Ponyboy's POV

The day of the rumble was a bad one for all of us. Soda and Two-Bit were especially quiet, which scared me. What did they know that I didn't? They kept looking at me like I was on trial or something. I thought about Audrey and me, and then shook the idea away. We'd been extremely careful, only going on dates in places no greaser or soc would even glance at. The girl continued to amaze me. She never cared about the quality of places I took her. She didn't even mock me when I packed us a picnic one day when I couldn't afford dinner.

I was extremely nervous getting home from school. I wanted a cigarette so badly, but I hadn't touched them since Audrey plucked one out of my hands on that tour. I didn't know what lung cancer was or that smoking caused it until she yelled at me. I'd always been told that smoking was good for you. Everyone in the gang had been smoking forever; No one even thought about it anymore. I walked out to the porch and sat down. I observed the cars passing by, studying the people as they went. There was always something that can be learned by observing others.

I was spacing out when Two-Bit's car pulled up to the curb. He got out and walked towards me. "Hey, Ponyboy. Whatcha doing?" he asked me in the guarded tone he'd been using with me for the last few days.

"I'm watching cars pass by," I answered, my voice flat. I was just trying to think about something other than the rumble and Audrey. And if that thing had to be passing cars, then so be it.

"You have such fascinating hobbies, kid. What's next on the agenda? Knitting?" Two-Bit mocked in his usual fashion. I rolled my eyes at him.

"No. Next is beating up some Socs. Then knitting." I replied. I was half-glad that I could get revenge for Dally and Johnny this time and half-terrified I was going to have my face altered.

"I can't believe Darry is going to let you fight after last time," Two-Bit mumbled. I knew he had felt responsible for me being in the hospital and had beaten himself up about it.

"Don't worry. I'm not sick and I like to think that I've that I've grown a little since then," I said sarcastically. I was actually almost taller than Darry, but I didn't have his build. I was all long limbs and skinny as a rod, but still fit from running track all the time.

"Hey, you're the youngest of the gang, kid. We're going to worry about you whether you're fifteen or fifty. I'd get us to it." Two-Bit responded seriously. Those serious moments were a rare thing from him, so I knew he was genuinely worried.

"I know," I replied softly. That's when Soda and Steve pulled up. Soda had been acting weirder than Two-Bit, looking at me as if he was trying to figure out a riddle.

"What's up?" Steve asked casually. He's the only one in the gang not acting funny lately.

"Just having a serious talk with the kid here," Two-Bit replied with his famous grin. I shook my head.

Soda snorted. "You had a serious talk with Pony?" he asked in disbelief.

"Hey, if it's not about girls and booze, it's a serious talk," Two-Bit joked. Soda raised his eyebrows at me, as if he wanted me to tell him something. I ignored him.

"So, you guys ready for the rumble? It's nearly time." Steve asked, his voice disguising his excitement. Everyone seemed really excited over this rumble, but I couldn't figure out why. I used to want to fight too, but I don't remember why. I probably wanted to prove myself to my friends. But, the two friends who mattered the most were gone now.

"I guess so," I said with a shrug. Everyone started getting up to go. I hopped into Two-Bit's car, bracing myself for his driving. Before starting the car, he turned around and asked, "You know you can tell us anything right?" His eyes were serious, and I was immediately nervous.

"Yeah," I responded softly.

"Cuz we're always going to be there for you no matter what," Two-Bit added while started up the car.

"I know," I replied. Suddenly, I knew what he was getting at; he knew about Audrey. "What do you know?" I asked suspiciously. If Two-Bit didn't actually know that much, I wasn't about to tell him.

"That girl of yours is pretty and seems nice enough for Soc. But, be careful. None of us want you getting into trouble." he lectured, his expression unreadable. I nodded. And, as if reading my mind, he added, "Darry doesn't know yet. You've got to do your own dirty work."

"What about Soda?" I asked nervously. He was the first person I wanted to tell after Johnny, but I didn't think he'd accept it.

Two-Bit nodded and I gulped. "Shit," I mumbled to myself. Two-But heard it.

"Ponyboy Curtis, watch your tongue!" Two-Bit teased, imitating Darry. I shook my head. It was going to be a long night.

Audrey's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Would Ponyboy's brothers and friends just dismiss me as a stuck up Soc? Based on his stories, the gang didn't seem to have much respect for any Soc. Personally, I was surprised Ponyboy was still able to date me after all the things he'd heard from his family and friends. Whenever I brought it up, he'd just give me that cute grin of his and say, "You're not just any Soc girl." I thought for a while about what that really meant? He had said the same thing about Cherry the first day we met. But, with me, it was in a different context.

I heard a car horn honk outside. I ran down stairs, grabbing Ponyboy's jacket that I'd forgotten to return. Okay, more like hid away. I wave goodbye to my parents, who tell me to be home by eleven thirty. I greeted Cherry and her friends as I hopped into the backseat. All the girls were gossiping about what guys would be at the rumble.

"Tim Shepard got locked up again, but the rest of his gang is going to be there," one of the girls, Brenda, informed us smugly. She seemed so proud to have the inside scoop. I didn't know why this was so impressive, but all the other girls starting to compliment her.

"Do you think Ponyboy will be there?" another girl, Marcia, asked curiously. Cherry glanced back at her, then to the road.

"I doubt it. Do you remember what happened last time?" Cherry said, focused on driving. We all nod. The story is pretty well known and has earned Ponyboy a lot of grudging respect among the Socs.

"Too bad. He's a cutie." one girl, Linda, said giggling. It took all of my will power not to glare at her. I just sat there, with my fists clenched.

"I heard that Angela Sheppard is still going after him," Brenda added with a roll of her eyes. God, I really wanted to punch that girl, but I didn't. No point in making enemies you don't need.

Ponyboy had told me a bit about Angela's crush on him, but I could tell he'd toned it down a bit. If the Sheppard's were a pack of wolves, Angela was the one who just mastered their claws. She was nearly as scary as Tim and Curly.

We got to the rumble just in time. I looked over and saw Ponyboy talking to Two-Bit. His eyes were intent on listening to his friend. I could tell by his gestures that he was nervous, and I was scared for him. From what the other girls told me, I knew that these fights were pretty fair compared to gang fights. It was just your fists, no switchblades or pieces of pipe. Ponyboy saw me and then looked away. I smiled.