Um... so...I, of course have a perfect explanation on why i took almost a year to not update,,,, haah,

no i dont im sorry

TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE WAITED, THANK YOU. I HAVE AN ESSAY DUE SOON BUT ITS A OKAY. ANYTHING FOR YOU GUYS

Pony's POV

"Are you okay?" Johnny asked for the millionth time as we walked to one of our classes.

I gave out a sigh but quickly winced in pain at the action, "Y-yeah Johnny. Like I said, I'm fine-it just, hurts when I breathe."

Johnny let out a nervous laugh, "Nothing we can really do about that right?"

I nodded. We neared my classroom and I said goodbye to Johnny, his classroom was down the hall so we were able to talk after lunch. Johnny had asked how I felt the whole day, he said Dally had given him some painkillers for me, knowing in the state I was still probably in, I was extremely grateful. I popped two in and hoped that'd do the job. But in all honesty, I wasn't feeling too hot. I had a blaring headache and my ribs still hurt. Each breath I took felt like a blow to my stomach and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep.

Today was Friday so I had two days off to try and rest and heal my ribs. It was the final class of the day and I was glad to be going home soon. I shivered at the encounter I had with the Socs, they all but mocked me the entire class period, throwing crumpled pieces of paper. Some of them saying not so... great things. When the teacher had left the room, they had grabbed my books and threw them on the floor. Most of the kids turned to look at me with sympathy but didn't do anything to help.

When we were exiting, they pushed me making me cry out in pain. All my stuff fell on the floor and still, no one had bothered to help. Maybe they were in the right though. Maybe I was just weak and couldn't bother to stand up for myself.

I just hoped this period went as fast as the others, I didn't think I could handle any more time here.

"Don't forget to take the painkillers alright Pone? Every 6 hours take only one. No more than four in twenty-four hours, it'll be too much and you might overdose," Johnny said at the porch of the door.

"Don't worry Johnny, I'll remember. Are you sure you don't wanna stay? Darry and Soda won't mind. Heck, I could use the company."

Johnny shook his head, "I would Pony, but I gotta go help Dally with something. He told me yesterday when you left," Johnny said, face with guilt.

I shrugged a shoulder, "Don't worry about it, Johnny. Now that I think about it, Darry might still be mad at me. Are you coming over later?"

"Maybe, but if not today, tomorrow," Johnny replied.

I nodded beginning to close the door when Johnny began to speak, "Pony... those Socs didn't say or bother you today right? You've been quiet from the walk home, did they do anything?"

My mind seemed to swirl in thoughts, I wanted to tell Johnny, I really wanted to, but he'd only grow more worried and I didn't want that. As much as a good friend Johnny was, he wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. And if he did, the Socs would beat him up, and I couldn't bear that thought.

I shook my head, smiling, "Don't you worry about it, Johnny. They didn't do anything. Be careful on the way okay?"

Johnny stared at me, and I looked away, squirming at his gaze. He let out a deep sigh but nodded, "Alright, I'll believe you. See you Pony."

I said goodbye and closed the doors. I ran a hand through my hair as I walked towards my room and laid my stuff down. I walked towards the bathroom looking in the mirror, examining my wounds. The black eyes weren't really there anymore, Soda had forced an ice pack on it for almost an hour, to stop the swelling. I took off my shirt and saw my stomach painted with millions of deep purple colors. Mostly on my abdomen. I tried to touch one softly but hissed in pain. I couldn't remove the gauzes yet since my bruises were still tender, which was was extremely frustrating, having to hide them from Darry.

I put my shirt back on and walked towards Soda and I's bed and carefully laid there. I knew I should start my homework but I had all weekend to do it, and frankly, I didn't wanna do anything now.

"Heya Pony! You home?" a voice came from the living room.

I was confused, it was Soda. I looked at the clock near the door and frowned, it wasn't three yet, why was he home?

"S-Soda?" I called out, moving to sit on the edge of my bed.

At his name, Soda burst through the door, hands on his hips, and shot me a grin, "the one and only!"

"Why are you-" then I remembered his boss had given him vacation days, "where were you?"

"Went out to buy some painkillers for whatever happened to you," he shrugged carelessly as he threw himself on the bed.

I gasped, "Soda! Why did you- you shouldn't have done that."

He looked up, raising an eyebrow, "Why?"

I looked away, "you don't need to do that. You're wasting your money...Dally already-" I cut myself off he didn't know Dally helped me with the bruises.

He sat up, "Dally what Pony?"

"N-nothing," I whispered pathetically as I moved to stand.

He grabbed hold of my wrist, "Pony, tell me what happened," I looked away, "please."

"I-if I do... you can't tell Darry." Soda wouldn't give up until I told him what had happened. And as much as I didn't wanna bother them, as much as I didn't wanna cause them distress. A small selfish part of me did. I wanted to tell my brothers everything. I wanted to tell Darry everything and beg for him to believe me. I wanted him to believe that I would never do anything that would cause them distress on purpose.

But I knew he'd never believe me.

"Pony-" Soda started.

"Promise me Soda. Promise me," I begged.

He gave out a deep sigh, "I... I promise. But if Darry starts suspecting anything, I ain't gonna lie to him."

I nodded, and without a word, began to take my shirt off. I heard Sodas breath hitch and everything was quiet. I absolutely hated it.

When I looked up at Soda again, I saw Sodas eyes filled with tears. It seemed like he didn't know what to do. I didn't blame him, I didn't really know what to do either.

"Pony... what did they do to you?" Soda choked out as his fingertips brushed over my gauze, and without meaning to, flinched. He hadn't pressed so hard, but I couldn't help but feel as though any touch would cause more pain than there already was.

I didn't say anything, refusing to look at him. I couldn't handle the look on Soda's face. I couldn't handle being the cause of all his hurt and distress. He probably blamed himself and I absolutely hated myself for causing him that.

"Did they- they didn't do anything today right?" Soda asked.

I swallowed, "n-no they didn't."

"Pony... I... I'm so sorry," Soda said as his arms enveloped me. I was grateful that he didn't press too hard.

I sniffed, "you can't tell Darry."

"Pony-"

"Remember you promised. You c-can't break your promise."

We were quiet. I knew he didn't know what to say, what to do. It didn't matter, I was content being like this. Knowing Soda was there for me. I didn't think about how Darry still hated me. When he came home I promised myself I wouldn't bother him. I'd do everything he told me, as much as I might hate it.

"I... are you hungry?" Soda asked, "I brought food."

I shook my head against his chest. I wasn't lying, the past days hadn't really made me have any appetite. The thought of eating right now sickened me and made me nauseous.

"Pony, you gotta eat. You'll get sick."

"N-not hungry," I mumbled.

"Pony I-" he stood up and rubbed his face, "you gotta eat at dinner though alright? I ain't gonna tell Darry but, I ain't gonna risk you getting even worse. Alright?"

I looked away, not saying anything. I hear him sigh as he bent on one knee and looked at me.

"Pony, if anything happens again, you gotta tell me alright? You gotta promise that you'll tell me. No matter what."

I didn't meet his eyes but only nodded. He gently grabbed my chin, "Promise?"

I smiled, "Yeah, promise."

I didn't uncross my fingers even as he left the room.

I wanna thank myself for writing this chapter a few months ago but not being able to actually completely edit it.

OKAY, i'm proud that I actually got this done. To those who have been reading Desolation, I'll probably update that soon as well. I promiseeeeeeee

Okay guys, se you on the next update! Please review.

Sincerely

Me

~BlueJay8083