Chapter 10:
Darry's POV:
I fell asleep before we got home. I guess Two-Bit ended up driving instead of me. It was probably a good decision. We were a few blocks away from home when I woke up. I was in the back seat with Ponyboy in the passenger. Our gang was gonna have to deal with being three people for a while.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty woke up!" Two-Bit forced a smile. He didn't fool me, the happiness never reached his eyes. Ponyboy just turned to look at me, expressionless and then turned back to looking at the rode. It was like he was a robot. "Seriously Darry how long has it been since you slept?" Two-Bit desperately tried to make conversation.
"It doesn't matter." I sat up groggily, "When did I doze off?"
"We were about to pull out of the parking lot when you almost collapsed at the wheel. I told Ponyboy to help me get you into the back so I could drive home. You wouldn't even wake up when we moved you. I thought you blacked out." I felt like I had blacked out. I hated naps in the middle of the day, they always made me disoriented.
"Oh… thanks."
"Don't thank me, I was just saving my own life from a hideous accident." I saw Ponyboy shiver out of the corner of my eye. I knew what that was about, car accidents were obviously a touchy subject for our family.
"Yeah, well, thanks anyway." We pulled up to the house and we all walked inside. Two-Bit made himself at home, rushing to the refrigerator, pulling out a beer. "Hey, we don't have any beer here…" I stated confused. Had I gone out and bought beer recently?
"You don't," He corrected, "But I hid some in here for when I come over." Great. I thought, Just what we need when everyone is emotionally unstable. But I didn't argue. It wasn't worth it with Two-Bit.
Two-Bit sat on the couch, turning on Mickey Mouse. He really did have the mind of a child. With a few beers and cartoons, he'd forget about Steve and Soda leaving. I wished I could do that.
Ponyboy didn't sit around with us, he came inside and rushed to the staircase. I grabbed his arm, "Where ya goin'?" I asked curiously.
"Upstairs." He stated, emotionless.
"Why?" He looked at me and shrugged, "Why don't you stay down here with us?" He shook his head. He wasn't being rude, he looked too sad for that.
"I want to go upstairs." I was taken back. He hadn't fought with me since the night Sodapop ran off, and that was the first time he had given me more than a one word answer since he found out Soda and Steve were drafted.
"Please Pony…"
"Don't fight with me Darry" He commanded firmly, "he doesn't want us fighting." I realized then how sensitive he was to the draft. He was toughening up like Dally on the outside, but on the inside, he couldn't even keep his composure enough to say Sodapop's name.
"Alright, you can go upstairs." I let go of his arm. He didn't acknowledge my statement, he just turned his head towards the top of the stairs and proceeded up into his room.
"What was that about?" Two-Bit asked from the kitchen, guzzling down another beer.
"Nothing, I think he's just upset." For the first time in a while I was scared. Scared for Soda, of course, but scared for Ponyboy too. I didn't want him tough like Dally, and I didn't want him depressed either.
"The kid'll get over it" He shrugged, "He can't overthink this. It's not like there isn't a chance of them making it back." I wondered how he was taking this so well, and then I realized it was good ol', laid-back, Two-Bit, not to mention his several beers.
"I know…" I agreed, "but I think he's scared of how they'll arrive back." I listened to myself talk and tried to figure out if 'he' was Ponyboy or me. I never found out.
Sorry for the late update. Internet was down. Hope you enjoy. More detailed chapters to come.