The Outsiders (Jess's story)

Ponyboy...

When I woke up the next morning my headache was gone. Dallas was still asleep. Soda was sleeping in the chair next to the bed. I sat up and tried to remember what had happened.

The only other person who knew exactly what happened would be Pony. I stood out of bed and got a change of clothes. I headed to the bathroom to take a shower. When I got out I got dressed and looked in the mirror. My blonde hair was still wet. Under my right eye was a deep gash. I studied myself in the mirror. I couldn't see what the big deal was. I'm average. Regular blue eyes. Regular blonde hair.

I headed out the door to see Ponyboy. As I walked down the street to the Curtis house Dallas ran up to me.

"So your just gonna leave with no goodbye?" He said putting his shirt over his head.

"I was just going to see if Pony was okay." I said as we walked up the steps. Dallas just gave me a look. Once I walked through the door I realized there was something terribly wrong. Johnny was sitting at the kitchen table with is head in his hands.

"Where's Pon?" The only reply I got was a point towards his bedroom. As I started to walk into his room Dallas grabbed ahold of my arm. I spun around and gave him the 'let me go' look.

"I don't think you want to go in there." Dal said letting go of my arm.

"And why is that? If it was so serious then he would be in the hospital. Not laying in bed." I said trying to calm down.

"Jess?" I heard Ponyboy call from the other room.

"I'm going to go in there Dallas." I said turning the doorknob. Pony was laying in bed. Blood was everywhere. I could see where he had been hit repeatedly in the face. His arm had a long gash that had already been stitched up.

"Pony, I'm so so so sorry." I said as I sat next to him on the bed.

"It wasn't your fault." He said. His boyish charm was still there, and untouched.

"Don't waste those tears Summers." Two-bit said from the chair he was sitting on.

"I can't help it." I said getting up and walking into the kitchen.

"You know you could be worse if Pony hadn't held them off ya. And he was even smart enough to Dallas and Soda." Darrel said poking his head in the fridge.

"I'd rather look like that. Pony shouldn't be hurt so bad. I feel terrible." Darrel handed me a coke and stood next to me.

"I know it wasn't your fault Jess. Nobody could've stopped it from happening." Darrel said giving me a hug. Tears were still flowing down my cheeks. I couldn't help to think it was my fault though. If I hadn't have came then none of it would have.

"I have to go pick up my check. I'll come back later to see how Pony is doing. Is that okay?" I said walking toward the door.

"Yeah, that'll be fine. Take Dallas or someone with you." Darry said with a worried look.

"Dally! You gonna go with me?" I said practically yelling.

"Yeah hold on." He said yelling out of Pony's room. He came prancing out. He took a hold of my waist and walked me out the door.

"So, where we going?" He said, apparently in a better mood than earlier.

"Payday. But first I gotta stop my the house."