Headed Back to the Past [discontinued]

Ch 17 || I'm Alive

Tays P.O.V

"I guess well find out" I finished my beer and threw it in the trash can "I'm uh going to go to bed, ill be gone by morning."

"Wait-what?" Ponyboy said, grabbing my wrists and stopping me from leaving the room "Are ya leaving Tulsa? just like that?" I shooked my head

"I dunno, I can't go back to new york anytime soon, and I need to figure out a living situation" I explained, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Why can't you just live with us, like you where doing 'fore?" Ponyboy asked in genuine confusion; I bit my lip

"Because almost got you guys killed, and now started a fucking gang war." I sighed realising I made no sense whatsoever "I don't know, guess I just figured that I caused too much trouble for one to handle,"

"Yeah, but ya saved our lives, and those kids live too. I mean you were willing to give up your own life for a bunch of Children and two guys you met two weeks ago" Ponyboy said, Two weeks? Is it only been two weeks? it feels like a lifetime "You should get some rest" he said, I chuckled

"You should too" I playfully pushed his chest, and he blushed.

"Will you at least stay for breakfast?" he asked, I smiled and nodded "Then yes, I will get some sleep" I laughed at his remark and made my way back up to the attic it looked the same as when I left it, the bed made the book still opened to the same page I left it, the window open just a smidge letting the freezing air in. The only difference was that my skateboard was propped up next to the trapdoor, I had left it at Dallys, and I figured someone brought it back, maybe they did want me to stay. I grabbed some pyjamas and took a quick shower washing all the blood and dirt off, before snuggling into the bed, I had forgotten how good it felt to not sleep on a wooden bench or a stone floor with the rats and ants. I woke up early and pulled on some new jeans, a button-up t-shirt and a leather jacket along with my converse that is somehow not falling apart.

The rest of the house was still asleep except for Ponyboy who was grabbing eggs out of the icebox; I sat on the counter when he saw me his eyes lit up "you stayed" he said I laughed then shrugged.

"Well, I like to keep my promises," I said, and he laughed "Did you keep your promise?" I asked, and he shrugged

"As much I could manage," he said, and I cocked an eyebrow like two-bit, he sighed "I get these nightmares about my parents I think they're about my parents. I mean-their the kinds of nightmares where you wake up screaming or in a cold sweat, and you don't remember anythin' about them. I used to get 'em every night, that's when soda started sleepin' with me because he an' Darry got real worried about me" he went on. I gave a small smile and nodded.

"Tay?" I heard a voice from behind me, and I spun around to see Johnny standing in the doorway, his face etched with complete and utter shock "You're here?"

"In the flesh," I said, raising my arms "The, not-burnt flesh that is" I joked, but he just looked concerned and embarrassed. I laughed; I always do that when things get awkward. I hopped off the counter and looked into the cupboards for some aspirin, "Ponyboy, wheres your aspirin?" I asked

"It's in the bathroom medicine cabinet," he said pointing down the hall, I groaned, my head felt like it was slowly being split in two, I slowly walked into the bathroom and swallowed three pills. I went to my bedroom, grabbed my skateboard and went back into the kitchen.

"I'm out," I said walking to the door Ponyboy looked at me I scoffed "I have errands, I'm not leaving, not yet," I said and opened the door just as Steve and Two-bit walked in "Hey steve, two-bit," I said then walked out the door heading to the hospital, I walked up the front desk.