This is Today

Chapter Three

I hadn't seen Ponyboy in about two and a half weeks when he came and sat by me at lunch on a random rainy Thursday. I didn't even see him come up, I was too preoccupied jabbing at my lunch; it was supposed to be lasagna, but it looked more like yellow and red slime that anything truly edible. "Hey, Douglas," Ponyboy said quietly, dropping his meal tray down on the table and sitting down. His hair seemed redder than usual, maybe 'cause it'd been stormy all week and the sun bleach was wearing off.
"Hey, Ponyboy! What's up? What're you doing over here?" I replied quickly, perhaps a bit too much excitement in my voice, but I couldn't help it. I was kind of an outcast at school, and kind of companionship was good in my book.
"Oh, um," Pony began, chewing lightly on his lower lip. "I didn't really have anybody else to sit with, ya know? Two-Bit is out takin' care of his mom an' sister, and Curly ain't here for whatever reason. 'Sides you said you wanted us to "spend time" together, right? I didn't think you'd mind all that much." My eyes traced Pony as he spoke, I took note of how he looked that day. I'm not sure why, but something about it got my stomach full something awful of butterflies. He had on a light blue muscle shirt and worn-in, baggy blue jeans. His hair was greased like usual, but not quite as much as normal— maybe he ran out of grease or something like that. Anyways, his hair was pushed to the side, bangs dangling a little bit in front of his forehead. His cheeks were all flushed red, probably 'cause he was feelin' shy an' awkward about sitting with me instead of his pals. A thick denim jacket was in his lap, with a beat up book on top of it.
"It's nice to see you, Pony," I said with a quick smile. "So, Curtis, ain't you got any other friends besides that Two-Kid and Curly?" Ponyboy looked away from me as I spoke, eyes directed toward his laps something was up with him, I just didn't know what.
"Maybe I just wanted a change in scenery, Bryon," The littlest Curtis bit back sharply. "You know," he continued. "I thought you were tryin' to be all friendly with me now, ain't you? Since Mark is gone an' nobody else wants ta talk to ya." I supposed Ponyboy's bark has always been worse than his bite, but I can't lie and say that didn't sting at least a bit.
I shot a look at Pony and he looked away as soon as our eyes met— I assumed it was due to guilt. "Well, Pony," I said in a raised voice. "I ain't some kind o' loser ya know? Don't make me regret talkin' ta ya, Kid."
Ponybody sighed deeply, tugging on his jacket. "I'm thinking 'bout skipping the rest of the day. You wanna come? I ain't really feeling the whole 'school' thing today." Curtis ran a hand through his hair and stood up from the table. I nodded, following him. I abandon my backpack on the seat and trotted after Pony as he walked away.
Ponyboy and I snuck out of the school rather easily. Nobody really gives a shit where a couple greasers got to go. If anything, the school's happy to get them out of their hair.
"Where we headed Curtis?" I asked, a cigaarette hanging from my lips. My hands were stuffed in my jeans pockets and my head was pointed toward the younger boy walking aside me. I studied his face for a few moments. I noticed scars I never saw before. There was one a bit under his chin on his neck, and a few others on various parts of his face. Who was I to judge though? I'm sure I had scars too from various walks of life.
He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. "Golly, I don't know, Bryon." Ponyboy sighed, leaning his head back. "Can I have a smoke?" I quirked an eyebrow, and Pony must've known exactly what I was thinking because a few moments later he mumbled "I know I said I'm trying to quit, but I really need it today."
"Here," I muttered, handed him a weed. He smiled gently at me, and in that moment I felt that he and I were truly becoming friend. "So what's up Ponyboy? Why're you in such a mood today?" I knew I was prying where I probably shouldn't, but in the moment I didn't really care all that much.
The breeze picked up and the rain kept on drizzling. The sound of raindrops slapping onto everything around us filled the silence that Ponyboy refused to fill with his answer. We walked together in near silence for probably five minutes before Pony finally replied. "I'm just not in a good mood, Douglas. I ain't really sure what to say about why. I've been arguing a whole lot with Darry lately. We ain't got any money right now, I don't know why, we just don't. An' it seems like Darry blames me for it. I bet he wishes I would just drop out and get a job, but I can't do that. You dig?" I nodded, and Ponyboy continued. "Even Soda seems more unhappy lately. I'm not sure if it's because of me, or 'cause of something else, but somethin' has him all frazzled all the time." Pony took a deep, shaky breath before soaking once more. "I just want everyone to be happy! But they ain't happy. Sure Soda's all smiles in public, but once he gets home he just stares off at nothin' and acts all dead. I hate it. I wish things couldn't go back to the way they were before," Pony paused, and I noticed tears dripping down his cheeks as he shook violently. "I just want things to go back to how they were. I hate this. Half of everyone I cared about is dead and now the other half is miserable! I don't know what to do."
Right there, in the rain, I watched Ponyboy break down and cry beside me on the sidewalk. He rubbed his eyes aggressively with the back of his hand, and sniffled loudly, almost like a little kid. I sighed, wrapping my arms around him slowly.
"It's okay, Ponyboy. It's okay." I whispered against Pony's head as he sobbed against me.
Pony let out an extra heavy sob, and as if on cue the rain picked up and began pouring down on us. It seemed fitting, at least I thought so. But what would I know? Last month I had also thought Ponyboy had the perfect life. I guess that's just how things are.