Growing Up

The World's Curve Ball

~Previously~

     "I guess there's going to be a little more drama, again." He mumbled loud enough to hear. The staff and students in the office were now all looking at Pony, pity evident on their faces. Without another word exchanged, Pony walked out of the office and towards his final class of the day with his bag slung over his shoulder, Chemistry was the final class. Little did they all know, life would have more drama than intended.

~Now~

     The final bell rang, signaling the end of another long and meaningless school day and the start of another weekend, yet this one wouldn't be filled with joy and relaxation like everyone had hoped. Ponyboy swiftly gathered his things and darted to his locker, dropping off the books he didn't need for homework before walking to the daycare.

     When he got there, he saw parents picking up their kids and occasionally giving him quizzical looks, he walked towards a wall and leaned against it, ignoring the looks the others gave him time to time. Pony knew it wasn't everyday you see someone his age picking up a kid. He scanned the room and saw Juli playing with a few kids, he whistled to grab her attention and signaling they had to leave. Juli looked around for a moment before she spotted him and smiled wide as she stood up.

     "Uncle Pony!" She exclaimed, running towards him at full speed, her long curly hair flew behind her, she giggled as Pony spun her around in her arms. He set her back down and waved to the employees before Pony grabbed Juli's hand and walked up to Pony's semi-used car. When they got to his car he made sure she was strapped into her car seat and shut the door, walking around the car and getting in the driver's seat.

     "How was your day?" He asked. He glanced into the rear view mirror, occasionally watching Juli as he backed out of the parking space. Juli had a wide smile on her face, her blue eyes filled with joy and excitement as her dark curls bounced along with her in her seat.

     "It was gweat! I even made a new fwiend!" She said, her tone happy and exited. Pony chuckled at her level of energy, he could remember a time when he was like that.

"That's great, Juls." He watched Juli in the mirror, Pony saw her looking out of the window confused before looking up at him. Her face was riddled with confusion.

     "This isn't the way home." Juli stated. Pony sighed softly, knowing he'd have to tell her some point, though he didn't want to. But he knew he had to. His voice was soft rather than cold.

     "Listen, Juli. Johnny's not felling good right now. He called uncle Dally and he took Johnny to the hospital, he's sick and when we get there he'll be asking for you, so we're going to the hospital to see him and make sure he's alright before I take you home." Now they were at a red light, he looked in the mirror to see Juli silently crying from worry and Darry's truck behind him. He heard Juli sniffle once more and shook his head. He hated to see any of the Cade's cry. They didn't deserve it, they deserved all of the joy and happiness the world could answer. Their parents were the ones to deserve nothing but dread.

     "It'll be okay, Juli, alright. Don't worry, it'll turn out okay.....do you remember what Johnny told you when those kids were teasing you a few weeks ago?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the road. The tuff voice he used on the streets was long gone and replaced with a soft tone anyone would speak to a 2 year old with.

     "Ya...he said Cade's always get thwough hawd times. He said we stwong people." The memory of her brother played in her mind like a movie. That was a memory to always hold onto.

      Juli was crying because kids, who were years older than her, were screaming she was a mistake and no one wanted her due to the old rumors they had heard from even older teenagers. When Johnny chased them off she was in hysterics for almost an hour, almost unable to stop. It took a long time to calm her down, but those words stuck with Juli. She treasured those type of memories.

     Pony nodded at her. "That's right. Cade's are strong people and they do get through the hard times. Just don't loose faith in things, you have to stay gold, Juli." He said. Ponyboy pulled into a parking space once they arrived, watching as Darry's truck parked right next to his. He got out and walked to Juli's side in the backseat and undid the seatbelt. Once Juli was out she grabbed Pony's hand and looked up at Darry, he seemed like a giant to her. Darry walked up to them with concern in his eyes.

"You hear the news bout Johnny?" The ice in his voice was replaced with worry. Juli tuned out the conversation the two brothers were having and looked at her surroundings curiously. She saw a man and a woman talking and pointing at her, she realized they looked an awful lot like Johnny and herself. She tugged at the bottom Pony's shirt, grabbing his and Darry's attention.

     "What's up, Juls?" Pony asked, looking down at her.

"Fiwst, youw convewsation is getting vewy bowing. And second, who awe those people ovew thewe?" She pointed to the mysterious people, now very curious as to who they were. The two brothers followed Juli's finger and met eyes with the parents of Johnny. The brothers' eyes widened, Ponyboy quickly picked up Juli and rested her on his hip, a firm grip on her as if she would fall out of his grip if he held her any looser.

     "Juli, listen to me when I say this." Darry spoke, his voice was tough and scary at first but softened toward the end. She looked up at him wide eyed. She never heard Darry talk like that too often.

"Those people are very bad, bad people. They're Johnny's parents, that lady is your mother. You never go with them, ever, they hurt Johnny for a long time and they'll do the same to you." His words made Juli's eyes widen in realization and horror.

     Johnny had told her about them before, and from that day on she feared them, she feared what they could, would and have done to her brother and feared what they would do to her if they ever did get a hold of her. Yet, she also hated them, she hated them for hurting her big brother, she hated them for leaving her and Johnny. She hated them with a burning passion. She hated them so much words can never describe it.

     The three quickly made their way through the parking lot past Johnny's parents and walked into the waiting room where they saw Dallas pacing in front of his chair. They met at the seat where Dallas was once sitting at and started up conversation.

"Is anyone else here?" Pony asked, he didn't pay attention to any of the other cars when he arrived. Dallas shook his head.

     "Nah, you guys're the first ones 'ere." He said, his New York accent thickened from nervousness. The four of them sat in the uncomfortable cushioned chairs and waited impatiently. Each second seemed like years to them. Not long after Soda, Steve and Two-Bit arrived, each one of them in a work uniform of some kind. They sat in silence and waited as the second seemed like hours upon hours.

     A door was heard being opened followed by high heels clicking on the tile floor. A women, no less than 5'3 with short faun hair and welcoming black eyes walked up to the 6.

"Family of Johnny Cade?" Her angelic voice sang. The 5 boys stood as Juli stayed in her seat watching curiously.

"How is he?" Darry asked. Their eyes widened at her words.

"Well..."

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Ahhhhh! I'm so sorry for two reasons 1) the cliffhanger and 2) the wait
Like omg I didn't know how I got so busy with school and all! Again I'm so sorry. I really hope you enjoy the little bit I made.
~Kyli