Chapter 1:

It had been a few months since Johnny got jumped, and everybody had been on edge since. I wasn't allowed to walk by myself anymore, even during the day – Darry's orders. I can't say I blame him though. Even though I was 16 years old and Soda's twin sister, I was still the only girl in the group, making all the guys that much more protective of me. And the socs' willingness to jump and rape any greaser girl they could get their hands on didn't help matters much.

Lately, I had gotten into the habit of going to the DX after school. Pony and Johnny generally just went straight home after class got out, and TwoBit, when he did show up, liked to chat Kathy up real good. I could never really hear what he was saying to her, but based on the talk I heard going around the group, that was fine with me. That left me with one of two options: either walk home by myself, or hitch a ride with Steve to the DX. When I wasn't out with the guys, I was usually confined to the house, so I liked my freedom to last, and I couldn't walk home by myself anyway, so that left me with only one choice.

Darry wasn't too thrilled with the idea at first. He worried that I wouldn't get my homework done or that something would happen to me while the guys were busy working or something. But seeing as there weren't many other options, he made Soda promise to keep an extra close eye on me and told me that if my grades started slipping, I'd be coming straight home with Pony, no questions asked. I didn't bother to argue.

It was Friday, and I was sitting at the counter, scrambling to finish my homework before tonight. There was supposed to be a drag race going on just outside of town, and I was hoping that Darry would let me go with the boys if I got my work done in time.

"- isn't that right, Ash?"

I looked up at the boys in front of me in confusion. "Huh?"

Tim Sheppard grinned. "Always buried in your books aren't ya Curtis? You know, you'd have a better time with me than hanging around here with these bums all day." I scoffed and turned back to my math book.

"You wish Shepard. The only way I'd walk out of here with you is if you were in a casket."

"Ooo, kinky," Tim said, walking closer to my spot at the end of the counter. "I like a girl with a little spunk."

"Knock it off Tim" Soda said sternly, standing up from his stool. Tim stopped, flashing me another grin.

"No harm no foul, right baby?" I nodded, but I could feel the heat rising in my face.

"Yeah, sure Tim." Turning back to Soda, he laid some change on the table and grabbed his Coke off the counter.

"I'll see ya later Soda, say hi to Darry for me." Soda threw a weak smile at Shepard as he walked out the door. Halfway out, he turned back, looking in my direction. "You know doll, the offers still stands if you're interested."

"You know Darry'd kill you right?" a voice said from behind Soda. I turned and saw Steve leaning up against the door frame that leads to the garage. The slight smirk on Tim Shepard's face widened.

"Calm down Randle, just offering the lady a good time." He gave me one last look over before heading back out the door to his car.

"I always knew there was a reason I didn't like him," Soda said, sitting back down on his stool. Looking over at me, he asked, "and since when did Shepard start taking interest in you, huh? I shrugged, closing my book and sticking it in my bag.

"How should I know, I see him about as often as you do. Besides, I'm usually trying to keep Curly's greasy paws off me, not worrying about his hood brother."

"What do you mean trying to keep Curly's hands off you?" Soda asked, furrowing his eyebrows. I could see him flexing his hand on the counter, trying not to get too worked up. I just rolled my eyes at him.

Come on Soda, you know as well as I do that Curly's had a thing for me ever since Pony started hanging around with him. And since I'm usually with Pony and Johnny when I'm not with you, he's had the time to make his fair share of passes at me."

"What!" Soda stood up quickly, knocking the tool to the ground.

"Nothing like that!" I said quickly, trying to calm my twin down. "Sure he's tried to kiss me a few times but it's never been anything more than that." Soda eyed me for a second before letting out a loud exhale.

"And you're sure that's all he's done?"

"Positive", I said, trying my best to sound genuine. He looked back at Steve before finally settling back into his seat. I always pretty much understood why Soda was so protective of me: not only was I his twin sister, but I was his younger (only by a few minutes) twin sister, so he felt that he was solely responsible for my well-being. Don't get me wrong, I was always grateful for that, but sometimes I wish that I didn't have him hovering over me, analyzing everything that I was involved in.

I glanced up at Steve as he walked passed me. Steve was always good at telling when someone was lying, and I always wished that he wasn't so damn perceptive. Everyone always that that was one of my twin's best qualities, but the problem was that he talked too much. I've always found that the ones who can keep their mouths shut can lean a lot more about people. Unfortunately, Steve Randle was one of those people.

He gave me a quick suspicious look, but was soon replaced by a grin, shortly followed by him putting me in a headlock.

"Steve, get your greasy hands off me!" I screeched, desperately trying to pry his arm off me.

"Nah, I'm good", he grinned, taking one of his hands and ruffling my hair.

"Randle, stop!" Steve may not have really looked it, but he was pretty strong, and I knew that the only way I was going to get out of his grip was if I had some help. "Soda," I wined, still trying to free myself from Steve. "Help me." Soda sat there, a grin playing along his lips and a thoughtful look on his face.

"Hmmm."

"Soda!" He laughed and stood up, walking over to us.

"Alright Steve, let 'er go. You don't want her to leave your car windows open or anything tonight." Steve let up, and I shoved him off me. I straightened my clothes and ran my fingers through my wavy brown hair, trying to make myself look presentable again.

"Now Soda, I wouldn't go and do a thing like that," I said, mock hurt flowing from my lips. I heard Steve scoff next to me. "Got something to say Randle?"

" I saw what you did to TwoBit the last time he tried messing with you Ash, and I wouldn't put it past 'ya to do something like that again." I tried to swat his arm, but he scooted out of the way just in time and may his way to the punch-out clock. Soda followed him, stopping by me and asking if I was ready to go. I was.

We all piled into Steve's car, with me in the backseat, despite my incessant shouting for shotgun. Apparently non-best friends don't get pick and choose where to sit. The entire ride home consisted of Steve and Soda talking about the races tonight, but I tuned them out. I couldn't stop thinking of the Shepard brothers. When had Tim started taking interest in me? Did it have something to do with Curly? I felt a pair of eyes on me, and I looked up to see Steve giving me a questioning look through his rearview mirror. I just shook my head and turned to stare out the window. Damn Steve Randle and his perceptiveness.

It was nearing seven o'clock and I was sitting across from Darry at the dining room table, trying to persuade him to let me go to the races with the guys.

"Please Darry" I asked, trying to put on the best puppy dog face I could muster. "It's not like I'll be there alone. Everyone else is going, and besides, I'll probably just be hanging out with Pony and Johnny all night. Please?"

"Well…"

"Oh come on Darry, let her go" Soda piped up from the living room. "I mean, how often does she really get to go out and do something like this?" Darry took one more look at Soda before focusing on me again.

Sighing, he said, "Fine. But weekend curfew still applies Ash. I want you home by one, got it?"

"Yessir", I said, saluting him, a smile spreading across my face.

"I mean it Ashley, not a minute later." I threw my arms around him before dashing into my room to get ready. Tonight was going to be great!

About forty-five minutes later, I walked out of my room in a knee-length black skirt and a white shirt, my wavy hair pulled back into a ponytail. I also had on some eyeliner, mascara, and heels. TwoBit turned from the TV and looked me over.

"It took you forty-five minutes for you to do THAT? What the hell were you doing in there kid?" I stuck my tongue out at him, plopping down onto the edge of the couch.

"None of you damned business TwoBit." Dally grinned over at me, but Darry frowned.

"Ashley Sun…" Darry warned, giving me a look.

"Oops, sorry Dare," I said apologetically, grinning back at Dallas. Darry never liked me swearing in front of him. He thought it ruined what little femininity I still had, although he knew he there was no way he could stop me. I was a greaser girl after all. Then a honk came from outside.

All the guys headed out to the cars now that Steve was here. I gave a Darry a quick kiss on the cheek before running after them. By the time I got out to the street, everyone had already pick who they were riding with, and I was left to drive in TwoBit's death trap truck with him and Dally. I climbed into the truck, closing the door behind me and immediately took off my shoes as TwoBit shifted the vehicle into gear.

"What the hell are you doing Curtis?" Dally asked, looking down at me. I smirked at him as I slipped off my knee-length skirt to reveal a much tighter, thigh-length skirt. Putting my shoes back on, I simply said:

"Changing."

"You know, Darry would kill ya if he knew you were going to the races looking like that,"
Dally countered, turning to face me. I shrugged.

"What Darry doesn't know won't hurt him. 'Sides as long as I put it back on later – "

" – And I'm not sure how I feel about you wearing it either," he interrupted, glaring down at me.

"Relax Dallas. It's like Soda said, it not like I get to do this often, so I figured I might as well do it right. But I thought you wanted me to dress like this more often."

"I do, just not around anywhere where Shepard's gang is going to be." I mentally slapped myself, wondering how I could forget that the Shepard crew was going to be there.

"I can't imagine Soda being too thrilled about it either Ash," TwoBit cut it, turning a corner. Shit, I fogot about what Soda would think. I contemplated putting my other skirt back on, but decided against it. No sense in backing out now.

As TwoBit parked the car, I took my hair down and put on some lipstick. I was going to enjoy this night and I was going to do it in style damnit.

I climbed out of the truck and made my way over to where Steve had just finished parking. Steve and Soda got out, laughing about something someone had said when Soda looked over at me and stopped, a disapproving look on his face. I grinned sheepishly, trying to alleviate the situation, but he just shook his head. Steve also stopped when he saw me, although the look on his face was unreadable. I didn't usually go out dressed like a typical greaser girl, and I couldn't tell how he felt about it. Not that it really mattered, but he was pretty much my best friend, and I didn't want him disappointed in me too.

Pony grabbed my hand, and started pulling me off in another direction. Apparently he saw Curly Shepard and wanted to say hi. This was going to be interesting.