2.

It had been three days since Kaitlyn's run in with Dallas Winston, and, like he had told her, she had not seen him again. She was standing in front of her mirror in her bathroom. Her dark brown hair was pulled up in rollers. She had just finished brushing her teeth and her mouth felt nice and fresh. She was getting ready for a day out with two girls that lived next by, Sandra and Tammy. Though Kaitlyn wanted to stay and help unpack, her mother had insisted she go out with her friends instead. She padded bare foot back to her bedroom and opened her closet. "Hm…" she contemplated her choices and ended up choosing a yellow and black stripped dress that came right above her knees. She slipped it on over her head and gave a twirl. The dress fanned out around her, causing her to smile. Then she made her way back to the bathroom and removed the rollers in her hair. It fell down around her shoulders and framed her face. Now that she was dressed, Kaitlyn slipped on a pair of black and yellow saddle back shoes and headed outside.

Once outside, Kaitlyn found Tammy and Sandra already waiting beside her car. She smiled at them as she made her way across the lawn. "Oh well, don't you just look like a doll!" cooed Tammy, taking in Kaitlyn's outfit. Kaitlyn smiled in thanks. Tammy had her long black hair pushed back with a bright green headband that matched her dress. "Hi Sandra." Kaitlyn greeted her other friend. Sandra had a pixie cut hair style that let her dark blonde hair fall over her eyes. She waved at Kaitlyn and they all piled into Kaitlyn's car.

Tammy climbed into the passenger seat, only to jump out again. "Grody! Is this...Blood!" She exclaimed. Kaitlyn turned around in her seat and picked up a different jacket that just so happened to be in her car then sat it on the seat so that Tammy could climb in. She did, though reluctant. "So tell me," Tammy started as Kaitlyn pulled out of the drive way. "Why is there blood in your car?"

"Ah, it's a long story." Kaitlyn said embarrassedly.

"We have time." Sandra quietly pointed out from the back seat. Kaitlyn sighed deeply then proceeded to tell them all about what happened, from Dallas climbing in her car, to the police man, to punching his face, and helping him with his nose bleed. The other two girls sat and listened with horrified faces. "I can't believe you let that Greaser in your car!" Tammy almost spat. Kaitlyn looked awkwardly out the window. "I don't know, he needed help and-"

"Look, Kaitlyn, kids like them and kids like us don't get along, it's just a fact of life. You shouldn't make yourself too familiar with them if you want to be accepted around here." Tammy explained.

"She's right." Sandra agreed.

Kaitlyn just sighed and shook her head. She saw no reason why Dallas Winston and she could not be friends. They made it into town and then stopped at a few little shops, picking up some new clothes and shoes. After shopping, they went to a little restaurant where they all ordered a vanilla ice cream cone. They found a booth and sat down together. "Hey, do you guys know of any good book stores around here" Kaitlyn asked casually between licks on her ice cream cone.

"I know of one, but it's on the other side of town. We try to avoid going there." Sandra told her, wiping some ice cream off her chin with a napkin. Kaitlyn looked down disappointed. "But, we'll go if you really want to, right Tammy?" Sandra said, not asked. Tammy rolled her eyes unhappily. "Fine." She said. Kaitlyn smiled and finished off her ice cream.

When they were all finished eating, they all piled back into the car and set off. The North side of town was a lot different from the Southside. The houses were for the most part rundown and dirty. They finally arrived at the book store and headed in. Though the selection was small, it was still good enough for Kaitlyn. She headed over for the far right wall which was stacked to the top with books, while Tammy and Sandra checked out the magazine rack on the other side of the store.

Kaitlyn heard the bell over the door ring as someone else came in the store, but she didn't bother to look. She heard the other person shuffle over towards the same wall that she was on. She threw a casual glance towards the stranger only to realize that it wasn't a stranger. She smiled and moved sideways in a slow, unsuspicious manner until she bumped into the stranger. "Hey, watch it!" He snapped, his blue eyes blazing. "Hello Dallas." She smiled up at him. He looked at her for a few moments then his eyes widened in recognition. "Hey, you're Kaitlyn right?" He asked.

"Aw, I thought I'd be more memorable than that." She sighed in mock disappointment. Dallas chuckled at that. "So what are you doing here, you don't look like the reading type to me." He turned and glanced at the cashier. "Hey, you think you could help me out again?" He asked her quietly.

Kaitlyn furrowed her brow. "I dunno what do you need?" She asked.

"I was uh, thinking of hitting off this store here, but I need a getaway driver." He told her with a smirk across his face.

"Dallas I can't." She told him plainly. His smirk faded away and he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "I see, just as I thought, you think you're too good for me don't you!" He accused, though his face betrayed no actual emotions.

"No!" Kaitlyn said. "I just don't want to risk getting caught. Unlike you I have a clean track record." She explained to him. He seemed to understand because he dropped the topic. He stole a quick look around the store before turning back to Kaitlyn. "Wanna get out of here?" He suddenly asked her looking very excited. She looked at him and sighed. "Dallas. I'm here with my friends."

"Oh, so you're too ashamed to be seen with me is that it?" He asked sharply.

"No." Kaitlyn exhaled sharply. "Look, they told me not to talk to you, but I still am, so obviously I don't care. It's just I can't ditch them. I'm their ride home anyways." She explained to him. He looked at her and smirked. "Then just make something up." He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Kaitlyn didn't know what it was, but something seemed to be propelling her to do it, go on some wild adventure with Dallas. She sighed and grabbed a random book off the shelf. Dallas turned back to the shelf, a satisfied grin on his face.

"Hey guys. I am so sorry, but I just remembered something really important that I have to do and I've got to leave right now." Tammy's and Sandra's heads both snapped up.

"And leave us stranded here on the Northside of town!" Tammy squeaked. Kaitlyn put on her best distraught looking face. "I know!" She suddenly exclaimed, sticking a finger in the air. "You guys take the car. I'll get a ride, don't worry." They gave her an apprehensive look. After arguing about it for a few more minutes, the other two girls finally agreed. "Ok," Kaitlyn told them. "You guys go on; I'm going to by this book. Her friends waved and walked out of the book store, still looking worried.

Kaitlyn walked back over to Dallas who hadn't moved at all. He smiled at her, his ice blue eyes showing through his white blond hair. That's when Kaitlyn first noticed that his eyes were cold, like they retained a hate for the whole world. She realized that she was starring and looked away sheepishly. Dallas just snickered and walked away. Kaitlyn put the book back in place and followed him out the door. She heard the cashier sigh in relief as they excited.

Once outside the sun hit Kaitlyn's eyes and momentarily blinded her. She huffed in annoyance. She looked around and saw that Dallas was already walking off in the other direction. "Hey, wait for me!" She called, having to sprint to catch him. She walked alongside him, getting a few glances of confusion or suspicion as she went. She tried multiple times to get a conversation going with Dallas, but he seemed to have lost all interest in her. Soon enough she gave up and crossed her arms, walking stiffly beside him. Why had she lied to her friends, so she could be ignored? She had just started contemplating whether or not to leave, when another young man stepped out in front of Dallas, staring him down. He had curly black hair that was greased back to his head. His smile was cold and lacking actually happiness, reminding her of Dallas. He had a long scar on his face and a crooked looking nose. But the way that his dark blue eyes bore into Dallas, and the way that they looked so hungry, was a little unnerving. "Hello Dallas." He almost purred in a menacing tone. At least, Kaitlyn thought it was menacing. Dallas however hadn't moved a muscle.

"Hello Tim." Dallas replied, his own cold leer creeping onto his face. The other boy's eyes flashed with hatred.

"Someone has slashed the tires on my car again. You wouldn't happen to know who might have done that, do you?" He asked, evidently knowing that Dallas had done it. But Dallas didn't show the least bit of concern.

"Nope, sorry Tim." He replied, looking Tim straight in his malevolent eyes, returning a cold, hostile look himself.

Tim tensed up. "You know, I'm pretty sure I do know." He stated crossly, taking a step towards Dallas. Dallas' smile hadn't faded, but he asked in a serious tone, "Hey man wouldn't want to start a scuffle in front of the lady now would we?" His smirk still spread across his elfish face. Tim sneered angrily. "Like I care if that broad is here or not." Kaitlyn's eyes snapped to Tim's.

"Who are you calling a broad! " She demanded. But he didn't have time to respond because Dallas had spun on his heels and taken off running in the other direction, grabbing Kaitlyn's wrist and dragging her with him. She struggled to keep up with him, and could hear Tim close behind. She was certain that Tim would catch them, but Dallas suddenly ran into a shop, dashed through some shelves, then burst out the back door, all the while dragging Kaitlyn with him.

They finally stopped at a little gas station on the complete opposite side of the town and Dallas released his grip on Kaitlyn's wrist. She hadn't noticed how solid his grip was until he had let go, leaving a dark red hand print on her wrist. She rubbed it gingerly when she heard a voice from behind her. "Hey Dally." The voice called. She turned, expecting more trouble and not wanting to run anymore. But she saw that Dallas, though still panting really hard, was smiling in a more friendly way. "Hey Soda." Dallas called back. A boy strutted over from inside the gas station, million dollar smile stretched across his face. He was astoundingly handsome, with dark brown hair and eyes to match. He had a kind, sensitive looking face, and he approached them still smiling.

"Who's your new friend, eh Dal?" He asked, grinning sideways at the pair. Dallas continued to pant, his hands on his knees.

"Talk later, need water." He panted, pointing towards Kaitlyn, indicating that he wanted water for her too. Kaitlyn was also exhausted and was not about to pass on water. The boy smiled and shrugged. "I'm Sodapop, by the way." He said as he walked away. "Kaitlyn." She replied still breathlessness. Dallas straightened up and sighed an aggravated sigh. "That was supposed to work." He complained. Kaitlyn eyed him curiously, but he seemed to have forgotten her presence once again. "Tim was supposed to see that I was with a girl and back off. I couldn't have fought him today! My rib still hurts from yesterday!" He told himself angrily.

Kaitlyn straightened herself now as Sodapop was walking back towards them. "You used me?" She asked, feeling stunned. He looked at her and smiled

"Why would you think that?" He asked innocently, though not convincingly.

"Because you didn't want to fight that guy today. That's the only reason you wanted me to come with you! You had me lie to my friends, all for nothing!" She shouted. Sodapop reached them and held out the waters. "Thank you Sodapop." She said fuming and grabbing the water before turning and walking away.

Dallas didn't seem to care though. Sodapop shook his head at his friend, "Man, when 'er you gonna learn you can't just play people all the time?" He asked. Dallas just shrugged. "Hey where's Steve at?" He asked casually

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn was walking heatedly, causing the dust on the ground to stir around her feet. She had drunk the water quickly and was now regretting it. It was still hot and she had a long way to go. She was still furious. He didn't want to hang out with her; he probably didn't even like her. She turned another corner and hoped that she was going the right way.

As she walked, she heard music blaring behind her. A bright red corvette pulled up beside her. She heard some boys' voices shouting and the music went off. She looked behind her to see four boys climbing out of their car and walking towards her. She groaned annoyed and started walking again, but they were faster and before she knew it they had her surrounded.

"Long ways from home aren't we?" One with brown, curly hair asked her, obviously drunk.

"Not like that's any of your business." She replied bitterly.

"Ah come on doll, whatsa girl like you doin' in greaser land?" One with thick black hair that clung to his head slurred.

Kaitlyn rolled her eyes impatiently. "Look, I really have to get home so if you could just let me-"

"Aw come on. Dontcha jus' wanna have some fun first?" The brown head asked her.

"Not really." She replied severely. But the drunken group didn't seem to care about her opinion. The black haired one grabbed her wrist. "Stop!" She cried desperately. They pushed her down and she closed her eyes as she hit the ground with a thud. Kaitlyn was thrashing and punching, but all their weight was too much for her. She squeezed her eyes tightly, too afraid to scream, and was about to just give up fighting when a hot liquid sprayed across her face and she felt their weight leave her. She scrambled to her feet and opened her eyes. She saw the black haired boy clutching his face, blood oozing from between his fingers.

"You'll pay for that greaser!" He screeched.

And Kaitlyn heard a familiar voice behind her respond, "Fat chance man."