Chapter 15: Wrong
Two-Bit awoke late the next morning, shivering, letting out a groan as he opened his eyes, pain already creeping up from his stomach to his chest.
"Ughhh….ohhhh, god…" He shifted, his legs stiff, groaning with pain, everything sore.
Ryker awoke and lifted his ears, looking at Two-Bit, sniffing, licking softly at his face.
"Ugh, d***…..Ryker….." Two-Bit brought a hand to his head, eyebrows furrowed, struggling to get his vision to focus, his head already hurting.
He squinted, rubbing at his eyes with balled up fists, his eyes all puffy and sore from crying so hard last night.
He looked around, the sun already up and shining, Two-Bit having no idea what time it was.
He groaned again, swearing, yawning, wanting to lie down, his back sore.
"Oh Ryker, last night was awful…" He frowned, Ryker still licking his face.
He felt raw pain on his wrist and his eyebrows furrowed with a frown, pulling down his sleeve, eyes widening when he saw the cuts, everything coming back to him and he saddened a little, eyes going stormy.
He eyed the sixth cut, the big 'X', shaking his head with narrowed eyes.
"Come on Ryker, let's go home….." He started to get up, using the tree for balance and when he almost fell, Ryker helped him, keeping close.
Two-Bit held his head in pain as he started walking home slowly, minding his balance.
It was pretty evident that he wasn't going to school that day; he's prolly already missed half the day.
He mumbled lowly to Ryker as they walked, rubbing at his face. "Can't believe what happened last night…I jus' wanna go home….."
Two-Bit dragged his feet, frowning, very tired, his face and whole body aching and terribly sore.
His stomach growled; he was hungry, but he wanted to sleep more than he wanted to eat.
When they finally got home, Two-Bit went straight up to his room and flopped down, letting out a loud sigh, almost already asleep.
Ryker frowned and watched him, drinking some water from his bowl before he laid down on his blanket, falling asleep as well.
When Two-Bit woke up after a long nap, he went and took a shower, washing out all the dried up blood and mud from his hair, relaxing a little as the hot water came down on him.
He got changed into new clothes and grabbed a box of cookies, walking out, Ryker at his side, eating as they walked along, sighing lowly.
Two-Bit didn't really know where he was going, he just wanted to get out of the house, even though he was sore all over.
He wanted to talk to someone though, that was the main reason.
He walked up to the DX, walking back into the garage where Steve and Soda were working on cars.
He didn't know why he came here; he wasn't supposed to be here after all…..
Soda was carrying a tray of tools over to Steve but when Two-Bit walked in and Soda saw him, he immediately dropped the tray in shock, the tools and tray crashing loudly on the cement floor.
"Holy sh**!"
Two-Bit and Ryker jumped and Steve jumped and hit his head from underneath the car, swearing.
"Soda, what the hell are you-" He rolled out, looking annoyed before he caught a glance of Two-Bit, his eyes widening.
"Holy f***...!" He whispered in shock.
Soda stared, open-mouthed. "Jesus Christ, Two-Bit, are you okay?!"
Two-Bit blinked a little, frowning at them as he came over, wondering if he really looked that bad off.
He didn't answer, watching as Steve got up and started coming over, his blue eyes wide.
"You look like you got ran over!"
Ryker growled as Steve stepped near Two-Bit and started barking at him, snapping his teeth at him.
"Hey hey! Lay off!" Steve shouted, stepping back with Soda.
"Ryker, stop it!" Two-Bit frowned at the dog, looking at his friends with wide eyes.
Ryker quit and frowned when Soda came over, watching them closely.
Soda grabbed Two-Bit by his chin, looking him over worriedly. "Is this from last night, what happened?!"
Two-Bit winced and flinched, pulling away from Soda, taking a step back. "Yeah, last night…" He said quietly.
He looked the two of them over; they weren't too banged up 'cept for Steve's eye, though Two-Bit was almost more concerned about the two of them being covered with oil and car grease then with bruises.
Soda frowned, looking upset. "Sh**, i'm sorry Two. Didn't realise you was gettin' that beat up. Coulda had one of us come help ya."
"Oh, believe me, your brother helped…." Two-Bit almost sneered, leaning up against the wall.
He remembered Darry punching his lights out last night, shuddering, looking away.
"Why weren't you at our party, man?" Steve huffed. "Shoulda came over."
Two-Bit looked at him. Well, I woulda came if I hadn't been left lyin' out in the lot nearly bleedin' to death! He almost blurted out.
But he didn't.
"Sorry, guess I was too busy gettin' rip-roarin' drunk to remember the party, guys….." He lied.
"Ah, that's okay," Soda smiled. "We'll have a blast at the next party for the rumble, won't we Steve?"
Steve nodded. "You look awful, Two-Bit….." He shook his head, looking at all the bruises on Two's face, eyeing his badly bruised knuckles.
"Thanks for noticin'." Two-Bit huffed, a little irritated with his friends. Why aren't they askin' if i'm really okay and what's wrong? Don't they notice how out of sorts I am?
Can they even tell that i'm cross with them?
They hardly even seem like my friends anymore.
"Yeah Two-Bit, you look like you should be in the hospital, you sure you're okay?" Soda frowned softly.
"I'm fine," Two-Bit murmured, feeling low, wanting to feel loved again. This, this didn't seem like love.
"Hey, when you stoppin' by the house next, Two-Bit?"
"Oh…...um," Lie, lie, lie! "Maybe tonight."
"Really? That's great." Soda smiled. "See ya tonight then, buddy." He gave Two-Bit a playful nudge, grinning.
Two-Bit offered a fake smile, his stomach hurting with guilt. "Ye-Yeah, yeah, I can't wait."
"Come on, Soda, let's get back to work," Steve huffed and nodded at Soda and the two chatted and went back to working on their car, leaving Two-Bit.
He frowned a little and watched them, feeling lonesome, letting out a sigh, walking out, kicking at a can with a deep frown.
Ryker watched him, whining softly.
"I'm okay," Two-Bit mumbled, huffing, watching the sidewalk as he trudged along.
Later that evening, when Two-Bit was walking aimlessly around, not really knowing where he was going, not watching where he was going either, he ran smack into Dallas Winston.
Dally didn't growl though, but grinned instead. "Hey hey Two-Bit, how's - Holy f*** your face!"
Dally's grin fell, his eyes widening at the sight of Two's horribly bruised face. "What happened?! Is that from last night man?"
Two-Bit shrugged with a frown, feeling about two inches tall. "Yeah."
"F***. Hey, who's this man?" Dally saw Ryker and held out a hand, grinning.
Ryker growled and snapped at him, showing his teeth. Dallas swore at him.
"Ryker," Two-Bit hissed softly at the dog.
"Well geez, i'm sorry 'bout the rumble, man," Dally offered a kind of friendly smile. "Too bad ya got all banged up. Hey, you doin' anything man?" He wrapped an arm around Two-Bit, ruffling at his hair.
Two-Bit blinked, startled by the touch. "Uh, no."
"Great, wanna catch a movie man?" Dally's voice was upbeat, he almost seemed excited, messing up Two's hair with a smile.
Two-Bit couldn't help but smile softly, suddenly touched by the offer. "U-Uh yeah, Dally, sure."
Dally grinned and started walking with him, an arm around him. "Great man. Hey uh, bring your dog too man."
Two-Bit grinned and walked beside Dallas, motioning for Ryker to follow, glancing at Dally from the corner of his eye, thrilled by the offer of someone wanting to hang out with him.
He couldn't remember the last time he had been asked to go somewhere with one of the gang.
Dallas was talkative today, it seemed like he was in a good mood, which Two-Bit didn't mind none. He was actually smiling for once.
When they got to the movies and slid under the fence, Dally offered to buy food.
"Hey you hungry man? You want some popcorn? A coke?"
"Uh, no thanks, Dal. I ain't hungry." Two-Bit shrugged.
"You sure?" Dally raised a brow, looking up and down at his friend. "You look like you haven't eaten in days."
Two-Bit shuffled on his feet a little. "I haven't." He mumbled low enough so Dally couldn't hear.
"Well i'll get ya a coke man. You and your dog go find us some seats." Dally sprinted off with a wave.
"Come on, Ryker….." Two-Bit started for the chairs, picking a spot to sit in the middle, him and Ryker getting into their seats.
Ryker leaned over, sniffing Two, licking at his forehead, wagging his tail.
"Ryker….." Two-Bit huffed, trying to watch.
Dallas came back, giving Two his coke, whose stomach suddenly rumbled. He really was hungry.
He jus' didn't feel like eating.
He didn't say anything to Dally, who hadn't seemed to have heard.
"When was the last time we even hung out last, man?" Dally smoked his cigarette, putting his feet up on the chair in front of him, watching the movie.
"I dunno….." Two-Bit shrugged. "Awhile."
"Heard you and the kid have beef goin' on….."
Two's shoulders slumped, frowning. "You did?"
Dallas glanced at him. "Yeah, what's goin' on? You really mad at Pony?"
"No i'm not mad at Pony, I-" Two-Bit stopped and took in a breath. "Jus', nevermind."
Two-Bit looked down at his shoes, frowning softly, playing with his fingers.
"Are you okay?" Dally suddenly asked, watching him.
"What?" Two-Bit lifted his head.
"You're acting weird. What's the matter wit' ya?" Dally huffed.
"Who said anything was the matter?" Two-Bit just shrugged and looked away, petting Ryker's ears.
Dally shrugged and smoked his cigarette, watching the movie.
"Hey, we could go over and pick on them girls…." He said after awhile, grinning as he nudged Two-Bit.
Two-Bit glanced over at them. "Nah, no thanks."
"Man, we could totally rub it in their faces about how we whooped their boyfriends' a**** last night, eh Two-Bit?" Dally laughed.
"Well, we could, but…." Two's voice trailed off, looking down at his shoes, shifting in his seat.
Dally watched him with a funny look.
He was quiet awhile.
"Hey uh, after this gets done wanna swing by Buck's for a beer?"
"Mmmm, no thanks." Two-Bit eyed the ground, shrugging.
"Alright, that's it," Dally started, his voice getting loud. "What's the matter with you, Two-Bit, are you sick?"
"What?" Two raised his head, frowning at him.
"You look sick." Dally huffed and placed a hand at Two's forehead, feeling his forehead and neck. "You sick man?"
"I ain't sick." Two frowned.
"Well then what the hell is wrong with you?!" Dally almost growled.
"Nothing's wrong…..!" Two-Bit shrugged, frowning,
"Nothin' wrong my a**, Two-Bit, like you wouldn't accept a beer if something weren't wrong?" Dallas huffed.
"Well who said anything was wrong?" Two-Bit huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in his seat.
"I am! Now tell me!"
"Nothing's wrong!" Two-Bit insisted, frowning.
Next to him, Ryker nudged Two's arm gently, the one with his cuts, brown eyes wide.
"Ryker," Two hissed at him.
"Well if you claim nothing's wrong then how do you explain your behavior then?" Dally almost sassed.
"What behavior?" Two shrugged, starting to get upset, not liking this arguing.
"Mr. I'm mad at Ponyboy, I don't wanna drink beer, I don't wanna pick on girls?! That ain't the right Two-Bit!" Dally accused.
"Shut up, Dal!" Two-Bit finally snapped at him. "Ain't none of your business!"
"Oh don't wanna tell your friend huh? Well then I guess if i'm not allowed to know your business then why don't you just go?"
"Fine, I will." Two-Bit huffed and got up, stomping off, grumbling along, fists clenched.
Ryker followed behind him, whining softly.
Two-Bit cussed out Dally with anger, Dally having ticked him off with his accusations.
He huffed as he walked along, continuing to wander around aimlessly, not knowing where to go or what to do really.
He stopped by the Dingo with Ryker, ordering and managing to eat a decent meal for once. He was still lonesome though.
He later ended up at Buck's, sitting at a table with Ryker, a beer in hand, glancing around with a longing look, figuring he must look pretty stupid to be at a bar sitting by himself.
Ryker sat next to him, licking at Two's face. Two gently pushed him away, huffing, drinking beer.
He drew circles on the table with a finger, sighing, frowning, wondering why it was suddenly so hard for him to be friends with anyone anymore.
It made him think of Johnny and his frown deepened, thinking of his cuts, swallowing hard, holding back another deep sigh.
He kept drawing circles with a finger, drawing Mickey Mouse too and outlines of all the gang members, lips pursed sadly.
The door opened and voices got louder as more people walked in and Two-Bit lifted his head to glance over.
He frowned and sank a little in his chair when Soda, Steve and Dallas walked in, the three going over and ordering beers, 'cept for Soda of course.
Two-Bit watched them with wide eyes, swallowing, wondering if they would even notice him, expecting them to start looking around to see if he was there.
When they got their beers and went off to play pool, Two-Bit frowned, shoulders slumping, disappointed and hurt.
"It's like they don't even know I exist anymore….." He said lowly to Ryker, leaning up against him, Ryker nuzzling him softly.
"Even if they do, they don't act like my friends no mores….." Two almost sniffled, watching his friends play pool in the other room.
Seeing them all smiling and laughing and having fun pulled at Two-Bit's heartstrings and he frowned, getting up and leaving, too disappointed to drink anymore.
He went home, frowning deeply, dragging his feet all the way down the sidewalk and up the stairs to his bedroom, plopping down in his chair at his desk with a sigh.
Ryker went over to his blanket, eating some kibble and then lying down.
Two-Bit ran his hands over his face with a sad look and glanced at the pictures on his walls, his heart hurting with loneliness as he saw himself with Johnny and Dallas and Steve and everyone.
Lip starting to quiver, he swore and almost started hitting his head on the desk, frustrated and emotionally confused.
Breathing heavily, he tried not to cry, taking out his switchblade, glancing back at the pictures.
Ryker watched and let out a whimper as Two-Bit flicked the blade open.
Two-Bit blinked a few tears away, swiping at his face with a sleeve, swearing again.
He put the knife down and laid his arms down on his desk, resting his face on his hands, squeezing his eyes shut in his efforts not to cry.
"Why does everything have to be so f***** up right now?" He almost whimpered, lip quivering.
He stared up at his pictures with sad eyes, frowning deeply, letting out a sniffle.
Two-Bit sat up and swiped at his eyes with a hand, scowling, hating when he cried or even got emotional' it wasn't natural for him to be crying.
It just isn't his character.
He's supposed to be the happy one who's everyone's friend. Right?
Two-Bit sighed and got up, patting Ryker's head softly before he got into bed, rolling over to his side, sniffling in his pillow as he fell asleep.
That night, in Two-Bit's dream, he swore he heard a voice.
He didn't recognize who it was at first but as the voice kept talking, he slowly realised who it was.
"Two-Bit, hey, ya gotta quit cryin' and worryin' about the gang, alright man? Cryin' ain't gonna help ya none. The guys don't mean no harm, Two, really. They ain't makin' it easy for ya though but at this rate things are only going to get worse. Jus' hang in there, man. I know you can do it. You're strong and you'll get through this…"
Two-Bit's eyes quickly opened and he sat up, looking around his room, breathing heavily.
"J-Johnny?"
Two-Bit was confused, wide-eyed.
Was Johnny just talking to him or was it just a dream?
Two-Bit frowned and shook his head, it seeming like Johnny had really been there talking to him.
But Johnny clearly wasn't there, no one else in his room but Ryker.
Two-Bit frowned and his shoulders slumping, he laid back down and stared at his ceiling with sad eyes, trying to remember what he thought had been the real Johnny had told him.
Swallowing, he pulled down the sleeve of his jacket and stared at his cuts, frowning deeply, a single tear falling down his cheek as he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
The next day, still weirded out by last night's dream, Two-Bit fed Ryker his breakfast and then headed off to school, saying goodbye to Ryker with a soft smile.
School was an absolute drag, Two-Bit hated every second of it, wanting to go home.
It was no fun not being able to talk to Pony or Steve and it got real lonesome eating alone behind the bleachers in the gym.
By the time school got done, Two-Bit almost felt like crying, frowning deeply, it seeming like his days were getting more and more miserable by the minute.
He was just glad to get out of there and get home already.
When he got in his room, he heard Ryker rummaging around in his closet.
"Ryker, hey, hey, quit it!" He huffed, coming over, seeing Ryker chewing on a pair of jeans, waving him away.
"Hey look, my old memory box," Two-Bit almost grinned a little, spotting an old shoe box in the back of his closet, reaching for it. "Haven't looked through this in forever."
Two-Bit pulled it out, it spelling out 'Two-Bit's Memory Box' in blue paint. Ryker sniffed it carefully.
Two-Bit sat down on his knees and pulled off the cover, looking inside.
There were playboy magazines with some women lacking specific clothing right on top of the pile and Two-Bit smirked a little, picking them up. "Oh yeah, that's right….."
Underneath were some cards and a few miscellaneous items and what looked like drawings.
He picked up a few cards, reading them, most of them from his birthday parties several years ago, the boys' scribbly signatures worse than ever.
Two-Bit smiled softly at first, able to remember things from the messages someone wrote or from the cards themselves.
"Hey, that's when I broke my leg," He smiled lightly and picked up a picture of him with his leg in a cast, the gang all around his hospital bed.
Two-Bit was prolly 10, then.
He smiled, remembering that day. He had gotten hurt and broke his leg and cried something awful but then the gang all came to visit him at the hospital and bought him all presents and wrote funny things on his cast and even helped him out when he couldn't walk so good on his crutches.
Two smiled, his eyes soft, the memory warm and touching.
Ryker sniffed the picture and then licked Two's face, tail wagging. Two laughed a little and pushed him away softly.
He set the picture aside and looked through a few others, smiling as well.
He picked up a piece of paper and unfolded it, not knowing what it was. When he unfolded it and saw the crayon drawings, his smile fell, his mouth forming an 'o'.
These were Ponyboy's drawings. Drawings from when he was a kid and had given them to Two-Bit years ago.
Two-Bit looked at the first one, it being doodles of him and Pony, it saying 'FRIENDS' at the top, the work of a seven year old.
Two-Bit frowned a little and picked up the others, looking through them, most of them being doodles of Pony and him together, it saying 'Friends' or 'Best Buddies' of some sort at the top.
Looking through them all, Two's lip started quivering and he began to cry, remembering how close they were as kids, even then.
He'd forgotten how many years he's actually known Pony and how long they've been friends.
He's always loved Pony; he was always his favorite out of the whole crew.
Pony was like his brother, he always has been.
There was nothing Two-Bit wouldn't do for that kid.
Two-Bit picked up another drawing and he realised he'd forgotten how much Pony used to draw all the time, it being another picture of him and Pony, this one saying 'To Two-Bit, Happy Birthday!'
Two-Bit looked over the drawing and cried, some of the tears dripping onto the paper.
He dropped it and swore, crying hard, almost sobbing, looking around at all the drawings and cards on the floor, remembering all his childhood memories with his friends, completely heartbroken.
Ryker whimpered softly and came close and Two-Bit whimpered softly as he cried, shaking, hugging Ryker's neck tightly, beginning to cry into his fur.
He didn't know what was wrong with him, he jus…..cried.
"I want my friends back," He whimpered into Ryker's fur as he cried, his heart physically hurting with pain as tears ran down his cheeks. "What is it gonna take to get them all back?"
Two-Bit sniffled and eventually pulled away, wiping at his eyes and trying to stop crying.
"I just want things back to the way they used to be…..when-when we were all friends….." He choked out, starting to pick up the things and put them back in the box carefully, sniffling.
"A gang's supposed to stick together…..shouldn't friends stick together too?"
Awhile later, finally finished with his crying episode, Two-Bit left with Ryker to go outside and walk around town, wander around again, of course.
It's not like his friends were going to ask him to hang out or anything anymore…
"Hey Two-Bit, wanna hang out?"
Two-Bit jumped and lifted his head, trying to see who had said something to him, frowning. "H-Huh?"
"Wanna hang out, Two-Bit?"
"Oh. Mark. H-Hey." Two-Bit frowned but let out a breath, at least glad it wasn't Soda or Pony so he wouldn't get in trouble.
"Do I have to ask it again? Do you wanna hang out?" Mark repeated, grinning.
"M-Me? Hang out? Wait, with you?" Two-Bit frowned at him.
Mark shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"
"Well…...really? You wanna hang out with me? But I thought-"
"Yeah I know you don't like me that much but do you have anything else better to do?"
"No." Two-Bit admitted.
"Well come on then. It'll be fun." Mark insisted with a smile, wrapping an arm around Two-Bit, walking with him.
Two-Bit shrugged. He didn't have anything else better to do and it was a chance to hang out with someone…..
Ah, what the hell.
Mark took Two-Bit to his side of town where he hung out, including taking him to Charlie's Bar.
Two-Bit had to admit, it was kinda fun.
Mark was a lot like him, always talking and goofing off, always trying to cause trouble.
It was like a younger version of him, which Two-Bit didn't mind so much anymore.
"Havin' fun, Two-Bit?" Mark sipped at his coke.
"Sure." Two-Bit shrugged. "It's alright."
Better than being alone back at home, he thought.
"Well gee, wait until I introduce you to my other friends," Mark chirped, swirling his straw around in his coke with a grin. He's always doin' goofy stuff like that.
"So how come you wanted to hang out with me instead of Pony?" Two questioned.
Mark shrugged. "I dunno. He's been kinda in a mood lately. Always complaining. Seems real angry all the time now."
"Angry?" Two-Bit frowned at him.
"Yeah. I think it has to do with the fight between you two. He seems real ornery, brother." Mark watched his straw, playing around with it.
Two-Bit frowned, thinking of his friend. "Geez…...Poor Pony….."
Mark glanced at him briefly. "He sure does talk 'bout ya a lot. Always goin' on and on 'bout y'all….."
Two-Bit frowned, listening. "In a good way…?"
"Yeah, mostly. Either he's complainin' 'bout ya or sayin' somethin' funny that you told him." Mark shrugged.
"Gee…" Was all Two-Bit could say, thinking.
"Y'all have been friends a real long time, huh?" Mark blew bubbles through his straw, giggling softly.
"Uh, yeah," Two swallowed, thinking of Pony's drawings from earlier.
"Gee, that's great," Mark grinned, still watching his coke. "Wish i'd known him when he was young. Y'all seem real close."
"We-we are…..or…..we were." Two-Bit frowned, swallowing, staring at the counter.
Mark glanced at him, his smile falling, quiet a minute.
"Hey uh, let's go meet my friends, man. It'll be a blast." He grinned and hopped off his stool, waiting for Two-Bit to follow.
Mark led him down an alleyway and towards a shady lookin' place, leading him towards the back where the dumpster was.
A group of mean looking hoods, real hoods, like dangerous looking hoods, were standing around, smoking.
"Those are your friends?" Two-Bit asked, brow raising, already getting a bad vibe just from looking at them. They were mean looking and not at all friendly looking.
"Yeah." Mark grinned with a shrug.
"Boy i'd hate to see what your enemies look like….." Two-Bit said lowly, tensing as they walked up to the group of hoods, Two-Bit eyeing them closely.
The boys seemed to stand up straighter as they walked up. "Jennings, you dare show your face 'round these parts here again?"
"Well of course, Mac," Mark grinned, trying to look cool.
"So we didn't make it clear enough for you last time?" One guy growled.
Two-Bit frowned, looking around, sensing the tension in the air rising.
"Oh come on guys, that was just a prank, remember?" Mark grinned with a laugh and waved them off, not seeming worried whatsoever.
"Uh, Mark," Two-Bit tapped him softly on the shoulder.
"Jennings," Someone growled and stepped towards Mark and Two-Bit, cracking their knuckles with a snarl. "Beat it."
"Mark….." Two-Bit swallowed and glanced around them with big eyes, seeing the boys were starting to close in on him.
A knot started to form in Two's stomach; Mark always gets into trouble no matter where he goes. He shoulda seen this coming.
"Oh come on, Chip, you're really gonna push away little ol' me, come on, i'm your best pal, your best buddy, your-"
A guy suddenly grabbed Mark by his shirt and yanked him away, punching at him, making Mark yelp in pain.
"Hey!" Two-Bit gasped, going wide-eyed.
The guy started punching Mark again and the others came over and started grabbing at Mark too, throwing punches and hitting, trying to beat him up.
Two-Bit watched in shock; Mark's fifteen! These guys are all older and way bigger than him! This ain't fair!
"Stop it!" He suddenly screamed, watching. "Let him go! Stop it!" He shouted, voice becoming a snarl.
The hoods stopped and turned and one held Mark by his shirt, Mark's face already bleeding, his lip busted and eye swollen. He looked scared, like a wounded animal in a trap, seeming to shake.
"What's your deal, punk?" Someone sneered at Two.
"Let Mark go," Two-Bit huffed with narrowed eyes. "Now."
"What's it to you?" Someone spat.
"He's my friend," Two-Bit growled and pulled his knife out of his pocket, whipping open the blade. "And I said let him go." He glared, looking mean.
The guy holding Mark scoffed a little and looked bored, tightening his grip on Mark, who almost squeaked, looking frightened. "Big deal man. This fella double-crossed us so we're jus' teachin' him the aftermath of his mistakes."
Two-Bit glared, angry, holding his knife tightly. "Let. Him. Go." He growled, voice demanding.
The hoods murmured some and then the one holding Mark suddenly shoved him to the ground with a hateful sneer, swearing at Mark, walking off with the group.
Two-Bit glared at them as they left and then came over to Mark, helping him up. "Mark, you alright man? Jesus….."
Mark coughed softly. "I'm alright. Why did you do that?"
Two-Bit lifted him to his feet and grabbed his chin, inspecting his face, trying to see how bad Mark was bleeding. "Do what?"
"Defend me like that. Thought you don't like me…" Mark frowned.
"Yeah but you're Ponyboy's friend and I have to respect that." Two huffed. "Come on, let's head home, get that face cleaned up." He wrapped an arm around Mark's shoulder, starting to walk with him.
"Why are you always getting into trouble, Mark?" He huffed.
Mark shrugged. "Can't really help it…." He poked at his cuts softly. "Jus' happens. Get with the wrong crowd I guess."
Two-Bit glanced at the scar on Mark's forehead from when Mark got hit with a beer bottle. "Well quit it. You're gonna get yourself killed. Plus I don't want you getting Pony into all this trouble, you hear?"
Mark shrugged again. "Sorry. Jus' hard to find friends these days. I don't mind guys like them back there….."
Two-Bit frowned at what he said, almost stopping.
Jus' hard to find friends these days.
"You get lonely a lot, Mark? Not being able to hang out with your brother?" He suddenly asked, voice low.
Mark shrugged, looking around, still poking at his cuts. "Yeah, I get lonely. But it ain't too bad."
Two-Bit frowned. "Wh-What do you do when you get lonely? How do you deal with it?" He asked slowly.
"Go out and make new friends," Mark nodded and Two finally brushed away Mark's hand from his face with a low, 'Stop playin' with your cuts'.
"Hang out with other people, really." Mark finished.
Two-Bit frowned, listening. He didn't think he could make any new friends.
He just wants his old friends back.
"Well find some better friends, alright?" He finally said to Mark. "Not more like those guys."
"Could try." Mark huffed, shrugging. "Still can't believe you did that for me. No wonder Pony always talks 'bout you. I mean, I thought you were jus' some funny guy who drinks a lot but man, now that I know what else you can do…."
Two-Bit looked at him, blinking, listening with furrowed eyebrows.
"You know, I think you're a great guy, Two-Bit, but you have got to get this fight worked out with Pony man, that's my only problem with ya," Mark huffed as they walked along, heading home.
Two-Bit frowned a little. "Well, i'll…...try…."
"You know Two, you seem like a great friend," Mark grinned, looking around absentmindedly as they walked. The kid always seems to be distracted…."I'd be glad to have you as a friend."
"What do you mean?" Two frowned at him, lips pursed.
"I mean, you're the kinda guy who i'd be proud of to call you my friend. You seem like a friend who'd be like someone's brother. Like me with Bryon, sorta."
Two-Bit blinked, looking away with a frown, listening closely.
"I mean, I know i'm not Bryon's real brother, legally or biologically but you know, it feels good to have him around, well, not now with him and Cathy," He sneered her name. "But other than now, he's always been there for me and I dunno, you seem like the same type like that too. Like, you could be another brother to Pony….." Mark grinned.
Two-Bit frowned and swallowed hard, unsure of what to say.
"Y-Yeah…..l-like a brother….." Was all he managed to mumble out, thinking of the kid.
"Yeah, yeah, always there for him and sh**, jus' like any brother would. 'Course you'd have to get this fight settled first….but oh well, I mean, me and Bryon fight all the time." Mark grinned, laughing softly.
"But you should jus' talk to him, tell him what's goin' on between y'all, whatever it is. I'm sure it'll mean a lot to him, man."
Two-Bit bit his lip, frowning. "Yeah, I know…"
"Well, i'm takin' off man. Thanks for uh, savin' me and all….." Mark chuckled, grinning.
"Yeah…..hey, Mark? I'm sorry 'bout you and your brother. And about your parents." Two-Bit said in a soft voice, frowning, feeling like he should apologize to the kid for all the boy's troubles.
Mark looked a little surprised but shrugged and nodded. "Well thanks. I'll see ya around another time, right, brother, I mean Two-Bit?" He joked and laughed, skipping away with a wave.
Two-Bit shook his head as he watched him go, hoping Mark would remember to get his cuts cleaned up when he got home.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he yawned and started for the lake, thinking about the conversation he had with Mark, suddenly not hating the kid as much, instead almost feeling sorry for him.
The fact he seemed to be hanging around all these dangerous kids and always getting into trouble worried him, mostly for Pony's sake.
But Two-Bit couldn't believe the stuff Mark had said about him…...was he really like a brotherly figure? Or was Mark just saying nonsense?
Did-did Pony or anyone else see him as a brotherly figure? Now he was curious to know.
He wondered about it as he walked to the lake, frowning about what Mark had said to him about talking to Ponyboy and making up over their fight.
He really wished he could. He so badly wanted to. He wanted to have his friend back.
But-but he couldn't.
Darry….Darry's jus' too d*** intimidating for him, he can't stand up to him and keep fighting with him. Not after almost getting drowned by him…
Two-Bit sighed, his mind seeming over-run and confused with emotions, too much going on in his head right now.
He got to the lake and met Ryker there, smiling softly at him, petting his head, sitting with him in front of the water, looking out calmly, Two-Bit leaning on Ryker gently, glad to have him at his side.
Sitting there, he closed his eyes and nearly almost dozed off as they sat there together before a loud sound from the distance disturbed him.
"Hmmm? Wha-"
Beside him, Ryker stiffened and turned, his ears perking, looking off.
Two-Bit sat up and rubbed his eyes, yawning, suddenly tired. "What was that?" He had no clue what it was, it almost sounding like an animal.
Ryker stood up and made a little noise, looking at Two-Bit expectantly.
"What? Ryker, you-"
Ryker suddenly licked Two's cheek and then took off, darting off into the tall grass where Two couldn't see him anymore.
"Ryker? Ryker!" Two-Bit called, sitting up with a frown, confused. "Ryker!"
He frowned, waiting for Ryker to appear, watching, expecting him to.
When Ryker didn't reappear, Two-Bit frowned a little but shrugged it off, getting up, going over to Ethel's tree, starting to climb up to visit her and the babies.
"Hey Ethel," He grinned, coming up. "How's the family? Oh, they've gotten bigger….." He smiled softly at them, petting some of the babies' heads with a finger. "So cute….."
Ethel chirped at Two-Bit and flew around him a little, seeming happy to see him, making Two-Bit laugh softly, amused.
"Mmmmm…..do you know where Ryker went, Ethel?"
Ethel chirped and landed in her nest, nudging one of the babies softly.
Two-Bit frowned a little and looked off a little ways from where he sat in the tree. "Hmm, hope he comes back…"
Two-Bit sat there and gazed off into the distance with a soft frown, watching, thinking.
He thought about his cuts and how upset he was with the gang, wondering if this was just the beginning.
He hoped it wouldn't get worse; he wouldn't be able to take it if it does.
Two-Bit sat and pondered for awhile longer before he climbed down, looking around for Ryker, ready to go home.
"Ryker? Ryker! Time to go home bud!" He called.
Looking around, Two-Bit didn't see him and looking around the park, he suddenly thought of Harper and the kids, wondering why he hadn't seen them around either, missing them.
"Ryker! Ryker!" Two-Bit continued to call, starting to get a little worried.
He had an unsettling feeling in his stomach that Ryker wasn't going to come back.
But, he has to come back; Ryker's Two-Bit's only friend now…
He waited awhile longer, calling for Ryker, looking around for him with a frown, sighing lowly when he didn't see his friend, starting for home, hoping Ryker would just come home later that night.
Two-Bit went home and went in his room, lying down, sighing as he stared at the ceiling, eventually falling asleep soundly.
The next day, Two-Bit got up and rubbed at his eyes, sitting up in bed, yawning.
Today was Saturday, so he didn't have to worry about getting up to go to school, which he was glad for. He wasn't really liking school lately.
He sighed as he went down and ate cereal, eating miserably with a frown, sighing.
He glanced at the floor where Ryker would normally be, frowning at the absence of his canine friend.
When he finished eating his cereal and changed into new clothes, he headed outside, wandering to the lake, hoping he could find Ryker there.
He didn't see him though. He tried calling out Ryker's name and looked around everywheres for him with a frown, but still didn't find him.
He frowned, disappointed, hoping he would find him and be able to hang around his friend again.
Two-Bit started wandering around town, hoping Ryker might be somewhere around there, looking around hopefully.
He did find manage to find one of his friends in town, but it wasn't Ryker.
It was Ponyboy.
He did not look happy to come across Two-Bit, looking cross.
Two-Bit swallowed and stepped back a little as Pony came up to him.
"So, you decide you can hang out with Mark but you can't even hang out with your best friend?!" Pony accused, glaring.
Two-Bit frowned, eyebrows furrowed. "Pony-"
"Yeah, Mark told me about your little get together with him! Why would you hang out with him and not me?!"
"Pony, listen to me, you got it all wro-"
"You still won't even talk to me in school! What the hell's the matter with you?!" Pony shouted, giving Two's chest a shove.
Two-Bit frowned, eyes stormy and wide. "Pony, please, will you jus'-"
"Well if you don't wanna be my friend, than I don't wanna be your friend either!" Ponyboy huffed angrily. "You jerk!"
"Ponyboy, I am your friend," Two-Bit breathed out, frowning deeply. "I-I'm your best friend."
"No you ain't," Pony almost growled. "You ain't no Johnny."
Two-Bit frowned, swallowing hard. "Pony, I-I…..you just have to believe me, I-"
"No! No more excuses! Jus' f*** off!"
"H-Hey….!" Two-Bit frowned at the kid's cussing. "Pony,"
"Beat it," Pony shoved him roughly with a growl. "Unless ya wanna fight…."
"Pony I ain't gonna fight you," Two-Bit breathed out with a soft voice.
Pony continued to shove at Two-Bit and raised his balled fists, growling. "Come on, Two-Bit, you wanna fight huh, let's fight, let's fight!"
"Pony, I ain't gonna hit you….." Two-Bit frowned, trying to block his face when Ponyboy swung.
"Coward! Come on, fight! Fight me Two-Bit!" Pony huffed, throwing punches, pushing and yelling at his friend.
"Ponyboy! Pony, stop!" Two-Bit frowned as he pushed at Pony, trying not to get hit, wincing as Pony punched him a few times. "Stop it!"
Pony growled and pushed at Two-Bit, hitting Two in the ribs, shoving at him, swearing.
"D*****, Two-Bit, come on, fight you traitor! You ain't my friend no more!" Ponyboy hollered and threw his fist, managing to sock Two-Bit in the face, who toppled to the ground on his chest.
"Ha ha," Ponyboy panted, grinning. "There you a******! I showed you! Take that!" He announced proudly, catching his breath.
But then as he watched Two-Bit on the ground, who didn't move, Pony's expression softened.
"T-Two-Bit?"
Two-Bit's back to Pony, he frowned deeply, tears pricking at his eyes, not moving for a minute, not looking back at Pony as he started to get up slowly.
Pony watched with soft eyes and an open mouth, confused. "Two-Bit?"
Two-Bit got up and sniffling softly, started walking off, not looking back.
"Wait, Two-Bit! Two-Bit? Buddy?" Ponyboy called after him with a deep frown, voice going quiet and soft, not understanding, suddenly hurt emotionally by Two's reaction and for what he had done.
Two-Bit walked off and when he was out of sight of Ponyboy, wiped at his eyes with a hand, sniffling quietly.
It was official; after that fight, he knew Pony didn't want to be his friend anymore. Pony had hit him.
Two-Bit was hurt, emotionally, upset by his friend's behavior, missing being friends with him, wanting their friendship back.
He went to the lake with a frown and tossed some rocks into the water, glancing around longingly for Ryker, wanting to know where he was.
He frowned when he didn't see him anywhere and feared the worst, thinking he was gone for good, frowning deeply with a long sigh.
Turning his head with sad eyes and a frown, he looked over at Ethel's tree, starting to come over, saddened and confused all at once.
"Hey Ethel," He climbed off, offering a small smile, sitting in his normal spot, looking at the nest full of babies. "How goes it?"
Ethel chirped and looked at her babies, flapping her wings a little, her babies chirping and trying to do the same.
"Oh, flying lessons, huh?" Two-Bit grinned and watched, eyes glowing a little with happiness. "Great!"
He watched as one of the babies hopped onto the edge of the nest, chirping, flapping it's wings a little.
"Go little guy, go!" Two-Bit smiled softly, watching, eyes bright.
The bird flapped its wings slowly with a chirp, ready to take off, bouncing.
Two-Bit watched with a grin as the bird hopped off the edge, flapping it's wings hurriedly, starting to fly in the air a while before he started to fall, crying out.
"Oh-oh no!" Two-Bit gasped with a cry, leaning over quickly, trying to grab the bird with his hand, missing, gasping again as he watched the baby bird fall helplessly onto the ground, crying out, hurt.
Two-Bit nearly whimpered and scrambled down the tree to the baby, who lay wriggling and spazzing out, twitching, chirping weakly.
Frowning deeply, Two-Bit hurried over and scooped the baby up gently into his hand, gaping, reaching out a finger to stroke it's head softly.
"It's okay, it's okay, i've got you, i'm sorry…...it's gonna be alright little guy….."
But as Two-Bit held the baby bird carefully in his palm, the bird suddenly stopped moving, going limp, still.
Two-Bit's eyes widened, tensing, going scared. "Oh no no, no no! No! Please no!"
But it was too late.
The baby bird had died.
Two-Bit almost whimpered, tears pricking at his eyes, looking at the dead bird in his hands, his heart sinking.
"No….." He whimpered softly, letting out a sad breath, shoulders slumping.
Ethel flapped down beside Two-Bit, looking down at her baby in Two's hand, letting out a sad chirp.
"I-I'm sorry, Ethel….." He frowned deeply, looking at the baby sadly. "I'm sorry…." he whispered. He sniffled softly and swallowed, taking a hand and cupping it into the dirt, making a small hole.
Carefully, he laid the baby in the hole with a frown and slowly covered him up, eyes soft and sad.
Ethel flew down and landed in front of the hole, looking at it with a frown, chirping sadly.
Two-Bit frowned deeply and got up, picking a flower, coming back over and gently lying it over the hole with a sad sigh.
"Nothing is goin' right for me lately….." He whispered under his breath, shaking his head, thinking of all the troubles he had been through lately, trying not to cry again.
"F***," He swore, running a hand through his red hair, turning to leave, upset.
He went into town with a frown, stomping along a little, grumpy, looking around for Ryker as he walked around aimlessly.
As he passed Dairy Queen, he heard a familiar voice calling his name, looking up with a frown.
He saw Soda, coming up to him with a pop in his hand.
"Hey Two-Bit! Wanna have some lunch with me and Steve?" Soda smiled, bounding up.
Two-Bit blinked, shrugging with a kind of mean look. "No thanks."
"Hey, where's your dog?" Soda looked around, drinking from his straw.
"Oh. He uh, he ran away. I can't find him." Two-Bit almost sighed, looking disappointed.
"Aw gee i'm sorry," Soda frowned a little. "Hey want us to help ya look for him?"
"No, i'm good….." Two-Bit looked away, almost sneering, eyes narrowed a little.
"Well Steve's ordering our food, he'll be out in a minute. But we can get ya some food too if ya want buddy. We're on our lunch break right now. Hey, we should hang out later."
Two-Bit shook his head, getting more and more frustrated. "Don't you get it, Soda? I said I was fine." He almost growled, giving his friend a look.
"What?" Soda blinked, his smile falling. "T-Two-Bit….I-I don't understand."
"Well of course you don't understand," Two-Bit scowled, eyebrows furrowed. "You never understand."
"Huh?" Soda frowned, looking hurt. "T-Two…..wh-what's the matter with you?"
"Oh nothing, but why don't you ask your brothers?" Two-Bit sneered, glaring.
He was officially angry now.
"What? What do you mean ask my brothers?" Soda frowned, confused.
Two-Bit scoffed. "Don't you get it?" He glanced at Steve as he came over, carrying his and Soda's food. "Oh no, you don't get it, Soda, you dropped out of school 'cause you're so dumb!" He growled.
"Hey!" Steve snapped and hurried over, immediately shoving Two-Bit roughly. "Don't pick on Soda!"
Two-Bit stumbled a little with a mean look. "Oh i'm sorry…..was I not being friendly enough?" He sneered out the word friendly, trying to prove his point.
"Hey man, if you ain't gonna talk nice to us then you can just leave, pal." Steve almost snarled with a mean look.
"Oh i'll leave, i'll leave alright!" Two-Bit announced, his voice raising. "Doesn't bother me none and why should it?! Nobody gives a f***!" He shouted angrily.
"H-Hey….." Soda was frowning with big eyes, looking hurt and confused all at once.
Two-Bit turned and started walking off angrily. "F*** you guys! F*** everyone!" He screamed, his hands balled into fists, eyes narrowed with anger and hate.
Soda and Steve stood watching Two-Bit go, Soda looking completely flabbergasted and open-mouthed, Steve just looking angry.
Two-Bit kicked at a fire hydrant angrily as he stomped home, letting out an angry snarl.
He burst into his home and stomped into his room, slamming his door shut, angrily ripping off his jacket, throwing it carelessly on his bed.
He growled angrily again, glaring around, clenching his fists, his eyes eventually wandering to his cuts, holding up his wrist.
His lips curled into a scowl as he eyed his cuts and letting out an angry huff, he pulled out his switchblade from his back pocket, flipping open the blade.
Angry and not really thinking, he began to slice over his cuts, recutting over them, making them deeper.
He hissed in pain and in anger as blood began flowing down his arm, dripping slowly off his arm onto the floor.
Two-Bit cut over every single one of his cuts, cutting even deeper than the others on the last one, the X, the X that represented him in the gang.
Breathing heavily as blood ran down his arm, the sharp pain of the cutting suddenly hit him and he shakingly stepped backwards with a hiss of pain, his back hitting the door, making him squeak at the touch and he slid down to the door to the floor, beginning to cry.
He watched the blood run down his arm with wide eyes, his emotions coming back to him as he nearly sobbed, his head hurting suddenly as tears fell from his eyes.
He wiped at them with a fist, thinking over everything that had gone wrong for him just in the last 24 hours.
He had an argument with Dally, Ryker ran away, he fought with Ponyboy and Soda, Ethel's baby had died and now, Two-Bit was sobbing and crying again, cutting his wrist for the second time.
Everything was just wrong.
And now, Two-Bit felt like his life was wrong.
Wrong to be with his best friend.
Wrong to be with his closet friends.
Wrong to now even be alive.
Everything was just wrong.
A/N: I'll update the next chapters soon, don't worry. :)