Beating The Odds
Chapter One

A/N: Basically, this is about what would happen
if Two-Bit and Marcia had actually started dating.
...If he hadn't thrown her number away.

Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one, except Marcia's
parents, but they don't come in until later on.

--

Staring at the number in his hand, Two-Bit Matthews was barely aware that Johnny and Ponyboy were walking right beside him, talking about the movie and the two girls that they had 'picked up.' Two-Bit smiled to himself, getting lost once again in thoughts of Marcia. Sure, she wasn't blonde, but she had a good sense of humor and all in all seemed like a pretty nice girl. Of course, Two-Bit hadn't dated many nice girls before. Most greser girls were, well... like Sylvia. They wore too much makeup and too little clothing.

"Hey Two-Bit," Ponyboy said suddenly. "You and Marcia seemed to have really hit it off back there. Too bad you probably won't see-"

"As a matter of fact," Two-Bit said, grinning at his friend and waving the little peice of paper in his face. "I've got her number." Of course, it was probably a phony. As in, it wasn't her real number. But it wouldn't hurt to try, would it? If he did, and found out it was really her number, it would sure as hell be worth it. Marcia was someone he wanted to get to know.

"I thought you only picked up blondes," Johnny joked, grinning at him. "She's a brunette, Two-Bit."

"Ah, but she has a great sense of humor. I like that in a girl."

Ponyboy, like Johnny and Two-Bit, was grinning as well, but not for the same reason. He was thinking of Cherry Valance. She was pretty brilliant too. Why couldn't they talk about her for a change? She was beautiful, after all. But hell, she'd never go for him. Just like Marcia would probably never go for Two-Bit. He was a greaser that lived in a poor community, in a shabby house and she was a soc that lived in a community full of money, mustangs and madras. Two-Bit stole because he didn't have the money to just buy whatever he wanted. Marcia could just ask her parents for money, and they'd probably give it to her. Because they could afford to.

"You actually think Marcia's gonna go out with you?" Ponyboy asked absentmindedly, his thoughts still on Cherry.

Two-Bit, full of pride, figured she would. After all, she seemed to be pretty into him at the movies. And sure, she was a soc, but they could beat the odds, couldn't they?

"Doesn't she have a boyfriend?" Johnny asked, as if he had just realized this. He probably had. "Andy or something?"

"Randy," Ponyboy corrected him.

Johnny nodded. "Randy."

This question had Two-Bit stumped. If she did have a boyfriend, she would obviously decline his invitation to go out. Soc boys got so jealous when it came to their girlfriends. But then again, greasers did too. He supposed that it was kind of like human nature. It was natural to be jealous when other guys were chatting with, picking up, or hanging out with your girlfriend. And it was certainly natural to get angry or jealous when another guy was on a date with your girlfriend.

Once he stepped into his house about two minutes later, Two-Bit decided he would ask her to hang out tomorrow (not go on a date). Then he picked up the phone and began dialing her number.

When someone on the other line picked up, he was pleased to hear Marcia's voice, and not one of her parents'.

"Hello?" she asked casually.

"Hey Marcia, it's Two-Bit."

At this, she giggled. She seemed to do that a lot, he noticed.

"Oh. Hi Two-bit. I was wondering if you were going to call."

After she said this, he could faintly hear someone calling to her in the background.

'Who's Two-Bit?'

"Randy," she said, sounding flustered. "Two-Bit is a friend of mine. Don't get all worked up over nothing."

Before she could continue her conversation with Randy, Two-Bit cut in.

"I was wondering if you'd like to hang out tomorrow. You know, because I'm a friend of yours."

He grinned, and was pretty sure she was grinning too.

"Sure I would," she said, sounding pretty enthusiastic. This led Two-Bit to thinking that she was actually thrilled to be going- er, hanging out with him. Of course, if she told Randy...

"Alright. Don't tell anyone, okay? I want it to be just us."

At that, he could have slapped himself. He was making it seem like a date now.

"I mean... I want to get to know you more. Because you're my friend."

"Right," Marcia confirmed. "You're my friend."

But Two-Bit wished they could be so much more. Why hadn't he just asked her out on a date? He could have forcefully demanded that Marcia rid herself of Randy and go out with him instead. But she didn't know the tough, demanding side of him, and he didn't think he was quite ready to show her just yet.

"Yeah. We'll meet at The Dingo and have lunch there, then we'll go hunt some action, okay?"

There was a slight pause. She was probably thinking about what kind of action they'd be hunting.

"A movie or something," he quickly added.

Marcia giggled on the other line once again before replying.

"Sure Two-Bit. But before you hang up, can I ask you a question."

"Anything."

"Is your real name Two-Bit?"

Two-Bit grinned.

"Naw baby, it's Keith. Keith Matthews."