Freshman and Sophomore
By S.M. Scott

A/N: I do not own the Outsiders.

Chapter Seven:
I want to Hold your Hand

Somebody had given me what felt like a very rude awakening. My head was hurting so bad, I think I had a hangover. "Wake up." Helen told me, and she was absolutely livid. "What were you doing last night?" She barked. "Last night...I can barely remember, it was so blurry."

"What did you have to drink, and how many drinks?"

"I-I think I drank four glasses of the punch. I think it was spiked, and I got a little carried away."

"Quite obviously, and you did not even bother to use the sense that God gave you. You were drunk, very stupid, and whenever anyone asked what was the matter you laughed in their faces. Then you pulled down your Halloween dress and exposed your breasts to at least twelve boys, and you kissed Peter Bryant."

"I did WHAT?" I screamed. Oh, that was a big mistake. My head was pounding even worse. I am never, ever drinking like that ever again. Oh God, I kissed Peter Bryant in grade ten. He's Crystal Robinson's boyfriend, I could only hope she never finds out about this, even if it is a really vain hope. What on Earth was I even supposed to tell Britney or Mary Jo? This was a nightmare. I'd think it was actually very funny if I wasn't in so much trouble.

Oh no, I think I'm going to be sick. My Stepmother held open my bathroom door for me so I could run to the toilet.

Grounded, that's what I was, and for two weeks. The only things I could count on doing was eating, sleeping, going to school, and studying. I could also count on Crystal Robinson's taunts, like, "How was the Halloween party, rummy?" and "I guess Ponyboy Curtis really wouldn't do it for you. Only about a dozen other guys would. I will get you back for kissing my boyfriend. Just wait. I still owe you one for that blouse."

I swear, I wanted so badly to hit Crystal Robinson. Okay, breathe in, breathe out Tania, concentrate on your page 78 Algebra. As soon as that class finished, Mrs. Kimball called me up to the front. She told me she'd write a note for Mr. Gershner, to give him so he wouldn't throw chalk at me or put me in detention in case I was late. "Has Crystal Robinson been bothering you at all? Because you coloured up almost as well as Ponyboy Curtis can while she was hissing those very spiteful things."

"there was a Halloween party at my house, and I drank quite a lot, I think I made a big mistake. Please don't ask."
"All right, Tania, I won't ask, but I do agree with you that you did make a very big mistake. Believe me, I know what happened. When you were absent yesterday, still feeling a little queasy, I called your house, and your stepmother told me about your little misadventure. Not all of it," Mrs. Kimball added, seeing my horrified face, "But I did warn you about that kind of behaviour. You should not be in such a hurry to grow up, Tania."

"I will never drink like that again, Mrs. Kimball. I'll see you later, and if there's anything else I can do for extra credit, please let me know."

"Oh, I will Tania."

By the time I got to lunch, I had gotten a surprise. Ponyboy was actually speaking to me. "Is everything okay?" he asked. "I've been hearing things, even at my house. Don't worry, Darry always glares at Two-Bit when he gets to the really wild parts, and he covers my ears while he rants on, but most of the time, I think he's joking as usual." Ponyboy reassured me.

"Oh, please don't talk to me about that party. It was undoubtedly my worst Halloween. I got stupid drunk, I woke up with a hangover, threw up, and my stepmother grounded me. Even Mrs. Kimball's worried." I sighed. I missed something about the old days when I was living in Winnipeg. The slumber parties at Melanie's, the childish games, the hidden candy, the laughter, but it was all long gone. "I used to think that the things my Mom once did for me was ruining my life. The thing is, I don't even think I understand as much as I thought. Then she was gone, and now, all of this happened." Ponyboy just said, "everybody somewhere in the world loses someone every day. Me, it was both my parents, Johnny, and shoot, we even lost Dally. And if you ever need to, just look at a sunset, and you'll feel like you're not alone."

"Thanks, Ponyboy." I said, finally managing a smile. "See you later Tania." He said to me, and as I watched him go, I silently mouthed the words, "I love you."

Maybe I was only dreaming my life away like Tiffany said. I am such a hopeless romantic, I suck.

End of Chapter Seven.