Chapter 2

(Darry's POV)

I was sitting next to Ponyboy just relaxing and watching some game show of his. I didn't know what the show was; I could have cared less, not that I would tell him that. He was pretty excited about me hanging out with him. I was watching it because Pony wanted me to, and I was trying to be a normal person for the first time in a long time, and keep my mind off of things. I really didn't want to be mad or upset about anything. I don't like being upset, it just isn't fun. But sometimes, it's almost impossible around here. People think I'm a grumpy and raunchy guy, but.if they only they knew what I lived with. There are just too many crazy teenagers in this house, wait.there are too many teens period. Everyone is so different; it's hard to please us all.

Now, the game show had ended, and Pony was sitting up to stretch. I noticed, for the first time that night how long Skye had been gone. It was now nearly nine o'clock, and she had been gone all afternoon and evening with Miles, of all people. Miles would've been an okay kid, if he would've just stayed away from Skye, or anyone in my family for that matter. The combination of those two together could have turned out in disaster, and that was the last thing I wanted to have to worry about.

Pony broke me out of my thoughts, "I'm going to bed now, I'm real tired. See ya in the mornin'."

"All right. Hey, I don't want you late for school again, Pony."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Pony called as he disappeared into the hallway.

I got up and started wandering around the house, looking for something productive to do. I was fidgety after sitting for as long as I had, and I couldn't stop worrying about Skye now that I had thought about it.

IShould I go out and try to find her?/I I asked myself.

INo, I'll wait a while longer, her curfew isn't up yet./I

And besides, she'll get upset if I go after her so early.

Finally, after a while of pacing the house, I decided to go make more chocolate cake for the morning. Goodness knows that everyone will be grumpy if there isn't enough cake to go around. See how desperate I was for something to pass the time?

I wasn't worried about Skye, per say. But she had a tendency to follow the crowd when she felt at all inferior. You see, Miles had a way of playing on people's weaknesses for his own benefit. I knew Skye would do anything and everything for and with him. He had her wrapped around his finger. But Skye usually wasn't like that, she likes to be the ringleader, and she knows perfectly well that she is. Just the fact that someone could control her like that made me very nervous. No one controls Skye, but Miles.

That's it, I couldn't contain myself anymore, I had to go find her. I love my sister, and if ANYONE thinks they can have their way with her, they are Idead/I wrong! And I meant that in the most literal sense. Miles was a dead man if he does anything to hurt her.

However, right as I reached the door, Skye walked in. Thank goodness for that! She looked happily dazed from whatever she had done that night.

"Are you all right, Skye?" I asked in a voice that could've easily passed as concerned.

She looked at me crazily and scanned herself over, "Yeah, Why, are you suggesting that I don't look good?"

I waved her off.

"Then where have you been? Wait, wait, wait.don't answer that. I know where you've been. IWhat the hell were you thinking/I?" I screamed in her face.

"Darry, I'm home! Don't worry. Besides I have three hours before curfew, ya want me to leave again?" she said casually.

"If you leave, you best be planning on a whipping," I loudly and firmly replied.

I didn't exactly mean that. I mean, I couldn't do enough to her without her trying to beat the crap out of me. I just don't want to go through that.

"Don't even threaten me."

"Hey, you're in no position to mouth off to me, Hun," I went back to yelling again.

"I'm serious, Darry. I'll leave; Miles is probably still out there. And I don't have to sit around here listening to you yelling."

"I have no doubt about that. How did you know that I knew you went with Miles?"

She snorted. "I knew Two-Bit would come over blabbing off about us. I'm not stupid, contrary to your firm belief that I am."

No comment.

"You knew Two-Bit would come over, but you didn't have the sense to come home and let me know where you were?"

"If Two-Bit was going to tell ya, than why should I have to?"

"Because, you need to be more responsible than that. You can't always relay on Two-Bit."

"Well, duh. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out."

"Hey, just shut your mouth and listen to me!" I said. "I don't want you to hang with Miles anymore. Ya hear?..You didn't do anything did you?"

Her jaw dropped in complete shock, like that had never crossed her mind. "What do you think I am, some hormone raging machine?"

Well, ya. You're a teenager. Duh.

"I can't believe you! What is you problem? I'm leaving!"

"Hey! You didn't answer my question," I said.

She turned to the door, but before she could get far, I had her by the arm and was pulling her towards me. I directed her to the couch and pushed her down.

"SIT DOWN!" I yelled.

"I am sitting down!"

I heard someone walk into the room from behind me.

"Darry, wait." It was Reesa, as usual, "Skye, what's going on?"

"Reesa, go back to your room," I said.

"No, Darry. I'm part of this family to, and I'm sick of hearin' you two fight."

"Shut up! Reesa!" Skye yelled.

"Skye, just listen to us. We are just worried about you."

"Hey, if I wanted you to pester me, I'd have had you fill out an application."

"Don't be sassy," I told her.

"Come on, Skye. Chill out. Listen to him for God's sake."

Skye looked supremely pissed at this. Without any hesitation, she jumped up, flying at Reesa. She was so quick, I couldn't stop her.

*WHACK*

She nailed Reesa on the right cheekbone. Reesa stumbled back, shocked, as Skye continued to go after her. I grabbed her and pinned both her arms down, I half carried her and half dragged her away. All this time Skye was kicking and screaming obscenities at the top of her lungs. I clamped one hand over her mouth, and she tried to bite me. I held on, she should know by now that I have a very high pain tolerance. We were almost to Skye's room before I realized that Soda was out there watching too. He came over and grabbed Sky by the shoulders, and she immediately calmed and became quiet. She allowed Soda to lead her into his room and shut the door. I got the idea that I wasn't wanted anymore, and remembered I had left Reesa sitting out there alone. I felt somewhat bad about leaving her. I had no idea how bad Skye had gotten her. I found her sitting on the couch and staring at the blank TV screen.

"Reesa, you okay?"

She sat there silently for a second and then just blankly answered, "Yeah, I'm fine, like that could hurt anyone."

"Okay, want some ice for that cheek of yours?"

"Yeah."

I left the room and walked into the kitchen to find some ice. What the heck was that? Nothing like that had ever happened in our house. I never knew that Skye could nail Reesa like that. Reesa is a real good fighter, but it was sudden. I guess she was as surprised about the whole thing as I was. Skye just wasn't like that.usually.

I got the ice and walked through the front room, throwing the ice at Reesa. I didn't look back to see if she had caught it, I just continued into Soda and Pony's room. I figured she was as fine as she was going to get.

I went in and found Skye sitting next to Pony, who was sound asleep. Her face was buried in her hands and she was mumbling to herself incoherently. I glanced up at Soda, who stood leaning against the desk. He shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't understand it either. I jerked my head towards the door, motioning for him to leave. He got the picture and left without a word.

"Skye?"

She looked up, "I didn't mean it," she whispered.

"I know, c'mon lets go into another room," I said holding out my hand towards her.

"I'm serious, Darry. I really didn't mean it."

"Yeah, I know. C'mon, I don't want to wake Pony up."

She took my hand and I helped her up. We walked out and went towards her room. I glanced over, and saw that Soda was sitting next to Reesa and talking to her soothingly. I knew that Soda had Reesa taken care of, and I was glad he did, so I went into Skye's room with her.

When we got to her room, Skye went and stood looking out the window silently.

"So." I started.

"So, what?"

"What's going on?"

".I hit her."

"Stating the obvious." I glanced around the room, taking in the site of strewn clothes and. all the other stuff girls find necessary to have - carelessly tossed around. I'd have to remind myself to have them clean it up later. "She's fine. Don't worry about it. I'm sure she knows you didn't mean it."

"But I did.when I did it anyway. I just wish I could take it back now."

I knew she didn't mean it. Reesa and Skye were like best friends. Being the only two girls in the gang, they stuck together all the time. I had never seen either of them lash out like this at the other.

"Hey, don't worry, okay? She's FINE. She was just a minor distraction. That's all." As minor as she can get anyway. "Anything else you wanna say?"

".. Nope."

"Okay, let me rephrase that. Anything that I'm going to make you tell me?"

"I'm sure there is."

"And, that would be.?"

"Well, if you already know, I don't need to tell you, now do I?" She asked incredulously, looking away from the window.

"And how would I already know? And if I do? What do I know?"

".. You're getting too good at this game."

"Years of experience. I know it all. Trust me, I've used quite a few myself."

"No, shit."

"Skye!"

"What?"

"Don't say that!"

"I've heard you say it a million times, why can't I?"

"Because I'm privileged."

"Whatever."

I sighed. I wasn't getting anywhere. It's nearly impossible to get through to her. You can try all you want, but you ain't gonna get far.

"C'mon, Skye. You should know better by now."

"Than hitting Rees?" She's not going to get me sidetracked anymore. I sent her 'the look'. "Or about Miles?"

"That's the one."

"Dude, Darry, I don't even get what it has to do with you. What do you have against him?"

"Everything. There isn't one thing I like or respect about him."

"Well, I'm sure he could say the same for you." Talk about defensive.

I paused, an idea hitting me. I *hate* to be the one to bring this up. If it'll make her uncomfortable think how it feels to be in my shoes.

"Um. is it that time of the month?"

"Excuse me?" she asked with that all-superior tone.

"You know."

"Like it's any of your business," she responded after a moments pause, starting to look uncomfortable. "Why do you care, anyway?"

"Because, now I know I can carry on this conversation in week, and I'll get some straight answers."

"You're a pervert."

"I'd rather be a pervert than PMSing."

"Darry!"

"What?"

"I'M NOT PMSING!" she went red.

"Obviously.." I tried not to laugh. I looked away. I knew I was going to far after she said that.

"I hate you."

"Thanks."

"Get out!"

"THANK you." I closed the door behind me as I trailed out. I have NO idea what that had to do with anything, but once again I found myself at square one.

Too tired to do anything else, I went straight for my room. Sleep. Nice verb. Very nice. Lucky Pony. Slept through it all.

"Darry.?" Soda called after seeing me pass by. "Can you help me?"

"I'm afraid it's too late."

"Shut up. I'm serious." And by the strain of his voice, I could tell he was.

"Sure, little buddy. What's up?" I turned around to see what he wanted.

Reesa was fast asleep, head in his lap, right cheek showing - shining fluorescent green and blue under the ice bag. Damn.

"How is she?"

"She's.asleep?"

"No shit."

"I HEARD THAT!" Skye scream ringed throughout the house.

"Good!"

Soda cocked an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. "Um, okay?"

"Nevermind. How's she feeling?"

"As good as can be expected, I guess," he responded. "She was upset, but quickly got over it, deciding that Skye was being a bitch and went to sleep trying to sort out everything."

"I hate you too!" Skye screamed. We need to get some sound proof walls installed.

"That's great, Hunny. Now shut up! You're going to wake up Ponyboy."

"Too late!" he called, sounding groggy with sleep. At least he wasn't coming out. That was a good sign if any. That'd just be one more person to convince to go to sleep, and he had done that voluntarily.

I decided to ignore him and turned my attention back to Soda. "And?"

"I think you have a handful, Bro."

"You can always help."

"Nah, I'd rather stay the good guy in all this," he said cheekily. "I'd never want to be in your shoes."

"Um, good?"

"Sure."

I was SO confused.

"Are you still talking about me?!"

So much for calling it a night. "Yes, sweatheart. We have nothing better to do."

"Oh, okay.. Wait!"

"We're not talking about you, all right? SHUT UP! Let Rees and Pony sleep!"

"I'm not asleep," he called again. "Don't talk about me like I can't hear you."

"Pony, can it, 'kay?"

Reesa moved her head a little, startling Soda. "Get her off of me!" he growled through gritted teeth.

"Grow up, Sodapop. Hold on."

"Pony isn't asleep!" Skye screamed again. I sighed. Maybe if I ignored her, she'd go away. "Stop ignoring me!" Then again, maybe not.

"SKYE! SHUT. THE. HELL. UP!"

"..Okay." Thank God.

I went over to Soda and tried to pick Reesa up gently. I guess I wasn't successful, because she squirmed like she was going to wake up, and let out a slight groan. "Shhhh. Go back to sleep Reesa," I said softly. She didn't even respond. Good sign.

I headed toward her and Sky's room, but then thought twice.I wasn't about to go in there and get Skye riled up again. Instead, I took Reesa into Ponyboy's room; Ponyboy had apparently fallen asleep again. Good. He would hate Reesa sleeping on his bed, but oh-well.

I called to Soda, "Hey, Soda.come here."

He walked into the room. "Yeah?"

"Will ya move Pony over for me?"

"What'ch ya puttin her in here for? That's my spot, I want to sleep tonight."

"Well, she ain't sleepin with Skye tonight."

"Where am I goin' to sleep?" Soda asked while moving Pony over. Pony didn't wake up, he was fast asleep. I guess he was as tired as the rest of us.

"You can sleep with Skye, or on the couch. Take your sweet pick."

"I'll take the couch, Thanks."

I set Reesa down and walked out after Soda. I shut the door behind me. Thank goodness Skye wasn't talking anymore.

"G'night Soda. See ya in the mornin."

"G'night."