Happy Father's Day!

So This Is It

Chapter Four

School was boring, and well, it sucked being the new kid who transferred in just a few weeks until the semester ended. You had no friends, not that I wanted any, and you had no idea where the people in this school were academic wise. Lucky for me, compared to my old school in Tulsa, they were behind a few weeks, so I knew what we were learning. It was better than the school at the boys home, but it wasn't Will Rogers.

I watched the clock pretty much the whole day. It was as if the ticking was the only sound in the room, and it mocked me. Tick, tock, tick, tock. I wanted to throw my textbook at it, but I knew that wouldn't solve any problems and I'd probably get into trouble. It was Tuesday, I haven't seen or heard from my brothers in a week and I was counting down the time school let out like you would for summer.

Mrs. Johnson, or Lanie, she didn't like the idea of me calling them. She said she wasn't sure if that was a good idea because I was taken away for a reason. But she was working a little bit later tonight. I would be home alone when school let out and that means I could use the phone without being noticed. I know I promised Ms. Dailey I would behave, but I had to break this rule. It would kill me if I waited any longer. A week may not be that long, but in my shoes, they were.

"Ponyboy, what do you think?" the teacher asked from behind her desk. My heart started racing, like I said, the clock was the only thing that had my attention, I had no idea what page we were on. "About the trial?"

Oh, that. It's a good thing I already read this book before, twice. "I think Atticus is doing the right thing no matter what the town is saying. When someone's obviously innocent they shouldn't go to jail no matter what race. Discrimination isn't right and isn't fair to anyone."

The teacher nodded in approval and I turned my attention back to the clock, and it's annoying, mocking ticks. English was my last hour and we had fifteen minutes left. Fifteen long minutes of reading a book I already had read, not that it was a bad book or anything, but I wanted to get the heck out of there.

When we were finally dismissed I raced to my locker, I filled my backpack with books and spiral notebook and took off. I didn't run back to Lanie's, rather I walked really fast. I didn't want to make it obvious that I was running, draw attention to myself, besides Darry was probably just now getting home and was going to start dinner so it would be ready by the time Soda go to the house.

"Hey!" I heard from behind me, I slightly jumped, but kept walking, picking up my pace a little bit. I was still new to this area and I still wasn't sure if the Soc/greaser thing went on around here like it did in Tulsa. I wasn't up to getting jumped, especially since I got the switchblade I took when I left home with me confiscated.

"Wait up!" the same voice shouted out. Before I knew it, I heard shoes slapping the concrete sidewalk and someone was walking the same, fast pace I was going right next to me. "You dropped this."

A kid about my age shoved a notebook in front of me, my biology spiral. I would've been lost without it. "Thanks," I said as I snatched it out of his hand

"You're the new kid with the weird name, right? Horseboy?"

"Ponyboy," I corrected and rolled my eyes. It's not that hard to forget.

He nodded. "Right, sorry. I'm Jared. We share the same history class together." I nodded. He did look quite familiar. "Well see you around, I guess."

"Yeah, see ya," I said, walking off as he crossed the street over to what I figured was his house. I stuffed the notebook back into my backpack. It was unzipped, must have been from rushing out of the school building. I quickly made sure everything else as there before closing it and continuing back to the house.

When I got there, it was silent, which I really liked. I dumped my backpack on the floor in the front hall and ran to the kitchen, where the phone hung on the wall by the refrigerator. I spun the wheel around, dialing the number that I rarely ever called, because I never really had to before unless I wanted a ride.

It rang. Then it rang again, and again, and I was just about to give up as it kept ringing for a couple of minutes. But then I heard it.

"Curtis residence, Two-Bit Mathews speaking. How may I help you?"

It wasn't really funny, but I couldn't help but laugh. It felt good to hear a familiar voice. It felt like one year, rather than one week. It felt like a lot of weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

"Hello?" Two-Bit said again, and that's when I realized I was thinking for too long.

"Hey Two-Bit."

"Ponyboy! Why haven't you called? It's been like a month since we've last heard from you!" Two-Bit yelled through the speaker.

"It's been a week, calm down. They wouldn't let me have phone privileges because I was new at the boys home, and my foster parent won't let me use it either, but she's at work right now. Is Darry there? Can I talk to him?"

Two-Bit was quiet for a second, and I got real worried. "Actually no, kid He's still at work. He's been picking up longer shifts lately."

"How come?" I asked, a little worried about what was going on at home, but it was like I could see Two-Bit shake his head through the phone.

"Don't worry about it kid. You're in foster care? So what, that means you're living in someone else's house?"

I sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine though. The lady's really nice, the only thing I don't like about her is that she doesn't allow me to use the phone. When does Soda get off work? Maybe I can talk to him before she gets home."

"Sorry, Pony. Both of them don't get home until about six."

"You're there by yourself?"

"Nah, Steve's here, he's about to go to work though. Wait a sec-" I heard murmurs in the background, and there was some shuffling.

"What's your number, kid?" It was Steve. "I'll give it to Soda so he could call ya when I get to work."

I shook my head despite the fact he couldn't see me. "I don't know it. I've only been here for a few days and I was never even allowed to-"

"You know the number for the DX?"

"Yeah but-"

"Call it. I gotta go, kid. Bye."

With that, Steve hung up. I didn't have much time. Lanie was probably going to be home any minute. I glanced out the window in the kitchen that viewed the driveway. It was empty, so I quickly dialed the number to the gas station.

It rang for about a minute, and then someone finally picked up. "This is the DX, how can I help you?"

It wasn't Soda. It was someone else and I was slightly disappointed. "Is Sodapop there?"

"He's busy right now, can you wait a minute?" I jumped, noticing the car starting to come down the road.

"Uh no, can you just tell him Ponyboy called and I'll try to call him back as soon as I have a chance. Thanks."

I hung up the phone, raced towards the front door and picked up my book bag and ran back into the kitchen, tossing it onto the table and rushed to get an assignment out. Lanie told me yesterday she'd rather me do school work downstairs in the kitchen. Something about making sure I actually did my homework even though my grades show I do.

"Hey Ponyboy!" Lanie said, entering the kitchen while putting her purse down on the table by my backpack. "How was school today? Make any friends yet?"

I shook my head, remembering that Jared kid who tried talking to me on my way home. "Not really. I don't need friends anyway."

Lanie sighed while heading towards the refrigerator, getting things out for dinner. "Yes you do. It's unhealthy for children your age not to have any. When you're my age you don't need them as much. Ponyboy, I want you to try to make some, okay? I want you to get out of the house, have fun."

"I do have friends, Lanie. They're all in Tulsa though."

She began chopping something up when she let out another sigh. "You know what I mean Ponyboy. Just try, okay? You can never have too many friends."

I finished my homework and we pretty much ate dinner in silence. She looked a little upset with me, but I wasn't even thinking about our conversation. I was thinking of home. It was six o'clock now, Darry and Soda would be getting home right about now. I wonder if that guy passed the message to Soda. Or if Two-Bit and Steve told them I called. Of course they did, they had to. I just wanted them to know I was okay, and to just hear their voices. I know it sounds weird, but I'd feel so much better if I knew they were okay.

I hope they're okay.

oOo

I woke up hearing someone screaming and someone shaking me and hollering at me. It took me a moment to realize it was me who was screaming, and Lanie was trying to get me to wake up.

"Deep breaths, Ponyboy. Deep breaths." Her voice was soothing, but it was nothing compared to Soda's. It didn't calm me down, but I did what I was told. I felt ridiculous. I always felt ridiculous when I had a nightmare. I haven't had one since my first night at the boys home, but that one wasn't that bad. I don't know why this one was. I never remember.

"Are you alright now?" she asked me gently and I nodded.

"Yeah. I'm, I'm sorry," I said, completely embarrassed.

Lanie just nodded. "It's alright. Don't worry about it, we'll talk about it in the morning, alright? Go back to sleep now."

Lanie left the room an I rolled over and faced the wall, clinging onto my covers. I didn't go back to sleep, I just lied there staring at the wall in front of me. Without Soda on my side, I never felt so alone, so empty.

oOo

Exhaustion must have finally kicked in because I didn't even remember falling back asleep after last night. I was really tired though by the time I got up. I didn't want to get up though. I didn't want to see Lanie after what had happened. She told me we'd talk about last night at breakfast. That didn't sound pleasant to me. I never liked talking about my nightmares, besides, I never remember them anyway.

I reluctantly got up and headed downstairs right on time. Lanie was just putting a plate of pancakes on the table next to a plate of scrambled eggs. She looked up and smiled at me like she normally does. Maybe she forgot.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well the rest of the night?"

I only shrugged as I sat down in my usual chair and she did the same, dishing out food for herself. I sighed as I put a pancake on my plate. I was just a normal golden brown pancake. I may not have been a fan of Soda playing with his cooking, I desperately wish this was green, blue, purple, anything but the average color of a pancake.

"Don't be ashamed of what happened last night. You know, most people think nightmares are only for little kids, but they are actually most common in teenagers. Did you know that?" I shook my head. "Teens have more stress and that's something that helps trigger it. Also experiencing death or illness of a family member or friend is another cause. My son was about a year older than you when my husband passed away, he had them frequently than it turned into every now and then. I'll make dinner earlier tonight and don't eat anything before you go to bed. Food increases your brain activity and will support those nightmares."

I nodded, picking at the eggs on my plate. "Okay."

"You don't have to go to school today if you don't want to. I can call you in sick if you want to go get some more sleep."

I was just about to say no, but then, an idea sparked. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Lanie smiled. "Alright. Finish your breakfast and I'll call before I leave for work."

And she did. I waited up in my room, searching through the dresser drawers for something. I pulled the money out from under my T-shirt and took about half of it. Today was going to be a good day, I knew it.

I started putting chapter titles up the other day. Sorry it took me a little bit longer than I expected to update. I kept getting distracted and it's hard to write when you can't focus on one thing. Please review, it really means a lot to me. Thanks to those who have reviewed. I usually reply, but I can't if you are a guest, or if you have it disabled so I'm thanking those people right now.

By the way, the book they were reading was "To Kill A Mocking Bird", it was the only book written around that time I could think about and read myself.

-Michelle Loves Chocolate 99