Chapter Text
Ponyboy has always been a kind boy. Always putting himself first, whether it was helping a kid tie their shoes, or giving a stranger directions or making sure someone had a smile on their face. He hated seeing bad things, especially since the Bob incident last year. But now he was fifteen, his curfew was extended by his parents from 9pm to 10:30pm. Which means e could be out later at the movies or the diner without someone from the gang (especially his brothers) hovering down his back if he was just a minute late. A lot had changed, not just the curfew. Johnny moved in with them, he was back sleeping in his own room, Dallas was around more often, he had a part time job at the library. Life was good, and was about to get even better for him...just not anyone else.
"Be safe Pony! And don't do anything stupid!" Ma called out to me as I left the house for work, remembering to grab my raincoat since the news said it would rain. I shoved it into my bag and left. I couldn't respond since I had an apple in my mouth but Ma saw me nod so I knew I wouldn't get told off for "ignoring" her. It was a quiet day, not many cars or people out since it was a Saturday and most had the day off work. Socs had been leaving me alone too, ever since last year. Good, I like being alone sometimes. And my life is way easier without worrying about getting jumped. Sure they still throw things and shout but never come near, especially when I'm with Johnny. Even though he can't do nothing to them since he needs crutches now. But hey, no harm from them.
I'm not sure what possessed me but I decided to take a short cut through the old park. I walked along the path a bit, watching some kids run around or play on the playground as their parents spoke to one another or older siblings watched them from benches. I recognised some kid from my school, a greaser too, eyeing me up and down whilst watching his little sister as I strolled past in my uniform. Not unusual but okay. I soon separated from the busy part of the park and soon emerged out from the shade of the trees to main street, where the library was. I head over to the cross walk, looking both ways before jogging across. Heading up the steps and into the library.
My shift progressed as normal, organising books, checking out people's books, reading in my down time or listening to the gossip the weekly book club meetings talk about. They're mainly a bunch of old ladies, like my neighbour from two doors down Miss Annabeth. She spent her whole life unmarried and adopted kids that needed her love and even baked cookies for my birthday. I wrote an essay about her once for someone I admire. My English teacher said it couldn't be a hero or family, just someone who you thought was interesting.
Anyway, before I knew it, 3pm came and I was off the clock. Gathering my things and stepping out I notice the rain and the storm. Good thing I bought my raincoat. I put it on and head back home, walking down a different way to get home faster but that's when I heard whimpering coming from under a dumpster in an alleyway. Now, a normal person would ignore it but I'm not normal. I turn down the alleyway, listening for the whimpering again when I noticed something furry and small behind a dumpster. I slowly approach it and notice a puppy, hiding in a taco bag. "Oh my god, you're so cute!" I whisper, not wanting to scare it. I crouch down and hold my hand out to it, letting it sniff around. Surprisingly, it walked right over to me, trying to burrow into my raincoat. So naturally I pick it up and take it home.
"Jesus christ, it's really coming down out there." I say, kicking off my shoes as I step through the front door, smelling fresh chocolate cake. "Pone quick! Come get some before Steve shows up!" Johnny laughs from the kitchen as Ma is serving him a slice of cake and getting a plate ready for me. I smile and take off my raincoat. "In a sec Johnny cake." I run down the hallway to the linen closet and grabbed a towel to wrap the puppy in. "Ponyboy Michael, what is in your hands boy?" I freeze turning around to see dad and Darry staring at me. "Uh, a puppy?" I see their eyes widen and Darry tries to not chuckle. "Pony, that's a damn coyote!"