A/N: Sorry for the wait! Here's the next chapter:) I should be updating my other story soon as well.
I'm such an idiot. If I never fell asleep in the vacant lot, I wouldn't be sitting in a police car squished between my two brothers right now. I couldn't stop biting my nails the whole ride to the station. I thought that if I stood up, I would faint right there and then. My legs were shaking with nerves as I leaned farther into Sodapop's side.
Maybe if I woke up a few hours earlier, this wouldn't be happening to us. I wondered what the gang was doing. Johnny and Steve were most likely searching for a hung over Two-Bit and a furious Dally.
I looked over at Darry. He looked really lost as he sat staring out the window. I wondered what he was thinking about. He probably hates me now. It's all my fault, so I don't blame him if he does. I was kind of scared to go near him.
Before I knew it, we were parked right outside the police station. I've only been here once and it was only because Two-Bit wanted me to go with him to get Dallas one time when he got out. That was a few months ago though, and I wasn't in trouble then.
The police officer opened Sodapop's door, and he stepped out slowly, looking back to see if I was following him. I got out as quickly as possible and stood next to Soda. Darry crawled out last and shut the door behind him. We solemnly walked behind the cop as he lead us into the brick, scary looking building. Everything inside was plain and tan. Nothing was colorful and nobody looked happy. We walked all the way down a long hallway and into a plain, white room. In the middle was a table and four chairs. One chair was on one side and the other three on the other. I have seen these in the movies. It sent a chill down my spine.
"Take a seat." It was more of an order than a question. I sat in the middle as my brothers took the seats next to me. The officer left the room and I wondered what he was doing. A few minutes of awkward silence later, another cop entered. This one was bigger, and meaner looking. He took a seat across from us and gave us a long, hard stare. It made me want to crawl in a hole and die.
"From the information that we obtained from earlier, I understand that your parents died a few months back. Am I correct?" We all nodded our heads, not wanting to speak.
"We talked to social services a little earlier..." I didn't want to hear anything else after that. Hearing the words 'Social Services' by a police officer doesn't make you feel too hot. I know what was going to happen. I heard Darry suck in a breath next to me. Sodapop put a hand on my shoulder as we prepared to hear the rest.
"We feel that it is best to send Ponyboy to an orphanage until we set up a court date. I'm sorry boys. We will send a van to come and get Ponyboy on Monday morning. Sodapop may stay in Darrel's custody." I didn't say anything. I didn't do anything. I just couldn't. A boys home on Monday morning? That was in 2 days. I felt my lip tremble as I looked at my two brothers.
Sodapop had his eyes shut and was biting down on his lip. Something he always does when he receives bad news. Darry on the other hand, had no expression. He just looked straight ahead, then at Sodapop and I. I couldn't look him directly in the eye. If I did I would have started bawling right there and then.
"Ar-are we allowed to go back home now?" I turned and looked at Sodapop. Unshed tears were gleaming in his eyes. The officer nodded his head with no hint of sympathy in his eyes.
Once we reached the front of the police station, Darry left to call Two-Bit for a ride since we didn't have our truck with us. I sat down on the bench outside the station and put my head in my hands. I tried to hold the tears in, but it was no use.
"It-it's all my fault," I sobbed out to nobody in particular. I felt Sodapop walk over to me and put his arm around my shaking shoulders.
"Of course it's not Pone. It was an accident waiting to happen. Darry will get you back don't worry." I could hear his voice shaking.
"He probably doesn't want me back."
"What?" I heard a deep, husky voice ask. I lifted my head up in shock and realized Darry heard me. He walked closer to me and Sodapop.
"Of course I want you back. I love you, Pony." He took a seat next to me so I was in the middle once again. I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I looked over at him and saw what I think were tears in his eyes. Tears? Why would he be crying now? He didn't even shed one tear when our parents died. I didn't care though. I leaned into his shoulder and cried. I felt his arm wrap around me as Sodapop rubbed my back, sniffling.
"Don't worry little buddy, we'll get you back," I heard Darry say.
No matter what he said, I couldn't get the haunting thought out of my head.
A boy's home...
