Chapter 4: Staying Away
Two-Bit rubbed his sore cheek, too distracted to listen to his history teacher talk.
His face hurt and so did his feelings. He kept hearing Darry's angry words play in his mind over and over and the image of Darry's fist coming towards him flashed in his eyes.
Two-Bit frowned deeply, thinking hard. I think Darry really does hate me….., he told himself. Why else would he hit me like that? But, we've known each other for SO long, since we were kids.
I've known Pony since he was a little tike and Soda and I were so close growing up together as kids.
Two-Bit bit his lip, wondering why this was happening. Am I really that bad of an influence? To Pony?
Two-Bit frowned deeply because after Darry had hit him, he realised he was going to have to avoid Pony altogether. But, he didn't want to do that.
He shouldn't have to.
Darry shouldn't be hurting him like this.
But Two-Bit knew he couldn't defy Darry, no one defies Superman.
But now he was losing his best friend. And that meant more to him than a few punches.
He was willing to do anything for Ponyboy and he knew it too. He'd die for that kid.
But Darry was also his friend; he certainly couldn't take him on.
Two-Bit was questioning everything now; Am I that bad of a friend? Does anyone else in the gang hate me? What am I gonna do? And what about Pony?
Two-Bit didn't know how to provide himself with a good answer as he went on his way through the hallways between class. He rubbed his cheek, thinking, glancing around.
He knew he'd have to skip lunch with Steve and Pony, not wanting to get hit again by Darry and he was bummed out about it.
This is not how a gang's supposed to work…...Two-Bit thought. But, we're not even a gang, we're a family. And families certainly don't avoid each other.
Maybe Darry just doesn't understand…...Two bit his lip. Doesn't understand that I need to be with Pony as much as he needs me as a friend.
Two-Bit went to his next classes and frowned deeply, wanting this to be over.
When the bell rang for lunch, he sighed and went to his locker, getting out his lunch in his brown paper bag and heading towards the back of the school to hide under the bleachers in the gym to eat there.
A lot of nerds and loners went back there and it was a good spot to hide, especially if you didn't want anyone to find you.
Two-Bit frowned deeply as he sat behind the bleachers, eyeing his baloney sandwich, alone.
Pony hates baloney…..he frowned a little, thinking of his friend, wanting to be with him.
He looked around. It was dark back there and kind of cold. And it was quiet.
Two-Bit ate his sandwich, taking bites and chewing slowly, sighing loudly, feeling lonely.
He had never felt like this before and it was a very weird feeling for him. But he didn't like it.
Normally he was always surrounded by his friends, smiling and laughing.
Is this how Darry really wants things to be? Two-Bit asked himself. Me hiding like this?
But he knows I'd have to stay away while i'm at school…..is this what he pictured?
Two-Bit let out a very long sigh, his day not going well at all.
Steve caught up with him later in the halls, Two-Bit flinching a little when he heard his name being called, almost expecting Darry.
Steve came up, looking a little skeptical with a frown. "Hey man, where were ya earlier? Why didn't you come out to lunch?"
"Sorry Steve," Two-Bit had to shrug, frowning, but glad Pony wasn't with. "I didn't make it out in time…...oh well."
"Oh." Steve frowned a little, nodding slowly. "Hey, what happened to your face?" He pointed to Two's slowly forming dark, purple bruise.
Two-Bit gingerly touched it with a hand, remembering Darry and his words. "Oh….um, nothing." He fibbed.
"Who hit you?" Steve ignored the lie and cut right to the chase, eyebrows furrowed.
"Does it matter? I said it was nothin'..." Two huffed a little and turned away, not wanting to discuss this anymore. "Okay Steve?"
"Well…..okay…." Steve watched Two-Bit slink off with narrow eyes, frowning a little.
Two-Bit bit his lip as he hurried off, frowning, tension aroused in his stomach. He didn't like avoiding his friends, not if he wanted to be with them.
He suddenly felt bad. He was Pony's friend, he shouldn't let anyone get in the way of that.
But, but what could he do?
Two-Bit went to the DX after school, wanting to be with Soda, knowing it was a chance to be with one of his friends.
It was too weird being alone all day with no one to smart off to or accompany.
Two-Bit walked in and Soda smiled when he saw him. Steve hadn't arrived yet so it was just Soda working for now.
"Hey Two-Bit, how are-hey, what happened to your face?" Soda frowned and sat up, putting down his magazine.
Two-Bit's cheek was now purple, the dark bruise at his cheekbone and it looked awful.
"Oh, um, nothin'..." Two-Bit frowned, putting a hand to his cheek, biting his lip when he was reminded of Darry.
"Nothin' my a**, who hit you?" Soda stood, eyebrows furrowed.
Two-Bit almost blurted out, 'Your brother,' but then he remembered Soda didn't know about this, no one did.
Two-Bit suddenly realized he couldn't tell Soda, he didn't wanna cause trouble for the brothers. Soda didn't need to know anyways; this was Two-Bit's issue.
"That doesn't matter, Soda," Two-Bit said as he grabbed some chips off a shelf, avoiding looking at the Greaser. "I'm okay."
Soda frowned and came over, studying his friend a little. "You sure? You weren't jumped?"
"No. I'm okay," Two-Bit frowned and gave a nod, glad he was able to be with his friend and not have to worry. "It okay if I stay here awhile?"
"Oh, sure. Steve will be here, soon." Soda gave a nod.
"Great." Two-Bit managed a smile, able to feel happy for the first time that day. "Hey, you seen Dallas around lately?"
"Yeah, he came over last night," Soda nodded with a grin. "How come you didn't show up?"
Two-Bit's smile fell, that lonely feeling creeping up his throat again. "Oh…...no reason. Just had….other things…."
Two-Bit was starting to feel bad about all this lying. He didn't like any of this.
It's gonna be okay, d*** it, he told himself. This ain't gonna last forever, i'll figure somethin' out. I just, gotta be with my friends again.
"Oh." Soda shrugged a little. "So how ya been, buddy? Haven't seen ya since ya took off the other day….."
"Oh, that, right. Well, i've been good….." Two-Bit shrugged, trying to act collected. "Just…..hanging around…" Alone…
"Oh, well that's good…..why don't you swing by the house tonight and we can wrestle," Soda offered, grinning. "Haven't done that in awhile."
At first, Two-Bit grinned, thrilled by the offer at being invited to the house but then he remembered Darry and he frowned.
"Oh…...I-I don't think I can, Soda." He shuffled on his feet uneasily, looking away.
"Why not?" Soda frowned at his friend.
"Because I-"
Two-Bit turned as they heard the bell ring from the front door opening, Steve strolling in.
"Look, kid, I told ya to shut up, I don't wanna hear nothin' more about sunsets…." He growled a little, eyes narrowed.
Two-Bit almost gasped when he saw Ponyboy come in behind Steve, Pony giving Steve a mean look to the back of his head.
Oh no, I can't be here if Pony's here…..! Oh, f***. D*** it, Darry!
Two-Bit rubbed at his hair nervously, taking a step back, not wanting to get hurt again.
"Hey Steve," Soda greeted his friend happily.
"Hey Soda," Steve grunted. "Brought the tike with; said he wanted to see his brother but he won't shut up…."
Soda smirked. "Neither do you, Steve. Now, what were you saying, Two?"
Two-Bit frowned when he saw Soda look at him and he stepped back, his head suddenly hurting and overrun with emotions.
"Um, I-"
His eyes darted to Ponyboy, who looked over at him at the sight of him, offering a small smile and Two-Bit's shoulders sagged in defeat.
"I have to go." He said quickly, suddenly bolting off for the door with a frown.
"Wait, Two-Bit, where ya goin', I thought ya wanted to stay here for awhile?!" Soda called and stepped after his friend, but Two-Bit was already gone.
Two-Bit hurried out, his eyebrows furrowed in anger and pain. Suddenly he was angry with Darry, very angry.
He felt like he could punch him. But he couldn't do that, not to a friend. And hurting Darry wasn't going to make any of this better.
Two-Bit stopped and leaned against a tree with a hand, running a shaky hand across his face. "Oh f***," He whispered to himself, his heart racing, his head suddenly pounding.
"D*** it, Darry!" He suddenly hissed, giving the tree a shove, eyes narrowed angrily.
Two's head hurt and he realised he needed to sit down and clear his thoughts, figure something out. He was angry but he was also hurt emotionally and that wasn't a good combination.
He started for the lake and tried to take in relaxed breaths, trying not to think about Pony and Soda and Darry but he couldn't.
Soda had invited him over, but he knew he couldn't go. Darry would smash his head in.
But yet, Two-Bit wanted to be with his friends. And he hadn't been over to the Curtis house in three days; that made him feel lonely.
When Two got to the lake, he sat down by the water and chucked rocks into the waves, attempting to ease his anger.
He was angry with Darry and the throwing of the rocks helped cool him off. But when the anger was gone, suddenly he was upset.
Two-Bit bit his lip, not used to this; he hardly got upset and if he did, it was always with the gang, about something that happened concerning them.
But he had never been upset by himself, not like this. He recognized that he missed his friends and he was lonely without them but because of Darry, it was hard being around them now.
Two-Bit stared out at the water with a frown, feeling vulnerable, slowly hugging his knees to his chest.
Am I losing my friends? He wondered. But, we're all family, I can't lose them.
Two-Bit suddenly wished to talk to someone, as he had hardly talked to anyone all day and he sat up with anticipation, looking around.
He saw some birds in the trees and needing to speak, he watched them.
"I'm not bad, right?" His voice shook a little. "Darry doesn't know what he's doing. M-Maybe I should talk to him….? I-I need to be able to talk to my friends and hang out, th-they're my buddies. Wh-What do you think?"
The birds chirped and some flew away.
Two-Bit nodded to himself. "I know they're my friends but what about Darry? He's so big and strong and he already hit me…...b-but I should stand up for myself, right?"
Two-Bit watched as the birds all flew away and he looked around, suddenly feeling stupid.
"H-How can Darry do this?" He whispered lowly, hugging his knees to his chest, frowning. "I-I can't stand up to him…...i'll be hamburger meat if I do. F***."
Two-Bit glared out at the water, wishing he was at the DX with Steve, Soda and Pony instead.
He missed them. He hadn't seen Dallas for awhile either and he had missed the opportunity to see him last night by not being allowed to come over.
After staying at the lake for an hour, feeling miserable and confused, Two-Bit decided to go home, not knowing where else to go.
He glared at the sidewalk as he walked, not liking this feeling of being alone for so long.
When he was almost home, he glanced up and spotted Ponyboy and Mark ahead.
Two-Bit frowned a little and stepped back, knowing he wasn't supposed to be around Pony. He hid behind a car and watched them, longing to hang out and have fun with his friend again.
The two young boys were walking along and Mark thought it was hilarious to flip the bird at every car that drove by, laughing hysterically. Pony looked a little embarrassed but still smirked a little.
Cars honked at Mark and some shook their fists out the window and swore at him, making Mark laugh harder.
Two-Bit watched and shook his head a little, smirking lightly. "That d*** kid," He had never really liked Mark and thought he was a horrible influence for Pony. He was nothing but a hood who caused trouble, looked for trouble and wanted trouble.
Two-Bit suddenly frowned. How can Darry allow Pony to hang out with this car wreck but not me? Am I really that bad?
Two-Bit continued to watch as the two walked down the street, Mark flipping the bird at every car.
Suddenly a car slammed on the brakes as Mark flipped them off, the tires squealing as the car stopped past the two young boys.
Two-Bit tensed and stood up a little more, watching.
Three mean-looking boys hopped out and started hollering, grabbing at Mark and shoving him against their car, taking swings at him, clearly irritated by the rude gesture.
Mark snarled and fought back, punching and kicking at them.
Two-Bit gaped as he watched, seeing Ponyboy hurry over and rip one of them off his friend, telling him to back off.
The guy swung at Pony but Pony ducked and shoved him away. Two-Bit watched, hoping his friend would be okay.
Another guy swore and came at Pony, punching him and Two-Bit gasped a little, his blood broiling with sudden intense anger.
He glanced at Mark who was still fighting the other two and the one who had hit Pony shoved him down with a laugh and spat at him.
Two-Bit's fists balled in fury and he lept out, swearing, hurrying over, punching the guy away.
The guy looked startled but glared and raised his fists but Two-Bit whipped out his blade.
"Pick on someone your own age how bout instead of beatin' up little kids!" He growled.
The guy looked scared and darted away and the other two quit hitting Mark and jumped into their car and drove away.
Two-Bit put his blade back into his pocket and hurriedly helped Pony off the ground. "Pony, you okay?"
He coughed a little. "I'm fine, Two-Bit," His eyes were wide, catching his breath. "Th-Thanks.
Two-Bit was relieved Ponyboy was okay and his narrowed eyes went to Mark, grabbing his arm and pulling him off the ground.
"You, what the hell is wrong with you, Mark?" He growled. "What were you thinking?"
Mark was bruised and a little bloody, stumbling on his feet. "Hey, it wasn't a problem…."
Two-Bit glared, giving him a rough shove. "Yeah? Well next time don't get Pony involved in it, got it?"
"Easy, Two-Bit," Pony frowned, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm okay."
"Yeah, thanks to me." Two-Bit snorted with a huff, still angry that Mark had caused trouble with his friend. "Go home, Mark."
Mark's eyebrows furrowed. "Says, who? Me and Pony was-"
"Go home," Two-Bit snapped, not caring if he was being mean to the fifteen year old.
"Fine. I don't wanna put up with you, anyway." Mark huffed and turned to go off.
"Gee, Two-Bit, why'd ya do that? It was fine," Ponyboy frowned at Two-Bit with furrowed eyebrows.
Two-Bit looked back at him, his expression softening a little. "Sorry Pony, it's just, that kid is not responsible and he shouldn't have-"
"Hey I know you have beef with Mark but you didn't have to chase him off." Pony huffed. "Besides, I coulda handled my own just fine. I suppose you wanna hang out with me to make sure i'm okay now, right?"
Two-Bit suddenly realised who he was talking to. "Oh. Um, sorry, but maybe you should go home too…..get that face looked at. But I gotta go….."
"Well where are you goin'?" Pony huffed. "You don't even wanna hang out or talk to me?" He frowned, not able to remember the last conversation he had even had with Two-Bit.
"Sorry, Kid, I really am…." Two-Bit frowned and turned, starting to walk off, feeling his stomach tighten up at the thought of Darry yelling at him, almost feeling like he was watching him now.
"Two-Bit! Hey!" Pony yelled after him but Two-Bit kept walking, leaving Pony confused and wondering what Two-Bit's problem was. He knew he was acting funny lately.
Two-Bit frowned and just walked home, shaking his head with a sigh, feeling guilty for having blown the opportunity to be with his friend.
That evening,the phone rang. Not thinking about who it was going to be, Two-Bit picked it up.
"Hello?"
"News flash, you stay away from Soda too." Came a deep, mean growl.
Two-Bit flinched and almost dropped the phone. "Wh-Wh-What?" He stuttered out.
"You heard me. I don't want you around them, you're a bad influence and you're leading 'em down a horrible path. They can do better. So you just stay away."
Two-Bit's frown deepened and he began to whimper as he listened. "Darry, you-you want me to stay away from Soda too? But-but we're so close and no Soda means no DX and no Soda-"
"Can it, Two. I've had enough of you. You stay away from them both and I mean it. And quit talking to my kid-brother like you have been." Darry hung up.
Two-Bit's mouth open he slowly put the phone back on the receiver. No Soda….?
Suddenly Two-Bit got mad again and he grabbed his keys and angrily stormed out and drove away, going to Buck's.
He was mad now and he was going to drink the pain away, to feel better.
He wanted to be with his friends and Darry was ruining everything.
Well f*** that. F*** Darry.
I'm going to be with my friends, whether he likes it or not.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, followed and Favorited. I'll try and update faster I swear...