Hey everyone~
Erm. . . I just added a few paragraphs to this chappie so plz read again! Sowee! It will make the next chapter make more sense. Thanks!
Litzy.
YAY!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I FINALLY HIT 100 REVIEWS! Well, 104 to be exact. I'M SOOO HAPPY!!! YOU GUYS ARE SOO GREAT. THAANK YOOOUUU!!!
Killslay: Oh wow- thanks for the quote. I've gotta try reading Le Mis. I'm reading "The Grapes of Wrath"- John Steinbeck right now and it's one of the most boring books I've read in my entire life!!! Hehe. Good luck on your book!
As for the questions: they'll all be answered in the next chapter!! I was going to let Pony go back to Tulsa in this chappie, but. . . one idea led to another, and the chapter got too long to allow that! :o)
Maxwell de Charenton: You're welcome! I absolutely LOVE angst as well! (as you can tell!) and yup, Ponyboy's my fave character too!
Anon: thanks for your review!
Latinagal: OMIGOD!!! I'M ON YOUR FAVORITE'S LIST??? You are soo nice! Thank you so much!
Leese: hehe thanks for the compliment!
David: humph you meannie. I'm not weird! You're weird, you obsessed with pie person!! Lol I can't believe you still haven't asked me which "Kevin" in HKIS "Kevin Skinner" is named after! Come on guess! Lol. And thanks for your reviews!
Lizzy Haliwell: lol! Soweee~ I promise this chappie will be a leetle bit longer to make up for it!
Two-BitGortez: that's okay- I totally understand! I have to fight tooth and claw for computer time with my sister and my mom! Hehe. Thanks for your great review!
Naria4: aw thanks for offering to review every chapter! That was really sweet of you :o) but you don't have to if you don't have spare time =D
Porcelain Princess: thanks for reviewing!
Lin3: thanks! Yup, I finally updated! Sorry for the long wait- I was really busy, you know~ evil teachers plus school = lots and lots of homework for poor students like me!
Pony's girl: thanks for your awesome review!
A/N: sorry if this chapter is weird. Consider it the result of a major headache and writing on the schoolbus! Oh and add 'in the sweltering heat' to it. (the a/c was broken! Stupid school buses.)
~*~PONYBOY'S POV~*~
It was almost over. I couldn't believe it. one more night, on more day, and I'd be back in Tulsa.
I looked out of the window for the first time in a long while. Outside, in the crisp night air, I spotted the first bright star, high in the sky. I watched it twinkling silently, a small spark of light in the expanse of inky black.
* * * "Go ahead, Pony," Mom said, holding my hand. "Wish upon a star."
I looked up at her. "If I wish, will it come true?"
Dad smiled down at me. "Of course it will, Pony. Star-wishes always come true.
* * *
I closed my eyes at the sudden memory, startled at the pricking behind my eyelids. A single tear escaped form my closed eyes, making its slow journey down my cheek. I wiped it away with a finger, rubbing my eyes. I swallowed down my sobs, opening my eyes. I looked up at the star again. Other stars had joined it by now, but I still easily recognized mine. I sighed. Why not?
"Starlight, starbright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight."
I paused, thinking.
"I wish everything could get better," I whispered out to the night sky.
I walked across the room a little painfully, stopping for a second to put a hand on the desk for support as a sudden wave of dizziness threatened to make me lose balance. I had an almost constant headache nowadays, partly from worry and also from missing my brothers and the gang. I missed them so much it seemed like a constant aching pain, pressing down on my chest.
I switched off the light, as always leaving the small table lamp on. Getting into the narrow, hard bed, I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to come.
* * *
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, KID?"
My eyes snapped open immediately as I recognized the voice. I was covered in cold sweat and shivering, and the blankets were all tangled around me. I was still trembling from another nightmare I had, the ones I could never remember. I vaguely wondered why Kevin had woken up. After learning the hard way several times, I had learned to wake up from my regular nightmares in silence.
The answer didn't matter. I knew I was in for it.
I looked up, shrinking away from the large, menacing man towering over me.
"You wanta scream the whole fucking house down?" yelled Kevin. His face was red and I could see a vein in his neck throbbing. He reached out and grabbed me, shaking me hard.
"Well?"
"S- sorry," I managed, my voice hoarse from screaming. Kevin smiled dangerously.
"You should be."
With that, he pulled me out of bed, and I landed with a bump on the cold, hard floor.
"You think this is over?" laughed Kevin manically. "You think you're escaping soon? I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget."
He gave me a punch on the nose, and I immediately felt warm blood trickling down my face.
I was about to succumb to his blows as usual, when I suddenly thought of Soda. I was going to him soon. I wouldn't have to put up with Kevin any longer. I started struggling against him.
"No. . ."
Kevin stopped, putting his face near mine.
"What did you say?"
His hand wrapped around my neck, choking me.
"Say that again, kid!"
I felt my feet leave the floor as he lifted me up. They kicked around weakly in the air. My hands flailed around, trying to get him to release his firm hold. His fingers tightened. I struggled harder.
My vision was turning black, and I was beginning to see white stars. I struggled to take a breath. I could dimly hear Kevin's voice shouting at me in the background. I felt weak all over.
Suddenly I realized that the hand blocking my windpipe was gone. I was lying crumpled on the floor. I took deep, gasping, much-needed breaths, ignoring the pain shooting through my throat as I did so.
A hand grabbed the back of my shirt, forcing me to my feet. I swayed dizzily, trying to get my bearings.
"Fuck you," came Kevin's voice through the haze. "You think you can die on me, kid? You fucking trying to get me in trouble?"
I scrambled away from the voice, but Kevin grabbed my arm, stopping me.
"Huh? Where you tryin' to go to? you can't escape! No one's coming to save you. Nobody. Nobody loves you. You got that? Nobody."
He gave me another shake. I felt lears leaking out of my eyes. His fist hit the side of my head.
"Don't you dare cry. You're fucking weak. You hear me? Nobody loves you. Nobody wants you, you worthless piece of shit."
"Somebody loves me," I whispered, almost to myself.
"What?"
"Somebody loves me," I repeated louder, strengthened by the thought of my brothers.
"Really?"
I nodded.
"Then how come nobody's coming to save you? How come? They don't really want you. They sent you here to get rid of you, 'cos you're a fucking burden."
He grabbed my hair, pulling me with him out into the corridor.
The first blow knocked me back to the ground. I fell face-down, tasting blood in my mouth. I struggled for air, wincing as my bloody nose was smothered into the carpet.
I heard Kevin swearing something over me, and then fell back into my blazing world of pain as the first lash of the belt came down on my back. . .
* * *
I came back to consciousness, keeping my eyes cloed as I sharpened my hearing, trying to figure out whether my foster parent was anywhere near. I heard footsteps passing near me, and then the front door opened and closed.
I lay still for a while, making sure Kevin had left. I cautiously opened my eyes. There was nobody in the house.
I sat up slowly, wincing and holding my head in my hands as I experienced another bout of dizziness. My forehead was unnaturally warm again. I sighed. I had been sick on and off for a while, but I really hadn't wanted to get back to Tulsa with a fever.
Trying hard to ignore the pain shooting through my body, I stood up, making my way to the bathroom. I was mildly surprised that I could actually walk.
I looked into the mirror, startling myself as I saw a thin, miserable- looking boy covered in blood, staring back at me. wanting to make the boy feel better, I tried giving him a smile. The boy gave me a weak grin back.
I headed to the bathtub, sickened as I saw the trail of black blood I had left on the clean, white tiles.
I filled the tub with lukewarm water and sat on the side of it patiently as I waited for it to fill up.
I got in gingerly, stifling a small yelp of pain as the water burned the open wounds.
The water turned a deep red as I sank into the tub and I closed my eyes, grimacing as I tried to deal with the pain. My thoughts felt as though they were swirling around in my head.
Kevin was right. I was worthless. Totally weak. No wonder why none of the gang came to see how I was doing. Darry and Soda must have been happy to see me go. Why would they want to put up with something like me?
The tears threatened to spill, but I fiercely willed them away. What was I thinking? Of course Darry and Soda loved me. At least, I knew Soda loved me. Darry. . . he kinda looks like Kevin. I shuddered at the unexpected thought.
I toweled myself dry slowly, and put on a dark, long sleeve shirt, glad that the chilly weather permitted me to do so. It hid the dark fingermarks around my neck, and the bruises along my arms, and the deep wounds across my back. I knew there were more, but I really didn't want to know.
Checking the time, I found out that it was only five hours until my plane flight. Limping over to the bed, I sank into it, exhausted, and immediately fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Please review, everyone! This time I'm asking for 20 reviews!!! Pleeeaaaase?? Pweazyyy? LoL. I've got the rest of the story planned out already, so I can update REAALLY fast! That is, after I get reviews!!!!!! Teeheehee~ this is bad. I'm addicted!
Erm. . . I just added a few paragraphs to this chappie so plz read again! Sowee! It will make the next chapter make more sense. Thanks!
Litzy.
YAY!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I FINALLY HIT 100 REVIEWS! Well, 104 to be exact. I'M SOOO HAPPY!!! YOU GUYS ARE SOO GREAT. THAANK YOOOUUU!!!
Killslay: Oh wow- thanks for the quote. I've gotta try reading Le Mis. I'm reading "The Grapes of Wrath"- John Steinbeck right now and it's one of the most boring books I've read in my entire life!!! Hehe. Good luck on your book!
As for the questions: they'll all be answered in the next chapter!! I was going to let Pony go back to Tulsa in this chappie, but. . . one idea led to another, and the chapter got too long to allow that! :o)
Maxwell de Charenton: You're welcome! I absolutely LOVE angst as well! (as you can tell!) and yup, Ponyboy's my fave character too!
Anon: thanks for your review!
Latinagal: OMIGOD!!! I'M ON YOUR FAVORITE'S LIST??? You are soo nice! Thank you so much!
Leese: hehe thanks for the compliment!
David: humph you meannie. I'm not weird! You're weird, you obsessed with pie person!! Lol I can't believe you still haven't asked me which "Kevin" in HKIS "Kevin Skinner" is named after! Come on guess! Lol. And thanks for your reviews!
Lizzy Haliwell: lol! Soweee~ I promise this chappie will be a leetle bit longer to make up for it!
Two-BitGortez: that's okay- I totally understand! I have to fight tooth and claw for computer time with my sister and my mom! Hehe. Thanks for your great review!
Naria4: aw thanks for offering to review every chapter! That was really sweet of you :o) but you don't have to if you don't have spare time =D
Porcelain Princess: thanks for reviewing!
Lin3: thanks! Yup, I finally updated! Sorry for the long wait- I was really busy, you know~ evil teachers plus school = lots and lots of homework for poor students like me!
Pony's girl: thanks for your awesome review!
A/N: sorry if this chapter is weird. Consider it the result of a major headache and writing on the schoolbus! Oh and add 'in the sweltering heat' to it. (the a/c was broken! Stupid school buses.)
~*~PONYBOY'S POV~*~
It was almost over. I couldn't believe it. one more night, on more day, and I'd be back in Tulsa.
I looked out of the window for the first time in a long while. Outside, in the crisp night air, I spotted the first bright star, high in the sky. I watched it twinkling silently, a small spark of light in the expanse of inky black.
* * * "Go ahead, Pony," Mom said, holding my hand. "Wish upon a star."
I looked up at her. "If I wish, will it come true?"
Dad smiled down at me. "Of course it will, Pony. Star-wishes always come true.
* * *
I closed my eyes at the sudden memory, startled at the pricking behind my eyelids. A single tear escaped form my closed eyes, making its slow journey down my cheek. I wiped it away with a finger, rubbing my eyes. I swallowed down my sobs, opening my eyes. I looked up at the star again. Other stars had joined it by now, but I still easily recognized mine. I sighed. Why not?
"Starlight, starbright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight."
I paused, thinking.
"I wish everything could get better," I whispered out to the night sky.
I walked across the room a little painfully, stopping for a second to put a hand on the desk for support as a sudden wave of dizziness threatened to make me lose balance. I had an almost constant headache nowadays, partly from worry and also from missing my brothers and the gang. I missed them so much it seemed like a constant aching pain, pressing down on my chest.
I switched off the light, as always leaving the small table lamp on. Getting into the narrow, hard bed, I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to come.
* * *
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, KID?"
My eyes snapped open immediately as I recognized the voice. I was covered in cold sweat and shivering, and the blankets were all tangled around me. I was still trembling from another nightmare I had, the ones I could never remember. I vaguely wondered why Kevin had woken up. After learning the hard way several times, I had learned to wake up from my regular nightmares in silence.
The answer didn't matter. I knew I was in for it.
I looked up, shrinking away from the large, menacing man towering over me.
"You wanta scream the whole fucking house down?" yelled Kevin. His face was red and I could see a vein in his neck throbbing. He reached out and grabbed me, shaking me hard.
"Well?"
"S- sorry," I managed, my voice hoarse from screaming. Kevin smiled dangerously.
"You should be."
With that, he pulled me out of bed, and I landed with a bump on the cold, hard floor.
"You think this is over?" laughed Kevin manically. "You think you're escaping soon? I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget."
He gave me a punch on the nose, and I immediately felt warm blood trickling down my face.
I was about to succumb to his blows as usual, when I suddenly thought of Soda. I was going to him soon. I wouldn't have to put up with Kevin any longer. I started struggling against him.
"No. . ."
Kevin stopped, putting his face near mine.
"What did you say?"
His hand wrapped around my neck, choking me.
"Say that again, kid!"
I felt my feet leave the floor as he lifted me up. They kicked around weakly in the air. My hands flailed around, trying to get him to release his firm hold. His fingers tightened. I struggled harder.
My vision was turning black, and I was beginning to see white stars. I struggled to take a breath. I could dimly hear Kevin's voice shouting at me in the background. I felt weak all over.
Suddenly I realized that the hand blocking my windpipe was gone. I was lying crumpled on the floor. I took deep, gasping, much-needed breaths, ignoring the pain shooting through my throat as I did so.
A hand grabbed the back of my shirt, forcing me to my feet. I swayed dizzily, trying to get my bearings.
"Fuck you," came Kevin's voice through the haze. "You think you can die on me, kid? You fucking trying to get me in trouble?"
I scrambled away from the voice, but Kevin grabbed my arm, stopping me.
"Huh? Where you tryin' to go to? you can't escape! No one's coming to save you. Nobody. Nobody loves you. You got that? Nobody."
He gave me another shake. I felt lears leaking out of my eyes. His fist hit the side of my head.
"Don't you dare cry. You're fucking weak. You hear me? Nobody loves you. Nobody wants you, you worthless piece of shit."
"Somebody loves me," I whispered, almost to myself.
"What?"
"Somebody loves me," I repeated louder, strengthened by the thought of my brothers.
"Really?"
I nodded.
"Then how come nobody's coming to save you? How come? They don't really want you. They sent you here to get rid of you, 'cos you're a fucking burden."
He grabbed my hair, pulling me with him out into the corridor.
The first blow knocked me back to the ground. I fell face-down, tasting blood in my mouth. I struggled for air, wincing as my bloody nose was smothered into the carpet.
I heard Kevin swearing something over me, and then fell back into my blazing world of pain as the first lash of the belt came down on my back. . .
* * *
I came back to consciousness, keeping my eyes cloed as I sharpened my hearing, trying to figure out whether my foster parent was anywhere near. I heard footsteps passing near me, and then the front door opened and closed.
I lay still for a while, making sure Kevin had left. I cautiously opened my eyes. There was nobody in the house.
I sat up slowly, wincing and holding my head in my hands as I experienced another bout of dizziness. My forehead was unnaturally warm again. I sighed. I had been sick on and off for a while, but I really hadn't wanted to get back to Tulsa with a fever.
Trying hard to ignore the pain shooting through my body, I stood up, making my way to the bathroom. I was mildly surprised that I could actually walk.
I looked into the mirror, startling myself as I saw a thin, miserable- looking boy covered in blood, staring back at me. wanting to make the boy feel better, I tried giving him a smile. The boy gave me a weak grin back.
I headed to the bathtub, sickened as I saw the trail of black blood I had left on the clean, white tiles.
I filled the tub with lukewarm water and sat on the side of it patiently as I waited for it to fill up.
I got in gingerly, stifling a small yelp of pain as the water burned the open wounds.
The water turned a deep red as I sank into the tub and I closed my eyes, grimacing as I tried to deal with the pain. My thoughts felt as though they were swirling around in my head.
Kevin was right. I was worthless. Totally weak. No wonder why none of the gang came to see how I was doing. Darry and Soda must have been happy to see me go. Why would they want to put up with something like me?
The tears threatened to spill, but I fiercely willed them away. What was I thinking? Of course Darry and Soda loved me. At least, I knew Soda loved me. Darry. . . he kinda looks like Kevin. I shuddered at the unexpected thought.
I toweled myself dry slowly, and put on a dark, long sleeve shirt, glad that the chilly weather permitted me to do so. It hid the dark fingermarks around my neck, and the bruises along my arms, and the deep wounds across my back. I knew there were more, but I really didn't want to know.
Checking the time, I found out that it was only five hours until my plane flight. Limping over to the bed, I sank into it, exhausted, and immediately fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Please review, everyone! This time I'm asking for 20 reviews!!! Pleeeaaaase?? Pweazyyy? LoL. I've got the rest of the story planned out already, so I can update REAALLY fast! That is, after I get reviews!!!!!! Teeheehee~ this is bad. I'm addicted!