Intoxicated | Ponyboy Curtis

2

Ponyboy

'My hands smell like nicotine and I'm sorry that I'm not one of those boys with an interesting mind and a gorgeous smile, I've just got a cigarette between my fingers and tears in my eyes.'

I was sat by the entrance of the school, taking in long drags of my cigarette. I hadn't been in class for a few days, and I knew it would be a while before Darry or Soda got a call from any one of my teachers complaining about me missing. They're used to it, especially with all the drama that goes on, the teachers don't care much if I'm gone.

I was waiting for Layla to come out. The whole day I roamed around the North Side as I have been for the last few days. I seen a few people I knew here and there like Mark and Curly, and we played some pool together.

When I saw someone with bright blonde hair bounce through the crowd of people as the last school bell rang, I pushed myself up from my place, tossing the stick to the ground. She stopped to talk to a group of girls, and she was taking too long so I made my way over to her.

"How was school?" I asked cooly, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

"It was okay. How was your day?" She asked.

I sighed. "Same old, but it's always better when I see you at the end of it."

I grabbed her book bag out of habit to carry for her. I heard a scoff come from one of the girls and I glanced over, seeing Valance staring at us. I smirked at her, and grabbed Layla's hand.

"Come on." I said.

As we were walking away I heard one of Layla's other friends say "Where can I get a Curtis?" I chuckled to myself, pulling Layla to my side. She held my hand that was wrapped around her shoulder and her other hand was shoved in her jacket pocket.

"She can look somewhere else, all you Curtis boys are taken." She said defensively. I kissed her temple softly, and let my arm drop away from her shoulder.

The walk back home was long and quiet. Neither of us said a word, but it wasn't awkward.

I always make sure I walk Layla to and from school, even if I rarely went anymore. The main reason is because that Griffin guy is back in town after leaving about two years ago. After what Dal did to him, he's out on all our tails, waiting for the right moment and I can't risk one of the most important people I have left getting hurt.

I've been broken too many times for myself to be put back together if I were to break again.

-

"Ponyboy can you run down and get some groceries?" Darry asked, walking in and handing me a small sheet of paper, some money, and his truck keys.

"I gotta do some paperwork for Melly's preschool." he said. I looked down at the paper, seeing a long list of items written down. I sighed, nodding.

Darry knew he could trust me with his truck, or else he would've asked someone else. I just got my license as an early 18th birthday present, and everybody took that to their own use seeing as they were too 'busy' all the time.

I'm a careful driver, and I like driving, it lets me think. So I don't complain.

When I jogged down the steps and reached the truck, I heard a shout from down the street. I looked up, seeing Two-Bit running towards me. He hopped up in the trunk, hitting the sides.

"Let's go for a ride." He said, biting his lip.

"Okay, but you're helping me shop." I said plainly, and climbed in the drivers seat. I revved up the engine, and drove away.

I heard Two laughing loudly from the back, and when I looked in the mirror, I saw him standing up, both arms in the air.

It was a thing we all did recently. On hot summer days, we'd just randomly go on drives and some of us would stand in the back, embracing the sun and the wind. It's a fun time waster.

But it seems to me lately that just living is a waste of time in itself.