Work Text:
Sincerely, Me
Ponyboy understood where they stood. They were from two different worlds that happen to encircle each other.
But through grief the two seemed to take a step closer. It was small but it was a step. When Ponyboy finally returned to school they were like magnets.
People gasped at his appearance. He was pale, bruised, skeletal and the choppy bleached hair added insult to injury.
He heard the whispers but glared at anyone who looked at him sideways. Except the other Greasers who all seemed to show up more frequently to school even if it was to just drop him off, take him home and escort him between classes.
Clearly, there was a bit of difference in the youngest Curtis brother.
The first time Cherry and Ponyboy crossed paths was in the hallway during a free period.
He was by himself but Cherry was with Marcia and Beverly. Cherry couldn't help but stop as did Ponyboy. They just stood and looked at each other. Cherry waved and Ponyboy nodded. Before any words could be spoken Cherry was swept away again.
Cherry helplessly waved bye and Ponyboy returned it.
Later on in the day when Ponyboy was home he found himself sketching on autopilot. He looked at what he drew and Cherry stared back at him.
He wanted to talk to her but knew it wouldn't happen easily. So he did what he did best, write.
Cherry opened her locker to a piece of paper fluttering out.
It read “Cherry” in pretty handwriting. She unfolded it and it read:
Dear Cherry,
I wrote this just to say hi since I couldn't yesterday. Also, I wanted to say thank you. I was almost sent away or thrown in jail but your testimony changed that. I don't expect a response. Especially after everything that's happened. Hope you're holding up well.
Sincerely,
Ponyboy
Cherry couldn't enjoy the moment long as she heard Chet and the other boys coming. She threw the letter in a folder and grabbed her books. She didn't get a chance to be alone to write or be near Ponyboy for days.
So she did the next best thing. She walked past him and “dropped" it.
Ponyboy of course saw it and was about to give it back to her before he saw his name on the paper.
Dear Ponyboy,
Hi. You don't need to thank me. You never deserved to be taken away from your family and friends or thrown in jail. You didn't kill Bob. I don't blame you. You almost died and Johnny did what he thought would save your life. It did. You're still here. I'm…ok. I miss him. I'm dreading the game Friday. Not cheering him on is gonna feel weird. Maybe you could come, not sure I've ever seen you at a game.
Sincerely,
Cherry
Dear Cherry,
I might take you up on that. I don't mind football but I have to be wary obviously. Try to convince the guys to come with. In case I don't come. Hope you have fun at the game.
Ponyboy.
Ponyboy got caught approaching Cherry's locker and was slammed against it.
“What are you doing Greaser?”
“Giving Cherry her notes back. I borrowed them in chemistry.”
“Trip. What's going on? Get off him!”
They both turned and there Cherry stood.
“Grease was tryna put something in your locker.”
“Your notes from chemistry. Thanks for letting me borrow them.”
Ponyboy handed her the note.
“You're welcome. See you in class.”
Cherry then turned to Trip and swatted him down the hallway.
Ponyboy heard her hiss “Was that necessary? Slamming him against a locker over a piece of paper?”
Time skip
Ponyboy managed to convince Two-Bit to come with him to the game so he wasn't by himself. Everyone else went to the drive-in as usual or stayed home. The game was going pretty well but Ponyboy couldn't help but glance at Cherry.
She wasn't as enthusiastic while cheering compared to the rest of the squad. Wasn't too surprising when she suddenly dropped her pompoms and took off. Some eyes followed but went back to the game undeterred.
Ponyboy gave the excuse of heading to the bathroom before going to search for her.
He finds her at the far part of the running track under the bleachers. He approaches her slowly as he hears her sniffles.
“Cherry?”
She stops sniffling and turns to face him, wiping off her tears. She relaxed slightly when it was Ponyboy.
“I'm ok. Don't worry about it. You can go.”
“I didn't eat for two weeks straight.”
“What?”
“When Johnny and Dal died. I didn't eat for two weeks straight. My brothers gave me slices of bread so I wouldn't keel over. Took me till yesterday to even walk by Johnny's house. You're not ok.”
“I should be though! He was a bad guy and yet I'm crying over him!”
“How long were you together?”
“Since freshman year but-”
“And how long have you known him?”
“Since we were kids our parents were friends.”
“You're gonna miss someone you've known all your life. Bad or good. You're used to their presence, Cherry.”
Ponyboy didn't know what to expect to happen next but it certainly wasn't for Cherry to hug him.
She let out broken sobs and it took him a second before wrapping his arms round her. He still glanced around for anyone coming. It still wasn’t a good idea for them to be alone. But most of the Soc boys were playing tonight. The few that weren’t would surely search for her if she was gone too long.
Protect your own.
“I haven’t slept. I’m so tired.” Cherry pulls away and whispers aloud.
“Wanna go home? We could give you a ride.”
“We? Me and Two-Bit.”
“Sure.”
“Sit. I’ll go get Two-Bit.”
She nodded and sat on the ground.
Ponyboy ran and got Two-Bit.
“Hey. Someone needs a ride.”
“Goodness Pony, where'd you go to?”
“Come on, someone needs a ride home.”
Pony walked away Two-Bit hot on his heels.
“Pony…Pony!…slow down Clydedale!”
They came back over to the dark part of the race track.
“I’m not racing you, Horsie.”
“Cherry?” Ponyboy ducked under the bleachers and there she sat. Head resting on her knees. Fast asleep.
He gently nudged her awake. She was startled but relaxed upon seeing the two boys.
“C’mon let’s get you home.”
“Pony…we’re not doing this again.”
“Either you drive or I’ll walk, it's up to you.”
“Alright. Hold your horses, Pony.”
They hopped into Two-Bit’s car. The entire ride to the West Side he kept glancing at his rear and sideview mirrors. He didn’t want any issues for "picking up one of their women.”
Cherry insisted that she could walk the rest of the way once they reached the West side. Ponyboy understood but didn’t want to leave her alone when she was like this.
She made them stop the car when they were a block away. She thanked them and squeezed Pony’s hand.
“See you at school.” He nodded.
And so started an unspoken understanding. Of passing letters and notes to each other secretly. Over time not so secretly.
As they grew up and grew apart in distance but not heart they continued to write to each other. Watching each other's lives from afar. Well into their old age they’d continue to write each other letters to check in.
At the end of the day they were just two people watching the sunset and sharing an indescribable grief that never disappeared.