A/N: Sequel to Dally's Change in Heart. Rowan and the rest of the gang are back! I loved writing that first story, and I hope you all check out my other ones! I was thinking about switching the point of view of multiple characters throughout the whole story. I hope you enjoy One by One.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders, because if I did I would tell more about Sandy x Soda! I only own Rowan.
Ponyboy's POV
"There were seven of them!" Rowan Bishop told me and the gang as Steve Randle wiped off her bloody cuts. My older brother, Darry, was getting her some ice. "They had switchblades and broken glass, I didn't know if I'd make it." I drummed my fingers on the table as I worried. Rowan was a pretty tough girl. She'd taken on multiple Socs on her own before, beating them. Maybe it was the number of them, or maybe Rowan's just been too hooked up on her man candy, Dallas Winston, lately. All I know is that those Socs have been getting at us greasers even more ever since Bob Sheldon died. Johnny Cade had killed him. Johnny Cade's been dead for a week today. Would've been Dally too if he didn't have Rowan. Anyways, those Socs have gotten the best of the gang lately. Steve has three broken fingers. Two-Bit got his bottom front teeth knocked out, though it does make him look tuff. They even cut a little bit of my neck again. Now, they've cut up Rowan. I didn't know Socs went after girls. But it's Rowan. Everyone knows she doesn't let anyone touch her.
Darry gave Rowan the ice as our front door swung open, followed by a slam and the appearance of Dallas Winston. He was mad. Not your usual Dallas mad, but full out furious. "Alright, where the Hell is Rowan? I told her to meet me at th-" He noticed our scared, flushed faces and his girlfriend on the couch getting cared for. His face went from outraged to confused and saddened, and he rammed through me to get to his injured girlfriend. "Hey, watch it Dally!" I hissed, only to get no response. My other brother, Sodapop, returned with some bandages and Dally just snatched them out of his grip, gently helping Rowan out. Well, I'll be damned. I'd never think I'd see Dallas Winston this gentle.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't meet you, Dal," Rowan told him. She seemed kind of scared too. She wouldn't turn out like Johnny-I hope. Rowan was tough like nails, she'd make it through this. She wouldn't be the beaten puppy afraid of her own shadow, even if the spot was available in the gang. It doesn't matter, though. Nobody could ever replace Johnny. Dally stroked her curly brown hair. Man, even beaten up, Rowan was a looker. Curly brown hair that turned reddish-blonde towards the end. Big, brown eyes. Light caramel skin. Nice figure. About five-foot-three. Dally's pretty lucky, I have to admit. Though, I've never been good with broads.
"No, don't be sorry. What happened to you?" Dally queried his girl, trepidation taking over his face. Even Dally was worried. This couldn't be good at all. "Seven Socs jumped me when I was waiting near Bowen Laundry. Blades…they had blades." She stood up and sat on the couch with Dally, leaning on his shoulder. "Steve and Darry found me limping home. Darry carried be back like five minutes ago." Dally took a deep breath, and Darry put his hand on his shoulder. Dally looked up. "Thanks, man. You too, Steve." Steve nodded his head. Dally interlocked his hand with Rowan's.
"I'm so sorry, babe. I'll never let you wait for me for more than two minutes. I promise," Dally said to Rowan. She shrugged. "Dal, it isn't your fault. Don't worry." I left the room to get a Pepsi, and rummaged through the refrigerator to find one. I popped it open, and savored the taste as it rushed down my dry throat. A sat down on an armchair next to Two-Bit, and kicked the floor. Darry was looking at me intently. Who knows what could be on his mind.
"As for you, little buddy, no more movies." I knew he was thinking of something against me. Typical Darry. "Oh, c'mon, Dare!" I begged, knowing it was pointless. He never gave in, unless Soda helped me out, but Soda was hushed. Darry was putting his foot down. "That could easily be you, but worse! Don't worry, you still got your stinkin' books." I pouted. He's probably still remembering that day I walked home alone and got jumped. The day we met Rowan. Though, the Socs have been showing up in the East side of town more frequently since Bob's death. He was right, maybe.
Rowan laughed. "Queen, you just can't ban his movies! You know how much he digs Paul Newman." She winked at me. Rowan was like Soda. She defended me when I needed it. Plus, she was pretty comical. We were all in Dairy Queen and she had called Darrel the Darry Queen. Rowan's been calling him Queen ever since, much to Darry's dismay. Rowan stood up, and Dally clung onto her like a flea. Two-Bit snickered. "Damn, Dally. You've never been so clingy to anything but cigarettes." Dally shook his head and gave Two-Bit the finger as he started cracking up. "Just make sure he ain't alone, Queen," Rowan told Darry. She looked up to him, and me too. But Darry way more. I was only a few inches taller than her. Darry was 11 inches. Dally was 9.
Darry sighed. "Fine, but if you're ever out there alone I'll hurt you more than those Socs could." I smiled as he left the room. "Thanks, Row," I said, very grateful. I needed my movies. And my books. The only places where I could be alone within. In my mind. "It'll cost ya," she told me, filching the Pepsi right outta my hand. I didn't care, though. I was too busy thinking about the Socs. "Those Socs are out of control," I stated, leaning my face on my hand.
Two-Bit snorted. "I'll say. They tried to get me again in the bathroom at school. Lucky I got outta there alive. Could've made it with my switchblade." He glared at Dally, who instantly put his hands up. "Hey, man, I needed to use it to get out of the hospital for that rumble. I'll get ya a new one, man." Two-Bit shrunk back in his seat, mumbling. I think I heard him say it wouldn't be the same. "We gotta walk around in pairs, guys. Too risky to be walking around alone," Steve said, shooting a glance at me. Steve never liked me, even if I was his best friend's kid-brother. I don't care, anyways, I'm not going nowhere. Steve Randle should know that.
Soda nodded in agreement with Steve. "We could end up like Rowan, or worse. She's a better fighter than us. We'd get our asses handed to us on a plate." Rowan seemed amused. "Hey, I'm not that bruised up. Just some scratches here and there, I'll be fine." Dally put his arm around her. Man, he was attached. But I shouldn't be talking. I didn't know what it was like to be in love. "We should tell Shepard's gang," he suggested, "the more greasers who know, the better." We all nodded. We crushed those Socs in the rumble, but they just aren't giving up.
We all disbanded, off to do our own things. Soda and Steve were playing cards and arm wrestling. Darry was in his room lifting. Two-Bit was drinking beer and dancing to Mickey Mouse. Rowan and Dally were making-out on the couch, and I was finishing up Gone with the Wind. I still can't believe my best buddy's been gone a week. Johnny, so young. Never did any bad, but that one mistake. I sighed. Then, there was a pounding at the door. Nobody moved so I aversely got off my ass and answered it. All eyes turned to the door, even Rowan and Dally's who stopped sucking faces to look. It was Tim Shepard, and he caught a Soc. But it wasn't just any Soc. It was Cherry Valance.
A/N: That's the end of Chapter One. Reviews are greatly appreciated! Tell me what you like, dislike, hate, or want to see happen! And maybe if I get a decent amount, I'll update faster. ;) Hope you liked it!