California Runaway

chapter six

 Ponyboys pov:

(Last night)

What Harley said made me angry and so confused. Why would she ever do that? Especially to us? After she went to her room I just stood there. The gang just had their jaws dropped from that one sentence. 

"How does it feel to know your sister screwed a soc?!" 

Well it doesn't feel great let me tell ya that. Does she think shes a soc now or somethin? I had no idea. I stomped to my bedroom and slammed the door. Johnny followed.

My sister. My twin. 

"who the hell does Harley think she is?" I muttered towards Johnny. "Do ya really think she'd do that to us? After everything they've done to us. To you!" I almost scrambled my words, but Johnny understood. He stayed silent though.

"Are... you okay man?" I asked him frustrated as I turned to look at him. I could see that he was hiding something for some reason. "Ponyboy... I need to tell you something. I-t's about Harley and I." His breath was a little shaky 

"You and Harley- what? Since when?! How could you never tell me this?!" I shot back at Johnny. He just told me that they hit if off for a few months, but then... she broke it off? What is even happening right now?

 "Look, man. She didn't want anyone to know. She knew she wasn't supposed to be datin', and plus we didn't want the gang to act weird around us. Ya know?" Johnny said stressed out. He sat down on the floor and put his hands to his face. 

"Are ya gonna tell Darry? I mean he'll probably yell at 'er, bu-" Johnny quickly cut me off. "No. Never. Just because she broke it off with me. I don't know- probably because she was bored with me; doesn't mean that I want her to get in trouble. Because of me." Johnny pointed to himself.

"I doubt she did because she was of ya. She started actin' weird a little before that, so who knows what happened, man." I patted his back and we were startin' to get more calm. 

'It isn't my business' I think.

When we all thought this was some phase she was goin' through, all of that changed when Darry couldn't find her in the morning.

So now it is my business I guess. Shit. 

Harley's pov: 

(Present)

The night was long. I could barely stay asleep. I had countless of thoughts roaming through my head. All I could even think about was what everybody was doing back in Tulsa. Were they worried? Mad? Frantic? I had no idea, but I couldn't call them just yet.

As morning rolled along I got off the floor where a blanket and pillow were messed up, and I walked out rubbing my eyes from sleep deprivation.  

When I strolled into the kitchen I saw Betty drinking out of the coffee machine cup. I locked eyes with her and she put it down and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. 

"How do ya feel about shopping today?" She exclaimed. I could barely comprehend it, but I nodded. "Sure. When?" I asked. Betty looked at her watch and said. "In about... 15 minutes?" 

I headed back to my room and picked up my bag. I grabbed some wrinkly jeans and a white tank top. I matched it with my converse as I brushed my teeth in the bathroom. When I finally came out of there and strolled into the living room, Betty was waiting for me. I had my bag on my back and we walked out the house.

I didn't know what we were all shopping for, but apparently Betty's car was delivered early this morning. Right now it's almost 11 am. I hopped in her 1964 cream color dodge dart, and she did as well. 

She put her hands on the steering wheel as I admired how pretty this car actually was. "How do you like it"? she asked as she chuckled at me. 

Betty evidently knew this area well, so I decided to speak up. "So, where are we going?" I asked curiously. Betty looked at me for a second and then put her eyes back on the road. "Well... coffee cups, and you some clothes." She chuckled. "That ain't style." she told me. I laughed as so did she as she turned into a store. 

As I hopped out of the car, I could see people more clearly and how they dressed. It was so different from Tulsa. It was more free. Like as if greasers and socs got along and so did their style. It was super cool. 

We walked into the store, and a store employee came up to us, and her and Betty started to chat up a storm. I wandered around and thought, 'I could have never afforded this back home' but it was cut short when Betty strolled to me. 

"You can pick out anything. On one condition." She said to me holding up her finger. I looked at her confused asked, "what is it?" "That kind lady over there was tellin' me how school starts in a few days. I'm going to enroll you alright?" She told me assertive. I smiled and said, "Yes! I'll love school here. I just know it!" I hugged her tightly. 

"Good." Betty chuckles. "Just before we do anything... I'm not gonna be arrested for kidnapping, am I?" She asked serious. I just laughed and shook my head. Betty sounded relieved as I started to look around and pick out some clothes. 

Ponyboy's pov: 

(Present)

When I opened my eyes, I could see that Soda wasn't with me. It wasn't unusual until I got out of bed and Darry had a sense of panic in his eyes. 

I was bewildered at what was happening. "W-Whats wrong, guys?" Soda and Darry looked up at me, and it looked like they'd been crying a little bit. Harley wasn't here yesterday, but Dally had told us she was with friends. 

"Harley's gone, Pony. She ran away. No one knows where she is. I finally searched her room, and- she just packed up and left." Darry said to me as his hands were covering his eyes. 

Harley sneaks out sometimes and we know that. I know that. That's why when she wasn't in her room yesterday morning nobody worried. 

Maybe we should have.