When I woke up early that morning I felt real angry. I've woken up in a bad mood before, but this time I was livid for some reason I didn't know. I got out of bed and walked right out the door. I walked to Clarissa's house. Obviously I climbed up to her window so her parents wouldn't see me. I knocked real hard. She came to the window wearing only a towel.
''Pony, what are ya doin' 'ere?''
''Are your folks home?''
''No. They left. I don't know where they went but whenever they leave their gone for a while,'' she told me in a real sad voice. I went into her room.
''So why are ya here so early?''
''I really gotta talk to ya.''
'' 'Bout what?''
''Darry and Soda found out I cut, and I had a bad nightmare last night so I left. I just need to clear my head.''
''Okay.''
Seeing her in that towel gave me a weird feeling I don't usually get with girls. I tried to stop it, then the sweet and kind voices started talking.
You're a teenage boy, Ponyboy. Just do her again. Might as well. She's the only girl who'll ever want anything to do with you. I heard Aidan tell me.
I walked up to her and kissed her. I started from her lips then worked my way down to her neck. She moved her hands up and down my back.
''Clarissa, you wanna?''
''Sure.'' I took off her towel and then my cloths. We moved to her bed and did the deed that would get me grounded for life yet again.
I got into her shower and washed myself. I felt both satisfied and dirty. After all, according to Leah and Aidan, I'm a hoe so I might as well do things a hoe would do. I scrubbed my body. When I grabbed a towel Clarissa was in her room getting dressed. She looked like she was having a real time walking. I smiled a the though of it. She had red bite marks on her stomach, chest, and neck. I had them too.
''I gotta go, baby.''
''How 'bout you s-stay. It's already ten. Were're both late for school,'' she said in a shaky voice, like she was scared. I completely forgot it was a school morning.
''I gotta call my brothers. I'm gunna tell them ya sick or somethin'.''
''Okay.''
I picked up the phone and Darry answered.
''Where the fuck are ya, kid!''
''Look I went to Clarissa's to meet up with her on a project. She's real sick. I'm gunna stay with her all day.''
''Last time ya said that come to find out ya slept with her!''
''Darry she can hardly walk she's so sick. I'm gunna take care of her.''
''I swear if I find out-.''
''You won't,'' I hung up and went back to her room. She was really looking sick.
''Don't worry I got my boxers.''
''Pony, it hurt, real bad.''
''What?''
''You know...when you shoved your ding-a-ling in my special spot!'' she yelled. Did I really hurt her that bad?
''Clarissa, I'm sorry. Are you okay?''
''I think. I just need to lay down.''
I rubbed her back for her. I felt real guilty.
Wow, you're on a role with hurting people and making them miserable, aren't you?
I took a better look at Clarissa. She had burn marks on her back. It looked like someone jumped her or something.
''Clar, what's that on your back?''
She didn't answer. ''Clar?'' She started crying.
''Pony, these Socs jumped me. They burned me with their cigarettes and punched me. They almost raped me, but the cops came by.''
''Why didn't ya tell me?''
''You already have enough stuff to worry 'bout.'' I felt my blood boil. She was jumped!
''By who?''
''David.''
I got up.
''Ponyboy, where are ya goin'?''
''I'm gunna pay David a little visit. I'll be back later.'' When I walked out her door I grabbed my switchblade. I sure as hell was going to use it.
