Chapter 7:

Darry and I were silent for a while. I mean, we knew Johnny's parents didn't care about him, but to just plain out say ' take him he's not wanted here.' That really bugged us. Then out of nowhere Darry said, " Pony, you need to go to school."

"Why?" I asked. Wasn't I supposed to be with Darry during this?

" Now, use that head of yours. How do you think it would look if I were to come into the courthouse, trying to get custody of a kid, with you? You're suppose to be in school, who's suppose to make sure you're in school, me. It would make me look as if I don't care about your academics, therefore giving them even more of a reason to not let me take Johnny, now go to school.

" But Darry" I started whining.

" But Darry NOTHING! YOU UNDERSTAND! NOW GET TO SCHOOL!

I knew to say no more. " Ok" and I started off toward school, and Darry continued going in the opposite direction to the court.

When I got to school, it was 10:00 A.M, so I went to my 3rd science class. When I walked in Johnny's jaw dropped, he and I are in the same grade because he got held back once and I got put up a grade. I tried to sneak into my seat by him, hoping Mrs. Lina wouldn't notice me. She did. " Ponyboy Curtis! Where have you been?"

" I was at an appointment." I lied to her. Then looked at Johnny, asking him with my eyes if he'd said anything. He shook his head no. " Thanks" I mouthed.

" Fine, it's against my better judgment to believe you, but I'll do so." She said and I sat down next to Johnny.

" Pony, Where have you been?"
" I wasn't feeling well." He could I was lying, but in a way, I wasn't. His parents disgusted me.

" Yeah, I'll believe that." He said sarcastically. " Tell me later." He said.

" OK." After that came from my mouth, I wished more than anything that Darry could get him. I can't lie to Johnny, I just can't. He's got enough to deal with, without me lying to him.

The bell rang to go to 4th hour and Johnny and I went separate ways, he to math, and I to History. I sat through that hour, waiting for the bell to ring for 5th hour, it did, and then Johnny and I met up in literature. Where we were also seated by each other. I had hoped Johnny had forgotten our conversation in science, but he didn't, I should've known, he doesn't forget anything. While Mr. Donny, read To kill a mocking bird to the class, Johnny poked me. I didn't feel it though; I was wrapped up in that book, as I am with most books actually. Then a teacher knocked on the door, Mr. Donny walked over and answered it, and as I was reading ahead, Johnny roughly put his hand on my head, that is the only way to get my attention while reading. I'm kind of psychotic about my hair. " What" I asked as kindly as I could.

" Why didn't you come to class 'till 3rd hour." Thankfully, Mr. Donny came into the room just as h asked that. He saw Johnny talking to me.

" Johnny, Pony, please quiet down." He said calmly. I liked Mr. Donny he was calm, mellow, kind, and went with the flow. He was easy to get along with. We did stop talking and the class went back to reading. The bell rang, and then it was time for lunch. We walked down the hall to our locker, while there he asked " So, Why weren't you here?"

" Man, I thought you'd forget" I said.

"Nope" He smiled.

" Johnny, you know I'd never do anything to hurt you. You got to believe me when I say that I can't tell you now, not now. I'll tell you tonight at home." I thought for a minute then added. " In bed, when were falling asleep, I'll tell you Johnny. But not now." He looked at me, confused.

"OK" He said with question evident in his voice. Then he put his arm around me let's got to lunch. I nodded. We met Two-Bit and Steve outside, and had lunch together as usual. Then something real odd happened. Some girl, a beautiful, ok, gorgeous girl came up to us. She had dirty blonde hair, and sparkling blue eyes. Her lips were finely drawn and her complexion was so light. She was real pale. I'd say she was, oh I don't know; real short about 5'0 ft. and about 110 lbs. " Hi, my names Chelsea." She said then ran off to a group of beautiful girls.

" That was weird." Johnny said.

" Yeah I said." Two- Bit and Steve has ran off with her, flirting I guess. When lunch was over we went to 6th and 7th hour. Then as the 7th hour bell rang to go home, he and I bolted out the door, ran to our locker, and walked home.