AN: Yo, I'm so sorry that I didn't post for two weeks. I was bussy not doing my homework, haning out with friends, and bindge watching that 70's show. Lame excuse, I know. But, to make it up, I'll post the two chapters I missed and today's chapter. So, I'll post three chapters today (including this one). Enjoy. As usual, please leave me a review and let me know how I can aprove. Also, I have some questions for yall. 1. Whos's your favorite outsiders character 2. What POV/ Chahracter should I do next. I was thinking Steve but who knows? Yall let me know. Enjoy!
"Hey, Guys", a cowering voice said as the door to the Curtis household opened. Ponyboy was on the couch finishing up his math homework and Darry was in the kitchen making dinner. "Hey, Soda!", Darry said gleefully, "Glad I could finally see you, Pony told me you were working' late this last days and when I got home from my night job you guys were already asleep." Soda furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, what did Darry mean? Pony shot him a look. It clearly stated, "You better thank me". "Oh yeah," Soda said, picking up the vibe, "Yeah". "I'm making baked Chicken and mash potatoes. Grab a plate".
After dinner, Darry retreated back into his room to get some well deserved sleep. That left Soda and Pony to clean the dishes and kitchen. "So",... Soda awkwardly started as he put some dishes in the sink. Ponyboy didn't respond to Soda's poor attempt at a conversation starter. "Pony", he tried again. "You know, I… Thanks for coverin' for me." Ponyboy looked up from the dishes he was doing. He tried out a glare that he often saw on Steve's scowling face. "Don't thank me", Ponyboy bitterly snarled. "I shoulda ratted you out. You know there's bee stories going round about you. I ain't a stupid kid, Soda. I know you've been messing around an' getting in trouble. I shoulda told Darry so he can put a stop to your bull shit. I was worried sick you were gonna be thrown in some jail cause I know for certain this wasn't your first time getting picked up by the fuzz. Them fuzz probably think your a greasy 't start acting like no hood. Cause then I'm gonna treat you like a hood and so's everybody else."
Sodapop sighed as he brought out a broom from a closet."Man," Soda started sympathetically, "I'm sorry Ponyboy. I didn't wanna worry you. I didn't think me getting jailed was a big deal". Ponyboy slammed down a dish. "Damnit, Soda! Don't you realize what could and can happen! The county can come and snatch us up! I've already been caught in a murder rap and now this! They're gonna think Darry's a shit guardian! And the messed up thing is that I'm more worried about the things I been hearin' 'bout you." Ponyboy took a breath and his voice started to quiver. "Why can't we just catch a break?".
Sodapop realized what a great stress he brought to Pony. A strange heavy feeling came over him. Soda didn't usually feel this way. Everything he did was justified, there was hardly never a need for this weird, vaguely familiar feeling. It was guilt. "I'm sorry, Pony. Don't you worry 'bout nothing. Leave it to your brothers." Ponyboy looked at Soda with pleading teary eyes. All was forgiven between the brothers, but Pony had one request for Soda. "Don't never do none of those pills again. I overheard Dallas and Two-Bit talking about you poppin' some pills. "Don't ever do that again. Please?". "Of course, Pony. I ain't never gonna do that again." Ponyboy started up again quivering and shaking, "You know, Johnny once told me somthin' in the lot. He said everybody in our gang has done shit some things and don't tell me cause I won't think of them the same. Like how he smokes dope. When he said that, it made me feel all young and like a kid. That y'all hide stuff from me to shield me from things. It pissed me off. I ain't no kid. But now, I'm glad some stuff is hidden. Cause sometimes, I don't want to know how shitty you all are." Ponies last comment made a sting on Soda.