Chapter 12: Worse
Two-Bit woke up late the next morning, hungover. Luckily it was Saturday so he didn't have to worry about going to school.
He groaned and struggled to sit up, holding his head, trying to remember what had happened last night.
He could just faintly remember.
He remembered Darry and that was about it. But even that was enough to remind Two-Bit of how much pain he was in.
He sludged into the bathroom, groaning, his red hair messy and everywhere, yawning.
He used the bathroom and splashed water on his face, his face sore and puffy from crying so much last night.
His black eye was still swollen up, but not as badly as it was before.
Two-Bit's stomach growled. Boy was he hungry!
He made his way downstairs, grabbing a whole bag of chips and some pickles, going back to his room.
He sat alone to eat, watching Mickey Mouse, frowning softly.
Hungry, Two-Bit chowed down on his chips, watching Mickey half-heartedly, still upset about having to watch a mouse be with all of his friends while he couldn't be with anybody.
The phone rang while he was eating.
Two-Bit's eyebrows furrowed, scowling, letting out a huff, refusing to answer it.
He didn't care who was calling; he was not talking to any one of the gang right now.
They weren't his friends no mores. Not to him anyways.
Two-Bit stayed at home all day, watching Mickey and taking naps.
While he enjoyed the time to relax and heal his sore body, he got lonesome, frowning deeply, wishing he had someone to talk to.
Saturdays were usually the day he and Ponyboy always hung out.
But of course that wasn't going to happen today.
No thanks to Superman, the b******...Two-Bit was cussing out Darry a lot recently, but he didn't care.
Darry had ruined his life anyhow. Or at least Two felt like he had.
He felt broken anyways.
Two-Bit got tired of moping around; he hated being by himself with no one to talk to all day.
By early that afternoon, he decided to at least try getting out of the house, wondering if going to the movies would do him some good.
He grabbed his jacket, his switchblade in his back pocket of course, walking out.
He didn't take his car; there wasn't a need to.
Two-Bit felt like walking anywho.
He kicked at rocks and at the sidewalk, looking down with furrowed eyebrows, feeling lousy.
He looked around for anyone from the gang but didn't see any of them, though he was kinda glad he didn't.
But deep down, he wished he could, missing all of them.
Even Darry, sorta.
He really wished he could talk to Pony though, hoping the kid wasn't still mad at him.
And he wanted to apologize to Soda too, wondering if Soda was mad at him too.
He hoped not.
He didn't need more of the gang hating him.
Two-Bit sighed as he walked to the Nightly Double.
He slid his way under the fence, certainly not going to pay to get in.
Not feeling like getting any snacks, he headed right over to the chairs, trying to figure out where he should sit.
He had never really gone to the movies by himself before. It felt odd.
Would it be unnatural to sit alone up front or should he stay towards the back?
Two-Bit looked around at the seats, trying to figure out where to sit before he froze, going still.
Down towards the front row seats, sat Steve, Soda, Pony and Dallas all in a line, watching the movie.
Well, they weren't really watching; they were all screwing around and hollering while Pony tried to watch the movie.
Two-Bit frowned, watching, his shoulders slumping.
He wasn't invited to go to the movies with them.
He stood still, watching, a frown on his face.
They were being loud, he could hear their voices from back there. Steve was throwing popcorn and was sitting upright on his knees in his chair, being loud, trying to annoy Dallas, who eventually got mad and threw his drink at Steve, making Soda holler with laughter.
Pony, who was in the middle, scowled at them and just tried to keep his focus on the movie, eating his popcorn.
Two-Bit frowned deeply as he watched his friends. Hearing Soda's loud laughter and all of them having fun together made him realise how much he missed them hanging out with them.
He frowned and was disappointed that he hadn't been invited to join them.
He wanted to go down there and join them in fact but his legs didn't want to move.
Instead of coming to check on him to see if he was okay, they were all here, having their own fun, without him.
Watching Steve holler like an idiot and throw popcorn at Dally suddenly upset Two-Bit and eyebrows furrowing, he turned away, stomping off, upset.
If they all wanted to have fun without him, fine.
He wasn't stupid, he knew when he wasn't wanted.
Two-Bit left, huffing and grumbling, fists shoved into his pockets.
Angrily, he headed for the lake, frustrated with his friends, wanting to cool off.
When he got to the lake, he grabbed a handful of rocks, tossing them one by one angrily into the water, listening to the splashes they made, glaring with narrowed eyes.
He panted heavily with anger, swearing under his breath, throwing rock after rock.
Two-Bit was cross with all of his friends and he didn't know how else to handle it other than be angry at them.
Sick of throwing rocks, he turned and glared around, angrily longing to talk to someone, not having spoken to anyone all day.
He heard birds chirping and he looked up at the nearest tree, huffing.
"Yeah, we get it, you're all happy you don't have to rub it in!" He shouted angrily at them.
The birds continued to chirp.
Two-Bit raised a brow angrily, scowling. "Shut up! Quit chirping with your stupid happiness!"
When the birds continued to chirp, Two-Bit growled and stomped over, looking up at the tree, starting to climb up, eyes narrowed.
He climbed up a little ways, stopping when there was a little spot for him to sit down in the branches.
He was angry at the birds for being so happy, glaring at some of them who perched nearby.
Two-Bit snarled and grabbed the nearest one, clasping it in his hand. "Why don't you ever listen to me?!" He growled.
The bird chirped with fear, dropping the worms she was holding in her beak, the worms falling all the way to the ground, shaking in Two's hand.
Two-Bit saw this and softened a little, turning to see there was a nest nearby with baby birds chirping hungrily inside. Two-Bit frowned, suddenly guilty.
"Oh, i'm sorry," He apologized softly and let go of the bird, starting to climb back down the tree.
He got to the bottom and scooped up the fallen worms, putting them in his pocket, climbing back up.
When he got to the nest, he pulled the worms out of his pocket, frowning softly, giving one to each of the birds.
"I'm sorry guys…...here."
The mama bird chirped at Two-Bit happily, perching on her nest, ruffling her feathers.
Two-Bit smiled faintly as he fed each of the baby birds, who ate the worms from his hand happily. "You guys sure are cute….."
Suddenly he felt stupid, realising he was talking to birds, to birds. God he must be out of his mind.
He let out a long sigh, frowning, starting to climb back down the tree. "I'll go now….."
Two-Bit got back on the ground, shaking his head with a frown, disappointed with himself.
He heard barking nearby and turned, a dog sniffing around nearby. He watched it, frowning softly, going to sit down in front of the lake, sighing again.
He put his head into his hands, watching the lake, thinking of all of his friends at the movies having fun and laughing together, frowning as he stared at his shoes, missing them.
Two-Bit heard movement nearby and turned, seeing the dog coming close to him curiously, sniffing.
"Oh, hello….." Two-Bit offered a small smile.
The dog sniffed and sensing it was safe, came close to Two-Bit, licking his hand, offering a woof.
Two-Bit smiled a little. "Where's your owner little guy? Or are ya a stray?"
The dog barked and nuzzled into Two's side, licking his face happily.
"Hey," Two-Bit laughed softly, outstretching a hand, petting the dog's soft fur. "You must like me huh?"
The dog barked, wagging his tail happily, nudging Two's arm with excitement.
Two-Bit laughed again, petting the dog's head happily. "Awww…...you sure are a cute little fella. You better go on though, you don't want to be around little ol' me…." He slumped his shoulders a little, looking away.
The dog barked softly and laid down next to Two's side, looking up at him expectantly, wagging his tail.
Two-Bit's eyebrows raised, glancing at him. "O-Oh. You wanna stay with me? Well, you're about the only one little guy…..none of my friends wanna hang out with me." He looked away with a frown, hugging his knees to his chest.
The dog whined softly, nudging Two's leg softly with his snout, looking up at him with his big brown eyes.
Two-Bit frowned, shrugging a little, looking away. "Aww, it's okay…...they jus' don't wanna be with me, I guess…but it's okay….I don't mind, really."
The dog whined again softly and nudged Two's arm, nuzzling his snout against him, cuddling closely, panting softly.
Two-Bit patted his head softly, petting his soft fur. "Gee thanks little guy. But you outta be goin'. Guess I should be goin' too." Two sighed as he stood. "See ya around I guess….."
He started to walk off and the dog cocked his head, watching Two-Bit go, sitting, staying put until Two-Bit was gone.
Two-Bit sighed as he walked home, running a hand through his hair, casting his gaze down, eyeing the sidewalk.
When he got home he didn't even eat supper, not in the mood to eat, instead going right to his room, plopping down on his bed with a flop.
Staring up at the ceiling, he wondered when he'd be able to see his friends again, hoping that time was soon, missing them all.
The next day wasn't all that much different. It was Sunday so Two figured it would just be another day of him being home alone.
He sighed loudly, bored out of his mind, fiddling with his switchblade absentmindedly as he sat on his bed, Mickey playing on his TV but he was barely watching.
He really wanted to stop by the DX to see Soda and Steve but he knew he couldn't, upsetting the Greaser, wanting to be with his friends.
He wondered if he should round up Dallas to hang out with him but Two-Bit didn't feel like getting into trouble now.
Two-Bit really wanted to hang out with Ponyboy the most; their times together were always fun and Two really missed being with his buddy, missing the kid.
Two-Bit sighed again, wondering what the gang was doing now. Prolly off having fun without me again….
He shook his head, looking around his room boredly.
His stomach growled; he was hungry but he didn't get up to eat. He didn't feel like eating.
He hadn't felt like eating much the past few days but he hardly noticed.
He was paying more mind to his aching heart lately than to his aching hunger.
Sighing again, restless, Two-Bit shook his head, getting up, heading out, needing to do something even if he was alone.
He started walking around the neighborhood, kicking at rocks on the sidewalk, shoulders slumped.
He was half expecting one of his friends, like Soda, to come right up to him and say, "Hey Two-Bit, wanna hang out?!"
But of course that didn't happen.
Even if Tim Shepard walked past him, Two-Bit woulda asked him to hang out.
But Two-Bit didn't see any of his friends.
Must be off all having fun, he thought, kicking at a rock.
Suddenly Two-Bit heard yelling and he lifted his head, listening, eyebrows furrowing.
Someone was shouting a little ways off and as Two listened, he realised it sounded like someone was in trouble.
Tensing, he straightened and started to sprint off, heading in the direction of the yelling, unsure of what or who to expect.
Running, he soon found the source of the yelling. It was Socs jumping someone.
And as Two-Bit peered to see who it was, he quickly found out who that someone was.
It was Ponyboy!
There were four Socs and Pony was, well frankly, he was getting his butt kicked. Seeing this made Two-Bit's blood broil and he immediately rushed into the fight, ripping away the nearest Soc off of Pony.
"Leave him alone!" He shouted with fury, punching at another.
He felt a shove and he swung in defense before he was tackled down, wrestling a Soc on the ground.
Two-Bit snarled and fought with him, kicking the Soc away, whipping out his blade, going up to the closest Soc and punched him away, waving his knife around at the others.
"Beat it you dumb sh***!" He snarled angrily.
"Says who?!" A Soc shoved him with a sneer and retaliating, Two-Bit sliced his arm with his blade, making a deep gash in the guy's arm.
"I do! Now go pick on someone from your own kind! Y'all deserve it more anyways!" Two-Bit yelled, holding his blade out in front of him toughly.
The Soc that got his arm sliced held his bleeding arm gingerly and the other guys looked a little frightened of Two's knife and they slowly backed away, swearing, eventually slinking off.
Panting, Two-Bit huffed with a scowl, catching his breath, glaring as they went off, putting his knife back in his pocket.
"Two-Bit?" He heard a voice behind him, making him go still.
Sh**, he cringed. Ponyboy.
His shoulders tensing up, Two-Bit's eyebrows furrowed and he began to walk off, not looking back at his friend, rubbing at his arm nervously, not wanting to leave him.
"Two-Bit! Two-Bit!" He heard Pony call after him, almost angrily and Two-Bit cringed and reluctantly started walking faster, afraid of what Darry would do to him when he found out.
"Two-Bit! God****** Two-Bit, stop!" Pony shouted as he watched Two-Bit walk off, angry yet confused with his friend who refused to talk to him.
When Two-Bit ignored him and kept walking, Pony growled and kicked the ground angrily, turning and stomping off.
Frowning deeply, Two-Bit bit his lip, rubbing his arm as he headed for the lake, feeling guilty for leaving his friend.
He hoped Pony wasn't hurt, wondering why Pony wasn't with anyone in the first place. Someone should always be with him to protect him for pete's sake, he huffed.
Isn't this what started the whole thing with Darry in the first place?
Two-Bit sighed and went to the lake, a hand at his forehead in frustration, wishing he knew what to do about this stupid mess, wondering about how he could fix things.
When he got there, he went to the tree with the bird's nest, climbing up to say hi to the babies.
He smiled at them when he climbed up, patting their heads with a finger, listening to them chirp. "Hello again little guys…"
The mother bird flapped in front of Two's face, chirping happily, watching closely.
Two smirked at her a little. "Hey Ethel," That's what he decided to call her. "How are ya?"
Ethel chirped and ruffled her feathers, landing back in her nest to be with her babies.
Two-Bit smiled at them softly looking down below him when he heard barking.
The dog was at the bottom of the tree, looking up expectantly.
"You again?" Two raised a brow, starting to climb down. "Bye Ethel. Hey boy, what are you doing back here?" Two got to his feet, petting the dog's head.
The dog barked and jumped around, wagging his tail, pawing at Two's leg playfully, making Two-Bit laugh.
"What you want to play?" He picked up a stick and threw it, watching the dog run after it.
He laughed when the dog brought it back, shaking his head, amused, tossing it again.
When the dog returned it, Two-Bit raised a brow at him. "You need a name." He thought a moment, eyeing the dog, trying to think of a good name for him.
"How 'bout…..Ryker?"
The dog yipped and bounced on his paws, jumping up on Two's chest, making the boy laugh as the dog licked his face.
"O-Okay, Okay! Stop! Alright, alright! Ryker it is!" Two-Bit laughed and gently pushed Ryker off him, wiping at his face.
Watching Ryker, Two-Bit suddenly realised that was the first time he had laughed in a long time, a little surprised, swallowing.
Recollecting himself, trying not to get sad, he put on a smile and kept playing with the dog, smiling softly, amused by the dog's energetic behavior.
After awhile of playing fetch, Two-Bit bent down, ruffling Ryker's fur happily as he petted him, chuckling.
"You're pretty funny, Ryker and cute might I say….."
Ryker yipped happily, loving to be petted, licking Two's face, making Two-Bit laugh.
Suddenly Two-Bit heard laughter and he turned, a small group of young children running nearby playing.
At the sight of Ryker, one of the girls came over, gasping with a smile.
"I love your doggy!" She immediately hugged Ryker, rubbing his backside.
Two-Bit blinked and shifted a little, the other kids coming over. "Well, he's not really mine but-"
"He's so cute!" The girl gushed, kissing Ryker's face.
Two-Bit watched, blinking, looking down when someone poked his leg.
"What's your name?" A little girl with pigtails asked with a smile.
"Me?" Two-Bit's eyebrows rose. "Uh, Two-Bit."
The little girl giggled a little, grabbing Two-Bit's hand. "You play with us, Two-Bit." She started pulling on his hand, urging him to follow.
"Play? Uh, what-what are we playing?" He smiled a little, watching them.
"We're playing animals." A boy grinned proudly, one of his front teeth missing. "I'm a tiger."
"I'm a weasel!" Another boy bounced on his feet.
"The doggy is a wolfie!" The first girl giggled. Ryker blinked and then raised his head, howling up at the sky, almost looking proud, making all the kids laugh.
The girl with pigtails poked Two's leg again. "Two-Bit? Will you be a horse so I can ride on your back?" She smiled up at him expectantly.
Two-Bit was smiling in spite of himself, amused by these kids. "Sure." He picked her up gently, placing her on his back, the girl giggling happily as she wrapped her arms around Two's neck.
"Hey, I wanna ride!" A boy raised his hand with his pout.
"Me too!"
"Hey, hey, it's okay," Two-Bit smirked at them. "You can all take turns, okay kids?"
The little girl on Two's back giggled. "Yeah! My name's Harper by the way. And that's Ruby and Cody and Splat."
"Splat?" Two-Bit laughed a little, amused.
"Uh huh." The boy with his front tooth missing nodded, looking proud. "That's my name."
"Okay than," Two-Bit shook his head, chuckling.
"Come on, let's play!" Cody bounced, tugging at Two's sleeve.
Two-Bit shook his head but nevertheless played with the kids, managing to laugh a little as he gave each of them piggy back rides and chased them around, with the help of Ryker.
When even the kids had ran out of energy, they all sat around in a circle, catching their breath.
Two-Bit was grinning, bright eyed. He hadn't laughed this hard or had this much fun in a long time.
The kids were all giggling.
"Two-Bit, you're so much fun!" Splat beamed.
"Yeah, yeah, you're so much fun!" Ruby repeated with a grin.
"How old are you?" Harper grinned up at him in wonder.
"18." Two-Bit laughed a little when they all went bug-eyed.
"You're so old!" One of the boys said.
"I'm going to be just as big as you one day, Two-Bit." Cody huffed aloud, grinning at Two-Bit with awe.
Two-Bit smirked, petting Ryker's head, enjoying their laughter.
"Gee thanks, kid."
"Yeah, yeah, I want to be just like you, Two-Bit." Splat smiled. "You're so much fun. You ain't mean like other big kids."
"Tell another joke, Two-Bit!" Ruby pulled on Two's arm.
Two-Bit laughed a little and smirked, telling them a corny joke, laughing when they all laughed hysterically, smiling widely at them.
"What happened to your eye, Two-Bit?" Harper suddenly asked, pointing at Two's black eye.
"Oh, oh that? Uh, one of my friends hit me….." He looked away, shrugging.
The kids gasped, eyebrows furrowing.
"Jerk," Cody huffed.
"How could he?" Ruby huffed.
"He sounds like a big ol' meanie." Splat scowled.
"We'd never hit you, Two-Bit," Ruby nodded. "We ain't mean."
Two-Bit smirked a little, shaking his head. "No, you guys ain't mean."
"Right, 'cause we're all friends forever." Harper spoke proudly with a smile.
Two-Bit's eyes flickered a little, his smile dropping. "What?" He whispered.
"Friends forever. Even you, Two-Bit. Right guys?"
"Right!" All the kids chirped.
Two-Bit frowned, looking away, memories from his childhood flickering before him.
"Okay guys, remember, we're in this together. Friends forever!" Soda smiled widely.
Steve huffed as he shoved Two-Bit's poking hand away from him. "Forever Soda?"
"Yeah, forever." Soda smiled happily at his friends as they sat in a circle.
Five year old Pony was sitting in Soda's lap, clapping his hands. "Forevva!" He giggled.
"Ain't that a long time?" Steve frowned skeptically, brow raised.
"Who cares?! We'll still be friends even when we're old like grandpas! Right Soda?!" Two-Bit beamed, his voice loud.
"Right Two-Bit! We'll always be friends, no matter what! Friends forever!" He shouted into the sky happily.
Two-Bit frowned deeply at the memory, his eyes clouding over with hurt, looking away at the ground, missing them.
"Two-Bit? What's wrong?"
Two-Bit looked up, straightening, coming back to reality. "Huh?"
"You look sad." Harper frowned at him.
"Oh. No, it's alright. I should get goin' though. Y'all should go on home to your parents too." Two-Bit got up.
"Don't go!" Ruby cried, grabbing Two's arm, Cody grabbing the other.
"Yeah, don't go Two-Bit!"
"We like you, Two-Bit! Stay and play with us!"
Two-Bit gently pushed their hands off him, looking down at them sincerely. "Hey it's alright. Y'all go on home now. Bye Ryker." He patted Ryker's head softly, who whined at him with big eyes.
"Bye kids."
"Bye Two-Bit." The kids frowned and waved, watching Two-Bit go sadly, wishing they could play more with him.
Two-Bit frowned and started walking home, hands in his pockets, frowning at the sidewalk.
"We'll always be friends no matter what! Friends forever! " Eight year old Soda's voice rang through his head.
Two-Bit frowned and shook his head, wondering where he had gone wrong.
Maybe kids just lose their innocence when they get older, he wondered. If it were true, he thought it was kinda sad, missing the days of being young and innocent.
Those were the days where he and the boys had more fun than ever.
He sighed, remembering the good ol' days, wondering why it couldn't be just like that again.
Two-Bit frowned as he walked home, going up to his room, then going back down for some cookies, hungry, returning to his room to absentmindedly watch Mickey Mouse, sighing again.
The phone rang and Two-Bit growled, glaring at it. Why was everybody calling him?
He huffed and just ignored it, scowling.
Later that evening there was a knock at his door and Two-Bit took in a deep breath, shaking his head, trudging downstairs, wondering who the hell was going to be upsetting him this time.
He opened the door with a huff. "Hello?"
A fist struck him in the face and Two-Bit fell to the floor with a yelp, looking up, startled.
"Why the hell do we have to keep doing this, Two-Bit?!" Darry shouted angrily, looming in the doorway.
Two-Bit cowered and immediately starting shaking when he saw it was Darry, gaping.
"You know, I almost thought you weren't going to screw up this time," Darry sneered with hate. "Almost. But then, you just had to go ahead and save my little brother, huh?!"
Two-Bit gulped and started crawling away, eyes wide, afraid of what Darry was going to do to him this time.
"D-Darry,"
"Do you have any idea how tired of this I am, Two-Bit?!" Darry continued to yell, lips curling with anger.
Two-Bit tensed with a gulp and got to his feet, starting to hurry off upstairs to his room in an attempt to get away.
"Hey!" Darry growled and ran after him, fists balled.
Two-Bit shook and dashed into his room, slamming his door shut, leaning up against it to keep Darry out.
Darry snarled, slamming into the door, making Two-Bit yelp.
"Open this door!" Darry shouted.
"N-No! You ain't comin' in!" Two-Bit whimpered with fear, breathing heavily.
Darry growled and grabbed the doorknob, Two-Bit not having locked the door, turning the knob and bursting in forcefully, knocking Two-Bit right to the floor.
Two-Bit yelped and looked up with fear as Darry slammed the door shut, reaching a hand down to him.
"Wait, wait Darry, don't! Please don't tie me up again!" Two-Bit whimpered, trying to block his face with his hands.
Darry snarled and ignored his friend's whimpers, grabbing Two by his shirt, picking him up and slamming him into the wall, swearing.
He punched Two-Bit, who yelped and shook with fear, cowering like a scared child, which he kinda was right now.
"I told you to stay away from Ponyboy, you a******!" Darry was shouting as he threw his fists at Two-Bit, punching him over and over.
Two-Bit yelped in pain and tried to block his face from getting hit, pushing at Darry's chest in an attempt to defend himself.
"S-Stop it, Darry, stop! I didn't do anything wrong!" He whimpered, his voice shaking with fear.
Darry punched Two-Bit in the stomach and Two-Bit retaliated, shoving Darry away roughly.
"Stop it!" He shouted, getting angry. "Leave me alone already!"
Darry snarled again, his fists raised, glaring at Two-Bit with hate. "You leave my brothers alone already!" He shouted, punching Two again.
Two-Bit whimpered in pain and punched Darry back, his anger rising, chest heaving. "You can't just keep me from seeing them, Darry!" He shouted. "They're my friends too!"
Darry growled and punched Two-Bit in the stomach again, shoving him into the wall, swearing.
Two-Bit growled and pushed Darry back, the two shoving at each other before Two-Bit angrily knocked Darry down, tackling him to the floor, the two beginning to wrestle on the floor angrily.
Two-Bit flipped Darry to his back, punching him before Darry flipped him, punching the red head in the nose, making the boy yelp.
He tried to kick at Darry to get him off of him, but Darry was punching his lights out, blinding his vision, seeing stars, blood filling his mouth.
"D-Darry!" He choked out between punches, trying to shake his head to get the dizziness away, having given up trying to punch Darry back, too weak and afraid, trying to avoid getting hit by blocking his face with his hands.
Darry didn't stop and kept punching Two-Bit, smearing his knuckles with Two's blood, kicking the Greaser away harshly, getting to his feet, panting.
Two-Bit lay on his side, hurt, trembling all over, whimpering as tears shakily ran down his face, not moving, refusing to try and defend himself, too afraid, crying.
Darry sneered down at Two-Bit with narrowed eyes, scowling, shaking his head. "Get up, Two-Bit." He growled.
Tears ran down Two-Bit's cheeks, breathing heavily as he shook, blood running down his face, looking up at Darry with huge eyes in fear.
"D-Darry," He whimpered out, shaking his head in dismay, hurt by his former friend. "W-We used to be best buddies…..wh-what happened?"
Darry growled angrily down at him. "What happened? What happened?! I'll tell you what happened, you f****** betrayed me and my brothers!"
Two-Bit choked on a sob, weakly trying to push himself up with his shaking arms. "I-I didn't do anything wrong, Dar…...y-you're jus' upset and you keep hittin' and pushin' me away because you're worried 'bout your brothers and-"
Darry snarled and kicked Two-Bit hard in the face, knocking the boy back down to the floor.
Two-Bit yelped and held his bleeding nose and face gingerly, tasting blood, beginning to sob into his hands, shaking everywhere with pain.
"Don't you dare try and tell me how I feel you moron," Darry snarled, his voice booming loudly, glaring as he watched a sobbing Two-Bit on the floor.
"You just shut up and you stay away from my brothers, you hear?! Or you'll be sorry." He growled with anger, spitting out every word hatefully.
Two-Bit kept crying into his hands, shaking all over, not looking up, sobbing with fear.
He heard the door slam and he shakefully looked up, sniffling and crying, seeing Darry was gone.
He remained curled into a ball on the floor, wiping at his eyes, sniffling, tears running down his face, hurt and betrayed.
His face hurt from Darry punching him, blood slowly trickling down his face, mixing with his tears.
Shakily, he eventually managed to get to his feet, his legs wobbling, wiping at his eyes with a fist.
Crying, Two-Bit sniffled, rubbing at his arms, frowning deeply, starting to hurry out of his room to leave, wanting to go back to the lake.
He ran shakily to the lake, breathing unsteadily and shakily, wiping at his tears hurriedly.
He plopped down in front of the lake, hugging his knees to his chest, crying and sniffling, wiping hurriedly at his eyes, embarrassed to be crying so much, hating it.
He rubbed at his sore face, whimpering lowly, his tears soaking into his knees, hugging his knees tightly as he cried.
Two-Bit felt betrayed, hurt by how Darry treated him, sick of all this sh**.
He was sick of crying, sick of getting beat up, sick of being by himself.
But what could he do? He felt entirely helpless, crying softly, trembling.
He felt someone touch him and he looked up, seeing Ryker gently nudging him with his snout.
"H-Hey boy," Two-Bit sniffled, reaching over to gently pet him.
Ryker frowned at Two-Bit, licking at his tears, whining softly.
"I-I'm okay, bud," Two-Bit sniffed, rubbing at his eyes. "Darry jus' hit me again, d-d*** him."
Ryker frowned and cuddled close to Two-Bit, nuzzling him gently, whining lowly.
Two-Bit sniffled softly and pet him, trying to quit cryin'. "Th-Thanks boy. Thanks."
He was honestly glad to have Ryker there; he was friendly and he helped Two-Bit feel better. He always seemed to be there too, which Two-Bit appreciated.
Two-Bit sat for awhile longer, trying to keep from crying, cussing out Darry under his breath, before he got up, ready to go back home.
"C-Come on, boy…...let's go." He wiped at his face, sniffling, starting to walk home.
Ryker whined softly and walked next to Two-Bit, keeping close, ears perked up in alert.
As Two-Bit walked home, he shook his head, thinking of Darry.
F*** him, was all he could think. He was the one who started all this.
Two-Bit really wanted to bust his head in, so angry with him, but he knew he couldn't.
Darry was his friend, maybe not right now, but he was still his friend.
But Darry just seemed so heartless and cold now it was like they never even were friends growing up.
That was what shocked Two-Bit the most. The fact that Darry could just turn on him like that, he couldn't believe it.
He could never do that to any of his friends.
He wondered what the rest of the gang would say if they knew.
Soda would just be upset, Steve prolly wouldn't care much, Dally would just wanna hit Darry and Pony…...Two-Bit didn't know how Pony would react.
Cry maybe? Get angry? Run away? All three?
And what about Johnny? If Johnny were still alive, what would he say?
Two-Bit shook his head, wondering how he would react if he found out Darry was doing this to someone else in the gang.
He'd definitely be angry, that's for sure. But he'd be more disappointed if anything.
And then he'd make sure to comfort the person, knowing how much they'd be hurting.
Hell, he knew how much he was hurting now.
He didn't want anyone else to be going through what he's going through; they don't deserve that.
Two-Bit sighed and walked up to his house, saying goodbye to Ryker, going inside with a frown, trudging up to his room, flopping face first onto his bed, groaning loudly into his pillow, frowning deeply.
When the hell was all this sh** going to end?
A/N: Review please? :)