Chapter Twenty-one: Monday Night/ Tuesday
Disclaimer: I don't own the book by S.E. Hinton. And sorry to those who read the chapter and it was wrong, thank you for telling me so.
"I care Kylie." Dally said leaning against the car.
"You have until Friday to come up with a way to convince the state to leave me here." I said going inside. Dally followed me in. When I entered the house got quiet. Thank god it was only Johnny, Dally, Anni, and us Curtis' siblings.
"Go to bed everyone it's late and we have school tomorrow." I said. Everyone went but Johnny. He looked at me with confusion. "What is it Johnny?" I asked.
"Are you really leaving?" He asked.
"Not if I can help it." I said. He went to bed.
I suddenly remembered I had to finish my English report. I didn't have long to do it now. I got up went to my room got my English stuff and went back to the couch with Dally. He was looking at me funny but I didn't care. I wasn't tired and might as well do something useful. I began writing the final draft of the paper as Dally turned his attention to the t.v. Early the next morning the usual hustle and bustle started up as Steve and Two- Bit entered the house, noisily I might add. Dally had just gone to sleep so I wasn't too pleased with them.
As the rest of the house woke up and started getting ready Star came in, she looked worse than I did. She went to the bedroom and did her thing. That's been a routine for years; I think that's where I got most of my clothes. I laughed to myself as I went to the kitchen. I drank some water as Pony put some food on the table. I immediately ran to the bathroom and vomited. Soda was in the shower and I flushed the toilet.
Soda yelped then yelled, "Hey! Why'd you do that for?"
I replied, "Sorry I didn't mean to."
"Yea right shortie" Soda yelled. I shrugged as we headed out the house for school. Darry was taking Soda and Steve to work again.
During science class the teacher was talking about the insides of something and I got really nauseated. Star and Anni both looked at me when I put my hand over my mouth. I put my head down hoping I could tune the teacher out, it didn't work to well. Luckily, the bell rang dismissing the class. I got up, bolted to the nearest bathroom, and vomited everything in my stomach. As I entered the hallway Star and Anni stood there with my stuff in their hands. We went to class and I only vomited after lunch after that. As we walked home, Anni was asking me about Johnny.
"He doesn't talk about his family much." Anni was saying.
"And you need not ask about it. His mother beats him and his father tries to kill him. That's all you need to know. Besides why won't you go live with your aunt and cousin?" I asked.
"Because, his mother isn't too fond of me." Anni said as we walked up the steps. Thank god it was quiet and I could get some rest. Dally probably left shortly after we did. Wonder what he's up to. We entered the house and I did the homework I had. I assumed Anni did hers.
A couple of hours later Anni sat next to me on the couch. Pony was still at track and I guess Star and Johnny were waiting for him. I looked at Anni as she looked at her hands.
"Yes Anni?" I asked.
"Do you really hate me?" She asked. Here we go with the puppy thing again; I thought we had that ended.
"No. When you first got here I wasn't the happiest person to see you but I've gotten over it and why aren't you with Johnny today?"
"He told me I had to sit with you this afternoon and talk or he'd breakup with me." She said looking at me square in the eyes. I stared at her.
"Excuse me? What for?" I asked.
"Listen Kylie before you get all high ho over this let me explain first." She said. I crossed my arms and looked at her. "He said that he asked you if he could even date me. He then went on to explain that he sees you as his protection against harm and that Dally is his mentor on how to toughen up. If I come between that he said then he'd want to breakup."
"He is one bright kid when he knows what he wants. But goes about it wrong." I said laughing. "Look I'm gonna go hide somewhere and if anyone asks you don't know where I am."
I picked up my stuff took them to my room and dumped them in my closet, I then grabbed a novel and went to the kitchen. All the time Anni was watching me. I then climbed onto the top of the fridge and sat there reading.
Sometime later I heard the door open and close. I then heard Pony ask where I was and Anni (thankfully) told him she didn't know. The t.v. got turned on and then all hell broke loose when Two- Bit entered. He wanted to go to the nightly double tonight and was trying to get Johnny to go. Darry entered with Steve and Soda. Darry asked where I was and everyone said they didn't know. Next thing I saw was Darry come into the kitchen and look up at me on the fridge.
"What?" I asked him.
"What are you doing?" He asked folding his arms across his chest.
"Reading." I said showing him my novel.
"Why up there?" He asked back.
"Because I didn't want to be out there when everyone came in. And I knew they'd know if I was in my room." I said. He looked at me funny and I stuck my tongue out at him. He opened the fridge door.
"Hey Darry, can me and Anni go to the nightly double tonight with the rest of the gang?" Pony asked poking his head into the kitchen.
"On a school night?" Darry asked his head still in the fridge.
"Whatcha looking for big bro?" I asked looking over the side.
"My family's common sense, they've seemed to have lost it somewhere." Darry said jokingly.
"Can we Darry?" Pony asked.
"I'll go with them Darry." I piped up. He glared at me for a second.
"Alright but be back by a decent hour all of you." He said. We then heard hollering from the living room. We all went to see what the commotion was and saw Anni and Two- Bit ready to fight.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Him." Anni said.
"She started it." Two- Bit stated seriously. It takes a lot to get him to be this serious. I walked over to them.
"Tell me how you two ended up in this stance and if you two still want to kill each other you can do it at the lot ok?" I said.
"He said that Johnny and I shouldn't even be together because I don't even know him." Anni said and I looked at Two- Bit.
"That and she is nothing but a bitch like my mother said." Two- Bit said.
"That's only because your mom and mine need to go bowling to figure out their problems." Anni retorted. She's good at this smart comment thing.
"You're just like your mother, a bitch…" Two- Bit never got to finish his statement because Anni's fist connected with his jaw and he landed flat on his back.
"Anni go to the bedroom now," I said pushing her away, "Two- Bit out now!"
Anni went to the bedroom and Two- Bit angrily left the house. Star followed Anni as I headed outside after our wisecracker. I caught up to him as he reached our front gate.
"You know I thought you'd take my side in this." Two- Bit said stopping.
"I didn't take her side either Two- Bit I just ended whatever was gonna happen before it did." I said stopping next to him.
"I wish she never came looking for you."
"And I wish that my life was perfect Two- Bit; but nothing ever goes our way because we're seen as shit to everyone out there. Besides Anni knows Johnny a lot better then you may realize. Did you know that Johnny came to me while I was in the shower asking permission to even date your cousin? Think about this Two- Bit not everyone is like your aunt or your mother. You have to judge people from how well you know them. Get to know your cousin and you might find a valuable friend." I said walking away. After I entered the house I saw Anni sitting next to the door.
"You took his side?" She said more than asking.
"No I took both. I told him to not judge people and you should do the same thing before we all start hating you like the soc's do." I said walking to the bedroom. I heard the screen door open and close. Anni then walked into the bedroom behind me.
"Why did you take both sides?" She asked closing the door behind us.
"Because. I grew up with him and you're part of the gang now. The only time I take sides is when it comes to us or Shepard's gang." I said sitting on the bed. I was worn out from everything.
"Who?" Anni asked.
"Long story that I won't even begin to tell you right now." I said laying down closing my eyes.
"Hey are you two going or what?" Pony asked from the other side of the door.
"Go where?" I yelled back.
"The nightly double short stuff." He said back. I got up quickly and opened the door.
"What was that shrimp?" I said before he could move. He looked at me and bolted towards the door. I followed in a full run and so was everyone else in the house. I tackled Pony in the lot as the rest caught up to us.
"Take it back." I said.
"Never!" He yelled. I leaned in close to his ear.
"Take it back or I'll tell everyone what you sleep with at night." I whispered.
"You wouldn't." He hissed.
"Wanna bet?" I asked and sat up, "Hey guys did you know that-"
"Uncle! I take it back." Pony yelled. I patted his back, got up off him, and helped him up.
"So are we all going or do we have to stay in now Darry?" I asked.
"I gotta get home or mom'll be mad." Star said.
"I'll walk with you." Johnny said.
"No Johnny you'll stay with us. Star I'll drive you home and Pony can join." Darry said.
"Huh?" Pony and I both said in unison.
"You ok big bro?" I asked.
"Yea." Darry said pushing us to the house. Darry, Pony, and Star then proceeded to the truck and he took Star home while the rest of us went inside.