As Ponyboy Curtis tip toed along the dark wet tunnel all he could here was his echoing footsteps and the water dripping off the roof onto his already soaked hair. He was on an escape mission from the sharp claws of the enemy side, the Socs. Well metaphorically of course, he was on no mission in reality, but he'd seen a beautiful blue mustang tracking him a few blocks back and decided to play it safe by hiding. Ponyboy's hair on the back of his neck was sticking up straight, either from fear or the cool air, he really couldn't tell.
There was sudden footsteps echoing in the tunnel, footsteps that weren't his but going rather fast. He turned to run, fear of what would happen if he stayed and took the beating would happen, but there was no where to go. The Socs had run in from both sides and Ponyboy Curtis felt completely surrounded, he was completely surrounded. You could count the times he'd been jumped by Socs on one hand, well someone that had six fingers on one hand.
Ponyboy's palms became sweaty and clammy despite the cold temperature of the night, and his rusty hair stuck to his forehead, the grease had washed away in the rain long ago. Ponyboy had gone through a lot, almost loosing Johnny and Dally, constant fights with his brothers, watching a young boy murdered, accepting Cherry Valance and Socs and getting past the mean ones that beat you up. But Ponyboy could go through nothing to make him hard, hard in personality that is. So as two Socs held Ponyboy back and three of the other started clubbing him in the face and stomach his heart beat out of his chest, he felt that pain vividly but he wouldn't want it any other way.
He wanted to be the guy that wheeled Johnny around when he wanted to do something, the guy that picked up litter and saved animals, not the guy that lit the fires and killed anything that got in his way. He didn't want to be Dally, who despite the fact that he loved Johnny like a little brother, wouldn't always wheel him around in that damn cheap wheel chair and went to party's and jumped some random guys he didn't know.
Ponyboy Curtis wanted to be a fifteen year old boy with greenish grey eyes and rust brown hair who was scrawny but could still defend his friends, wasn't ashamed of the characteristics of the people he loved, and would support his family and stay with his brothers no matter how successful he became.
"Hey grease you zone out, come on snap 'outta it." Regardless of the sarcastic tone the Socs voice took as he said that and kicked Ponyboy in the ribs, Pony could here genuine fear in that Socs voice and thought about the boy's life at home. Ponyboy looked up into the boys eyes, the boy looked into him and he gazed away. Ponyboy began to fight back; wiggling out of grasp of one of the Socs he threw his fist into that boys face and sacked the guy still holding him. He felt good about defending himself but not so great about the knife on of the Socs pulled out and sliced Ponyboy's forehead with, just missing Ponyboy's prized hair.
Ponyboy had a feeling if he stayed he'd be dead or so hurt he couldn't walk. There were four remaining Socs; the one he had sacked was still groaning on the ground, three Socs were still punching him while one was holding him down. All Ponyboy had to do was disarm the one Soc holding him and he'd practically be home free.
From previous experience Ponyboy supposed the best way to get that Soc off of him was to kick him in the wiener. Ponyboy pretended like he'd fallen unconscious, crumbling into the Socs grasp, before anyone could stop him he turn forty degrees and used his foot to do some good, stop teenagers from having babies. The Soc immediately released Ponyboy, grabbing his nuts in agony. To Ponyboys disadvantage this Soc's nuts weren't as sensitive and within ten leaps that Ponyboy had taken, the Soc started chasing after him. No use really for a big strong Soc to chase after a speedy little boy running for his life.
Ponyboy had to loose the Soc before he ran home because otherwise he'd be scared to sleep, in fear that a beast like monster Soc was waiting to kill him outside his house. Ponyboy decided not to dive into any alleyways because there were probably more Socs in the alleyways. Stumbling awkwardly along the dark damp streets of Tulsa, Ponyboy walked into the bar. He reckoned he'd have enough time for the Soc to go the wrong way before he got kicked out. It only took eleven minutes for the bartender to notice him and ask for some ID, once Pony admitted he had none he was kicked out.
By the time he was walking safely home it was late, very, very, very late. He'd gone to the movies with Dally and Two-bit at nine, Johnny had been asleep so they'd left him. The movie had been two hours but they left half hour before the end. Dally went to crash at Buck Merrill's and Two-bit went to reek havoc. Ponyboy had immediately noticed the car following him and tried to confuse them by walking places where he didn't know, it was about eleven by the time the Socs found him in the tunnel and spent forty five minutes beating the crap out of him, so it was probably around twelve right now, Darry was probably worried sick along with Soda, and if awake Johnny who now lived with the Curtis brothers in a room on the second floor they'd added in once Darry got a high paying job and Soda started working more often.
Ponyboy neared the yard of the Curtis house and saw that the lights were all still on. Dally was probably at Buck Merrill's but Ponyboy didn't doubt Steve and Two-bit decided to stay the night at his home.
Ponyboy quietly walked through the yard and opened up the front door. Two-bit was sitting staring intently at the television set, from where Ponyboy was standing he couldn't see what it was Two-bit was watching, but the volume was loud enough for Pony to be able to infer it was Mickey Mouse. Steve was sleeping against Soda who was looking directly at Ponyboy, Steve's loud snores made the situation a lot less tense than it might have been.
"It's too late, Ponyboy. Darrel Curtis has passed away from a heart attack, we're sorry, if there's anything we can do to help don't refrain from asking." Two-bit said in an all but serious voice, eyes still peeled to the TV. From no mention of Johnny Ponyboy assume he was probably untouched and asleep in the spare bedroom.
"Pone, you gotta stop scarin' us like that, I been worried sick about you!" Soda said in a hushed voice, Darry walked in the room and his eyes immediately went to Ponyboy.
"Ponyboy Michael Curtis what do you think your doing coming home at twelve thirty in the morning?" Darry asked in an angry voice, seemed Ponyboy had been off half hour. "I was just about to phone up Tim Shepherd and Dally and Buck Merrill to help me find you!" Darrel looked hard into Ponyboys eyes. "Explain yourself kid brother."
"I was walking home from the Dingo when I saw in the corner of my eye the blue mustang that started the whole Johnny mess trailing me. I thought I could mess them up by walking to random destinations. I ended up in some tunnel and thought those Soc's had lost me but I was found and surrounded, got beaten up a bit. I got em' angry when I fought back and I sacked the one guy and ran for my life! And here I am, it wasn't my fault, if your planning on blaming anyone make it Two-bit and Dally for leaving me on my lonesome in the first place!" Ponyboy looked really, really super hopefully at Darry, willing him to let it slide.
"Kid brother you got to start using your head, I'm going to have to patrol our buddies to babysit you until I trust you got your act together. And never place the blame on your friends; you gotta be gallant, take the blame for your friends sometimes." Ponyboy inwardly smiled, he definitely knew what gallant was. "I bet your hungry little buddy, Soda go get the first aid kit, Pony I'll heat up some left over's and chocolate cake, does that sound okay?" Darry asked, sort of, no matter what Ponyboy said he'd be getting that.
"Get me a cake to." Two-bit ordered, Darry slapped him across the head on the way to the kitchen but never denied the man his cake, Two-bit grinned.
By the time Ponyboy had finished eating and was bandaged up everyone was asleep but Darry and Ponyboy, Darry sent Ponyboy off to bed, Darry carried Steve and Soda up to Ponyboy's and Soda's bedroom and lied them down on the bed beside the already sleeping Ponyboy. He put Two-bit on the couch and covered him with blankets along with checking if Johnny was okay in his bed, and finally Darry got some sleep himself.
When Ponyboy woke up in the morning he was greeted with loud voices and the smell of bacon and chocolate cake. He sat up in bed, Steve's clothes were scattered all over the bed so he assumed Darry had put Steve and Soda up in the bed. Ponyboy didn't like Steve much, and there was no reason for that except that Steve didn't like Pony so he wasn't ever nice to Pony. He clumsily threw the blankets off himself and stood up, stretching and yawning. He grabbed some clothes, pair of ripped of light blue skinny jeans, a tight t-shirt with his purple sweater and a pair of black briefs. Ponyboy had a decent amount of clothes, it's just that they were mostly hand me downs and all of his clothes looked the same. Ponyboy opened the door and walked toward the bathroom to find it was already occupied.
Ponyboy put his back to the wall beside the bathroom door and slid down; throwing his clothes beside him he started lightly tapping his head against the wall, trying desperately to wake himself up. The door to the washroom opened and Ponyboy looked up, expecting to see Steve, Soda or Darry. He didn't at all expect to see Twp-bit, actually he had rarely seen Two-bit shower but he'd heard from others Two-bit was actually a clean guy, didn't suit his personality but Ponyboy liked that just fine.
Ponyboy was looking straight into the cold ice blue eyes of Dallas Winston; he'd thought Dallas would sleep at Buck Merrill's like he usually did.
"Hey Dallas, I thought you were sleeping at Buck's?" Ponyboy asked gently, not wanting to anger Dally, recently Darry had been really irritable. Ponyboy wasn't sure why, once Johnny had lived Dally was so happy if you looked at him you'd see a smile, but recently he'd snapped at everything Ponyboy had said. He hadn't been too nice to any of the gang but it was worse for Ponyboy for some reason.
"Yeah kid well I did sleep at Bucks but he had no hot water so I reckoned you Curtis boys would so I came over here for a nice hot shower." Dally smiled viciously.
"Did… Did you leave any hot water?" Ponyboy asked hopefully.
"What do you think, kid?" Dally asked, smirking extremely evilly.
Ponyboy inwardly groaned; that was just great. The one thing he looked forward to in the mornings were his long hot showers, but now he couldn't have one, he glared at Dally and walked past. Slamming the door louder then needed, Ponyboy stripped off his pajama's and then realized he'd forgotten his clothes outside the washroom.
Covering himself with a fluffy white towel, Ponyboy unlocked the washroom door and walked out. Dally was waiting outside the bathroom, throwing Ponyboys' clothes back and forth between his hands, evil as can be.
"You just can't get enough of me, eh?" Dally asked sarcastically, Ponyboy groaned and snatched his clothes from Dally, walking back into the washroom and slamming the door shut as hard as he possibly could, locking it and jumping in the shower. The shower was hot for about five minutes and then got cold, fast. Ponyboy showered long though, waking himself up more then he'd ever been awake before and washing himself so clean he barely wanted to go jump in a mud puddle, Barely.
By the time Ponyboy got out his usually rumbling stomach was silent, either Dally had lost him his appetite or he was so full of water nothing else could fit, he guessed it was probably a bit of both. Ponyboys briefs fit like usual but his skinny jeans were less skinny, albeit still pretty skinny, and his shirt was pretty tight but his jacket was really loose, it always had been though. Ponyboy walked out of the shower, he needed to find a pair of socks before he left, though now that he thought about it he had nowhere to go since summer holidays. He supposed he could make himself useful by cleaning up the mess everyone left. Ponyboy walked into the kitchen, the dishes weren't done, it needed sweeping, maybe a quick mop, wipe down the counters, etc.
Darry had probably been in a rush, had to go to work, didn't want to be late, that sort of thing. Really Ponyboy didn't mind, he'd love some company but you can't always get what you want, right? Ponyboy got right to work, wiping every inch of the kitchen, and then surprisingly going further, cleaning more.
Ponyboy took out the carpet cleaner and began, first he vacuumed all of the carpets, and then cleaned them, and steamed them, and then dried them. Ponyboy, surprisingly, wanted the company of Two-bit; all this hard work could use a guy like Two-bit to rub his laziness' in your face, if that made sense, which it really didn't. Ponyboy would next appreciate Steve's company, not enjoy but appreciate, because
Steve would criticize all of Ponyboys work, he'd point out anywhere he missed, but in the end the cleaning would have been done much better. He didn't want the company of Soda because he'd definitely distract Ponyboy, he'd love the company of Johnny, but supposedly Johnny couldn't sleep yesterday and he was still sleeping now, it was only around ten anyway. The company of Darry or Dally would be unmanageable for Ponyboy, Steve was one thing but by the time Ponyboy would be done cleaning he'd be dead, not to mention if Dally was watching him Dally would be dead. Ponyboy didn't doubt that Dally could make Ponyboy angry enough to kill him, though killing him might be a bit hard because Dally was clever. Ponyboy finally decided he was happy with his own company, though he'd rather have gone to a movie, and continued cleaning. He dusted everything, did all the laundry, folded and put away clothes, cleaned the washroom, the shower, his and Soda's bedroom, Darry's bedroom, he wiped down the windows and watered and fed the garden.
By the time Ponyboy was done cleaning it was about two o'clock and Johnny had awakened. Johnny didn't ask for much, but everyone gave him a lot and he was really grateful. Ponyboy made Johnny tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, he was still full so he didn't eat anything but Johnny had worked up an appetite from skipping breakfast and ate it all. Ponyboy cleaned up the mess Johnny made and then helped him in his bath, Johnny did most of the work but it was hard being in a wheelchair. By the time Ponyboy was left having nothing to do at all it was about three. Dally had dropped by, picking Johnny up to go to the doctor to get his usual check up, made fun of Ponyboys obsessive cleaning, and then left, taking Johnny with him.
Ponyboy was developing a fever, he took a few aspirins but they didn't help much so he swallowed a couple more. He continued swallowing the aspirin until he was numb all over, he decided he had better stop before he ended up like Johnny. Ponyboy decided because Two-bit was probably out clubbing, and Soda and Darry and Steve were at work, Dally and Johnny had just left, and it was only four o'clock, that there was nothing to do other then watch television.
Ponyboy settled down on the couch, turning on his favorite soap opera he sank happily into the couch. Every now and then Ponyboy would hear a peculiar creek, he looked around but saw nothing, no greasers coming through his front door, no mice, nothing! Eventually Ponyboy a loud creek above him and looked up.
And he shrieked rather loudly at what he saw. Dangling right over top of Pony, a fully dressed greaser, one he was familiar with but had never seen on the roof before.
"How in gods name did you get on my roof…? And how did you manage to stick?!" Ponyboy screamed angrily, he wasn't really angry, his confusion made him irritated because he wanted to understand but he couldn't.
"I bought these wicked sticky shoes, they're so tuff!" The happy greaser said rather loudly.
"Bought? I sure doubt ol' Two-bit bought anything!" Darry said from the doorway, laughing as Two-bit smiled broadly and agreed loudly.
"Hey Pone, do me a favor and change the channel to Mickey Mouse!" Ponyboy did as commanded and Two-bit hopped eagerly off the couch. He sunk in beside Ponyboy but leaned forward in excitement as Mickey and Donald fought of a bunch of rabid monsters.
"Hey Pony, thanks for cleanin' up, our house smells great!" Soda said, walking in the door way, Steve giving him a harsh head lock. "I'll start dinner, Johnny and Dally will be back soon, it will be ready for them!" As Soda began walking to the kitchen Darry suggested he make dinner and shoed Steve and Soda off to their room. Ponyboy had nowhere to go, Two-bit was sprawled out on the couch, he could ask him to move but he didn't like watching cartoons with Two-bit, he got way to into it and it scared Ponyboy! Ponyboy decided to go up into Johnny's room, or the guest room where Johnny always slept. It was weird, their gang was a big family in a way, most of the time they'd all sleep at the Curtis house, Pony Steve and Soda in one room Johnny in one, Darry in one, Two-bit on the couch, and when Dally stayed he'd sleep with Johnny. Recently Pony hadn't slept well with Steve and Soda, he'd always gotten the vibe they didn't want him there, he wasn't sure why, couldn't really put him thumb on it, but he didn't let it bother him much. He'd probably sleep somewhere else tonight, Steve and Soda had rushed up to their room and they were probably doing top secret stuff, stuff that Pony had no idea what that stuff might possibly be.
Ponyboy went into the washroom before he went into Johnny's room; they always loved to do girly things. It sounded stupid but painting their nails bright colors and giving each other face washes was probably the best part of Johnny and Ponyboy's days, and yes, it was pretty pathetic.
Ponyboy took out the clippers, cleaners, nail files, polish, and finish. Johnny liked to paint his nails pink and purple, every other nail pink and every one that wasn't pink would be purple. Ponyboy liked to be a little manlier; no on saw Johnny's finger nails but everyone at school saw Ponyboy's. He liked to paint them gold, he had this metallic sparkly nail polish he always used, and it was perfect!
Eventually Ponyboy heard ruckus downstairs and assumed it was Johnny, he decided not to go down because he knew Johnny would come up. And so he did, Dally was carrying Johnny as if they were in a hurry; Johnny had excitement written all over his face.
"Ponyboy oh Ponyboy, your never gonna believe what I just found out!" By this time Daly had lazily threw Johnny onto the bed and Johnny supported his weight with his arms, holding himself up wobbly. Ponyboy decided not to interrupt and Johnny happily continued. "The doctor told me with time, according to my spinal cord, I'd be able to walk! Isn't that the best news you've ever heard?" Johnny was practically jumping with joy and Ponyboy was pretty grateful himself, if there was one person who didn't deserve being paralyzed, or for that matter being anything that wasn't good, it was Johnny.
And truth be told, it was the best news he'd ever been told, well next to when he'd found out Johnny would live, or when he found out him and Johnny were proven innocent. Actually all the really good news Ponyboy had really ever gotten involved Johnny and he suddenly wondered why. Johnny and he spoke for awhile about it, riling each other up so much they were practically screaming into each others ear. After awhile Ponyboy noticed Dally was still standing uselessly watching the two of them in mere amusement, Ponyboy, 'dismissed' Dally and that got him a rather hard 'tap' on the head, which was more like a punch if you'd asked Ponyboy. But no one did and Dally went along, innocent of everything and guilty of nothing, walking out the door and quickly congratulating Johnny once more.
"Finally! Dally is a good guy and totally my idol but I thought he'd be in here forever, now, for the best part of my day!" Johnny reached under the covers, where he knew Ponyboy had stashed the Nail stuff.
"Even after your fantastic news, this is still the best part" Ponyboy asked in sheer amazement.
"Cha, there's not even a comparison, I can walk, or paint nails with my best buddy Ponyboy Michael Curtis, obviously the latter!" Johnny's English sure was improving. Ponyboy took out the clippers and began.
It had been awhile since they had last done this, Johnny's nails were reasonably long. Ponyboy started on the first nail, the thumb, clipping it in the middle, and then on both the sides. Next came the index, a rather pointy nail of Johnny Cades, always had been. Ponyboy cut it once, but didn't manage to get it all and cut it again; he tried to make it less uneven but decided he'd leave that to the file.
After the index came the middle finger, a finger used for vulgar messages, usually toward people you disliked or as a joke toward friends. Johnny's middle finger wasn't long, well on his left and it wasn't, his right hand was a completely different story, He cut the left hand middle finger a bit but mostly left it as it was. Next was the beloved ring finger, a finger you put your wedding ring on when you sell your life away to the person you love more than anything else. Johnny had a long one, filled with dirt, which was rather disgusting. Ponyboy cut it; he'd get the dirt once he was using that tool. The last finger was the pinky and it was safe to say Johnny's was irregularly long, Ponyboy snipped it off without a second though but Johnny watched it fall onto the tissue paper with trembling lips. Ponyboy did similar treatment to the right hand and moved on to removing the dirt, which was easy. The most dirt was in the middle finger, and then the pinky, the index, the thumb, and last was the ring finger.
Ponyboy smoothed Johnny's nails with the file, and then started painting. Ponyboy would painting one nail pink, and then one purple, one pink, one purple, and on and on and on until he should have been bored out of his life but actually very content.
Johnny started on Ponyboy's, he spent a lot less time on Ponyboy's because Ponyboy trimmed his nails daily and all there was to do was paint and polish them.
Ponyboy and Johnny's nails were stunning by the end of it and they were more bonded then when they began. Darry called them down for super and eagerly the two of them exited the room and descended the stairs… Well Ponyboy did, Johnny awkwardly went down the stairs in his wheel chair, Ponyboy held it so it didn't fall of course.
They were having roast beef, roasted potatoes and roasted vegetables. Ponyboy wasn't that hungry but once Johnny ratted him out for not eating anything that whole day Darry made him eat. Ponyboy took all the burnt carrots and one piece of beef, drown it in gravy and gobbled it down.
Ponyboy lay awake that night while Steve and Soda snored into each others faces, cuddled up, leaving Ponyboy surprisingly cold on this summer night. Ponyboy decided he'd be better off to sleep outside, he went on the roof but decided it wasn't a great idea and went inside. Finally he went into Johnny's room and there was Johnny and Dally sleeping, not nearly as close as Steve and Soda but touching shoulders. Ponyboy lay down beside Dally. It was surprisingly a comfortable arrangement and Ponyboy decided he could get used to it, an within seconds he dosed off into a harmless sleep, that is until the nightmares began.