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Gimme 8 seconds, gimme one more shot
Gimme hell below, gimme strength on top
You gotta be crazy, gotta be insane
To hitch your wagon to a hurricane
-Toby Keith
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Soda's POV:
"So, what're they like? Well, besides the Mustang." Steve asked me scornfully. Him and Two-Bit had both been grilling me about Pony's friends ever since coming over.
"Why do you care so much anyways?" I snapped at him. "You've never given a damn before."
Steve and Two-Bit exchanged looks. I ignored them and stared at my cards. "They seemed nice enough," I mumbled, softening my tone. "But I didn't really have a chance to meet them." They had left as soon as we had met them. I suppose Darry and I acting the overbearing brothers could do that to people.
I couldn't overlook the odd sensation that had been building in my stomach ever since meeting Bryan Crocker. Shepard was fine--basically another Two-Bit. Yet with Bryan I felt something I didn't want to admit. Jealousy. He had protected Pony when I couldn't. I should've been grateful, but I wasn't, I was resentful and it bothered the crap out of me.
"Did muscles scare them off?" Two-Bit nodded at Darry who was on the phone arguing with his boss. "Go fish." He lay down his cards.
"Two-Bit we're playing poker," I laughed, as Steve groaned.
"This is why we never invite you," he muttered irritably, reshuffling the cards.
The phone cord twisted around Darry's legs as he parted the blinds to peer out the window. I watched him with amusement, yet also unease. This scene was reminding me too much of the last time Ponyboy came home late. Only this time he wasn't late. It was only 10 o'clock; Darry was just being overly paranoid.
"Darry, relax," I told him. "He'll come home."
"He's been out since three this afternoon," he said as he hung up the phone. Then he rubbed his face and went into his room, calling out behind him, "I have to work tomorrow, Soda. Let me know when he gets home."
The phone rang again and I grabbed for it, beating Two-Bit. "Hello?"
"Soda, it's Ponyboy."
"Hey, where are you?" I leaned back in the chair, nearly tipping it over. I grabbed the table, Steve grinned at me.
"Don't tell Darry," he whispered, giggling, "I…we need a ride home."
Blinking, I held the phone away from my ear in disbelief. "Are you drunk?" This bit of information perked Steve and Two-Bit right up.
"Of course not." His voice wobbled, betraying himself.
"Aw, Pony," I moaned. "Darry's gonna skin you. And I have half a mind to do it myself." He was silent. I sighed, "Where are you?"
"The payphone out by Stockwell and Brighton." He paused. "Bring me some aspirin willya?"
Hanging up the phone, I grabbed Darry's keys, yelling a quick goodbye. Two-Bit and Steve followed in quick succession. "There's no way I'm going to miss this," chortled Two-Bit.
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I pulled the truck up to the three dark figures mingling in the road. Two-Bit and Steve got out first; I stayed behind to prepare myself. I wasn't exactly a hardass when it came down to being upset with Ponyboy. I guess I could consider this practice. I could say one thing, I was glad I had gotten to the phone before Darry. He may have been going easier on Ponyboy lately, but he definitely wouldn't slack in the punishing department tonight.
"Well here's a sight I'd never thought I'd see. Ponyboy Curtis drunk." Two-Bit reached out to steady Pony, who grinned goofily at him. I bit back a grin as I approached; I couldn't help it.
"I puked, Soda," Pony told me proudly.
"Congratulations," I said with laughter. Holding his elbow as he swayed, I looked at Bryan and Shep: the two people who had probably gotten my brother into this mess.
"He owes me a new pair of shoes," Shepard pointed at his feet.
Leaning against the truck, Steve grimaced. "What'd you give him? Paint thinner?"
"No, tequila," Shepard shot back.
Bryan held up his hands, in a don't-shoot manner. Sheepishly he said, "Sorry 'bout this. Guess it was a little strong for him."
"Hell, he needs the experience," Two-Bit put in, coming up to Bryan. With swift appraisal they shook hands and introduced themselves.
I helped Ponyboy into the truck. "Are you mad Soda?" His wide, green eyes twinkled in the dark of the cab.
"No. Not mad. Now just shut up and try not to puke in Darry's truck." I ruffled his hair back.
"That'll definitely get you into trouble," Steve snorted, crawling in the bed of the truck, along with Two-Bit and Shepard.
I drove home. Ponyboy was squeezed between Bryan and myself. Behind me I could hear Two-Bit and Shepard laughing and Steve swearing at them. Eyes still on the road I said, "You know he's only fifteen."
It wasn't a warning, just fact. It was awkward lecturing Ponyboy's friends who were a bit older than myself, but hell I had to do it.
Strike that, I needed to do it.
Pony stiffened and complained, "Soda, it's fine…"
"I know," Bryan said apologetically. "I forget."
Sometimes I think he does too, I thought.
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A shrill scream echoed through the night. Groggily, I broke out of my sleep to look around for Ponyboy. Not seeing him, I ran into the living room where only four hours ago I had dumped the three drunks. Bryan was gently pulling Ponyboy into a sitting position on the couch. "Curtis, wake up." He shook him gently, but Pony still thrashed about.
Shepard kneeling by his side said, "Just do it."
"I don't know Shep…"
"C'mon Crocker, it worked for me. It's just gonna get worse. You know that."
Another scream broke from my brother's mouth, causing me to quickly approach, yet this time the scream was stopped short by a hard crack across Pony's face.
Bryan had slapped him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I nearly yelled, not caring if I woke Darry or not.
Ponyboy jolted abruptly and opened his eyes. Bryan's hands jolted out, grabbing his wrists to hold him still. Breathing shallowly, Pony swallowed thickly. "Thanks," he told Bryan in a small voice.
"Anytime."
Breaking through the barrier of the three of them, I scooted next to Pony on the couch. Gingerly, I probed his cheek; it was slightly pink. "You alright Pone?" Before he could answer I turned to Bryan, my face furious. "Was that really necessary?"
"He's awake, isn't he?" he said in a voice that dared me to contradict him.
Shepard snapped his fingers in front of Ponyboy's dazed face. "C'mon kid. Stay with us." He looked at me. "I take it this happens often?"
"Unfortunately." Rubbing my hand through my hair, I tried to keep my voice even.
"Then take it from me, you definitely don't want to let him sleep through those. Although, his did sound especially terrifying with the girly shrieks and all." Shepard smiled faintly and so did Ponyboy.
"He's always had them," I said, rubbing Ponyboy's back. "Although it gets harder and harder to wake him up."
Ponyboy chuckled at Bryan. "Guess you found a way." Bryan looked away, shamefaced.
"Everything okay in here?" Darry's rough voice asked, scaring us all.
"Just having a boy scout meeting?" Shepard offered unhelpfully.
Darry stared at Shepard for a second, fought between laughing and scowling, and returned to his room.
Pony looked at me with wide, amazed eyes. "I can't believe I made it through this night without being caught."
"Don't get too cocky Ponyboy," I told him, inwardly laughing. Pulling something over on Darry was new to both of us.
Actually, it was kind of fun.
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Lighthearted ending? Yay!
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