Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Truth and Questions

"Ponyboy, what's going on?" Darry asked uncomfortably.

I looked at Johnny, who was now digging the toe of his shoe into the carpet. "I can't keep this secret anymore. Me and Johnny are together."

Darry eyed me, he thought I was lying. Soda was still pale as he sat back down beside me.

"Pony, we ain't gonna judge you." He said, patting my arm. "But… I mean… I just don't…" Sodapop shut his mouth and shock his head.

Darry got eye level with me. "It's okay Pony. Go on and take a shower."

I nodded, getting up. As I passed Johnny we locked eyes, he still looked scared. When I got in the bathroom the first thing I did was turn the water on. I didn't want to hear the argument that was about to go on between Sodapop and Darry.

After my shower I notices Johnny was no where to be found.

"Where's Johnny?" I asked Darry, who was the only one in the living room.

"He went home." He answered, not looking up from his paper.

"Where's Soda?" I asked, looking around for him.

"He went to Steve's house." Darry answered, putting the paper down. "Sit down Ponyboy."

"Is he mad at me?" I asked as I did.

"No, he's just confused." Darry answered. "You have to remember Sodapop's just a teenager and you're still just a kid."

I nodded, not looking away from Darry.

"We'll both all ways love you. No matter what." He said, reaching over and taking my hand. "And even if I am hard on you sometimes, I love you more than anything."

I nodded again, squeezing his hand. "More than Soda? Do you love me more than Soda does?" I asked.

Darry paused for a minute before nodding. "I think so."

I smiled then frowned again. "Well… I got a question."

"What?" He asked, taking his hand away to rest against the back of the chair.

"How could you check for a venereal disease?" I asked, earning a weird look.

"Pony, is there something you need to tell me?" He asked.

"No… I mean yes…. I mean not me!" I said, searching for the words. "It's Johnny. He thinks he as a VD. We were gonna… Ya know…. And he wouldn't because of that."

"Well he can get checked at the doctor." Darry said, a little taken aback.

"How much is it?" I asked, thinking it over.

"It's free." He answered. "It's just a blood test."

I nodded, feeling a little better.

"Why don't you go get him? Take him to the doctor. They're opened." Darry asked.

"I promised not to go to his house again." I answered.

"Oh…Well I got to be at work soon." Darry said, looking at the clock. "Are you gonna be okay alone for a while?"

"Yeah." I answered, laying down on the couch.

"Okay, well I got to get a shower and get ready." He said, getting up and going to the bathroom.

I sighed and rested my eyes, falling asleep.

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I woke up to Two-Bit standing over me, letting water drip on my head. I groaned and rolled over. "Go away, Two-Bit."

"Come on Pony, wake up." He said, putting a piece of ice on my neck.

I quickly pushed it off, rolling over and glaring at Two-Bit. "What do you want?"

"Food." He answered, moving my legs off the couch to sit down.

"I'm not your cook." I said, going to sit in Darry's chair, reclining back.

"Come on Pony, please." He begged, turning the TV on.

"Go fix something yourself." I told him as I started to fall back asleep. I felt Two-Bit grab my arm and pull me up. "Let me go!" I hollered.

"Fix me food!" He said, dragging me to the kitchen.

I pulled away just as there was a knock at the door. I glanced at Two-Bit as I went to answer it.

A lady in gray looked down at me.

"Uhm… Hello?" I asked.

"Which one are you?" She asked, looking down at her clip board.

"What?" I asked, confused with the question.

"Which brother are you? I'm here to check the house out." She said, getting angry.

"Oh, I'm Ponyboy." I answered , stepping out of her way.

"Where are the older ones?" She asked, looking around the living room.

"Work." I answered. Well lied because Sodapop wasn't at work.

"And is there anyone home with you?" She asked, going to my room.

"Yeah. Keith Matthews." I answered, following her.

"Who is Keith?" She asked, writing something down on her pad of paper.

"He's one of Darry's friends." I answered as she walked out.

She went to the kitchen next where she found Two-Bit, sitting on the counter eating cake. "Keith?" She asked, looking disgusted.

"Yeah." He said, jumping off and wiping his hand on his shirt. He held his hand out.

She shook it quickly. "I'm Sandra Hills."

"You already know me." He said with a smile.

"Well Ponyboy, give this note to Darrel and have him call me tonight." She said with a small smile.

I couldn't think of why she was smiling, but I wasn't asking questions.

Some questions don't need answers.

I know, short chapter.