Title- Trying to Adjust
Chapter Title- The News
Chapter Number- 4
Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders
Reviewers-
Rebelgirl4ever- Much thanks for pointing that out. I'm just too lazy to go fix that.
Tikagem- Nah, it didn't sound mean. I told you she was dieing. She dies in this chapter.
Tessie26- cue drama.
Eternal Dragon101- Oh, thank you. That really brightened my day!
Note- Death, of course, only a strange person like me would be excited about that. Here's where the story picks up. The death would be a good thing.
It was a Friday night, so Two-Bit and I stayed later at the Curtis house. I was getting tired, I had yawned a couple of times. The guys were watching something on television, but it wasn't interesting to me. I climbed onto Two-Bit's lap and rested my head on his chest.
I woke up the next morning in my own bed. I guessed Two-Bit brought me home and put me into my own bed. I rubbed my eyes and got out of bed. I was still in my jeans and tee-shirt from the other night. I walked into the living room to see mom in the kitchen. She was making breakfast.
"It's nice to see your up, did you have a fun time last night?" she asked. I nodded. "I took today off. I feel really bad about leaving you with Two-Bit constantly. He never has time to see his friends." That's what she thinks. I shrugged and sat down at the kitchen table. She placed a pancake in front of me. I pulled it apart with my fingers and shoved it into my mouth.
"So, Two-Bit went out today?" I asked.
"Yes, but he's coming back later so I can go shopping. I don't know how you guys survived with no food. I really guess Darry's been feeding you a lot. I should give him some money to help him. Or have him over for dinner one night." Darry hasn't been feeding me a lot. Maybe he has fed Two-Bit a lot, but that's because Two-Bit drives Pony to school.
Two-Bit came home and watched me for a few hours before mom came home.
"Don't come home too late, or drunk," she added bitterly. "You need to watch her tomorrow, I have work." He groaned and left.
I went to sleep on the couch, waiting for Two-Bit. I hated when he went out without me. I'm really attached to him I guess.
I woke up to a knock on the door. 'Who would be knocking on the door this late?' I wondered. Then, I realized that the sun was out. I got off the couch and peaked out the window. I saw a cop car in our street. I got really nervous. I ran into Two-Bit's room and started to shake him like crazy.
"Two-Bit, Two-Bit," I wailed, "god damn you, Two-Bit! There are COPS outside." He started to move and rubbed his eyes.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked. He picked me up and went to the front door.
"Mr. Mathews?" the cop asked.
"Yes sir," Two-Bit answered. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and buried my face in his chest. I was kind of tired and cops scared me.
"There's been an accident. Elaine Mathews was shot at the bar where she works." Mommy was shot? I started to cry. "She was killed." I lost it. I started to wail.
"Uh, um, come on in," Two-Bit said. He sat down on the couch trying to calm me down. "It's okay Liz," he told me. I wanted to believe him, I really did.
"You won't leave me, will ya?" I asked, sniffling. He shook his head. I rested my head back down on his chest. He turned to look at the police officer.
"There will be a hearing about Elizabeth's custody. You obviously will be able to take care of yourself." I was sobbing. It wasn't fair; they couldn't take me away from my brother.
"Yes sir," he replied. The officer left. I looked up at my brother.
"I don't want to leave you," I whined.
"I won't let them take you away, don't worry, Liz." I gave him a big hug and I didn't want to let go. I clung to my brother the whole day like that. We went to Darry's house, but he drove. I sat in the passenger's seat, clinging onto the seat like my life depended on it.
He lifted me out of the car and carried me up the front porch. He let one arm go, so he could open the door. I wrapped my arms around his neck tighter.
"Is everything okay?" Soda asked when we got into the house.
"No," Two-Bit softly. "We just found out that our mother was shot and killed today at work. There's going to be a custody hearing soon. I don't want to lose Liz. She just lost our mom; they can't take her away from me." He sat down on the couch and picked me off of his shirt. I looked around the room. Everybody looked stunned. Death was becoming very constant in this neighborhood.
"Is there anyway we can help?" Darry asked. Two-Bit shrugged.
"I don't know, you've been to hearings before, what's it like?" Two-Bit asked Darry.
"They'll ask a lot of questions about how you treat her, your relationship, sources of income, housing, and things like that."
"Oh, shit, things aren't looking good for me. I don't have a job, I'm still in school, I'm barely passing, and I probably won't be able to keep the house." I grabbed Two-Bit's shirt and started to cry. "At least we have our relationship working for us," he stated.
"Don't let them take me away," I whined. Two-Bit hugged me.
"I'll try not to," he replied.
"Can we go home?" I asked.
"In a little bit," he answered. I turned around so I was facing the television. I rested my head back.
"I don't wanna leave you," I told him. "I love you." This would be the third time in my life I hadn't seen him smile. The first time was when our dad left and the second time was when Johnny and Dally died.
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