An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 40

Ponyboy's POV

"Phaedra?" I lightly tapped on her door, "Phae?"

"Yeah," the quiet voice whispered from the other side.

I opened her door and walked in. I laid down next to her and threw my arm around her, "Soda hurt ya?"

"Guess I deserved it, huh?"

"Maybe a little," I said honestly, "you up for talking?"

"No." I could tell she was exhausted, mentally and physically. I started to get up, but she grabbed my hand, "stay? Until I fall asleep?"

"Always." I laid back down. The moonlight caught Phaedra's scar just right, making it look like something out of a horror movie. I couldn't stop thinking about this entire, insane situation we were in. Am I really considering becoming a dealer? Will Phae even be open to the idea? She's hell bent on protecting us. The thoughts swirled around in my head, each becoming a tornado of worry, deep breath Pony, you ain't gotta decide anything until Monday.

Darry's POV

"All I'm saying is I don't like it. I do not want my baby brother and sister getting caught up with Wallace and Miller." We weren't even on the highway yet, and Pony already started in on the whole drug thing.

"Wait? You're not sayin' no?" Phaedra sounded shocked.

I caught her eye in the rearview mirror, "didn't say that," I reminded her, "I said I would listen to your plan, but I make the final decision. Got it?"

I heard Phaedra roll her eyes, "Darry, I'm gonna do it regardless."

"You are so stubborn!" I was getting annoyed.

"I get it from you!" She shot back. I didn't respond. The last thing I wanted to do was get into a fight with her.

"Phaedra, where are you meeting up with the team?"

"Shakey's Pizza," she handed me the address and directions, "it's right off the highway. The school is paying for it." She added quickly.

"It's ok, Phaedra." I hadn't told them about my raise, "I got the rest of the guys." The girls first game was at 9:00am tomorrow. The entire team and parents were staying at the same motel we were. It's gonna be interesting.

Half of the team was already there when we pulled up. Pony and Phaedra climbed into the back and had a quick smoke, while i cornered Two-Bit and Dally, "don't do anything that would embarrass Phae, got it? There's Soc parents here and my boss is here."

Two-Bit leaned against Steve's car, "why Darry, how could you think that? It's us!" He feigned shock.

"Yeah exactly..." I muttered. We headed into the restaurant. Phaedra immediately went over to a few of the girls. I recognized my boss's daughter as one of the girls and the catcher. The others I didn't know.

"Curtis," Mr. Edwards' voice boomed, "glad to see that you could make it!" He shook my hand.

"Thanks for giving me the time off," I pulled Soda and Ponyboy up to me, "Have you met my other brothers? Sodapop and Ponyboy?" They shook hands. It was weird seeing my boss outside of work.

He introduced me to his wife and some of the other parents. One of the dads came over to me, "your mom and dad coming out tomorrow?"

"Our parents died about 2 and a half years ago."

He looked embarrassed, "Sorry to hear that. My daughter is Sasha, she's plays left center."

"She's a good hitter," I replied, "fast too." I motioned to Phaedra, "My sister is the pitcher."

"She's got a great arm. Most of these girls are Sophomores and Juniors. They're gonna has a helluva team next year." He paused, "I'm sorry about what happened to Phaedra. Did they catch the guy who did it?"

"Not yet," I looked at Phae, sitting with the team, but also sitting a little bit back. She was cutting up her pizza so she could eat it. Every now and then, she would say something or laugh a little, but was never fully relaxed like the other girls. She was always on guard. I walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder, "ok. You and Pony can do it...I trust you."