Wow! First of all thanks for all the fab reviews and comments. I love them. And because of them here is another chapter!
Now to answer a few questions/comments: This takes place about a year and a half after the book/my old story. So Ponyboy is close to 16, I would say.
Also, I love Vietnam/war movies & have watched many…basically in this story I don't know specifics…but I'll pull off what I can with a bit imagination.
Enjoy and leave me more reviews!
Oh yah…what are people preferring: Just PB's POV or the other guys? Let me know…
XXX
PONY:
The harsh sunlight made me flinch as I left Buck's the next day. Last night had not done wonders for my self-esteem. I had bought a bottle of peroxide that night and once again, I was blonde. My hair, coupled with my stay at Buck's brought back bad memories of Windrixville.
Of Dally and Johnny.
After that, I vaguely recalled the night. I had curled up in a random bedroom and fell asleep in that peroxide-tainted room. I woke up in the middle of the night with one of my usual nightmares.
I had better get those under control; there would be no one to comfort me out in the army.
I hopped a bus to the address stated in the letter. Resting my head against the window I tried to stifle the nervous feeling in my stomach. Doubts plagued my mind:
I was too young for this
I was too scared for this
I'm going to die.
Wouldn't be the first time, I thought wryly. I pulled out Soda's driver's license and stared at his picture, hoping I looked enough like him. Then I bit my lip, hard. It had just occurred to me that this was the only picture I would have of my brother while I was away.
For how long…my mind wondered and before I could have any more doubts, the bus screeched to a halt, shaking me out of it. Stepping off the platform, I lugged my heavy bag up and started for the army's head quarters, which were right across the street.
As always, my mind started to drift. I wondered what my brother's were doing. Had they noticed I was gone yet? Were they-
"Hey! Watch it!" a voice snapped.
"Sorry," I mumbled, looking up at a dark-haired boy in a uniform. He scowled at me and left me standing outside.
Silently, I cursed my absent-mindedness. This did not bode well for me. Get it together Ponyboy, I told myself.
Inside, I caught sight of myself in a window and smoothed my hair back. "Shoot, who's gonna buy this?" I muttered to myself angrily. I definitely didn't look 18. The room was filled with men of all ages. Checking in, standing in line, filling out paperwork. Smoking, talking. I saw the groups of friends clustered together and missed the gang.
It was apparent to me that I was one of the smallest kids in the room. I rolled my eyes and stepped in line. At the check-in desk someone growled, "You there. Check in here." I looked around to see who the voice was directed too, then realized it was directed at me. A salt-and-pepper haired man raised an eyebrow and gave me an annoyed look. "Yeah, you kid. Name?" he asked as I stepped up.
I was ready. "Sodapop Curtis."
He chuckled heartily. "We've been waiting to meet the bearer of this name. It's a doozy." Scanning the list he hi-lighted my brother's name and checked off "reporting for duty". "ID please?" he asked.
I handed the license over along with Soda's birth certificate, which I had taken from our attic. He scrutinized both articles and eyed me. I shifted nervously. I couldn't help it.
"Says here you're 18…Sodapop."
"Yessir."
"Mm hmm." The man tapped the license with his index finger hard and handed both documents back to me. He seemed to ponder something then said, "Here ya go soldier. I'm Colonel Howard. The changing room is thataway. Get cleaned up and get ready. Looks like you'll be shipping out today."
I must have looked as scared as I felt because he slapped me on the shoulder, saying, "Don't worry kid. You're doing your country proud." He shot me a rare smile.
I smiled back thinly and slowly walked through the room. In the locker room as I was handed a uniform, deep feelings of bitterness unfolded and once again I thanked whoever was out there that I had reached the letter before Sodapop had.
Before changing into my assigned uniform, I snuck into a bathroom stall, sitting on the toilet lid. Everything washed over me; I thought about what I was doing, how scared I was and knew that I had better do this now rather than later: I buried my warm face into my shaking hands and cried silently.
After all, I was just a kid.
XXX
Ok was that way cheesy? I think Ponyboy is brave but he IS just a kid and thought that he would definitely let it out.
Thanks for any feedback/comments. I love it. Keep reading and I'll keep updating!
MWAH!
Bambola: any ideas I would love to hear 'em, but update your story…I want to read it! ;)
XMysteryx: Your reviews made me SO happy! Thanks for telling people about the story and keep reading…I hope you enjoy…
Other reviewers: Thanks and leave more feedback it keeps me going….
