'd love to. What here should I meet you?" She asks me.

"Front of the school? We can walk to my house," I suggest. She nods.

The rest of the day, I wait for the time when I get to hang out more with Sarah. I can't wait to introduce her to the gang.

"Hey Sarah!" I say cheerfully when I see her at the end of the day.

"Hi Pony," she responds with a smile.

"Ready to go?" I ask her. She nods. The whole way back we talk. About books, about music, friends, family, the gang, everything. I end up telling her about Soda and how great he is, and Darry, and how we don't have the best relationship. She stares at me, wide eyed in shock as I tell her about my parents. Even the nightmares, which I never talk about to anyone. She tells me all about her, to the point where I feel like I've known her forever.

When we get back to my house, I lead her into my room, still lost in conversation. We don't get any work done, but I start to realize how much I like this girl. From her personality, our similar interests, and her altogether beauty, this girl is just amazing.

"So, I have to get going in a little bit, but when am I gonna meet the gang?" Sarah asks around 5:00.

"They should be here right now, they usually come over for dinner around this time," I tell her.

"Let's go then!" She says excitedly, leading me out of my own room. Sure enough, everyone is in the living room: Soda and Steve arm wrestling at the table, Johnny and Dally on the couch, Two-Bit on the floor watching some rerun of Gilligan's Island, and Darry in the kitchen cooking dinner.

"Guys, this is my friend Sarah," I introduce loudly, so everyone hears me. Soda turns his head to look at me, but Steve focuses, and ends up pushing Soda's arm all the way down.

"Damn it!" He yells, and Steve laughs hysterically. I sigh.

"Sarah, those two idiots are Soda and Steve, the hobo laying on the floor is Two-Bit, and Johnny and Dally are on the couch. Darry is in the kitchen," I say, pointing to each of them.

"Hey, I know Johnny! You're in my Math class, right?" She asks him. He nods in response, but doesn't say anything. He's shy like that.

"Hobo?" Two-Bit yells, playfully jumping on me and knocking me over.

"Get off of me," I say with a laugh.

"Why?" He responds, "So your girlfriend doesn't have to see you getting beat by me?" He laughs, but stands up. Sarah holds a hand out to help me up, and I gladly take it, thanking her as I get to my feet.

"She's not my girlfriend, she's just a friend," I say, which gets me thinking. What if she would be my girlfriend? Nah, she would never go out with someone like me. Just a Greaser. Sarah isn't exactly a Soc, but she definitely isn't a Greaser either.

"Alright, well, it was nice meeting you guys. I better get going," Sarah says, breaking me out of my thoughts. I walk her out, and stop on the porch.

"Do you want to come over tomorrow too? We should probably keep working on everything," I suggest to her. The smile on her face when she looks at me says everything, especially that I want her to be my girl.

"I would love to. I have soccer tryouts though, until like... 2:30, so maybe I can meet you here at 3:00ish?" She asks. I nod, that sounded fine.

"Okay. See you then!" She says, walking away.

The next day at school was uneventful, until about halfway through the day, when I see Johnny talking to Sarah. I almost walk up to them, wondering what they're talking about, but I decide against it when she puts a hand on his shoulder. My heart skips a beat, what is she doing? Is she flirting with Johnny?

Suddenly, a long laugh comes from Johnnycake. What are they talking about? Why are they laughing? I didn't know they were even friends... 

The rest of the day, I couldn't pay attention to any of my classes. That's why I had to confront Johnny as soon as I got home.

"Hey, Johnny? Can I ask you something?" I say to Johnny as soon as I get home. He's sitting on the couch, watching TV with Two-Bit, the poor guy probably didn't want to go home because of his parents.

"Sure, Pone. What's up?" He responds.

"Why were you talking to Sarah earlier?" I ask him. He just shrugs.

"I dunno. She came up and said hi, so I said hi back and then she asked me about the homework for a class we're in together and then we were talking about the teacher. That's all. Why?" He asks. I look down at my feet, annoyed with myself. Johnny wouldn't lie to me, so that must have been what happened. I trust him more than anyone else, and I know he wouldn't steal Sarah, anyways. I'm not even sure why I asked him...

"I wouldn't steal your girl, Pone. I promise. Sarah's just friendly," Johnny assures me. I smile at him.

"Thanks, Johnnycake. I was just nervous cuz... you know," I say, playing with my hands.

"I get it. She's real pretty, but I know you like her." At least Johnny knows how to keep his hands off. There are lots of Socs that probably need that lesson...

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door.

"Hey, Pony. Are we gonna work on our project?" Sarah asks me, cheerfully. I smile at her, watching her blue-green eyes glimmering as her smile grows wider.

"Yeah," I respond, leading her into my room.

"Great," she says.

"So how'd soccer try outs go?" I ask, trying to make conversation. She shrugs.

"They went okay. I just hope I make the team." I nod, and there's a few seconds of silence.

"Hey Pony? Can I ask you something?" Sarah breaks the silence, sitting down on my bed.

"Sure, what's up?" I respond.

"Why have you been ignoring me all day? She asks. I feel my ears turn red, and look down at my feet, embarrassed.

"I... I really like you, Sarah. I was planning on asking you out today, and then I saw you laughing and talking with Johnny, and I thought you were starting to like him," I mumble at her.

"Ponyboy?" She says quietly.

"Yeah?" I respond, not meeting her eye.

"Look at me," she says. And so I do, but not willingly. Man, her eyes are pretty.

"I like you too," she says, smiling at me.
After a pause, she starts talking again, her voice quiet and nervous.

"If you still want to, Pony, I'd love to go out with you sometime." I smile at her, and move a closer to her. She does the same, until our noses are practically touching.

And suddenly, the two of us are kissing. It only lasts a second, and we both pull away a moment after it happens, but we both look at each other, wide eyed in shock. After a moment that wears off, and we're both smiling.

"I really like you, Sarah," I whisper, leaning in once again.

A/N: So that was somehow 1.9k words. I hope you all liked it! Let me know?