Note: this oneshot is originally from July of 2018, I was young and the writing sucks, but maybe some of the readers will enjoy anyway. I edited it a little, but not much. I only took out EXTREMELY cringe parts. There's still cringe left though, I apologize. Anyways, here's to an update of this story after three years!

I groaned loudly and wiped some sweat off of my forehead. It was so hot, and I was outside, away from all of the air conditioning!

I should really get up and go to the Curtis house, but the heat was making me sleepy, and I didn't feel like getting up.

I stretched out against the old torn up car seat that had been thrown in the lot and closed my eyes.

Today I just couldn't be bothered to do anything. I sighed and stared up at the sky.

Not only was I incredibly hot, but I was incredibly bored. I absentmindedly wished for something to do today, just to get my mind off of the intense heat.

Maybe Ponyboy would want to see a movie or something. I really don't care what we did, as long as its with him, it'd never be boring.

I was hopelessly in love with the fourteen year old. There was just something about the way he managed to see the good in everything.

Before Pony and I became close, I was basically blind to all of the pretty colors and scenery. He showed me all of those things.

Standing up, I sighed and began walking towards his house. Now I really wanted to see him.

I was feeling pretty sluggish and was taking extremely slow steps. I was dreading the entire walk.

But that oh so dreadful walk only last about another two minutes because walking towards me was none other than Ponyboy Curtis.

"Hey Johnny!" He yelled and ran to meet me. "Man, what are ya doing out here in jeans?" He skidded to a halt in front of me and laughed.

My cheeks reddened and I looked down. "Don't have any shorts." I mumbled and we began walking towards the lot. "What were ya doing?"

He grinned and bumped me with his shoulder. "Coming to find you."

I smiled lightly. "There's not much to do at the lot. It only makes you more aware of how damn hot it is."

Pony shrugged. "Maybe we could do something else then."

"Like what?"

He thought about it for a few minutes before snapping his fingers. "I know! The other day I was just following this trail through the woods. I never did get to see where it ended. We could finish it out together if you want."

"Sounds good to me." I played it off as cool as I could on the outside but I'm the inside I was really excited.

It had been a while since it was just Pony and me alone together.

We walked all the way to the edge of town, not as long of a walk as it sounds, and entered the woods.

The walk wasn't long, but it was really, really hot, and I had started to pant lightly.

"You alright Johnnycakes?" Pony stopped walking causing me to stop too.

I blushed at my nickname, but nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." I said nonchalantly. "Let's finish out the trail."

I started walking again and Pony uneasily followed. "Are you sure? Your face is pretty red."

I nodded quickly and wiped some sweat off my forehead. "I swear I'm fine."

He chuckled and threw his arm around my shoulder. "It must be awful having hair as dark as ebony on summer days like this." He mused and retracted his arm.

I cracked a small smile. "I dig it okay."

"I've missed spending time with you Johnny."

I laughed. "Really? What's to miss? You could sit in a room all by yourself and make more conversation than when your with me."

Ponyboy shook his head. "We don't need words to talk Johnny, you know that."

I looked at his face and giggled slightly. "I guess that's true."

"Besides-" he waved his hand. "I'd hate if you just started talking a lot all of the sudden. You wouldn't be you."

I smiled. "Phew." I wiped my forehead yet again.

"It is pretty hot out, ain't it?" He sighed.

I just nodded.

"I'm hot in these shorts and a tank top. I can't imagine how you feel in those jeans and T-shirt." He said, eyeing my outfit.

"Aah don't worry about me. I'm fine."

He nodded and we continued walking, until all of the sudden he sped up.

"Look Johnny!" He pointed up ahead and started running.

I didn't know what he was talking about, but I followed him instinctively. I was fighting to control my breathing. It was only a 20 yard run, but I was really out of shape.

Pony finally stopped and I collapsed on the ground at his feet. "Why'd... we... have to... run?" I gasped out.

He laughed, looking down at me. "Sorry Johnny, but I think you'll be excited to see what's ahead."

I reluctantly stood up, still panting. But what was in front of me made me so relieved I sighed.

"Oh thank God." I breathed out.

It was a huge lake! I immediately bent down and splashed water into my face. It felt so good and refreshing I almost laughed.

"You wanna go for a swim?" Pony asked, smiling.

I stood up. "We don't have swim trunks though."

He grinned. "That's okay." He said and removed his shirt.

Well that was easy for him to do. He could go swimming in his shorts. Swimming in jeans chafes you so bad you can't hardly walk for a few days.

I know from experience.

But Pony went ahead and took his shorts off too.

I couldn't help but stare, feeling my cheeks get hotter than the rest of my body.

"Are you sure?" I squeaked.

He turned around and I kept my eyes on his face. They started to travel a bit lower but I quickly controlled them.

He grinned and nodded. "Yeah man why not? It's so hot out here, and this'll really cool us off."

"What if someone sees?" I asked nervously.

"We're a mile deep into the woods, I think we'll be okay." He turned back around and jumped into the lake. When his head bobbed to the surface he looked at me. "Are ya coming?"

I reluctantly nodded and began removing my clothes. First my shirt, then shoes, then socks, then pants... I stood awkwardly in my boxers for a few seconds.

Finally, I walked over to the lake and hopped in as well.

"This sure does feel nice, don't it?" He swam over near me.

I sighed happily and nodded. "Yeah. A lot better."

I looked into his eyes and smiled. He was so beautiful, and he didn't even know it.

He grinned at me and put on a mischievous smile.

I groaned. I knew that look all to well. Not even a second later he had dunked me under water.

I came up and laughed. "Oh Ponyboy Curtis you are gonna get it!" I yelled playfully and swam after him.

It was a long battle of splashing and dunking. We just couldn't stop. Luckily, I don't think that either of us wanted to stop.

"Just give it up now Johnny!" Ponyboy laughed and tackled me. I dragged him underwater with me, and when we came up we were dying laughing.

When we finally stopped, we looked at each other again and it started all over. Something about the entire situation just seemed hilarious.

Pony pulled me into a hug. The feeling of his wet skin against mine made me blush a bit as I hugged back, our legs kicking back and forth in the water to stay afloat.

"God Johnny... I really did miss you." He squeezed me even tighter.

"I missed you too Pone."

When we pulled away, my arms will still around his and his were still around my neck.

He grinned suddenly, letting his hands travel lower down my body. "Y'know Johnny...I think you have a great body."

I laughed nervously. "Uh... thank you?" Where was he going with this?

"And even better lips..." he traced them with his index finger. "And your eyes... oh God your eyes. They're the prettiest things I've ever seen. No amount of sunsets or stars could ever compare to your beautiful eyes. They're so big and sad looking. I feel like I could get lost in them without even trying."

I was utterly speechless. Did I really just hear what I think I just heard? "G-geePonyboy... I... I don't know what to say." I really didn't. Was he just playing with my feelings? Was this all some cruel joke? Or... or was it possible that he actually felt the same way...

His smile faltered just a little bit, but he didn't let go of me. "Can I kiss you?" He asked and I almost choked.

"W-what?" I asked quickly, not sure if I heard him correctly.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked again, with the same amount of confidence as before.

"I... I mean... wow, um... yeah, yeah you can." I stuttered out.

"You sure?"

I nodded. "Sure I'm sure... I want you to kiss me Ponyboy."

Pony grinned and slowly pressed his lips against mine. It wasn't too long, and it wasn't to short either.

He pulled away with a tug at my bottom lip.

"Wow." We both said.

He hugged me again and I rested my head on his shoulder. "How long?" I murmured.

"How long what?" Pony kissed the back of my head.

"How long have you liked me?"

"Oh wow, I'm not sure... a really long time. I've been waiting to kiss you for so long. So damn long Johnnycakes." He sighed happily.

I grinned. "Me too. I've liked you for forever."

We stayed silent, still in each other's arms..

We stared at each other for a bit. "We should... probably get back, yeah?" He said quietly.

I nodded, and we slowly untangled out of each other's grip.

We swam up to shore, and let the sun dry us off a bit before getting dressed again.

Pony's eyes never left my body once. I personally didn't believe that I was all that great looking, but Ponyboy seemed to greatly disagree.

"I don't know who put all those idea's in your head Johnny Cade, but I'll tell ya: you are so sexy and so beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." He said as we got dressed.

I grinned and he came over and held my hand. The heat didn't bother me too much anymore.

As long as Pony's hand was attached to mine, nothing could bother me.

Right before we made it back to town, he gave me a long kiss. He stroked my cheek when we pulled away.

"Oh Johnnycakes... I love you so much." He said with a smile.

My mouth fell open slightly, before forming a huge grin. "I love you too Pones."

By the time we reached Pony's house, the sun had begun to set. We stood on his front porch and watched in awe.

As the last few drops of daylight trickled away, Pony turned towards me and reached for my hand. "You wanna sleep at my house tonight? You won't bother no one I promise."

I shyly nodded. I didn't want my parents beating me and turning a magical day bitter.

We walked inside and found Soda and Darry on the couch.

"Hey guys." Pony greeted, giving them each a hug. "It's alright if Johnny stays over, right?"

They both nodded. "Of course. He's welcome here any time." Darry's big voice boomed.

Soda smiled at me. "You can share the bed with Pony. I'll sleep in the couch."

I smiled back at him. "Thank you Soda."

He just grinned.

"Night guys." Pony stayed and started walking up to his room.

After we brushed our teeth, we changed and got under the blankets. He snuggled up against me. "I'm glad I found you today." He mumbled happily.

I kissed his forehead. "Me too. You don't even know."