FOREVER CHANGED
CHAPTER 20
LEARNED
The tension between the Greasers and Socs had cooled down during the last six months, partly due to the death of Bob Sheldon and the detention of Curly Shepard, the youngest and meanest of the Shepard boys, at the state reformatory.
Ponyboy's first few days of school were uneventful, Two-bit wasn't there anymore to offer comic relief, Steve was on a work release, so he was gone by 1pm, and his best friend, Johnny was being home schooled because of his injuries.
It was Monday morning, Pony was in a good mood today. Johnny had seemed a little less depressed over the weekend, he was feeling well enough to sit outside with the gang for a half hour, the night before; even though it was on the back porch and nearly dark out.
Ponyboy picked up his pace when her heard the first bell ring and he was still a block away. He briefly looked down to make sure he had Johnny's homework too.…when he brushed shoulders with a tall blonde kid, standing on the sidewalk.
Pony looked up, he didn't recognize the boy. "Sorry 'bout that", he muttered in passing. Pony was only about five feet from the door, when this unfamiliar boy jumped in front of him. The boy was dressed nice, like a Soc…but he was wearing a letterman jacket from a different school.
Ponyboy gave the kid a confused look, then turned to walk around him. The boy grabbed Pony by his t-shirt and pulled him closer. "You don't know me…..but I know you", the boy smirked. Ponyboy's books and papers fell to the ground.
A crowd started to form around the boys. "Let me introduce myself.…I'm Marty Sheldon", he stated with great contempt. Pony's eyes became wide with fear. "I believe you knew my cousin Bob".
Pony took a deep calming breath. "Listen, I don't want any trouble, man.….I'm just trying to get to school", he grunted as the boy tightened his grip, causing his fist to press against Ponyboy's throat.
The boy dropped Ponyboy to the ground and looked as though he were walking away. Pony got to his knees and started to pick up his books, but just as Marcia came over to hand him some papers that had flown away, Marty Sheldon turned around. "If you ask me, that friend of yours got exactly what he deserved", he yelled, loud enough for the group of kids, to hear.
Pony's blood ran cold, nobody…I mean nobody talks bad about Johnny. He stumbled to his feet and ran, full force, into Marty, tackling him to the ground.
Ponyboy punched, blindly, through his misty eyes. "Stop it…please…just stop", Cherry screamed, as the first sight of blood, dripped to the ground. Marcia ran into the school, Ponyboy's books and papers still gripped tightly to her chest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-bit and Johnny had just finished watching an episode of Mickey on television when the phone rang. Two-bit answered, the lady on the other end asked for Darry. "Sorry but Darrel ain't home right now. Yeah, I'm in charge here", he said smartly, giving Johnny a wink. "….Oh, yes I'll be right down there", he replied, in a more serious tone.
"What's goin' on?", Johnny asked worriedly. "Nothin", Two-bit answered hasitly. "Pony needs a ride home from school", he added, walking over to answer the door.
"Hey, Wes...c'mon in", Two-bit greeted, holding the door open for Johnny's tutor. "Whadda ya mean Pony needs a ride home? School started less than an hour ago", Johnny stated nervously.
Johnny was stitting with his back to the door, so he couldn't see what was going on behind him. Two-bit bent down and whispered something into Wes' ear. He gave him a shocked looked and whispered something back.
"Hey Two-bit...what's wrong with Pony?", Johnny asked anxiously, frustrated that he couldn't turn his head to look at his friend when he spoke. "I don't know Johnnycake, nurse called and said to come pick him up", he said, gritting his teeth and pushing Johnny to the table. He hated keeping secrets, but Two-bit was more concerned with how the truth, that Ponyboy was involved in a fight, would affect Johnny.
"Wes' gonna stay with you...do you need anything before I leave?", Two-bit asked, apprehensive about leaving the two alone. Wes looked like a pretty capable person, but he was disabled too and Johnny required a lot of assistance.
Johnny cleared his dry throat. "Maybe somethin' to drink", he said, answering Two-bit's question. "How 'bout you Wes?",Two-bit asked next. "Sure...whatever you've got", he smiled.
Two-bit came back with two bottles of coke, he placed one on the table next to Wes and gave Johnny a sip from the one with the straw. He stood there, nervously stuffing his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. "Go, we'll be fine", Wes reassured him. Two-bit smiled and nodded, then ran briskly out of the house.
---------------------------------------------------
Ponyboy sat quietly in the principal's office, holding an ice pack to his swollen face. "Keith Mathews...I never thought I'd see the day when you walked into this office, without a pink slip in your hand", the office secretary exclaimed with a laugh.
"Well I never thought I'd be walkin' into this office again...period", he joked back, pulling Pony up by the arm. "He ready to go?",Two-bit asked the secretary. "All yours", she answered with a small waive.
"Suspended Pony? Darry's gonna kill you", Two-bit scolded as they walked down the hallway, unable to pass the mobs of kids trying to get to second period.
Once outside Two-bit pulled the ice pack away from Pony's face. "Glory boy...what did you get yourself into?", Two-bit chuckled. Ponyboy smiled, a small trail of blood trickled from his nose. "You should see the other guy", he stated proudly.
"Hey Ponyboy", a small voice called from the steps. The two boys turned around to find Marcia, Cherry and three male Soc's coming toward them. "Here's your books...Hi Two-bit", Marcia said shyly, handing Pony his belongings. "Thanks Marcia", he slurred, slightly.
Cherry looked at Pony's battered face. "You gonna be okay Ponyboy?...He was really beatin' on you", Cherry asked sincerely. Pony nodded, and eyed the others.
The tall thin boy withbrown hair stepped forward. "Randy talked to us before he left for college...said you guys were cool...so you wont be havin' any trouble form us", he stated, holding out his hand. "Sure", Two-bit mumbled, but shook his hand anyway, Pony was next. They turned around, Two-bit put his arm around Pony and guided him to the car.
The majority of the car ride was silent. Ponyboy looked out the window to avoid the disappointed glance he was getting from Two-bit. "What'd you tell Johnny?", Pony whispered, licking his split lip.
"The truth", Two-bit answered coolly. Ponyboy looked away, ashamed. "Told him the school nurse called for someone to pick ya up", he added, a little softer this time.
"So he doesn't know about this?", Pony asked, motioning to his face. Two-bit shook his head. "Good...that's how I wanna keep it", Pony added, letting out a relieved sigh.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ponyboy entered the house and headed right for the stairs. "Pony, you alright man?", Johnny asked from the table, straining to look at his friend. Between the stiff back brace and the scar tissue on his neck, that was nearly impossible.
"I'm okay Johnny", Pony answered on his way up the stairs. "What's wrong with him?", Johnny asked Two-bit, when he came into view. He shrugged. "Probably gonna go up there and puke", Two-bit replied, hoping that would be enough of an answer for Johnny.
Johnny waited patiently for Ponyboy to come downstairs, all day; but between his morning studies, his afternoon exercises, and not resting at his usual time, he was exhausted. Pony waited at the top of the stairs until he knew Johnny would be in bed and Two-bit would be napping on the couch.
He tip-toed to the kitchen to make a sandwich, when the front door flew open and Darry, Soda and Steve walked in. He groaned as he looked at the clock, it was nearly supper time.
"Wake up sleepin' beauty", Steve joked, kicking Two-bit's foot. "Hey Pony...Johnny, you guys out back?", Soda called as he walked through the dining room. "Ponyboy Michael Curtis...what the hell happened to you?", he asked pulling his brother close.
The two others came running into the kitchen, shocked by Ponyboy's appearence. Pony explained what took place on the front lawn of the school, he told them about Bob's cousin, what he said about Johnny and the two day suspension he was slapped with.
He saw the look on his oldest brother's face. "Darry, I know what you're gonna say", he started. "What Pony, what am I gonna say?", he asked smugly. "You're gonna say I'm stupid for fightin' and I shoulda just walked away...but I couldn't...you understand, don'tcha?", he explained.
"Yeah, you are stupid...and yeah, I do understand", he offered, giving Pony a hug. "Maybe he was right?...Bob's cousin", said an upset voice from behind. They all turned to see Two-bit standing behind Johnny's wheelchair.
Ponyboy sadly lowered his head. "I killed a boy Pony...maybe this is my punishment", Johnny added, emotionally. "I'm sorry Johnny, I...", Pony stated. "There's no excuse Pone...nothin' good ever comes outta fightin'...I thought you knew that by now", Johnny interrupted, sadly.
"I do now", Pony said, sighing softly.
--------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay guys, how do you feel about Pony and Cherry? I just don't see it...but let me know what you think. I've already got love a love interest in mind for another character, can you guess who?
REVIEWERS: ivy45663, WhoaaReally53, Maddiecake, iheartponyboy33, and SamSammySamantha(especially for reviewing almost every chapter you missed), you make writting this story so much fun, thank you all so very much.
p.s. Only three more reviews and I'll have 100. Ahhhh! I've never even made it anywhere near 100 with my other pennames and stories...and it's all because of you guys. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox