The Outsiders: Nothing Left

Chapter 12

Ponyboy's POV

    As I rode in the car with Two-Bit on the way to school, I kept thinking about what would happen when I got there. I prayed that the Socs would leave me alone today. I know that those guys who jumped me probably told all of their friends what had happened but I bet that they left out the part where I fought back. They probably told everybody that they kicked my ass and left me lying on the street. Everybody would probably believe them too because one, they're Socs and two, even though the wounds to my head and arm are starting to heal, they don't exactly give people much reasons to believe me.

When we finally parked the car in the parking lot, I could tell that Two-Bit looked like he wanted to say something but was debating on wether or not he should. Before he could make up his mind, I hopped out of the car and headed towards the school. I tried to ignore the passing stares that were clawing into me so I started walking a little faster.

The walk to my locker felt like an eternity but when I finally made it, I quickly grabbed my books and made my way to first period. Unfortunately, I was derailed by a heavy shove to my chest. I slammed into a set of lockers and a group of Socs stepped in front of me. Of course it was the same Socs that jumped me. It was as if they could tell that I was thinking about them. "Hey there grease," the tallest one said. I didn't reply and I attempted to move past them. He pushed me back and stepped closer to me. "What? Aren't you gonna fight back?" He joked.

I wanted nothing more than to punch him right in the face but I guess I lost that burst of confidence. Plus, I wasn't itching to start a fight in the middle of a crowded hallway with four guys. That would be suicide. Instead, I just quietly mumbled, "You're an asshole," and attempted to push past them again. This time I was successful. I started walking away but they followed me. Why can't they just leave me alone? Don't they have anything better to do? I'm sure that there is a bottle of whisky somewhere that needs their attention.

"Hey, where ya goin pal?" Another joked. People were looking now. Some of the stares were ones of sympathy but others were ones of amusement.

I turned my head to face them and said in a small voice, "Just leave me alone." They laughed and jogged up to me so that there was one on each side of me and the other two were close behind me.

"Aw, come on grease. We were just having a little fun!" Good god, where's Steve or Two-Bit when you need them? My classroom was just up ahead. I was so close when they decided that taunting me verbally wasn't enough for them. The one Soc on my left stuck his foot out in front of me and before I even knew it, I tripped over it and fell to the ground. The Socs plus some other people in the hallway started laughing. It was mostly guys but their was the occasional girl that would bite her lip to keep from chuckling. Thankfully, I didn't see any of my kind joining in so that made it a little bit better but, not much.

"Alright, alright everyone. That's enough. Now get to class this instant," I heard a familiar voice command to the boys and other bystanders. I was still kind of sick so when I went tumbling to the ground it made me kind of dizzy. The person pulled me up from the ground and helped me stand steady. It was Mr. Syme.

"Thank you sir," I said while brushing myself off.

"Are you alright Ponyboy? It looked like you took a hard fall," he said with concern in his voice.

"I'm fine. Thanks though," I replied. He nodded.

"Have those boys been picking on you all year?" He asked.

"No," I lied. "They just wanted to start trouble."

He didn't seem to believe me but he didn't question me any further. The truth is that they had been doing this all year. I've just developed a talent of hiding it. Even from Soda. I began to walk away but he stopped me. "Ponyboy, you know that if there are any more problems or if you just need someone to talk to, I'm always here." He said with a serious tone. He seemed worried about me. I hated that. I hate getting pity from people and I hate when anyone feels bad for me. It makes me feel weak and vulnerable.

"Thanks Mr. Syme," I replied with a small, fake grin.

"Anytime," he said and then I walked down the hall to my first class.

Luckily, the rest of the day was a little more peaceful. The only thing I got was a few glares from some Socs. A few kids from my neighborhood came up to me and asks if I was okay and that made me feel a little better but still, my day overall sucked.

I decided that I wouldn't wait for one of the guys to walk home with me because my need to be alone was more important than my safety to me at the time. I knew that it was a dumb idea and Darry and Soda would probably nag me for being careless. Soda would just say that he was worried about me but Darry would say that I never use my head. I guess that I shouldn't complain too much though. Darry and I have been trying real hard not to fight so much anymore. Most days we get along pretty well. This makes Soda really happy so I guess that it's worth not getting the last word in an argument.

Still, I can't help but feel like I shouldn't be here, or anywhere. Now I'm hurting the two people that I love most because I had to kill one of the gang. They must think that I'm a monster. Soda keeps trying to talk about it and always says that he's not mad. He even says that I would never do anything like that. I would agree with him but, it just felt too real to just brush off. I'm all mixed up. Everything is turned upside down and it's hard to keep a steady head.

I was so consumed in thought that I didn't even notice the red car trailing close behind me. The four Socs were inside with sinister smiles on their faces. I wish that I at least knew their names. For some reason, fighting with someone is more scary when you don't know who they are. "Hey there greaser, need a ride," one of them laughed. I just tried to ignore them and I kept walking on. They seemed to get frustrated when I didn't react to them so they drove up beside me and kept calling out to me. "What's a matter there kid? We don't bite," they taunted. I still didn't say anything. I guess that they had finally had enough of my silence so they sped up and drove up in front of me, blocking my path. A few people on the streets gasped and stared in shock but none came over to help me. I think that even some of the adults around here are scared of the Socs.

They all got out of the car and stood in front of me like a pack of rabid beasts. I just stood there dumbfounded, clutching the straps of my book bag tightly. "Why ignore us grease? We would never hurt a fly," one of them said innocently. I almost laughed at this because of how opposite that is to them but I was too scared to make a sound.

Maybe I could make a run for it? I'm probably faster than them. I stared at the group of boys, eyes wide. Without even thinking about it, (smart move on my part) I bolted towards a gap between two of them. I swear that I did almost make it past them but they both pushed me back and onto the ground. "A for effort kid. But, you can't get away that easily," he laughed. "No one tries to fight us and get away with it."

I layed there on the ground while they continued to beat me to a pulp. I think that they cracked a few ribs but I honestly don't care. Maybe I do deserve this. I need to know my place in this town. I am nothing. I am worthless.

When they had finally had their fun, they quickly got in their car and drove away, leaving me on the ground covered in dirt and blood. After a few minutes of laying there, I was able to stand up and stumble home. I took the path in the woods because I couldn't handle the looks that I was getting from people.

No one was home when I got to the front door so I was all alone. I went to the bathroom to get some aspirin because my head was hurting something awful. I swallowed 2 pills and stared at the bottle. Maybe if I take a few more.....all of the pain will go away for good....

A/N
Hurray I finally updated!!!! I'm sorry but I've been very busy with school so I made this a longer chapter to make up for it. Thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter. Stay Gold!!!!