𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜 | 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Chapter 60 - Okay

Okay, so I completely forgot that Y/n and Matilda ran away from home and I wrote as of they never did, lol. I updated chapter 57 so it addresses the fact that they ran away. Sorry to those who already read and were confused.

Some of this part was written by S.E Hinton, not me.

The whole gang rushed to Pony's side in concern. "Are you alright, Ponyboy?" Darry asked as he shook him with concern. "I'm okay. Quit shaking me, Darry, I'm okay." Pony replied as he swatted Darry away. "I'm sorry." Darry apologized. Pony stood weakly as he rubbed his cheek where the socs had punched him. I didn't see him get punched because I was too busy fighting the socs. But he had gotten punched, I could tell by the swelling and bruising on his face.

"They didn't hurt you too bad, did they?" Darry asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'm okay." Pony answered. "You got cut up a little, huh, Ponyboy?" Soda asked as he came to Pony's side. Pony looked at him with confusion. There was a cut on his neck, I must've caused it when I pushed Bob off of him. He was holding the knife against Pony's neck and when I pushed him to the side it must've slashed him.

"I did?" Pony asked as he looked to Soda. Soda pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wetted the end of it with his tongue. He gently pressed the wet end against the cut on his neck. "You're bleedin' like a stuck pig." Soda said as he pulled the handkerchief away. "I am?" Pony asked cluelessly. "Look!" Soda yelled as he pointed to the handkerchief. Pony examined it carefully and looked at the blood stained end.

"Did they pull a blade on you?" Soda asked with concern. Pony stood in thought for a moment before answering. "Yeah." He mumbled. Pony was pale and shaking like a leaf. Not only had the cut and punching hurt him, the soc sitting on top of him must've winded him. "Easy, Ponyboy. They ain't gonna hurt you no more." Soda said, noticing his paleness and shaking. He gently placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him. "I know." Pony replied. "I'm just a little spooked, that's all." Pony said as he wiped his tear stained cheeks.

"You an okay kid, Ponyboy." Soda said in a comforting voice as he ruffled Pony's hair. Pony grinned at his statement. "You're crazy, Soda, outta your mind." Pony replied with a laughter in his voice. Soda chuckled. "You're both nuts." Darry said with a grin. "It's seems to run in this family." Soda mentioned as he cocked an eyebrow.

"Did ya catch them?" Pony asked the gang, referring to the socs. "Nope. They got away this time, the dirty..." Two-Bit went on, calling the socs names under his breath. "You okay?" Two-Bit asked. "I'm okay." Pony answered. The gang stayed silent as they looked to Pony. He looked around blankly and his eyes landed on Dally who was by my side. "I didn't know you were outta the cooler yet Dally. I thought you were supposed to be in there for another eight months." Pony changed the subject.

"Good behavior. Got off early." Dally answered as he lit a cigarette and handed it to Johnny who was by his side. As I saw him light the cigarette I instinctively dug in my pockets and brought out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. I flipped the box open and took one out. The cigarette hung from my mouth as I stuffed the box back into my pocket and started lighting it. As soon as I lit it I stuck the lighter back into my other pocket. I took a long drag from the cigarette and blew it out.

When I looked around I could see just about everyone with a cigarette hanging from their mouths. Soda, Darry, and Matilda were the only ones that hadn't been smoking. I held back a laugh as I looked around at everyone sitting in silence. "Nice lookin bruise you got there kid." Two-Bit spoke, breaking the silence. He pointed to Pony's cheek. "Really?" Pony asked as he brought his palm to his cheek. Two-Bit nodded. "Nice cut too. Makes you look tough." Two-Bit mentioned his cut. Pony grinned.

Pony gained his colors back and stopped shaking as sat in silence, I was relieved. "What were you two doin', walkin' by your lonesome?" Steve asked, breaking the silence. He flicked his ashes at Pony and looked over to me. "We were coming home from the movies." I answered. "I wasn't thinking..." Pony trailed off, getting quieter with every word.

"You never think, not at home or anywhere where it counts." Darry cut in. I stared blankly at him as he continued to lecture Pony. I tried my best not to get involved with their fighting and lectures and what not. When it came to defending people that are being lectured, I stayed silent. I didn't wanna be on a persons side unless it was absolutely necessary. I also thought that Pony was a bit stubborn at times, and probably needed to be lectured every once and awhile. Sometimes I did feel like Darry was a bit harsh on him, but I tried not to let it bother me. People need a stern talking to at some points.

I didn't pay much attention to what Darry was saying to Pony. I did eventually realize that Darry was directing a lot of it at Pony, and not at me. I felt bad. Just as I saw Soda about to pipe up, I began talking. "It's not all his fault Darry." I stated. Everyone looked my way. "I was with him too. You shouldn't blame it all on him, it's my fault too. Plus, I'm the older one, I should've been more responsible." I continued. Everyone stayed silent as they looked at me. "You're right." Darry calmed down. He looked back to Pony. "Sorry Pony." He said. Pony looked at me with as if to say "thank you" before going back to smoking.

I felt accomplished in that moment.