Thanks So Much For 200 Followers ♡

— CINNAMON GIRL ³

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , ponyboy curtis 𝔁 f! reader | wc 1000

summary. ponyboy reflects on y/n toizer’s unique ability to bring comfort and understanding into his life. he explores how her presence fills the void left by his parents and how she helps him navigate the complexities of growing up.

labels. ponyboy’s point of view.

warnings. mentions of grief, reflections on loneliness, and moments of vulnerability.

sometimes, it feels like i’m stuck in the middle of two worlds. darry’s world of responsibility and soda’s world of ease. then there’s me — floating somewhere in between, not sure where i’m supposed to land. i try to find peace in my books, in writing, in the quiet moments when everything isn’t so loud. but even then, it gets lonely.

that’s where y/n comes in. she has this way of making you feel seen, like you’re not just another face in the crowd. she listens when no one else does, really listens, and it’s something i’ve come to count on. she’s more than a friend; she’s family.

it was a saturday afternoon, and the house was unusually quiet. soda was at work, darry was fixing something in the garage, and i was stretched out on the couch with a copy of great expectations. the pages were worn, the spine cracked from years of reading and rereading, but it was still my favorite escape.

i was so lost in the story that i didn’t hear the door open until y/n’s soft voice broke through my thoughts.

❝you and your books, pony. always in another world.❞

❝that’s my favorite thing about you though.❞

i looked up, startled, but her smile put me at ease. she was standing in the doorway, her hands full of grocery bags.

❝what are you doing here?❞ i asked, setting the book down.

❝someone has to make sure you boys eat something other than bologna sandwiches,❞ she teased, walking into the kitchen.

❝you’re a lifesaver, i was just getting sick of bologna!❞

i followed her, taking the bags from her hands and setting them on the counter. ❝anyway, we’re fine, you know. darry’s been cooking more.❞

❝oh, i’m sure,❞ she said, her tone playful but unconvinced.

as she started unpacking the groceries, i leaned against the counter, watching her. there was something calming about the way she moved, like she belonged here, like she’d always been a part of our lives.

❝you don’t have to keep taking care of us, y/n,❞ i said after a moment. ❝we’re not little kids anymore.❞

she paused, looking over at me with a soft smile. ❝maybe not, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need someone looking out for you. and i don’t mind, pony. you guys are my family.❞

her words settled something in me, a reassurance i didn’t know i needed.

i love her so much, i hope darry marries her in the future.

later that day, after darry had joined us for dinner, y/n and i ended up sitting on the porch steps. the sun was setting, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink. it was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt full instead of empty.

❝do you ever feel like you don’t belong?❞ i asked, the words slipping out before i could stop them.

she looked at me, her expression thoughtful. ❝what makes you say that?❞

i shrugged, picking at a loose thread on my jeans. ❝i don’t know. it’s like … darry has his responsibilities, soda has his charm, and i just … i don’t fit. i’m not like them.❞

she was quiet for a moment, and i wondered if i’d said too much. but then she spoke, her voice soft but firm.

❝ponyboy curtis, you belong just as much as anyone else. you don’t have to be like darry or soda. you’re your own person, and that’s more than enough.❞

her words hit me in a way nothing else had. i looked at her, my throat tight, and nodded.

❝thanks, y/n,❞ i said quietly.

she reached over, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. ❝anytime, pony.❞

my face quickly warmed up as she kissed my forehead.

one of my favorite things about y/n is how she never makes me feel silly for the things i care about. when i talk about books or poetry, she listens like it’s the most important thing in the world. it’s a rare thing, to be understood like that.

there was a time last summer when i was working on a poem for school. i was stuck, the words refusing to come no matter how hard i tried. y/n had stopped by, her arms full of lemonade and cookies.

mm, my favorite.

❝what’s got you so frustrated?❞ she asked, sitting down next to me at the kitchen table.

❝this stupid poem,❞ i muttered, shoving the paper away. ❝it’s supposed to be about something important, but i can’t think of anything.❞

she picked up the paper, reading the half-formed lines with a small smile. ❝why don’t you write about your parents? or your brothers?❞

i frowned, shaking my head. ❝it’s too hard.❞

❝then write about something that makes you happy,❞ she said simply. ❝write about the sunsets you love so much, or how it feels when you’re reading a good book. it doesn’t have to be perfect, pony. it just has to be you.❞

her advice stuck with me, not just for that poem but for everything else i wrote after. she made me believe that my voice mattered, even when i wasn’t sure it did.

as the night wore on and the stars came out, y/n stayed on the porch with me, talking about anything and everything. she told me stories about her brothers, about the antics charlie and matteo got into, and i told her about a new book i’d started reading.

it was easy, being with her. like all the worries and doubts faded away for a little while.

❝you’re gonna do great things, pony,❞ she said at one point, her voice full of certainty.

❝you think so?❞ i asked, my voice hesitant.

❝i know so,❞ she said, smiling at me.

and for the first time in a long time, i believed her.

© MINA LEIGH 2024 - 2025

. . . prologue darry curtis sodapop curtis you’re here!

dallas winston johnny cade steve randle two - bit matthews

— TRANCE

written by mina leigh 𝜗᭪ , nate jacobs 𝔁 f! reader | wc 2500

summary. nate realizes he is the luckiest guy ever. fuck maddy, fuck cassie, he was plotting for you. you’re the most perfect girl that he could’ve ever asked for.

labels. y/n is used , she her pronouns used. nate fantasizes about you innocently and quite naughty, hyper feminine reader, pet names used, mentions of obsession, praise, & stalking, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. i really recommend reading @annwrites multi - part fic ❝ exactly what he needs ,❞ paired with, yours truly, nate jacobs. as it was inspired by the masterpiece.

nate is in bed, staring blankly at the glow of his phone. it was some mindless scroll through his socials, yet it all felt dull. nothing grabbed his attention the way it used to. not the countless selfies of maddy’s perfectly angled poses, or cassie’s desperate attempts to catch his eye with the glossy smiles she plastered all over the screen.

he let out a breath, locking his phone and placing it face down on the bedside table. his hand trailed absentmindedly toward the blanket, pulling it up a bit to tuck you in, careful not to disturb you.

you were fast asleep beside him, your soft breaths falling into a steady rhythm. nate’s gaze lingered on you longer than it probably should’ve, his eyes tracing the delicate lines of your face. fuck, you were perfect. it was almost criminal how effortlessly beautiful you looked, even now. no makeup, no posing, no pretending. just you.

he leaned his head back into the pillow, the warmth of your presence next to him soothing yet electrifying at the same time. it wasn’t like when he was with maddy or cassie. there wasn’t that constant tension, that need to control, to manipulate. well, maybe a little. but with you, it felt… different. not better, but more intoxicating.

❝ fuck ,❞ nate muttered under his breath, staring up at the ceiling, the faint glow from the moon seeping through the curtains.

he didn’t know how he’d gotten this lucky. not that it was entirely luck. it took planning, scheming. nate wasn’t a man who left things to chance. no, if he wanted something, he took it. he figured out how to make it his, even if it meant crushing a few people along the way.

and you? you were the one thing he hadn’t let slip through his fingers.

the day nate first really noticed you, like really noticed you, something shifted in him. it wasn’t like with cassie, where she was a fleeting obsession, someone he could toy with to get under maddy’s skin. no, you were something else. something more.

it had been a regular day, or at least it was supposed to be. cassie had brushed past him in the hall, giving him a sad, hopeful glance after their situationship had gone up in flames. she didn’t matter anymore, not really. nate had already set his sights elsewhere.

and then, there you were.

you didn’t even notice him at first, just standing there with a few friends, laughing at something dumb, probably something insignificant, but to nate, it was like the world had tilted. your hair caught the light just right, that glossy sheen making him want to reach out, run his fingers through it. and your face —fuck, your face was everything. perfect lips, perfect eyes, the kind of face nate could stare at for hours and never get bored. you had that thing about you, that girl - next - door vibe mixed with something else, something unattainable.

you weren’t loud, weren’t trying to get attention like maddy or cassie always did. you didn’t need to. you had a natural confidence, something soft but undeniable. your style was all femme, skirts and cute tops, nails always done, everything just ... neat. clean. controlled. nate liked that. he loved that.

it was like the universe had handed him exactly what he’d been looking for.

but getting you? that was going to take work. although not that he ever had any difficulty getting what he desired.

nate spent weeks figuring you out. watching. waiting. it wasn’t stalking, not really, he told himself. he was just making sure he knew everything he needed to. where you liked to hang out, who your friends were, what kind of guys caught your eye. every detail mattered.

he’d show up where you’d be, casually at first, nothing too obvious. he made sure to talk to the right people, make himself seem approachable, even charming, though that part came naturally. girls liked nate. it wasn’t hard to use that to his advantage.

he noticed how your eyes would flick toward him sometimes, just a quick glance before you looked away, trying not to let it linger. it was subtle, but nate knew what it meant. you were interested. maybe you didn’t realize it yet, but you were. and he was going to make sure you realized it soon enough.

a few weeks in, he made his move. a simple conversation, nothing too forward. just enough to get you thinking. he complimented your shoes, your nails, shit like that. small things, things other guys wouldn’t notice but nate did. he saw everything about you.

he could tell you liked the attention. your smile was shy, a little flustered even, and that’s how he knew he had you. it was only a matter of time now.

the days passed, and nate played his cards perfectly. you’d started to trust him, let your guard down around him. you laughed at his jokes, blushed when he teased you, and nate reveled in it. every little thing you did only made him want you more.

he liked how soft you were. how feminine. it wasn’t just your looks, though those were enough to drive him crazy on their own. it was the way you carried yourself, the way you made him feel needed, wanted, like he was the only guy who could make you happy.

he’d make sure you never wanted anyone else.

nate was careful, though. he didn’t rush things. he let the tension build, let you get used to the idea of him being around. he didn’t want to scare you off, not like he’d done with cassie. this time, it had to be perfect.

and it worked.

the night he finally confessed, nate couldn’t hold back anymore. it had been driving him insane, keeping it all bottled up, the way he felt about you. it wasn’t just lust, though that was a big part of it. it was deeper than that, more intense. he wanted you in every way, needed you.

he cornered you after a party, pulling you aside when no one was looking. your eyes widened in surprise, but there was a hint of excitement there too. nate could see it.

❝ i can’t keep pretending, y/n, ❞ he started, his voice low, controlled. ❝ i’ve been thinking about you, about us. for weeks. ❞

you blinked, a soft flush spreading across your cheeks. ❝ nate ... ❞

❝ no, let me finish, ❞ he interrupted, stepping closer, his body just inches from yours. ❝ you’re perfect. everything about you. i can’t stop thinking about you, wanting you. ❞ his hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face, and he smirked when you shivered at his touch. ❝ you deserve someone who sees that. who sees you. ❞

you stared up at him, your breathing shallow, and nate knew he had you right where he wanted.

❝ i hope you understand what i am getting at, i’m that guy, y/n, ❞ he murmured, leaning in, his lips just barely brushing your ear. ❝ i’m the guy who’s going to make sure you’re happy. no one else. ❞

your eyes sparkled, a mix of excitement and disbelief.

❝ nate... i didn’t know you felt that way, ❞ you whispered, biting your lip. ❝ i always thought... ❞

❝ what? ❞ he asked, his voice dripping with possessiveness. ❝ you thought you weren’t good enough? ❞ he let out a dark chuckle, his hand sliding around your waist, pulling you closer. ❝ you’re more than good enough. you’re mine. ❞

you stared at him, wide-eyed, but then you smiled —this soft, sweet smile that made his chest tighten.

❝ i didn’t think i’d be good enough for you, ❞ you admitted softly, looking down for a moment.

nate’s grip tightened around your waist, his hand firm as he pulled you closer, his lips brushing your temple. ❝ fuck that, y/n, ❞ he whispered, his voice thick with a mixture of desire and triumph. ❝ you’re everything i’ve ever wanted. ❞

your arms wrapped around his neck as you hugged him, pressing your face into his chest, and nate let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

he buried his face into the curve of your neck, breathing you in, his hands gripping your waist as he smirked against your skin. you were his now. completely his.

and nate wasn’t letting you go. not ever.

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

can you do another popular!readerxmikewheeler blurb please?😊

— COINCIDENCE

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , mike wheeler 𝔁 f! reader | wc 1400

summary. mike wheeler isn't the same boy he was last year. the hellfire club and d&d are his only escape from feeling like a nobody in his own school. she's hawkins high's brightest star, leading the cheer squad with a confidence that lights up every hallway, but when she stumbles upon mike during one of his campaign sessions, curiosity sparks-can two people from different worlds find common ground?

labels. popular cheerleader reader, extrovert reader, introvert mike, shy mike, touchy and affectionate reader.

warnings. add any if necessary

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. sabrina carpenter’s short n sweet album. i love it! my favorite songs have to be taste, good graces, juno, and don’t smile. enjoy ♡

hawkins high hadn’t changed much. the same squeaky floors, the same buzzing fluorescent lights, the same faces in the hallways. but to mike wheeler, it felt like an entirely different world. the one where he fit in had disappeared, replaced by one where he was just … invisible.

he hadn’t meant for it to happen. friendships drifted, people changed. lucas found a place on the basketball team, max had her own battles, el and will now resided in california, and mike? mike had the hellfire club.

most days, he liked it that way. the campaign room was a sanctuary, filled with laughter, dice rolls, and the kind of camaraderie he didn’t find anywhere else. but today? today was different.

the door creaked open, and he froze mid-sentence. ❝… roll for initiative.❞ his voice wavered slightly, eyes flickering toward the intruder.

it was her. y/n l/n, the girl everyone noticed. the head cheerleader, with that bright smile and the confidence that seemed to glow wherever she went.

she shouldn’t be here. this wasn’t her world.

her gaze swept over the room, lingering on the chaos of the game board and the scattered dice. ❝sorry, am i interrupting?❞ her voice was light, almost teasing.

dustin answered before mike could. ❝yeah, kinda. but, you know, stay if you want.❞ he grinned, clearly amused by the sheer absurdity of her being there.

mike’s cheeks burned. he ducked his head, pretending to be focused on the game. but he felt her eyes on him.

❝actually, i was looking for you,❞ she said, directing her words toward mike.

his head shot up. ❝me?❞

❝yeah. can we talk?❞ she gestured toward the hallway.

every pair of eyes in the room was on him. dustin gave an exaggerated eyebrow raise, and eddie leaned back in his chair, smirking.

❝uh … sure.❞ mike mumbled, pushing himself to his feet. his heart pounded as he followed her out.

the hallway was quieter, the hum of distant chatter fading as they walked further. she stopped near the trophy case, turning to face him.

❝so,❞ she started, crossing her arms over her chest, ❝what’s the deal with that game?❞

mike blinked. ❝what? d&d?❞

she nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. ❝yeah. it seems … interesting.❞

he didn’t know how to respond. was she messing with him?

❝why do you care?❞ his voice came out sharper than he intended.

her smile faltered for a moment before softening again. ❝i don’t know. i guess … i’ve seen you around. you always look like you’re having fun with your friends. and, well, it looks nice.❞

mike stared at her, trying to process her words. he wasn’t used to people outside of his circle being curious about his world. especially not her.

❝it is fun,❞ he admitted, his voice quieter.

her eyes lit up. ❝see? i knew it.❞ she stepped closer, leaning against the wall beside him. ❝it’s cool that you guys have something like that.❞

he shifted uncomfortably. ❝yeah, i guess. most people just think it’s nerd stuff.❞

❝who cares what most people think?❞ she shrugged. ❝you like it, right? that’s what matters.❞

his heart did a weird flip at her words. he wasn’t sure if it was her tone or the way she was looking at him —like she genuinely meant it — but something about this moment felt different.

❝thanks,❞ he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

she smiled again, this time brighter. ❝anytime.❞

for a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the school around them feeling far away.

❝so,❞ she broke the quiet, ❝you gonna teach me how to play?❞

mike blinked. ❝you want to play?❞

❝why not?❞ she laughed, bumping his shoulder lightly. ❝maybe it’s time i tried something new.❞

he hesitated. ❝i don’t know … it’s kind of complicated.❞

she raised an eyebrow. ❝are you saying i can’t handle it?❞

his lips twitched into a small smile. ❝no, just… it might not be your thing.❞

❝let me be the judge of that, wheeler.❞ she grinned, and for a second, he forgot why he was nervous.

the following week, she showed up at hellfire. dustin’s jaw practically hit the floor, and eddie looked like christmas had come early. but mike? he was nervous.

still, y/n fit in better than he expected. she laughed at their jokes, asked questions about the game, and even rolled her first dice with an enthusiastic cheer.

by the end of the session, she was leaning into mike’s side, her hand resting lightly on his arm as she whispered, ❝this is actually fun.❞

his heart raced at the contact, but he managed a nod. ❝told you.❞

❝you’re a good teacher,❞ she teased, her fingers squeezing his arm gently.

he swallowed hard, feeling a warmth spread through him. ❝you’re a good student.❞

she smiled, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment. ❝thanks for letting me crash.❞

❝thanks for wanting to,❞ he replied, his voice soft.

over the next few weeks, y/n kept coming back. not just to hellfire, but into mike’s life. she’d find him in the hallway, throw her arm around him, and drag him to sit with her at lunch.

people stared. they whispered. but she didn’t care, and somehow, neither did he.

❝you’re different,❞ she said one afternoon, walking with him after school.

❝different how?❞ he asked, curious.

❝different good,❞ she clarified. ❝you don’t try to be someone you’re not. i like that.❞

mike felt his cheeks heat up. ❝thanks.❞

she stopped walking, turning to face him. ❝i mean it.❞

he met her gaze, her sincerity hitting him hard. ❝you’re… different too.❞

her smile widened. ❝different good?❞

he nodded. ❝yeah. definitely.❞

she stepped closer, her hand brushing his. ❝you know, i think we make a pretty good team.❞

he glanced down at their hands, his heart pounding. ❝yeah … we do.❞

her fingers intertwined with his, and suddenly, hawkins high didn’t feel so overwhelming anymore.

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

— CINNAMON GIRL ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡᵉ

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , the greases 𝔁 f! reader | wc 1000

summary. features the greasers talking amongst themselves about y/n, how she’s always been a constant presence in their lives, and what she means to them. a few mentions of matteo and charlie, her younger brothers, but the main focus is on y/n’s role in the greaser family.

labels. lighthearted tone, mentions of family and friendship, and reflections on y/n’s impact on each character’s life.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. chapter 8! the last one, this was so much fun to recreate and make it better for my following. this might me the last thing i write for a while. school started back up so ill be mia for a bit. feel free to send requests ♡

darry

❝you know, i always figured y/n would end up like one of those people who quietly fades into the background. but somehow, she’s always there when we need her, without even trying.❞

soda nodded in agreement. ❝yeah, like when things get rough and everyone else is losing their heads, she just … takes over without making a big deal about it.❞

ponyboy

❝she never really asks for anything. she just does what she has to do, and everything feels a little less heavy. i think that’s what gets me the most. she doesn’t need anyone’s validation to do what’s right, and that’s … rare.❞

johnny

❝yeah, it’s like she doesn’t mind putting herself last as long as everyone else is okay. she’s … i don’t know, the kind of person who makes you want to be better just by being around her.❞

two-bit

❝she’s the best at making people laugh when they need it most. i mean, i’m no slouch myself, but y/n? she’s got that knack for knowing when to say something and when to just listen. it’s like she gets us, even when we’re acting like idiots.❞

steve

❝i don’t get how she does it. i’ve seen people go through a lot, but y/n — she never shows the weight of it. it’s like she’s got this inner strength, y’know? she keeps everything together without even breaking a sweat. and it’s not just about her being the “mom” of the group, either. she genuinely cares, and i think that’s what makes her so different.❞

darry

❝yeah. she’s a lot stronger than people give her credit for. i think she has to be. raising her brothers, keeping everyone else in line, and still somehow managing to make us all feel like we matter … she does it all.❞

ponyboy

❝she’s also one of the only people who can get through to me when i’m being… well, me. when i get caught up in my own head, she just knows how to make me talk about it. and it’s not even in a way that feels forced. she just knows how to make me feel heard.❞

two-bit

❝yeah, she’s got this way of making you feel like you matter, when you’re at your worst. i mean, i’ve definitely had my fair share of screw-ups, but every time she talks to me, it’s like i’m not just the guy who tells bad jokes. i’m someone she actually cares about.❞

steve

❝she’s also the only person who can keep soda in check. not that soda’s bad or anything, but y/n just… knows how to get through to him. she makes him feel like he’s got this huge weight on his shoulders, but at the same time, she’s always there to remind him it’s okay to relax sometimes.❞

johnny

❝i think that’s what i like most about her — how she makes everyone feel like they belong. even if we mess up, she doesn’t let us feel like we’re failures. i’ve never felt judged by her. she just accepts us, flaws and all.❞

darry

❝i remember when she first started hanging around with us. it was just me, soda, and ponyboy, and we had our own way of doing things. then y/n showed up, and she … just fit. like she was always supposed to be here. her brothers, matteo and charlie, are a handful, but she’s always got them under control. it’s like she’s got this natural way with kids.❞

soda

❝yeah, she’s like a big sister to us, too. i don’t know how she does it, but she’s always there, always checking in, making sure we’re not getting into too much trouble. and if we do, she’s the one to give us that disappointed look that makes you feel like you’re five years old again.❞

two-bit

❝that’s the thing, though. she’s not just a second mom to us. she’s our friend. someone we can go to when we need to talk, or just … chill, y’know? she’s got this balance that none of us have. she’s one of us, but she’s also someone we can look up to.❞

johnny

❝and she’s always the one who puts everyone else before herself. i’ve seen her stay up late helping matteo with his homework or comforting charlie when he’s had a bad day. i don’t know how she does it, but she’s always there for us.❞

steve

❝she’s a fighter, too. i don’t think anyone’s seen it, but i have. when things get tough, she doesn’t back down. not for a second. i think that’s why i trust her so much. when y/n says she’s got your back, she really means it.❞

darry

❝you know, i think that’s why we all stick together. y/n doesn’t just bring people together, she makes us want to be better. i don’t know how, but she does.❞

two-bit

❝yeah. it’s like, without her, none of us would be the same. we wouldn’t be as tight-knit, as loyal to each other. we wouldn’t be a family.❞

soda

❝y/n’s the glue. she’s the one who holds all of us together, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.❞

© MINA LEIGH 2024 - 2025

let’s be friends!

sure ♡

— CINNAMON GIRL ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , greasers 𝔁 f! reader | wc 886

context. a glimpse into y/n toizer’s life and her connection to the curtis brothers and their group of friends. this multi - part fic explores the bond y/n shares with the boys and how they view her as their “second mother,” a central figure in their lives.

labels. mild language, mentions of familial struggles, and emotional themes of loss and responsibility.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. revamping my first ever work from wattpad, this was truly my best idea just executed very poorly & i was desperate to fix it to my fulfillment. i really hope this reaches my target audience. without further ado, i wish this project shows everyone potential in enjoying. thank you all so much ♡

there’s something about the early evening that seems to freeze time. golden light spills across the cracked pavement, turning everything softer, warmer, even if life in tulsa rarely ever is.

y/n toizer leaned against the rickety fence outside the curtis house, the hem of her sundress swaying lightly in the breeze. her eyes followed her youngest brother, charlie, as he chased after soda and ponyboy with a whoop of laughter. next to her, matteo, taller and already wearing the sharp edges of teenagehood, leaned with crossed arms, watching the chaos unfold.

❝why do i get the feeling they’re going to break something?❞ y/n let out, nudging matteo lightly with her elbow.

❝because they always do,❞ matteo replied dryly, though there was a hint of amusement on his face.

the screen door slammed open, and darry stepped out, wiping his hands on a rag. he looked older than his twenty years, the weight of responsibility written in the lines on his face and the strength in his shoulders. still, when he saw y/n, his expression softened in a way it rarely did for anyone else.

❝you’re too soft on those kids, y/n,❞ darry said, but there was no real heat in his voice.

y/n tilted her head with a smile, her eyes sparkling with affection. ❝they’re just having fun. besides, it’s not like you’re any better. i seem to remember you teaching soda how to climb that tree last summer.❞

darry chuckled, shaking his head. ❝you’ve got a good memory.❞

it was true. she always remembered the little things — like how soda hated peas but loved mashed potatoes, or how ponyboy preferred books over ball games, or how two - bit had a soft spot for anything with a joke attached to it. she remembered how johnny flinched at loud noises and how steve’s bravado hid the fact that he just wanted to be seen.

and then there was dally, the wild card. even he softened around her, though he’d never admit it outright.

when the curtis parents had passed, y/n had stepped in as naturally as breathing. she was there to help darry when he didn’t know how to balance keeping a roof over their heads and making sure soda and pony still had a childhood.

at the same time, y/n had her own family to care for. her brothers needed her just as much, if not more, and she often stretched herself thin trying to be everything for everyone. but she never complained. it wasn’t in her nature.

later that evening, the boys were sprawled out in the curtis living room, the air filled with lazy conversation and laughter.

y/n sat on the couch, her legs tucked neatly under her, a half-mended shirt in her lap. two - bit leaned against the armrest, grinning as he recounted some exaggerated story, while soda rested his head in her lap, contentedly half - asleep.

❝y/n,❞ ponyboy said suddenly, looking up from his book. ❝why don’t you ever get mad at us?❞

the room quieted at his question, all eyes turning to her. she paused, her fingers stilling on the needle and thread.

❝mad?❞ she echoed, tilting her head.

❝yeah,❞ pony continued, his brow furrowed. ❝you’re always so nice, even when we mess up.❞

y/n’s smile was soft, almost wistful. ❝it’s not that i don’t get upset, pony. it’s just … i know how hard life can be. for all of us. sometimes, kindness is the only thing that keeps us going.❞

johnny, who rarely spoke up, murmured, ❝you’re real good at that, y/n.❞

❝at what?❞ she asked gently.

❝at making things better,❞ he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

the room fell into a comfortable silence after that, the kind that only existed between people who truly cared for one another.

as the night wore on, y/n gathered her brothers to head home. charlie was half - asleep, leaning against her side, while matteo walked ahead, his hands shoved into his pockets. darry walked them to the gate, his hand resting lightly on the small of y/n’s back.

❝you know, you don’t have to take care of everyone,❞ he said quietly.

y/n looked up at him, her expression unreadable for a moment before she smiled. ❝i know, darry. but someone has to.❞

❝besides, i want to.❞ y/n let out in a whisper.

he didn’t argue, because he knew she was right. but as he watched her walk away, her silhouette fading into the dark, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry. she gave so much of herself to others, and he wondered if she ever kept anything for herself.

❝take care of her, matt,❞ darry called softly to her brother.

matteo glanced back, his expression serious. ❝always.❞

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

. . . you’re here! darry curtis sodapop curtis ponyboy curtis

dallas winston johnny cade steve randle two - bit matthews

happy new year :3

— TASTE

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , nate jacobs𝔁 f! reader | wc 1800

summary. nate jacobs can't seem to let you go, even as he parades his relationship with cassie howard in front of everyone. behind closed doors, you're the one he runs to, the one he can't resist. every moment with cassie is tainted by your influence-your touch, your taste, your control over him. and you wouldn't have it any other way.

labels. ex reader, feminine reader, insecure cassie, manipulative nate, soft nate, etc

warnings. mature themes, infidelity, manipulation, explicit sexual content, toxic dynamics, emotional tension

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. based on sabrina’s first track off of her sixth studio album, short n’ sweet ♡

nate's presence was suffocating, the weight of his body pressing you into the plush carpet of your living room. his hands were everywhere at once-gripping your hips, sliding under your shirt, tugging you closer like he couldn't get enough.

you tilted your head back, a soft sigh escaping your lips as his mouth trailed down your neck. his lips were warm, insistent, leaving a path of heat in their wake.

❝you shouldn't be here,❞ you murmured, though your hands betrayed you, clutching at his shoulders.

nate didn't bother to respond. instead, he pushed you down flat against the carpet, pinning you beneath him with a smirk that sent a shiver through you.

❝stop pretending you don't want this,❞ he said, his voice low and gravelly, sending vibrations through the air between you.

his mouth moved lower, his tongue tracing patterns on your skin like he was creating art.

you tangled your fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as a quiet laugh slipped from your lips.

❝where'd you learn to do that?❞ you teased, your voice dripping with mock curiosity.

nate looked up at you, his eyes dark with something you couldn't quite name.

❝you know exactly where,❞ he said, his smirk growing wider.

your stomach flipped at the implication, your mind flashing to cassie.

poor, oblivious cassie.

you hated how easily nate unraveled you.

or maybe you didn't.

because when he was like this - hungry, desperate, completely at your mercy - it was hard to care about the mess he made of everything else.

later, when the two of you lay tangled together on the floor, his head resting on your stomach, you ran your fingers through his hair, enjoying the quiet.

❝what do you even tell her?❞ you asked, your voice soft but cutting.

nate didn't answer right away, his fingers tracing idle patterns on your thigh.

❝nothing she doesn't want to hear,❞ he said finally.

you laughed, a short, sharp sound.

❝and she believes you?❞

he shifted, propping himself up on one elbow to look at you.

❝she believes what she needs to,❞ he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

you shook your head, a small smile playing at your lips.

❝you're such a liar, nate.❞

meanwhile, cassie lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.

her phone sat untouched on the nightstand, the unanswered texts glaring back at her in the dark.

she told herself not to overthink it, to trust nate.

but the nagging feeling in her chest wouldn't go away.

you weren't sure when it had started — when nate became more yours than hers.

maybe it was the way he touched you, like he couldn't bear to let you go.

or maybe it was the way he talked about her, his voice filled with an odd mix of detachment and pity.

but most of all, it was the way he couldn't seem to stop coming back to you.

❝does she know?❞ you asked one night, your voice cutting through the quiet.

nate looked up from where he was tracing your collarbone with his lips.

❝know what?❞ he asked, his tone almost bored.

you smirked, tilting your head to meet his gaze.

❝that every time she kisses you, she's tasting me?❞

his lips twitched into a small smile, his hand sliding up to cradle your jaw.

❝no,❞ he said. ❝but i think she suspects.❞

it wasn't just physical between you and nate.

it was the way he looked at you, like you were the only thing keeping him grounded.

it was the way he talked to you, his voice softer, his words laced with a vulnerability he never showed anyone else.

and it was the way he let you see him — not the version of himself he showed the world, but the raw, unfiltered truth.

you didn't pity cassie.

she was a grown woman, making her own choices.

but there was a part of you — a small, quiet part - that wondered what it must be like to be her.

to be the one nate came home to.

to be the one he kissed in public, the one he called his.

but then you remembered the way he looked at you, the way he touched you, the way he came to you in the dead of night when no one else could see.

and you knew you had something she never would.

cassie stood in the kitchen, staring at the clock on the wall.

it was almost 3 a.m, and nate still hadn't come home.

she wanted to call him, to demand answers, but something stopped her.

she didn't want to hear the excuses, didn't want to confront the truth she was already beginning to suspect.

because deep down, she knew.

she'd always known.

when nate finally pulled himself away from you, the sun was just beginning to rise.

he sat on the edge of your bed, his back to you as he pulled on his shirt.

❝you don't have to go,❞ you said, your voice softer than you intended.

he turned to look at you, his expression unreadable.

❝yes, i do,❞ he said.

you nodded, biting the inside of your cheek to keep from saying anything else.

he leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to your forehead before straightening up.

❝i'll see you soon,❞ he said.

and just like that, he was gone.

as you watched him drive away, a strange mix of emotions settled in your chest.

you told yourself it was the last time, that you wouldn't let him back in.

but deep down, you knew the truth.

he'd always come back to you.

because no matter where he went, no matter who he was with, he couldn't escape you.

you were the taste on his lips, the whisper in his ear, the ghost that haunted his every move.

and that was something no one - not even cassie - could take away.

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

— COPYCAT

written by mina leigh 𝜗᭪ , cassie howard 𝔁 f! reader | wc 2250

summary. after cassie & nate’s so called relationship was called quits. you became nate’s new hot girlfriend. cassie being cassie did everything she could do to win nate back. from copying your hair & makeup, your fashion choices, and even the way you portrayed yourself. analyzing your every move.

warnings. mentions of jealousy, obsession, stalking, unwanted attention, emotional manipulation, internalized homophobia, unhealthy behavior.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. my first time writing a female character x reader. i wouldn’t call it wlw but maybe it could if you know what i mean. like just a girl obsessing over you! barely any dialogue by the way. CASSIE’S POV

i couldn’t stop looking at her. the way she looked at him. The way he looked at her. y/n wasn’t even trying— just laughing and being herself, nate’s hand on her lower back like it belonged there. the way he used to touch me.

there’s a tightness in my chest every time i see them together. like I can’t breathe, but I’m also addicted to watching. i hate it. but I can’t stop.

i stand at the edge of the party, my gaze darting between them. her hair is loose tonight, and i know that by tomorrow i’ll be doing the same thing. i’ll curl mine just like that. her outfit? It’s effortless, but it works. i’ll be ordering that exact top later.

it’s not that i want to be her. it’s that i have to be her. i have to understand why nate left me for her. what’s so special about her?

i know it’s pathetic. maddy would’ve tell me i’m insane, if she hadn’t completely cut me off after she found out about nate and i, and kat would probably give me one of her judgmental looks, but it’s not like i’m hurting anyone by copying her. it’s just a way to get nate’s attention back. to make him realize i can be what he wants — again.

i watch them for another second, the smile on y/n’s face curling into my mind, sinking deep into my thoughts. the way her lips look so perfect, a soft laugh falling from them as nate whispers something into her ear. his eyes trail her body, the same way they used to on me, but now they’re filled with this … desire that used to be mine.

beneath it all, it feels like she’s stolen everything from me. but i’ll get it back. as simple as that.

the first time i copied her hair, i saw nate look. just a glance, but it was enough. enough to make me think this wasn’t crazy. i could do this. if I could just be perfect, like her, he’d see it.

but tonight, watching them, i realize something feels wrong. different. It’s not just nate anymore. the more i stare at her, the more I feel this pull toward y/n herself. it makes no sense. i’m supposed to hate her. she’s the reason nate isn’t with me. she’s the problem.

but i can’t stop staring.

it’s not just her hair. or her makeup. it’s the way she carries herself. the confidence. the ease. i’m trapped in a cycle of fear and desperation. but she? she’s free. it’s slowly consuming me. at least i happen to be somewhat self aware.

that’s when i realize what it is — why i’m so obsessed. i’m not just jealous of her being with nate. i’m jealous of her. she’s everything i want to be. free, beautiful, confident … powerful. everything I’m trying to be.

and deep down … i know i don’t just want to be her. i want her to notice me. maybe if she did, i wouldn’t need nate.

the next day, i go all in. my hair, makeup, outfit — all styled exactly like hers. i even spent hours studying her instagram, her poses, her expressions. i have it all down. but it’s not just about nate anymore. i’m doing this for me. i want her to see me. to notice me the way nate notices her.

when i walk into the party later that night, i feel the buzz of attention immediately. people are looking at me, but i don’t care about them. i’m looking for her. and then i spot her, standing by the drinks with nate. her eyes sweep over the crowd, and i wait, holding my breath, until they land on me.

she stares.

it was only for a moment, but i saw it. and something in me snapped, change.

i walk up to them, my heart pounding in my chest. nate barely glances at me, but i don’t care anymore. it’s her i want.

❝ you look … familiar. ❞

she says it with a raised brow, a smirk playing on her lips, and my stomach flips. she noticed. she sees me.

❝ do i? ❞ i ask, my voice quieter than i mean for it to be, but she’s still looking at me. she’s really looking at me.

❝ almost like a mirror. ❞

my cheeks flush, but before i can say anything else, nate pulls her away, his hand on her waist, guiding her to the next room. but i catch the way she glances back at me over her shoulder.

for the rest of the night, i find myself watching her more than nate. she moves with such ease, completely oblivious to the way i’m hanging on her every move. her every smile. every word.

weeks pass, and the obsession only grows. i study her. every little detail. i spend hours scrolling through her photos, reading every post, learning her habits. i don’t care if it’s wrong. i need to understand her, to know her. i start showing up wherever I know she’ll be. parties, the mall, even the café she frequents.

one day, i see her sitting alone in a booth at a diner. i feel my heart racing as i sit down at the table across from hers, pretending to be engrossed in my phone, but really i’m watching her. her hair is pulled back today, and i make a mental note to try it the same way.

and then, she looks up and catches me staring. my heart stops.

❝ hey, cassie, right? ❞ she says, her voice casual, like it’s nothing, like i haven’t been stalking her for weeks.

i nod, my throat dry, and she smiles. she waves me over, and i feel my legs move before my brain can catch up.

❝ come sit, let’s talk. ❞

i don’t know what to say. she’s so calm, so … collected, and here i am, a nervous wreck. but as i sit across from her, i can’t help but feel like maybe this is it. maybe this is the moment she’ll understand me.

hours go by, and we talk about everything — nothing. she’s so easy to talk to. i feel like i could spend forever just sitting here, listening to her voice, watching her lips move. and then she says something that sends a chill down my spine.

❝ i know what you’re doing, cassie. ❞

my heart stops. i feel my breath catch in my throat, and for a second, i can’t speak.

❝ what are you talking about? ❞ i ask, trying to play it off, but my voice shakes.

she leans forward, her eyes locking onto mine, and suddenly it’s hard to breathe.

❝ i see you, i always have been. i’m not blind. i do find it very flattering though. ❞

i feel heat rise to my cheeks. i can’t look at her anymore, but i feel her eyes burning into me.

❝ i don’t know what you’re doing at all, but if you need a friend i’m always here. ❞

the words hang in the air between us, and for the first time, i realize what i’ve been chasing. it’s not nate. it’s her. it’s always been her.

i don’t know how long we sit there, just staring at each other. the world fades away, and all i can think about is her. how i want to be her, how i want to be with her. it’s all so confusing, but at the same time, it’s crystal clear.

❝ i guess i wanted you to notice me. ❞

her expression softens, and for the first time, i see her as more than just competition. there’s something about her that pulls me in, something i can’t ignore anymore.

❝ cassie, i noticed you a long time ago … ❞

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

ur sixteen but writing 18+ content?

yeah i don’t know what went through my mind but i know for a fact i won’t do it again because to give the benefit of the doubt i’m obviously not experienced so i won’t write anything of the sort anymore whatsoever. not only that but i find it difficult maybe for the first reason i listed before, first time and last time lol not necessarily a valid point but still worth to write it out for people to see