Evermore | Sodapop Love Story | The Outsiders

Chapter 7 | A Scare

"Well you're different."

I have a huge test today. My mom is leaving tomorrow and I want the school day to be over so I can hang out with her. 

The test is in Math, which I suck at. I have Math at the end of the day, which means I was incredibly unfocused since I'm thinking more about my mom.

Lately, my test scores haven't been so bad. They've been in the 70s, sometimes I'll get high 60s, but that's rare. 

Today is different. I don't remember a single thing on this paper. I looked though the whole thing for at least one question I could answer, but there weren't any.

The stress was starting to make reading the questions more difficult than it already was. I can't do this. I raised my hand.

"Can I go to the bathroom?" The teacher nodded, so I got up out of my seat, and got out of there as fast as I could without looking suspicious.

I ran to the bathroom on the second floor nobody ever used. I opened the door and shut it quickly so nobody would notice me.

I was feeling so overwhelmed with everything going on. My mind was spinning in circles and my stomach was doing somersaults.

"I'm going to vomit." I whispered to myself, going into the large stall so I had space. I felt sick.

I threw up all the food I ate for breakfast and lunch into the toilet. Probably took part of my insides with it. I flushed it down the toilet. 

I began pacing around the bathroom, wanting the bell to ring already so I could go home.

I sat down on the ground and took a few deep breaths. I wish I had a cigarette to calm my nerves. I only ever had a few and they helped. I'm trying to stay out of smoking and drinking, but right now, I would kill for a smoke.

I couldn't calm myself down. I was in there for a while, and I knew it when one of the staff walked into the bathroom, looking for me. She was a guidance counselor. Her name is Mrs. Morris. She knew about my history and usually helped me out.

She helped me up off the ground and took me to her office. She did her best to make me comfortable.

This has happened a few times, but it's rare. This is the only time it has ever been this bad. It's not my fault I'm dumb. Who am I kidding, yes it is.

The thing about Mrs. Morris, she knew that I didn't like talking to people about what's bothering me. She knows that if I wanna share, I will. I really like her.

I was still in her office by the end of the day. I took my backpack, went to my locker, and left the school. I wanted to hurry home and spend time with my mom. I'm gonna miss her so much.

I was still nauseous from earlier, but it wasn't as bad. I don't think I'll throw up, but I still felt sick.

While I was walking home, I heard the roar of a mustang, starting to speed up. I looked behind me at the shiny, red, mustang. It started to slow down as it approached me.

I have never been approached like this while being alone. The closest I've ever gotten to being jumped was when the two girls approached me last year. They didn't really do much except say bad shit.

I had a close call while With Steve and Soda, but the Socs never even left the car. It was more of them just throwing shit at us as we walked.

The Mustang kept trailing me until it came to a stop and four Socs climbed out. I froze in fear, unable to react in any way. Today is just not my day.

"Hi pretty lady." One of the Socs said. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I couldn't even think. My brain was on pause. What could I do.

The Socs began to step closer to me. One of them got so close, I could feel him breathe down my neck. I could smell the alcohol that laced his breath. I almost choked, as if it was taking over the clean air.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" I heard Two-bit's voice yell from down the street. I felt relief wash over me. I looked over and saw him with Steve and Ponyboy.

Three of the Socs walked away from me, but the other one grabbed my arms. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Let her go, and we won't have a problem." Two-bit said, pulling out his switchblade. He wasn't threatening most of the time, but he could if he really wanted to. I looked at him with pleading eyes, I was horrified.

"Or what?" The Socs took a step closer. While the one holding me was distracted, I kicked him in the crotch. He fell to the ground with a groan, and I kicked him in the back, causing him to fall all the way. I ran and hid behind a few bushes, making sure Two-bit, Steve, and Pony were okay.

Ponyboy is a great fighter, despite his age. He had to be two or three years younger than all these Socs. Growing up with the gang did him good.

Soon, the three of them had all the Socs running like little kids. I slowly came out of my hiding spot. I tried to take deep breaths, but they were shaky.

"Come on, let's get you home." Steve said, putting his arm around me and pulling me into a side-hug.

"Thanks ya'll, I don't wanna think about what could've happened." I said, shivering a little. 

"It's alright kid, we've got ya now." Two-bit assured me. That was his way of telling me to shut up and stop rambling. I sighed, but I listened.

"I gotta get to the DX, see ya later?" Steve asked me. I just shrugged. He chuckled and went on his way.

Two-bit spoke up.

"Elle, ya feelin' alright, ya don't look so hot."

"Yeah, you look kinda pale." Ponyboy added. Two-bit put his hand on my forehead. "You feel fine."

"Guys, I'm alright." I said. I just didn't want to talk about what happened earlier at school.

"Alright...wait, I gotta take my sister to her swimming practice thing." He slapped his forehead, "See ya'll later."

"Bye." I waved to him.

"See ya." Pony said.

"I don't know why Steve doesn't like me." Pony said as soon as Two-bit was out of earshot. He seemed to be holding that in for a while. I stayed quiet and let him talk.

"I tell Soda everything, but Steve is his best bud." Pony said.

"Steve is one of my best buds too." I argued, I don't know why.

"Well you're different." He said.

"What makes me so different from Soda?" I chuckled. I really didn't understand why it was easier for him to tell me this.

"Soda...I don't know. I love him and all and I trust him, but you....I don't know how to explain it" Pony said.

I was uncertain, but I'm pretty sure he meant it as a compliment, so I took it as so. I was confused, and he must've been too.

"You're family, but not really family, if that makes sense."

"Yeah, I guess it does." We both stopped before I spoke up again.

"Pony, ya know you can always come to me, right?" I asked, stopping in my tracks. He nodded, stopping too.

"Yeah, I know." It seemed like something was bothering him. I didn't wanna push, but I wanted to make sure he was alright. He's like a brother to me. He basically is my brother.

"Are ya okay?" I asked him, "Ya don't look so great." He's not one to complain out of nowhere. I'm thinking something happened at school today.

He just shrugged. I know Ponyboy, that means something did happen and he just doesn't want to talk about it. I wasn't gonna push any harder.

"If ya don't wanna talk, that's okay, I understand. I get that talking to your family might be a bit harder, so feel free to talk to me any time." I told him. He nodded. At least I know he heard me. I just hoped he would actually come talk to me when he's ready.

Published February 6th, 9:50 AM, EST

1368 Words