Chapter 2
Ponyboy POV
The next couple of days went by quickly. Me, Johnny, Lori and Andy hung out a lot. We usually hung out at the DX with Steve and Soda. I think Steve might like Andy. He lets her hang around and help him fix up cars. I don't think he's ever let anyone do that before, no matter what their gender or how good they might know cars. It was now Wednesday and we were hanging out at the DX again. Lori and I sat on the counter, each of us drinking a Pepsi, watching Steve and Andy work on an old ford. Then an idea struck me. None of the gang actually knew Andy's full name. Since the day we met her we just called her Andy and that was that. So I decided to ask.
"Hey Andy!" I called
"Yeah?" I heard her say as she appeared from under the hood of the ford.
"What's your full name?"
She just stared at me and flushed a deep red.
"I'm not telling." She stated.
"Why not?" I asked. 'What could be so bad about her name?' I thought.
"It's embarrassing." She said, blushing a deeper red.
"How bad could it be?" I asked. "We aren't gonna laugh. I mean come on; Soda and I have pretty different names. It's nothing to be ashamed about. Tell us." I begged.
Now her neck, face and ears were red as a tomato. I knew she would have to cave eventually so I waited patiently on the counter.
"Do you know her full name?" I asked Lori quietly.
"No." She whispered back.
"Come on Andy, please?" I asked again. I would get it out of her if it killed me.
"Fine. But if you tell a single soul, you're dead."
I smiled to myself. I knew it would work. I could get anything out of anyone at anytime. It was a gift. Even Steve had come out from under the ford to listen. He was standing next to Andy now. Just as she was about to say something Soda walked in from the back.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Andy was gonna tell us her full name because not even Bells knows her real first name." I said with a grin. The entire gang had taken to calling Lori "Bells" because her last name was Bell.
"Oh I see, and what is your name Andy?" Soda asked.
"Fine." She said. She was still beet red as she took a deep breath and said-
"My real full first name…is Andromeda."
All of a sudden she dropped the rag she was holding and ran out the front door.
"What was that all about?" Asked Soda.
Lori and I just sat there in shock. 'What's wrong with Andromeda?' I asked myself. Well, I guess it set Andy off anyways. I never thought a name could make someone so emotional.
"I'll go after her." Steve volunteered, and he ran out the door.
Steve POV
I ran out the front door of the DX looking for Andy. I had really come to like her over the past couple of days. We were best friends. I even let her help me with the cars. I couldn't believe she was so good with cars. She had fixed every problem she came across. It was amazing. I ran around the back of the building and found her sitting on the ground ripping out fistfuls of grass, tears streaming down her face.
"You okay?" I asked cautiously.
"Maybe." She said. It came out as not much more than a whisper.
I sat down beside her and waited. All of a sudden she threw her arms around my waist and started crying onto my shoulder.
"S'wrong?" I said while rubbing her back soothingly. "It's just a name."
She lifted her head and looked at me with big, caramel coloured eyes. There was so much hurt in her eyes when she looked at me. At that moment I would do anything just to take the pain away.
"It was my mother's name." She choked out between sobs.
"Oh."
"I hated her so much. All I ever wanted was for her to care. Then it was too late." She said wiping a tear from her eye.
"It's gonna be okay." I said with a grin. "You got us now. Ain't no way you're getting' rid of us."
"I know, but I wish it didn't have to be so hard." She said quietly. She leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder. I reached over and put my arm around her shoulders. After about 5 minutes her breathing became light and steady. I looked over and saw that she had fallen asleep on my shoulder. She looked so beautiful and peaceful just sitting there. I decided this wasn't the best place for her to sleep so I figured she could sleep in the back of one of the cars in the shop. I carefully removed my arm from around her shoulders and picked her up bridal style with her head resting on my chest.
I carefully carried her to the door and pushed it open with my foot. I motioned for the rest of them to be quiet as I gently placed her in the back seat of the ford we had been working on earlier. I closed the door as quietly as I could and got back to work. No one asked questions, and I was grateful. I figured it was up to Andy if she wanted to tell them and we would all be there when she did.
Andy POV
I heard a Loud "HOOOOONK" and woke with a start. I screamed and sat bolt upright. I realized I was in the back seat of a car. I looked at the driver's seat to see Steve staring at me with his hand on the horn and a grin on his face.
"Time to get up Princess Andy. We're closing up now so it's time to go." He said.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." I said, yawning.
Steve and Soda closed up while Ponyboy, Lori and I waited outside. We walked for a little while in silence until Ponyboy spoke.
"Anyone wanna race?" he asked casually.
"I DO!" Lori and Soda screamed.
"You in Steve?" Soda asked.
"No I'll stay out of this one."
"Alright, can you count down for us?"
"Guess so…3, 2, 1, GO!"
As soon as Steve said go Soda, Lori and Pony all took off down the street at full speed. Everything was quiet. An awkward kind of quiet. I didn't really like being alone with Steve. I don't know why though. Over the past couple of days Steve and I had become best friends. Still, I couldn't help feeling that maybe, just maybe, it might be something more. I mentally kicked myself for thinking that. 'I can't like Steve like that…I don't like Steve like that! I mean, we're best friends! And even if I did like him like that, WHICH I DON'T, he probably wouldn't like me back anyways. That would be bad because our whole friendship would be messed up just because he knew I liked him, WHICH I DON'T… I hope.'
We carried on walking down the sidewalk. Every once in a while I would catch Steve looking at me but as soon as he saw me looking back he would turn his eyes away quickly. Was my hair messed up or something?
"Do I have a leaf in my hair or something?" I asked after about the fifth time he looked at me.
"Uhh…no." He stuttered. I heard him mumble something like 'you're beautiful'.
I had never thought he would say that. No one had ever said I was beautiful, even though Lori had told me a couple times, I had never heard it from a guy. Heck, most guys didn't look twice at me. I just never figured myself as pretty. I looked down at my jeans and loose fitting T-shirt. I didn't exactly look my best at the moment.
"I'm not exactly beautiful if you haven't noticed."
"What are you talking about Andy? You're Amazing." He added quietly.
"Oh." I said just as quietly. I was lost for words. Maybe… no! I have to stop thinking like that! Steve is my best friend! That's it! Nothing more, nothing less. But still…
"Uhh…Andy?" Steve's voice broke into my thoughts.
"Yeah Steve?"
"Do you, uhh, wanna go to the movies tomorrow?" He asked slowly.
"Oh, sure I guess." I answered. He looked slightly happier as we walked into the Curtis' house. Pony, Soda, Lori and Darry were home. We all shouted "Hey." and sat down. I wouldn't let anyone see it, but on the inside I was smiling about my "date" tomorrow with Steve. We sat and watched TV for a while. Steve sat in the middle of the couch with me on one side and
Soda on the other. Pony, and Lori sat on the floor while Darry sat in the armchair.
"Has anyone seen Johnny today?" Ponyboy asked.
Everyone shook their heads no. I knew all about Johnny's parents and how horrible they were so I figured he must be with Dally and Two-Bit because he more than likely wasn't at home.
My conclusion was proven right because about 2 minutes later, all 3 of them walked through the door and spread out in the living room. Darry got up and walked into the kitchen to start dinner. After we ate everyone went home, except for Steve who decided to sleep on the living room floor for some reason. We all headed off to our separate rooms and lay down to sleep. I slowly drifted off to sleep next to Lori, thinking only of tomorrow.
I woke up suddenly and looked at the clock. 1:10AM. I realized I was extremely thirsty and decided to go get a drink of water. I snuck into the living room on tip-toe trying not to wake Steve who was lying on the floor. I crept into the kitchen and got myself a drink. Much better. Just as I was putting away my glass, I stubbed my toe and let out a small "OW". Hoping I didn't wake Steve, in the living room, I carefully tip-toed back in. Just as I walked past Steve I felt something grab my ankle and I gasped and fell to the floor. I turned to see Steve staring at me with an amused look in his eye. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled my back to his chest.
It felt nice just to lie there. Not a care in the world except his arm around me and his breath on the back of my neck.
"Steve?" I asked quietly.
"Hmmm?"
"Goodnight."
"'Night Andy."
And with that, I fell asleep in his arms, lying on the living room floor.
Darry POV
I woke up early the next morning. I got out of bed and went to take a shower. When I walked into the living room I saw Steve lying on the floor with his arm around…ANDY?! What was he thinking? Dally would beat his head in if he found out about this! 'Oh crap, Dally! I better move Andy back into her room before he gets here or we're all dead.'
I carefully walked over to Andy and picked her up bridal style with her head on my shoulder. Steve's arm hit the ground with a thump and I hoped it wouldn't wake either of them. I slowly carried her down the hall and into her room. I placed her gently on the bed next to Lori. I quietly walked back out, closing the door behind me. I leaned against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor. I was sitting in the hallway with my head in my hands, rubbing my eyes. 'What was he thinking?' was all that ran through my mind.
"Darry?"
I looked up from the floor to see Sodapop staring at me with a worried expression on his face.
"Are you okay?" He asked patiently.
"Yeah I'm fine why?"
"Well it's not everyday you see your brother sitting on the hallway floor with his head in his hands." He replied.
"Oh don't worry about me little buddy, I'm just stressed." I said wearily. It was the truth. I was stressed. I had work today, there were bills to pay and there was the whole mess from this morning with Steve and Andy. I just needed to relax. Take a break. Anything.
"Alright. Is there anything I can do?" He asked me.
"No. Just go get ready for work Soda. I'll shower and start breakfast."
"Alright Dar. Just try and relax a little okay?"
"Okay I'll try." I said and tried to give a small smile. Apparently, he was pleased with my answer because he gave a quick nod in return and went to get dressed for work. I slowly got up from the hallway floor and went to go shower. I turned the water on hot and stepped in. I just stood there for a moment letting the water run. I loved hot water. I felt like just standing there letting it wash over me could clean me of everything, all the stress, the pain, everything. Even if it was just for a couple of minutes. I washed up and got out of the shower, unwillingly. I got cleaned up and walked out of the bathroom. I walked into my bedroom to get dressed for work. When I was dressed I walked out into the kitchen to start breakfast. Steve was up now and was sitting on the couch in the living room.
"'Morning Darry." He said with a yawn.
"'Morning." Was all I said because I was still a little angry with him about this morning. As if he could read my mind he said what I was hoping he wouldn't ask.
"You okay Dar?"
"No, I'm not okay Steve." I said bitterly.
He looked at me with a weird expression on his face as if he was wondering if he should ask what was going on or not.
"I found you this morning Steve. What were you thinking letting Andy sleep with you?" I asked him, frustrated.
"What's so wrong with that? We're best friends Dar. It's not like we're dating or anything." He retorted. I could tell he was angry but I didn't care. I was doing this for his and Andy's safety.
"I had to move her to her own bed this morning before anyone woke up. If Dal saw that, he'd beat your head in." I told him.
"Well that's my problem isn't it? I don't care what Dally thinks or what he thinks he should do. Andy's my friend and not even the great Dallas Winston can change that so he better learn to live with it." Steve finished. His temper was flaring and his fists were clenched. I knew it was time to drop the argument before things got out of hand and, as if on queue, Sodapop ran in looking for his DX hat. Ponyboy walked in sleepily behind him and sat down at the table. I placed the eggs I had been making in front of him. He started eating as Soda, Steve and I sat down and ate ours. As soon as we were done, Soda went on looking for his things.
Lori and Andy walked out of their room just as Johnny and Two-Bit walked through the door. They all sat at the table and I put eggs in front of each of them. They all ate in silence.
"Where's my shoe?" Soda called from the living room.
"On top of the fridge." I called back. Soda ran in to grab his shoe and, once he had it on, him, Steve and I headed off to work. It was summer so Ponyboy didn't have school.
"We'll see you guys later." I called from the doorway.
"Bye." Everyone chorused. I started the truck and headed off to work.
When I got to work I started immediately. When it was time for lunch I pulled out my lunch and began eating. After lunch I went back to work, thinking about everything going on in my life. 'Oh no. I almost forgot that I was supposed to get groceries tonight. I'll pick them up on the way home." I thought.
When I got off work I went straight to the grocery store to pick up some dinner. I picked up some chicken, soup, cake mix, and other things we needed. I went to one of the registers to pay and looked up at the girl working there. She was extremely pretty. She had long wavy brown hair that came down to about the middle of her back. She had sparkling blue eyes and small freckles on her cheeks. Then I realized I was staring like an idiot. I paid for my things and left.
When I got home and walked inside, I had been intending to start dinner but those plans were immediately put on hold when I saw Andy. She was lying on the couch covered in cuts and bruises. She had blood seeping slowly through her shirt, and I guessed there was a deep cut underneath. She was unconscious. The gang and Lori were gathered around her trying to think of what to do. They all looked up when they heard me come in.
"Darry, thank god." Soda said.
"What happened?" I asked worriedly. Everyone turned to glance at Steve. He lowered his head and looked away.
"We'll explain later Dar, but you're good at this kind of stuff. Can you fix her up?" He said quickly.
"'Course, can you get me the first aid kit?" I asked, bending down next to Andy.
"Sure thing." He said and he ran off to get it.
"You guys gotta back up." I told everyone. They seemed to know that this was serious so they all shuffled back. Soda came running back in with the first aid kit in hand.
"Thanks." I said and opened it up. I cleaned her cuts carefully and quickly. As I was bandaging one of the worse cuts on her arm, she began to come around.
"Darry?" She asked in a weak voice.
"Yeah it's me." I said, trying to stay calm. "I'm just fixin' you up. You have some pretty nasty cuts from what I've seen so far and they gotta be bandaged. Just hold still for a little bit."
She nodded her head slowly and I finished wrapping her arm. I was scared to look under her shirt at the cut that was obviously there. I grabbed the bottom of her shirt and gently peeled it back to reveal a long, deep cut running from her left side at the top of her ribs, to her right hip. It was at least an inch deep and it was bleeding profusely. There was a collective grumbling of cursing from behind me. Hell, it was making me queasy. I couldn't imagine how she felt. I placed my hand gently on her stomach.
"This is gonna need to be sewn up." I commented.
I felt Andy flinch under my hand and I knew she was scared.
"She hates stitches." Lori said quietly.
"Right. Andy?" I asked her quietly. She looked up at me with big caramel eyes. She looked so scared, I hated to do this to her, but we had to stop the bleeding. "We need to stitch you up. It's gonna hurt but I need you to try and stay still. Can you do that?"
She nodded her head and shut her eyes. As soon as the needle went through she clenched her teeth and grabbed onto the couch cushion with all her strength. Soda rushed forward and took her hand in his. Whenever the needle went through she held onto his hand tightly.
After about ten minutes, I had finished. I realized how tough she was after that. She hadn't shed a tear.
"Done." I announced. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Soda let go of Andy's hand and began stroking her hair.
"You're okay." He whispered soothingly. "It's gonna be alright."
She nodded half-heartedly and let her head drop into his hand.
"You think we should move her?" he asked me quietly. Andy was already drifting off to sleep, her head still in Soda's hand. I nodded yes and the gang stepped back a couple of steps as Soda, as gently as he could manage, picked Andy up off the couch and carried her into her and Lori's room. I looked over at Steve and he looked like he could throw up at any moment.
"Explain. Now." I said sternly. I wanted to know what had happened and I wanted to know now. Two-Bit stepped forward.
"Well…"
