𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁

c h a p t e r 24

serendipity -
finding something good without looking for it

*ponyboy's pov*
some kids said it was 10 shots, other kids said it was only a few, though it was a total of 7 bullets that rang throughout will rogers high school.

2 of them were to scare kids off, 2 of them killed some soc, and the last three killed bella.

there were no words to describe how any of the gang, and especially myself, felt. tragedy sounded to basic, sad just wasn't enough, horrible just wasn't it.

when i heard of it, i put it all on me. it was my fault. i should have asked her out sooner, i should have told her how i felt when i locked eyes with her, there were so many things i could list off, but it was too late.

but finally after months and months of wanting to almost take my own life, i finally convinced myself it wasn't me, along with the gang's help.

a week later after her death, darry and soda had set up a funeral for her. it was honestly so sadly-beautiful to watch. many greasers had come along, even a few socs popped in.

my cheeks were stained red and my eyes were bloodshot like never before. there was something about that girl that no one could pin-point about her.

she was of course smart, beautiful, funny, caring, loving, but there was something else that no one could put there finger on.

as i sat in my classroom waiting for the principal telling us it was clear to go out, there was a sick feeling in my stomach for some reason. soon as we were let out of our classrooms, i had passed by a body with a white blanket over it and a pool of blood around the body.

i quickly looked away, knowing if i looked any longer i would have puked. all of us sat outside as the sun beamed down on us. suddenly, the principal spoke up to us all.

"as you all know, we had a shooter on campus and sadly," the woman said as she choked on her own words. "we have lost two students." as soon as she said the last words she broke down.

i looked around to see a few other people with their heads hung low. as we sat out in the sun, waiting for our parents or guardians to come pick us up, finally darry had showed up, along with soda which was unusual.

my hands were stuffed in my pockets. as i became closer and closer to them, i could see they weren't their usual selves. i gave them a confused look.

though they didn't say a word and just led me out to darry's truck.