.::I do not own The Outsiders::.
14. Wound opener.
Steve scoffed as he read the letter, "And what? Does he expect us to be okay with this fucking letter? 'Tell the guys I miss them too', Pff, bullshit! This. is. Bullshit."
Darry pressed his lips intro a tight straight line agreeing with him yet he didn't say it out loud, How could Sodapop do this? Steve shook his head slamming the letter down on the coffee table, he stomped out the door grumbling he'd come back later. Johnny stood up going to Ponyboy's bedroom worried. He knocked gently on the door.
"What."
"Can I come in?"
"...Whatever."
Johnny entered, he saw Ponyboy on his bed sitting with a book in his hands. Pony though that he could just read a book to take his mind off trying to forget what happened, the words of Sodapop still lingered in his head. The wound that was starting to heal opened up again. His friend bit his bottom lip not knowing what to say or do. All he wanted was for Pony to be okay. Not to fall into a big depression again.
"I'm fine." Pony murmured.
Johnny rolled his eyes, Always being so stubborn. "No you ain't."
"Well I'm trying to be. I mean, it's not easy you know."
"And I'm not saying it is Pone. You're strong, I know it. For now let's just enjoy Christmas. Maybe have another snowball fight. Just don't be getting all sad ok?"
Pony smiled weakly, "Sure."
In the living room Darry was re reading the sheet of paper, he put it away quickly as his brother and friend stepped out sitting on the couch. He looks fine, God help me. I don't want him to be getting sick again. Pony nodded a hello to his brother. Johnny looked around for Steve. Then the door opened revealing Twobit grinning happily.
"Merry Christmas my fellow hoodlums! What did Santa get me this year?" He asked cheerfully.
Ponyboy stared at the ground not in any mood for this stuff, Johnny sighed gesturing for him to go to the porch. Twobit's face showed confusion so he followed Johnny waiting for an explanation. Darry scooted closer to Pony wrapping his arm around his neck trying to comfort him. He felt him shake under his embrace.
"Don't cry little colt. Please don't cry."
Pony sniffed, "I-I'm sorry Dar."
"Shh. There's nothing to be sorry about Pony."
"W-why did he have to send the letter if h-he ain't coming back?"
Darry held on tighter, "I don't know little colt, but let's not think about it ok? I-I'm real thankful you're here with me Pony. Very glad." He closed his eyes resting his chin on top of Pony's head, "That's all that matters Pone, that we're still together."
Ponyboy wiped away his tears, "You're right Darry," Taking a deep shuddery breath, "Thanks Dar. I love you."
"Love you too, kiddo."
They decided it was better if they continued their Christmas day without any more frustrating feelings. Darry went to the kitchen finishing making breakfast, Pony stayed on the couch rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hands, What a morning... His eyes fell upon the paper on the coffee table. The line Soda wrote stood out from the rest: I miss you guys.
His face expressed a scowl, Yeah right. He took the letter in his hand suddenly crumpling it throwing it against the wall with much force. Damn you Sodapop... Damn you... Just then Twobit got inside with Johnny both their faces slightly gloomy. Ponyboy stared out the window for a moment then turned to Twobit, "Merry Christmas Twobit."
Twobit was taken aback but he smiled anyways, "Erm, Merry Christmas kid."
Johnny felt a feeling of relief when he saw Ponyboy right as rain, sure, he knew in the inside he was probably broken but he's strong. He's ok. And that's all that mattered to him. He's tough.
The rest of the day consisted of the boys trying to get things back to normal or at least their own definition of normalcy. Dally and Steve arrived later on in the day, Steve was cooled off yet his agitated attitude stayed. Dally heard everything, he was mad in the inside not believing how much of an asshole Sodapop turned out to be. Ponyboy locked up his emotions, thoughts, anything that had to do with his absent brother in order to enjoy his day. Gifts were exchanged and another small feast was held.
The letter lay on the floor crumpled.
The days passed by quickly so fast that New Year's felt like a blink of an eye. It was one of the most saddest beginnings of the year to the Curtis brothers. They had to suffer the loss of their parents, then Sodapop's goodbye. It was all too much. Ponyboy hoped this year could await better days, happier moments. Darry felt the need to stay strong, even stronger this year for his remaining brother. He promised himself to take much better care for Pony and a better leader for the gang. He had to keep this together, he won't let anything else go wrong.
School time was starting again, the snow was still falling but less. Ponyboy got into Steve's car with Johnny heading towards the school building. Turning the ignition off Ponyboy sighed, another day in school. How boring. Johnny nudged him on the ribs giving him a warm smile to lighten up. Steve told them he wouldn't drive them to school afterwards, he had a very lovely date with Evie. Johnny nodded while Ponyboy rolled his eyes not caring for his justification.
The hours came and went, when the boys knew it, classes were over. Ponyboy waited for Johnny out the entrance. He crossed his arms itching for a smoke. He'd ask Johnny for one when he showed up. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice. One of his eyes twitched a bit.
"Ponyboy..."
He stiffened, Ah Geez. "Tanya..."
She beamed when he recognized her, "How was your Christmas break?"
Pony spat, "Just wonderful."
Tanya pursed her lips wanting to say something else, that is until another familiar voice boomed. Scott. He narrowed his eyes at the Greaser striding his way over to them. He snatched Tanya by her arm making her yelp. Ponyboy wasn't into girls yet nor did he have any feelings for Tanya but he was taught never to treat a lady like shit thanks to his parents. Pony frowned not scared by the Soc's aggression.
"You lousy son of a bitch. I told you to get away from her!" He yelled as Tanya whimpered.
Ponyboy gritted his teeth pointing at him, "Me? Looks whose talking? You can't even keep your girl happy. You don't even know how to treat a girl properly!"
Scott glanced at the girl loosening his grip, "Shut the fuck up you grease ball!"
Just as Curtis was about to let a punch go someone held on to him, "Calm down Pone." It was Johnny.
"You should listen to your friend." Scott sneered.
"That's it-"
"Is something going on boys?" A teacher had her hands on her hips waiting for an answer.
Pony knew he couldn't get in trouble in school or the Social Worker would hear a load of this. He shrugged of Johnny's hand mumbling some words walking down the steps. His buddy followed close behind. They walked silently home. The air was cold, the wind carried small snowflakes. The trees were naked without their leaves so they swayed with the gust of wind. Ponyboy furrowed his eyebrows together as he kicked a small rock.
"I could have taken him."
Johnny, "I know."
When they got inside Twobit was eating a slice of chocolate cake with the television turned on. With his mouth full he said a hello to them. Pony made a face as he dropped his backpack to the ground, "Gross Twobit."
Johnny plopped himself on the couch, "'Sup."
Ponyboy threw himself on his bed covering his face with an arm. Stress was forming up in his chest again. He growled knowing it was because of the letter, he had taken two steps forward but now he took one back. He had to start from the beginning. Again. Young Curtis felt very upset these days, he was still trying to figure out The why's and what if's to Soda's departure. His heart ache was aching much more.
The Greaser closed his eyes, Why is it that we have to suffer these things? Wasn't it enough with Mom and Dad? With one long yawn, Ponyboy turned over not aware that sleep had over powered him.
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(Sorry for any grammar mistakes.)
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