The Unshed Tears

By: Amber King

Chapter 1

Pony POV

I picked up the payphone, and called home. Hoping someone would answer. It has only been a month since the night Dally died. Since Johnny died...Since Johnny killed the soc. Since our lives were turned upside down.

I hate walking home now, and I avoid it if I can. Things calmed down a little bit. Then just got worse with the socs. I got pushed around in the halls in school a lot. And I've been called a murderer even though I didn't kill him. Johnny did.

"Hello?" It was Sodapop, answering the phone. I wondered why he was home. "Hey Soda, Can someone come get me?" He was quiet for a minute "Yea, Sure..I'll send someone.." I thanked him and hung up the phone. I sat outside the school for another 20 minutes before Two bit pulled up.

He smiled "Get in before she shuts down." I smiled and got in the car "So what ain't Soda working today?" Two-bit looked at me for a second "Didn't he tell ya on the phone? There was an accident at the garage. One of the new guys caught a car on fire, and he got burned trying to put it out. Then got yelled at and almost lost his job because he was suppose to be watching the guy...but that's just the bosses excuse to yell at him for it." He shook his head.

I was kinda worried about Soda now..if he was burned bad enough that he couldn't even come and pick me up from school..I was real worried. Two-bit rambled on about some party he was going to tonight, and about how wasted he planned on getting. I just shook my head, and watched the road, since he wasn't.

Soon we were home and I headed inside. Soda was laying on the couch with his arms bandaged up, and a strip of gauze taped to his cheek. I walked over "How come you didn't tell me on the phone?" I asked. He smiled "Cause I figured loud mouth over there would."

I shook my head "How bad are you burned?" Soda shrugged a little "Not too bad. I think they said 2 degree on my right arm, and the rest was minor." He smirked "To hell if I know what any of that means." I smiled "Alright, so you doing anything tonight?" I asked heading into the kitchen. "Nope, I'm suppose to stay in bed for a couple days." he answered.

I nodded to myself, and ate some chips with a pepsi before going back into the living room and sitting in the recliner "Darry at work?" I asked. Soda grinned "Yep, don't even know I'm hurt yet." I laughed "Have fun explaining this one."

Soda grinned "He can't hurt me any more then I already am." I smiled and picked up a book, and started to read. Soda started to throw little wads of paper at me. I looked up at him, and he gave me an innocent look. I shook my head and went back to reading.

Soon Darry got home, and looked one look at Soda "What did you do?" he said slowly. Soda grinned "I tried to save a kitten from a burning building..." Darry shook his head "Soda, when is gonna get through your thick skull that I can't afford all these doctor visits? Especially when you can't work because of it?"

Soda kinda sank into the couch. He doesn't like being yelled at too much. I've gotten use to it, and sometimes I wonder if I like it when Soda gets into a little bit of trouble.

Darry kicked his shoes off, "How many times is this Soda? I've only paid half of what Pony's ran up in hospital bills, and you've done nothing but add onto that. Huh? How many times have you been to the hospital since Dally died."

I winced. I hated it when he talked about that stuff so casually. And he knows it. I kinda sank into the chair, and focused on my book. Soda "umm...this is the third time.." he said sheepishly. I guess Darry had a bad day at work and he wasn't thinking straight, cause the next thing he said was uncalled for. And hurt Soda more then anything.

"Soda! You've got to stop doing this! You're killing us here! Ever since that girl left you, you've been stuck in a rut, and just-just-just all out stupid!" he snapped. Soda looked at him with a hurt expression "S-sorry Darry...I'll be more careful." he said quietly. Then got up and disappeared into our room.

I looked up at Darry as he cursed under his breath and stalked off to the kitchen, knowing he screwed up there. I sighed, and put my book down and decided to go check on Sodapop.

Soda POV

I hate it when he does that. I hate it. I can't help it. I was really just trying to help this time...then he has to go and bring her up. Doesn't he know it hurts me? Surely he can figure it out... He never understands. Not me, Not Pony. Not anyone. He just knows the facts. We don't have money. We need money. Getting hurt, costs money. Money we don't have.

I heard someone come into the room, and was glad to see it was Ponyboy. He smiled at me a little bit, and sat down. "Don't worry about him. He's just stressed out about--" "–The money...I know Ponyboy. I know..." I said quietly.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders "Come on Soda...You gotta get over her...I hate seeing you upset every time someone says the wrong thing..." I sighed "I know pony...I know...but...it's just so hard...I loved her so much."

He sighed "I know Soda, Sandie was perfect for you...but I guess she just wasn't meant to be with you." I sighed, knowing he was right. I shouldn't be this upset. It happened months ago, but it still hurts so much. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fall in love again.

Pony sat with me for a while, until Darry called us in for dinner. It was quiet. It always gets quiet when I'm upset. I guess it's because I'm usually the person who's cheering them up. I wish someone could cheer me up every once in a while.

But Darry works to hard to have the energy to try, and Pony's been through to much to keep himself happy most the time. Maybe I just need a new girlfriend...

No. I couldn't. I'm still not over Sandie.. I sighed, and finished eating before putting my plate in the sink, and going outside. A little later, Pony came out. I kinda wish he wouldn't. But he's just trying to help. He doesn't know I want to be alone right now. I just need to think.

Pony stood on the porch, watching the sun set. Half the time I can't figure him out, the other half, everything he does makes so much sense it almost makes me sick.

He stayed quiet for a while. Just watching the sunset. When the street lights started to come on, I stood up and stretched. Pony looked at me "Do you think you'll ever stop loving her?" I looked at him kinda surprised at first, then sighed "No. Never. But...I do know...that I'll probably move on sometime. I just don't know when."

He nodded slowly "I have school tomorrow." he said simply "I'm going to sleep." he turned and headed inside. I sighed and followed him. I didn't have to go to work in the morning because of the burns.

I feel really dumb now. I've really just been moping around ever since she left. She cheated on me, I don't need to put up with her. She doesn't deserve it. She's done this to herself, and I'm never gonna forgive her. Tomorrow's another day. And I'm gonna get over her, through hell or high water.

I didn't have a lot of trouble getting to sleep. I'd been on some pain medication for the burns, and it made me drowsy. I didn't wake up until noon, to find the house empty.

I wasn't hungry, so I just drank some chocolate milk. The day went slow, and I was happy when Steve showed up since he got off work early after working my shift.

He sat down on the couch with a pepsi. "Hey buddy, how was your day?" he laughed. I smiled "Just peachy...Anything fun happen?" He was grinning from ear to ear "Someone was looking for you." I looked a him carefully "Who?"

He smirked, and just shrugged "I don't know...some chick." I got an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach "Who?" He shrugged "I don't know her. Looks upper class though. I couldn't tell if she was just middle class or a soc. Real cute though."

Soda smiled, kinda unsure "What are you talking about Steve? I don't know any socs, and barely any middle classers...Why would one be looking for me?"

Steve shrugged "I don't know, she just walked in and asked me where you were today." Soda sighed "How do I know you're not lying to get me to cheer up and forget about Sandy?"

Steve shrugged "Maybe that's exactly what I'm doing...why?" Soda smiled "Cause it might be working...Twobit was talking about a party at bucks tonight–" "Let's go." Steve finished for him smiling.

I smiled "Alright...Let's go." He grinned "Rock on, We'll leave around 8 alright?" I smiled "Sure. I'll talk to Darry first but I'm sure he'll let me go." Steve smirked "yea... he's been kinda worried about you, and being all depressed over that chick."

I sighed "Yea...I know...I just couldn't help it. I know Pony worries the most though. He's been kinda talking to me, trying to help...I hope he's alright with me leaving tonight..." Steve shrugged "Don't worry about him. He's gonna be glad you're getting out and having some fun."

I got Steve to go to the high school, and pick Ponyboy up. Who went straight to his room saying he had homework or something. Steve started rushing me around. Soon Darry showed up saying it would be alright, and we left.

It was actually lots of fun. There were a lot of greasers I knew. And a lot of girls I knew, and some I didn't know, but seemed to know me really well. And then a lot of girls that wanted to get to know me better if you know what I mean. But I wasn't ready for that yet, and just kinda turned them down.

Steve seemed annoyed with me cause I wouldn't give any of them a chance. I just shrugged him off, and headed home saying my arms were hurting me. He called me a liar, and watched me walk out. I didn't care at this moment. I just wanted to go home.

When I got there I headed to bed. Pony was curled up and shaking, I figured he was cold and threw another blanket over him and got ready for bed. But ten minutes later when he was still shaking I decided that maybe he just wasn't cold...I shook him lightly and tried to get him to wake up.

"Hey Pony, what's wrong?" "N-nothing...I'm just cold..." he said quietly. Something in his voice told me he wasn't just cold, but I let it slide and went to sleep wrapping my arm around him since he was 'cold.'

Hey Everyone! I'm back! I'm not sure about this story...It was really hard to get the first chapter written, but I think I know what I wanna do now, so we'll see how it goes! –Amber