Meanwhile in Tulsa...

Ponyboy's POV
I sat down on the curb outside, feeling distressed. The lump in my throat kept bothering me, but there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing, now that Johnny's gone.

"Hey Pony," Dally sat next to me.

"Hi Dal," my voice slightly cracked.

"I'm sorry about Johnny, man... it's ridiculous."

"What's ridiculous?"

"How they made him go to that reformation camp or whatever, there's nothing wrong with him, he's a good kid."

I nodded stubbornly.

"Don't worry man, I'm angry too." he laid a hand on my shoulder.

"Yea," whispered, biting my lip.

"But don't worry, he'll be back."

I nodded again. "S-sure.." the blur in my eyes became heavier.

"You've got us," he tried to make me feel better, but things were only better with Johnny around.

I got up from the sidewalk. "S-sorry Dal, I-I can't do this."

he looked up. "Can't do what? I'm just tryna talk to you man."

I shook my head and walked off to my house. The tears that stayed in my eyes had already traveled down my cheek.

I ran and opened the gate, walking up to the door.

Sodapop was there. "Ponyboy," he opened the screen door, letting me inside.

"H-hi Soda," I ran to my room, slamming the door behind and falling onto my bed.

I sobbed more and more, unable to breathe and unable to think. The only thing I could imagine was talking to Johnny and telling him how much I need him. Why didn't I tell him sooner?!

My mind shifted, finding a possible way to get to him.

I grabbed a pen from my desk and a piece of paper, only hoping this would work.

The tears finally stopped falling, they relaxed as I did to. I kept telling myself that he would respond and he'd tell
me how things are going for him.

This is how I can expand my confidence for telling him how I feel. How he makes me feel.

"Ponyboy," Soda opened the door, stepping in and sitting on the bed.

"Y-yea?" I turned away from the paper, putting the pen next to the sheet.

"I know it's unbearable, how patient you're gonna have to be... now that he's gone."

I looked down. "I know a way we can still keep in touch,"

he smiled. "Really?"

I picked up the pen and nodded. "We could write to each other."

his smile grew larger. "That's great Ponyboy, I hope you can finally tell him how you feel."

my eyebrows lifted. "Soda," I was almost blushing.

"Ponyboy, I've known for awhile, okay? You make things so obvious."

I grinned. "I do?"

He nodded. "It's easy to tell," Soda laughed lightly. "You and Johnny... look like you love each other more than you think."

I blushed more. "You think so?"

He stayed quiet for a moment. "I know so." standing up, he walked out of the room.

I giggled to myself and went back to the paper and pen. "Oh Johnny, I can't wait for you to respond." I sighed in a hopeful way, thinking of what to say. I wanted to talk to him, but I also didn't want to say the wrong words.

"Hm," I tapped at my chin. "What should I tell you..."

Excited for the next chapter? Yea me too.