Family Is Found (Sequel to Running Towards Home)

CHAPTER 9

SAM'S POV:

The gang acted weirdly around me for about a week. It sucked. They treated me like I was fragile, like I would break at any moment. But soon enough everything started to return to normal. They kept a closer eye on me, and made sure to check in on me whenever I was feeling down, but other than that they treated me just like before. It was nice.

I woke up today not feeling great. I have monster cramps. It must be that time of the month again. I was just laying there on the couch when someone started shaking me. "Wakey wakey, beer and cakey," Two-Bit said, jumping on top of me. "I don't think that's the saying," I wheeze out. Two-Bit gets off of me, and I sit up. "I like my saying better!" Two says. I roll my eyes at him, but I can't help a little smile from escaping.

"Two, when I said wake her up, I didn't mean try to crush her." Darry says. I guess everyone is already up. Darry was already putting food on the table. Soda came running down, frantic. "Darry, where's my DX shirt? I can't find it anywhere!" he yelled.

"It's in your hand, Soda." Darry said. Soda looked down, saw it in his hand, and put it on. "It's backwards, Soda." Pony says from the kitchen table. Soda pulls his arms in and tries to maneuver the shirt the right way. "Darry, I'm stuck," Soda whines. Darry sighs and comes over.

"What are you, three? Just put your arms through the arm holes." Darry says, and helps Soda get his shirt on the right way. Soda grabs a piece of toast and runs out the door, slipping on his shoes as he runs. "Bye!" He shouts back at us, and we all shout our goodbyes as he leaves.

"Why was he in a rush?" I ask. "It's saturday. I thought he had the day off." Just then, Johnny walks in. "Morning Johnny." Pony says. "Soda has to work today, to answer your question, Sam. Foods on the table, everyone." Darry says. We all go and sit down around the table. Everyone grabs food, but I only eat half a slice of toast. Pony notices.

"Sam, why aren't you eating?" Pony asks, and he feels my forehead. "I'm fine, I just have cramps." I explain. The boy's eyes widened. They've seen me on my period before. Not a fun time. I get angry pretty fast, and no one wants to be on the receiving end of that anger. The last time that happened, I gave Steve a black eye.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you guys. Arlene and I are going to the DQ for lunch if you guys want to join us." I say. "I'll come with you guys." Johnny says, and Pony agrees. We hang around the house for a couple more hours, watching Mickey mouse. I change into a pair of comfy jeans, a white shirt, and my favorite jean jacket. We say goodbye to Darry, who has the day off, and head over to the Dairy Queen.

We're almost there when a mustang pulls up, and a soc sticks his head out. "Dirty greasers!" He mocks us. I punch him square in the nose. He groans, and does the smart thing by driving away. Pony high fives me. "That was awesome." he says. I grin at him.

We finally get to the DQ and go inside. Arlene already grabbed us a booth. We order a few milkshakes and sit down. "Sam punched a guy on the way here." Pony blurts out. "That sounds about right." Arlene chuckles. I'm sitting on one side of the booth with Pony, and she's sitting opposite us with Johnny. "So, what are you going to do for your birthday, Sam? It's in two days." She asks. I pale. "Arlene, I told you not to tell anyone!" I whisper scream at her. "I'm not letting you hide your birthday! You are getting a party!" She whisper screams back.

"Why didn't you tell me your birthday was coming up?" Pony asks me, giving me a pouty face. "Because I knew you guys would all go crazy with it. I don't want anything for my birthday, not a party or nothing." I say.

"Well, now that we know, the gang is going to know, and they are going to throw you a party no matter what you say." Johnny tells me. He takes a loud slurp of his milkshake. "C'mon guys, don't tell them, please? I don't want anything." I say. "We'll think about it." Pony says, and he kisses me on the cheek.

I shoot Arlene a glare over the table, but she just smiles at me. She knows full well what she just unleashed. "I will get my revenge, Arlene." I say, and she laughs. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm not letting my best friend get away with not having a party."

"Hey, I thought I was your best friend!" Johnny says. "Aw Johnny, don't be mad. You're my best friend too." Arlene laughs, kissing him. I make a face. "Get a room, you two!" I say. "Oh, it's not like you two haven't kissed before." Arlene says. I roll my eyes at her, but smile anyway. Pony squeezes my hand. I smile at him.

"Look. Let me take you out shopping on your birthday and we won't do anything else." Arlene says. She knows I hate shopping. "Fine. But only if you guys promise not to do anything." I say. Arlene high fives me. "This is going to be so fun!"