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With a tinge of nostalgia, the green leaves turned brown. They fell gracefully, their adventure ending in a small pile in the backyard of the Curtis house. Darry sat inside the house, fully taking in the beauty of the fall, and watching as every leaf fell. However, the illusion of calm didn't last, especially with Two-Bit and Steve barging into the house. Darry instantly noticed the scent of alcohol smothered on them.
“What's the matter with y'all?” Darry asked, watching as Steve stumbled his way to the couch. Two-Bit swayed lightly, giggling as he flimsily followed Steve. Knowing that he wasn't going to get any answers, Darry grabbed some water and practically shoved it down Steve and Two-Bit's throats. After a bit Two-Bit rejected the water, leaving Steve to be the only one to almost “sober” up.
“We made a few bets on a drinking contest and well…” Steve laughed drunkenly. Darry just looked at them angrily before sighing. “I have some money left. I can go to the store if ya need anythin’,” Steve offered. Darry looked at the icebox, a small list already forming in his head.
“Actually yes,” Darry sighed and looked into the fridge, “Pony and Soda need more chocolate milk and some juice.” Steve stood up unsteadily and walked to the door. Two-Bit followed, giggling slightly and joking about nonsense. Steve ignored him and gradually walked out of the house and to the store. When they got to the store, they got the chocolate milk.
“We should get some beers while we’re at it. The juice is right next to them anyways,” Two-Bit said as he wandered to the beer aisle and grabbed a pack and some juice. Steve didn't say anything as he looked for something for himself. It wasn't until a bit later he realized Two-Bit was already at the register.
“This all?” The cashier asked, looking at the array of items. Steve nodded, pulling out some money and paying for the items. The cashier packed the juice, beer, and chocolate milk into the bags and Steve carried them as Two-Bit walked sluggishly next to him.
“Hand me one-” Two-Bit motioned to one of the bags, “-I needa pick-me-up.”
Steve shook his head, “Wait till we get back Two, you’re about to bump into someone.” Almost as if he predicted it, Two-Bit swerved away from someone trying to walk down the street. He mumbled calling Steve a “party-pooper.”
By the time they returned from the store; Darry was making dinner. Two-Bit and Steve put away the items, with Two-Bit mainly drinking rather than putting them away.
“Hey, so when’s the kid coming back?” Two-Bit asked Darry as he finished putting the juice into the fridge. Darry looked at the time, “He’s in the lot with Johnny, they’ll both be back before dinner.”
Two-Bit nodded, deciding that there was nothing else to do other than drink.
“Do yer kidneys ever hurt?” Steve asked, looking at the second bottle Two-Bit popped open.
“I thought it was my liver or somethin’,” Two-Bit responded. Steve rolled his eyes as Darry put some chicken into the oven. Two-Bit turned on the TV, looking at nearly every channel.
“Lookin’ for Mickey?” Steve asked.
“What else would I be lookin’ for?” Two-Bit slurred as he settled for a random show. There was no Mickey on, but he couldn't admit that he was looking forward to watching Mickey.
It wasn't long before the door slammed and Ponyboy was walking in. He quickly moved to the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of juice and chugging it down. His nose scrunched at the aftertaste, but he was thirsty, so he disregarded it.
Pony was the only one who drank the juice; Johnny opted for drinking out of the hose outside. After drinking about a quarter of the juice Pony plopped down on the couch with Johnny. His mouth felt disgusting but trying to forget about it he paid attention to Two-Bits talking.
“And that’s how I won the drinking competition-“
“You hardly won!” Steve shot back.
“I won because you’re a lightweight!” Two-Bit laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. Pony couldn’t help but laugh too. He felt weird but most of all he felt like he was light. He shakily stood up, excusing himself to the bathroom.
-Queue Ponyboy crying-
There wasn't a reason for his tears, but it felt nearly impossible to stop. It was almost as if everything was hitting him, over and over again. His parents, Darry getting custody, and having to keep everything up. Ponyboy sobbed and tried to curl up into a ball. His body moved slower than his mind wanted it to. Almost as if he was delayed and unable to move in time. Somehow, it only added to his tears.
Soon there was some banging on the door, it was Dally. “Are you in there Pone? Hurry up dinners ready and I’m going to eat your share.” Ponyboy tried to get up but the whole world shook. He clutched his mouth and held onto his stomach before reeling to the toilet.
Almost instantly he threw up anything he could. Everything that was in his body seemed to force itself out in a matter of seconds. The door quietly clicked open and Ponyboy knew that Dally had come in.
“Glory kid- ya look like hell,” Dally said. Ponyboy tried muttering something but kept his head in the toilet bowl. A moment later, Darry walked in.
“Ugh, it smells like… ALCOHOL?” Darry yelled at Ponyboy. Ponyboy flinched.
“I didn’t drink!” Ponyboy tried to reason but his words were slurred. For a moment he didn't know if he had even yelled with how skewed his words had sounded. He tried to stand up, finding that his body was still slower than he wanted it to be.
“Save the yellin’ for later, he needs some water,” Dally said to Darry. Darry nodded, walking over to help Ponyboy up. Ponyboy stumbled slightly as he tried to follow Darry.
“Glory what happened?” Steve asked as Darry nearly carried Ponyboy to the couch.
“Ponys drunk?” Two-Bit slurred, cocking an eyebrow up as he looked at Ponyboy.
“I- I’m not d…drunk!” Ponyboy slurred, hiccuping right after. His head felt like it was spinning, he wanted to cry and just laugh at the same time. It didnt help that his head remembered the thoughts about his parents. Pushing the thoughts down, Ponyboy took the cup of water given to him by Dally.
Darry looked pissed, but everyone else looked concerned, and now Sodapop looked confused.
“What happened?” Sodapop asked as he walked into the house. He looked around, finding Ponyboy gently drinking water on the couch. But that wasnt the weird part. The weird part was Darry looking angry at Ponyboy drinking water.
“Pony got buzzed up,” Two-Bit joked. Sodapop cocked his eyebrow up, noticing the irony in Two-Bit also being drunk.
“It'sn't true!” Pony yelled, but his words were badly slurred. Sodapop walked over to the fridge, opened it, and drank some of the juice. Almost instantly, he spat it out.
“What the- is this alcohol?” Sodapop asked. The room went silent as it clicked for everyone.
“If thats alcohol… then Pony, how much did ya drink?” Darry questioned, his eyes going to the carton of juice back to Ponyboy.
Pony pointed at the bottle and said something incoherent. “Glory Pony! That’s almost half of this! And the serving size is…” Soda stopped. His eyes widened as he looked at the bottle.
“What is it?” Darry asked before going over and looking at the label. “Oh, glory.” The juice was hard liquor which meant Ponyboy had about 4x more than what any adult should have.
Silence stifled the room and Ponyboy looked at Darry who was looking at Two-Bit. Two-Bit looked scared for his life and tried to leave. “I gotta go somewhere!” It was his excuse but he was promptly dragged back.
Sodapop helped Ponyboy to their room, coaxing him into the bed. Ponyboy lay down, his eyes glossy. “Am I gonna g-get in trouble?” Ponyboy slurred quietly.
“No,” Sodapop answered truthfully. He combed Ponyboy's hair back with his fingers gently. “I’ll be back, I gotta have a word with Two-Bit.” Ponyboy nodded softly, his hands rushing to wipe a tear that fell.
Soda left and Dally came in with more water. “It’s going to be way worse in the morning.” That was all he said before he also went to join the yelling. Ponyboy could hear glimpses of the yelling.
“Why would you think there is juice in the beer section?” Darry yelled.
“Steve don’t think you’re innocent! You were sober and didn’t even read the label?” Soda yelled too. However, he seemed more frustrated rather than angry.
Ponyboy sighed, pulling his blankets higher. He tried to ignore the churning in his stomach and closed his eyes. For a moment it worked until he heard someone walking over.
“Johnny?” Ponyboy slurred as he looked over.
“Hey Pony. Ya good? That was a lotta alcohol,” Johnny said as he walked to Ponyboy.
Ponyboy nodded, “Yeah… I threw most of it up. But I dont think I’m ever gonna drink again.” Johnny slightly cringed at how Ponyboy slurred his words. He sat down next to Ponyboy; brushing Ponyboy's hair back slightly.
Ponyboy closed his eyes, and in a quiet voice, said, “I couldn't stop thinking ‘bout my parents…” Johnny froze, his lip slightly quivering.
“Yeah, alcohol gets ya thinkin’ like that.”
“I dont wanna think like that,” Ponyboy slurred, his voice quietly cracking. Johnny continued to brush Ponyboy's hair slightly until he knew Ponyboy had fallen asleep. The moment Ponyboy was asleep, Johnny walked out of the room.
Now it was his turn to be angry at Two-Bit and Steve. Yet when he came into the living room it was silent and Two-Bit and Steve were sitting on the couch with their heads down. Darry and Soda stood over them angrily while Dally laughed in the corner. When Dally saw Johnny he stopped laughing but didn’t stop grinning.
“How’s Ponykid? Is he still buzzed up?” Dally was stifling laughter as Darry turned his attention to Dally.
“He’s fine, said he threw up most of it,” Johnny answered, his eyes darting around. He didnt want to admit what Ponyboy had told him, and he knew his friend wouldnt want him to say it either. The others caught onto Johnnys actions, knowing that Ponyboy probably was a bit better off than what he said.
“I’m sorry!” Two-Bit finally cut in. “I’ll try ta read labels from now on.”
Darry rolled his eyes, but Johnny stifled some laughter. After a moment, Darry excused himself to check on Ponyboy. Sodapop followed, concerned for Ponyboy.
“Hey Pone,” Sodapop greeted as he walked in. Sodapop and Darry noticed how uncomfortable Ponyboy looked as he slept. They walked over and Darry put a hand on Ponyboy's forehead.
Sodapop sat down with Ponyboy, and almost instantly, Ponyboy moved. Ponyboy's eyes fluttered open and he looked at Darry and Sodapop.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” Darry asked.
“I feel like shit,” Ponyboy mumbled. Darry didn't even mind Ponyboy's language.
“Go to sleep, you won’t be going to school tomorrow,” Darry said. Ponyboy nodded slightly, feeling his head hit the pillow right after. Sodapop laid down next to Ponyboy, pulling him into a tight hug. Ponyboy melted into the hug, and the thoughts about his parents seemed to gradually dissipate.
Soon everyone was asleep but woke up, even Pony. He had forgotten he was allowed off from school and started to get ready.
“Hey Ponyboy, why are you up?” Two-Bit had asked. Two-Bit looked worse than Pony, he had a black eye but was still grinning. Ponyboy blinked, confused as to why Two-Bit was asking him. Two-Bit picked up on Ponyboy's confusion.
“Do you not remember? I got socked in the face for accidentally giving you liquor!” Two-Bit feigned hurtfulness but Darry came in.
“Ponyboy you okay?” Darry instantly asked.
Pony tried to nod but that sent a massive headache, making him slightly curl up. Soon he was lifted by Darry and set back in his bed.
“I got the day off. Can’t have Two-Bit babysitting you anymore,” Darry chuckled as Two-Bit yelled something from the kitchen.
Sodapop sat up “I’ll get the day off too-“
“No, ya needa go to work,” Darry shot it down.
“I’ll give Steve my shift,” and before Darry could say anything Soda got up and called his boss.
Darry sighed and looked at Pony. Pony looked out of it still. All Darry knew was that this was going to be a hell of a day.