Graceful Hands (Ponyboy Curtis Fanfiction)

Chapter One

Ponyboy's P.O.V.

     It was the third night in a row that I hadn't watched a sunset. It felt rather strange not being able to seek comfort in the gold mist and get lost amongst the clouds. I sat at the table with Sodapop and Darry, waiting for my dinner to cool off.

            "I'm exhausted," Soda complained. He rubbed a tired eye and began to eat the food in front of him. Darry rolled his eyes playfully.

            "I'm sure your job is much easier than mine," he fired back. I remained quiet and began eating. I felt left out when work was brought up. For some reason, I felt ashamed for still being in school and not working. I sometimes wished there was something I could do to help.

                "What's wrong, Pony?" Soda asked. "You've been awfully quiet. Something on your mind?" I always appreciated when Soda took the time to stop a conversation and make sure I was alright. Even if I seemed the slightest bit sad, good 'ol Sodapop would ask me if something was bothering me.

                "I'm fine, honestly," I answered, placing the fork to my lips. Soda eyed me for a second before giving the topic a rest. He and Darry picked up on their work banter while I sat in my continued silence.

               Since Darry cooked, Soda and I washed the dishes. I handed Soda a clean plate to put away. "Pony, you seem.... a bit... uh depressed. You're sure everything's good?" Soda inquired.

               "Yea, I told ya. I just don't feel like talking a whole lot," I told him, a bit unsure. Soda put the plate up in the cabinet and turned back to me.

                 "Ok well if you need someone to talk to, I'm always here for you. Savvy?" I nodded and scrubbed a cheese stained bowl clean. Soda was always looking after for me, I was his kid brother after all. Then again, Darry never took as much interest in me except to hound me about school.

                 Soda and I finished the dishes in silence, weary from all the cleaning. "Great teamwork," Soda commented, nudging me with an elbow. I nudged him back harder and he laughed his reckless laugh. We exited the kitchen and joined Darry in the living room. His cold eyes were scanning the newspaper in search of something interesting.

          "You, Dally, and Johnny still going to that little festival tomorrow?" he asked me. I took a seat, nodding. "You best be careful and make sure all your homework is done. You got any essays to right?"

            "No sir," I said flatly, picking up the TV remote. Sodapop chuckled at my serious tone and plopped down on the couch. "I made sure to get that done yesterday as soon as I got home from school," I added, ignoring Soda's lack of maturity.

            "That's good to hear," Darry replied absently, still searching the paper. He ruffled the pages, overpowering the sound of the TV. I turned up the volume a little; just enough to hear decently. Nothing that good was on so I changed the channel. There was only five or so available at the time being.

               "You're going to read now? Why didn't you do that before?" Soda grumbled, turning on his side and pulling the blanket over his shoulders. "Get to sleep, Pony. Its rather late and you're going to that festival tomorrow." I placed a scrap of paper in my book and shut it, laying it next to the lamp. I shut off the source of light, greeted by darkness. My eyes took a minute to adjust and I laid down next to Soda.

          "Sorry," I whispered. "Reading sometimes helps me fall asleep." I laid my face into the soft, sweet-smelling pillow. Even though my eyes had shut, it made no difference in level of darkness. "Goodnight, Soda."