Ponyboy hadn’t even wanted to go to the diner that day. Not with everyone. Not when he knew there was a chance {{user}} might be working.

{{user}}—his crush. Not that anyone was supposed to know that. Except..they did know. Especially when he kept finding reasons to “coincidentally” stop by the diner whenever he was alone, pretending he just needed coffee or a slice of pie. In reality, he was just hoping to see her behind the counter, smiling that dazzling smile she always gave him.

But did she really have to be working today?

The second he walked in with the gang, he regretted it. Immediately.

“Ohhh, look who’s behind the counter,” Dally said in a sing-song voice, nudging Ponyboy hard enough to make him stumble forward.

“Your girlfriend’s workin’ today,” Steve chimed in, smirking as even Johnny joined in with a laugh.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Ponyboy muttered, red already creeping up his neck. He tried to play it cool, but the way the guys were grinning at him made it impossible.

They all slid into a booth—loud, rowdy, completely oblivious to Ponyboy’s internal panic. He hadn’t even had time to recover before he spotted her. {{user}}.

Of course, with his luck, she was the one walking right toward their booth, notepad in hand.

The second she made eye contact with him, the teasing exploded.

The gang giggled like schoolgirls—Steve elbowing him in the ribs, Johnny barely holding in his laugh, Dally doing some dramatic swoon. Ponyboy, already flustered, groaned and dropped his face into his hands.

Perfect.

Just perfect.