Hiii! Soooo I'm sorry for not updating this fic earlier. I had so much trouble with trying to do it all on my phone, especially because I have to wait until Saturday for a new computer. 0/10 tbh. Anyways, to a friend who's probably reading this, you scare me tbh. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
After the whole interrogation with Steve, I finally settled down in bed. I listened as Steve told Sodapop some things about me and whatnot. My whole body was aching, reminding me that I hadn't taken any of the pills the doctors prescribed me. Slowly, I reached up to the bottles next to me and took them dry.
After I took them, I laid back down and looked at the ceiling. My mind raced with what I was going to do. It didn't help when my mind went back to the constant bullying during my classes. I didn't want to go back to school, but I knew that I couldn't just hide.
My eyes grew heavy, and I knew that I was going to fall asleep. But, I didn't want to fall asleep. Because, I knew that if I did, I was going to have a bad nightmare. Still, my mind didn't cooperate and I fell asleep.
It had been like every other nightmare, except, Darry and Soda had been the ones stabbed. Bob's words rang out in my head, "Im going to fucking kill you." It had been the last thing he had said to me before running out of Bucks. Running out and leaving me with just my life to spare. The thought of Buck all bruised up and bloody hit my mind, causing me to gag. Suddenly my nightmare was filled with me running from Bob. This time though, the other guys were running after me, all with switchblades. Just when I thought I got away, Bob stabbed me right in the chest.
I turned around and looked right at Bob. He held an ugly smile, one that was completely deranged. Just the sight made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. He watched as I squirmed around, trying to find a way out. Is this how Dally felt? I asked myself as my eyes started to close.
I woke up in a cold sweat, my mouth ready to scream. I frantically looked around, finding that Sodapop was right next to me. His arms were splayed around me, most likely scared that I would flinch if he had hugged me while asleep. There was only a soft glow of the sun coming from the window. I watched it for a moment, hoping that my breathing would calm down, but it didn't. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to tell Sodapop everything. Tears fell from my eyes, "Im sorry," I repeated.
My breathing grew uneven and I found that I couldn't say anything else. The tears from my eyes wouldn't stop as I started to rock myself slowly. A sob was caught in my throat and my mind threw me back to when the soc had been choking me. Instantly I got up and ran to the bathroom.
The second the bathroom door was closed, I let myself throw up. Tears kept spilling from my eyes until they stopped. Quietly I got up and cleaned my mouth. The bathroom window showed the beginnings of a sunrise, something that I had long forgotten to watch. I watched it, wiping my tears with my bandaged hand.
When the colors of the sunrise were beginning to fade out, I took a shower and made sure to rewrap my injuries. The new switchblade injury on my waist made me cringe as I cleaned it up with some alcohol, an injury I refused to tell Steve about. After oiling my hair, I made my way back to the room. Sodapop was still sleeping, just about dead to the world.
Carefully I picked out another turtleneck. Somehow I had plenty, just enough to last me a school week. With that thought, I pulled on an outfit and went to the kitchen. Darry was there, cooking. He turned around quickly, his eyes softening the second they saw mine. It was only then that I forgot that Darry and Soda were going to talk to me.
I cussed myself out as Darry walked over to me. He put his hand out, most likely going to ruffle my hair, but, I flinched back. His eyes filled with hurt and I apologized. "It's okay little buddy," Darry said, gently patting me on the shoulder. Guilt ate at me, punishing me for being weak enough to flinch from a friendly gesture.
Darry walked to me and Sodas room, most likely getting Sodapop up and ready for work. However, Darry called me into the room. I walked in, confused and saw how Sodapop and Darry were sitting on the bed. Guilt ate at me harder as Darry patted a spot next to both of them. I sat down, unsure of what they were going to say. I wondered if Sodapop had told Darry about what Steve had told him. Which mostly just included the fact that I was more injured than what I would let on.
"Ponyboy…" Darry started. "We were so scared yesterday," Sodapop finished. I nodded, putting my head down. Darry got up and stood in front to fme, "Ponyboy look at me." I lifted my head, feeling as tears fell down my face. However, I just saw the fear in Darrys eyes. "You gotta tell us when you're gonna go somewhere, savvy?" Darry said.
I nodded, "I dig." Sodapop put his arm around me, causing me to jump a bit. Before he could move away, I put and arm around him, "Im sorry." Sodapop and Darry nodded, with Sodapop gently running his fingers through my hair. "Every time you're out, make sure ya got someone in the gang with ya," Darry lectured.
I nodded, looking at him, "So, can I go to school?" Darry sighed a bit, running his fingers through his hair. Still, he nodded but turned stern. "Like I said Pony, make sure there's always someone with ya. Ya never know when those socs are gonna come back." I nodded again, "I dig."
"Okay, now Soda get ready, I know ya work in thirty minutes," Darry lectured. Sodapop rolled his eyes, pulling me closer. "Do I have ta?" Darry rolled his eyes, as he pulled me up. I didn't flinch back, instead, I laughed along. I ignored the fear of the socs and quietly made my way back into the kitchen.
Steve was on the couch, sitting up. When he caught my eye, he lifted an eyebrow. Instantly I felt on edge again, but, I knew there wasn't anything else I could do for the moment. So, I waited as Soda got ready and while Darry made breakfast. I was glad that they didn't mention my injuries, most likely thinking that Steve took care of it.
The house was quieter without Two-Bit, Johnny, and Dally. Yet, it somehow felt like it had been before I was jumped. But, I knew that wasn't the case when Darry handed me a glass of chocolate milk. I stared at the glass, fear eating at me and telling me that I was going to have to break it. Steve sat down near me and carefully watched me. Pretending to be fine, I took an unsteady sip from the glass and set it down carefully.
As I ate, I heard Two-Bit walk into the house. He made a bee-line to me, carefully checking me over as he tried to crack a joke with Steve. Steve watched us, pulling his food away from a hungry Two-Bit. Still, the smile on Steve's face told me that he wasn't too concerned anymore about me.
Sodapop was still getting ready, struggling to find his DX shirt and jeans. Steve cracked a joke about laws and Sodapop laughed. Still, Sodapop looked for his clothes instead of eating. Darry came by, already ready for his shift roofing houses. He handed me my pills and I took them with the chocolate milk. After that, Darry made his way out of the house and to work.
Quickly I made my way to get my bag. Sodapop was on the bed, looking at my pillow. The sight made me freeze as I looked at the small dot of blood on it. Before Sodapop could ask about it, I called out a goodbye and followed Two-Bit out of the door.
Steve followed along, preferring to ride in his own car. Just as Steve was about to get into his car, Two-Bit called out, "Ya gonna get Johnny?"
"Yeah, think he's still at the hospital?" Steve called back. Two-Bit shrugged and led me to his car. Once again I looked at the passenger seat. There was a small trace of blood on both of the seats, remnants from the fight just yesterday. Still, Two-Bit just got in, not bothering to say anything and we drove off…
No Pov
Sodapop looked at the pillow, his eyes scanning the fact that there was blood on it. Steve had told him just yesterday that there was something wrong with Ponyboy. Still, Steve made a point to reassure him that the kid wasn't stupid enough to hide grave injuries. Both of them knew that it was a lie. Ponyboy could hide a life-threatening disease if that meant he wouldn't be seen as "weak."
Still, Ponyboy slipped out of the house, leaving only Sodapop and Steve. Soda came out to the living room, finding that Johnny had left his bag there. Steve came inside, also looking for Johnny's bag. Before Steve could leave, Sodapop called out to him.
"Watch Ponyboy today, okay Steve?" Sodapop said, fear evident in his voice. Steve nodded before going to the hospital, where Johnny still was. When Steve got there, he saw three socs and two familiar greasers in rooms. Knowing he was running late on time, he just hurried to Dallys room.
Johnny was in there, silent as Dally slept. The second that Steve stepped in, Johnny looked at him. "Ready to go to school?" Steve asked quietly. Johnny nodded, getting up and following him to his car. "Ya have my bag?" Johnny asked. Steve nodded as he pulled out of the hospital.
"How's Dallas?" Steve asked as he started driving to their school. Johnny leaned on the window, "Hes doing good, doctor even said he might get his memory back." The car settled in silence before Johnny spoke up again. "How's Ponyboy?"
Steve resisted the urge to shrug. "Hes… he's not all there," Steve settled, "Kept apologizing and broke a glass yesterday." Johnny nodded, looking out the window, "I think he got jumped in the parking lot…" Steve just about brake-checked them. He whirled around to Johnny who just nodded. Steves mind flashed back to the socs that were in the hospital, but the other two greasers that were there.
"Shepard came in, both of them. They were injured and Curly told us about how he got jumped in the parking lot… right when Two-Bit and Pony were in the parking lot," Johnny continued. Steve continued driving, starting to go the normal speed and following all the laws. "Ya sure Two-Bit and the kid didn't just jump 'em?" Steve tried to joke. Johnny shook his head, his black eyes growing stormy. "Those bastards came in right after the Shepards."
That piqued Steve's interest, "So ya saw them?" Johnny nodded, a knowing look coming to both of their eyes. Still, they would have to lay low with the information. At least until the socs responsible were at least out of the hospital…
"So what about Two-Bit?" Johnny asked. Steve's grip tightened on the wheel. "He was also out of it… Im sure they did get jumped, but I think there's somethin' else goin' on," Steve admitted, remembering how Two-Bit walked into the DX. Johnny nodded, a small frown coming to his face. "Least we can do now is make sure that no soc tries to get to Pony again." Steve just nodded as he finally parked in the school parking lot, getting there right before the first bell rang…
Ponyboy POV!
Two-Bit walked me to class, glaring at just about every soc that was near us. Since Curly wasn't there, I knew that Two-Bit was doing what he thought he needed to. We didn't see Johnny or Steve as we walked through the hallways. What we did see though was the amount of socs glaring at us, almost as if ready to rumble right there in the hallways.
The teachers didn't care much about me missing class when I was stabbed. What they did care about was the fact that I was almost late to class. Still, I made it just in time for everyone else to be at their seats and not ready to hit me into a locker again. When I finally sat down; there were already socs waiting to throw pieces of paper at me. One piece of paper hit me hard enough for it to land on the floor. The teacher glared at me, watching as I picked it up and not stopping until I put the note in my pocket. The second she looked away, I opened it, expecting something normal.
"You're dead grease." Well, nice to know they don't know anything more creative. Still, the note was enough to make me stay on edge for the rest of the class. After being stabbed, I wouldn't put anything past them…
The second class was over, I made sure to stay sitting for a while, watching as the rest of the socs piled out of the classroom. Bob glared at me as he walked out of the class, stumbling a bit, showing that not even he left that fight unscathed. When the classroom was empty enough, I finally walked out.
Socs crowded the hallways, almost all of them sending me glares as I tried to make my way past. Two-Bit was standing right outside the classroom, with Steve and Johnny next to him. Glad to see them, I just about ran over. Before I could fully make it, a soc grabbed me by the collar and pulled me back.
My body jerked from the hold, not helping my case whatsoever, but Steve and Two-Bit stepped in. Not before the soc whispered something to me. "Just wait till our buddy gets out of the hospital." My blood ran cold just as Steve and Two-Bit pushed the soc away from me. I turned around to get a better look at him, remembering that he was a soc that fought with us at Bucks. However, he was fighting the Brumly boys while I was busy with the soc that cut my neck.
Instinctively my hand went up to where the cut on my neck was. It ached slightly as I followed Johnny back to my locker. "Are ya good, kid?" Two-Bit asked as he came up to me and Johnny. I watched as Steve came up right next to him with Steve sporting a new bruise on his jaw. The sight scared me as I thought about the socs going to go after him now. But, he didn't know everything… yet.
"Yeah… I'm fine," I lied, trying to push what the soc had said out of my head. From what I would assume, Two-Bit, Curly, and I didn't do much damage to them. At most they would be in the hospital for a day or two. Just the thought sent another shiver down my spine. Mentally I started to hope that they would be out of commission for longer. Johnny looked at me worriedly, his eyes brimming once again with questions. Yet, there wasn't enough time to answer the questions as the bell for class rang out again.
Somehow, I managed to survive until lunch. Almost as a reward, a soc decided to throw me against a locker. I caught a glimpse of Steve as he watched what had happened, but I didn't see Johnny or Two-Bit with him. Before I could go to him, the same soc dragged me into the bathroom with him. My whole body ached, unable to do anything but follow him.
All I saw was Steve scurrying to catch up to me before the door of the bathroom covered my view. The second I got into the bathroom, the soc shoved me into a stall. I was flinging my arms around, trying to stop him from what I knew he was going to do. Still, I was too injured to do anything as he threw my head under the water of the toilet.
"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM!" A voice called out. All my thoughts were drowned out, literally, as the soc's grip on my hair stayed strong. Then, the grip disappeared, with it throwing me to the side of the stall. My head hit the stall, hard enough for me to see stars. I took a couple of grateful breaths of air, coughing up some of the water that came up my nose. Steve beat up the soc, just as he was beating up Steve. Stumbling, I got up and tried to help Steve as best as I could.
The soc pushed us away, a new broken nose on his face before he ran out of the bathroom. My breathing was uneven as my back hit the wall. Steve turned around to me, his face not hiding the fact that I most likely looked horrible. "Was that the bastard that got ya?" Steve asked, talking about the socs from Friday. I shook my head, knowing that the soc was a new face.
Steve grunted, staring at me before going to clean himself up. My breathing was still unsteady and the pain in my head was steadily growing. Unable to resist, I reached my hand to where the pain was the worst. Just as I hit it, I pulled my hand away, feeling the tendrils of pain shoot through me. I cussed loudly as I looked at my hand.
Steve looked over, watching as I inspected my bloody fingers. He just about ran over, pulling my other hand from going to my head. Quickly, he dragged me to the sink and got a paper towel out. "Dont even fucking think about touching it," Steve lectured as he cleaned the wound. My fingers clung onto the sink with a strength I didn't know I still had. When Steve was done enough, I followed him out of the bathroom.
I watched as he looked around the nearly empty hallways, looking for Johnny and Two-Bit. I wondered if they had already left, probably leaving Steve behind just to look for me. Before I knew it, Two-Bit and Johnny were near us, looking at Steve's new bruises. Two-Bit whistled, "Damn y'all hate each other that much?" I let out a sigh, starting to feel safer than I had in the bathroom. Steve glared at Two-Bit as Johnny looked me over, his eyes staying on my wet hair.
"Pony, why is yer hair wet?" Johnny asked, his eyes starting to trace the bruises on my face. "Got somethin' in my hair in art class," I lied quickly, wanting his gaze to be off of me. He looked at Steve, who in turn, glared at me. Still, he played along, rolling his eyes and starting to walk to his car.
"Why don't we take yer car Two-Bit?" Johnny asked. I watched as Two-Bit stiffened, I did too, remembering the fact that there was blood on the seats. "Because his car's dirty," Steve retorted. Two-Bit quickly put a hand over his heart in mock pain. "How could you! It's very clean I'll have ya know," Two-Bit quipped. Still, all Steve did was roll his eyes as he hopped into the drivers seat of his car. Two-Bit hopped into the passenger seat, sparing me a look from the rearview mirror.
Johnny sat next to me, and it felt like it had on the day that I was stabbed. A shiver went through me and I felt as my palms got sweaty. I focused on my hands, trying to wipe them and calm down my breathing. "-right Ponyboy?" Johnnys soft voice cut through my thoughts. I looked up at him, confused, "Huh?"
Johnny gave me a concerned look, his eyebrows furrowing in worry. "He was talkin' 'bout the socs," Two-Bit said as he looked at me. "Oh uh yeah, they're everywhere," I murmured, still confused and worried that they were catching on. The tension in the car was palpable after that, with Johnny continuing to look at me concerned, and just about everyone else in the car being worried. I bit my lip, practically willing myself to pay more attention.
Deja vu really set in as Steve parked in the DX. However, it was a bit fuller than it had been on Friday. I sighed with relief as we walked inside. Sodapop was manning the counter again, this time he wasn't asleep and instead was helping a customer.
The second he was done with the customer, he waved us over. I took my time, feeling as the customer who left purposely bumped into me. I stumbled for a moment, catching a glimpse of his face. My heart started beating faster as he left the DX.
"Pony?" Sodapops voice called out. I turned around to look at him, watching as his eyes flickered to my hair. Instinctively, I looked away first, not wanting him to ask. He looked at Steve and for a moment I feared that Steve was going to let everything slip.
However, Steve didn't, instead, he just rolled his eyes and made fun of me. After a moment, they were messing around. Sodapop had given me a Pepsi, with a worried look as he watched me sip it. After some girls came in, I decided to walk out of there. Johnny stayed with Two-Bit as Two-Bit stayed with Sodapop. Steve flirted with the girls, joking around with Sodapop.
I leaned on the back of Steve's car. Everything in me was aching again, and I didn't want to move from it. Before I knew it, the man I had seen before came up to me. Right next to him was the soc that had tried to drown me, a bruise on his jaw. I remembered who the guy was- another soc that had been in the car that Curly pointed out to me.
His glare landed on me as the two started to walk up to me. "Look at his dirty hair," the soc snarled. Droplets of water were barely drying from my hair, most likely taking the oil out. Still, I tried to stand my ground, despite everything in me telling me to run inside.
It was just like it had been on Friday, no one inside the DX could see me. The socs glared at me as they called me insults. However, this time, they kept talking about their buddy Randy. Turns out the soc that bumped into me decided to skip school just to wait to jump me.
"Maybe we oughta finish what Curly started," the soc declared as he pulled out a switchblade. Before my mind could fully comprehend what he meant, another voice startled me. "Yeah and finish what Bob needed to," The other soc chimed in. My blood went cold as I looked at the switchblade. My Pepsi bottle was still in my hand, a remnant that I thought I was going to be safe.
As if on instinct, I broke the Pepsi bottle and pointed the sharp end to them. The breaking of glass seemed to really dig it into me that no matter what, glass isn't safe around me. The soc with a switchblade glowered at me, while shifting his attention to my bottle. I kept a steady face, my dripping hair reminding me that Ive done this too many times. Before I knew it, someone was yelling at the two socs.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Steve yelled as he instantly dove for the soc with a switchblade. I cringed as the blade swiped his torso, in the same spot where I had been slashed once before. The socs were on alert, with one trying to hit me. My adrenaline seemed to deplete, with me finding it harder to keep my bottle steady. However, three other people were running over, helping us.
Sodapop and Johnny teamed up on the soc that got Steve. Two-Bit focused on the other soc while I went to Steve. Steve cussed as he held onto the cut. I looked at it, dropping my Pepsi bottle somewhere and looking at the reddening fabric. Panic set in and I pried Steve's hands away to look at the cut. Steve glared at me, calling me numerous amount of names as the socs finally backed off.
"Steve!" Sodapop called out, his voice full of worry. In a second, he was right next to me and looking at the cut as well. "It ain't too deep," I told him, trying to reassure him. Sodapop turned to me, his eyes wild. "Are you okay?" He asked.
I nodded, "Im fine." Two-Bit and Johnny walked over, both sporting new bruises and cuts. Still, they kneeled down around Steve to make sure he was okay. Steve writhed in pain a bit, trying not to cry out from the pain. "What happened?" Two-Bit asked me, his eyes almost as wild as Sodapops. I shrugged, lying, "I dunno… came over here and told me they wanted to finish what another soc started." It wasn't a complete lie, but I could still see Two-Bits eyebrows scrunch up in curiosity.
"Ya sure you ain't hurt Pony?" Sodapop whispered next to me, "Ya should go home, you don't look too good." Not wanting Sodapop to worry more, I nodded. Steve looked at me and then to Sodapop. "We should get ya home," Two-Bit told Steve. Steve shook his head, his eyes going right to mine, "I'll stick with the kid."
The first thought I could make was, "Im screwed."
I hadn't even told Steve about the whole ordeal with the socs… And, with how he glared at me, I knew that he was going to demand more answers. Still, Sodapop nodded, "Ill take Two-Bit and Johnny back to school. Ya think you can drive?" Steve stayed still for a moment before nodding, "Yeah, I'll patch myself up at your house." Sodapop sent me a look, asking me to look after Steve. I gave a small nod, trying not to groan as I had to help Steve up.
Two-Bit and Johnny watched me worriedly as Steve got into the driver's seat. I took my place in the back, not wanting to be next to him just in case. Steve didn't say anything as I did, preferring to just give me a glance from the rearview mirror. Sodapop looked over us, "I'll be back at my lunch break, okay?" His voice was still shaky but I could tell that he was trying to keep himself together for my sake. I nodded, watching as Steve did so too.
When we got to my house, I was quick to try and help Steve. I knew that he hated the thought of being helped by me, especially with the way he kept glaring as I helped him up the stairs. The second we got inside, I guided him to the couch and made him sit down. He watched as I rushed to the bathroom, getting the first aid kid before going back to him.
"Be honest kid," Steve said as I started to clean the cut. He had lifted his shirt up, showing that it was only the amount of blood that made it look bad. I looked at him, humming to tell him to go on. "What the hell has been happening?" Steve demanded.
I froze, my hand ready to clean the cut with alcohol. Before he could ask me again, I swiped the cut, making him yelp in pain. His hand gripped my wrist, right on a bruise a soc gave me during the fight at Bucks. I cried out, pulling my wrist away and cradling it. He glared at me, his eyes flickering to my wrist.
"Pull up yer sleeves," he demanded. I shook my head. "You're on yer own now Steve," I grumbled as I left him with the first aid kit. I started to walk away, to take some of my pills. "Pull up your sleeves or else I'm tellin' Soda everythin'," Steve threatened.
I froze, slowly turning around to look at Steve. He had a shit-eating smirk on his face, telling me that he knew he won. "It's none of yer business," I said, continuing to cradle my wrist. His eyes darkened, "Just show the damn bruises brat." Annoyed I yelled back at him, "It doesn't matter! I know ya don't care 'bout me so I don't know why yer asking for me to show you the bruises of me getting jumped for this whole weekend!"
His eyes widened and I knew I spoke too much. "The whole weekend?" He asked, his eyebrows scrunching up. Tears prickled at my eyes and I realized that the entire weekend consisted of me trying to run away from socs. That, or, getting jumped by them.
The front door slammed open, shifting my attention to the new figure inside. Buck was breathing heavily as he searched around until he looked at me. His eyes shifted from fear to worry. "Curtis!" He called out, quickly walking up to me. Steve looked at him, confusion written on his face. Buck looked at Steve and then back to me, "Ya tell 'im already?"
"Tell me what?" Steve asked, his eyes slowly shifting to a glare. Buck looked at me, then to the door, "Look, there ain't enough time to tell ya. All I can say is that a group of socs is lookin' for me in this neighborhood." I felt my head shaking, no, I thought, no not here.
Not in my only safe spot.
I felt as if my blood had turned to ice. "We needa get outta here 'fore they find out where I live," I stated, my voice shaky. Buck nodded, "C'mon, we gotta hurry to the lot." I nodded, sparing Steve a glance as I ran outside with Buck. Steve watched me, his eyes wide as I ran.
Buck led me to the lot, where a tuff red Chevrolet sat parked with around 3 socs inside. My blood went cold as they made eye contact with us. Buck and I weren't in the condition to fight, with Buck limping at almost every step. He stood up though, showing that he was older than the socs inside of the car. However, the socs just glared at us as they came out of the car. One of them limped, and I recognized him from the first fight outside of Bucks.
In an instant, we were all fighting. I was trying to avoid getting hit in places where I had been hurt before. Which- was harder than it sounded, mostly because every part of me seemed to be covered in bruises. Buck seemed to have to same issue, with only being able to beat on one soc. I tried to juggle fighting two socs without getting pounded, but, my luck would have it so that I was pinned on the ground.
I struggled against their holds as one kneeled on my elbows. Buck was trying to get to me without getting pinned as well. My mind blanked as I tried to move and help Buck. One of the socs pulled out a switchblade and my heart stopped. He placed it under my chin, ready to swipe it and end me. It was right near the other cut I had on my neck, it throbbing to remind me that it was there.
This is it, I thought, it's over… I'm sorry Johnny, I whispered to myself, watching as the socs eyes turned ugly. He glared at me as he slowly pressed the switchblade deep into my skin.
Then, the soc was slammed off of me, with him instantly being kicked in the head. "GET UP!" A familiar voice yelled. I obliged, stumbling as I punched the soc that helped to pin me down. Steve beat the soc with the switchblade to the point where he was begging for mercy. Buck was doing better now, watching me carefully as I beat the soc as hard as I could. Still, he ran off with fewer injuries than I had.
Steve was roughed up, the socs switchblade getting him once more. The cuts were shallow, more like the cuts on Buck but not as deep as mine or Dally's. We watched as they ran away, getting into their car and scurrying off. Before they could fully leave, Steve picked up a rock and threw it at their car. The rock landed, almost shattering the windshield. The sound made me cringe as I wrapped my hand where the soc had been close enough to scratch. A small trickle of blood threw me out of it as I wiped it away. Steve looked at me and Buck, a wild look in his eyes. I looked to Buck, asking for help. He shook his head, "Let's get patched up, savvy?" I nodded and Steve spoke, "I dig."
We walked back into my house and quietly, I grabbed the first-aid kit. I started with Buck, cleaning the cuts that he struggled to. He nodded in appreciation and then it was Steve's turn. I sighed, beginning to tell him everything that had happened. Near the end of it, his eyes were wide and mouth agape. "Close your mouth, yer gonna catch flies," I mumbled as I finished patching him up. Buck laughed a bit, almost seeming to get comfortable on the couch.
"So you're telling me… ya know who jumped you?" Steve asked, his glare starting to shift from me to Buck. Buck nodded, "I only knew for thirty minutes 'fore I was jumped." Steve stayed quiet for a moment, drinking up the information. He didn't say anything else, scaring me. "Please don't tell Soda," I pleaded. "I don't want to see him hurt," tears started to prickle at my eyes and I blinked them away. Steve shook his head, almost in disbelief.
"You'd rather get jumped than your brother?" He asked, his tone accusatory. I nodded instantly. His hands went to his hair, messing up the complicated curls in his hair. His face was unreadable until he finally looked at me. "Pull down your turtleneck, you're bleeding," He said. My fingers went to the turtleneck, freezing as I remembered what was on my neck. His eyes stayed on me as they flickered to Buck.
"Ponyboy, pull the turtleneck down," he said again, slowly rising from the couch. My hands didn't move and I saw as he started to scowl. His hands reached over, pulling it down for me. And the second he saw it, his hands dropped to his sides.
I hope you enjoyed! This fic is reaching the end D: only 3 more chapters! (and an extra bonus so like 4?) Thank you all for reading, reviewing, and favoriting!
