Chapter 2:

Ponyboy's POV:

In the morning Sodapop seemed slightly better. He woke up and acted happy, but that was just the thing, I couldn't tell if he was acting. I looked him over as he got ready for work.

"What's so interesting about me getting ready for work?" He joked looking himself over to see if I had caught him doing something wrong.

"Nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You didn't eat much last night" He frowned and I worried I had killed his 'good mood'.

"Don't worry about me Ponyboy I'm fine" He smiled at me on his way out of the bedroom. I secretly followed him while getting a good view of him entering the kitchen. I saw him grab a granola bar on the way out and that seemed like a sign things were taking a turn for the better. I started getting ready for school putting on a t-shirt and jeans.

I ate my breakfast alone while waiting for Two-Bit to pick me up for school. I went to throw my plastic bowl away when I spotted an unopened granola bar in the trash. Damn it! He knew I followed him out of our room! That boy could certainly put on a show. I slammed my hand on the countertop when I heard Two-Bit come in.

"Come on Ponyboy, that counter ain't done nothin' to you" Johnny wheeled in shortly after, looking at me curiously. He was the only other one that had noticed Soda the day before, and I assumed he was putting the pieces together. Johnny wheeled right next to me on the way to Two-Bit's car and asked the question I had been waiting for him to ask all morning,

"It was Soda… wasn't it?" I nodded and he sighed next to me, "Did ya tell Dare yet?" I shook my head.

"Nah, I thought he was bringing a snack to work but turns out he threw it away when I wasn't lookin'," I looked at me feet instead of making eye contact with Johnny, "I don't know what to do…" I helped Johnny into the car and sat in the back with him instead of taking passenger with Two-Bit.

"Wow Pony, I'm offended" he joked, "I thought you liked me" I just buckled my seatbelt and pretended I thought that was funny with a fake laugh that actually sounded kind of convincing. It was probably because I knew nothing else was going to be funny that day anyway, I might as well take an opportunity to laugh when I can.

Like I had thought, the whole school day was a waste of time. It wasn't like I learned anything anyway. I was too busy worrying about Sodapop. Then in my last period the teacher approached me.

"Ponyboy, I just got a call from the office. Your brother Darrell is here to pick you up" I froze. darry never left work early. I knew exactly where this was going.

When I got to the office Darry took me by the arm handing the lady at the front desk a paper indicating I was signed out. We got in the car and he floored it without saying a word.

"Darry what's this about?" He looked at me in the car mirror,

"Steve called me at work. It's Sodapop, he passed out at work. We're going home."

Sorry this is so short/late. I had an unusually busy day. This will most likely never happen again. Expect more in the next few chapters. Thanks for the great reviews!