Author's Note:
Hi everyone,
Here is the last big chapter. The next chapter is the Epilogue. I already have a story lined up for the next story in this series so stay tuned.
Sincerely, keylime2001
Disclaimer: The Outsiders is owned by S. E. Hinton
Chapter 9
(Spring Break)
Harley's POV:
Sunday…
The gang was coming into town to see Pony race in the track meet this week as well as see me in the spring musical. I was so nervous that I wanted to throw up. They guys were arriving a little bit later today, so I picked up an extra shift at the library while Pony was at practice. Professor Adams wanted everyone to rest their voices today in preparation for the musical kicking off tomorrow. I just hoped everything would be going well. "You ready for the musical to start tomorrow," Dorthy asked me. I shrugged. "More nervous than anything," I said with a nervous chuckle. "I'm more used to hiding behind a story and a by-line." Dorthy flashed me her classic bright smile. "I'm sure you'll be good," Dorthy said. "Thanks," I mumbled. Dorthy squeezed my shoulder then ran off to help someone find a book.
After my shift, I decided to ride my moped over to the track. When I got there track practice was wrapping up and to my surprise, the guys and their dates were in the stands. "You guys got here early," I said in shock. Two-Bit swooped me off of my feet and spun me around. "We couldn't wait to see you Motobike and Ponykid," Two-Bit said with a smirk. This caused me to chuckle. Steve slung his arm around my shoulder. "Anyone giving you any trouble since the whole Manson thing a few weeks ago?" Steve asked. I shook my head. "Nothing," I said. "Which is a shock." Steve nodded at me in acknowledgement seemingly complacent with my answer. "Let's hope it stays that way," Darry said gruffily. Darry ruffled my hair and I gave him a smirk. "Don't jinx it," I said. "Everything always seems to come to a head during spring break." This caused everyone to get wide-eyed. Soda walked up to me and pushed the choker down from where the bruises were starting to fade. You could still see the outline of the handcuffs on my neck though. "Ouch, those look mighty painful," Soda said with a grimace. I shrugged. "Nothing I couldn't handle," I said nonchalantly. Darry shook his head in disgust. "You shouldn't have to handle it," Darry moaned. "Why couldn't you research something more safe?" I chuckled. Darry would never understand. "You know she'll never do that," Pony called as he walked up freshly changed into clean clothes after a shower in the locker room. The guys gave Pony hugs hello. We all decided to head home to grab dinner. The night previously, I had made extra servings of chili since I knew we wouldn't have time this week.
On the way home, I followed the guys' trucks to the apartment on my moped. I kept getting the feeling that we were being followed. When I looked back over my shoulder, my blood ran cold. There was the familiar-looking red Ford pickup truck with a familiar license plate a lane over trailing behind us. At the next stop light, I looked back and it was gone. They must have noticed that I spotted him. This wasn't good, but I didn't want to scare the gang so I knew to put it on the back burner to be addressed later. When we got back to the apartment the gang devoured the chili like wild animals. "You ready for the musical tomorrow?" Soda asked me cracking a grin. I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Don't remind me," I said with a moan. The guys laughed at me. "You ready for the meet tomorrow?" Darry asked Pony. Pony shrugged. "A lot's riding on this one after the fiasco last year," Pony said despondently. I felt guilty about that. It must have shown on my face because Pony reached over the kitchen table and grabbed my hand. "It's not your fault, don't go blaming yourself," Pony said softly. I gave him a wry smile.
Monday….
Today was the big day for the musical. It was almost show time and I had a mix of nervousness and guilt in my stomach. The nervousness was a mix of seeing that red truck and my nerves about the musical. The guilt was because I had to miss Pony's big track meet this week because of the stupid musical. The one thing that I did get out of the musical was that the Lost Boys of Neverland with Wendy kind of reminded me of me and the gang. I found it funny how life made those connections for us. I slowly peeked out the side stage door to see the gang and Pony making their way to their seats. To my surprise, they dressed up a little for me. My heart fluttered when I saw Pony in his seat. It was generous of them to actually put that effort in for me. "Show-Time!" Mrs. Adams shouted. I hurriedly scurried to my place and hoped that I wouldn't make a fool of myself.
When I landed my first cue, I tried to quickly glance out to pick out the gang in the crowd, but to my disappointment, I couldn't make out a single face in the crowd. I gulped. In a way, this was both good and bad. I couldn't see how much of a fool I was making of myself, and I didn't like the feeling of not being able to see the faces of the people who were watching me. I pushed through it though. Surprisingly, the musical went by quickly. I think focusing and trying not to worry about what I was doing paid off. When it was time for me to come out for bows, I felt a blush go up my cheeks when I came out. I couldn't wait to see the gang after I got changed and got a breather. I needed to get some air. After getting changed back into my regular clothes, I went into the back alley behind the building. It was peacefully quiet. It was just what I needed to get some fresh air and clear my head before getting back to the gang. I fidgeted with the ring on my finger and the locket around my neck. I closed my eyes and leaned against the brick wall and took a couple of steps forward outstretching my arms in the breeze that blew past me. It felt good. Then I heard the screeching of tires on the street and the gunning of an engine. I opened my eyes and turned to the end of the alley. My eyes widened and I saw the red Ford pickup gunning right towards me at full speed. I couldn't jump out of the way or outrun it. I was doomed. Then I felt the pain as the truck barreled into me I let out a scream and I plummeted into blackness.
Pony's POV:
Monday…
Today's track meet was a good event. I was just bummed that Harley couldn't be there to celebrate with me. My brothers and the gang were though. I was glad that they could make it. I was able to win the races that I participated in today and I couldn't wait to celebrate Harley's success at the musical tonight. When I met up with the gang after today's events, Soda ruffled my hair. "I'm so proud of you honey," Soda said with a big grin. "Darry and I are so proud of you." I gave Soda a big grin. "Thanks," I mumbled. Darry gave me a big hug to my surprise. "We are really proud of you," Darry muttered in my ear. "So are Mom, Dad, Dally, and Johnny." Tears started to well up in my eyes at the mention of them. Darry brushed the tears off of my face. Two-Bit slung his arm around my shoulder. "We all miss them, kid," Two-Bit said. "But they're here in spirit." I gave him a small smile. I turned back to the gang. "Do you think that they all would've liked Harley?" Darry's eyes widened in shock. "Of course, Little Colt," Darry stuttered. "Dad would've loved her relentless and inquisitiveness." "Mom would've definitely loved any girl that made you smile and come out of your shell," Soda chimed in. "Dally would've been the first one to actually break in and sneak around those crime scenes with her," Two-Bit said with a chuckle. "Johnny would've loved her because of the way that she stood up for the little guy and got out of a tough situation," Steve said. I knew they were right. "Thanks, guys," I said with a small smile. "Ready to go cheer on Motorbike at the musical?" Steve asked with a smirk. "Ready, as I'll ever be," I said with a chuckle. "I'm nervous for her." Darry smiled and shook his head. "She'll be fine," Darry said.
The gang and I dressed up to go see the musical. Harley would make a fuss that we dressed up for her big night. We found our seats at the theater and I looked around at the big theater and realized that Harley would be shaking in her shoes. She always hated being the center of attention. I squeezed Soda's hand. "Harley is going to be so nervous," I mumbled to him. Soda squeezed my hand back. "She'll be fine, honey," Soda said soothingly. "This is the Motorbike that we are talking about. She is always up for a challenge and she won't be kept down." I nodded. I knew he was right. Then the lights dimmed. "Let the show go on," Two-Bit joked. This caused me to chuckle which relieved the tension in my shoulders.
I had never really seen a musical before. I was blown away by the production at the college level, so I could only imagine what it would be like to see a show on the professional level. I was beyond shocked to see Harley dressed up as Peter Pan and fly across the stage being held up by wires singing her heart out and doing flips in the air. She seemed to be having the time of her life and having fun pretending to be someone else. All of us in the gang probably would have loved to pretend to be someone else for a time. At the end of the show when Harley came out for the last bow I could tell she was embarrassed to see the applause she was getting. I whistled. I couldn't help myself. I was beyond proud of her for going out of her comfort zone and finding another creative outlet. The rest of the guys seemed to be impressed. I had brought flowers with me to give them to Harley after the show. I had gotten a bouquet of sunflowers for her because they were her favorites. The guys and I waited outside for her to show up, so we could congratulate her and celebrate her good first show and my good track events. "She did really good," Steve said with a smirk. "Did Stevie enjoy a musical?" Two-Bit teased. Steve slugged Two-Bit in the shoulder. "Knock it off, I know you enjoyed it too," Steve growled. "How do you guys think she did?" I asked Soda and Darry. "I was shocked that Motorbike had it in here," Soda said with a grin. "Hey, Dar, you have another person to do some gymnastic stunts with you and Steve," Soda joked hitting Darry in the shoulder. Darry rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I have to admit, I enjoyed it better than I thought I would," Darry said. "Harley did really good Pone. You should be proud of her." I smiled, but it faltered because I was nervous that she hadn't shown up yet. "Where is she?" I asked the guys. "Relax," Soda said with a sigh. "She's probably being held up by her teacher." I nodded. He was probably right.
All of a sudden I heard a screech from a car and a car gunning for speed. Then I heard a high-pitched scream. It sounded like Harley. "Harley," I screamed. I ran towards the alley behind the theater with the guys hot behind me. When we got there we saw a red truck running down the street. My blood ran cold. It was that Ford truck that had run us off the road. When I turned to the alley, I saw Harley lying splayed out on the pavement. "Harley!" I shrieked in fear. I ran towards her. I saw some on-lookers gawking at us. "Call 911!" I heard Darry yell at them. I saw them run back to the theater to hopefully call for an ambulance. I kneeled down over Harley and felt for a pulse. It was faint, but it was there. Then I saw Soda rip something out of her pocket. "Shit!" I heard Soda say under his breath. "What is it?" I heard Steve ask. "It says, I thought we warned you about looking into the Manson Family," Soda said angrily. "You should've stopped when we ran into you the first time. You shouldn't have gone to see Charlie. Now you'll pay. - The Manson Family." Steve and Two-Bit cursed under their breaths. Darry started rubbing my shoulders as I shifted Harley's head into my lap and started stroking her hair. "It's going to be ok, baby," I said with a whimper. "'I'm here Harley. Help is coming." I heard sirens approaching. "It'll be ok, Little Colt," Darry said with a strangled sob. "Harley will make it through, she's a fighter." I wished I could believe him. "I hope you're right Dar," I mumbled. "I can't bear it if another one of us dies." There was a silence that hung over our gang. "She won't," Two-Bit said. "She knows better." Then the ambulance pulled up and they started shouting orders and asking me a bunch of questions about her. The cops arrived too and I started filling them in about the truck and the connection to the accident in December. Soda handed them the note. Then the paramedics asked if anyone wanted to ride with her. I nodded. "I'm her fiancé," I said. The paramedics nodded. I turned to Darry. "Can you hook up Harley's moped to the truck and meet us at the hospital?" I whimpered. Darry nodded. "Hang in there, kiddo," Darry said. "We'll meet you there.
I hopped into the ambulance and started stroking Harley's hand which was limp in my hand. I looked down at her left hand which still had her engagement ring on it and I saw she was still wearing her locket. It made me smile despite the situation. The paramedics closed the doors and started working on Harley as we headed towards the hospital. "You'll be ok," I whispered to Harley. "We'll be here for you all the way." Tears started running down my face.
When we pulled up to the hospital the gang was ready to follow us into the hospital. I paced back in forth in the waiting room waiting to hear from the doctor. Darry then took me into my arms and started stroking my hair. "We'll find out information soon, Little Colt," Darry murmured in my ear. I whimpered into his chest. Then the doctor came in. "Family of Harley Cooper?" The doctor asked us. I nodded. "We're here family," I said. The doctor nodded. "I'm Dr. Schmidt," the doctor said. "I'm going to be taking care of Harley during her time here. "Right now she had to be rushed into surgery. She has internal bleeding, a concussion, some broken ribs, and a broken leg." I let out a strangled sob. Soda squeezed my shoulder in comfort. "We'll know more when she comes out of surgery and how stable she is," Dr. Schmidt continued. "I'll come and get you when she is out of surgery and in her room." I nodded. "Thanks, Dr. Schmidt," Darry said. Steve let out a curse. "It could've been worse right?" Two-Bit tried to joke but it landed flat. I couldn't wait until we learned more.
Two-Bit's POV:
Tuesday…
It was the early mornings of Tuesday morning. We still haven't heard back from the doctors yet. Darry had gone to call Mrs. Adams to tell her what happened and that everything would be ok so she wouldn't freak out. Steve was wringing his hands and cursing sometimes under his breath. Soda was stroking Pony's head as he lay down on the couch in the waiting room. Darry had Pony's feet in his lap and was deep in thought. I wanted to so badly come up with a joke but couldn't find anything funny to say. I didn't understand why Harley did the things she did, but I don't think anybody did except for maybe Pony. Pony looked like a wreck. He had tear tracks on his face and was whimpering. To be honest I wanted to cry too and she wasn't even my fiancé. Harley was like a sister to me though. She had become like a sister to all of us. She had even taken all the girls under her wing when we all started dating. I just hoped she pulled through. To be honest she hadn't looked good when we found her. Her leg was bent at an odd angle. I knew she would have some nasty bruises from her accident. Then Dr. Schmidt came out to get us. I jumped up because I seemed to notice him first. "What's the news doc?" I asked nervously. The guys were startled and jumped up too. "Well," Dr. Schmidt said. "Harley is out of surgery now and in her room. We put her in a medically induced coma to help her heal faster. But she had a punctured lung from the broken ribs but we were able to fix that. We put her leg in a cast which she should be out of in a couple of months. She was a lucky girl, this could've been a lot worse." We all let out a sigh. "When can we see her?" Pony asked with a choked sob. "I'll take you to her now," Dr. Schmidt said with a smile.
We all followed him to the room. When Pony entered the room I heard him let out a sob as he rushed forward. I wanted to gag as I entered the room. Harley had bruises all over her face and she had a tube down her throat to help her breathe while she was in a coma. Her leg was in a cast and held up in a sling. I would bet that under her gown she had a bunch of dark bruises on her ribs. "She looks like shit," Steve muttered. It was my turn to punch him in the shoulder. He just glared at me. "We are going to try and take her off the ventilator and wake her up tomorrow," Dr. Schmidt said. Pony didn't seem to register what the doctor said. He was just rubbing her hand and muttering sweet nothings in her ear. I just hoped it would go uphill from here.
Steve's POV:
Wednesday…
The doctor had taken Harley off of the ventilator and weaned her off of the heavy sedatives. We were hoping that she would wake up soon. It was already getting into the evening. Hardly any of us were getting sleep. Pony was the worst of us all. He hardly slept and he was trying so hard to not nod off. Darry had to beg him to sleep with the promise of waking him up when Harley was. It was hard hearing Superman beg for something. He never begged. The rest of the guys passed out on the different furniture scattered throughout the room. Mrs. Adams had made sure that we got a private room and some extra space. I was the only one awake. Pony was passed out lying on Darry and Soda. They were pretty much all lying and sleeping on each other. Two-Bit was splayed out on the floor somewhere. I walked over to Harley who was breathing softly. "You got yourself into this one didn't you," I said snarkily. "Sorry, that was too mean. I wish you would wake up soon Motorbike. You're scaring all of us, especially the kid." I rand my hand through my hair and then squeezed Harley's hand. Then I felt Harley's hand squeeze mine back. "Motor?" I asked. Harley let out a groan and squinted at me. I could see the greens of her eyes looking at me. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and then open them again. "Steve?" She asked groggily. "Yeah, it's me Motorbike," I chuckled. Harley chuckled softly. "Am I at the hospital?" Harley asked me in confusion. I nodded. "You've been here for a couple of days," I whispered giving her hand another squeeze. "Is Pony ok?" Harley asked her eyes darting around in panic. "He's fine, I promise," I said reassuringly. "Just calm down." Harley let out a sigh of relief. "It was the Manson Family," Harley groaned. I nodded. "We know Motor," I said softly. "They left a note." Harley let out a moan. "I screwed up this time, didn't I?" Harley said guilty. "We all do," I said. "But everyone will be glad that you are up." Harley smiled at me.
I reached over to Pony and nudged him. Pony opened his eyes and blinked at me. "Steve?" Pony moaned. "What is it?" I smiled at him. "Harley is up," I said with a grin. Pony's eyes widened and he gasped. Pony jumped up and rushed to Harley's side. This caused Soda and Darry to startle awake. "What's going on?" Soda asked rubbing his eyes. "Harley's awake," I said grinning at him. Darry's and Soda's eyes widened. Two-Bit rubbed his eyes as he stood up. "About time," Two-Bit joked. I went to get the nurse.
Soda's POV:
Thursday…
Harley was going back to the apartment tonight which was good because the gang had to head back to Tulsa tomorrow regretfully. The gang had sent me back to the apartment to decorate it with balloons and streamers to welcome her back home. I was super excited. Harley had given us quite a scare. I heard a commotion coming from the other side of the door. Steve opened the door carrying Harley's bag of clothing and Two-Bit followed behind with some paperwork. Then Harley came in on crutches followed closely by Pony and Darry. "Surprise!" shouted as Harley stared around in shock and then embarrassment. "You guys didn't have to do this," Harley said with embarrassment. "Of course we did Motorbike," I said hugging her, but making sure I didn't knock her over. Pony hovered nervously. "I'll be fine Pony," Harley said gently to Pony. "I'm not that fragile." Two-Bit let out a chuckle. "Famous words," Steve said with a smirk. "This was a very cult-urally impactful year," Two-Bit said jokingly. Harley rolled her eyes and groaned. "Haha," Harley said. "Very punny of you." The whole gang erupted in laughter. Things were finally getting back to normal.
