𝗜 𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗧 𝗔 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔 | ponyboy curtis

chapter eight: making it okay

~~~ Marina ~~~

I was let out of the hospital a few days ago. Pony's concussion was still bad. It was only five days after the accident, but I hoped it might be better by now. They had him on something for it. The doctor called it some long scientific name — didn't remember it. I hoped he would be better by Halloween time, at least. It was approaching the middle of October.

There had been no more encounters, but I was questioned by police on who had done it. I didn't think any of the entitled rich kids who did would be sent to juvie like greasers usually were, but it was nice to at least be pictured as the victim. And I didn't mention the big guys who scared them off. I could've sworn I saw one of their faces in a picture in a file on one of the policemen's desks.

He asked me what they looked like, if I knew their names, why they did it. I told them about the fight at school, making Pony out to be the victim, though I wasn't sure who started that. Then I told them about the ten-cent store and how they were waiting outside. I told them the names, and they said thank you and that they'd take care of the rest. Then mom took me home, but not before I could ask for milkshakes.

"I'm proud of you," she said.

"For what?" I asked, taking another sip.

"It's really hard, reliving something like that. Something that messed you up so horribly. You're strong, Mari. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

I smiled.

"Thanks, ma."

I did homework that had been sent to me from the school and finished some essays due in a bit. Then I went over to the Curtis's, to ask if any of them were going to see Pony. Soda, Steve, and Johnny were there, and Soda had said he was planning to bring him his homework anyway, so I might as well come along.

"He really likes you, you know," he said, staring out at the road as we drove through town in the Curtis's truck.

"I know."

"You're really good for him. I'm telling you, Marie, you've got something about you, and whatever it is, he loves it."

I smiled. "He's got something about him too."

"Darry told me. This guy, he's out of it, and he wakes up in the middle of the night, with a concussion, don't forget, and one of the first things he asks is, 'Where's Marina?' You're special to him. He's told me a bazillion times. All he talks about is you. He just might be in love."

I thought about it for a moment. He might be in love. With me. We've been together for what? A month, and he just might be in love.

Come to think of it, I might be too.

"Feelin' alright, little buddy?" Soda asked, coming around to one side of the hospital bed. Pony was sitting up perfectly fine. He was reading The Hobbit, but it was closer to his face than usual, and he was squinting.

"Fine," he said, still concentrating.

"Don't read, kid, you've already got a concussion," said Soda.

"Well, I've got to do something."

"Here," said Soda, putting his backpack on the side of the bed. "I brought you homework."

"Oh, fun," said Pony.

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, and I brought your girlfriend along, too."

Pony turned to me and smiled.

"I'll leave you both alone," said Soda, stepping out of the room. "I'll be in the waiting area."

"Looking at pictures of girls in magazines," muttered Pony, making me snicker.

"Anyways," I said, sitting on his bed next to him. "I, um..."

I wanted to tell them that I loved him. I had decided. It's true. We'd been through so much together, even if it was only a month. That didn't seem like a lot, did it? Yet I felt as if I'd known him my whole life.

30 days ago, I was just moving here, to Tulsa, on an empty, boring-looking street. Little did I know I'd find love there. And, a half brother.

"I — well, Pony, I —"

"I think I know what you're gonna say," he said, smiling. There was a look in his eyes, that made me feel like he knew exactly what I was going to say.

"Well, do you want to say it, or, should I?"

"You do it," he said, the same look in his eye.

"Well, Pony, I, well I know we've only known each other for a month, but it feels like we've known each other forever. I —"

"I love you," he interrupted.

"You — what?"

"I love you. Wait — that is what you were going to say, right?"

I grinned widely. "That's exactly what I was going to say. I love you."

"Well, I love you too, Marina."

And everything was indeed okay.