I do NOT own the outsiders. Or the characters.
Chapter 2
Soda. Vietnam. The two words sound bizarre in the same sentence.
I woke up this morning in a cold sweat. Of course, I had another nightmare. This one Soda had died from a grenade explosion. Great. Another nightmare to top of my already crappy life. Since Soda had been gone for about a month now, Darry has really been strict...and alot more frightening.
You'd think that having a family member go to war would make the other family members join together, but in reality, Darry and I havent ever been more apart.
Darry has been working more, and I'm pretty sure not for the better. He leaves around 8 in the morning, and doesnt come home until well after 9 at night. I can tell he's been drinking. I've been around Two-bit too often to not know that. Darry doesnt drink. He thinks it'll ruin his perfect health. So why is he drinking if he said he would never drink? I understand that Soda going away is alot, but Darry is tough. I was sure he would at least try to act tough, for my sake.
But Darry doesnt even try. He's real mean too. He yells at me more than usual. And if I dont do what he tells me too, he gets real mad and yells even louder. So I never refuse to do anything he "askes" of me. Because in all honesty, I'm scared of my oldest brother more than anything.
Steve and Two-bit havent been around much. They dont come to our house very often, like they used to. Steve pretty much avoids the curtis house as much as possible, including me and Darry. At least Two-bit hangs out with me after school.
I go out of bed, and slipped on an old pair of jeans. Then I timidly walked into the kithen, hoping Darry wasnt up yet. Badluck. He was.
"G'mornin' Ponyboy." Darry greeted.
"Mornin' Dare. Your up early." I commented. This I regretted.
"And is it a crime to be up early?" He asked agrily.
"No! Its not. I was just..." I trailed off, looking for something to say that wont upset Darry.
"Just what? Ponyboy Curtis, I'm getting sick of your attitude." Darry warned.
I was shocked! What is he saying? What attitude? "What are you talking 'bout Dare?" I yelled, angry that Darry thought I had an attitude. "I'm not the one with the attitude problem! Its you! Ever since Soda left, you've been acting like a jerk!"
Darrys' expression was one of anger. I knew it was best to end the argument with an apology and quickly get out of there, but being blinded by my own anger and frustration led me to keep going.
"You're selfish, and mean! You yell at me and boss me around all the time! You go out early and come home late, and dont you tell me you've been working late, 'cause I know you were drinkin'! You dont care anymore!" I yelled, and then realized that the last thing I said was what I had really been thinking all along.
Darry was beyond anger. His face was red as a tomato, and would've been funny if I didnt have the feeling that this was the worst mistake I had ever made.
"Ya know what?" Darry said calmly, which was the first sign of extreme danger. "I think somebody is a bit too disrespectful to their elders."
Then, before I could even move, Darry pushed me back against the wall. The force was enough to knock all the air out of my lungs for a moment while I slid to the floor. I was in complete shock and didnt move. I never imagined that Darry would ever hurt me again. I looked up at Darry just in time to see him raise his leg and kick me, hard, in the ribs. Again, all the air went out of my lungs and pain erupted in my side. I sqeezed my eyes shut and let myself lay on the floor, hoping my oldest brother would stop, and leave me alone. Reluctantly, he did. Darry said something that sounded like a "I'm not done with you" and left through the front door. I laid on the floor until I was sure he was gone, and then slowly made my way to my room.
My ribs really hurt, but they weren't broken, which was good. They were bruised though. I couldnt comprehend what just happened. In all my life, I had never thought that Darry would stoop this low. Run, was what my instict told me. Run. But I couldnt. Soda will ome home someday. Soda will come home, and if I was gone, then he would be worried. Soda is the one that keeps me from running away.
I plan to stay at home and wait for Soda, for as long as it takes, even if I have to put up with Darry. It'll all be worth it when I see Sodapop again.
Soda...Please come home.
AN: Ok! Sorry it took long to update. Im going through some problems. Anyways, Soda will NOT die in this! Just to let ya know.