"That Sodapop's a doll," Marcia commented.
Cherry smiled at Marcia from the passenger seat of her red stingray. Marcia had been begging her to drive it. Along with them were her sister Leanne, Marcia's Sister Connie, and their friend Liz Conway. They were all going to the Dx for a snack and for some of them, to see this Sodapop Curtis. They pulled up into the parking lot to see a group of greasers standing out front.
"That one's Sodapop Curtis," Cherry explained.
"You sure we need to be here? Those guys look awful intimidating." Connie said frowning.
"It will be fine," Liz said with a wave of her hand. "They don't look that dangerous.
"Speak for yourself isn't that Dallas Winston?" Liz said squinting.
"Yeah, I've seen him around one time," Leanne said looking in the same direction.
"The other guys are supposed to be just greasers. But that Dallas Winston is a hood." Liz said.
"Well, I didn't think they would all be here. If you're uncomfortable will just get a snack and some gas then leave." Cherry said.
"Sounds good to me," Marcia said as they got out of the car.
They had the guy's full attention.
"Look at those good looking broads," Dallas said loud enough for them all to hear.
"He's speaking to us," Connie whispered in fear.
"It's fine just ignore him," Liz whispered back.
"I don't think I member last time there was girls that looked this good," Two-bit said just as loud.
Cherry, Marcia, and Liz all chuckled. Leanne and Connie just looked a bit uncomfortable. Ponyboy might have helped his buddies but these were Soc girls. He wasn't going to see a word to them. Neither was Johnny who just looked uncomfortable as well.
"Maybe thel let us by em some cokes," Steve said.
"Maybe will ask him." Soda said.
The girls headed into the DX and got their snacks.
"I have to use the restroom. Be right back." Connie said heading toward the back.
Cherry and Marcia began discussing the fat preservatives in candy bars. Leanne had slipped off into the makeup session after picking up a bag of chips. Liz was trying to decide between fountain drinks. Maybe a coke?"
"Could I interest you in a coke or a seven up?"
Liz turned in surprise to see Dallas Winston looking at her, a smirk on his face.
"No thanks." She said and walked towards him bravely hoping he would move out of her way.
He very comically backed up out of her way. Not taking his eyes off her. She felt nervous but strangely a little excited. She looked to where Leanne was looking at some books in the back. She saw a copy of Gone with the wind and began to reach for the book. She was startled when someone else's hand touched hers.
"Oh sorry."
A boy said to her.
"No, it's my fault. I'm sorry."
She knew from school he was Ponyboy Curtis.
"Hey, you're Ponyboy right?"
"Yeah, your Leanne right? Cherry's sister?"
"Yeah, I am."
"You like Gone with the Wind?"
"Actually never read it before. I like to read though. It looked interesting."
"It is. Here you can have it."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, you'll really like it." He said smiling.
"Thank you." She said grinning back at him.
Connie was just coming out of the bathroom when she had seen Leanne and Pony. She was so focused on them she didn't notice when she bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She said as she recognized Johnny Cade.
"Sal right." He said giving her a small smile.
He allowed her to move past him as he headed to the bathroom. She couldn't help thinking he was really dreamy.
Cherry and Marcia had finally picked out their snacks when they looked up.
"Hey ladies." Soda said grinning at them.
"Hey" they answered back.
"Needing gas?" Steve asked.
"Yes please," Cherry said smiling.
Steve went to fill the gas for them and Marcia found herself walking with him to talk. Cherry and Soda chatted with each other as she rung up the purchases. Leanne stood with her until she saw Pony and an idea formed in her head. She walked back to see him.
"Hey Pony I know you let me have this one. But I'd like to get one for you next time."
"It's salright. You don't have to do that."
"I want too."
"Alright only if you want to," He said.
"I do."
"Umm Johnny."
Johnny was shocked that Connie knew his name.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry for bumping into you." She said smiling.
"Oh, it's alright. I said I wasn't mad."
"You have English with me don't you?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Why do you always sit by yourself?"
"I just don't have any of the gang in there."
"There's an empty seat next to me ya know. You're always welcome."
"Thanks but are ya sure?"
"Very sure. I'd like to sit with you."
"Ya sure none of the Socs would have a problem with it?"
"It's me, they shouldn't so just think about it okay?"
"Okay." He said smiling at her. "I'll think about it."
"So are you a real blonde?"
Liz slightly jumped as Dally put his hand in her hair.
"How can I find out if this is yer real hair? Same as on those eyebrows?"
"Be nice and leave me alone."
"I'm never nice."
"Yeah, you probably just got out of some jail or something."
"Yeah whatever you say, honey."
"Go away hood!" She said angrily.
"Sorry I didn't know you had this problem of yelling in my face."
She looked away again not sure how far she could push him.
"Alright, I'll go. I know when I'm not wanted."
He walked away again and she thought she'd seen the last of him. A few minutes later he returned holding a coke. Without a word, he handed it to her.
"Thought this might cool you off."
Liz rolled her eyes.
"Thought you said you were never nice?"
"What?" He asked.
"You said you were never nice." She said gesturing to the coke he handed her.
"I might do a good think every now and then."
"Well learn to act decent and maybe I will cool off. Thanks for the coke." She offered a grin and sipped on the coke as she went to join Cherry. Dally smirked as he watched her. Most Soc girls were either too afraid to talk to him or fiery. That Liz Conway sure was interesting.
"So how about going for a coke?" Soda asked.
Cherry was sure her face was as red as her hair. Sodapop Curtis asking her on a date.
I'm flattered really. But right now I have a boyfriend."
"Oh." Soda said his gorgeous smile dropping on his face.
"Well, that's okay. The offer still stands."
"Thank you."
Liz was just walking up ad Cherry tuned to see Leanne and Connie still speaking to Pony and Johnny.
"Guys, you ready?"
"Yeah". They both answered saying goodbye and heading toward the others.
"You must get real dirty?" Marcia said as she watched Steve put the gas in the car.
"Yeah, I do. You wanna try?"
"No thanks." She said giggling.
Marcia turned as the other girls came back out.
"Thanks," Cherry said as they all began to get into the car.
"See ya around," Steve said to Marcia.
"Yeah see ya."
The guys watched as the stingray pulled off. Pony had never found someone as interesting as Leanne. He really wanted to talk to her more. Johnny was touched by Connie offering him to sit beside her in class. He didn't know if he would go for it but it was still nice of her to offer. Steve and Soda were always up for a challenge. And Cherry and Marcia were good looking women. Dally flirted constantly but that didn't mean he was always serious. With this Liz though he was serious.
Johnny walked into his English class and headed for his usual table. Then he saw Connie sitting at her usual table. Should he go over there? Maybe she'd changed her mind? Connie looked up and smiled at him. He felt himself smiling back. She then gestured for him to join her. His faith restored he took the seat beside her.
"Thanks, Johnny it can get a little lonely over here by myself. I thought you might feel the same way.'
'I never thought much of it actually. It's kinda nice having someone to talk to I guess."
"I think so too. I don't have my sister or anyone to talk to."
"Your sister's Marcia right?"
"Yeah were really close."
Johnny normally found it hard to talk to people. For some reason, it was easy to talk to this girl. She proved Soc and greasers had nothing to do with how a person acted. Class for him might start getting more interesting yet. The teacher came in and started class. But Johnny and Connie talked quietly to each other the whole time, by some miracle they didn't get caught. They almost wished class could go on longer just so they could talk.
"Bye Johnny, will you sit with me tomorrow?"
"Sure thing." He said smiling at her.
Pony was just getting out of class and heading to find Johnny.
"Hey Pony."
He looked up to see Leanne looking at him from the corner of her eye. He knew she was being careful in case anyone saw them. That was better for both of them. However, she looked like she had something to tell him. So looking around quickly he headed down a hallway gesturing her to follow. She did so and once they were there he turned to her.
"I got this for you." She said handing him a book.
He looked to see it was a copy of Gone with the Wind. He'd remembered her telling him she'd get him one somewhere. He just hadn't expected her to give it to him the very next day.
"Thanks." He said examining the book.
"Told ya you didn't have too. How'd you find it so quick?"
"Went to this old bookstore this morning. Wouldn't feel right if I didn't get you a copy."
"Thank ya." He said smiling at her gratefully.
"Your welcome, enjoy it okay?"
"I always do. You enjoy yours since you haven't read it before."
"I sure will thanks."
She turned away smiling one last time.
Liz walked out of the school. She had a free period and was planning on leaving. As she was walking out she stopped.
"Dallas?"
He was standing in the parking lot next to her car.
"You surprised to see me, honey?" He asked lighting a cigarette.
"Yeah you don't go to school here do you?"
"Nah school aint for people like me. I came here to see you."
"Me?"
"Yeah so feel flattered. Let's go to the dingo for a coke."
"You came all this way here to ask me that?"
"I wasn't asking."
"I hope you don't think I'm going with you and you talking to me like that."
"No, ya don't have too. Some other chick would go if I asked. I just want to know if your gonna go? Do something out of the ordinary. A little on the wild side."
"Dallas…"
"Call me Dally."
"Dally, I know about the Dingo. That's a rough place I really don't want to be there."
"Come on you'll be fine so long as you're with me."
"Will I?"
"No one will mess with you if you're with me."
"I don't know."
"He walked closer to her.
"I'm Dallas Winston you'll be fine. Anybody messes with you, they'll have me to deal with."
Liz knew she should say no. But she had never expected to be asked out by Dallas Winton. It was dangerous and he was dangerous. He was unbelievably attractive. His brown eyes beautiful. His smirk made him irresistible.
"You know what fine. But you better keep your end of the bargain and make sure I come back in one piece.
"You'll be safe with me."
He gestured for her to get in his own car. When she didn't budge he opened the door for her and gestured again. She sighed but got in the car thanking him for being a gentleman.
Steve had a shift at the DX right after school. He had only just started working when a car pulled up. He was surprised to see Marcia and Cherry. Cherry gave him a wave before heading into the shop. Marcia, however, walked up to him.
"Hey what are you doing here?"
"Something I never thought I'd do." She confessed.
"What's that?"
"I wanna help you work."
"You wanna help me do this messy work right here?"
"Yeah, the offer still open?"
"Sure, but I don't think you wanna do it in your nice little socy sweater."
"Find me something less messy."
"This is mechanic work. Not exactly anything but messy."
Cherry walked up to the counter Soda was at.
"Cherry whatcha doing here?"
"Soda I broke up with Bob today."
"Ya did?" He said in surprise."
"Yeah, I did. Soda that offer for a coke still open?"
A big smile spread across his face.
"Yeah, it is. Ya got time today after my shift?"
"I can make time." She said smiling back.
"Dallas can you slow down! Your gonna kill us both!"
"No hands!" Dally said taking them off the wheel.
"Dally"! She yelled as he pulled into the dingo and narrowly avoided getting them side swiped.
"I got it." He said parking.
Liz looked out the window in interest as Dally got out of the car and shut the door. Liz stayed put and he came over to her side.
"What are ya doing?"
"Maybe it was a mistake to come here."
"Mistakes are meant to be made. I told ya it would be fine. I don't think you want me to drag you out of the car do ya?"
She glared at him as he bent down towards the window.
"Just trust me alright? I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."
She nodded and for some reason believed him. He opened her door and she stepped out. Dallas walked in like he owned the place and she scurried behind him. Everyone was looking at her. She found out pretty quickly she was the only Soc there. Dally led her to a table and gestured her to sit down.
"Dallas what can I get you?" A waitress asked as she eyed him seductively.
"Two cokes and some menus. You hungry?" He asked looking at Liz.
Well, she could be except she felt too nervous to eat anything. She kept looking around.
"I said are you hungry?" Dally said smirking.
"Not sure." She said looking at the table.
"Well I'm hungry so bring those menus. Even I'm not enough of a hood to eat while a lady sits there hungry."
The waitress nodded and walked off.
"So what's wrong with ya?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"You've never been this quiet."
"It's nothing."
He looked around.
"Are ya that nervous? Look if you're worried what people think forget em. You think they give a rat's ass about you? Probably not."
"How do you do it, Dally?"
