Annabelle's Daisys.

Chapter 2

A few days later, I lie in my bed awake at 7 in the morning. My first day of high-school started in an hour and god, did I know that I wouldn't fit in. I heard voices floating up the stairs so, I got up, walked over to my closet, and opened the door.

I grabbed a knee length blue jean skirt, and the short sleeve White button-up I had to wear last year. I grabbed my things, and padded off to the bathroom. I jumped into the shower, shaved my legs, and washed my body and my hair.

I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my body. I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and got dressed, then I padded off downstairs.

Sitting on my couch were 4 boys. 1, of which, I didn't know. The other 3 were , Ponyboy, Two-bit, and Noah. "Oh, um.... Who's he and why're you here?"I looked at Ponyboy.

He smiled up at me. "This is Johnny, and we're 'bout to go to school. Well, I am"

"Hello, Johnny," I smiled. He waved. I could tell he didn't talk much.

"Ready?" Pony smiled as he stood up. He was like 5 inches taller than me, and it made me feel little.

I held up 1 finger, and walked into the small kitchen. I grabbed my jacket that was hung by the back door, and my books that were on the table. "Hey, You hungry?" I called, and turned around. I jumped, because he was leaning against the door frame.

"Sure. A long walk," he smiled, and caught the banana I threw to him.

"Mind if I have a drink of water before we go?"

"Go 'head." he shrugged.

I turned around, I opened the cupboard and grabbed a cup. I turned on the the cold water faucet and filled it up. I turned around and leaned against the counter. I took a big sip, and looked at Ponyboy.

He was staring at me, and smiling like a goon.

I swallowed the last sip, and felt my forehead crinkle as I set the cup in the sink without taking my eyes off the boy in my kitchen. "What." I put my hands on my hips.

"Huh? Oh, n-nothin'! Ready?" he looked at the door.

"Yeah," i picked up my books and my jacket and walked out of the back door, with Pony trailing behind.

We walked through the back yard, and onto the sidewalk.

"Here, I'll carry those." He smiled and held his hands out for my books.

"Uh, okay." I said, unsure, and handed them to him.

He looked down at my books. "Ooetry?" he asked incredulously.

"Yeah," I said, feeling embarrassed.

"I like poetry, too." he grinned.

"You? Hah! You're kiddin'."

"No, I'm serious."

"But your a guy! D'ya like reading, too?"

"Oh, you should ask Darry. That's all I do when I'm home. That reminds me, you haven't met Soda yet, have ya?"

"Nope." I popped my lips on the 'p'. "But, you read?"

"Yeah. Greaser who reads poetry, sounds fishy, don't it?" he smiled.

"I think you're just trying to impress me." I looked down at the ground grinning.

Just then, a Mustang rolled down the street with men hollering, and whooping. "Filthy greasers!" one yelled, and threw a bottle at the fence. It broke on impact, and a huge shard wedged into my bare leg. I yelped, fell to the the ground, as the pain seered up my leg.

"Oh, jeez!" Pony yelled, threw my books, dropped to his knees beside me. "Can you walk?" he asked looking from my leg to my face.

Shallow breaths raked in my nose, and out through my clenched teeth.

"Nooooooooo." I whimpered, tears sliding down my face.

He picked me up to stand on my good leg,slung my arm over his shoulder, and his around my waist.

"Okay, stay calm, and we're gonna walk to my house. Alright? I'm gonna get Soda to take us to the hospital an- STEVE!" He yelled, walking with me halfway, and the dark haired boy down the street looked up.

He saw me, and Pony and he sprinted to us. "What the HELL happened?!!" Steve put his arm under the crook of my knee, making me wince, and have to throw my arms around his neck to stay upright.

"Hey, Steve." I said weakly.

"What happened to ya?" he asked; with his voice sounding far away, and that scared me.

"Hmm... There was- a car. They.... Yelled at me and Pony. 'Filthy Greasers', I think they said. Threw a bottle..." I sighed, and nestled into his neck. "I- I'm tired."

"No! No, Annabelle! You gotta stay awake!" Ponyboy yelled.

"Why?"

"Just please! Hey, tell me a story, that'll keep you awake," he said, patting my arm.

"Oh...Kay. Last year on my birthday, me and Noah was playing at a playground, playing catch with my dad's baseball... he threw the ball at me and it hit me in the face. Broke my nose. And, Noah got so scared! He picked me up, and ran me to the hospital. It was ten blocks away... Say... Where we goin'?"

"Were going to my house. Steve's gonna drive us to the hospital, okay? Just stay awake."

"Will you stay with me, Pony?" I opened my eyes, and looked to where his voice came from. His hands were running through his hair, and they were really cut up and bloody. "Pony! You're bleedin!"

He laughed. "I'm fine. Let's worry 'bout you right now."

"How much longer?" I whimpered. "I'm sleepy.."

I heard other voices, familiar ones, but I couldn't place. I heard Pony in the midst of them, but only as faint as the other ones. My ear was pressed to Steve, so his voice was perfectly clear.

"Socs. Threw a bottle at her and Pony.... Throw him your keys."

Strange sounds and feels.

Air rushing past me. A door opening. Being layed on a leather bench seat. Sound of a motor starting.

"Hey, Annabelle! Stay with me, please! I know you're tired, but just stay with me alright." Pony pleaded, and took my hand.

"Mmhmm." I sighed, and everything went black.