A/N: HELLO FRIENDS! Yes it is I, and I decided to pick up on this after reading it again. I apologize if my writing style may seem a bit different or so since I haven't updated in literally years. As well, I apologize for this chapter being quite short. Anyways...hope y'all enjoy. :) SHOUTOUT TO MARRIED TO AN AVOCADO FOR THE REVIEWS! This is for you. :D

CHAPTER 5

Ponyboy and Cherry walked around East side a little bit then headed to the Curtis residence after, his arm around her shoulder. He looked at her. "Hey, do you wanna hang out inside?" She shrugged and smiled. "Um...I dunno, would it be okay?"

He smiled back. "Sure, you're alright with Soda and Darry, yeah?"

Cherry gulped. Uh oh, what if Darry saw me with Ponyboy? He'd probably get really mad and jealous, and I don't want to mess anything up.

"Um, you know what? Actually my friends invited me to a party earlier, so...I think I have to go," she said, turning around. "Thanks again, Ponyboy."

"Wait, Cherry." He took her hand in his, spinning her around to face him.

She looked at him again. "Hmm?"

"You still have that pendant I gave you?"

Cherry pulled it out of her pocket. "Yeah, I do."

Ponyboy walked over to her and took it, putting it on her himself. "See, you should wear it more often. Looks beautiful, like your eyes." He smiled and lifted her chin to look into her green eyes as she reddened a bit. He planted a kiss on her cheek that was so soft she could barely feel it.

She pulled away. "Th-thanks, Ponyboy...you are too kind to me..." She brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Well, see you then." She walked away.

Ponyboy smiled and sighed as he watched her walk off.

Cherry caught a bus and sat down, staring out the window.

The sun was setting, it looked so pretty as the sky was an orange-pink and the clouds were in a swirling pattern.

What's wrong with you? She thought to herself as she stared at the emerald pendant around her neck. You can't choose to have all of the Curtis brothers to yourself.

I need time. I can't—I don't know what I'm gonna do. She mentally hit herself. You're gonna be labelled as a dirty strumpet.

The bus stopped and she got off, and she headed straight home to her bedroom. She stared at both her pendant and Darry's jacket.

What am I going to do?

Darry gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, as he was watching the scene between Cherry and Ponyboy from the window the entire time.

How could she? He thought. Can't believe Dory was right, Cherry obviously likes Ponyboy. She always had.

Ponyboy then entered, as Darry quickly grabbed a book off the coffee table and sat down to look like he was reading the whole time.

"Heya, Pony." Darry glanced at him as he lowered his glasses.

"Heya, Darry. Soda still at work?"

Darry flipped the page in the book. "Yup," he said as he continued to pretend to read.

Ponyboy tilted his head and furrowed his brows. "You okay? You seem...upset or somethin.'"

Darry just looked at him and shrugged.

"Well, 'kay then. I'm gonna be in me and Soda's room workin' on some homework," Ponyboy said as he headed into the hallway and Darry heard a door close.

Darry ripped the book in half and slammed it on the ground. I still can't believe it. Why? I thought Ponyboy hated her, and now they're hugging and getting close and personal? He put her pendant on and fuckin' kissed her cheek!

Sodapop and Dorothy walked in, laughing together about something, until they saw Darry and stopped."Oh hi, Darrel!" Dorothy cheerfully greeted with a little wave.

He gave a little nod and stood up, brushing past them to go to the kitchen.

Soda rolled his eyes. "I'll be right back, just gotta go shower and change," he said as he kissed her on the cheek briefly and headed into the hallway.

Dorothy sauntered into the kitchen to find Darry making a sandwich. "So, Darrel..." She placed her hands on his shoulders to rub them.

He shook her off as she chuckled. "What's upsetting you so much? Found out I was right about that socy broad and your kid brother?"

"Fuck off," he muttered as he practically slammed the lettuce onto the bread.

She shook her head and smirked. "Oh Darrel...see, that's what's with you and girls. They hook up with you, then end up dating your brothers." She giggled mischievously as she skipped into the living room.

Darry clenched his fist again, the tomato he was about to put on his sandwich completely squished and tomato juice got all over the counter. He sighed as he threw out the tomato and wet a cloth, wiping down the counter. Why, Sherri...why did you play me like a fool? You loved Ponyboy yet you played around with me...am I nothing but a call for a hook up?

"Damn it," he whispered as he held his head in his hands. Oh, Sherri...do you know what you're doing to me?

A tear rolled down his cheek. Sherri Valance...you're breaking my heart.