Epilogue
Harley's POV:
Time had flown by in between when the incident with Ford happened and graduation. Everything had changed for the better. I had to explain to the cops what had happened in all the gory details. Filling in the holes where the others didn't know. The cops ruled it a closed case, which was a huge relief. They never found my parents though. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed their names. I wouldn't miss them. At the end of it, I got a big hug from Pony at the end. It brought me and Pony closer together. I felt like I was able to relax. It was also nice to be able to live in my house with Two-Bit and Steve and not be freaked out for going home. On top of tutoring, I worked part-time at the public library to help pay rent and get myself a used car that was a fixer-upper. But it helped give Steve and Soda something to work on and practice for trade school in the fall. Speaking of that, Soda did end up passing his GED tests and would be allowed to walk with us at graduation. I had worked with Darry as well to help with his ACT and SATs and he did very well for himself and wouldn't need to be taking them again.
My grandmother had been around more often as well. She would drop by with food and we still had our monthly dinners at her house. After the whole ordeal, even with the pushback from Darry, my grandmother insisted on getting him and Soda their own cars so that they didn't have to share, that were used, because she inherited a car dealership from my grandfather when he died. That's how she got the Vespas in the first place as I came to learn. I couldn't wait to start my new chapter though in the fall, but I would miss seeing the gang every day. But, I would be back as often as I could.
I had just finished putting on the nice green and plaid white dress with the white shoes for graduation. I hesitated in front of the mirror and lifted my dress to look at the scars that were left from that fateful night. They would always be there, as a constant reminder as to how close to a true crime story that I loved to research I could have been. I pushed that thought to the side. I walked over to the window to shimmy out but stopped myself. I smiled. I had to stop doing that. I went out to the kitchen where Two-Bit and Steve were still lounging on the couches. "What are you two doing!" I shrieked. "You two need to get ready for our graduation ceremony!" Two-Bit and Steve jumped up and ran off while saying "Yes, ma'am." I shook my head in disbelief. How could they ever get anything done without someone nagging them?
Soon after they were ready and we headed to the Curtis's after I was satisfied that they were ready. When I went into the house and I saw Pony standing there in a suit that my grandmother helped pick out for him for today, my heart did a pitter-patter. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Pony looked up at me when he finished putting on his tie. "Everything ok Harley?" Pony asked with a furrowed brow. I nodded and gave him a tight hug. "Just admiring my adorable boyfriend," I mumbled into his chest. I was so glad that Ford hadn't done anything worse to him and that I was able to protect him from the worst of him. I pulled back and cupped his cheek. Pony reached out and brushed the tears off of my cheek that I hadn't known were there. "You sure, that's all?" Pony asked gently. I nodded and said, "Everything is perfect." Darry cleared his throat. "Should we make a move on?" Darry asked. Soda was bouncing off the walls with excitement. I was so proud of him for getting through this year and getting his GED. I looked at each of our gang. I was so proud to call them my true family.
I piled into Darry's truck with Pony in the back and Soda was in the front seat bouncing up and down. Steve and Two-Bit were in Steve's car behind us. Pony looked at me and said, "I got you something." Pony pulled out a locket from his pocket and he opened it to show a picture of us that my grandmother took on Halloween on one side and one of the whole group on the other. "To remember us all before you go to college in the fall," Pony said softly. Tears started streaming down my face. "Oh Pony, you shouldn't have," I said softly. "But I love it and I will cherish it forever." I leaned forward and squeezed Pony with all my might. I looked up into the rearview mirror afterward and saw Darry brushing away a few tears that he was trying to hide. "I have a surprise up my sleeve," I said with a smirk. Soda flipped around in his seat. "What aren't you telling us?" Soda asked with a mischievous grin. "You'll have to wait and see," I said with a cluck of my tongue. Soda just rolled his eyes but then looked at me with a serious glint. "I want to thank you, Harley, for helping me get to graduation and a diploma," Soda said. "I never thought I would get here." I reached forward and brushed Soda's hair off of his face and said, "It was my pleasure Sodapop Patrick Curtis. Especially after all your family has given me." Soda looked like he was going to say something, but I cut him off.
What I hadn't told the gang was that I had been named valedictorian of my class and that I had planned on calling out each of them in my speech. We pulled up to the school parking lot where my grandmother was waiting for us. She gave each of us a hug. When she got to me, she had tears in her eyes and said, "I'm so proud of you and all the hurdles you overcame sweetheart." I smiled and hugged her back. "Thanks, grandmother, for everything," I whispered into her ear. My grandmother just nodded in response. The ceremony was about to start and I knew I had to get into place. "I'll see you guys in a minute," I said to the guys and they just looked at me confused. I kissed Pony. "Love you Pony," I said. "Love you, Harley," Pony said kissing me back. I went to the seat close to the stage where I would sit before giving my speech. The principal got up to the podium and started the whole speech about how proud of us he was and how he couldn't wait to send us out into the world. The president of our student council gave a speech. Then the saluteatorian. Then the principal said, "Without further ado, I would like to welcome to the stage your valedictorian, Harley Cooper."
I felt all eyes on me and I felt a lump of dread in my heart because I hated public speaking and being the center of attention, but I pushed myself up the stage steps to the podium. When I looked out I saw the faces of my gang filled with shock which turned into looks of pure joy of how proud of me they were. Pony had tears streaming down his cheeks. I cleared my throat and started my speech:
"I wanted to start off by saying of how proud I am to get to know so many of you throughout this year and welcome me to Tulsa after moving here just this past fall, but I wanted to thank my found family most of all. Without them, I wouldn't be up here today. I want to thank Darry Curtis for being a big brother figure for me, taking me under his wing without judgment, and allowing me to confide in him. You allowed me into your home and your family without any judgement and I will forever be grateful. I want to thank Soda Curtis for having shown me the ideal balance between joy and being serious and helping me find that balance. I want to thank my grandmother for supporting me in my dreams and being there to help pick me up. I want to thank Steve Randall for showing me how to be a good and loyal friend to a fault and allowing me to grow and make mistakes but still be there when I need to get back up. I want to thank Two-Bit Matthews for showing me that it is ok to celebrate your accomplishments and show pride for others and yourself and be your true authentic self and screw those that don't accept you for you. Last but not least, I want to thank my boyfriend Ponyboy Curtis. I want to thank you for allowing me to come out of my shell and be my true self without judgment. For loving me even my failures and my shortcomings and believing in me, even when I didn't. My found family is my true family and is the one that helped me through the darkness, without you I wouldn't be here succeeding and daring to reach for the stars. Thank you.
The End
Author's Note:
I hope you all liked my first fan-fiction. Please leave comments at the bottom. I want to know what everyone thought and what they want to see in the future stories that I do. I am also writing a sequel to this one, so stay tuned!