DISCLAIMER: I DONOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS
this is chapter is VERY LONG! i completely forgot to mention that every chapter is a different day. Ch1 was a friday, ch2 was a saturday, ch3 sunday, etc. So yeah :)
Kate POV
I sit straight up coming out of yet another nightmare. Recently, I've been having so many, I've been waking up about to scream, only to stuff a pillow in my mouth to stop myself. I've wanted to tell Tiffany and Kelsey, but I don't want to worry them too much. I sniff the air, smelling something, something good…
Pancakes? I look at my bedside clock, eight a.m. It couldn't possibly be Tiff, she hates getting up early. So does Kelsey…
Who the heck? I groggily get up and slip my feet into my slippers. I walk out of my bedroom and see something I never thought I would ever see.
Kelsey at the stove, making chocolate chip pancakes, whistling a Taylor Swift song. I cock my head in confusion as she dances around the kitchen, flipping pancakes masterfully like she was a born chef. My jaw drops and I walk up to behind the bar, sitting down on one of the stools, watching my sissy. Finally, as she's singing the bridge, she sees me. She smiles widely, her face bright and happy.
"Well, morning sissy! Didn't expect you up this early," she says.
"Speak for yourself! It's eight in the morning, Kel! You're never up this early, what's up with you?"
"Well," a small blush appears on her face, "I'm just in a really good mood, and I decided to give Tiff a break in the making- food department," she says as she flips another pancake.
"I thought you couldn't make food?"
"Only pancakes," she says, turning the stove off, "That's why I buy those Stouffer meals. I can't make shit when it comes to food other than pancakes."
"Oh," I say as I steal apancake. I take a bite and a soft moan comes out of me. Damn that was good!"Kelsey, you're a pancake genius!" She grins.
"Thank you sissy! Now, go wake up sister number three so we can take these over to the guys," I laugh and point over towards the hallway leading to our bedrooms.
"I don't think that'll be necessary," I say pointing at a sleepy looking Tiff coming out of her room and into the kitchen area.
"Do I smell pancakes?" Tiff says while yawning. Kelsey then throws a pancake into her mouth. She moans.
"Another happy customer, Chef Kelsey," I say and pat her on the back.
"Dude, are ALL of these forUS?" Tiff asks as her hand gets swatted away by Kel from the plate. She groans and sits down next to me on another stool.
"We're SHARING them with the guys. I promised Darry," I grin at Kelsey's comment.
"So that's why you're in such a happy mood, and actually makin' food," I say.
"Good rhyme with the insult!"Tiff says and high five's me. When we both look at Kelsey, she's blushing like a tomato.
"So, you never told us about your all- day excursion with Darry yesterday," I say to her. She sighs.
"We kissed okay? And then Itook him to Julliard, then the Statue of Liberty-,"
"YOU GUYS KISSED?!" I get upand shake her a little bit, "AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?!" Surprisingly, Tiff didn't join in on my yelling. I keep my eyes focused on Kelsey awaiting her answer.
"We were talking in Times Square about how much we have in common… and how Johnny's so afraid of the modern world. I told him that I'd do everything I can to make them feel at home, and… he said he liked me, and… we kissed," I squeal in joy as Kelsey blushes even more.
"Well, how was it? Is he a good kisser? Did you guys French it up? Was there fireworks? Did you-,"
"ALL OF THE ABOVE!" She screams. She then begins to calm down, "it was amazing. I guess we're going out now. Well, that's enough of that. Now, Kate, stop jumping up and down. Tiff…"Kel stops dead in her tracks and stares intensely at Tiff, I look, not noticing at first but then my eyes go wide. Tiffany is wearing Dallas Winston's leather jacket.
Tiffany POV
I could almost see the smoke coming out of Kelsey's ears,the fire in her eyes igniting. Kate's jaw was dropped, her eyes darting between me and Kelsey. Kelsey stepped forward, her eyes not leaving mine.
"Where did you get that?" she slowly says with a mixture of anger and protective in her voice. I instantly got angry, knowing what she's feeling. It makes me mad that she can only see the bad side of the greaser.
"Dallas gave it to me, no big deal-,"
"It IS a big deal Tiffany! Don't let him push you around, ya hear?"
"We didn't even DO ANYTHING! Iwas cold out on the balcony. He came out, we talked, and he gave me his jacket and walked back inside. He was being a gentleman, end of story. I didn't fucking kiss him like YOU did with Darry!" I got up and ran towards the door and opened it only to stop and turn around one last time, "And I can take care of myself!" I slam the door behind me and ran, tears streaming down my face.
I didn't care that I was only in a leather jacket and slippers. I just kept running, desperate to just be alone for once. I kept running, out of our apartment building and into the morning sun. I found an empty bench on the sidewalk and sat down, burying my face in my hands. I couldn't stop the tears.I can't believe what I had done.
Tiff, she's only trying to protect you. She's basically your sister, she doesn't want to see you get hurt.
But she doesn'tknow him like I do! She doesn't get that he really can be kinda and considerate!
I ain't your doll.
My words played out like a mantra over and over again as I continued to cry….
"Nice jacket," I look up, my eyes still wet. I see a man, in all black, smirking at me. The next moment, my world has gone the same color.
Dallas POV
I saw a man in black deliver a punch to my doll as I ran out of the building. No one hurts my doll, I thought as I took out my switchblade. I saw Tiffany fall, probably knocked out, on the bench she had been sitting on. I growled and jumped on the man's back, pinning him tothe ground, and put the switchblade to his throat.
"Stay away from her or you're dead," I hissed. The man's eyes were wide with fear and he nodded feverishly. I let him get up, but not before slashing his arm. He seethed in pain, clutching his arm. I smirked, "That's for hurting my girl, man. Now go," The guy scrambled off, scared out of his mind. I wanted to laugh, chase after him maybe, but I had bigger things to take care of.
I ran over towhere Tiffany lay. Sure enough, she was knocked out. She also had a big lump on her head; the son of a bitch must've hit her hard. I looked around, and picked up Tiffany bridal- style and quickly carried her back to her apartment.
Darry POV
"I didn't mean to hurt her! Ijust wanted to make sure she was okay!" Kelsey cried into my shoulder. I held my now-girlfriend tighter, letting her cry. I felt her pain, I had to make these kinds of decisions all the time with Soda's girlfriends.
"It's okay, hun," I told her again, hugging her, "Old Dally will find her, everything will be okay."
"Just so she comes back safe, I'll trust him fully," she said. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom. I'll be right back," I let Kelsey get off of my lap and watched her as she went down the hallway. Soda started to talk quietly once Kelsey was out ofearshot.
"Dally's been gone for awhile. I hope everything's okay..."
"She ran out of ourapartment in such a tailspin," Kate said, from her seat next to Soda, "And usually when she's angry like that, she's uncontrollable."
"Just like our Dally," Two-Bit said, for once not having an ounce of funniness in his voice. The room went silent for a moment, and then suddenly the door as kicked open.
Dally appeared through the door, breathing hard, carrying Tiffany in his arms. I immediately stood up, and took Tiffany from his arms and laid her on the couch. She was knocked out for sure.
"Dally," I turned to the seventeen-year old, "What the hell happened?"
Dally sat on the couch, his face a mixture of somber and angry, "She almost got mugged. I found her outside of the apartment, with some thug overtop of her, beating the hell outta her. Thank God I got there in time, I wanted to kill him..."
"You didn't?"Johnny said from the corner of the room.
"No," Dally said, sighing. "I had to make sure Tiffany was okay." All of the gang's jaws dropped as he said that.
"You're not as bad as I thought, Winston." Kelsey came out of the shadows and embraced Dally, the tears coming down her face once again.
"You trust me now with her then, Superwoman?" Dally said, as they broke apart. Kelsey frowned.
"More than before, since you saved her, but you still have to prove yourself faithful, Winston." She turned her back on the greaser and turned her full attention to Tiffany.
"Darry,"she said as she looked at the bump on Tiff's head, "You know how to fix boo-boos up, right?"
I grinned. "Let me get the first aid kit."
Tiffany POV
It was actually pretty calming being knocked out. It was kind of like dreaming, except you didn't know when you would wake up, if ever. I wondered if I was dead. But of course, I told myself, if I was dead, I wouldn't still be having thoughts, would I? I pondered this, and then suddenly, I saw Darry's face in front of me.
"Darry?" I said, "Am I dead?" He laughed.
"No, Dally wouldn't let you." he looked behind him. "Kel, she's awake!"
Suddenly, Kelsey's arms were around me, and she was hugging me tightly.
"Thank God," she said, still hugging me. "I thought you would never wake up. I'm so sorry, Tiffy. I didn't mean to make you angry...and I trust you and Dally now, believe me, I do...just don't run off like that again..."
"Kel, Kel, it's okay," I told her, trying to push her off, but she wouldn't let go."It's okay. Now, please let go of me before I die for real." She looked down and saw my purple-ing face, and then immediately let go.
"Oh my gosh, sorry! I guess Idon't know my own strength..." From his seat over near Steve and Pony, Two-Bit laughed.
"That's definitely your girl, Dar-she tries to kill everyone with hugs." Darry laughs, and takes Kelsey by the waist, kissing her head.
"So, if you don't mind me asking," I said, disrupting Kel and Darry's little moment, "What happened? I remember a figure..."
"Was beating the hell outta you, doll," a very familiar voice said.
I saw Dally come towards me. He stopped in front of me, and sat on the edge of the couch that I was laying on. "I saw him pounding you when I turned the corner," he said,looking out. "I pulled out my blade and jumped him, scared the piss outta him. Was gonna kill him, but..." he looked at me, a look of genuine affection in his eyes. "I couldn't leave you."
"What's that smell?" I hear Johnny ask. He hasn't really talked since he first came here. I look over and Two-Bit starts sniffing around him and gravitates his head over towards his armpits.
"Ol' Mickey here is getting stinky!" Two-Bit announces quite loudly.
"Alright guys, you people need more than one outfit," Kate says.
"You two," Kelsey begins to say, "Hold down the fort, I'm trusting you. We're going shopping."
"Yes Superwoman," I say, which gets a laugh out of Dal, and all the guys, Kate, and Kelsey leave theapartment. When Kelsey leaves, she just barely leaves the door open and winks at me, then shuts it all the way. Dally then looks at me and smirks.
"And I thought I was the troublemaker," he says.
"How am I the trouble maker?!"
"Picking fights, getting hurt…you're like one of the guys, doll," I smile.
"I didn't pick a fight, I was mugged!" He smirks.
"Same thing, doll," We sitt here in silence for a moment. Doesn't he know what that smirk does to me, what that laugh does to me and how he calls me doll? He looks away from me.
"Dally, can I ask ya aquestion? A… personal question?" he looks back at me.
"Go ahead, shoot," I look into his eyes.
"Have you ever wanted to be with a girl for more than just a one-night stand?" he turns away from me and starts to play with the ring on his finger.
"Honestly, doll? I've never had or been with a girl who I wanted to spend my whole life with," he turns back towards me and looks straight into my eyes, "Why do ya ask, doll?" I turn my face away from him.
"Just wonderin'," Dally continues to stare at me. I turn back and look at him, "What are YOU starin'at?"
I see the slightest blush form on his cheeks. That was weird… I made Dallas Winston blush… weird, but cute! Oh my gosh, I can't believe he blushed, I wonder if he noticed, should I tell him…? Nawww.
"You're just so… interesting," he says. I cock my head to the side in confusion.
"Interesting, how?"
"You're tuff like me, but at the same time, you're soft," I glare at him.
"Who you callin' soft greaser!" I say with a little fake anger. He laughs.
"Soft like, affectionate, kind, caring, the opposite of me, really," he looks away from me. I sit up a little and take his hand.
"You're sellin' yourself short. You're kind and affectionate. I saw it in the way you protect Johnny all the time in… in the movie, and…" he looks at me and I feel myself blush, "in other ways too…"
"What are you tryin' to say, doll?"
"Dal," I sit up all the way and face him, "don't think you need to be a hollow shell of emptiness. You ARE allowed to feel emotions and have feelings."
"What do ya think I'm feelin'now?" he says with a straight face.
"… I don't really know, what ARE you feeling right now?" he smirks.
"I don't really know myself, doll," we both chuckle a little. He leans back and rests his arm on top of the couch, "So, who knows when THEY'LL be back. What do ya want to do?" I shrug at him.
"You just wanna watch some TV?"
"Why not," I pick up the remote and turn the TV on. I search the channels I usually watch and sigh. Crap is on, nothing at all but utter crap. I turn the TV off and put the remote down.
"Well, there ain't shit on besides the news and I really don't wanna watch that now," I yawn a little bit.
"You tired, doll?"
"A little, I woke up WAY too early today, and it doesn't help getting mugged either…"
"And it doesn't help staying up 'till midnight either, and what time did ya get up, one?!"
"No, around seven-ish,"
"Jeez, that's ROUGH," he says with a sarcastic tone, "I get up 'round six 'cuse of the people I live with."
"I bet," I yawn again.
"Ya know, I AM here."
"Yeah, you should go, I'mgonna fall-,"
"No, that's not what I meant, here," he gets up, grabs a pillow from another chair and comes and sits back down and places the pillow against his leg. He pats a spot on the pillow and I make a big dramatic sigh.
"Fine," I lie down and realize something, "Oh, Dal. Your jacket," I begin to get up but before I'm barely moving, I feel a hand gently rest on my arm.
"Don't worry 'bout it. I'll get it from ya later. You need your sleep more than I need my jacket at this moment in time, doll."
I cuddle into the pillow and feel his arm get tighter on me. Not so much that it hurts, but enough that's saying, I'm here, don't worry, I won't leave ya. I then feel fingers start going slowly through my hair.
"Dal, I'm gonna fall asleep onya if ya keep that up."
"Isn't that what I want you to do, doll?"
"Don't tell me… what to… do…"
"Sleep doll, ya need it."
Kelsey POV
"Welcome to the Manhattan Mall!" I say to everyone as we get to the building.
"It's HUGE!" Two-Bit says. I smile, and Kate laughs.
"Yeah, most malls are." The guys just continue to gawk at the building, and so me and Kate drag them inside, so that other people don't point and stare. We walk in, and I immediately turn to the guys and Kate.
"Okay," I say, taking charge like I usually do, "Here are our choices: Aeropostale, Hollister, The Disney Store, Top Gun Leather, Abercrombie and Fitch, and JCPenney." I turn to Kate. "Kate, you take Two-Bit, Steve, and Johnny to Hollister first. I'll take Darry, Pony, and Soda to Aeropostale first, and we can meet at the food court at noon." I turn to everybody. "Any questions?" Two-Bit laughs.
"No, ma'm." He then nudges Steve, who also laughs. I pretend to glare at them and laugh.
"Well, we have to have SOME order here," I say. Then I remember something. "Hey, Two-Bit, do you know what size Dally wears?" He smirks.
"How am I supposed to know?" I stare at him. "He's the same size as me, Superwoman. I'll shop for him." I smile.
"Thank you, wiseass." I laugh and turn to Kate. "Well, you have the fun group." She laughs.
"No, I have the totally awesome group." She turns to her guys. "Let's go SHOPPING!"
I laugh hard as Kate drags all three guys, including a still scared-looking Johnny, down the hall of the mall to Hollister. I sigh and turn to my group.
"And now you guys know why I didn't want Two-Bit Matthews in my group." Soda laughs.
"Well, you still have me." I smirk at him.
"I'm surprised you didn't opt to go with Kate, you flirt." He blushes, and Pony nudges his side.
"Yeah, why didn't you gowith her, Soda? You were telling me yesterday how damn cute she was..." Darry looks at Pony.
"Watch your language, boy." I laugh, and put my arm around his waist.
"Oh, it's fine, the kid have some fun." Darry smiles and kisses me on the lips softly. Behind us, Pony and Soda start to sing, "Kelsey and Darry, sitting in a tree..."
Before they can start the next part, me and Darry glare at them,making them start laughing hard. I sigh, and say.
"C'mon, let's get you guys some clothes."
Two-Bit POV
After spending about an hour in a dark-filled smelly store called Hollister, we finally got to where I wanted to go: The Disney Store.
"Okay, now," Katesays as we near the entrance, "There are little kiddies in this store, so PLEASE try not to goof off, okay?" I grin.
"Oh, come on, hun. You know I'm an angel." Steve and Johnny laugh behind me as we enter the store. "What, I am!" Johnny smiles, the first time since we've gotten here.
"Only in your dreams, Two-Bit." I grin and ruffle the boy's head, and then look around the store, and see...
"MICKEY!" I run as fast as I can to the display, almost running over a little kid.
"I thought this would be a bad idea," Kate mumbles as they follow me to the display.
Rows and rows of Mickey Mouse stuff lays before me, my wide eyes looking at it all. Steve comes over and taps my shoulder, and says, "He's in Mickey heaven," as I continue to look at the items.
I whisper under my breath, "It's the holy fuckin'grail of Mickey..." I then look upward and see a Mickey t-shirt, kind of like the one I have on. I smile, and reach for the shirt, grabbing it and holding it up like the Olympic Torch. "I have found what I'm gonna wearfor the rest of my days!" I say, and grab five more t-shirts off the rack.
The guys laugh, and Kate just sighs. Steve says,
"Now he just needs chocolate cake and he'll be done for."
Kate laughs at that and taps me onthe shoulder, taking the shirts from my hands.
"Is this all you want,Two-Bit?" I smile.
"Honey, Mickey is all I need." Johnny chuckles.
"What 'bout pants?" he says. I laugh, and punch him lightly on the shoulder.
"Kiddo, pants are for squares."
Darry POV
After getting about five pairs of jeans each for the three of us, and about a million t-shirts from Aeropostale and Abercrombie and Fitch, Kelsey finally sighs heavily. I laugh at her and take her around the waist.
"Tired out, babe?" She smiles.
"And I thought girls liked clothes. You guys are crazy!" Soda grins.
"Naw, that was all Pony! He's the one who has to have his fan-dancy shirts and junk!" He lightly punches Pony on the arm. Pony smirks.
"Look who's talking! You bought freakin' dress pants and shirts, probably to impress Kate!" Soda blushes.
"It's not to impress..." I butt in their conversation.
"Boy, it's to impress, and you know it." I turn to Kelsey as we keep walking. "Where are we going anyway, Kel?" She smiles.
"Food court. One, because it's noon. Two-" she points to her stomach, "my stomach is going Ponyboy on me." I laugh, and Pony says,
"Is that an insult?" We all laugh, as Kelsey directs us to a large table in the circular area of the mall. I sit next to Kelsey, putting my arm around her shoulders as Pony and Soda sit across from us.
"And now, we wait," Kelsey says, snuggling her head into the crook of my shoulder. Ponyboy and Soda wink at me, motioning to Kelsey, and I shush them before they say anything. I clear my throat.
"So, where do you think they are then, Kel?" She sighs.
"Oh, who knows. She hasTwo-Bit and Steve with her; they could've gotten arrested." Pony looks at Kelsey.
"What about Johnny?" She smiles.
"I wouldn't worry about him. He's not the troublemaking kind. He's a smart kid, like you, Pony."
"Smart?! That's a good one," Soda says, and Pony frowns at him. I smile at Soda and say,
"Hey, he's got more brains than you, boy," I tease. Kelsey, who hasn't said anything, just laughs and puts her hand on my thigh absentmindedly. Doesn't she know that drives me crazy? That she drives me crazy? As if she has read my mind, she looks up at me and grins mischievously. I just smile.
"Hey, look here, Steve-O! The lovebirds and the brothers!" Two-Bit smiles wide as Kelsey blushes and takes her head off my shoulder as Kate's group comes toour table. However, Kelsey doesn't move her hand off my thigh, which I'm happy about.
"I see now why you picked the brothers," Kate says to Kelsey, sliding into the seat next to Soda. Soda's face lights up when she sits next to him and he says,
"What, did you miss me, babe?" Two-Bit just laughs as he slides in next to Kelsey. He nudges her on the side and says,
"Oh, she just doesn't like carrying all the bags, that's all." Kate laughs.
"That's cause you and Steve are just too damn lazy! Johnny's the only one that actually helped," she said, motioning to the sixteen year old seated next to Ponyboy. Kelsey laughs.
"See, Pony? You and Johnny: kind, helpful, smart." She looks at Two-Bit and Steve, "Opposite of annoying, lazy, and smart-ass." I laugh and give her a kiss on the cheek as Two-Bit scoffs and says,
"You forgot funny and lovable, hun."
"Are we getting food then?" Pony asks. I laugh at my little brother.
"You just can't keep your mind off of eating, can't you, kiddo?" He smiles.
"It's my stomach, not me!"He motions to his stomach.
"Sure it is," I say, and he just glares at me and laughs.
"Well, what do you guys want? There's Chick-Fil-A, Subway, Wimpy's, Hong Kong, Mrs. Field's..." Kate says. The guys, including me, all stare at her, not knowing what the hell she's talking about.
Finally, Kelsey clears her throat and translates. "Aka, do you guys want chicken and fries, a hoagie, a hot dog or burger, Chinese food, or dessert?" The guys start shouting things, and I just yell,
"One at a time, guys." Kelsey smiles at me and says,
"Thanks, sweet," patting my thigh lightly. I shiver, because the feeling of her hand on my thigh feels so good... Kelsey just continues to talk, as of she didn't notice my shiver of pleasure. "Okay, Johnny, you first. Then Pony, Soda, Two-Bit, Steve, Darry...and Kate, can you write all this down?"
"Yeah," She takes out a pen and notepad. "Go." Johnny starts.
"Chicken."
"Same."
"Burger, with all condiments."
"DESSERT!"
"Hot dog." Finally, it was my turn. Instead of saying a food, I turn to Kelsey and ask,
"Do you want to split a hoagie footlong with me?" Kelsey blushed slightly and nodded.
"Sure. You can come to Subway with me," She says. She turns to Kate. "What are you getting, sissy?"
"Chinese food, and I better get some for Tiff 'cuse you know what happened LAST time we didn't get her food…"
"I guess I'll go to Chick-Fil-A and Mrs. Fields, and then me and Dar will order from Subway." She looks at Kate. "That leaves you with Wimpy's and Hong Kong. You good with that?"
"Yeah," she says,getting up. "Let's go get some grub!"
Kelsey POV
After getting food for Pony and Soda, and two pieces of chocolate cake for Two-Bit, me and Darry went to Subway.
"Now," I started explaining, "At this place, you can choose everything about your sandwich." Darry cocked his head at me (which was super cute).
"What do you mean?"I thought about how to explain.
"It's like customizing a car. Different paint jobs, style, body...it's like that. You choose what kind of bread, cheese, condiments...whatever you want, you can get it on your sandwich."
"Oh!" Darry says, having a light bulb moment. "That's so cool!" I smile at my boyfriend.
"You're just so adorable," I say, and kiss him. The grumble of my stomach pulls us apart. Darry smiles and pokes my stomach.
"Better get some food in that stomach, Pony!" I laugh at him, and drag him to the counter.
"What do you want, then?" I ask him. He puts his arms around my waist and whispers in my ear,
"Whatever youwant." I smile and sigh in pleasure as the employee comes up behind the counter. Whatever I wanted ended up being a footlong wheat with turkey, tomato, lettuce, and pickles on it- my favorite. When we got back to the table and distributed all the food, all that could be heard from the table was the moans from the guys, signaling that they were happy with their meal, and an occasional, This is really freakin' good. After we get done, I look over at Kate.
"Hey, don't we need more stock?"
"Oh, that's right! We do, I can go and get more food, I can bring Soda too," he smiles at her suggestion and blushes ever so slightly.
"That's alright with me. Come on guys, lets' go and see if Tiff and Dally are a couple yet!"
Tiffany POV
As I sit up on the bar itself, Dally sits on one of the barstools.
"So, it's twelve thirty. What do ya wanna do now? We've watched TV, played hide and seek, or at least tried to until SOMEONE cheated, and well, I slept. What do ya wanna do Dal?" He slightly squints his eyes and purses his lips, looking like he is deep in thought. Is he trying to get me to blush?! He then places his arm on the bar.
"Why don't we just talk, doll?"
"Talk?" I'm taken back by his suggestion. Since when does Dallas Winston want to do nothing but talk? Not what I was thinking he would say but okay, "What do ya wanna talk about then?"
"You."
"Me? Why would ya wanna do that?"
"'Cuse I already know everything about me, doll," he winks at me. I look away for a moment, fighting off possibly the biggest blush my face has ever formed. I look back at him.
"Okay, well, I'm eighteen,majoring in Graphic Design, minoring in Theater. I was born and raised in New Jersey, I've danced since I was three years old…"
"No kidding… maybe I could seea dance sometime," he bites his lip in the most gorgeous way possible. I smile at him.
"What else do ya want to know?"
"What do ya do in your spare time, huh?"
"I draw, I write, sing, dance-OO! Wait right here, I have an idea," I jump off the bar, run into the room connected into the kitchen, grab my guitar, run back out and hop back up on the bar.
"You play?" he asks me.
"Yep! And I uh… write songs too…" I slowly say, not knowing what he'll say.
"No way, I never knew someone who did that. Play somthin', one of YOUR songs."
"Oh, okay," I begin to think then come up with the most recent song I've written. I haven't put chords to ityet, but why not improvise? I begin to strum. Dally watches my every movementwith my hands. When I begin to sing, he looks into my eyes.
Here I am, this is me
There's nowhere else on Earth I'd rather be
Here I am, it's just me and you
Tonight we make our dreams come true
It's a new world, it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day, it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am
Here I am
Here we are, we've just begun
And after all this time, our time has come
Yeah, here we are, still goin' strong
Right here in the place where we belong
It's a new world, it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day, it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am
Yeah, here I am
Here I am
Yeah
Waiting for you
Here I am, this is me
There's no where else on earth I'd rather be
Here I am, it's just me and you
And tonight we make our dreams come true
Oh, it's a new world, it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day, it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am
Here I am
Here I am, next to you
And suddenly the world is all brand new
Here I am, here I am, where I'm gonna stay
Now there's nothin' standin' in our way
Oh, here I am
Here I am
This is me
I strum the final chord and meet his eyes. His jaw is dropped to the floor. For a moment, her says nothing.
"… wow, I gotta say Tiffany," WHOA, he NEVER says my actual name, usually it's doll, never even Tiff, just doll! "you never cease to amaze me." he places his hand on my knee.
That touch, it feels a lot more gentle and soft than I imagined. I wonder if he realized that song was partially about him….
"WE'RE HOME!" I hear Kelsey say as the group walks into the apartment and sits down in the living area. I sigh, every freakin' time the moment starts and is getting good, KELSEY ruins it. Dally still has his hand on my knee until she enters the kitchen and sets down some Chinese food on the bar, "Look at who has their guitar out finally. Bought you some food since you would have yelled at us if we didn't…"
"Ya got that right."
"Oh, and we got ya both some clothes too. Two-Bit bought for you, Dallas."
"Oh great," he says sarcastically.
"I'll be right back," I say as I get off the bar and put my guitar back. I then put the Chinese food into the fridge. I then feel a warm breath on my neck.
"What, not hungry?" I turn around and me and Dallas are now inches apart.
"Not really, ever since this morning I haven't really had an appetite."
"Well, I'm gonna see what Two-Bitch got me, try not to get hurt while I'm gone, alright, doll?" He says with a smirk.
"Whatever you say, MOM," he continues to smirk as he walks out of the apartment. I look over at Kelsey sitting on Darry's lap. I walk over to the group noticing the absence of two people. "Where's Kate and Soda?" Kelsey looks at me while cuddling more into Darry.
"They went to the food store, they should be back soon."
Kate POV
"So, we just gotta get some cereal, Pop Tarts, things like that and we can pay and leave," I say to Soda.
"Pop Tarts?" Soda looks at meand slightly tilts his head in confusion.
"Guess what you're having when we get home," he laughs a little. God, that smile, that laugh… "Oh!" I begin to say. Soda looks at me, "We gotta get some of those Stouffers meals for Kel so she doesn't starve," he chuckles.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but sure," We begin to walk over to the freezer section since we're closer to that isle. Once we get the rest of the food, we go pay and leave.
It's around ten at night and I still can't sleep. The other two are probably asleep already since it's a school night which, ever since we started living together, surprised me, ESPECIALLY now since the greasers are living next door. I can just barely hear the guys next door. Isn't it great to be so care free like that, so wild and reckless? I used to be like that, well, I still am, but ever since I left Jersey, something changed inside me, I don't know what, but I'm sure as hell an not the same person I used to be. I left everything behind when I came to NYC. My friends,family… I look over and see my black belt certificate hanging on the wall. I loved going to karate. All of my friends there, and theater camp…. Ever since Tiff was almost mugged, I've been carrying a small knife everywhere I go. Even when I sleep. I never thought being out on your own would be this difficult. I then feel tears start flowing out of my eyes down my cheeks.
"Kate? You awake?" I look up and see Soda standing in the doorway. He then starts walking towards me, still happy as a clam, "Hey Kate, I just wanted to see if you guys wanted to come over-," he then stops dead in his tracks, "Kate… what's wrong?" he sits on the edge of my bed. I look completely away from him and lose it.
All the emotions bottled up inside me, now flowing out of me like Niagara Falls. I then feel firm, yet gentle arms wrap around me and pull me into a warm, unclothed chest,"Shhh, it's okay. I'm here now, nothings gonna happen to ya under my watch," het hen slowly lies me down on the bed and lies next to me, our faces only inches apart. He continues to caress my hair in his hand and pulls me back into his chest.
"Shhh, don't cry. You're gonna get me cryin', I can't stand people I love upset. Now, give me the blade, you don't need it," I slowly then hand him the blade in my hands.
"… I trust you Soda…"
"Well…, I love you Kate," that's the last thing I hear before I fall fast asleep.