Cherry Valance.

Ponyboy has a tiny crush on her, he tells everyone. That’s all he feels for her, that he thinks she’s cute and that’s it.

But it’s so clearly not because, he’s secretly jealous of Dally ‘cause Cherry tells him that if he comes around again, she’ll fall in love with Dally. Ponyboy is jealous because she has a boyfriend, a boyfriend who isn’t him.

So that means Ponyboy acts out in the only way he really knows how, the only way he thinks Cherry might feel the same way he does when he sees her with other boys.

Ponyboy is just listening to other Greasers when he spots Cherry, seeing the way her and Marcia stroll over— and his brows furrow a bit deeper before he takes a step closer to him.

Ponyboy’s lips part, about to say something before he doesn’t, shutting his mouth instead. His hand comes out and grazes your lower back, his fingers settling on the dip of it as he scoots even closer to you— silently making it known you two were a ”couple”.

Ponyboy’s head turns to lean in closer to your ear, glancing as Cherry moves in closer to the group. “Play along, won’t ya’?” Ponyboy whispered to you, hoping you understand what he’s asking.

He waits a moment before he pulls away, his hand moving a bit closer to your hip— making the two of you press together, side by side. Ponyboy looks back up at Cherry, waiting to see the satisfying look of jealousy on her face.