Picking Up the Pieces-Part 2
I decided not to put it as a different one and just be one of those stories with a billion chapters. Oh well. Hope you like it.
Disc: I own all the chicks. 'sept for Cherry. None of the guys (boo hoo)
I'd wished this wouldn't happen. I wanted everything to be back to normal, but I saw it. It was different now; she was different. For that split-second, I'd seen it. Earlier in the evening, Becca had glanced at me and the once playful pretty brown eyes were stone-cold. This was unbelievable, she hated me. I buried my face in the pillow and heard a groan come from the log next to me I call my brother. Usually, he slept like a rock and Darry was the light sleeper. Quietly, I crept out of bed and creaked open the front door. Every once in awhile, I sat on the porch steps and stared at the weird patterns in the fading stars. Nobody can ever find the crazy shapes I managed to see in the stars. Looking up, I could make out a couch, a guitar, and a window.
"Ah, she hates me!"
Came out frustratedly. It bothered me so much when people hated me. I just feel so guilty and for this I should. For what I did to them…I'm just surprised that Jess is able to speak to me.
"I almost ruined Becca's life and she hates me! Stupid, stupid, stupid."
My hands beat on my head a few times while I chanted 'stupid' at myself. The beating stopped when Darry caught my right arm.
"Kid…"
Busted.
He sat next to me,
"Don't blame yourself. We're all allowed one major mistake, but no more."
Huh? Dad used to tell us that,
"But Becca hates me, now."
He gave a sleepy half-smile and shrugged,
"Give it time. She won't be mad at you forever. Now get inside before you freeze your arms off. You didn't even get a jacket…"
He trailed off to a mumble. I scurried back in bed and fell back asleep, feeling much better.
Steve, Two-Bit, Becca, Emily, Johanna, Mel, and Laurel were all sleeping in the living room wherever they could fit last night but they weren't there no more. A large ruckus was coming from the kitchen and I poked my head in. Jess, Darry, Two-Bit, Soda, Mel, Steve, and Laurel were milling about. Upon seeing me, Laurel kissed my cheek and wrapped her arms around me,
"Mornin', sunshine."
I smiled,
"Hey, Laurel."
She took my hand and pulled me to the center of the kitchen. Jess was humming something sweetly and Darry grabbed her waist and ushered her into him while gently kissing her neck. Soda and Mel were dancing around wildly. I heard Two-Bit whisper to Steve,
"Join the club."
I picked up some toast and slathered some jelly on it. Two-Bit was chasing Steve around for his beer back.
"Well, kiddos, I'd better get down to work before the cars start pilin' up on each other."
Jess said standing up. I wonder,
"Hey Jess, where do you work again?"
She was putting on her jacket and tryin' to eat a donut,
"Part-time at the 19 and part-time at the café."
Soda put down his chocolate milk, revealing a big chocolate mustache,
"The 19! You chicks are our biggest competition."
Laurel spoke up,
"We all work down there but Jess pretty much fixes all the cars. Mel's learnin'."
Steve looked surprised,
"You fix all the cars?"
She nodded and lit a cancer stick. Darry stood up and gave her a cough long kiss before she left.
"You'd better get dressed, little buddy."
He told me cheerily. I did as he said and Soda drove me to school.
"How ya' doin'?"
Soda asked in the car. At first, I thought he was talking to me but Steve answered,
"Er, ok I guess. You know it's hard."
What were they talking about,
"What's wrong, Steve?"
Interestingly enough, there was no answer,
"Get to class, Pony. You're gonna be late."
Kind of confused, I walked up to the doors and waved back at them.
School was awful boring today but Cherry was back and out of the hospital. No one was around so I walked up to her locker,
"H—Hey, Cherry."
She was so surprised to see me,
"Hi, Ponyboy."
"How ya' feelin'?"
"Um…ok."
"Is your arm alright?"
"Not really but it'll do."
I noticed her looking around worriedly,
"Ponyboy, I think you should go."
Man, I didn't want to go. I was sick of being separated like this.
"Oh…ok then."
Now she looked hurt. Make up your mind!
"Pony, I didn't mean it like that."
A rough voice interrupted,
"Like what, baby?"
Cherry cursed softly,
"Nothing, Jordan, honey."
Ugh, this guy again. He glared at me viciously,
"You sure, Cherry Muffin? This trash botherin' you?"
"No! Jordan, baby, I'll talk to you later."
He passed by and shoved me with his shoulder so he knocked me down. Cherry whispered,
"I'm sorry, Ponyboy, I don't think we should talk anymore."
I knew it was coming but it didn't make it any less painful. God, I hate this damn separation thing. Just 'cause we're different—no we weren't that different. Our friends were just different. The whole day, I was distracted by that lousy meeting with Cherry.
At home, I threw my books down and everything in my backpack scattered everywhere. A piece of paper covered with hearts fell out. Laurel's name and number was on it. She gave it to me in science and I felt like putting hearts all over it. Nobody was home yet so everything was awful boring.
"Aw, what the heck."
I spun the number. A pretty voice answered,
"Hello?"
I responded but my voice cracked,
"Hi, is this Laurel."
She giggled and yelled away from the phone,
"Laurel, telephone!"
Another pretty voice cam on,
"Hello?"
"Hi, Laurel."
"Ponyboy is that you?"
"Yup."
"So, what's going on?"
"Just wanted to hear your voice."
"Tee-hee. That's so sweet."
I don't know why I told her but I felt that she needed to know,
"Cherry Valance was at school today."
No response.
"We talked for awhile."
"What happened?"
"She told me that I couldn't talk to her anymore."
"How do you feel about that?"
"It just bugs me that all of us are separated for no reason. Why do we hate Socs? Why do that hate us?"
And I just went on and on and on actually having a real good conversation with someone…A real pretty someone. I saw the headlights of three cars pull up and I felt that I should go.