Chapter 6
(Skye's POV)
I woke to the sound of people yelling at each other in the front of the house. I didn't really care what was going on, I just wanted to sleep. Hate being woken up in the morning.
Someone came and kicked my door, "Get up, Skye!" It was Steve. Figures. Whatever. I didn't want to get up. Maybe if I was quiet he-
"Skye! I know your trying to ignore me. If you want I can come in there and- "
"Fine! I'm awake!" I yelled at him. That would get him to go away.
"You have five minutes to be out of that room, or I'm coming in." Darry yelled from the kitchen. He knew I could hear him, Damn. He knows to much.
I laid there, still trying to sleep when Reesa woke and started talking to Darry. The conversation caught my attention at this point.
"Darry, what happened last night? I mean, I know you went to get Pony or something and then you came back, but I never saw Pony and.what went down?"
"Do you remember anything?" Steve piped in.
"Well, I was sick and Darry left and it was late. But that's about it, other than the gory details that I will never be able to forget even though I don't want to remember that experience."
"Yeah, I'll say." He said.
"Figures. Last night, you were real sick, and then Two-Bit and Steve came over and told me that Pony got into some trouble. I had to leave to go bail him-"
"WHAT! He got Iarrested/I?"
"Well, yeah. But take it easy, it wasn't his fault. It was all a misunderstanding."
"IReally/I. I swear.he's gonna die-"
"Rees. He's had enough. Leave him alone, okay?"
"But, Darry! How are you going to make sure he doesn't do it again? Huh?"
"I don't think he'll be doing it again, or anytime soon.just leave him alone."
"How do you Iknow/I, though, Darry?"
"Rees, you've never been in the cooler, you wouldn't understand."
She started chuckling in a little off tone.
"Do you?" He asked suspiciously.
I got up out of my bed quietly, and straightened out my shirt before walking into the front room. I slid just into view as Reesa finally answered.
She was looking down, a sly smile across her face. She looked up, tilting her head to the side a little, "Well.yeah."
"When was this? I don't recall."
"It was a long time ago, no big deal. Just a simple Imisunderstanding/I is all. Anyway, if your-"
"Don't play that game with me. What did you do, and how did you get out if I don't know about it. I know it was after Mom and Dad died because you were too innocent then to land yourself in jail, and so I would have had to come pick you up - are you still sick?"
"Yeah and yeah, and the rest isn't important."
"Spit it out." Darry gave he pointed look, moving closer to her.
"Okay, okay.Which one?"
He raised his eyebrows at her, "IWhich one/I?"
"Yeah." She mimicked his expression.
He sighed, "Fine, you win. Who got you out?"
"You won't want to hear this one.but Clay was good for Ione/I thing."
"Oh. And why were you there?"
"I was in for.stuff. It was stupid, and it wasn't that big of a deal."
Darry was about to say something when Pony called out from his room. "Darry? Ah.Darry!"
"What?" He glanced over to the room, then back to Reesa.
"Darry! Save me! He's hurting me!"
"I am not." Soda laughed.
Darry looked over at me, "Go save your brother."
"But-okay."
At least I might get some straight answers from Pony, it wasn't happening with Rees. So I wandered down the hallway into Pony's room. Soda was standing over him with an empty cup in his hand laughing like a maniac. When I moved to see Pony, his face was dripping and he did not look very happy.
"So, what happened?" I asked almost laughing. Yeah, I found it quite amusing myself.
He kept cackling as he walked over to the closet and got dressed. "Eh, you know, I have to wake him up every morning and well I'm sure he gets tired of me nudging him all the time, so I try and throw in some variety here and there. I guess it worked its charm today. Huh?"
Well, okay. He was in a weird mood this morning.
"Soda, I swear if you ever do that to me-"
"Hey, would I do something like that to my favorite little sister? I mean-"
"Yeah, you would, and if you ever do-"
"Now, don't go giving me idea's, Hun." He chuckled even louder. Soda barely got his shirt on before he stopped, grabbing my shoulders while IkissingI my forehead. I flinched involuntarily, even though it was Soda. Freaky. I mean, I didn't mean to flinch. It just sort of happened.
He ran into the living room to grab his keys and was almost out the door, "See ya, Bums !"
"Love you too!" I called. Don't ask. I meant it, but it was more of a reaction than a heart felt comment.
"Huh? Oh, well the feelin ain't mutual." Steve called back from the porch.
Like I was talking to Ihim/I. I don't know why, but the guy cant stand me. Probably because I'm.associated with Pony, but I guess it's the truth; however much it annoyed me at times. He only likes Soda and Rees, and Darry cause he has to.
"What was that? I mean, I know he was in a weird mood, but you didn't have to be rude about it," Pony griped from his bed. He stood up stretching and scratching his stomach. Typical guy.
"Huh?"
Rude? About the Ikiss/I? . Did he notice that too?
I looked back to Pony. He looked a little pissed that I wasn't comprehending my mistake. "Skye, just because he was being affectionate doesn't mean that you have to blow him off and be squeamish. It's really kind of mean. You ain't gonna get any boyfriend like that."
"No, Pon-"
"I don't really care. I'm just saying."
A knot in my stomach began to form and I started to panic. If it was getting to where everything was effecting my family too. Pony thinks I'm being rude and Soda probably thinks he did something wrong. Man, if I knew it would lead to this. Oh my God this sucks.
"Skye?"
I hadn't realized that I was paling. Damn Pony. He just has to comment on everything, doesn't he?
"Skye, it's not Ithat/I bad. I'm just sayin -"
"I know." I cut him off. "Listen, I'm not going to school today. Come skip with me. 'Kay?"
"Why?"
"Because," I said. He didn't have to know everything now did he? If you must know, I'm working on avoiding a certain someone. The thought was making me sick to my stomach. "I don't want to go. You need to come with me, Pon."
"You can't get anyone else to go with you?"
"No. I don't have any time. Please?" Yeah, despite what that looked like, it didn't sound like I was pleading. If anything it sounded teasing, as if I wanted him to come along but like I was joking about it. You know? Not that I didn't, because I did. I just didn't want him to know that.. I'm confusing myself now.
"Fine, whatever. Now get out so I can get dressed."
"Dude, I came in here to save your sorry ass and now you're kicking me out? We shared a womb once, you know. It's not like I haven't seen nothin' before."
"Skye! You're sick. And for your information we didn't share a womb. we shared a pregnancy."
"Same diff. Hey listen. Just pretend like everything's all normal and then we'll slip out, 'kay?"
"Trust me, babe, nothing won't be normal. I ain't even really awake yet. That water was refreshing if anything. Now scat."
"Yeah, okay. I'll be waiting."
"I'm sure you will." He shut the door behind me.
Instead of going back to my room to get ready I went out and sat on the couch. They all left the TV on, and even though Reesa was sitting there, I think she was a little too out of it to care. She wasn't even watching to dang thing.
"Where's the clicker?" I asked her. She turned and threw it at me. Well, nice to know you are so into your show, Sis. By the way, that didn't feel like feathers on my skin either. "Do you care what I turn it to?"
"Nope."
I shrugged and went about trying to find some good early morning cartoons. What? Cartoons are good, thank you very much. They're better than Perry Mason, that's for sure. But it didn't look like anything worth watching was on, so I left it on the Disney Channel on the Mickey Mouse Club. Man, do those kids even go to real school? I think they might be made fun of mercilessly if they did. They couldn't pay me enough to go on that show.
"Skye," Darry stuck his head out from the kitchen, "go get ready."
"Why? It's not like I don't have the time to watch this."
"Because you have to leave earlier today. Two-Bit and Steve already left."
"What? Why?"
"Because?"
"But it's like.three miles to school!"
"Yeah. It is. I suggest you get goin'."
I ignored his request and continued to watch the damn show. I don't think he saw me. And I really don't care because I didn't feel like getting an earful at that point in time. What hurry was I in? Besides, we're pretending everything is normal, right?
"Skye! I said go. And get. Ready." I turned around to see if he was looking. He wasn't.
"I am."
"No, you're not. Now get off your ass and get ready. I don't have time to wait around for you, go take some initiative."
"Fine." I stormed moodily past him. I don't know why, I just did. It's just the way I am, so shut up about it.
I changed into some different clothes and threw my hair up into a ponytail. I don't have to look great, but I don't want to look like a slob either. This is me we're talking about. Anyway, I decided to take a little longer time, because Darry might get suspicious and we don't want that. I mean, if I trudge out there without any make-up on, he'll know something was up. So I took the time to put on mascara and lipstick before heading over to Pony's room.
I stuck my head in the door to find him fully dressed and asleep. Whatever. If he wasn't going to get up. well I can't leave without him now can I?
"Darry, what's for breakfast?" I walked into the kitchen were he was sitting and eating the usual.
"Um, duh?"
"Hey, be nice. Give me some." I sat down by him.
"Get your own. I'm busy."
"Doing what? Eating?" That's not being busy. That's stuffing your face, man.
"Um, yeah?"
"Hey, leave me alone. I'm not a morning person." Okay, so I am, just not today.
"Obviously. Listen. Hurry up or you'll be late.again. So, why don't you take something to eat on the way?" Again? How rude. I'm not always late. Just when I'm not there on time. Wow. It's a good thing I didn't say that out loud. Then I would've sounded stupid. Not that I don't already.hopefully.
"Because that would be smart. Go wake up Pony for me, he's asleep again."
"You want me to wake him up? You actually want to go to school and be there on time and everything?"
".No. I just want you off my back."
He nodded as if now he understood what he had just thought was completely ridiculous. You know, sometimes I'd like a little respect around here. Okay, so I get respect, just not the kind I think I deserve. which I'm not sure what that is. But either way, I should get it.
"Yeah, I'll get him and then you get out of here. Deal?"
"Fine, sure." I stood up and went to find some granola bar or apple or something to eat along the way to make him happy. If I didn't then he might blow another gasket and wallop me upside the head. Did anyone find out what a gasket was?
"Pony!" I heard him knock on the door. "Get up, Bud. You gotta walk today."
Bud?! He tells me get off my ass and he calls Pony his Bud? Where did I go wrong? Man, some people are so insensitive.
"No." Pony moaned. "Leave me alone."
"Ponyboy, get up. Now."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll drag you out by your feet and pull you along behind the truck." Now that was more like it.
"Ow."
"What?"
"That would hurt."
"I know. So get up. Or I'll send Skye in to jump on your bed until you do." Hey, that could be fun.
"Okay! I'm getting up! No need to threaten me!"
"Hey!" I called. "Talk about being rude!"
"Shut up!" Reesa called from the living room. "You're giving me a headache."
"Which is why everyone is about to leave, right?" Darry asked both me and Pony pointedly.
"I guess."
"If you're making me." We answered at the same time.
"Good. Now get out before I start yelling. Because you know, you're all making me frustrated and I don't think you want that. Do you?"
"Do you always have to end with a question?" Pony asked as he walked out of his room flattening his hair.
"Do you?"
"I don't know? Do I?"
"I think you might. Why don't you ask someone else?"
"Because I don't know who else?"
"Why not Skye?"
"Do you think she's smart enough to play along?"
"I don't know, what do you think?"
"Isn't that why I'm asking you?"
I looked back and forth between them. I didn't have any idea what they were doing. All I know was that I was just insulted and that they won't stop. Whenever someone asked a question that has my name in it, I know it's not very nice.
"For God's sake, if you don't shut up and get out of this house, I swear.!"
"'Kay, guys. Let's go," Darry said. But this time he didn't give us any choice and grabbed us both by the collar and led us out of the house.
Now how does he expect us to become independent when he does things like that?
(Reesa's POV)
I could still here them bickering at each other when they were on the porch, but at least they weren't in the house. My head seriously hurt like it would explode. Do you see why I liked to get out sometimes? Yeah, I was excited to have a few hours off. The only good thing about being sick around here.
I shut my eyes, lying my head back on the arm of the couch. That felt good, no worries now. But then the screen door opened and Darry came in.
"Better?" He asked.
"Not by much. Aren't you leaving?"
He had better be leaving. I didn't remember much from the night before, but I remember enough to know that I was sick of that scene. He was not going to stay home and 'take care' of me today. There was no way in hell.
"Well, no."
My eyes shot open, "Why not?" I made it sound like I was just curious, but really I wanted to scream. I wanted him to leave so I could relax. I couldn't keep this stupid act up for forever, even if I Iwanted/I to.
"Because, you're sick. I ain't gonna leave you alone after last night. You were.sick to say the least."
"Darry, I'm sixteen. I don't need you here, you need to go to work. In other words.Iget out/I."
"Whoa. Let me get this straight, you think you can take care of yourself?"
"Yup."
"Rees, what woulda happened last night if I had left you alone?"
"I dunno. I already told you that I don't remember much, but I'm sure I wouldn't go killing myself or anything."
"I'm not so sure. Now, I ain't leaving. End of story."
I hadn't moved from my comfortable place on the sofa at that point, but he was not going to win this one. I sat up quickly, and rolled to my feet, almost planting my face on the carpet.
"Sit down, Rees." Darry said calmly, like he actually thought I was sick. I mean, I was, but he wasn't supposed to know that. Okay, so he was so I didn't have to go to school, but that was a whole other story.
"No, Darry," I paused so I would stop swaying, but I gave up and sat down anyway. I couldn't stand without passing out Iagain/I. No, I wouldn't do that. "Happy? Now get out of my house."
"What? Your house?"
"Yeah, Imy/I house."
"Okay, but last time I checked my name was on the title and I paid the bills. So unless you know something I don't, then this is technically Imy/I house. And trust me, I ain't giving my only good investment to a sixteen year old."
"Do you think I care about technicalities?"
"Lay down."
I stood up again, time to prove a point..okay maybe not, but I would not sit down. I swayed and closed my eyes for a second. When I opened them again, Darry was a step closer to me. AHHHHH! Could he not understand Ianything/I?
"Darry. Just. Get. Out."
"Rees, you Ireally/I need to sit down."
I stumbled over to him, took him by the shoulders, repositioned him to face the door, and pushed him. He didn't go far, but I think I got my point across. "I said get out of the damn house!" I screamed. It hurt like hell to scream, I almost gagged, but pushed it back. I would not do that now, if that happened, I would never get him out of the house.
"Take it easy. I'll go, just promise that you'll call me if you need help.And sit down before you face plant."
Finally!
"Only if you leave."
"I already said I'm going, just sit down. I have to get my keys and stuff. 'Kay?"
I barely made it back to the couch to sit down before practically dying. I was glad he made me sit, as stupid as that sounds. I had to prove I was okay, but I wasn't. It was a good thing that we were at a consensus.
I actually went as far as to lay down, yeah that felt better.
"You sure?" Darry asked at the door.
"YES!.Thank you."
"Alright, see ya."
The quiet was so nice that I think I fell asleep as soon as he walked out. What? Its not like I got any the night before, okay so a few hours, but that hardly made up for the crap that went on.
`~`~``~``~`~`
The next time I woke up, a loud banging on the door was the cause. Shit! I had to get up again! I swear, people want to much out of me. I think if I realized that it was still early in the morning, I wouldn't have gotten it, but yeah, I wasn't really thinking at the time.
I pulled myself off the couch and made my way slowly to the door.
"What?" was all I asked when I opened the door. I could have cared less if it was the president of the United States, I still would've asked as much.
But then I saw who it was. IGoody/I. I was all for this. "What the Ihell/I do Iyou/I want?"
"Your pissy this morning. What you doing home anyway?"
It was Clay. My favorite person to see. Not.
"Sleeping, idiot. I'm sick. Now leave."
"Wait, wait. Where's Skye?" Miles asked from next to Clay. I hadn't even looked at him, but I did now.
"Why?"
"'Cause."
That was intellectual.
"She ain't here. I'm the only one home."
Clays eyes widened and got a wild look in them while a grin spread across his face. That's when I saw my mistake. Shit! I was gonna die, I was gonna die.die.STOP!
"Well, she ain't at school. Where'd she go?" Miles asked, not catching on.
"How would I know? I ain't her keeper." I tried to act normal. Stay cool, maybe he would let it slide if I didn't freak and Miles didn't catch on.
"You're her sister."
"So? She ain't here. Now get off my property."
"I thought Darry owned this." Clay sneered.
"He did until Iyou/I got here." I tried to shut the door, but Clay put out his hand to stop it. He wasn't a small a guy either, and between me and.me, I didn't have the strength to actually shut the thing, which is the main reason that I wanted it between us in the first place.
Okay, time for the threats. He wasn't leaving unless I made him. I tried to be cool, but I guess he didn't want to play nice. "Clay. Get out of here before I call the cops."
"You wouldn't do that to me, now would you?" he asked all sweetly. Nice try.
"You wanna bet?"
"Whatever you want, babe. But first off, we ain't gonna run cause of the fuzz, and second, you wont make it to a phone to call them if I have anything to do with it."
My heart started thumping in my ears, and I could feel my skin turning clammy again. Shit, not this. Not today. Maybe I shoulda had Darry stay. I could call him, but no, I couldn't go for the phone, Clay was serious. He had that.look in his eyes. He was high.
And that meant.
"Hey, Clay." I said in a seductive voice, then I motioned towards Miles, giving Clay a 'Not while he's around' look.
He looked over at Miles, like 'Who cares?'
"Clay. No."
"Miles, scat." Clay said to him.
"No! Your helping me find Skye! Jerk."
Wow, the kid had guts. Clay was almost like Dally in the sense that you didn't talk back to either of them.
"In the truck, Miles. We'll find her later."
At this point, Clay was distracted and dropped his hands to motion Miles to get outta there. I seized the opportunity to slam the door shut, lock it quickly and run back to Darry's room.
Once I was back there, I shut the door, and sat shaking on the bed. I reached over to the phone. I had to get someone there before Clay broke a window to get in or something. He got mad if you blew him off.especially if you were successful. So maybe the plan wasn't the best, but I couldn't think of anything else at the time. I was out of practice.
So, I dialed the first number that came to my mind. Darry's work. And I knew he wouldn't question anything if I told him to come home Ifast/I.
A person on the other line picked up, "Hello?"
"Yeah, Can I talk to Darrel Curtis?" I tried to keep my voice from quivering.
"Sure. Hold on a second." I could hear them put the phone down and call for Darry. He answered, "What?"
They told him it was the phone and he said he would be there in a sec.
A few seconds later he was on the line. But by that time, Clay was pounding on the door, yelling furiously. It wouldn't be long before he resorted to the window. I just hoped that the drugs bought me some time.
"Yeah?"
"D-Darry?"
"What? You want me to come home?"
Yeah, I could tell he felt pretty smug over himself.
"Please. And hurry." My voice was shaky, and he noticed, but oh-well.
"Take it easy. I'll be there in a minute."
"Faster."
"Okay."
Then he hung up the phone. I curled up on his bed, shaking like I had every night the year before. I figured this was the safest place to be since it was in the back of the house and the window was too small for Clay or Miles to fit through, I think.
The pounding grew louder and I could hear strains of cusses coming out of Clay's mouth. Good old Clay, back to save the day!
After that things turned into a blur, kinda. I think Clay finally gave up, but I would pay later I was sure of it. If there was a later.
I heard the door open and my heart jumped in my throat momentarily. It settled back into its rightful place when I heard Darry's voice.
"Rees? Where are you?"
My nerves were so shot, I couldn't even answer, but a flood of relief hit me when I heard his voice.
The dark room was filled with light when he finally came into his own room, which I was sure was a place in which he had never thought to check for me before.
"Rees?" He asked, sitting next to me. He rubbed my back as I tried to drain the fear from my veins. "You okay, babe? I just thought that you were."
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, my voice still quivering a little, "Just don't leave."
"Well, I didn't want to leave in the first place, but.I won't leave again, okay? You sure your alright? I mean I just thought you were sick but."
"Darry, he came over."
"Who?"
"The bastard of all bastards, you know -"
"Clay?"
I nodded my head unable to say yes.
"But why? Was he going to.?"
I didn't answer, didn't have the heart to. I couldn't tell him that Clay had been looking for Skye, but I couldn't tell him that that was the reason he came in the first place, so I didn't have the answer to tell the truth.
"Rees? He didn't.do it again did he?"
"Do what, Darry? He did a lot of things to me."
"Rees, you know what I mean."
"No, I don't. Darry a lot of things happened then. Half of them I don't really even remember, but I know they happened."
"Like what? I thought that he."
"I don't know what, Darry. Now what do you think he did again?"
The light was still off, and so Darry wouldn't be able to tell much. His room had a tiny window, but nothing enough to actually put much light in there and he always liked to have the curtains drawn anyway, so it was basically pitch black back there.
"Did he.did he try to. to rape you?" he asked quietly and timidly. Everyone tried not to bring it up. Sure it was a few years ago or something, but it was still a touchy subject in the house. The guys took it almost as hard as I did.
"He sure wanted it." My voice shook in fear. What if I hadn't been able to out smart him this time? Oh, god I hated him. Hate, strong, yet appropriate.
"I'm sorry, Rees. I thought we were done with that. I would have."
"Its not your fault, Darry. I made you leave and you didn't know.no one did."
"Are you okay, then?"
"Yeah. Fine, just a little freaked.
"I know."
And lucky for me he didn't ask any other questions, and even better, he didn't leave my side for.until I fell asleep again.
(Skye's POV)
I woke to the sound of people yelling at each other in the front of the house. I didn't really care what was going on, I just wanted to sleep. Hate being woken up in the morning.
Someone came and kicked my door, "Get up, Skye!" It was Steve. Figures. Whatever. I didn't want to get up. Maybe if I was quiet he-
"Skye! I know your trying to ignore me. If you want I can come in there and- "
"Fine! I'm awake!" I yelled at him. That would get him to go away.
"You have five minutes to be out of that room, or I'm coming in." Darry yelled from the kitchen. He knew I could hear him, Damn. He knows to much.
I laid there, still trying to sleep when Reesa woke and started talking to Darry. The conversation caught my attention at this point.
"Darry, what happened last night? I mean, I know you went to get Pony or something and then you came back, but I never saw Pony and.what went down?"
"Do you remember anything?" Steve piped in.
"Well, I was sick and Darry left and it was late. But that's about it, other than the gory details that I will never be able to forget even though I don't want to remember that experience."
"Yeah, I'll say." He said.
"Figures. Last night, you were real sick, and then Two-Bit and Steve came over and told me that Pony got into some trouble. I had to leave to go bail him-"
"WHAT! He got Iarrested/I?"
"Well, yeah. But take it easy, it wasn't his fault. It was all a misunderstanding."
"IReally/I. I swear.he's gonna die-"
"Rees. He's had enough. Leave him alone, okay?"
"But, Darry! How are you going to make sure he doesn't do it again? Huh?"
"I don't think he'll be doing it again, or anytime soon.just leave him alone."
"How do you Iknow/I, though, Darry?"
"Rees, you've never been in the cooler, you wouldn't understand."
She started chuckling in a little off tone.
"Do you?" He asked suspiciously.
I got up out of my bed quietly, and straightened out my shirt before walking into the front room. I slid just into view as Reesa finally answered.
She was looking down, a sly smile across her face. She looked up, tilting her head to the side a little, "Well.yeah."
"When was this? I don't recall."
"It was a long time ago, no big deal. Just a simple Imisunderstanding/I is all. Anyway, if your-"
"Don't play that game with me. What did you do, and how did you get out if I don't know about it. I know it was after Mom and Dad died because you were too innocent then to land yourself in jail, and so I would have had to come pick you up - are you still sick?"
"Yeah and yeah, and the rest isn't important."
"Spit it out." Darry gave he pointed look, moving closer to her.
"Okay, okay.Which one?"
He raised his eyebrows at her, "IWhich one/I?"
"Yeah." She mimicked his expression.
He sighed, "Fine, you win. Who got you out?"
"You won't want to hear this one.but Clay was good for Ione/I thing."
"Oh. And why were you there?"
"I was in for.stuff. It was stupid, and it wasn't that big of a deal."
Darry was about to say something when Pony called out from his room. "Darry? Ah.Darry!"
"What?" He glanced over to the room, then back to Reesa.
"Darry! Save me! He's hurting me!"
"I am not." Soda laughed.
Darry looked over at me, "Go save your brother."
"But-okay."
At least I might get some straight answers from Pony, it wasn't happening with Rees. So I wandered down the hallway into Pony's room. Soda was standing over him with an empty cup in his hand laughing like a maniac. When I moved to see Pony, his face was dripping and he did not look very happy.
"So, what happened?" I asked almost laughing. Yeah, I found it quite amusing myself.
He kept cackling as he walked over to the closet and got dressed. "Eh, you know, I have to wake him up every morning and well I'm sure he gets tired of me nudging him all the time, so I try and throw in some variety here and there. I guess it worked its charm today. Huh?"
Well, okay. He was in a weird mood this morning.
"Soda, I swear if you ever do that to me-"
"Hey, would I do something like that to my favorite little sister? I mean-"
"Yeah, you would, and if you ever do-"
"Now, don't go giving me idea's, Hun." He chuckled even louder. Soda barely got his shirt on before he stopped, grabbing my shoulders while IkissingI my forehead. I flinched involuntarily, even though it was Soda. Freaky. I mean, I didn't mean to flinch. It just sort of happened.
He ran into the living room to grab his keys and was almost out the door, "See ya, Bums !"
"Love you too!" I called. Don't ask. I meant it, but it was more of a reaction than a heart felt comment.
"Huh? Oh, well the feelin ain't mutual." Steve called back from the porch.
Like I was talking to Ihim/I. I don't know why, but the guy cant stand me. Probably because I'm.associated with Pony, but I guess it's the truth; however much it annoyed me at times. He only likes Soda and Rees, and Darry cause he has to.
"What was that? I mean, I know he was in a weird mood, but you didn't have to be rude about it," Pony griped from his bed. He stood up stretching and scratching his stomach. Typical guy.
"Huh?"
Rude? About the Ikiss/I? . Did he notice that too?
I looked back to Pony. He looked a little pissed that I wasn't comprehending my mistake. "Skye, just because he was being affectionate doesn't mean that you have to blow him off and be squeamish. It's really kind of mean. You ain't gonna get any boyfriend like that."
"No, Pon-"
"I don't really care. I'm just saying."
A knot in my stomach began to form and I started to panic. If it was getting to where everything was effecting my family too. Pony thinks I'm being rude and Soda probably thinks he did something wrong. Man, if I knew it would lead to this. Oh my God this sucks.
"Skye?"
I hadn't realized that I was paling. Damn Pony. He just has to comment on everything, doesn't he?
"Skye, it's not Ithat/I bad. I'm just sayin -"
"I know." I cut him off. "Listen, I'm not going to school today. Come skip with me. 'Kay?"
"Why?"
"Because," I said. He didn't have to know everything now did he? If you must know, I'm working on avoiding a certain someone. The thought was making me sick to my stomach. "I don't want to go. You need to come with me, Pon."
"You can't get anyone else to go with you?"
"No. I don't have any time. Please?" Yeah, despite what that looked like, it didn't sound like I was pleading. If anything it sounded teasing, as if I wanted him to come along but like I was joking about it. You know? Not that I didn't, because I did. I just didn't want him to know that.. I'm confusing myself now.
"Fine, whatever. Now get out so I can get dressed."
"Dude, I came in here to save your sorry ass and now you're kicking me out? We shared a womb once, you know. It's not like I haven't seen nothin' before."
"Skye! You're sick. And for your information we didn't share a womb. we shared a pregnancy."
"Same diff. Hey listen. Just pretend like everything's all normal and then we'll slip out, 'kay?"
"Trust me, babe, nothing won't be normal. I ain't even really awake yet. That water was refreshing if anything. Now scat."
"Yeah, okay. I'll be waiting."
"I'm sure you will." He shut the door behind me.
Instead of going back to my room to get ready I went out and sat on the couch. They all left the TV on, and even though Reesa was sitting there, I think she was a little too out of it to care. She wasn't even watching to dang thing.
"Where's the clicker?" I asked her. She turned and threw it at me. Well, nice to know you are so into your show, Sis. By the way, that didn't feel like feathers on my skin either. "Do you care what I turn it to?"
"Nope."
I shrugged and went about trying to find some good early morning cartoons. What? Cartoons are good, thank you very much. They're better than Perry Mason, that's for sure. But it didn't look like anything worth watching was on, so I left it on the Disney Channel on the Mickey Mouse Club. Man, do those kids even go to real school? I think they might be made fun of mercilessly if they did. They couldn't pay me enough to go on that show.
"Skye," Darry stuck his head out from the kitchen, "go get ready."
"Why? It's not like I don't have the time to watch this."
"Because you have to leave earlier today. Two-Bit and Steve already left."
"What? Why?"
"Because?"
"But it's like.three miles to school!"
"Yeah. It is. I suggest you get goin'."
I ignored his request and continued to watch the damn show. I don't think he saw me. And I really don't care because I didn't feel like getting an earful at that point in time. What hurry was I in? Besides, we're pretending everything is normal, right?
"Skye! I said go. And get. Ready." I turned around to see if he was looking. He wasn't.
"I am."
"No, you're not. Now get off your ass and get ready. I don't have time to wait around for you, go take some initiative."
"Fine." I stormed moodily past him. I don't know why, I just did. It's just the way I am, so shut up about it.
I changed into some different clothes and threw my hair up into a ponytail. I don't have to look great, but I don't want to look like a slob either. This is me we're talking about. Anyway, I decided to take a little longer time, because Darry might get suspicious and we don't want that. I mean, if I trudge out there without any make-up on, he'll know something was up. So I took the time to put on mascara and lipstick before heading over to Pony's room.
I stuck my head in the door to find him fully dressed and asleep. Whatever. If he wasn't going to get up. well I can't leave without him now can I?
"Darry, what's for breakfast?" I walked into the kitchen were he was sitting and eating the usual.
"Um, duh?"
"Hey, be nice. Give me some." I sat down by him.
"Get your own. I'm busy."
"Doing what? Eating?" That's not being busy. That's stuffing your face, man.
"Um, yeah?"
"Hey, leave me alone. I'm not a morning person." Okay, so I am, just not today.
"Obviously. Listen. Hurry up or you'll be late.again. So, why don't you take something to eat on the way?" Again? How rude. I'm not always late. Just when I'm not there on time. Wow. It's a good thing I didn't say that out loud. Then I would've sounded stupid. Not that I don't already.hopefully.
"Because that would be smart. Go wake up Pony for me, he's asleep again."
"You want me to wake him up? You actually want to go to school and be there on time and everything?"
".No. I just want you off my back."
He nodded as if now he understood what he had just thought was completely ridiculous. You know, sometimes I'd like a little respect around here. Okay, so I get respect, just not the kind I think I deserve. which I'm not sure what that is. But either way, I should get it.
"Yeah, I'll get him and then you get out of here. Deal?"
"Fine, sure." I stood up and went to find some granola bar or apple or something to eat along the way to make him happy. If I didn't then he might blow another gasket and wallop me upside the head. Did anyone find out what a gasket was?
"Pony!" I heard him knock on the door. "Get up, Bud. You gotta walk today."
Bud?! He tells me get off my ass and he calls Pony his Bud? Where did I go wrong? Man, some people are so insensitive.
"No." Pony moaned. "Leave me alone."
"Ponyboy, get up. Now."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll drag you out by your feet and pull you along behind the truck." Now that was more like it.
"Ow."
"What?"
"That would hurt."
"I know. So get up. Or I'll send Skye in to jump on your bed until you do." Hey, that could be fun.
"Okay! I'm getting up! No need to threaten me!"
"Hey!" I called. "Talk about being rude!"
"Shut up!" Reesa called from the living room. "You're giving me a headache."
"Which is why everyone is about to leave, right?" Darry asked both me and Pony pointedly.
"I guess."
"If you're making me." We answered at the same time.
"Good. Now get out before I start yelling. Because you know, you're all making me frustrated and I don't think you want that. Do you?"
"Do you always have to end with a question?" Pony asked as he walked out of his room flattening his hair.
"Do you?"
"I don't know? Do I?"
"I think you might. Why don't you ask someone else?"
"Because I don't know who else?"
"Why not Skye?"
"Do you think she's smart enough to play along?"
"I don't know, what do you think?"
"Isn't that why I'm asking you?"
I looked back and forth between them. I didn't have any idea what they were doing. All I know was that I was just insulted and that they won't stop. Whenever someone asked a question that has my name in it, I know it's not very nice.
"For God's sake, if you don't shut up and get out of this house, I swear.!"
"'Kay, guys. Let's go," Darry said. But this time he didn't give us any choice and grabbed us both by the collar and led us out of the house.
Now how does he expect us to become independent when he does things like that?
(Reesa's POV)
I could still here them bickering at each other when they were on the porch, but at least they weren't in the house. My head seriously hurt like it would explode. Do you see why I liked to get out sometimes? Yeah, I was excited to have a few hours off. The only good thing about being sick around here.
I shut my eyes, lying my head back on the arm of the couch. That felt good, no worries now. But then the screen door opened and Darry came in.
"Better?" He asked.
"Not by much. Aren't you leaving?"
He had better be leaving. I didn't remember much from the night before, but I remember enough to know that I was sick of that scene. He was not going to stay home and 'take care' of me today. There was no way in hell.
"Well, no."
My eyes shot open, "Why not?" I made it sound like I was just curious, but really I wanted to scream. I wanted him to leave so I could relax. I couldn't keep this stupid act up for forever, even if I Iwanted/I to.
"Because, you're sick. I ain't gonna leave you alone after last night. You were.sick to say the least."
"Darry, I'm sixteen. I don't need you here, you need to go to work. In other words.Iget out/I."
"Whoa. Let me get this straight, you think you can take care of yourself?"
"Yup."
"Rees, what woulda happened last night if I had left you alone?"
"I dunno. I already told you that I don't remember much, but I'm sure I wouldn't go killing myself or anything."
"I'm not so sure. Now, I ain't leaving. End of story."
I hadn't moved from my comfortable place on the sofa at that point, but he was not going to win this one. I sat up quickly, and rolled to my feet, almost planting my face on the carpet.
"Sit down, Rees." Darry said calmly, like he actually thought I was sick. I mean, I was, but he wasn't supposed to know that. Okay, so he was so I didn't have to go to school, but that was a whole other story.
"No, Darry," I paused so I would stop swaying, but I gave up and sat down anyway. I couldn't stand without passing out Iagain/I. No, I wouldn't do that. "Happy? Now get out of my house."
"What? Your house?"
"Yeah, Imy/I house."
"Okay, but last time I checked my name was on the title and I paid the bills. So unless you know something I don't, then this is technically Imy/I house. And trust me, I ain't giving my only good investment to a sixteen year old."
"Do you think I care about technicalities?"
"Lay down."
I stood up again, time to prove a point..okay maybe not, but I would not sit down. I swayed and closed my eyes for a second. When I opened them again, Darry was a step closer to me. AHHHHH! Could he not understand Ianything/I?
"Darry. Just. Get. Out."
"Rees, you Ireally/I need to sit down."
I stumbled over to him, took him by the shoulders, repositioned him to face the door, and pushed him. He didn't go far, but I think I got my point across. "I said get out of the damn house!" I screamed. It hurt like hell to scream, I almost gagged, but pushed it back. I would not do that now, if that happened, I would never get him out of the house.
"Take it easy. I'll go, just promise that you'll call me if you need help.And sit down before you face plant."
Finally!
"Only if you leave."
"I already said I'm going, just sit down. I have to get my keys and stuff. 'Kay?"
I barely made it back to the couch to sit down before practically dying. I was glad he made me sit, as stupid as that sounds. I had to prove I was okay, but I wasn't. It was a good thing that we were at a consensus.
I actually went as far as to lay down, yeah that felt better.
"You sure?" Darry asked at the door.
"YES!.Thank you."
"Alright, see ya."
The quiet was so nice that I think I fell asleep as soon as he walked out. What? Its not like I got any the night before, okay so a few hours, but that hardly made up for the crap that went on.
`~`~``~``~`~`
The next time I woke up, a loud banging on the door was the cause. Shit! I had to get up again! I swear, people want to much out of me. I think if I realized that it was still early in the morning, I wouldn't have gotten it, but yeah, I wasn't really thinking at the time.
I pulled myself off the couch and made my way slowly to the door.
"What?" was all I asked when I opened the door. I could have cared less if it was the president of the United States, I still would've asked as much.
But then I saw who it was. IGoody/I. I was all for this. "What the Ihell/I do Iyou/I want?"
"Your pissy this morning. What you doing home anyway?"
It was Clay. My favorite person to see. Not.
"Sleeping, idiot. I'm sick. Now leave."
"Wait, wait. Where's Skye?" Miles asked from next to Clay. I hadn't even looked at him, but I did now.
"Why?"
"'Cause."
That was intellectual.
"She ain't here. I'm the only one home."
Clays eyes widened and got a wild look in them while a grin spread across his face. That's when I saw my mistake. Shit! I was gonna die, I was gonna die.die.STOP!
"Well, she ain't at school. Where'd she go?" Miles asked, not catching on.
"How would I know? I ain't her keeper." I tried to act normal. Stay cool, maybe he would let it slide if I didn't freak and Miles didn't catch on.
"You're her sister."
"So? She ain't here. Now get off my property."
"I thought Darry owned this." Clay sneered.
"He did until Iyou/I got here." I tried to shut the door, but Clay put out his hand to stop it. He wasn't a small a guy either, and between me and.me, I didn't have the strength to actually shut the thing, which is the main reason that I wanted it between us in the first place.
Okay, time for the threats. He wasn't leaving unless I made him. I tried to be cool, but I guess he didn't want to play nice. "Clay. Get out of here before I call the cops."
"You wouldn't do that to me, now would you?" he asked all sweetly. Nice try.
"You wanna bet?"
"Whatever you want, babe. But first off, we ain't gonna run cause of the fuzz, and second, you wont make it to a phone to call them if I have anything to do with it."
My heart started thumping in my ears, and I could feel my skin turning clammy again. Shit, not this. Not today. Maybe I shoulda had Darry stay. I could call him, but no, I couldn't go for the phone, Clay was serious. He had that.look in his eyes. He was high.
And that meant.
"Hey, Clay." I said in a seductive voice, then I motioned towards Miles, giving Clay a 'Not while he's around' look.
He looked over at Miles, like 'Who cares?'
"Clay. No."
"Miles, scat." Clay said to him.
"No! Your helping me find Skye! Jerk."
Wow, the kid had guts. Clay was almost like Dally in the sense that you didn't talk back to either of them.
"In the truck, Miles. We'll find her later."
At this point, Clay was distracted and dropped his hands to motion Miles to get outta there. I seized the opportunity to slam the door shut, lock it quickly and run back to Darry's room.
Once I was back there, I shut the door, and sat shaking on the bed. I reached over to the phone. I had to get someone there before Clay broke a window to get in or something. He got mad if you blew him off.especially if you were successful. So maybe the plan wasn't the best, but I couldn't think of anything else at the time. I was out of practice.
So, I dialed the first number that came to my mind. Darry's work. And I knew he wouldn't question anything if I told him to come home Ifast/I.
A person on the other line picked up, "Hello?"
"Yeah, Can I talk to Darrel Curtis?" I tried to keep my voice from quivering.
"Sure. Hold on a second." I could hear them put the phone down and call for Darry. He answered, "What?"
They told him it was the phone and he said he would be there in a sec.
A few seconds later he was on the line. But by that time, Clay was pounding on the door, yelling furiously. It wouldn't be long before he resorted to the window. I just hoped that the drugs bought me some time.
"Yeah?"
"D-Darry?"
"What? You want me to come home?"
Yeah, I could tell he felt pretty smug over himself.
"Please. And hurry." My voice was shaky, and he noticed, but oh-well.
"Take it easy. I'll be there in a minute."
"Faster."
"Okay."
Then he hung up the phone. I curled up on his bed, shaking like I had every night the year before. I figured this was the safest place to be since it was in the back of the house and the window was too small for Clay or Miles to fit through, I think.
The pounding grew louder and I could hear strains of cusses coming out of Clay's mouth. Good old Clay, back to save the day!
After that things turned into a blur, kinda. I think Clay finally gave up, but I would pay later I was sure of it. If there was a later.
I heard the door open and my heart jumped in my throat momentarily. It settled back into its rightful place when I heard Darry's voice.
"Rees? Where are you?"
My nerves were so shot, I couldn't even answer, but a flood of relief hit me when I heard his voice.
The dark room was filled with light when he finally came into his own room, which I was sure was a place in which he had never thought to check for me before.
"Rees?" He asked, sitting next to me. He rubbed my back as I tried to drain the fear from my veins. "You okay, babe? I just thought that you were."
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, my voice still quivering a little, "Just don't leave."
"Well, I didn't want to leave in the first place, but.I won't leave again, okay? You sure your alright? I mean I just thought you were sick but."
"Darry, he came over."
"Who?"
"The bastard of all bastards, you know -"
"Clay?"
I nodded my head unable to say yes.
"But why? Was he going to.?"
I didn't answer, didn't have the heart to. I couldn't tell him that Clay had been looking for Skye, but I couldn't tell him that that was the reason he came in the first place, so I didn't have the answer to tell the truth.
"Rees? He didn't.do it again did he?"
"Do what, Darry? He did a lot of things to me."
"Rees, you know what I mean."
"No, I don't. Darry a lot of things happened then. Half of them I don't really even remember, but I know they happened."
"Like what? I thought that he."
"I don't know what, Darry. Now what do you think he did again?"
The light was still off, and so Darry wouldn't be able to tell much. His room had a tiny window, but nothing enough to actually put much light in there and he always liked to have the curtains drawn anyway, so it was basically pitch black back there.
"Did he.did he try to. to rape you?" he asked quietly and timidly. Everyone tried not to bring it up. Sure it was a few years ago or something, but it was still a touchy subject in the house. The guys took it almost as hard as I did.
"He sure wanted it." My voice shook in fear. What if I hadn't been able to out smart him this time? Oh, god I hated him. Hate, strong, yet appropriate.
"I'm sorry, Rees. I thought we were done with that. I would have."
"Its not your fault, Darry. I made you leave and you didn't know.no one did."
"Are you okay, then?"
"Yeah. Fine, just a little freaked.
"I know."
And lucky for me he didn't ask any other questions, and even better, he didn't leave my side for.until I fell asleep again.