Stand Up


Something was odd. Very odd. Ponyboy's been getting picked on by the same Socs for a week now.
And the gang is enraged.

"Why can't those Socs pick on their own kind!?" Two-Bit exclaimed. "Those Socs don't know what's comin' to 'em." Dally muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Ain't no Socs gonna lay a hand on my kid brother!" Sodapop hollered out the window. Ponyboy covered his face. Even Johnny was raged. "Why can't they leave him alone? Pony ain't done nothin' to 'em." "I'll beat their heads in if they even try to bother him again!" Steve yelled. Darry took a different approach. He wanted Ponyboy to stand up for himself, not others standing up for him. "Ponyboy, use your head! I know you can! Stand up for yourself, don't let those Socs just throw you around!" Ponyboy wanted the Socs to throw him around. Thanks to the "peptalk" about how worthless he was. Unfortunately, he believed what they said. "Sorry." Ponyboy muttered, getting up to go to his room. His fists clenched. "I'll try better." He stalked to the bedroom and slammed the room. Why does Darry think he has the right to control him? He can do whatever he wants! Nothing he does is good enough! When he gets a B, Darry wants an A, when he's reading he should be playing football, the list goes on. He can't take it anymore. With fury his fist made a hole in the wall. He curled himself into a ball and quietly cried. Those Socs, they do horrible things to him. It's like they schedule a beating for him every day. And he's had enough. Darry entered the room and looked at the wall. He looked concerned, yet a hint of amusement was in his eyes. "Nice hole in the wall." Darry commented. Ponyboy kept his head down, but muffled a "Thanks." Darry walked over to where the hole was and inspected it. "Why'd you do it?" Ponyboy didn't answer. Darry sighed, and sat down next to Ponyboy. "Look at me." He didn't. He didn't wasn't his oldest brother to see him cry. That's pathetic. Darry lifted Ponyboy's ching so he couldn't avoid Darry's pale blue green eyes. "Ponyboy, I'm only worried for you. Those Socs, they have to stop, and they won't. It... scares me, the thought of losing you Little Colt, and it scares all of us. You have to stand up for yourself. You have to be strong." Tears were in Ponyboy's eyes again. "I-I can't." "Why?" Enraged, again, Ponyboy punched the wall, the opposite side of the room. Another hole in the wall. "I'm fine!" He snapped. Darry stood up, grabbing Ponyboy's hand, restraining him from doing anymore damage. I can't take it no more! They beat me every day! They tell me y'all hate me, and you're gonna send me away. They call me worthless, and weak! I know all of it's true, so why bother!?" The door was open by now, everyone saw the whole thing. Ponyboy sighed as he sat on the floor, his head in his hands. "You're not alone."

What?

He looked up. "Ponyboy, you got us. You don't have to act tough. We know you're tough. And don't ever think what those Socs said are true. Because they're not. Not even close." Ponyboy looked up at his family, his green eyes glassy and red from tears. He smiled. He knew now, he could fight back, he could stand up to them. And he is not alone.

He never was

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