Unexpected

Chapter 4

Pony's POV

     I woke up rather early in the morning. The sun was just barely showing over the horizon, leaving the sky a pale night blue. The trees were still only silhouettes, dark and tall, their shadows blending with their trunks, and the room was still rather dark. Soda was still asleep, so I had to get up as carefully as I possibly could. His day off was today, and I didn't want to wake him. After I had successfully gotten out of bed without waking Soda, I quietly got dressed and slunk out into the living room.
     Darry was sitting in his chair, reading his newspaper like always. I was trying to be quiet while I headed to the kitchen, but I wasn't really watching my step, which resulted in me tripping on one of Two's many beer bottles. I fell forward, only for a pair of strong hands to catch me by the shoulders. I looked over to see Darry. He didn't look angry at me, which he hadn't been lately. His facial expression was unusually soft, and he was gentle when he pulled me back so I was standing upright. Either Soda telling us that he didn't like us fighting was going to his head, or he was just trying to be a better brother. I couldn't tell which.
     "Careful Ponyboy. You almost fell flat on your face," he told me, leaning down to pick up the bottle. Once it was in his hand, he threw it away.
     I was too shocked that I wasn't getting yelled at for being up this early to answer him fully. I just nodded quickly, going into the kitchen and taking out the eggs.
     While the egg was cooking on the pan, I turned and looked at Darry. "Hey Dar?" I asked, trying to keep my voice down.
     He turned his attention back to me. "What is it Pone?
     "It alright if I go visit Johnny later? Dal had to take off for the rodeo, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind some company." Dally was really protective of Johnny. Whenever anyone wanted to visit, he'd check their intentions at least three times before hand, and you were only allowed in for ten minutes. When he was gone though, you could go in for however long you wanted to, and you wouldn't get beat for it unless Johnny said something about it.
     Darry nodded and said, "Just make sure you're back by dinner. Soda's cooking tonight and he'd be very disappointed if you missed one of his colorful creations he calls food."
     I laughed a bit, then flipped the egg. While I let the other side cook, I took out the bacon and started that too. After a long while of cooking bacon and multiply eggs, I got what would be enough for everyone plated an set at the table. Soda got up just as I'd finished, so the three of us got to eat together in silence. It was a nice silence too. Not one of those awkward silences where someone has something to say, but the dont know how to say it, or they just won't.
     Not long after we'd started eating, Steve and Two-Bit came in and sat down with us. It was silent for a while, but then Two and Steve both told us something shocking. Apparently Steve and Evie had broken up, and not because Evie was cheating, but because she thought that they were drifting. As for Two-Bit, he had somehow scored himself a date with Cherry Valance's friend Marcia. I can't say that I was surprised, but I was shocked however, about the fact that she and Randy had broken up. I was also somewhat worried, because if Randy found out, he could start a rumble about it.
     After hearing what Two had to say, Darry took him outside, more then likely to lecture him. After all, this was serious. A possible rumble was no joke. It was real and it was harmful. Especially when a girl was on the line. Us greasers treat the girls we're dating like treasure. If they get stolen, we're damn near ready to kill to keep them back. With Soc's though, their girls can get treated like objects, or they can get treated like diamonds. I don't know what side Marcia was on, and I'm sure Two doesn't know yet either, but it won't matter. If Randy finds out that a greaser got his girl, all hell will break loose. A rumble would start, and Randy would be facing against Two-Bit, more then likely until the other gets knocked out, or a bone gets broken.
     I finished my food quickly, then after I washed my plate, I slipped my shoes on and ran out the door. I needed to go tell Johnny the news. It was important. He needed to know. If he didn't, he'd find out after the rumble, and we'd all get yelled at. A lot.