Once the lunch bell rang, Ponyboy made his way back to Mr. Glass's classroom who was currently grading papers at his desk. Ponyboy gave a slight knock on the door and Mr. Glass looked up.
"Ponyboy, come on in. Pull up a seat," he said motioning towards the desks. Ponyboy grabbed the first chair he came across and dragged it next to Mr. Glass's desk. "Hang on one second I just need to finish this," he said finishing up what he was writing. After finishing the last sentence, he put the paper inside his black binder and took out Ponyboy's story. "Now then, I have one question for you about this," he said holding up Ponyboy's work. "Where did you ever learn to be such a talented writer? The amount of details in this is phenomenal." Ponyboy just shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess it's because I read a lot," he said.
"Well that's good! When writers just start out, they use techniques that they've seen before and then turn it into their own unique style. I don't mean straight up steal the plot of the story but I think you know what I mean," Mr. Glass said and Ponyboy nodded. "What's your inspiration for this work might I ask?"
"It was a sentence starter that my teacher put up and she asked us to just write as an exit ticket. It was 'I should have known this would happen from the start.' From there, I just started writing and I got a teen named Nate whose brother went on an assignment for work into the jungle but never came back," Ponyboy explained.
"A story that had me gripping the paper. It was only a paragraph but I'm intrigued to find out what happens to Nate. Now I hope you don't mind but there were a few spelling and grammar mistakes that I corrected," Mr. Glass said.
"Oh that's okay. I'm not the best speller anyway," Ponyboy said.
"Its fine," Mr. Glass chuckled. "But I do want the rest of the story finished and on my desk before Mrs. James comes back. Is that manageable?"
"I think I can do that. So what do you think about this? I was going to have a close friend of Nate's come into the story and the only one who supports what Nate thinks happened to his brother. He's the only one who shows up to say goodbye," Ponyboy said.
"That's fine. But what if Nate's friend comes along for the ride instead of being just being a side character? He can still be the only one to believe in him and even wants to come along and help. Nate says no but his friend stows away on the ship anyway."
"Ooo yeah! And maybe…"
"Nope! Don't tell me anymore. Remember, you can take inspiration but I want to see you turn it into something of your own. One critic I have though is it could use more tension to make this even better. Get some ideas together and then show me what you have. If you need help, stop by anytime and I'll see what needs improvement," Mr. Glass said.
"Thank you Mr. Glass," Ponyboy said.
"No problem. Now run along and enjoy the rest of your lunch," he said and gave Ponyboy's paper back to him.
"Bye, and thanks a lot," Ponyboy said and put his chair back to the front desk he took it from.
"Until next time. Oh and good luck at the meet this afternoon," Mr. Glass said and Ponyboy nodded at him before leaving his classroom.
Break*Break*Break
Later at the track meet
"Alright boys, this is our last shot. For the 200 meter relay, Emerson you're first, then Mannings, third will be Hale, and then Curtis. If you want that win then I need you to give it all you got. Go!" The coach shouted and Emerson got into position at the start while the remaining three lined up in order. Once everyone was in position, the shot was heard and the three runners took off. Once it was just about Ponyboy's turn, Thomas Mill High was ahead of Tulsa and Tuckerville by a few meters. As soon as Nathan Hale passed the baton to Ponyboy, he took off running.
"Come on Ponyboy!" He heard Two-bit and Johnny shout and he continued to run. Then right next to Two-bit he saw Darry cheering him on. This was all he needed to ignore the pressure on his shoulders. He smiled and started sprinting right past the Tuckerville runner but still needed to catch up to Thomas Mill's runner.
'Come on. You gotta show Darry you're not afraid of nothin'. I can win this thing easy,' he told himself. He took a deep breath and sprinted as fast as he possibly could. About 30 meters away from the finish line, he got past the Thomas Mill runner and his school side of the stadium all got up on their feet cheering.
"Go! Go! Keep going Curtis!" He heard his coach scream waving his arm in a circling motion. At last he crossed the finish line and all of the team ran over and hugged him while jumping. The home crowd was also jumping up and down screaming and cheering.
"Curtis! Curtis!" They all chanted and Ponyboy started high-fiving his teammates and some of the other team runners. After everyone had finished the final line of high-fives, the team went back to the bench to grab their bags.
"Well done Ponyboy! Well done!" He heard a familiar voice from the crowd. He looked straight up from the bench and saw Mr. Glass standing and applauding. Ponyboy smiled at him and gave him a quick wave and nod. He grabbed his bag and started to head towards Darry's truck where everyone was waiting for him in the parking lot.
"Whoo! Nice goin' kid," Two-bit said patting his shoulder and launching himself off the same shoulders.
"Thanks. Darry I didn't know you were gonna be here," Ponyboy said.
"I had to come get you anyway so I'd thought I'd come watch the end. Glad I did," Darry said. "Alright, let's go pick up Soda and Steve," he said.
"Come on Johnny," Ponyboy said as he jumped in the back.
"Pony, maybe you and Johnny should sit up front," Darry said.
"Why? I've sat in the back before haven't I? Anyway I'm all sweaty and you always said the fresh air was good for me," Ponyboy said and Darry gave him a look. "Come on, we'll be fine okay?" Darry thought about it for a minute until Ponyboy gave him a grin. He let out a frustrated sigh and finally agreed.
"Alright but Two-Bit sits with you," Darry said.
"You don't love me Darry?" Two-Bit asked.
"No I really don't Two-bit," Darry mumbled and got in the driver's seat and started the truck.
"I don't need a babysitter," Ponyboy mumbled as he got in the back but Darry ignored him. Pony and Johnny sat by the window opening it so they could hear the radio and keep Darry involved in the conversation they would have. Just as they were leaving the school parking lot and listening to Burning Love, the song cut off.
"Aww come on! I was into that!" Two-Bit complained.
We interrupt this broadcast to some breaking news. A fire has been reported on Newport road that firefighters are struggling to put out…
"Newport? That's right across from the DX! Darry we gotta get there!" Ponyboy shouted and Darry stepped on the gas turning off the radio. Ponyboy stood up a little and looked over the front of the truck.
"Ponyboy Michael Curtis, sit down!" Darry shouted and he followed his brother's order. The rest of the ride was dead silent as Darry drove as fast as he could, looking up at his rearview mirror every couple seconds. Johnny kept shifting uncomfortably as memories of Windrexville flooded his mind being trapped in the blaze. Ponyboy on the other hand kept looking down staring at his shoes trying to take calm breaths.
'I need a cigarette! I need a cigarette! Glory I really need a cigarette,' he said to himself.
After what felt like an eternity, they at last arrived at the station where Soda and Steve were outside watching the smoke rise from a bunch of trees. The small, only entrance to Newport Road was blocked off by yellow caution tape with a few officers standing guard. As soon as the truck pulled up and came to a stop, Ponyboy jumped out going over to Soda.
"Are you okay?" he asked his brother.
"Don't worry Pony we're okay. The fire was nowhere near us," he reassured.
"What the hell happened?" Two-bit asked as Darry got out. He went over to where Soda was standing and put his fists in his pockets.
"I was in the garage when I heard the fire trucks coming and came out to see the smoke rising. Soda went over there to ask the fuzz what was goin' on and if we should do anything, but of course they just told us to stand back and warn our customers," Steve explained.
"Guys!" someone shouted and Dally came running up. "Does anybody know where Johnny is?!"
"I'm right here Dal," Johnny said getting up out of the truck and jumping to the ground.
"You and Ponyboy need to get away from here right now!" Dally said.
"What's goin' on Dally?" Johnny asked.
"You know that Gregory kid that Lynch had? Fire crew found him in the blaze," Dally said.
"What?!" Everyone shouted.
"Where did you hear that? Is he…alive?" Johnny asked.
"That don't matter. All that matters is that you're going back to Curtis place right now," he said.
"Did they find…?" Johnny asked but was interrupted.
"What the hell are you still asking questions for you little sh**?! Get out of here!" Dally shouted giving Johnny a light shove towards the truck.
"Whoa! Lay off him Dally," Soda warned and Dally just looked at him.
"We found out what we came here for now let's go," Darry said with his hands still in his pocket and Ponyboy and Johnny headed for the back, but Darry stopped them.
"You two are in the front this time," Darry said.
"Come on Darry…" Ponyboy whined.
"I SAID GET IN THE FRONT!" He shouted and everyone grew silent for a second. "Are you ready to go Soda?" Darry asked breaking it.
"Yeah we're all closed up," Soda said. "Anyone need a ride back?"
"Nah I think I'm gonna head to bucks and get drunk," Two-bit said.
"I gotta go get my car from the shop. I check in tomorrow," Steve said as Johnny and Ponyboy got in the front as they were told.
"I'm gonna go hunt for some information about this. Don't you go anywhere kid," Dally warned Johnny and started walking away from the station without another word. The gang then split up with Soda in the back and Darry in the driver's seat as they pulled away from the DX.
"He's been doing that a lot lately," Johnny mumbled opening and closing his switchblade.
"Look, don't be upset about Dally Johnny. You know how he gets," Soda said.
"It's not just that. Don't you see? Lynch doesn't have a victim anymore. He'll be looking for a new one," Johnny said and Soda didn't answer back.
Break*Break*Break
Once they got back to the house, Ponyboy told the gang that he was going to finish some of his homework. After closing the door shut, he ran to his desk and quickly pulled out the bottom drawer. Underneath a bunch of papers was a small pack of cigarettes and a lighter he had put there in case of an emergency like this was. Ponyboy grabbed the pack and ran over to the window rapidly unlatching the lock. Once it was open, he jumped out, ripped open the package, and lit a cigarette while sliding down the wall.
'Knock it off! Soda's fine. Lynch won't come anywhere near here. You're safe here at home,' Ponyboy told himself.
'I'm sorry Darrell but Ponyboy doesn't feel safe in your care. I'm afraid I'll have to put him and Sodapop in a boy's home where they can be in a safer environment,' he imagined their social worker telling them one day if the state found out about this. Immediately, Ponyboy puffed out another puff and then another. Suddenly just at that moment, the sky slowly started turned a deep gold color.
The sun shined bright in his face almost blinding him. For the next few minutes, Ponyboy watched as the sun set in the west making the air get crisp and darkness overpowering the golden sky with light shades of pink and blue across the horizon.
Before he knew it, the sun had completely set taking all the gold with it leaving twinkling stars in its wake with darkness.
"Nothing gold can stay," he mumbled. He blew out one last puff of his cigarette before putting it out on the ground. Abruptly he heard the front door open up. Ponyboy jumped up and pushed himself against the side of the wall as far as he could trying not to make a sound. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Darry carrying something heading right for the silver trashcans in front of him. Darry didn't notice him as he was focused on putting the trash in the can. After Darry reclosed the lid, he looked up and spotted his brother.
"Pony?!" Darry called out and ran over to his brother roughly shoving Ponyboy against the house while shaking him violently.
"What the hell are you doing out here?! I told you not to go anywhere by yourself! Do you want get kidnapped by Lynch Ponyboy?!" Darry shouted.
"I just needed some air Darry! Stop treating me like a baby!" Ponyboy shouted trying to get out of his grip but Darry held on tighter.
"Dammit kid, you tell me you don't feel safe and then you just walk outside alone with a killer on the loose?! What's wrong with you?!" Darry asked.
"I was right here Darry! I didn't go to the lot or anything, I was right. Here! What's wrong with just being in the yard?!" Ponyboy asked.
"You better watch that attitude of yours kid! You never think about stupid stuff like this! Ever!" Darry yelled.
"Oh yeah. Ponyboy Curtis; never can do anything right in your eyes isn't that right?!" Ponyboy asked before Darry shoved him off to the side with a frustrated yell. Ponyboy took this opportunity to run for the back door ignoring Darry. The door slammed shut as Soda was making blue pancakes for dinner while Johnny was sitting at the kitchen table still messing with his knife.
"Pony? What were you…?" He asked before Darry came storming back in.
"I'm not done with you yet!" Darry warned.
"Leave me alone Darry!" Ponyboy shouted.
"You're not going outside by yourself again until this all blows over. Do you hear me?!" Darry asked.
"I'm fourteen Darry!" He continued shouting.
"Then act like it!"
"Goddamn you guys, knock it off! You're scaring Johnny!" Soda shouted. Darry and Ponyboy looked over at Johnny and saw it was true. Johnny held his switchblade so tight that his knuckles were turning white and he was crying.
"Gee Johnny I'm sorry," Ponyboy said.
"I get enough people yellin' at eachother at home! If you all are arguing like that I might as well be there with my folks!" Johnny sobbed.
"No Johnny. Pony and I were just disagreeing on somethin' but we won't fight like that anymore. We promised Soda, right Ponyboy?" Darry said gently as he narrowed his eyes at Ponyboy.
"Yeah," Ponyboy said.
Ok I better stop before this gets any longer. I had such a hard time with this chapter and I hope you all are enjoying this thus far. I'd love to know if you are or not. Strap in for the ride because from here on out is when I may come back after being beaten from a few angry greasers. (gulp)
Until next time,
LaurenHardy13