An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 18

Phaedra's POV

It was my first back to school since the accident.  Darry had given me a job, set up a time to meet with the Delaney's.  I had to admit, I was pretty impressed with Darry's plan.  Annmarie was in a few of my classes, so it wouldn't be hard to pass her a note.

Pony and I headed into school and was immediately attacked by Natalie, "Phae!! I'm so glad you're back!!  It's been so boring without you!"  She hopped around me, talking incessantly.  I also noticed that she really never looked at me.

"Nat," my voice still sounded funny, "chill out."  She got quiet, obviously uncomfortable, "you get used to it."

Nat grabbed my hand, "a little cut ain't gonna stop us from being besties."  I just grinned my little half smile.

Pony touched my arm and I knew he was just as aware of the stares and whispers, "we'll meet up at lunch."  He gave me sideways hug, "it's you an me against the world."  The three of us split and I headed to go talk to coach.  I had a doctor note, clearing me for softball.

"Coach Evans?" I tapped on his door lightly. 

He looked up from his desk, his mouth dropped open, but he recovered quickly, "Phaedra, I heard you were coming back today."

I handed him the doctors note, "I'm cleared for regionals."

He took it, "it's good to have you back, Curtis.  We need our pitcher."  He motioned for me to sit down, "how are you doing?"

"I'm doing ok," damn I wish I wasn't so self conscious about how I sound.

"You're a tough kid." He sat down in front of me, "what happened to you wasn't your fault, however you decide to handle it from here will make or break you."  He patted my shoulder, "if you need anything, my door is always open."

I thanked him and headed to my first class.  Annmarie was already at her desk.  I took the note out of my pocket and nonchalantly set it on her desk and I walked by.  I took my seat in the back, next to Curly, Tim Shepard's little brother, "you doing ok?"

"Yeah, just gotta get through the day."

By lunch time, I was ready to call it a day.  I tried really hard to ignore my new nicknames, Scarface and Frankenstein seemed to be a top favorite, real original, huh?  I met Pony by the tree on the opposite side of the courtyard.  He leaned against the tree, smoking a cigarette.  He hugged me, "you hanging in there?"

"Not really." I sighed sadly, "it'll get better though, right?"

"Yeah, it will."  He handed me a cigarette, "Annmarie is heading this way."

Annmarie stopped in front of us, her eyes showing signs of hope, "you're really willing to talk to my parents and the police about what happened?"

"Umm yeah," I took a drag of my cancer stick, "but my brothers are coming with me."

"Of course." She spoke softly.  This was probably the first conversation I have had with Annmarie.  She didn't seem like a huge bitch, "would tomorrow evening work?  Around dinner time?"

"Yeah...I guess.  I'll clear it with Darry and let ya know tomorrow."  I stubbed my cigarette out.

"Thank you Phaedra," she hugged me, "you have no idea how much this means to me."

"Sure," I muttered.  She walked away, "cause it's all about you."

After school, I changed in my gym clothes and headed out toward to field.  Katie, our catcher, fell in step with me, "it's good to have ya back...Mallory pitched for sectionals, she did good, but."

"It wasn't the same."  Katie and I have played softball together since we were 8.  We knew how to read each other's signals.

"Yeah..." she hesitated, "Phaedra, I'm sorry."

I pulled her arm, making her stop, "sorry for what?"

"If I hadn't agreed to meet up with you, this," she motioned to my face, "wouldn't have happened.  I tried to come see you at the hospital, but everytime I went you were drugged or sleeping.  Plus, it was obvious that I wasn't welcome.  Ponyboy told me how bad it was,"  Katie wiped her eyes, "I'm sorry."

I dropped my bag and hugged Katie, "it ain't your fault.  I don' want you feeling guilty about this."  She hugged me back, "C'mon, lets go warm up.  We got regionals to win."

We got to the field.  Rachel, our shortstop, stepped forward, "I think I speak for all of us.  We missed ya Phae.  You're a huge part of this team and things haven't been the same without you."  Off the field, Rachel, Katie, Mallory, and Sasha are Socs.  Nicole, Sarah, and myself are greasers.  The rest are middle class.  However, on the field, classes don't matter.  We were the Will Roger Roper's.