"Man Johnny can't believe ya beat everyone," Pony said still trying to figure out how it happened.

Johnny, Pony, Charlene, and Connie spent their Friday evening playing cards. The four of them had been hanging out a lot lately. They found they quite liked just hanging out and talking.

"Okay kids were off," Soda said as he, Steve, Cherry and Marcia planned to head off to the game.

"Don't get in any trouble now," Steve said.

"Will be fine and we won't wake up Darry either," Pony promised.

Darry after a hard day at work had crashed about an hour ago.

"Good deal kid."

"Are Liz and Dally gone with yall?" Leanne asked.

"Nah he said they were gonna do something alone together but we might all go swimming tomorrow. You're welcome to come," Soda said.

So they were all going to go swimming then? It meant the girls would have to find bathing suits.

"Where has Twobit been lately?"

"He's got a new girlfriend apparently. Told him to bring her to the game. Don't know if he will though."

"Well enjoy the game guys."

"We will bye."

"Bye."

"So what yall want to do next?" Pony asked.

"Well how about we check out that new bookstore? We wouldn't have to cross Soc territory to get there. Should be safe." Leanne suggested.

"Yeah sounds good," Johnny said.

"I like that idea," Connie grinned.

"Alright then let me go tell Darry. Promised I wouldn't wake him up. He would freak if he woke up and we weren't here."

Pony returned a few seconds later.

"Man remind me not to wake him up again."

They chuckled as they made their way out the door. Turned out Leanne was right. Heading to the bookstore was completely safe and out of Soc territory. The enormous bookstore was filled with books. The four teens wasted little time in checking every shelf out.

"This place is amazing. So many books," Connie said as she picked one up.

She stared at the cover before reading the book. The cover had a sad looking child on it. Reading the back Connie felt a pang in her heart.

"Hey Connie, what's that?"

Without a word, Connie handed him the book. Johnny was quiet as he read the back of it.

"It's a book about abuse," He said carefully.

"Yeah, it is," She said quietly.

Johnny noticed her misty eyes.

"This book mean anything to ya?"

"It's just a book, Johnny," She said carefully.

"It means something to be."

Connie looked up at him in surprise.

"Or the kids being abused means something to me."

"Why is that Johnny?"

"My parents they ignore me less they're beating me. That's where some of the scars come from. Sure you've seen them."

"Yeah, I have I'm sorry."

Knowing someone was hurting Johnny brought tears to her eyes. She tried to hide them but couldn't.

"It's alright ya don't have to cry."

"Johnny."

"Yeah?"

"There doing it to me too. My parents. No one knows except Leanne. Not even Marcia."

Johnny reached out to hug her before she broke down. Pony and Leanne were too far in the store to even notice.

"Pony ya should check out this book. It's a poem book. Don't know if you like those or not."

"I kinda do," he said taking the book from her and he began to look through it.

"Nothing gold can stay. I love that poem."

"I have always wondered what that poem meant."

"You know it?" Pony asked her in surprise.

"Yeah, I heard it in eight grade for a project believe it or not. Didn't know what it meant but it always stuck with me."

"Ya know I asked ya about sunsets before?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"Had a chance to look at one yet?"

"No, I was actually hoping we could look at one together. Cherry seems to like them. I could have watched with her but I just never have."

"Alright, then we can watch one."

Cherry and Marcia had noticed people looking at them since they came with Steve and Soda. No one had said anything so far. That could only be seen as a positive. Steve and Soda had casually placed their arms around the girl's shoulders. They weren't surprised as this was supposed to be a date. They also found they quite liked this. Someone nearby didn't like it.

Bob couldn't believe Marcia and especially Cherry were here with Greasers. Before tonight was over he was going to make that known to them. For now, there were plenty of people around so he wasn't going to make a move yet. Marcia looked around and noticed someone approaching.

"Hey look there's Dally and Liz."

That was sure to generate stares. Dallas Winston was well known. Most of the adults didn't like him and would probably ask him to leave if he started any trouble. They noticed he didn't look happy and neither did Liz.

"How's it going," Dally asked smacking Steve and Soda on the back and shaking their hands.

Liz frowned as she sat down below them. Something was going on though no one was sure what. Liz was extremely frustrated with both herself and Dally. He could have handled it better as she could have handled it better. They had been at her house when no one was home.

"Why do carry that blade with you?" She'd ask.

"Never know when I might need it."

"You seem to enjoy that and the fights."

"That's because I do."

"I just don't like blades."

"Let me show you something," Dally said flicking his blade out."

"With your blade?"

"Yeah listen this was stolen."

"Why does that not surprise me?"

"I stole it from this shop. But look. Ya know what this represents?"

"That you like blades?"

"Try again."

"Protection?"

"Yeah but think deeper. This blade represents a complete lack of authority. That's why it makes sense for a Greaser to carry one. That's why I carry one. It's who I am. A blade should never scare you. There may come a day when you have to use one."

"I don't think so. "

"Yer my girl and that puts a certain target on your back with some people. Not saying anything will happen but it might. So take it."

Dally closed the blade and reached it out to her.

"Dally I can't take this. I could never cut anyone."

"Just having it with you will help keep you safe. The day might come when you have to use it. So just take it."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can."

Liz sighed as she took it from him.

"Thank you. I want to keep you safe. Ya mean more to me than ya know."

Dally kissed her and it quickly escalated as she took off his jacket and shirt. He slid his hand into her skirt.

"No Dally stop stop."

Dally removed his hand from her skirt and stopped kissing her.

"What's wrong?"

"We can't do this."

"Why not?"

"I'm not ready."

Dally sighed but moved off her and sat beside her on the sofa. He wasn't used to a girl telling him no or that she wasn't ready.

"I'm sorry."

"Alright." He said standing up.

He didn't seem happy and she really hoped this didn't change anything.

"What? Are you mad?"

"No, I just want to know why you wouldn't do anything with me if ya didn't mind it with someone else.

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard you were pretty serious with this Soc named Andy."

"Andy are you serious?"

"No, I'm kidding. That's what I heard."

"Well, it isn't true. I don't know what you or anyone else means by serious. But I have not been sleeping with anyone and never have. So in the future don't go asking anyone else. Just ask me. Believe me, because I'm telling the truth. If you don't then that's your problem."

"Wow never knew you could be so assertive."

Dally still didn't sound too happy.

"Forget it. I'm going o that football game."

"How ya gonna get there?"

"If you don't take me then I guess I'll either walk or take your car."

"Geez let's take my car,"

He hadn't spoken to her the entire ride up to the school. That didn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

Bob was still watching them and he was disappointed Dally had showed up. He didn't know how tough Steve or Soda were. He had heard about Dallas Winston. He didn't know if any of his buddies would help him or not. Not tonight at least. He wasn't going to give up yet. There had to be something he could do tonight. More than anything he wanted to prove to Cherry she belonged with him.

Once the game was over the six of them headed out to talk by the field while everyone else left.

"Man I don't get why guys would want to roll around with each other like that," Dally said lighting a cigarette.

"Same," Steve agreed.

"I don't think ya guys get it," Soda said chuckling.

"Steve I'm cold go get my coat," Marcia said smiling.

"Fine fine," He said with a chuckle.

"Dang ya got him whipped," Soda said.

As he talked to Marcia and Cherry, Dally decided to talk to Liz.

"Look I ain't mad at cha. Just not something I'm used to understand?"

"Depends do you believe me?"

"What?"

"Do you believe me when I said I didn't do anything with Andy or any other guy."

"Yeah, I already decided that before. I'm confused as to why you would ask."

"You didn't act like you believed me before."

"Well, I do Liz I do."

"Okay good."

Dally turned her around and began to kiss her. Once he pulled away he noticed something int eh distance.

"Hey Soda somethings going on up there."

Soda stopped talking to the other girls and looked in the direction Dally pointed.

"Damn you girls stay right here," he ordered.

He and Dally headed in the direction and the girls weren't too sure what was wrong. They all stood silently for a second.

"We need to go see what's wrong," Cherry said.

"But they said to stay here," Liz reminded.

"I have a bad feeling its Steve. We have to go."

The three girls hurried in the direction the boys had gone. Cherry gasped as she saw Bob up ahead. He and a bunch of Socs were having a standoff with Dally, Soda, and Steve. Blood was pouring from Steve's nose.

"Steve!" Marcia said fearfully.

They all looked in the girl's direction.

"It's okay Marcia just stay there," Steve said.

"So these are there Soc girlfriends then," one of the Soc guys commented.

"Bob, what are you doing?" Cherry demanded.

"Just taking care of this Greaser trash. Though trust me I'd much rather it had been ole Sodapop."

Cherry grimaced at the thought of him threatening Soda. Bob held out his switchblade and Dally pulled out his own. Liz hadn't even known he'd had another one.

"Man before you put that switchblade in my direction ya better make sure yer ready for a real fight. I don't lose," He said dangerously.

Liz observed him thoughtfully and she understood. So this was the dangerous hood side of Dallas. Cherry bit her lip nervously hoping they wouldn't fight.

"Guys let's do this another time. I don't want to fool with this garbage tonight," Bob said as they all backed off.

Cherry breathed a sigh of relief as Dally smirked at them stepping down. Once they got in their cars and left Marcia ran up to Steve.

"Oh, Steve are you alright?'

"Yeah I'm fine don't worry,"

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have sent you for my stupid jacket."

"It's okay you didn't know. Not your fault."

"Here take this tissues for the blood. It needs to be wiped. Has the bleeding stopped?"

"Marcia it's okay, "Steve chuckled.

"You okay?" Soda asked walking up to Cherry.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Pony told me ya didn't like fights."

"No, I don't at all."

"I see Bob still hasn't gotten over the breakup. He really don't like me right now."

"I'm sorry I don't know why he's like that."

"It's alright everything is fine." Soda said smiling at her.

"I told ya to stay back there," Dally told Liz

"I didn't listen."

"No you didn't but hey everything worked out," he said putting his arm around her shoulders.

When they arrived back to the Curtis house Pony, Johnny, Leanne, and Connie were seated on the sofa watching television. Soda began telling Darry what happened which had everyone's focus. As Connie listened to the story she thought of herself and Johnny. How he'd comforted her before. She'd told him everything and he'd comforted her through it all. She was glad to have him.

Pony remembered the time he'd been jumped by Socs. He was glad everyone was alright. He was only afraid of it happening to Leanne and Connie. When he and Johnny weren't enough to protect them. He couldn't stand the thought of Leanne getting hurt.

"Pony are you okay?" Leanne asked.

"I just hate the idea of us having to fight each other and things being unfair."

"I do too Pony. I realize that more since we've been friends. I hate that they treat you that way."

"Leanne, Connie we need to go," Cherry called.

Connie and Leanne hugged Johnny and Pony goodbye as Cherry slipped out the door with Soda.

"Soda thank you."

"For what?"

"For sticking with me even with all the trouble it's caused."

"Cherry-"

She leaned forward and kissed him softly. He put his hand on her face gently to cup her cheek.

"Wow, I'm glad ya did that Cherry. I wanted to for so long but didn't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I don't think I could be with you," she said smiling up at him and he smiled back.

The door opened as Marcia, Leanne, and Connie walked out. Soda winked at her and she giggled as the girls made their way to their car to go home. Marcia and Connie walked into their house and were met by the angry looks of their parents.

"Marcia Connie where have you been?"

"I was at the football game and Connie was at a friend's house," Marcia explained.

Connie wished Marcia said she was at the football game too.

"What friend Connie?" Her mother said angrily.

"With Leanne," She said looking at Marcia in warning not to deny it.

"Marcia who were you at the football game with?"

"Cherry and some boys."

"Boys? Bob and Randy?"

"No, we broke up."

"You better not be embarrassing us girl."

"I'm not dad."

"Alright go to your room we need to talk to Connie. "

Oh no Connie thought.

Marcia nodded and headed up the stairs. As soon as she was gone he slapped Connie hard across the face. She tried to stop crying about it long ago. Every time he did it she would cry.

"Go to bed."

She was grateful that was all she would get tonight. She went up to her room and was hap[y even with a stinging cheek. She looked at Marcia's closed bedroom door. How could she not know? Why had she never asked? Well, they didn't treat her that way after all. Her parents threatened her to never tell her sister. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.