Wow. This has taken me awhile to get up. Sorry bout that. I swear that I
havn't had ANY time AT ALL! Okay, if this ranked above a boy friend or
money, or a future, then I would have time, but it doesn't.sorry y'all.
Anyway.here goes.
Oh, also, I just decided to put up two chapters this time around, I wont have much time next weekend I don't think, so I'll put up two for you guys.although you might end up hating me for it. Haha.
Two-BitGortez: Wow, I'd call that dedication or something. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I know how annoying it can be to do things at the library with a time limit and all that fun crap.anyway, thanks! Here goes another chapter.
Tensleep: Sweet! You're hooked? I am too.but that's a bit of a biased opinion, ya think? Well, sorry it took me sooo long, school is a never ending uphill battle that only becomes more tretorous with time. Anyway, here you go for the next one. In a few chapters you will know if you were right or not, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Thank you soooo much for giving me your speculation, it really helped me know where I'm at on this, in terms of if people understanding what the hell is going on.ya know? Well, thanks, and here you go!
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Chapter 11 (Skye's POV)
The floor of the DX had to be about the worst place to take a nap. I wasn't asleep for very long when I woke up for good. I had been in and out of it for a couple of hours, but not getting any of what you could actually call sleep. I stretched a little and slowly stood up.
Soda wasn't back there anymore and the radio had been turned off. I took the opportunity to walk over to the drinks and got myself a Coke. Then I went back behind the counter and sat on the stool, turned on the radio and relaxed again. I reached over to the other side of the counter, found a Snickers, and helped myself to it. I sat propped on my elbows, leaning forward.
A few minutes later a customer walked in. He went over to the soda fountain and filled up a cup then came over to me at the counter and set the drink down.
"And Camel filters." He motioned to his drink and the cigarette cabinet behind me, and went after his wallet in his back pocket.
"What? Oh, I can't get that for you. I don't work here." I held up my hands.
"Er.then who does?" He looked around the place and saw no one else.
"A lot of people. but I don't know where they are. Let me see if I can find my brother for ya." I jumped off the stool and went around the counter and looked out the door. I knew the guy was giving me a funny look, but I didn't care. I was comfortable. "Sodapop! You have a customer!" He looked up from the car that Bud was working on. "C'mon and take some initiative why don'tcha?"
He ran over and came in. "Me take initiative? You're the one sleeping when you could be at school." He ran behind the counter. "Sorry about that, sir."
"It's all right. I'd like some Camel Filters, too." He pulled out a five and put it on the counter.
"All right." Soda went to get him a pack and then rung him up. When all was said and done the man left and only Soda and I were there to keep each other company.
"So." I said, trying to think of something to say.
"Right. Why don't you go home and sleep? I'm sure it'd be more comfortable." He threw away my empty Snickers wrapper and handed me my Coke.
I took it from him. "Nah, I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"I don't wanna walk."
"Wow. Talk about lazy."
"Yeah, I know. Besides that, I don't wanna get Darry all mad or anything." If he didn't know I was out of school, then he might think that I never came back and then he'd be more up to trusting me to know when I don't want to go to school because I'm sick. And like Soda said, I'm too lazy.
"Oh, well, I already called him a while ago and he knows that you're coming home some time." There goes any plan I had.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Um. because I thought he might like to know to watch for you if you never show up?" He gave me an incredulous look. "Why else?"
"Did you tell him that I left already?"
"No, but he said to send you home and then call him when you left." He sounded like he was getting annoyed at me and Soda's no fun to be around when he's annoyed with you.
"Fine, whatever." I picked up my backpack and headed to the door.
"Bye, Skye."
"Yup."
I didn't feel much like saying anything else to him so I walked home. It wasn't that far of a walk, I suppose. But all the same I never liked walking home even though I did it almost everyday after school. It was several miserable, fidgety, jumpy blocks but I finally made him home, and in one piece. What a bonus.
I pushed the door open and found myself the rarely quiet living room. It was sort of unnerving with it as quiet as it was. Was anyone even home? Soda did say that Darry would be here, didn't he? Well, not those exact words, but still.
"Darry? Are you here?" I called as I dropped my backpack in the middle of the floor and went to the kitchen.
"Yeah. I'm in my room."
"That's nice." I dropped my empty Coke bottle on the table and went back out and into Pony's room.
"Hey, Ponyboy." I jumped on his bed and sat Indian style at the foot. "What's up?"
"Nothing." He rolled over from his side to his back. "What do you want?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you home?"
I shrugged. "I feel like it."
"And that would mean.?" Man, what kind of drugs do they have him on?
"That I got bored of school and I came home." He didn't look like he believed me, for some odd reason, but excepted it anyway.
"So, you came in here to bore Ime/I?" I give up. No one wants anything to do with me today. except Miles, but that's a different matter. Do you realize how much that sucks? A lot.
"No. I came in here to. Never mind." I rolled off the bed and left the room. He was no fun. Hell, no one was.
"Skye?" Darry called from his room.
"What?"
He walked out of his room and shut the door behind him. "Soda tells me you're sick. What's up?"
"Oh, nothing really. My stomach hurts and I kinda have a headache." I shrugged. "And I'm sort of tired so."
"You came home because of a upset stomach and a headache? Shoot, what'd you do that for?" Oh my God! Why all the hounding?
"Because! I couldn't concentrate and I feel sick." I put it in short simple terms for him. He's Darry, he shouldn't have to have anyone spell things out for him. Especially me. I hate that kind of stuff. It drives me insane. I admit that I had other reasons to leave, but if I tell him part of it, he shouldn't need the rest of it all.
"Did you get kicked out of class again?" He crossed his arms and gave me the look.
"Why do you always ask that? Of course not! You said Soda explained it all to ya."
"Man, you're snappy. Go take a nap and get over it." He tried not to laugh as he walked past me and over to Pony's room.
"No!" I yelled. Well, okay maybe that sounded childish, but shoot, he can't tell me what to do.. Maybe I do need another nap.
I kicked my door open and headed over to my bed. I was going to lay down anyway, so he better not go thinking I'm doing it because he told me to, because I ain't. I shoved a bunch of clothes and other stuff off my bed and laid down. It felt good to be in my bed. I sort of missed it. I know I only missed one night of sleeping in it, but hell, sleeping on the floor twice in twenty-four hours can make you sore.
I sunk deeper into my covers and fell asleep faster than I had anticipated.
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(Reesa's POV)
I walked through the halls to my next class, thinking how badly I just wanted to go home. I was completely exhausted and bed sounded so nice. But I held back, knowing that I should go to the last three classes of the day. I could make it fine, then go home and sleep and have the weekend to make up all my work. I was sure that I would have some huge thing to do for English. Mr. Thorpe hated our family and always went out of his way to yell at us and give us extra homework when we missed his class. He never thought it was legit. Idiot, little did he know. It didn't matter if Darry came in either because he hated him all the same.
I felt my shoulder bump against something an turned to see who it was I had hit. Bad idea. There was Clay, with Miles of course.
"Hey, watch it, Rees. I don't like it when people don't look where they're goin'." Clay said.
"Well, I guess that sucks for you." I kept walking.
He came up and stood in front of me so I couldn't move past him and had to stop.
"What are you doing? I don't like it when people block my way." I said.
"Well, I guess that sucks for you." He replied laughing.
"Seriously, I have to get to class, scum bag."
"Ohhh, that one hurt." Sarcasm rang in his voice.
I side stepped him, faked him out going the other way when he moved and started calmly making my way down the hall. I figured he wouldn't come over and try it again since I had already embarrassed him with that tactic. But to my surprise, he didn't just leave, instead he called out to me, "So how's your brother?"
"What are you talking about? And I have three brothers, dick face." I stopped and turned to look down the hallway at him. I was probably fifteen or so feet away.
"Your.you know, the scrawny brother of yours, the small one? How's he doing?"
"My younger brother? Ponyboy?"
"If that's his name then, yeah."
"How do you know about him?"
"Well, wait.Skye didn't tell you?"
"What? She didn't - you did that to him, didn't you!" I screamed the last part menacingly.
"Huh? Did what?"
"Don't play the dumb ass here, Clay. You beat him to a pulp. Why?"
"He was in our way, it was his fault. If he had backed off I would'a let him go."
"I'm sure." I was so pissed then. My voice was steal and I was ready to attack him, he deserved to get it for that one. Pony didn't ask for nothing, and Clay wasn't going to lie to my face about it. But I held myself back, every fiber of my being restraining itself with much difficulty. I knew I couldn't fight him, not that day. I was too tired and weak and.mad to do any good. If anything it would just up the bill on our hospital tab.
Besides that it scared me that Clay had been in involved in the whole thing with Pony and Skye. I knew that something more had gone on with that because Skye had been so upset. She wouldn't blame herself or freak that bad if it hadn't had something to do with her, and now Clay had something to do with that which meant he had something to do with Skye and.Miles wasn't like Clay, was he? I mean, there had always been a chance, but nothing I had ever seen Miles do pointed in that direction. But maybe.No! No, I was out of my mind, I had to be. Skye would be acting different or would have said something. She's older than I was and smarter.
"I thought you didn't want to be late for class, Reesa." Clay reminded me. Good, an excuse to leave.
I turned to walk away, then turned back, biting my tongue. No, I wasn't going to do that. I turned back around and walked down the hall swiftly. I made my way to the nearest exit to go home. The whole time I could just see the smirk I knew Clay would have on his ugly dick of a face. He was laughing under his breathe, proud to have beat me once again at a mind game, or so he thought.
All the way home I felt horrible. I kept walking, but felt like I would pass out any second. I had eaten part of a Pop Tart that morning, but it had made me sick and I had thrown it all up during second. I knew I needed food, but I figured that eating wasn't going to help much. It does for about twenty minutes but then I feel sick until I throw it up and loose anything and everything that once was in my stomach.
Amazingly, I made it home, and plopped onto the couch the second I got in. Darry had been in Pony's room but came out a few seconds after I had sunk into the cushions.
"You okay, Rees? What are you doing home?" he asked, looking at me from across the room.
"I couldn't stay much longer, too sick. I'm going to bed." I said, getting up and walking into my room. Darry's gaze followed me, but he seemed fine with me coming home, if anything he was worried. I didn't like to go home from school early, and I wouldn't have if I wasn't so pissed and confused and felling so crappy all at once.
"Hey, did you eat anything today?" Darry finally asked as I was about to shut the door behind me.
"Yeah, I tried at least. But it didn't work out to well." I shut the door and went over to my bed, laying my head down. I looked over to see Skye laying on her bed, asleep. She didn't look all that sick, but she did look worse than she had in the morning. I would get some sleep before I dug into her, that way I would have the strength to actually get some real answers out of her.hopefully.
I fell asleep thinking on the whole thing with Skye. Had I missed any.signs? Has she tried to let on, or was she hiding it? Did she not say cause she's in trouble or did Clay or Miles threaten her? Is it just some weird thing and I'm taking it the wrong way? Should I be worried? Thoughts like those buzzed through my head never letting up until I fell asleep.
I woke up about an hour later. Skye was still asleep, but I was ready to talk, so I went and sat on her bed, shaking her shoulder.
"Skye, I gotta talk to you. Wake up."
She rolled over, her eyes slightly open. When she saw me she groaned, and started to turn back.
"No, really. Sit up, I'll go over on my bed and we can talk." She didn't move, "Or I can kick you ass, Ithen/I we can talk. Take your pick."
She rolled over and pulled herself up so that her back was against the wall. I walked back over to my bed and got comfortable.
"Skye, why didn't you tell us who it was?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play that game. Why didn't you tell us who beat up Pony?"
"Huh? Cause I don't know."
"Yes, you do! I know that you do, and you should tell Darry. If you don't, I will, but I want to know why you didn't in the first place."
"Leave me alone, Rees."
"No! Your pathetic. Why not just tell me? I'll leave you alone then."
"I already told you. I don't remember."
"Your so pathetic!"
She didn't say anything, just looked at me, "No I'm not, more like you are."
"Really? Is that so?"
"Yup. Your just coming in here with a story to get it out of me. You don't know who did it. And I don't either, so leave me alone."
"Do you really think I would come in here so pissed if I didn't know who it was?"
"Yup. You've been pissed and bratty all day, remember?"
"Thanks for the reminder." I said sarcastically. How would I get to the bottom of this with her so.ah! Why not just answer the simple question? It wasn't that hard.
"Skye, your playing with a tough crowd. You cant handle them, I would know. You gotta tell Darry, let him help you."
"How would you know?" By this time Skye was yelling, I had tried to keep from that before, but I no longer cared. This wasn't just about me or Skye, it was about everyone in the family now.
"Clay and Miles are jack-asses, Skye. They will do anything they want, and your letting them. Why?"
"I don't know what your talking about."
"Right! Your brother is in the other room bed ridden and you don't know anything. That's a hard story to swallow, there, Skye!"
"Okay, if I know so much, then I know a whole lot more than you do. Don't tell me what I need to do here. So, if you don't mind, I was in the middle of a very nice nap." She laid down again, facing the wall.
"Skye! I do mind! I want a straight answer, and you aren't going to sleep until I get one, damn it!" I walked over and kicked Skye's bed.
She spun around, sitting up, "I gave you one, I don't know!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, and fell back onto her bed.
I reached out and yanked her head around so she was looking at me, "Bull shit!" It was quiet but firm.
"You don't know what -"
"Bull shit!"
After that, everytime she tried to say anything, I would cut her off yelling bullshit in her face. It got louder as I continued, and pretty soon Skye stopped trying to talk to me, but I wasn't finished. I kept going, ranting on about it.
Yeah, I can have a.slight temper at times, okay, not slight. Especially when it comes to stuff like this. I hate it when people hide things from me, from anyone. Not to mention the fact that anything along the lines of Clay was a very touchy subject for me.
Darry came into the room, a confused look on his face, "What the hell is going on in here?"
I kept ranting, not giving him the time of day.
"Reesa!" he yelled, "Shut it!"
I stopped cussing, knowing that that might smooth some things over. But I couldn't stop, I was too mad. Too confused and angry and.well, angry. I wanted an answer more than anything at that point. The thoughts running through my head would never leave, not until I got an answer. I needed to know what was happening, to know for certain that Clay wasn't doing anything to Skye. It wouldn't surprise me, but it did scare me more than anything.
"Reesa!" Darry came over to me, shaking me. Okay, it was time to shut up. He was getting angry, and two tempers in the same room is a real bad thing at our house. Even as I stopped, I felt like I was shaking, but it didn't seem to show, so maybe I wasn't.
"What is going on?" Darry asked, half yelling.
"Rees keeps waking me up and yelling at me for no reason!" Skye whined.
"You know damn well what my reason is, Skye! God, your so -"
"Pathetic? I think your the one in this house that is -"
"Not pathetic, you idiot! Sh -"
"I don't give a damn! Can't you tell? At least I have good reasons for the things -"
"And I don't? You don't even know half the things that have -"
"Good! I don't want to! You don't know my reasons, so leave me alone!"
"You don't know mine either, so answer the -"
"Hey!" Darry interrupted, "This is stupid! Drop it!"
"No! She's -" I tried to tell Darry.
"Reesa, I said drop it. Get outta here." He almost growled.
I should have stopped there, he was really getting mad, but he seemed to be holding his temper well, considering, so I pushed a bit further, not wanting to stop until I got an answer.
"Darry! -"
"No, get out of here. Now." That was the end of the rope, he wasn't growling anymore, that meant he was done. So I was finished to.
I left silently, going around Darry and out onto the porch. Really, I was glad he came in to stop it, I hated fighting all the time with Skye, we used to be best friends. But at the same time, I needed answers. What if it is happening? Would he come back for me? I didn't want Skye to have to go through that crap, it sucked. More than anything. It hurt and it changed you for the rest of your life. It wasn't right that anyone went through it, and Skye was just a young innocent girl. If she just told someone, if she just answered my question and talked to me. God, I was so messed up and confused.
The night air was chilly, I guess it was a lot later than I thought it was. It was darkening outside and a slight breeze blew. It would have been nice if it wasn't cold out. But I liked it anyway because I loved the sound of the dry leaves skidding across the ground in the wind. It calmed me as I sat out on the ledge of our brick porch, but not enough. I had to watch Skye extra close now. I couldn't miss anything. I refused to let her go through that. No, it wasn't right. I resolved then that I wouldn't let Skye go through that, I wouldn't let her hide away and do that to herself. If there was something to find out, I would find it out, and soon.
I heard Darry shut the door to our room, so I decided to scat. I didn't need to deal with Darry to. At that point I felt bad enough without the discussion he would want to have with me. I headed out to the street and turned, walking quickly towards the DX. Soda was working late that night to make up for the days he had missed, so I figured I would go and hang out for a while. Then I could walk home with him and Steve and I would have time to cool off by then. That wouldn't make me stop worrying, but at least I wouldn't feel like killing Skye for it.
I hurried over to the DX, making it in record time on foot. I didn't want to get picked up any more than the next person and I was freaked out anyway with all the crap happening with our family. It felt like someone was stocking us to make our lives miserable or something, but I knew it couldn't be true. That's why I worried, because it was closer than a stocker, and worse.
When I reached the DX, Steve and Soda were out by the gas pumps talking to some grease girls. They were cute, but nothing too great in my opinion. Then again, I usually don't understand what a guy thinks is cute cause I ain't one. I walked over, not caring that they would be a little miffed over me interrupting their flirting session. They hated it when we came around like that, ruining things for them. Well, too bad. I could have cared less that day.
"Hey, Soda." I called.
He turned, "Oh, hey, Rees. What'cha doing here?"
"Got sick of sitting around at home. What's going on?"
"Nothing, just waiting around."
"For what?" By that time I was next to Soda, looking at Steve who was a few feet from me. The girls were standing around Soda and Steve like they were the center of the world or something. So I joined the circle to talk, you had to be in the circle to talk, you know, "Looks to me like the party's already here. What you usually wait around for doesn't need to be waited for."
"We're waiting around for work, and while we're waiting we'll have some fun." Steve chimed in.
"Oh, I see. I'm sure you're heart broken." I said.
"We are!" Soda defended.
I laughed. What idiots. I loved it though, I mean you had to love the knuckle-heads. At least they could take a joke.
I didn't recognize any of the girls around, but I figured that was good. I was in a bad mood and that wasn't a pretty site. Although, I guess I already had a rep for that anyway. Everyone around took me as being tough and stubborn. I was known as a good fighter, someone you didn't mess with unless you had a few strong guys backing you up. Not to mention that I was Darry's sister and that was well known. I had good protection, but it didn't seem to matter when it came down to the line. Nothing seemed to matter when it came down to the line, not then, it didn't matter. I could be the toughest girl around and there were still guys who could get me, I had the strongest and most intimidating guys behind me, but it still didn't make a difference.
I spent a few hours just hanging around and doing.well, nothing really. But it was better than being home, that was for sure. Soda and Steve wanted to go out, but Soda had to change and clean up first anyway, so he said they would walk me home. I hoped Darry was over the whole thing, but I knew he would ask about it.
We walked into the house, it felt so good and warm. I had forgotten a jacket, okay not forgotten more like I didn't care to go get one at the time, and I was cold by the time we got home. Actually, I had been cold all night, but at least I could go inside every once in a while at the DX. The walk home was cold though.
I didn't see anyone when we walked in, so I plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV to see if anything was on. Nope, never was. Oh, well. As tired as I was, I didn't want to go to bed yet. I didn't want to even look at Skye, it was better avoided. I had cooled off, don't get me wrong, but all the same, I could use more time. I could always use more time in that situation, so I stalled.
Pretty soon Darry came out form Pony's room, "Hey, you're back."
"Yup." I replied, not giving anything else to the conversation. I would avoid that until I had to.
"Well, it's late and you look tired. Go to bed."
Wow, he wasn't going to bring it up. If it was that way, I could deal with going to bed. Anything to get out of that, I mean before I figured that he would come talk to me anyway, so.yeah.
I got up and went into bed. I was real tired, so I was happy to be in there, even with Skye on the other bed. It didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.
As soon as I hit the bed I was pretty much asleep, and I let the blankets surround me in the darkness.
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(Pony's POV)
I broke out of a light sleep as Soda sped into the room. I didn't care. It seemed like all I was doing today was sleeping, talking to Darry, and waking up long enough to take my medications and then going back to sleep. I wasn't real thrilled about staying home all day. I'd much more prefer to be at school where I had things to do and people to see. Besides, who wants to be jumped badly enough to be stuck home in bed? Not too exciting. Let me tell you.
"Hey, Ponyboy!" Soda said gleefully as he carefully jumped on the bed and sat by me. See there was a difference between Skye barging in and Soda. And it had nothing to do with whose room it was. You know what I mean? "How are ya feeling?"
I tried to shrug and found it painful so I decided to speak. "Ehh, you know."
"That bad?"
"Well, not really, but only because I can't feel hardly anything. Just when I move and even then it's not too bad." It didn't feel good, trust me, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. "How was work?"
"You know."
"Yeah."
Don't you love our intellectual conversations? They weren't usually that bad, but when there wasn't anything to say. well, there wasn't much to talk about. So, that was our pathetic short conversation. Soda sat on the bed for a few more minutes and then got up and went over to the desk and turned on the radio. Elvis Presley. Nice.
"Anything exciting happen today?" Hey, at least I was attempting to talk.
"Uh, not really. Kinda, but no." He dropped to the chair and pulled off his DX shirt to change. "Skye came by in the morning and stayed for a while. Besides that, nothing really interesting."
"Hmm." I didn't realize that she had come home early. Shows you how out of it I was. It must not have been a big deal then. "Cool."
"Sure." He put on a green shirt and threw off his hat into the corner and started to leave the room. "See ya."
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Me and Steve are gonna go out with these girls we met today. Probably to a movie or something. I'm not sure yet." Lucky for him. I'd do anything to get up and out of here even if it was only for a few minutes.
"Sounds like fun."
"It better be. I ain't gonna pay for a date and it not be any good." He smiled at me and left the room at top speed. Yeah, I'll bet. They always get the good girls.
I looked around on the floor for a book to read. I know it didn't sound cool or anything but I was tired of sleeping now and if I kept it up I wouldn't be able to sleep that night. That would be good too, seeing as I would have absolutely no one to keep me company. Soda wouldn't like it if I woke him to up just to have someone awake with me and I don't think I could convince any of the others to sacrifice a night of precious beauty sleep. If I didn't know any better I'd think that I lived in a house full of egotistical conceited maniacs.
I couldn't find a book that I hadn't already read a million times over the course of my life so I decided to call in Darry. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
"Darry!"
Within a few seconds there was a hustle of feet coming down the hall and Darry appeared in the doorway. I loved the attention sometimes. It was quite nice to be doted over. It was even better when it wasn't out of sympathy, but hey I'll take what I can get.
"What?"
"I'm bored. What's there to do?"
".Sleep?"
I sighed. "Darry, you can only sleep so much. Can't I get up and watch TV? A new Perry Mason is on tonight and --"
"Since when do you care?"
"Well I don't, not really, but it's something to do." It was an okay show, but there were better things on I'm sure. I just didn't know what exactly. Shoot, I'd even watch IThe Facts of Life/I or IDick Van Dyke/I or something if it meant not having to stay in bed.
Darry contemplated it for a minute then came to a conclusion. "I suppose. It can't hurt can it?"
"Nope!" I grinned. Yes! This is what I was hoping for.
"All right. Just for an hour though. Then you gotta go to bed because I am and I don't wanna stay up any later than I have to." What, he was going to bed at eight? Whatever, I can't talk I guess. He did only get a few hours of sleep this morning.
"Okay." I struggled to sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I hadn't gotten up yet that day except to use the bathroom and I wasn't used to the tape around my chest, not to mention that my legs were slightly immobile. Darry grabbed me by the arm and helped me to stand up. After that I was fine on my own.
Reesa was out there, which made me feel better knowing that I'd have someone to laugh at all the stupid stuff with. Yeah, who cares, right? I did. Reesa was fun to hang around with. Just as long as she didn't go losing her head and talk trash about passer biers. Skye was probably still asleep and Soda was out with some girl. It all seemed about right. Finally things were starting to get back in the groove of things.
Oh, also, I just decided to put up two chapters this time around, I wont have much time next weekend I don't think, so I'll put up two for you guys.although you might end up hating me for it. Haha.
Two-BitGortez: Wow, I'd call that dedication or something. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I know how annoying it can be to do things at the library with a time limit and all that fun crap.anyway, thanks! Here goes another chapter.
Tensleep: Sweet! You're hooked? I am too.but that's a bit of a biased opinion, ya think? Well, sorry it took me sooo long, school is a never ending uphill battle that only becomes more tretorous with time. Anyway, here you go for the next one. In a few chapters you will know if you were right or not, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Thank you soooo much for giving me your speculation, it really helped me know where I'm at on this, in terms of if people understanding what the hell is going on.ya know? Well, thanks, and here you go!
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Chapter 11 (Skye's POV)
The floor of the DX had to be about the worst place to take a nap. I wasn't asleep for very long when I woke up for good. I had been in and out of it for a couple of hours, but not getting any of what you could actually call sleep. I stretched a little and slowly stood up.
Soda wasn't back there anymore and the radio had been turned off. I took the opportunity to walk over to the drinks and got myself a Coke. Then I went back behind the counter and sat on the stool, turned on the radio and relaxed again. I reached over to the other side of the counter, found a Snickers, and helped myself to it. I sat propped on my elbows, leaning forward.
A few minutes later a customer walked in. He went over to the soda fountain and filled up a cup then came over to me at the counter and set the drink down.
"And Camel filters." He motioned to his drink and the cigarette cabinet behind me, and went after his wallet in his back pocket.
"What? Oh, I can't get that for you. I don't work here." I held up my hands.
"Er.then who does?" He looked around the place and saw no one else.
"A lot of people. but I don't know where they are. Let me see if I can find my brother for ya." I jumped off the stool and went around the counter and looked out the door. I knew the guy was giving me a funny look, but I didn't care. I was comfortable. "Sodapop! You have a customer!" He looked up from the car that Bud was working on. "C'mon and take some initiative why don'tcha?"
He ran over and came in. "Me take initiative? You're the one sleeping when you could be at school." He ran behind the counter. "Sorry about that, sir."
"It's all right. I'd like some Camel Filters, too." He pulled out a five and put it on the counter.
"All right." Soda went to get him a pack and then rung him up. When all was said and done the man left and only Soda and I were there to keep each other company.
"So." I said, trying to think of something to say.
"Right. Why don't you go home and sleep? I'm sure it'd be more comfortable." He threw away my empty Snickers wrapper and handed me my Coke.
I took it from him. "Nah, I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"I don't wanna walk."
"Wow. Talk about lazy."
"Yeah, I know. Besides that, I don't wanna get Darry all mad or anything." If he didn't know I was out of school, then he might think that I never came back and then he'd be more up to trusting me to know when I don't want to go to school because I'm sick. And like Soda said, I'm too lazy.
"Oh, well, I already called him a while ago and he knows that you're coming home some time." There goes any plan I had.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Um. because I thought he might like to know to watch for you if you never show up?" He gave me an incredulous look. "Why else?"
"Did you tell him that I left already?"
"No, but he said to send you home and then call him when you left." He sounded like he was getting annoyed at me and Soda's no fun to be around when he's annoyed with you.
"Fine, whatever." I picked up my backpack and headed to the door.
"Bye, Skye."
"Yup."
I didn't feel much like saying anything else to him so I walked home. It wasn't that far of a walk, I suppose. But all the same I never liked walking home even though I did it almost everyday after school. It was several miserable, fidgety, jumpy blocks but I finally made him home, and in one piece. What a bonus.
I pushed the door open and found myself the rarely quiet living room. It was sort of unnerving with it as quiet as it was. Was anyone even home? Soda did say that Darry would be here, didn't he? Well, not those exact words, but still.
"Darry? Are you here?" I called as I dropped my backpack in the middle of the floor and went to the kitchen.
"Yeah. I'm in my room."
"That's nice." I dropped my empty Coke bottle on the table and went back out and into Pony's room.
"Hey, Ponyboy." I jumped on his bed and sat Indian style at the foot. "What's up?"
"Nothing." He rolled over from his side to his back. "What do you want?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you home?"
I shrugged. "I feel like it."
"And that would mean.?" Man, what kind of drugs do they have him on?
"That I got bored of school and I came home." He didn't look like he believed me, for some odd reason, but excepted it anyway.
"So, you came in here to bore Ime/I?" I give up. No one wants anything to do with me today. except Miles, but that's a different matter. Do you realize how much that sucks? A lot.
"No. I came in here to. Never mind." I rolled off the bed and left the room. He was no fun. Hell, no one was.
"Skye?" Darry called from his room.
"What?"
He walked out of his room and shut the door behind him. "Soda tells me you're sick. What's up?"
"Oh, nothing really. My stomach hurts and I kinda have a headache." I shrugged. "And I'm sort of tired so."
"You came home because of a upset stomach and a headache? Shoot, what'd you do that for?" Oh my God! Why all the hounding?
"Because! I couldn't concentrate and I feel sick." I put it in short simple terms for him. He's Darry, he shouldn't have to have anyone spell things out for him. Especially me. I hate that kind of stuff. It drives me insane. I admit that I had other reasons to leave, but if I tell him part of it, he shouldn't need the rest of it all.
"Did you get kicked out of class again?" He crossed his arms and gave me the look.
"Why do you always ask that? Of course not! You said Soda explained it all to ya."
"Man, you're snappy. Go take a nap and get over it." He tried not to laugh as he walked past me and over to Pony's room.
"No!" I yelled. Well, okay maybe that sounded childish, but shoot, he can't tell me what to do.. Maybe I do need another nap.
I kicked my door open and headed over to my bed. I was going to lay down anyway, so he better not go thinking I'm doing it because he told me to, because I ain't. I shoved a bunch of clothes and other stuff off my bed and laid down. It felt good to be in my bed. I sort of missed it. I know I only missed one night of sleeping in it, but hell, sleeping on the floor twice in twenty-four hours can make you sore.
I sunk deeper into my covers and fell asleep faster than I had anticipated.
~`~``~``~`~
(Reesa's POV)
I walked through the halls to my next class, thinking how badly I just wanted to go home. I was completely exhausted and bed sounded so nice. But I held back, knowing that I should go to the last three classes of the day. I could make it fine, then go home and sleep and have the weekend to make up all my work. I was sure that I would have some huge thing to do for English. Mr. Thorpe hated our family and always went out of his way to yell at us and give us extra homework when we missed his class. He never thought it was legit. Idiot, little did he know. It didn't matter if Darry came in either because he hated him all the same.
I felt my shoulder bump against something an turned to see who it was I had hit. Bad idea. There was Clay, with Miles of course.
"Hey, watch it, Rees. I don't like it when people don't look where they're goin'." Clay said.
"Well, I guess that sucks for you." I kept walking.
He came up and stood in front of me so I couldn't move past him and had to stop.
"What are you doing? I don't like it when people block my way." I said.
"Well, I guess that sucks for you." He replied laughing.
"Seriously, I have to get to class, scum bag."
"Ohhh, that one hurt." Sarcasm rang in his voice.
I side stepped him, faked him out going the other way when he moved and started calmly making my way down the hall. I figured he wouldn't come over and try it again since I had already embarrassed him with that tactic. But to my surprise, he didn't just leave, instead he called out to me, "So how's your brother?"
"What are you talking about? And I have three brothers, dick face." I stopped and turned to look down the hallway at him. I was probably fifteen or so feet away.
"Your.you know, the scrawny brother of yours, the small one? How's he doing?"
"My younger brother? Ponyboy?"
"If that's his name then, yeah."
"How do you know about him?"
"Well, wait.Skye didn't tell you?"
"What? She didn't - you did that to him, didn't you!" I screamed the last part menacingly.
"Huh? Did what?"
"Don't play the dumb ass here, Clay. You beat him to a pulp. Why?"
"He was in our way, it was his fault. If he had backed off I would'a let him go."
"I'm sure." I was so pissed then. My voice was steal and I was ready to attack him, he deserved to get it for that one. Pony didn't ask for nothing, and Clay wasn't going to lie to my face about it. But I held myself back, every fiber of my being restraining itself with much difficulty. I knew I couldn't fight him, not that day. I was too tired and weak and.mad to do any good. If anything it would just up the bill on our hospital tab.
Besides that it scared me that Clay had been in involved in the whole thing with Pony and Skye. I knew that something more had gone on with that because Skye had been so upset. She wouldn't blame herself or freak that bad if it hadn't had something to do with her, and now Clay had something to do with that which meant he had something to do with Skye and.Miles wasn't like Clay, was he? I mean, there had always been a chance, but nothing I had ever seen Miles do pointed in that direction. But maybe.No! No, I was out of my mind, I had to be. Skye would be acting different or would have said something. She's older than I was and smarter.
"I thought you didn't want to be late for class, Reesa." Clay reminded me. Good, an excuse to leave.
I turned to walk away, then turned back, biting my tongue. No, I wasn't going to do that. I turned back around and walked down the hall swiftly. I made my way to the nearest exit to go home. The whole time I could just see the smirk I knew Clay would have on his ugly dick of a face. He was laughing under his breathe, proud to have beat me once again at a mind game, or so he thought.
All the way home I felt horrible. I kept walking, but felt like I would pass out any second. I had eaten part of a Pop Tart that morning, but it had made me sick and I had thrown it all up during second. I knew I needed food, but I figured that eating wasn't going to help much. It does for about twenty minutes but then I feel sick until I throw it up and loose anything and everything that once was in my stomach.
Amazingly, I made it home, and plopped onto the couch the second I got in. Darry had been in Pony's room but came out a few seconds after I had sunk into the cushions.
"You okay, Rees? What are you doing home?" he asked, looking at me from across the room.
"I couldn't stay much longer, too sick. I'm going to bed." I said, getting up and walking into my room. Darry's gaze followed me, but he seemed fine with me coming home, if anything he was worried. I didn't like to go home from school early, and I wouldn't have if I wasn't so pissed and confused and felling so crappy all at once.
"Hey, did you eat anything today?" Darry finally asked as I was about to shut the door behind me.
"Yeah, I tried at least. But it didn't work out to well." I shut the door and went over to my bed, laying my head down. I looked over to see Skye laying on her bed, asleep. She didn't look all that sick, but she did look worse than she had in the morning. I would get some sleep before I dug into her, that way I would have the strength to actually get some real answers out of her.hopefully.
I fell asleep thinking on the whole thing with Skye. Had I missed any.signs? Has she tried to let on, or was she hiding it? Did she not say cause she's in trouble or did Clay or Miles threaten her? Is it just some weird thing and I'm taking it the wrong way? Should I be worried? Thoughts like those buzzed through my head never letting up until I fell asleep.
I woke up about an hour later. Skye was still asleep, but I was ready to talk, so I went and sat on her bed, shaking her shoulder.
"Skye, I gotta talk to you. Wake up."
She rolled over, her eyes slightly open. When she saw me she groaned, and started to turn back.
"No, really. Sit up, I'll go over on my bed and we can talk." She didn't move, "Or I can kick you ass, Ithen/I we can talk. Take your pick."
She rolled over and pulled herself up so that her back was against the wall. I walked back over to my bed and got comfortable.
"Skye, why didn't you tell us who it was?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play that game. Why didn't you tell us who beat up Pony?"
"Huh? Cause I don't know."
"Yes, you do! I know that you do, and you should tell Darry. If you don't, I will, but I want to know why you didn't in the first place."
"Leave me alone, Rees."
"No! Your pathetic. Why not just tell me? I'll leave you alone then."
"I already told you. I don't remember."
"Your so pathetic!"
She didn't say anything, just looked at me, "No I'm not, more like you are."
"Really? Is that so?"
"Yup. Your just coming in here with a story to get it out of me. You don't know who did it. And I don't either, so leave me alone."
"Do you really think I would come in here so pissed if I didn't know who it was?"
"Yup. You've been pissed and bratty all day, remember?"
"Thanks for the reminder." I said sarcastically. How would I get to the bottom of this with her so.ah! Why not just answer the simple question? It wasn't that hard.
"Skye, your playing with a tough crowd. You cant handle them, I would know. You gotta tell Darry, let him help you."
"How would you know?" By this time Skye was yelling, I had tried to keep from that before, but I no longer cared. This wasn't just about me or Skye, it was about everyone in the family now.
"Clay and Miles are jack-asses, Skye. They will do anything they want, and your letting them. Why?"
"I don't know what your talking about."
"Right! Your brother is in the other room bed ridden and you don't know anything. That's a hard story to swallow, there, Skye!"
"Okay, if I know so much, then I know a whole lot more than you do. Don't tell me what I need to do here. So, if you don't mind, I was in the middle of a very nice nap." She laid down again, facing the wall.
"Skye! I do mind! I want a straight answer, and you aren't going to sleep until I get one, damn it!" I walked over and kicked Skye's bed.
She spun around, sitting up, "I gave you one, I don't know!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, and fell back onto her bed.
I reached out and yanked her head around so she was looking at me, "Bull shit!" It was quiet but firm.
"You don't know what -"
"Bull shit!"
After that, everytime she tried to say anything, I would cut her off yelling bullshit in her face. It got louder as I continued, and pretty soon Skye stopped trying to talk to me, but I wasn't finished. I kept going, ranting on about it.
Yeah, I can have a.slight temper at times, okay, not slight. Especially when it comes to stuff like this. I hate it when people hide things from me, from anyone. Not to mention the fact that anything along the lines of Clay was a very touchy subject for me.
Darry came into the room, a confused look on his face, "What the hell is going on in here?"
I kept ranting, not giving him the time of day.
"Reesa!" he yelled, "Shut it!"
I stopped cussing, knowing that that might smooth some things over. But I couldn't stop, I was too mad. Too confused and angry and.well, angry. I wanted an answer more than anything at that point. The thoughts running through my head would never leave, not until I got an answer. I needed to know what was happening, to know for certain that Clay wasn't doing anything to Skye. It wouldn't surprise me, but it did scare me more than anything.
"Reesa!" Darry came over to me, shaking me. Okay, it was time to shut up. He was getting angry, and two tempers in the same room is a real bad thing at our house. Even as I stopped, I felt like I was shaking, but it didn't seem to show, so maybe I wasn't.
"What is going on?" Darry asked, half yelling.
"Rees keeps waking me up and yelling at me for no reason!" Skye whined.
"You know damn well what my reason is, Skye! God, your so -"
"Pathetic? I think your the one in this house that is -"
"Not pathetic, you idiot! Sh -"
"I don't give a damn! Can't you tell? At least I have good reasons for the things -"
"And I don't? You don't even know half the things that have -"
"Good! I don't want to! You don't know my reasons, so leave me alone!"
"You don't know mine either, so answer the -"
"Hey!" Darry interrupted, "This is stupid! Drop it!"
"No! She's -" I tried to tell Darry.
"Reesa, I said drop it. Get outta here." He almost growled.
I should have stopped there, he was really getting mad, but he seemed to be holding his temper well, considering, so I pushed a bit further, not wanting to stop until I got an answer.
"Darry! -"
"No, get out of here. Now." That was the end of the rope, he wasn't growling anymore, that meant he was done. So I was finished to.
I left silently, going around Darry and out onto the porch. Really, I was glad he came in to stop it, I hated fighting all the time with Skye, we used to be best friends. But at the same time, I needed answers. What if it is happening? Would he come back for me? I didn't want Skye to have to go through that crap, it sucked. More than anything. It hurt and it changed you for the rest of your life. It wasn't right that anyone went through it, and Skye was just a young innocent girl. If she just told someone, if she just answered my question and talked to me. God, I was so messed up and confused.
The night air was chilly, I guess it was a lot later than I thought it was. It was darkening outside and a slight breeze blew. It would have been nice if it wasn't cold out. But I liked it anyway because I loved the sound of the dry leaves skidding across the ground in the wind. It calmed me as I sat out on the ledge of our brick porch, but not enough. I had to watch Skye extra close now. I couldn't miss anything. I refused to let her go through that. No, it wasn't right. I resolved then that I wouldn't let Skye go through that, I wouldn't let her hide away and do that to herself. If there was something to find out, I would find it out, and soon.
I heard Darry shut the door to our room, so I decided to scat. I didn't need to deal with Darry to. At that point I felt bad enough without the discussion he would want to have with me. I headed out to the street and turned, walking quickly towards the DX. Soda was working late that night to make up for the days he had missed, so I figured I would go and hang out for a while. Then I could walk home with him and Steve and I would have time to cool off by then. That wouldn't make me stop worrying, but at least I wouldn't feel like killing Skye for it.
I hurried over to the DX, making it in record time on foot. I didn't want to get picked up any more than the next person and I was freaked out anyway with all the crap happening with our family. It felt like someone was stocking us to make our lives miserable or something, but I knew it couldn't be true. That's why I worried, because it was closer than a stocker, and worse.
When I reached the DX, Steve and Soda were out by the gas pumps talking to some grease girls. They were cute, but nothing too great in my opinion. Then again, I usually don't understand what a guy thinks is cute cause I ain't one. I walked over, not caring that they would be a little miffed over me interrupting their flirting session. They hated it when we came around like that, ruining things for them. Well, too bad. I could have cared less that day.
"Hey, Soda." I called.
He turned, "Oh, hey, Rees. What'cha doing here?"
"Got sick of sitting around at home. What's going on?"
"Nothing, just waiting around."
"For what?" By that time I was next to Soda, looking at Steve who was a few feet from me. The girls were standing around Soda and Steve like they were the center of the world or something. So I joined the circle to talk, you had to be in the circle to talk, you know, "Looks to me like the party's already here. What you usually wait around for doesn't need to be waited for."
"We're waiting around for work, and while we're waiting we'll have some fun." Steve chimed in.
"Oh, I see. I'm sure you're heart broken." I said.
"We are!" Soda defended.
I laughed. What idiots. I loved it though, I mean you had to love the knuckle-heads. At least they could take a joke.
I didn't recognize any of the girls around, but I figured that was good. I was in a bad mood and that wasn't a pretty site. Although, I guess I already had a rep for that anyway. Everyone around took me as being tough and stubborn. I was known as a good fighter, someone you didn't mess with unless you had a few strong guys backing you up. Not to mention that I was Darry's sister and that was well known. I had good protection, but it didn't seem to matter when it came down to the line. Nothing seemed to matter when it came down to the line, not then, it didn't matter. I could be the toughest girl around and there were still guys who could get me, I had the strongest and most intimidating guys behind me, but it still didn't make a difference.
I spent a few hours just hanging around and doing.well, nothing really. But it was better than being home, that was for sure. Soda and Steve wanted to go out, but Soda had to change and clean up first anyway, so he said they would walk me home. I hoped Darry was over the whole thing, but I knew he would ask about it.
We walked into the house, it felt so good and warm. I had forgotten a jacket, okay not forgotten more like I didn't care to go get one at the time, and I was cold by the time we got home. Actually, I had been cold all night, but at least I could go inside every once in a while at the DX. The walk home was cold though.
I didn't see anyone when we walked in, so I plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV to see if anything was on. Nope, never was. Oh, well. As tired as I was, I didn't want to go to bed yet. I didn't want to even look at Skye, it was better avoided. I had cooled off, don't get me wrong, but all the same, I could use more time. I could always use more time in that situation, so I stalled.
Pretty soon Darry came out form Pony's room, "Hey, you're back."
"Yup." I replied, not giving anything else to the conversation. I would avoid that until I had to.
"Well, it's late and you look tired. Go to bed."
Wow, he wasn't going to bring it up. If it was that way, I could deal with going to bed. Anything to get out of that, I mean before I figured that he would come talk to me anyway, so.yeah.
I got up and went into bed. I was real tired, so I was happy to be in there, even with Skye on the other bed. It didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.
As soon as I hit the bed I was pretty much asleep, and I let the blankets surround me in the darkness.
`~``~``~`
(Pony's POV)
I broke out of a light sleep as Soda sped into the room. I didn't care. It seemed like all I was doing today was sleeping, talking to Darry, and waking up long enough to take my medications and then going back to sleep. I wasn't real thrilled about staying home all day. I'd much more prefer to be at school where I had things to do and people to see. Besides, who wants to be jumped badly enough to be stuck home in bed? Not too exciting. Let me tell you.
"Hey, Ponyboy!" Soda said gleefully as he carefully jumped on the bed and sat by me. See there was a difference between Skye barging in and Soda. And it had nothing to do with whose room it was. You know what I mean? "How are ya feeling?"
I tried to shrug and found it painful so I decided to speak. "Ehh, you know."
"That bad?"
"Well, not really, but only because I can't feel hardly anything. Just when I move and even then it's not too bad." It didn't feel good, trust me, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. "How was work?"
"You know."
"Yeah."
Don't you love our intellectual conversations? They weren't usually that bad, but when there wasn't anything to say. well, there wasn't much to talk about. So, that was our pathetic short conversation. Soda sat on the bed for a few more minutes and then got up and went over to the desk and turned on the radio. Elvis Presley. Nice.
"Anything exciting happen today?" Hey, at least I was attempting to talk.
"Uh, not really. Kinda, but no." He dropped to the chair and pulled off his DX shirt to change. "Skye came by in the morning and stayed for a while. Besides that, nothing really interesting."
"Hmm." I didn't realize that she had come home early. Shows you how out of it I was. It must not have been a big deal then. "Cool."
"Sure." He put on a green shirt and threw off his hat into the corner and started to leave the room. "See ya."
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Me and Steve are gonna go out with these girls we met today. Probably to a movie or something. I'm not sure yet." Lucky for him. I'd do anything to get up and out of here even if it was only for a few minutes.
"Sounds like fun."
"It better be. I ain't gonna pay for a date and it not be any good." He smiled at me and left the room at top speed. Yeah, I'll bet. They always get the good girls.
I looked around on the floor for a book to read. I know it didn't sound cool or anything but I was tired of sleeping now and if I kept it up I wouldn't be able to sleep that night. That would be good too, seeing as I would have absolutely no one to keep me company. Soda wouldn't like it if I woke him to up just to have someone awake with me and I don't think I could convince any of the others to sacrifice a night of precious beauty sleep. If I didn't know any better I'd think that I lived in a house full of egotistical conceited maniacs.
I couldn't find a book that I hadn't already read a million times over the course of my life so I decided to call in Darry. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
"Darry!"
Within a few seconds there was a hustle of feet coming down the hall and Darry appeared in the doorway. I loved the attention sometimes. It was quite nice to be doted over. It was even better when it wasn't out of sympathy, but hey I'll take what I can get.
"What?"
"I'm bored. What's there to do?"
".Sleep?"
I sighed. "Darry, you can only sleep so much. Can't I get up and watch TV? A new Perry Mason is on tonight and --"
"Since when do you care?"
"Well I don't, not really, but it's something to do." It was an okay show, but there were better things on I'm sure. I just didn't know what exactly. Shoot, I'd even watch IThe Facts of Life/I or IDick Van Dyke/I or something if it meant not having to stay in bed.
Darry contemplated it for a minute then came to a conclusion. "I suppose. It can't hurt can it?"
"Nope!" I grinned. Yes! This is what I was hoping for.
"All right. Just for an hour though. Then you gotta go to bed because I am and I don't wanna stay up any later than I have to." What, he was going to bed at eight? Whatever, I can't talk I guess. He did only get a few hours of sleep this morning.
"Okay." I struggled to sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I hadn't gotten up yet that day except to use the bathroom and I wasn't used to the tape around my chest, not to mention that my legs were slightly immobile. Darry grabbed me by the arm and helped me to stand up. After that I was fine on my own.
Reesa was out there, which made me feel better knowing that I'd have someone to laugh at all the stupid stuff with. Yeah, who cares, right? I did. Reesa was fun to hang around with. Just as long as she didn't go losing her head and talk trash about passer biers. Skye was probably still asleep and Soda was out with some girl. It all seemed about right. Finally things were starting to get back in the groove of things.