Rowen Curtis

1

AN: The story will told from Rowen's P. O. V. I will let you know when it is somebody else. 

I was walking with Johnny home from school because Pony went to the movies. We didn't have big conversations, just questions here and there. After about 15 minutes we made it to my house and I saw the rest of the gang here except for Pony and Dally; who was locked up. 

I saw Darry doing bills at the table and knew that it was going to stress him out and he will ask Soda for a back massage later. I hate asking for help with homework but it is times like these I feel worse. I sigh and walk to the dinner table and sit in a chair with my back towards the gang.

Darry looks up and me and says, "yes?"

That's when I start crying and look down. He moves closer to me and lifts up my chin asking what is wrong. 

" I hate school. I can't do anything. All of the letters dance and move, and I don't know what I am doing. I hate always asking you for help. I hate asking you because you cook, pay the bills, take care of the three of us making sure we have a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes and many other things. You work 2 jobs and one you do all day and you always are pulling back muscles. Darry you are only 20. I won't want to be another thing on your plate."

"We already know  I am dislexic. I get tested every other week for 2 hours. Nothing has imporoved. I am sick of it and I can do anything. " I said. 

"Hey. Ro, listen to me. I am going to drop anything and everything for you. Okay. Now, get out your homework and see what you have to do" Darry said, giving me a hug. 

I reached down and opened my backpack and pulled out my math book with my assignment in it and my To Kill a Mockingbird book, setting them on the table. As I sat then down there was yelling for Darry and I knew that was Pony. 

The gang took off and I sat in my chair not moving, staring at my math book. 

Pony's P. O. V. 
I

stepped out from the darkness if the movie house and I only had two things on my mind. Paul Newman and a ride home. I was walking home alone and I knew Darry would be mad. I knew I should have brought someone or called someone to pick me up. 

I was walking and was about half way home when a Socs car pulls up beside me. They talking about how "greasees are trash" And I needed a haircut. They speed off and then followed me. I was a block away from home when they got out and tackled me to the ground. 

"Hey greasers. I am going to chop off your hair" The one in the red shirt said. 

"How 'bout we give him a hair cut." The one in a blue shirt said. 
The other two held me down, their knees on my legs and hand holding my arms down. The one in the red shirt pulled is blade out and I started to go wild. It came to me that they could kill me. 

The red shirt Socs sat on my chest and said, "How 'bout here? Or maybe I will start here. " Cutting my throat. 
That is when I started yelling, ' DARRY!!! " "SODA. DARRY!! ANYONE!"

The next thing I know is I hear pairs of footsteps coming my direction and I know it is the gang. The Socs get off me and run to their car. Two-Bit, Steve and Soda are reaching into the cars and hitting them. Johnny is standing a way from this and Dally comes out of nowhere and throws a big stick at their car as they drive away. 

Soda runs back over as Darry is shaking me. "Quite it Darry. "

"Sorry" he replies. He is never sorry. 

"Did they pull a blade on you?" Soda asked. 

"Yeah" I reply 

" Here your bleeding like a stuck pig", handing he is handkerchief. I press it to the cut and like magic, it turned red. 

The gang and I start walking home and Dally asks "how's the kid.?"

"Fine" I say, "what are you doing our of the cooler Dally. Thought you were in 'bout 90 days?"

"I get let out early for food behavior"

"What were you doing walkin' by your lonesome? " Steve asks. 

" None of your business ", I said. 

" It is my business. Look at my nose"

"It's huge".

" Pony boy, you don't ever think. You know I-I-I I wish you would carry a blade or something " Darry said. 

"Yeah and that will give the Socs the opportunity to cut his neck a little more there" Soda said.

"Leave you kid brother alone you hear? It ain't his fault he likes to  go to movies, and it ain't his fault the Socs like to jump us. "

"When I want my kid brother to help me with my other kid brother I'll ask alright- kid brother" Darry said. He walked away mumbling something about movies and books, going inside. At least he is off me. 

"How'd you like me to become your own personal bodyguard? " Two-Bit asked. 

"I don't think it us too hot of an idea. Geez Soda why does he always act like that."
"He just has more worries then he used to and Ro needs academic help, more so than me and she hates asking. She cried earlier. "

"Do any of you want to go see a movie with tomorrow?" Dally asks. 

"Sure me and Johnny will go since it ain't a school night".

" Ponyboy, you have homework to do. Get in here". Darry yelled from inside.

Rowen's P. O. V. 
D

arry came back about 5 minutes ago and started helping me on my math. He was reading everything and was walking me through what needed to do. Pony came walking in the door 5 minutes later after Darry yelled at him to do his homework. 

After 30 minutes we get my math finished and start dinner. The while gang normally stays over and eats, so we have to make a lot. Tonight we are having speggehti.

"After dinner and Soda and Pony do the dishes, how Pony help you with your English. He loves books and stuff, I bet he has already read that book." Darry said.
 
I nod and look down. Darry turns away from the boiling water and hugs me. Saying soothing things to me. Soda must have felt it because he came strolling into the kitchen with his arms opened. I jumped into them, burying my head in his chest, crying. He rubbed my back, calming me down as I cried. 

I calmed down enough to help Darry finish cooking, Soda staying by my side. 10 minutes later dinner was ready and I got my plate and sat down before the gang comes rushing in. I waited for everyone to get food and sit down before I started eating. 
When we were done, we put our plates and forks in the sink for Soda and Pony to wash, dry, and put away. I quietly walk in and standing there. 

"You need something Ro?" Soda asked. 

" Yeah. Pony when you are done can you help me with my English? Darry said you have probably already read the book. "

"Sure. Go to my room and get set up. I'll be there shortly".

I sat in the bed and pulled out the book and questions. 2 minutes later Pony walks in and closes his door. He sees the book on the bed and looks excited. 

" I have read this before. It is one of my favorites. What do you need help with. "

" I need to read the first 2 chapters and answer the questions. It us the whole reading and making sure I am writing everything correctly. Could you read the book please?"

"Sure, I'll read it"

45 minutes later the chapters were read and all but 3 questions were finished. I felt my eyes drooping and I was out. 

Pony's P. O. V. 
N

ikki fell asleep doing homework. I go off the bed carefully and went to go tell Darry. 

" Darry, Nikki fell asleep doing homework. She has three more questions, but I can do them."

"Thank you Pony. Really. You don't know how much that will mean to her". He said carrying her to their room. 

Everyone stayed the night so we all went to bed.