A Very Bad Idea

Sodapop's POV

"We're lost, aren't we?"

"No, Pone. I know exactly where we are."

"Well then, which way to the truck, Sodapop?" Ponyboy asks. I know he doesn't believe me. Shoot, he shouldn't, because I'm sorta lying. I know he's my kid brother and I shouldn't be lying to him but I don't want to look like a total pansy and admit to getting us lost in the middle of the woods by Pony's school. I know now persuading my brother to go exploring after his track practice was a bad idea. There's a rumble of thunder. A very bad idea.

"Umm...this way," I say, leading us to the left. Ponyboy grumbles underneath his breath, probably cussing me out. When that kid gets mad he sure can have a little mouth. While I find it somewhat amusing Darry doesn't. He just rants about, and I quote, "teenagers these days." Which I find funny because I remember Darry being quite reckless during his teen years. Of course, that was before my mom and dad died. Enough of those thoughts, I need to focus on getting us out of here. Who would've known every tree in this dang forest would look the same? Like, seriously?

There's a flash of lightning and then rain begins to fall. Just my luck...

"Oh great," Ponyboy mutters. I see a little cleared patch of grass with branches overhead, blocking the rain.

"Come on," I say, tugging on Pony's arm and leading him to the spot when it starts to pour. We both squat down and sit on the dry grass. I glance at my watch, a birthday present from my brothers. 9:30. Ponyboy's practice ended at 7:30. Darry's probably not home, which is good. The last thing we need is Darry calling the fuzz. The thunder is getting louder. Ponyboy pulls his hands into fists and rubs them against his eyes. I swear. Darry told me about the incident with Ponyboy when I was at a party with Steve. I felt so guilty about not being there but happy when I heard about the moment my brothers shared. They're doing a pretty good job at keeping their promise to me. Sure, they have their disagreements, all brothers do, but it's nothing like before. It's no longer a game of tug of war between them.

"Hey, Pone. It's alright," I whisper in his ear, pulling him into my arms. He whimpers and grips his arm. His nails are digging into my skin, but I ignore the pain. My baby brother needs me.

"What's wrong, honey?" I ask him, my voice gentle. He buries his face into my chest, avoiding the answer.

"Ponyboy, what's wrong?" I repeat, grabbing his chin and lifting so our eyes meet. He has tears in his eyes, but none have fallen yet.

"When I hear it—the thunder, I see Dally on the hill, when they shot him." I hug him tight. He's seen so much in his life, stuff a kid shouldn't see. Lightning flickers across the sky. This time when I look at him the tears do spill over. His bright green eyes are wide and filled with terror, like he's somewhere else. Not here with me in the middle of the woods. Lost. No. He's somewhere else.

"Pone?" He stiffens, startled, as if he forgot I was there. He buries his head in my chest again and begins to sob. I instantly run my hands in comforting circles across his back.

"The lightning," he sniffs,"Reminds me of the church with—with Johnny. When it was on fire."

"Oh, baby. It's okay. You're here with me, not in that church. Sure, we're lost in the middle of the woods, but you're not in back there," I tell him. He nods then laughs quietly. I'm confused. He was just sobbing and now he's laughing. Sometimes I think he might be bipolar.

"So you admit we're lost." My brother, always a smartass.

"Fine. We're lost, but I'll get us out of here. Why don't you get some sleep until the storm stops?" I suggest after my confession. He nods and lays down on the grass. I lay down next to him and he curls up against my body. I stroke his hair and don't stop until his green eyes close. Then, I close my own.

"Sodapop," a voice calls. A hand shakes me awake. I rub my eyes and sit up, only to come face to face with Darry. I jump up and give him a hug.

"Hey, kiddo. Missed you, too. Now care to explain why you're here in the woods and not in your room? Curfew was 12. It's 2." I groan. I'm so grounded.

"I kinda got me and Pony lost," I say quietly, gesturing to my still sleeping brother.

"And how did that happen?" He asks.

"I just wanted to ya know, explore a bit. I mean, come on! Haven't you ever wondered what was in the woods by the school?"

"Can't say I have." I can tell he's trying not to laugh at me. I scowl.

"Well, let's get you guys home. Good thing it's Saturday tomorrow. Pony's gonna be crabby when he wakes up from sleeping on the ground but you still gotta work." I groan. Darry carefully scoops our brother up. I follow him silently, noticing how easily he finds his way to the school parking lot.

"How'd you find us, anyway?" I ask.

"You left this," he says, pointing to Ponyboy's backpack full of his sweaty track clothes.

"You could probably smell it from the house," I say. He laughs. Good, if I get him laughing he might forget about my punishment. I climb into the front seat while Darry lays Pony down in the back. So far so good. No mention of my punishment.

"Hey, Soda?" Darry asks.

"Yeah?"

"You're grounded." And there it is.

This oneshot idea was from Jayla728 so this chapter is dedicated to her. I hope I wrote it how you imagined it. I wrote this in the car on the way to a baseball game, which was really hard because the road was bumpy. So, I think I deserve some reviews...Anyway, feel free to leave ideas for oneshots. I might end up using them...

Enjoy!

Up Next: Story Time

What happens when Soda offers to read Ponyboy a childhood story and Pony rejects? Set in Ponyboy's POV.

- Stay Gold -

Sincerely,

Teenbookworm13