Chapter Ten

The Jumping and the Rumble Plans

(Two-Bits POV)

June was asleep on the couch for a few hours now and I was waiting for Soda to home. I looked at the clock and it said 3:17 PM, so he should be home soon. Just then Soda walked through the door.

"Hey Two-Bit. Where's June?"

"Asleep on the couch. She threw up after lunch and she felt slightly warm to me." Soda came over to the couch and felt her head.

"She does feel a little warm. You said she got sick? What did she eat?"

"A small salad and some tea. She originally didn't eat half of it but I told her to finish it."

"I'll give her something." He said and a few minuets later came back with some aspirin and water. "June, wake up honey." She slowly opened her eyes and sat up to take the pill, than went right back to sleep.

"I'm going to get going, Soda. Tell her 'hey' for me when she wakes up." I walked out of the house and down the streets, heading towards the strip. 'What was going on with June lately? Why does she keep throwing up? I don't get it.'

I heard a horn honk from behind me and turned around to see a red Mustang behind me. It pulled up next to me as three Soc's got out.

"Hey there grease." I started walking the other way because I was not in the mood to fight right now. "Hey! We're talking to you slime ball!" Turning around I flicked open my blade.

"Lets go than!" I said and lunged towards the first soc with my blade and he ducked. Another soc punched me in the eye and I turned and hit him with a right hook to the jaw. He fell to the ground and the other two tackled to me, knocking my knife out of my hand. Blocking as many punches as possible, I brought my knee up and smashed in into one guys head and he fell to the ground out cold. Taking my chance I jumped up.

The other two, that one guy with the injured jaw came back, brought out their blades as I grabbed mine off the ground. We started jabbing and stabbing one another. I got one good in the arm but he kept going.

"Give up grease! You can't beat us! You're trash, dirt, and scum!" The one with the bleeding arm said. There was heavy footsteps racing towards me and I saw Dally running towards me and he tackled one while I handled the other.

When they were done, they dragged their unconscious friend and left.

"You okay man?" Dally asked.

"Yeah, thanks. Thought you were over at Buck's?"

"Got hauled into the station. Told the cops that the boys were in Texas." He smiled.

"Well than, Lets go." I said.

"Hey dumb-ass! They aren't there. I just told them that to let me go. Otherwise they wouldn't let me go. I have not clue where they are. You sure you're okay?"

"I think so. Where you headed?" I asked.

"Who knows, probably going to cause trouble, you in?"

"Sure." I said and we walked down the street."

(Soda's POV)

Two-Bit left a little while ago and it was almost five, so I decided to make dinner. I left out some hotdogs, it was quick and easy. I also made some corn and mash potatoes.

"Hmm." I thought and went into the cabinet and grabbed the pink food coloring and added it to the potatoes. It turned pink very quickly, that it made it look like icing. (oh Soda)

The door slammed and I heard Darry's work boots on the floor and he got angry when he saw the potatoes.

"Sodapop!" He yelled.

"What?"

"What the hell is this pink stuff?"

"Shh! Keep it down Darry, June's sleeping. Oh and that's mashed potatoes."

"Can't you keep stuff normal Soda?" I shook my head. "Why is she sleeping?"

"According to Two-Bit she got sick after lunch, She got sick this morning to, from what Steve told us. You think it's still depression?"

"Must be. Damn Ryan wasn't kidding." He said.

"No, man I wish it would stop Darry. It's not normal to throw up this much." I said. "I felt her head and it was warm. I gave her some aspirin to help it."

"I'm going to go and check pm her. You finish up and keep everything else their normal color." Darry walked out as I placed the food and plates on the table. He came back and we both sat down.

"How is she?"

"Still a little warm, but its not to bad." Just than Sara walked in.

"Hey guys is June around?" She asked.

"Hey Julie, she is but she's sleeping. Would you like something to eat?" Darry said.

"Um, no thanks. I don't eat hotdogs."

"I can heat you up something else if you want." I said.

"That's okay, thanks. Can you tell June I stopped by?"

"Sure." Darry said.

"By guys." She left. We ate our dinner quietly and did the dishes. When we were done we went into the living room to see June sitting in a pretzel position on the couch.

"How are you feeling?" I asked and Darry looked over.

"Still tired and a little stiff." She said.

"Well the way you were lying down it would be hard not to be." Darry smiled. June just went to back to lying on the arm rest again. I felt her forehead.

"Your temperature went down. It doesn't feel so hot anymore." I took my hand away and watched her fall back asleep. "Should we just leave her here for the night Dar?" He shook his head no.

"In a little while I'll put her in her bead incase one of the guys shows up in the middle of the night again. Darry answered and we went back to watching TV.

About two hours later Darry picked up June and put her to bed.

"Damn this girl has lost weight. We've got to get her eating again." Darry said,

"I know Darry but we can't force her and we have got to get Pony and Johnny back." Than it hit me, I forgot about Pony being gone. "I'm going to bed. Night Darry." I said and left. He yelled a good night before I closed the door.

(Ryan's POV)

Sara locked the house and I forgot my key again, so I headed over to the Curtis's to use there couch again. I walked into the house and flicked the light on. They must've all been asleep.

But something caught my attention, it was soft crying. It wasn't June, and Darry never cries, so was it Soda. Walking down the hall to where Soda and Pony slept I opened the door and found a weeping Soda on his bed.

"Soda? You okay?" I asked and sat down next to him. He had his head in his hands. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"It's Pony. God, why did this happen? Haven't we suffered enough?:

"June asked me the same thing. I don't know why this happens but nobody deserves this. You just have to keep on living and not let anyone stop you." He looked at me again. "He'll be alright Soda. He's strong, tuff and he's with Johnny." I patted his back.

"Thanks."

"Your welcome." I said and he started getting ready for bed and I left the room. I decided to go and check on June as well. When I got to her room I noticed that she was awake on her bed.

"Hey Ryan." She said with a small smile.

"Hey."

"What are you doing here at like three in the morning? Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Sara accidentally locked me out. Why are you up?"

"I've been asleep all afternoon, after I got sick again."

"How bad was it?" I asked.

"Puked up everything. That was the second time today too. But I've been getting better every day." But from the sound of her voice it wasn't, than there was a low growl from her stomach.

"I say we get you some food." We went into the kitchen and I found her some hotdogs and a bowl of pink crap.

"What the hell is this pink stuff?" She asked and I tried some.

"Mashed potatoes, but why are they pink?"

"Sodapop." She said as I heated her up a plate and she ate it without a fuss. "I think I'm through being sad." She smiled up at me and I smiled back.

"Good." I said as she put her plate away.

"Let's go to bed now." I nodded and we both went to bed. (I was going to leave this part out but I decided not to)

I woke up early the next day and found myself on the floor in the living room. I must've fallen off the couch in the middle of the night. Standing up I went to the bathroom, than into the kitchen to find Darry sitting at the table, waiting to get to work.

"Morning Ryan. How did you end up on the floor?" Darry asked.

"Morning Dar. I probably rolled off or something."

"Would you like something to eat?"

"No, I'll eat later. Just worry about you getting yourself to work." He than check the clock, cursed, and ran out the door. Grabbing some juice and sat down and watched some TV. Soda got up and rushed around getting ready for work.

"Bye Ryan!" He said sprinting out the door, before I could even process what happened.

(Johnny's POV)

[normally wouldn't have, but….here it is anyway]

It has been four days since I stabbed that boy, god was it killing me that I did that. Ponyboy was in trouble and it happened so fast that I didn't even know what I was doing.

"Johnny?" I looked over and saw the blond headed Pony looking at me.

"Yeah Pone?"

"Are you alright?"

"Just thinking."

"About?"

"June. Man I just left her in a hard time and now she's probably completely upset! With her friend dieing and us leaving," I said on the urge of tears.

"Johnny she's got the gang and her two friends. Do you think anyone would let anything happen to her, like the day she was almost jumped a second time?"

"I know, I feel like I've let her down! I promised her I'd be there for her but I'm wanted for murder and how can I be there for her if I'm in Jail!"

"Johnny calm down man! You didn't let her down at all alright? I don't think she thinks you did at all!" I nodded and sighed.

"Lets go to bed."

(Dally's POV)

After Two-Bit got jumped, we were hanging around the lot when a blue stingray drove up to us and the redhead from the other night came out of the car.

"Should we jump her?" Two-Bit asked but I put my hand up.

"Hey guys." She said.

"What do you want, doll face?" I asked.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, Dallas. I came to tell you that the Soc's want to have a rumble on Friday night here with your outfit. I can tell you what's going on when I find out from Randy."

"Why are you doing this?" Two-Bit asked.

"Because, I'm on your side for all of this. I'll testify that the two were drunk and went looking for a fight." Steve nodded approvingly.

"Alright, thanks Cherry." Two-Bit shook her hand.

"How would you like to go to the Dingo for a coke?" I asked

"How would you like to go to hell Dallas?" She flipped her hair back and drove away.

"Wow, Dal. Looks like she's still mad at you, huh?" Two-Bit said. We walked back to the Curtis's house and June was sitting glued to some TV show. A dramatic reality thing that chicks watch. When the commercials came on she turned towards me.

"Can we talk?" She asked and we went into her room.

"What do you want now?" I asked.

"When you go and see Johnny, I'm going with you. I need to see Johnny."

"Alright, alright, you can come. I'll come and get you in the morning before I go."

"You better." She said forcibly. Damn this chick was demanding.

"I will. Damn do you always have to be demanding?" I asked and she nodded. Than someone had changed the channel because Mickey's voice could be heard.

"HEY! YOU BETTER TURN MY SHOW BACK ON TWO-BIT OR I'LL KICK YOUR FUCKING ASS!" She screamed and sprinted into the living room, I followed. No way was I missing this.

(Sara's POV)

I was walking to the Curtis's house to say goodbye to everyone when I heard screaming.

"HEY! YOU BETTER TURN MY SHOW BACK ON TWO-BIT OR I'LL KICK YOUR FUCKING ASS!" A girl screamed and I knew it was June. Her show was on tonight and she always watched it. I opened the door to find Two-Bit screaming as June was fighting him for the remote.

"GIVE IT BACK!" She screamed.

"NO! YOU LEFT THE ROOM! I GET TV NOW!" He yelled and June grabbed his neck tighter and her face was turning red with anger. I looked and saw Soda and Steve playing cards, Dally was smirking at the fight while Darry was in the kitchen. Then Ryan walked in.

"What did I miss?"

"June's TV show is on tonight and she always watches it. She must've left the room during the commercials and he probably changed it on her.

"GIVE IT BACK! NOW!"

"NO! YOU LEFT! I-GET-THE-TV! Two-Bit yelled and she tightened her grip.

"Alright that's enough!" Darry said plying her arms of Two-Bit's neck and he gasped for air. "Two-Bit give her the remote back. She was watching something and obviously she is going to kill you for the remote." He handed June the remote and she was glued to her show, as she always is.

"Two-Bit haven't you learned not to piss her off yet?" Steve asked.

"But I always watch Mickey Mouse! Everyone here knows it!" He complained.

"Ladies first Two-Bit." June said smiling and everyone laughed at him.

"I just came to say goodbye." I said sadly. "My flight leaves early tomorrow morning and I won't be able to say goodbye." Everyone looked at me.

"I wish you didn't have to leave." June said

"I don't either, but I have to."

"I know." She said. "I promise to call as soon as we find Pony and Johnny." She said and hugged me.

"Okay." I said and I hugged everyone else and said goodbye, than left.

"SARA!" June ran after me and gave me one last hug. "Tell your family 'hi' for me and the gang."

"I will, bye June."

"Bye." She said and we went our separate ways.

(June's POV)

When I got back inside the house Mickey was back on the TV.

"TWO-BIT!" I screamed at him. "PUT MY SHOW BACK ON NOW!" He got up with the remote and ran with it. I changed it by the knobs on the TV and I saw the credits rolling. "YOUR DEAD KEITH MATTHEWS!" I jumped on his back, tackling him to the floor and proceeded to choke him. Once again Darry pulled me off him.

"When I say enough's enough I mean it! Nobody get's the TV for the rest of the night!" Darry said. "It's time for everyone to go." Everyone yelled bye and left quickly. " June we don't strangle people for the remote. I know Two-Bit can be annoying, but you can't go and do that." I sighed and nodded. We ate dinner and went to bed.

Well that's it, no more depressed June! Two-Bit survives thanks to Darry. This is up sooner than I thought it would be….ummm short ending thing…but hope you enjoyed!

R&R!