To shadow a greaser
I spat on the hot concrete, trying to get rid of the taste of blood in my mouth. A big glob of red came pouring out of my nose, and I knew I had to make the bleeding stop. Pushing my nose upward with my right hand (I knew it was my right because it was cut and bruised), I ran down the street. After the first five blocks, the bleeding stopped. That's also when I started walking, killing the time. My whole body shuddered at the thought of facing Dally. I went over the scene in my mind. He would yell at me for being reckless and stupid. Then he would ask if I won. This time, I would have to say no. I was jumped by four socs, all of them with huge rings and sharp blades. After I told him this, Dally would blow, and would get in his car, leaving me in the small shack we call home.
I shook my head, sending blood flying. That would also tick of Dallas . He hated it when I got cut up badly. Finally I got home. Walking up the steps, I braced myself for the attack. But as I opened the door, I didn't here any cussing or TV.
" Dallas !?" I called. No answer. He was probably with the gang, I thought. Or he could be robbing a store. You never know with Dally. I wouldn't say I was as wild as him. I try to avoid robbing and other things, but Dally lived for it. He had a criminal record that sent dad right over the edge, and he always carried a blade. Sometimes a heater. I carry a blade, but it's only for show. I only used it once, and I just nicked the soc that jumped me. That was as much damage as I could do before Dallas and the gang came to the rescue. There are seven guys in the gang; Darry, Dallas , Soda Pop, Two-Bit Mathews, Steve, Johnny, and Ponyboy. I don't cont myself as a member of the gang. They are nice enough to me, but no one wants a girl getting in the way. The only reason why they are really nice to me is because I'm Dallas ' sister, and he would knock them all the way to California if they hurt me. That's the only thing I hate about Dallas . His big brother side. He always has t protect me, always had to know where I , he would wait until midnight, and then he would go ballistic, getting the gang to go on a search party. Well, most of the gang. Darry wouldn't let Pony come on midnight escapades, and Dallas wanted Johnny to get sleep. Let me tell ya, everybody is pissed when they find me.
I went into the bathroom, and stared at the dirty mirror. A nice long cut was on my left cheek, and a brownish bruise was forming over my right eye. But over all, the dirt on my face made it look bad, along with the dried blood. I picked up the bar of soap and scrubbed. It stung really badly, but I made no noise. I never cried. It's something I picked up from my brother. After I cleaned up, I put a band-aid on my cut. It made the scar look smaller than it was; but it was coming right off once I hit the streets. Just as I stepped out of the small space, the front screen swung open and crashed against the wall.
"Dusty?!" That's my name. Actually, it's Dorthia, but what crap-name is that? Ever since I started to clean the house, Dally has called me Dusty since dust balls stuck to me like glue. It might also have something to do with my black hair.
Dallas took one look at me, and then his face twisted. "Damn, you and Pony." Then he started yelling, cussing out the socs. I let out a long, heavy sigh. Dallas stopped, but then gave me the look I knew was coming.
"Did ya win?" This time I would have to say no. and let me say, that is a Winston's least favorite word.
"There where four socs. All of 'em had blades." Dally still stared me down. He raised his eyebrows as if to say Well? "What do 'ya think?! Could you take on four blades?!" He couldn't, and he knew it. But sometimes, Dally over estimated my toughness.
"You didn't win?" A slight look of disbelief crossed his face.
"I might of, if you were on the right side of town! Where the hell where you any way?!" I didn't like yelling at Dallas , it just wasn't natural. "Sorry. I just don't like it."
"It's o.k." Dally said. He slapped my head playfully. I returned it with a light punch to the stomach. Pretty soon Dally had me in a strangle-hold on the floor. Between gasp, I was kicking his shin. Finally, I had to give up. After a few more punches, I went into the kitchen to make dinner. The only thing in the fridge was a container of macaroni, but it would do. I tossed Dally a beer and got a Pepsi for me. As I ate dinner, I remembered something Dallas said earlier.
"What happened with Ponyboy?"
"He was jumped by a couple of socs. That's why I wasn't near your street." I basically just hung out on one street for the whole day, and Dallas was usually close by. Today, he wasn't, and now I knew why.
"Is he o.k.?"
"He's cut, but it's not bad." A frown passed over Dallas ' face. "Has the old man called?" That's another thing. Dally hated our father's guts. Personally, I didn't blame him.
"Na, but I saw him at the bar. Wouldn't be surprised if he stayed there." Dally only stayed at the house when our father wasn't home. When he was, Dally always headed over to Buck Merrill's place; or some other house obtained by hoods and greasers.
"Good. Maybe I'll get a good night's sleep." I had no idea how Dallas slept through all of the wild parties he crashed at. "Me, Ponyboy, and Johnny are going to the nightly double. Wana' come?" Oh crap. I couldn't lie to Dally, and I couldn't tell him the truth.
"I ah, already have plans. But maybe I'll catch up with you." Dally eyed me suspiciously. The only "plans" I usually had involved the gang.
"With who?" Come on, think! I told myself .
"Just a friend. You don't know them." O.K., so that was a partial lie.
Dallas just gave a shrug and walked into the kitchen. The loud clank of dishes in the sink pulled me from my thoughts. Dallas came back into the open area.
"I'm heading out." He announced.
"O.K. You're coming back here though, right?" Just like he had to know where I was, I had to know where he was.
"Yeah, yeah." He said, probably already distracted by the thought of swiping lights from store counters.
As I washed the dishes, I thought how close I was to revealing my secret meeting. I couldn't tell Dally because he would go crazy and kill the guy. The guy was Curly Shepard. We had been secretly meeting for the pass month or so, going on "dates". It didn't feel like a date, just a really awkward situation. On the last one, Curly tried to kiss me. That scared the crap out of me. I only agreed to this one because I wanted to see if I had the nerve, to see if I was really not scared of anything; including boys. Hood boys, none of the less. I finished about two-thirds of my homework; then watched a little TV. Around ten o' clock, I climbed into my bed. Instead of going to sleep, my mind wondered to Ponyboy and Curly. The thought caught me by surprise, and what surprised me more was my comparing of them. Pony had grayish-green eyes that always seemed to be in thought, while Curly's black eyes always had hate and danger in them. Ponyboy had rusty brown hair, but Curly had light brown streaked with blonde. Ponyboy this, Curly that… my mind wouldn't stop the survey. Finally, I drifted off to sleep.
Dallas had come home just like he said he would. He looked like he was in hang over mode, tough. I made one heaping pile of eggs for breakfast, and of course, Dally ate most of it. I spent at least twenty minutes trying to decide what to wear to meet Curly. I finally decided on my usual jeans with a low cut tank top. I wore a jacket over it, but only zipped it up to where the v-neck ended (very classy, I know). I didn't where any make up. I never did. For shoes, I stuck to my sneakers, even though my heeled boots would make me look more pretty and would come in handy if I got into a fight.
When I thought Dally had left, I came out of my room. I didn't find a need for Dallas to raise his eyebrows at me, so I laid low. The clock in the kitchen read three thirty. I was supposed to meet Curly at four. I started walking down the street early, anyway. We meet behind Dingo's, so I started walking east, into the heart of the hood.
By the time I reached Dingo's, It was three fifty. Curly was leaning up against the dumpster, having a smoke. I instantly regretted wearing the low v-neck.
"Your early." He said. I remembered Two-bit's eye trick, and raised my eyebrows in an irresistible way.
"You're the one to talk." Curly smiled, and grabbed my arm. I crashed roughly into his chest, but his strong griped kept me from bouncing back. He dropped his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it with his foot.
"Where to?" I asked. My voice was anything but steady. Curly flashed one of his dangerous grins.
"Here." He pulled me down on the hard pavement, our faces an inch apart. Grabbing the back of my head, Curly pressed his lips forcefully against mine. I pulled back.
"What are you doing?" I demanded.
"Kissing you." He kissed me again, this time shoving his tongue down my throat. I thought I was going to gag. When he finally pulled away, gasping for air, I stood up.
"Where do you think you're going?" He glared at me, challenging me.
"I know I'm going away from you, jackass." I shot him the bird, and walked out of the alley. Just as I was about to step out into the sunny street, dead weight crashed into me.
"No one blows off Curly Shepard!" Curly growled in my ear. I should of worn my boots. But a couple of punches blew Curly away. He returned them with some hard core hurt, though. With one last punch, Curly went limp for a second, It was all I needed to pin him on his back.
"I just did!" I spat a glob of blood onto his shoe . "A little something to remember me buy." I hissed. Before he could respond, I jumped up and ran. No doubt the Shepard gang will be looking for a fight tonight. I thought. My best chance for safety would be with Dally, and he was at the movies. The quickest way would be to cut through Spencer's special, so I headed west. I turned the next corner, and nearly collided with Tim Shepard.
"Where's my brother?" Man, he looked dangerous.
"I don't know. How am I supposed to know?" I stuttered.
"He said he was going to meet you." Stay calm. I told myself. Just stay cool.
"Look, I gotta go. See ya later." I tried to step past him, but he shifted and blocked my way. It was perfect timing, because Curly came ripping around the corner.
"You!" He shouted at me. "You're going to die tonight!" Terror shook me, but I stayed cool.
"Sure Curly. What ever you say." Both of them gave me a devilish grin. I started loosing it then. I looked right, then left. Just as I looked over Tim's shoulder, I saw three familiar shapes. "Dally! Pony! Johnny!" I rarely called for help. In fact, I got really fed up when ever the gang came to save me. But sometimes you have to swallow your rep and pride.
The Shepards looked behind them, then back at me. I took it as an opportunity to run. Sprinting down the hill, I didn't look back to see if the punks where following me. Before I could stop, I barreled into Dally, sending him on top of Ponyboy, who landed on top of Johnny. Dally was on top on me in a second, about to nock me out of this world. Apparently, he didn't hear my cry for help.
"Dally, it's me." I moaned. Dally stared at me, as if trying to decide who I was. Then his eyes got stormy.
"Dusty, who did this to you?!" He was angry beyond all reason. Just as I was about to open my mouth, Curly's hard voice spat down the hill.
"This isn't over, grease chick!" He and Tim ran to the other side of the building.
"Who was that?" Johnny stared at me suspiciously.
"Shepards." I didn't want to get into detail.
"What did you do to them?" I would of knocked Ponyboy on the side of the head, but he looked too innocent to hate him.
"Look, I'm not hurt. Can't we just go to the movie?" None of the boys moved. This was so typical; them wanting to protect me. I hated it. Finally I punched Dally in the arm. "Man, you're getting flabby." He pinned me down on the ground in a light strangle hold. As I squirmed from his grasp, I flung out a punch. But instead of landing it on Dally, it hit Ponyboy straight in the jaw. He slammed his hands into the middle of my back, but I rolled over on top of him, and managed to get on top of Johnny too, some how. They both pushed me off and stared landing playful punches. Pretty soon, all four of us where one big mass of punching arms and kicking legs. Finally we were whipped and started heading for the movie
The movies are o.k., but not my favorite place to hang out. Both greasers and socs go there, and sometimes it gets a little tense. Dally found a place where the fence was loose and we snuck in. I really don't mind it, but I think it bothers Pony and Johnny sometimes, you know, doing illegal things.
The boys were loud and obnoxious finding a seat, but I just plopped down in between Dallas and Johnny. I took a close look at Johnny. His large dark eyes were lost and tense, but were soft. His dark skin had a haunting glow to it from the movie screen. Johnny's face was round and perfect, except for the many scares (Man, what am I saying!? I'm not getting soft with guys. I refuse). A couple of soc girls were sitting in front of us. I would love to get in a fight with them just to see how tough they are. But I mostly fight with greaser girls. I don't fight fair, though. I use my fist and blades. The way girls fight on this side of town was with teeth and nails. Most of the time though, they go crying to their boyfriends or brothers, telling them what this one chick did, and the two guys have it out. But not me though. When I have trash, I take it out myself. Sometimes I'll get in fights with guys like Curly Shepard. They try to pick me up, and when they don't get their way, they get violent. Or, some thugs don't care if you're a guy or a chick.
Dallas was smirking at the girls. I knew that smirk too well to know that trouble was coming. If it were a greaser girl, I would kick his shin as hard as I could (I said I got in fights with Greaser girls, but only the ones looking for a fight. Most didn't, so I try to help them when it comes to Dally), but these were socs, and I wasn't about to rain on the parade. Dally leaned forward and stared talking dirty. I got really uncomfortable, since I was sitting right next to Ponyboy, and I could tell he was embarrassed too. Johnny got up to get a coke, but I knew it was a way to escape the humiliation.
Finally it looked like Dal was going to give up, but instead he put his feet on the red head's chair.
"Get your feet of my chair and shut your trap!" Man, she was mad.
"Who's going to make me?" Dally kept his feet up.
"That's the greaser that jockeys for the slash J sometimes." The dark head soc was getting mouthy. I hated mouthy socs.
"Nice of you to do your research." I said. Pony boy gave me a look that said stop it. I glared back at him, and gave him a look that said make me
"I know you to. I've seen you at the rodeos." Go Dally.
It's a shame you can't ride a bull half as good as you can talk it." The red head was getting cold. But Dallas just smirked at her.
"You two barrel race, huh?"
"You better leave us alone, or I'll call the cops." Wow. Socs might be in the smartest classes, but the sure are stupid.
"Oh my, my, you've got me scared to death. You ought to see my record sometime baby." Heck, if I wasn't his sister, I would be bolting from Dally now. He could sound dangerous when he wanted to be dangerous (which is most of the time). "Guess what I've been in for?" Too many things to count would be my guess.
"Please leave us alone. Why don't you be nice and leave us alone?" See, this is why socs are stupid. They let their guard down; something that greasy chicks learn never to do. Bad things happen when you do.
"I'm never nice. Wanna coke?" Dally was leaning in toward his kill.
"I wouldn't drink it if I were starving in the desert." Dallas was hovering over her now. "Get lost, hood!" Dallas kept his smirk and walked toward the concessions. The tension seemed to drop in me and Ponyboy, but the socs were sitting bolt upright.
"Are you going to start on us?" Her eyes stared coldly at Pony, not once looking at me. A lot of people underestimate me.
"No." Pony was shaking. If it was from the cold, I could understand. But if the soc was really scaring him, I would loose all faith in the Curtis clan.
"You don't look like the type. What's your name?" Man, was she in for a surprise. I didn't have a problem with the name Ponyboy, but some people do.
"Ponyboy Curtis."
"That's an original and lovely name." If this soc girl was flirting with Ponyboy, she wasn't going to get anywhere. Pony couldn't tell the difference between a girl that liked him or a girl that wanted to blow his brains out.
"My dad was an original person. I gotta brother named Sodapop, and it says so on his birth certificate."
" My names Sherri, but my friends call me Cherry because of my hair. Cherry Valance."
"I know. We go to the same School, you're a cheerleader."
"You don't look old enough for high school." The one with dark hair was starting to speak up.
"I'm not. I got put up a year in grade school."
"What's a nice, smart kid like you running around with trash like that for?"
We're not trash. I wanted to say. Where people! "Do we look like waste to you?" I spat bitterly at the red head. Again, Pony gave me his glare. That boy better watch it. I thought.
"I'm a grease, same as Dally and Dusty here. Their my buddies." Was he referring to me as trash?
"I'm sorry Ponyboy." She rapidly changed the subject. "Your brother, Sodapop, does he work at a gasoline station? A DX I think?" Oh yeah. I forgot about Soda. I even have to admit, the guy looks amazing. In a Greek book in the library, I saw a picture of a gut that looked exactly like Soda. Pony said that the man in the picture was a god that the Greeks worshiped. Trust me, you could see why.
"Yeah." I could tell Ponyboy didn't like the fact that almost every girl in town falls head over heels for Soda.
"Man, your brother is one doll. I might of guessed you were brothers- you look alike." Pony was starting to turn red. I tried really hard not to laugh, but I think I gave a little snort.
"Didn't he use to ride in rodeos? Saddle bronc?"
"Yeah. Dad made him quit after he tore a ligament, though. We still hang around the rodeos a lot. I've seen you two barrel race. You're good."
I was starting to wonder where Dally was. Hopefully nothing illegal. But then again, I had a lot of hopes. The dark-hared girl (who's name was Martia) said something that made Ponyboy go stiff.
"He's a drop out." Ponyboy looked cut. He hated it when Soda dropped out. You can say I hang out at the Curtis house a lot. Johnny came back and sat by Pony. He looked around, probably scared to death. He did manage to say high though. The Cherry stared at him coolly, but then softened up after deciding he wasn't anything like Dally.
Dally came back with the cokes. The tension went up again. He handed cokes to everyone. The last person he gave a coke to was Cherry, and as he did, he gave her his famous grin.
"This might cool you off." Then that soc did the most stupid thing. She threw the coke at Dallas' face.
"This might cool you off greaser. After you wash your mouth and learn to talk and act decent I might cool off too."
Dally wiped the coke from his face. Then he gave Cherry a smile that made my blood run cold. It was almost the same smile that Curly Shepard gave me behind the Dingo.
"Fiery, huh? Well, that's the way I like them." He leaned in toward her, ready to do his worst. Before I new what I was doing, I slapped him across his head. He looked up at me, and tried to land a punch to my face. I stood up and grabbed his arm, but he yanked it back and aimed for another jab.
"Leave her alone, Dally." I didn't recognize the voice at first, but then I looked over towards its direction, and I saw Johnny looking like a sheet of paper.
"Huh?" Dally looked stunned.
"You herd me. Leave her alone." Dally screwed up his face to look vicious, and stared at Johnny. Notice he didn't punch him. He loved Johnny. I think he loved him more than he loved me. He would never hurt Johnny. He finally stood up and left, red in the face. I sharp pain hit my chest. Dally was the meanest hood on the streets, but he was still my brother. And I could tell he was hurting.
"Dally, wait!" I shouted after him. I got up from my seat to follow him. As I left, I herd Cherry say "What's wrong with her?"
I herd Ponyboy say faintly "Dusty is Dally's sister. They always stick together. It probably took a lot of guts for her to do what she did." That just made my stomach drop lower.
For a few minutes I wondered aimlessly through the crowd, trying to find Dal. I saw Two-bit, drunk like a fly, talking dirty to a couple of girls in a car. I decided to have a little fun. I walked up to him, and slapped him across the cheek. He looked dumb-fronted.
"What the hell do you think your doing, Two-bit Matthews?!" I pulled Curly's ring out from my shirt. I've been keeping it on a long gold chain, long enough to tuck in my shirt when Dally was around. "Does this mean anything to you, you two-timing…" I went on to express the vocabulary I picked up from Dally.
"Glory, Dusty." Two-bit looked stumped, but winked at me. "I thought you were this chick here!" I looked in the car. A blonde soc was starring up at us. She looked nothing like me.
"You thought that I was this trash?!" That was really funny, because soc girls call greasy girls trash.
"Filthy greasers!" a brunette in the back held her nose and waved her hand. I picked up a half-eaten hot dog from the ground and threw it at the girl. It landed right on her chest, and as she screamed, me and Two-bit cackled with laughter. They pulled away, screaming like little kids. I slapped Two-bit's hand.
"Nice work, buddy."
"You weren't too bad either, Dusty." He looked over towards the seats. "Hey, isn't that Pony and Johnny?"
"Yep. They're hooking up with soc girls." A playful grin crossed his face.
"Lets go and greet them the good ol' soc way." Two-bit flicked out his switchblade, which is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I knew we weren't going to hurt Johnny and Ponyboy, so I flicked out mine. "You grab Pony and I'll grab Johnny. Sound like a soc."
"Got it." We crept along, trying to be quiet and invisible. When we got to the seats, Two-bit jerked his head to the left, motioning for me to go around to Ponyboy.
"Okay greasers, you've had it." Two-bit sounded really convincing. I grabbed Pony by the neck, careful not to stick him with my knife. Ponyboy turned his head, a look of horror on his face. But when he saw me and Two-bit grinning down at him, he relaxed.
"Glory Two-Bit, scare us to death!" I caught a glimpse of Johnny, and he looked like he saw death.
"Hey, Two-Bit."
"Sorry kid. I forgot" Two-Bit ruffled his hair.
"Yeah, sorry Johnny." I looked at him apologetically. Two-Bit was starting to flirt with the greaser girls, which made me sick. What made it worse was that Johnny was picking it up too.
"Hey, where is ol' Dally, anyways?" I let out a groan. I had completely forgot about my brother.
"He went hunting for some action-booze or dames or a fight. I hope he doesn't get jailed again. He just got out."
"He'll probably find a fight," Two-Bit said with enthusiasm. "That's why I came over. Mr. Timothy Shepard and Co. are looking for whoever so kindly slashed their car's tires, and since Mr, Curly Shepard spotted Dallas doing it… well… does Dally have a blade?" My blood turned cold. One of two things where going on. One: Curly was trying to get even with me by finding a reason to bet the living day light out of my brother. Two: Dally was trying to get even with Curly for being such a hound dog and with Tim for almost knocking me out. Ether way, it made me groan and blame manly pride.
"I better find him." I muttered, I leapt out of my seat and ran for the parking lot, the only image in my mind was finding Dally (or Curly) and beating the living crap out of him. I rounded the corner. I was now behind the concession store. In the dim light, I saw a figure leaning against the brick wall.
"Dally!" I yelled in a whisper, if you know what I mean. I was cussing under my breath as I ran to him.
"Dusty?" I stopped in front of him, and glared upward.
"Did you slash The Shepards' tires?" I demanded. A smirk crossed Dallas' face.
"Yeah. I got all of 'em." I was piping hot right then. I smacked him clear across the face.
"You idiot! Do you want to get us both killed, you damn moron!?" I started to call him a series of names, but then he cuffed outside the head.
"Watch your mouth!" I glared at him. I was starting to think that I hated him, but then I caught myself. I wondered if I had wounded his pride earlier when he attacked Cherry. I wondered if I was hurting him now. A huge wave of gilt flooded me.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I'm sorry for stopping you before. It was just the way that Curly…" I felt myself choke up. It I said another word, I would start to bawl. And I could not bawl.
Dally was looking down. As I looked closer, I could see a hint of shame. He looked up, as if he knew he was caught regretting something. He stood up straight and gave a shrug.
"What ever. It was your instinct." He smiled at me. "Lets find Shepard." I try to agree on a lot of things with Dally, but this just wasn't one of them.
"I don't think so, Dal." I shook my head. " It doesn't sound like the best idea in the world." The Shepard gang would out number us five to two. The odds where obvious.
"Oh, come on, Dusty," He pleaded. "It will be fun." I looked at him sternly.
"Tonight, I don't fell like going to the emergency room." Dal just gave off his shrug.
"Your loss. I'm going to Buck's to crash after." Tonight the old man was coming home. In fact, he was probably sitting in his chair, getting drunk and planning to bet me senseless when I got home.
"I might go, too." Dally frowned at the suggestion. I let out a dramatic sigh. "Dally, let your little sister live. If you think I can take on the Sheps, why can't I go to a harmless party?"
'It's not harmless, It's rough." He said sternly. I gave him one of his dangerous smiles that I learned from watching him.
"I am rough." I jumped on his shoulders, almost knocking him down.
"Gen Off!" Dally's voice was muffled by my shirt. I let out a laugh that might have been too loud.
"Please? Do you really want me to go back there?" I looked at him, and tried to look young and innocent. The problem was, I've seen to much to be innocent, and being in multiple street fights and dating hound dogs aged me pass fourteen. Dallas let out a long sigh.
"All right. But don't do anything stupid." I had no idea what stupid was suppose to be, but I guess it was something Dally wouldn't do. I smiled cheerfully. " Well, I'm going to find some action."
"I can take care of my own trash, thanks." I glare at him, but Dally smirked.
"Sure, that's why you came hurling down the hill screaming." I turned red at that.
"I'm going to find Ponyboy and Johnny." I turned around, but whipped back again. "Be careful, alright?"
"Yeah, ya." Dally looked bored. He turned and walked away. I let out a long sigh and walked back towards the front of the building. Just as I was about to turn the corner, I felt cold steel on my back and hot breath on my neck.
"Say nothin' and you wont get cut." I felt strong hands grab mine behind my back and led me back behind the building. As we turned, I caught a quick glimpse of Curly's face.
"Shepard!" I hissed.
"Who did you expect, Santa Claus?" He gave a small chuckle to his joke. We reached a point where there was no light, only darkness the smell of trash. Curly threw me down on the concrete. "Where's your brother?" He asked mockingly. I glare up at him. I was calling him several names under my breathe, and I must of said one to loud.
"What did you call me, tramp?" He kicked me hard in the stomach. "Answer me!" I repeated the name. Curly bent down to my level, and pressed his knife against my face.
"Don't go after Dally." I said through gritted teeth. Shepard let out a quiet laugh.
"Good ol' Dal isn't innocent, babe. Besides, he's being taken care of." Just out of no where, he slashed the blade across my cheek. I let out a small cry of shock, but Curly's hand flew over my mouth. He used his other arm to pin me (hard) against the wall. He then pressed his mouth against mine, and slid the hand that was covering my mouth down.
I panicked, forgetting about the blade and Curly's strength, and called for Dally. Shepard brought the blade up and held it against my throat, nicking me. He pressed his hand harder into my stomach. I had never been pinned like this before. It was one of the worst times of my life. Every time Curly would try to work his hands down, I screamed, which earned he a hit, kick, or cut. Finally, voices where heard. I recognized a chatty, drunken one and a young, smooth one.
"Two-Bit, Pony!" I screamed as loud as I could.
"Dusty?" Two-Bit's shoes could be seen around the corner. Curly punched my side. My cry of pain must have been a good response, since Two-Bit, Pony, and Johnny came tearing around the corner.
"I'm goanna kill 'ya, Shepard!" Two-Bit punched Curly so hard it sent him back. With a yelp, Curly ran. Mean while, I was leaning against Ponyboy as Johnny pressed his hand s against my deepest cut. I wasn't exactly crying, but breathing in loud, shuddering breaths.
"Easy, Dusty." I tried to stand up, but I stumble right into Ponyboy.
"Pass her over here." Two-Bit was holding me know, and I was about to pass out. "Dusty, are you all right?" I tried to open my mouth to speak, but instead mush came to my mouth. I bent over to throw up, and when I was able to open my eyes, I saw it was the color of blood. Surprisingly, I felt lighter.
'Much better." My voice sounded normal, but I was truly shaken. Johnny looked whiter than a ghost.
"Are…are you okay?"
"I'll live."
"Why the hell was Shepard messin; with 'ya anyway?" I looked at Two-Bit carelessly.
"It was nothin'." Two-Bit's eyes flickered.
"Shot kid, it better be something for what he did to you. Take a look at yourself." He handed me a cigarette lighter, and the person on it looked cut real bad. A couple of black and blue spots where on my face too. I let out a small gasp. I was starting to fell sick again.
"Go on, Dusty." Johnny said encouragingly. I looked at all of them sternly.
"If you tell Dal…"
"We won't!" They said in unison. I told them the whole story, except I spared them the details on the make-out. When I was done, they all where staring open mouthed at me.
"What?" I asked.
"You dated Curly?" Ponyboy looked at me in shock.
"Yeah, so?" I demanded. They where quiet for a second. Then the broke out into hysterical laughter.
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