ʜᴇʀᴏ

backup

i spent the next hour or two on the couch, wallowing in self pity. my anger and rage towards dally just turned to sadness and embarrassment. i was so embarrassed.

i could hear ponyboy get home from school but i couldn't see him. my face was buried in the pillow and my blanket pulled over my head.

i could hear him approach the couch. he poked my back.
"fizz? you alive under there?"

i groaned.
"no."

"hm.. okay."
he moved my feet and sat next to me on the couch. he peeled the blanket off of me.

"go away, pony."
i said, grabbing at the blanket.

"you're not sick."
he said, shaking his head.

"yes i am.."
i said, sitting up.

"you're such a fibber."
he laughed, leaning back into the couch.

"am not."
i said, hitting his arm with the back of my hand.

"are too.."
he said, hitting me back.

"we are too old to be doing this."
i said before quickly hitting him again.

"dally showed up at the high school today in a frenzy, looking for you. i told him you stayed home.."
he looked at me, raising an eyebrow.
"what's that about?"

i rolled my eyes.
"nothing."

"so something. nothing always means something with you."
he laughed.

i looked at him for a second, not sure if i should tell him but i had no one else to confide in.
"i snuck out last night.. with dally."

"fizz! if darry finds out he's gonna kill you, what's the matter with you?"
he asked

"that's not even the worst of it.."
i sighed.
"dally and i... we were in his room. and we were uhm. well.."

he shot up and fake gagged, cutting me off.
"ew ew ew ew!"

"oh get over it."
i said.
"anyway, i was laying there and then he just walked out, without any warning. he ditched me and some stranger had to walk me home."

pony's demeanor became serious.
"what? i'll kill em.."

i shook my head and laughed.
"not if i do first. he showed up here and i told him off."

he nodded.
"good. he'll probably be back later with soda and steve but i'll make sure he doesn't talk to you.."

"i can take care of myself, pony."
i said.

"yeah, but i'll be your backup."
he smiled.

—————

later that evening, just before dinner time, i was sitting at the kitchen table doing 'homework' but i was really just doodling in my geometry textbook. math has never been my thing.

pony was sitting next to me, doing his homework. he was the smartest person i ever knew. i was envious of his brain and how easy school was for him. it just wasn't fair. having a twin that's better than you at everything really sucks sometimes.

darry was in the kitchen, fixing up dinner. he wasn't a chef by any means, but our moms old recipe book helped him out a lot.

sodapop walked through the front door with steve, and stalking in behind them was dallas.