CHAPTER 10

PONYBOYS P.O.V

"Pony, where you been?" Soda asked, jumping up from the couch. I shrugged; worried I was going to accidentally say where I had been.

"I was watching the sunset then I was just..thinking." I walked on down the hall towards the bedroom. I could hear the water in the shower running and I was lucky Darry wasn't waiting for me to get home. I wasn't sure how late it was, but I figured if I tried to go to sleep now I would probably be asleep by the time Darry got out of the bathroom. Then I wouldn't have to deal with him until tomorrow.

I must have fallen asleep right away because the next thing I knew I could smell pancakes cooking and Soda was singing along to the radio. I slowly rolled over to stare up at the ceiling. I remembered right away what I did last night and I still didn't want to see Darry. I hoped he had gone to work and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom. I quickly had a shower and got dressed. Soda was eating by himself in the kitchen when I got there.

"Hey." I said, sitting down at the table. I looked down the hall from my seat and couldn't see or hear Darry.

"Yeah, he's gone." Soda said, reading my thoughts. I looked at him and smiled. Good, I thought. I had track practice today and then I'd get home late. Then we'd eat and hopefully Darry wouldn't want to argue while we ate. Then I'd do homework and go to bed. Simple, I would never have to face Darry if I did that everyday. I got up and went to the counter, helping myself to some pancakes. I ate them quickly and by then it was 8:30. Steve had arrived to take Soda to work.

"Hey Pony you want a ride?" he asked. I shook my head while I pulled on my shoes.

"No, I'll see ya later."

"Ok bye." he said as Steve pushed him out the door. I tied up my shoe laces, hearing Steve's car drive away. I grabbed the few books I'd need that day and headed out.

The day dragged on and I hated it. I didn't mind school if it went by quickly. But when you're sitting in history listening to the teacher go on about whatever and the time just seems to go by so slow. Its times like this I wish Darry would let me drop out. The final bell for the end of the day rang and I jumped out of my seat quickly. I didn't need to go to my locker and I was glad. I was talking to Dean today, from my track team and he said there was an extra practice today. I went around to the back of the school where the coach was waiting on us all to arrive.

"Hello Ponyboy, why are you here?" he asked.

"For practice." I said. He frowned and looked beyond me and then at the ground. "Didn't Dean tell you that you were off the team?" he asked.

"He said I might be off the team." I said.

"Well he told me that you were at detention yesterday. Ok, but you should've come to practice anyway. It went until 4:30." he said. I rolled my eyes.

"So I'm off the team?" I asked. He nodded. Fine.

"Ok, don't forget I am the best runner on the team." I said. I looked up at the coach and I think he was re-thinking this all. "So don't come to me when you lose your next races." I said, and I walked away. I know it was a bit silly to say that when I don't care about getting kicked off the team. But I didn't want them to think they could do that 'cause I missed one practice. Ok, maybe I missed more than one but still. I had an excuse. I walked on home, wondering what to do now. If I wanted to stick to my plan I couldn't go home now. But I decided to get home anyway, what else was there to do?

I got home at four o' clock. I was going to watch TV but decided to start my homework. It wasn't much. Just read the text and answer the questions. I was finished by 4:30 when I heard a car pull up outside. I looked out the window. Darry! He was home. I started to panic. What do I do? I jumped up and ran through the house, to my room. I shut the door and sat on the bed. I held my breath waiting for him to come in.

"Pony!" he yelled. I thought I better not answer. So I picked up a book and opened it up. If he came in I'll say I was reading and didn't hear him. I heard him walk through the house into the kitchen. Past the bathroom, down the hall to his room. I breathed out when he went past my room. "Pony!" and he came into the room.

"Oh sorry, I didn't hear you."

"I know you went out last night. I know you didn't come home until late!" he yelled. I looked around the room, anywhere but his face. "Why?!"

"I was just thinking, I'm sorry." I said, trying to think of something to say so he would leave me alone.

"No your not Pony, I'm tired of you doing stupid things-" he started.

"Me doing stupid things?! You're the dumbass!" I yelled. He didn't move or yell back. Just waited for me to continue. "You should've put me and Soda in a home. Then you'd be happy!" I got up off the bed and walked right past him. My words must've gotten to him because he stormed after me and yelled, again.

"I'm just giving you a good life and you don't give me anything in return! You just can't run around doing what you want!"

"Yes I can! I can do what I want!" I yelled. We were in the lounge room now, staring at each other. Waiting for the other to say something.

"Get out Pony! Get out I'm sick of you!" he yelled. I was surprised at what he was saying. But I did what I was told and walked out the door. He slammed the screen door shut behind me and watched me walk down the porch steps.

"I hate you Darry!" I yelled at him before making my way down the drive and out into the streets.

"Don't ever come back!" he yelled and I heard him slam the front door shut.

I think Pony and Darry are a little out of character, but I had to write this in a rush because I'm using my mummy's laptop. Anyways I hope you like it.