Chapter 17

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Ponyboy's POV

I sat on the couch watching the ending of a movie, while Soda and Darry finished up the dishes. This was my second day in which I felt almost back to normal. I only had to take a couple of aspirin for a headache early in the morning and none after that; it was manageable.

"You doing alright Pony?" Soda asked, as he smiled at me.

"Yeah I'm good," I replied.

Soda sat down next to me and I waited for Darry to sit down in his recliner before I sat up wanting to talk to him about what was on my mind.

"Hey Darry?"

"Yeah Ponyboy?"

"Um I was thinking because I've been feeling better and all, that maybe I could go back to school. I'm so far behind and I don't want to be held back."

I couldn't decipher whether Darry was thinking on what I said or deciding on how to answer me.

"Darry?" I pushed.

"Only because you seem to be managing okay I am willing to give it a try. I will get Steve and Two-bit to keep an eye on you and anytime you don't feel well and I mean anytime Ponyboy, I am keeping you at home again."

I nodded with a smile and got up to approach Darry, giving him a hug.

"Thanks Darry. I've been getting stir crazy here at home."

"You better get to bed then if you want to get up again for school."

I said goodnight to both my brothers and despite not being a fan of homework I was looking forward to going back to school and most importantly getting back on the track field; I missed the freshness and feeling of being alive when I ran.

X

"Remember what I said Ponyboy, if you feel the least bit sick you go to the nurse. I've called ahead and explained of your return so the teachers are well aware."

"Okay Darry, I know."

I didn't mean to be uninterested, but Darry had told me several times already and I know he's just worried about me but I'm really fine.

"Great to see you back Ponyboy," my history teacher, Mrs. Grosia greeted me once I got into class.

I heard snickers behind me from the Socs but I just opened my book and got to work. I met up with Two-Bit and Steve at lunch.

"You handling okay kid," Two-Bit inquired.

"Yeah but didn't miss the Socs in class though," I commented.

"They picking on you, kid?" Steve asked.

"Nah nothing big, that I can't handle."

"That's sayin' it tough kid," Steve commented.

"I'll catch up with you after school Ponyboy and give you a lift home," Two-Bit said.

X

I waited outside the school until Two-Bit showed up with a girl in his arm.

"See you around cutie," Two-Bit called. I saw the girl smile as she walked away.

"Ready to get home?"

"Actually Two-Bit I was thinking of walking home today, get some fresh air."

"Ponyboy you know Darry don't like you walking alone," Two-Bit started, but I cut him off.

"Come on Two-Bit, just let me have this one time, I haven't been able to take a walk for a real long time and it's only a couple of blocks," I complained.

I could tell he was thinking about it by the way he was standing and staring at me.

"Fine Ponyboy, but you make sure you go straight home, no walking to the DX to see Soda or nothing because I don't want ya big brother going after me for letting you go off alone."

"Yeah alright Two-Bit," I replied; I hated the gang treating me like a little kid sometimes, sure I've been sick and it's dangerous to walk alone, but I could fight for myself.

"Hey, I'll see you later anyway. I'm coming over tonight sometime."

As I began walking I took in all the things I had missed out on, the perfectly blue sky, the worn down houses; some with fencing, some without and I even noted the cracks in the sidewalk. I felt amazing inside; my head only hurt a little but it was great to be outside. My peaceful thoughts were interrupted when I heard loud yells from behind me.

"Hey there he is!"

I took a quick glance to see a bunch of Socs from school following me. I began to walk faster, in almost a jog but I knew they were gaining on me; there were five of them.

"Hey, where you going greaser?" One yelled.

As soon as I started to run; I was only a street away from home and I had the hope I would make it before they got to me, but no such luck. I felt myself get grabbed from behind by my arm as three others ran in front of my, all five circling around me.

"You think you're so great don't ya greaser, taking all this time off school then thinkin' you can show your face in the school again."

"Leave me alone!" I screamed.

My protests and struggles only landed me with a forceful punch to my stomach. I yelled a cry in pain. They shoved me to the ground and started hitting me. One hit the side of my head; making my headache and throbbing behind my eye intensify. This time I couldn't help yelling in pain; I immediately felt sick.

"Let me up, please!" I gasped; the acidic was pooling in my stomach again and was rising into my throat.

The Socs just laughed and continued to punch me. I managed to roll myself to the side just in time for the contents of my stomach to expel my lunch I had only a few hours ago.

"Ah gross!" I heard one shout. "Filthy greaser!"

I felt one last punch to my side before the Socs stood up. "Let's get out of here, before he pukes on us!"

"Disgusting man!" another yelled and kicked me on the back of my leg.

I vomited again on the pavement. My stomach hurt and my lip was bleeding; I felt totally miserable. When I stopped being sick I tried to get up but I felt shaky and dizzy. I started to cry and held my throbbing head before trying to stumble home.

I knew I wouldn't be able to hide this and it wasn't just the bruises, it was now because I was late and Darry would most likely be home.

My assumptions were correct and Darry's truck was in the drive. I crept inside slowly, feeling my body ache.

"Hi Ponyboy, how was being back at school?" Darry called from the kitchen.

"Um...fine," I hesitated.

I didn't get time to retreat to my room when Darry walked out and saw my bruised body.

Darry's POV

"Ponyboy what on earth happened?" I tried not to shout as I saw my kid brother looking as though he'd been attacked.

"Pony come sit down," I instructed firmly.

"I'm okay Dar really, please don't worry about me."

"Ponyboy sit down now. How can I not worry about you, just look at you? What happened?" I grabbed the first aid kit and checked over my brother.

"I was jumped while walking home from school," he explained. I was furious; the Socs couldn't even leave him alone for one day. Why wasn't anyone with him like I asked, or why hadn't he gotten a lift? He'd only been back at school for one day!

"Why weren't you with Steve or Two-Bit?" I questioned in a stern voice. I was going to let them have it when I next saw them.

"I wanted to walk home Dar, I missed it so much and I thought it would be alright; the school is just a few blocks away."

"Ponyboy that is not the point, you know how dangerous it is in this town and you are still sick. How many times have I told you never to walk alone?"

I didn't want to be stern with Pony after everything he'd been through but he had to understand the reckless decision he made today.

"I'm sorry Darry. I just wanted to enjoy some of the things I haven't been able to," he explained, with his head turned downward.

"Look at me."

Pony lifted his head and I dabbed his lip clean. "Pony I understand you missed out on a lot but you still should know better," I scolded.

"Sorry Darry," he mumbled.

I lifted up his shirt and tended to his injuries on his abdomen. "You're gonna be sore for a while with these Pony," I said, shaking my head.

I noticed a few tears fall from Pony's eyes. "You'll be okay now. I won't let no-one hurt you."

"It's not that. It hurts Darry, it really hurts. My headaches came back real bad after I was hit and I vomited in the street, that's what made them leave me alone. I was struggling to focus and I felt scared."

My heart crushed, opening up to me was something Pony had achieved since coming back home but I hated seeing him like this, he had been on the mend, and now because of being attacked he's back to how he was, only this time sporting bruises. I took Pony into my arms and hugged him gently, letting him cry into my chest.

"Hush Pony, are your headaches bad now?" I asked as quiet as I could; I couldn't help feeling bad for scolding him before when he was probably hurting.

"Yeah a little bit."

"I'll go and get you some aspirin and you can lie down in bed for awhile."

"Okay Darry, I'm sorry again for making you worry about me."

"Stop apologizing Ponyboy, getting jumped wasn't your fault and I'll always worry about you, kid brother. Now let's get you into bed."

I helped Pony walk to his room and made sure he was comfortable before I left to get his aspirin and water.

X

I heard the front door bang open with loud voices from Soda, Steve and Two-Bit. I rushed out of the kitchen to shush them.

"What's up Dar?" Soda asked.

"Pony's sleeping; he was jumped today walking home from school," I explained.

Soda immediately took off to the bedroom to check on Pony.

"What? I knew I shouldn't have let him talk me into it!" Two-Bit exclaimed and I'm not surprised considering the unimpressed look I was giving.

Steve slapped Two-Bit over the head. "Nice one man, even I wouldn't have been that stupid to let the kid push me around like that! I woulda dragged him to the car."

"Well I ain't you and he didn't push me around!" Two-Bit snapped.

"Hey!" I shouted, trying to keep my voice as low as possible. "You should have not let him go Keith Mathews and you were meant to be watching him too Steve," I warned.

"I ain't the kid's babysitter," Steve protested.

"Sorry Dar, I was just being a good buddy to him, you know how he is, he wanted to walk home I didn't think anything bad would happen."

I gave a sigh, no use in making a big deal of it now; I had Ponyboy to worry about.