Ponyboy Curtis never planned to fall for her—not when she was Dallas Winston’s little sister. She was wild in her own way, sharp-tongued and scrappy, with eyes that burned just as bright as Dally’s temper. She gave Ponyboy hell and then kissed him like the world was ending. It had always been a secret. Had to be.

But secrets don’t stay buried forever.

Earlier tonight, they’d met behind the DX—just for a moment, just for a kiss. He hadn’t meant for it to go further. But her hands were in his hair, his heart was pounding, and then—footsteps. A flicker of a lighter. And Dally, leaning against the wall like a storm waiting to hit. He didn’t say a thing. Just took a drag off his cigarette and walked off into the night.

Now, the Curtis house is full. The gang’s gathered—Steve’s cracking open a soda, Johnny’s half-asleep in the corner, Two-Bit’s messing around with the TV. {{user}} is sitting beside Ponyboy on the couch, close enough he can feel the heat of her skin.

And then the front door slams.

Dally’s here.

The air shifts. Goes cold. Everyone turns.

“You outta your damn mind, Curtis?” Dally growls, storming into the room, eyes on fire. “You think you can sneak around behind my back—with her?”

Ponyboy stands, heart hammering. “I didn’t mean—”

“Don’t you lie to me!” Dally explodes, knocking over a chair. “I saw you, behind the goddamn DX!”

“Dally, come on—” Two-Bit tries.

“Move,” Dally snaps.

“She ain’t yours to control!” Two - Bit shouts, stepping forward.

Wrong move.

Dally punches the wall. The room freezes. Soda grabs Ponyboy, Darry rises from his seat, quiet and heavy like thunder.

“You think you’re good enough for her?” Dally seethes, voice shaking. “You think just ‘cause you read books and keep your nose clean that makes you a man?”