Chapter 35: The First Day of School Begins
AN: Thanks for the reviews. BSBnACcHiCk don't get ahead of me here. I can't type that fast. Sodapop's has to go back to school remember.
The name of the college is made up, but based on real experiences. I'm not saying where the place is. Also, at my high school you could get one of three or four different types of diplomas.
PS: When a deaf person lowers their eyebrows it's asking a question. I also used my own sign name is this story, but not my real one. My name is not Rebecca or Amy.
"Hurry up Sodapop," Darry called from the kitchen as he finished frying some eggs. "You don't want to be late."
The rest of the gang was already up, dressed, and seated at the table. They were having eggs and pancakes for breakfast as usual, but for their first day of school, Darry had thrown in extra chocolate chips in celebration.
"Man, I hate school. Why do I have to go back Darry?" Soda asked coming in from his room that he now had to share with three of his buddies and a brother.
"Because it was part of the deal with the state. Now quite complaining, and eat your breakfast."
Darry put a hot plate in front of him. Soda just looked at the eggs. He didn't want to eat them, but he was hungry. Going on a hunger strike wouldn't change anything.
"Ah come on Soda, it will be fine. You'll see," Ponyboy signed.
"So says the geeky baby brother with all the good grades," Sodapop retorted. "To bad that don't cut it on the streets were they count, especially when you can't talk," he mumbled under his breath."
But Darry caught what he said.
"What is up with you today?" Darry demanded.
"He woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Pony signed.
"I think so," Darry agreed.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Pony glared at Soda who returned the look.
"Well, we better get going," Two-Bit said. "Lot of cute blondes to check out."
Ruffling Johnny's hair, Two-Bit attempted to shuffle everyone out the door. They all piled into his car, all except for Darryl, Ponyboy, and Sodapop Curtis.
"Don't keep 'em waiting Pony," Darry said. "Soda and I need to have a little talk. Go ahead to school. I'll bring him later."
Ponyboy seemed a little hesitant, but picked up his book bag and headed out the door.
"Alright Pepsicola, what's this about?"
"Nothing," Sodapop snapped.
"I hope you don't plan on going to school with that attitude," said Darry.
"I don't plan on going to school at all," Soda stated flatly.
"Stop it Soda. You're acting like you're six years old. Now, that's enough. Get you're stuff, and let's go. I don't want any more of your lip."
Ponyboy was having a hard time finding his classroom. It wasn't like he could stop and ask someone. This was a much bigger high school than the one he was used to going to.
Suddenly, right in front of him he spotted two girls signing. His heart skipped a beat. He was still scared of girls, but he did need help finding his way around. So, taking a couple of really deep breaths, Ponyboy decided to walk up to them. When they acknowledged them, he introduced himself.
"What is your name," one of the girls asked him.
"Ponyboy," Ponyboy fingerspelled his name. Then he did the sign horse with a 'P' for his sign name.
"I'm Amy," the girl fingerspelled her name.
She did her sign name with the letter 'A' with the sign thirsty because she was a diabetic. Amy introduced Rebecca whose sign name was long hair using the letter 'R.'
"Can you help me find where I'm going?" Pony singed with lowered eyebrows.
"You'll be with Mrs. Point. She's the deaf teacher. You'll like her. We have her too," Amy signed rapidly with excitement in meeting her new classmate.
"But I'm not deaf, I just can't talk," Ponyboy signed in protest.
"Oh, well you sign very well," Rebecca complimented him. "That's what your squeal says. Most people here don't sign," she reminded him.
My brothers do, Ponyboy thought to himself as he followed his new friends to the classroom.
Sodapop took a seat in the very back of the room hoping the teacher would never notice him there. He hated the fact that he had to go back to school. He couldn't believe that Darry was doing this to him.
"At least it's only half a day," Steve said. "We'll be working the other half. We're only getting a basic diploma anyway."
The teacher tapped cleared his throat for silence. A kid about their age took the empty seat beside them. He smirked.
"Goof morning. I'm Mr. Potters, and I will now take roll, " the teacher said. Lilly Anderson?"
"Here."
"Peter Barks?"
"Here."
"Johnny Cade?"
"Here," said Johnny quietly.
"Johnny Cade? Where is Johnny Cade?"
"I'm right here," Johnny said a little louder.
"You need to speak up, boy."
Mr. Potters went on with roll call, and the kid turned to face Steve and Sodapop.
"What's your name greaser?" the boy asked.
"Who you calling a greaser, greaser?" Steve tested him.
"You just don't look like a guy who wants to waste his days siting at a desk in school, that's all," the kid said smoothly.
"My name's Sodapop, and this is my buddy Steve. You're right. I don't want to be here. I dropped out when I lived back in Tulsa."
"I'm Kevin. So Sodapop, what made you decide to drop back in?"
"My older brother's making me," Soda said.
"What does your old man say about it?" Kevin asked.
"My parents died several months ago. I live with my two brothers," said Sodapop.
"I don't have parents either," Kevin said surprising him. "I live with my grandmother."
"Excuse me boys. Is there something you wish to share with the rest of the class?" Mr. Potters was looking straight at them with a sharp frown upon his face.
"No sir," they both answered at once.
"Witch one of you is Sodapop Curtis," he asked.
"I am," said Soda.
"Is that your real name?"
"Yes. It says so on my birth certificate."
"Well then Mr. Curtis, I expect students to pay attention in my classroom and answer 'here' when their name is called. Do I make myself clear?"
Soda nodded. He sunk down in his desk. It was only a few minutes into the school day and it was already turning out to be rotten and lousy.
"Man, you better watch it Soda. Darry won't like it if he finds out you're causing trouble," Steve said.
"Yeah, remember what he did when he found out that I knew Ponyboy was sick and I didn't tell him?" Two-Bit said with a crazy grin.
Darry threw his books in the truck. His first test was already going to be at the end of the week. College wasn't exactly what he had expected it to be.
He really needed to quite ragging on Ponyboy so much. His baby brother was doing a band up job.
Darry wished Soda would shape up, and at least try. Ponyboy had offered to help him. He wished the rest of the gang would too.
Darry knew that things were going to change with this move, him going to college, and such. What he didn't know is if he could take care of six boys for the rest of his life or not. He knew he's still worry about them even when they were adults.