I woke up stiff as a board. My legs were aching and sore, my cheek was bruised. I stared into the mirror, looking at my cheek. There's a small red circle on it, for some reason I didn't think to put on a little bit of blush to cover it up.
We drove over to the boys house. My close friends. Two bit, Soda, darry, Steve, and Ponyboy. It sure would be better if Johnny and Dally were here.
They died three years ago.
Johnny had killed a soc. Both him and Ponyboy ran off together, Pony told me they ran off to this little church, which he described as creepy. I guess there was a fire when they returned to it. Johnny got burned pretty badly. He died from the burns.
I think that shocked everyone, when he passed. Johnny was innocent, he may have killed somebody, but it still made him pure and soft. We all felt sorry for him. I cried for a whole year, it's still hard.
At least he doesn't have to suffer anymore.
Dallas Winston...how do I describe this guy? Dally, was cold as ice. He was mean and cold, and he really hated everything. Then there was Johnny, right? He was all Dally cared about. When he died, Dal ran off, robbed a store, pulled a gun on the cops, and they shot him. He died instantly. I don't care how cold he was, I still miss him.
I miss them both. I'm still grieving.
I walk upon the steps of the house, only to see Steve greeting me with a backflip. Oh, Steve...he's so crazy I love it. “Heya Ginger!” He says waving at me, giving me this cheesy smile.
“Hi Steve.” I say coolly.
The door of the Curtis's is open, I walk in happy to see everyone. They all look sudden shocked to see me. Darry walks out the kitchen into the living room, he's shirtless. He smiles at me, “Well, hey there Ginger.”
Soda sits on the couch, I couldn't help but think he's so gorgeous. He really is.
Two bit’s on the floor with a cigarette hanging out his mouth, watching TV he barely sees me because he's so engaged.
I look around slightly.
Someone's missing from this picture.
Until he walks out into the living room, Ponyboy Michael Curtis.
Our eyes meet, sparking a glare only we can feel. I fell in love with Pony from the start, since we were kids, I knew I liked him. I knew he liked me. He had golden hair, still. He had dreamy green or gray eyes, he was so cute in my eyes. A grin that spread up to his ears implanted on his face. I laugh, almost blushing.
I had felt an arm swing over my shoulders, I looked up to see him. “Hey Carl.” Soda says, kicking the sarcasm out his voice. The spark in Pony’s eyes lowers. Pony doesn't like Carl. He hates him. He'd hate him even more if he knew what he did to me.
I feel that the whole gang disapproved of Carl.
Carl licked his teeth, grinning as his eyes sized the room. Soon we sit on the couch watching Mickey Mouse. Everyone is too scared to really talk, I can feel it.
Ever since Carl introduced himself to the gang, they sensed hate from the start, they just don't admit it.
I stand up from the couch everyone's eyes still on the TV, accept Carl's.
“Where are you going?” He says in the most roughest tone.
The boy's heads had turned.
“I'm going outside...to light a cigarette.” I say trying to hold a smile.
He licks his lips crossing his arms.
“Okay.” He thinks he has control over me...he does...secretly.
I walk out, going down the steps. I light a cigarette and inhale the air. I kick my feet below the ground, smoothing out the dirt with my heel. I tug on the leather jacket I'm wearing. Suddenly I hear footsteps.
They dawn on me. I look up quickly, only to see Pony standing there. He stands across me, I look at him, blushing.
“You okay?” He asks softly.
“Yeah...I'm fine.” I say staring at the ground, flicking my ashes towards it.
Pony looks at me, “You sure?” I notice a break of concern in his voice and I feel a twisted knot in my stomach.
I wanna tell him that I'm not fine. I wanna tell him that my whole body hurts. I wanna tell him how Carl had hurt me. I just don't think Pony could handle it.
“I'm okay, Pony.” I lie.
“What's that on your cheek?”
I look at him with noticeable fear in my eyes and a pain contracts in my heart. He gulps.
“What? What is it?” I say knowing damn well I Know what he's talking about.
“That spot there...it's red.” I feel my cheek, putting pressure on it, feeling the stiff bruising.
I look at the ground avoiding eye contact with him.
“Oh...um..I dunno.” I say blinking away tears. Before Pony can say anything else Carl comes walking towards me.
He glares at Pony. He makes sure he's watching as he throws his arms around me, kissing my neck. His touch had made me uncomfortable.
Ponyboy looks at me scared to say anything, he just swallows hard.
I try to look away from him as quick as possible, so he won't see me cry.
It'd hurt me to see Pony upset. Carl's arms let me go, I look at Ponyboy as he stares at the ground.
A sudden relief overcomes him, I can tell. I never thought about it before, but maybe Pony was scared of Carl.
Carl was intimidating.
He was a tall, big guy with a muscular build. He had dusty brown hair, similar to Two bit’s, but darker. His eyes were a dancing green, but they were hard and cold. You could tell his whole personality just by looking at his eyes. Anyone that saw him, knew he was nice when he first met you, but scary when he actually knew who you were.
When we first met, he was charming. That look in his eye seemed sincere. It wasn't until the last year, when he had put his hands on me. He had apologized after. Then, it just kept happening. Anytime I'd try to defend myself it'd get worse. I cried every night.
“I love you, babe.” Carl said into my ear, but loud enough for Pony to hear.
Carl always tried to make me his property.
After kissing my neck, he walks up the steps and back into the house. My eyes stay on the ground while I drag on the cigarette.
Suddenly, I feel Pony walk closer to me.
“Does he treat you okay?” I winced at his words. A gut twisting pain aches in my heart and I'm scared to look at him.
“Yeah.” I remain staring at the floor.
“Okay. If you ever wanna talk, I'm here.”
I realized Pony noticed there was something wrong, because his voice was flooding with concern.
“Okay.” I say.
