Quandary ~Johnnyboy, Stevepop, Dal-Bit

to sob than to cry.

Soda's POV:
Friday, March 29th
When I got home from school, Darry was already here. He hugged me tight.

"Hey, Soda."

I greeted him back before he went to Pony.

I really wanna know why exactly Darry stopped playing football this year. It's only sophomore year. And he had a scholarship, not that he needs it. He's a lot smarter than people think.

I try to make my brain ignore how thin he looks. I guess he just lost his muscles.

The rest of the gang files in and we get him to pick the restaurant we go to. Then we file out into Mom and Dad's cars and go.

We get there and obviously do our talking before we're able to eat.

"So how's school been?" Dad begins.

"Oh it's been a lot, but it's fine. I'm happy to be home." His smile almost relieved.
Who has been chasing this kid?

"Okay, I don't mean to be one of those people, but I'm your mom. And I'm a marriage counselor, so I just have to ask. When are you gonna marry Piper?" Mom suggests.

He looks worried to a point of anxiety and takes a huge breath in before shooting it back out, "Let's just say, I have not been thinking about that one. I don't know. I have no idea. I don't even know if I- wanna marry Piper." The last part is quiet but he said it.

Steve leans over and whispers into my ear, "I think him and Piper broke up and now he's scared to tell us because your mom said that."

"Steven, calm down." I wanted to call him baby. I wanna do it so bad, but I don't like him like that. I guess? But Steve can have really bad anxiety sometimes, so I think his mind is just racing. Piper and Darry would never break up.

Mom rolls her eyes, "okay, fine but whenever you're ready."

Darry just gives her a small smile back.

I'm not sure he'll be ready anytime soon.

Darry's POV:
Saturday, March 30th
Yesterday during dinner I was ready to disappear. All the questions about Piper made me sick. I don't want anything to do with her. If I could never go back to our dorm I would.

That's how much she irks me. I fear her even more than I dislike her.

Pony's POV:
Wednesday, April 3rd
We did bowling today. All of us. Steve, and Two-bit kicking everybody's ass. It was hilarious, and super fun.
If we could go back tomorrow I totally would.

I'm the first one inside and the TV in the living room instantly clicks off as Mom and Dad turn around on the couch.

"Come sit." They say it in a creepy way, holy Ohio.

We all find a spot on the couch. We have one of those long couches that goes around the whole space and has a table in the middle.

"What is this a therapy?" Steve jokes.

"Yes, Steve. Actually it is, because we're worried about some of you." Mom looks around. I make sure her eyes don't pass mine. I don't wanna be worried about.

But when your mom's and Marriage Counselor, and your dad's a Clinical Social Worker. Nothing makes it too far past them. Unless you're not around enough for them to know.