Introduction

Cherry Valance loved the spring, everything was coming back to life, the flowers were blooming, the trees started to get green and birds were singing. But what she loved the most was that it was the season of love. Cherry had been in love with Bob Sheldon before he got killed and had had a hard time to love again. Until she met him. Her heart was beating faster and she became full of joy just thinking of him. His wonderful dark eyes and his silky hair, she didn't care that he was a greaser. She didn't care that he was working at a gasoline station she loved him and knew that soon he would be hers. She knew he was feeling the same.

It had all began when Cherry, her best friend Marcia, their friend Sophia, Marcia's cousin Bella Donna or BD as she was called and Cherry's little sister Gracie was going around town in Marcia's Mustang.

"Please can we go to the east side", Sophia begged. She was sitting in the backseat with BD and Gracie. "The runts are begging to see a greaser; they don't get the picture when I describe them."

"We do", BD argued. "They're poor, were jeans and leather or jeans jackets, they have long greasy hair and look mean."

"Not all of them", Marcia chuckled. It was known by all that Sodapop Curtis was one of the cutest guys in Tulsa and that he didn't look mean.

"Fine then", Cherry said and turned to the girls in the back. "We have to get some more gas so we can stop by at the DX. There are two greasers working there."

"Yay", Gracie said smiling wide.

"Why are you so happy about it", Sophia asked and glared at her. "I don't want to be near them! They're rude and stink."

Gracie flushed; she was 15 years old and the youngest of the girls. She also had a secret, a secret crush… A secret crush on a certain greaser.

"They do not", Cherry argued. "Some of them are pretty nice."

"Oh I forgot that you and Marcia were dating those boys at the drive in last year."

"So", Marcia spat. "They were nice."

"Who was it", Sophia continued on as if she hadn't heard her. "Ponyboy Curtis, that scared boy Johnny and that dumbass I-can't-get-through-high-school-idiot Two-Bit."

Marcia angrily hit the brakes and turned around to face her.

"Shut up Sophia", she spat. "Two-Bit is my friend. He's a really cool guy."

"Fine", Sophia huffed. "There's the DX. Hurry I don't want to stay here all day."

"Two-Bit", Steve growled as his friend was busy talking about another of his blondes. "Can ya get it through your thick skull that Soda and I are trying to work to get the Sheppard's car going?"

"So", Two-Bit said and patted Steve on the back. "Are ya scared they're gonna knock your head off?"

"No, but they are in the shop right know and if we know them right they are trying to steal as much as they can and I feel sorry for Charlie who is in there."

"We might lose our jobs", Soda said as he came out from underneath the car.

"Don't worry Soda", Pony assured him. "They won't take that much, Curly promised to talk to Tim."

"Yeah as if that will work", Dallas snorted and Johnny just stayed quiet.

"Randle, Curtis", Tim yelled as he and his gang entered. "Are ya done yet?"

"For the hundredth time ya greasy hood", Steve growled when he saw that the Sheppard gang had a lot of stuff in their pockets. "If you guys get the two of us fired you'll never drive this car or any car again."

"Big words from a shrimp", one big guy said and Steve's clenched his fists.

"Just ignore him", Soda murmured. "He's just jealous ya got something in your head and he's not."

"Hey", Dallas had yelled to the big greaser. "Watch how ya talk to my buddy, he's the one who can fix your car."

Tim laughed. "Chill Dally we were only joking, we actually paid for most of this junk."

"Really", Soda said and eyed him.

"Yep."

"Soda, Steve", Charlie yelled from the shop. "Can ya go and help that car?"

"As if we're not busy enough", Steve grumbled.

"Ya fix this man and I'll pump the gas", Soda said friendly.

"Whatever", Steve grumbled as he started to work again.

"Are all of those greasers", BD asked and looked at all the boys in the garage.

"Yes", Sophia said. "And there are two of the worst hoods in town; Dallas Winston and Tim Sheppard."

"Well hello there", Soda said when he saw who it was. "If it isn't Ms. Valance and Mrs. Two-Bit."

"Hi Soda", Marcia said and smiled. "And ya know me and Two-Bit are only friends. He's not my type."

"Oh and who's you type then?"

Marcia bit her lip and sneaked a peak over at the garage. Soda followed her gaze and smiled. Steve was arguing with Tim about something, probably payment.

"Ya got a thing for Sheppard", he teased.

"No God no my folks would kill me!"

"And so would he", Sophia grumbled.

"Ah I see that ya brought Ms. Sunshine", Soda said and smiled at Sophia. "But who are these other lovely ladies?"

BD and Gracie chuckled and looked away shyly.

"The girl with the black hair is my little cousin Bella Donna", Marcia explained. "She's visiting me from New Orleans."

"My friends call me BD or Poison 'cause my looks are deadly", BD said smiling wide and Soda laughed.

"Geez I like this girl she's funny. And who is this other lovely lady?"

"I-I'm Gracie Valance", the little redhead said. "Y-you already know m-my sister S-Sherry."

"Geez girl stop stuttering", Dallas said from behind Soda. "Oh lookie here, Ms. Moody is in town."

"Hi Dallas", Sophia spat. "Can you give us our gas now please Sodapop? We wanna leave."

"Aw can't ya hang around", Two-Bit asked as Soda filled up the car.

"Nope", Marcia said and smiled. "If we stay around you for too long we might grows big ears and tails."

"Aw but that would look cute on you."

"Thanks Two-Bit but I like my stunning looks already."

"Yeah you're stunning alright", Dallas said and smiled. "Do the cops stop ya often 'cause you're so ugly it causes havoc."

"Knock it off Dallas", Steve said and slapped Dallas on the arm. The Sheppards had already left and now Steve, Pony and Johnny had walked over to see what took so long time. "The cops would consider stopping you for looking bad."

"Tell me something", Marcia said sweetly. "Did a rooster crow and did the clocks stop while you were doing ugly faces before a mirror. 'Cause I hate to tell ya darling you're no beauty yourself."

The guys laughed and Dallas cursed and walked away.

"Hey Sophia", he said just as he walked past her. "If ya ever tire on being a rich brat ya know where to find me to have some fun."

"I rather nail my tongue to a pole", Sophia huffed while Marcia paid Soda. But this noticed her casting hungry eyes on his best friend's bare chest.

"He was so cute", BD said later that evening when she and the girls were back in Marcia's room.

"Who", Marcia asked.

"That boy with the black eyes and dark hair."

"Johnny", Sophia snorted. "That boy is scared for everything."

"Then I'll make sure he's not afraid of me."

"Good luck with that."

"Yeah our parents would kill us", Marcia said and sighed. "Unfortunately."

"Please don't tell me you still have a crush on that grease mechanic!"

"It's not my fault he looks so good", Marcia said and turned a bit red.

"Cherry", Gracie asked and turned to her sister. "Why did you become so shy at the DX?"

"I wasn't", Cherry said. "I just let Marcia do the talking."

"But you didn't even say hi to that boy Soda", BD pointed out.

"Oh my God", Marcia said when he saw how red her friend turned. "You like him don't you?!"

"What? No that's crazy!"

"Well I can understand Cherry", Sophia said. "Soda's hot! Come on girl spill how long have you had a crush on the guy?"

"I don't have a crush on him!"

"You do", the other girls said.

"Nope not like Sophia."

"What about me", Sophia asked confused.

"You have a crush on Dallas Winston!"

"I do not!"

"Do too!"

"I hate the guy!"

"Yeah right", Marcia snorted. "Whenever he comes around or we talk about him you pretend that you don't like him. But still you turn bright red."

"I do not!"

"Uhm", the other girls looked at each other and Marcia took out a mirror and showed Sophia her reflection. She was bright red in her face.

"Whatever I'm going home", she said and left. "At least Gracie isn't in love with some grease so our parents can be proud of her at least."

"Aha you just admitted you like him!" Marcia said.

"No I just said I like a greaser… Not a hood."

Dear diary

Today was wonderful, I saw my prince charming. But I know mom and dad would kill me or lock me in if they knew I was falling for a greaser. But I can't help it he is so good looking. I love his eyes, his hair, his arms… his ass. I love him and it ache in me when I think of how we are not together. I just wonder one thing…. Does he feel the same?

Steve was cleaning the floor and Soda was emptying the register. It was time to close for the day and he couldn't get her out of his head. He had to tell someone.

"Soda", he said quietly.

"Yeah man?"

"I have a problem…"

"Your dad kicked ya out again?"

"No", Steve sat down on the counter and sighed. "I'm in love…"

"With Evie?"

"No with someone else and if I don't get to be with her I think I'll fall to pieces!"

Soda walked around the counter and looked into his friend's eyes.

"Does a dark haired socgirl have anything to do with it", he asked.

"How'd ya know", Steve asked shocked.

"I saw how you looked at Marcia Steve."

"She would never want a guy like me…"

"Don't be so sure about that."

"What ya mean?"

"I saw how she looked at ya… Like a cat checking out milk."

"Ya crazy… Ya mean it?"

"Would I lie to you?"

"No… No you wouldn't. Think I can ask her out?"

"Sure go for it!"

"You're the best Soda thanks."

"No problem man", Soda smiled brightly and thought. "Now only if I could get courage enough to ask Cherry out."

Written by request from BellaVision and not part of my other series