Johnny kept thinking about Cherry Valance. He couldn't get the redhead out of his mind. He watched her try to talk to him with such kindness, despite what he'd done. Despite how he acted to her the other night she continued to be kind to him.
"What's up Johnnycake?"
He looked up at Twobit who was looking at him in amusement.
"Nothin' just thinking."
"Ya should think less kid. That's what I do and it works for me."
"What works for you doesn't always work for someone else."
"So what was you and Pony doing with Cherry and Carly? A date?"
"No, we was only hanging out."
"Right, Johnny ya should just get with one of em. By the looks of it that ain't gonna be Carly. Pony seems to be real fond of er."
"He is and were not together. Just hangin' out."
"So what ya think? Gonna give it a try? Ya nearly died kid. I think you should start living."
Start living? How was he not living? He knew what his friend meant of course. It didn't make things any easier. How was he supposed to have a relationship with Cherry like Twobit was suggesting? Cherry was a Soc who had no interest in him whatsoever. She was just being nice.
"Just think about it, okay kid?"
Twobit got up leaving Johnny with his thoughts. For once he wished he could be Twobit and not care about anything. Just do things for kicks. He could never be him though. Twobit was one of a kind.
Later that night Johnny had dreamed of Cherry. He didn't know what he dreamed. Didn't remember any details except one thing. He'd sure dreamed of Cherry Valance. It was a dangerous dream to have. Dreams were said to imitate real life. Johnny's dreams usually consisted of getting beat by his parents. Not beautiful redheads who were Socs. He wondered if Pony was dreaming of Carly.
She may be a Soc but Pony had a better chance of getting with her than Johnny did of getting with Cherry. He had never even thought of her that way before. She was beautiful of course but he never had time to think about those things. Until now at least. Sighing he got out of bed and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Since moving to the Curtis house they'd cleaned out an old room for his bedroom. He was very appreciative. As he was going through the living room he paused.
Dally was sitting on the sofa smoking while Tim Shepherd sat asleep in the chair. Johnny cocked an eyebrow. Something the whole gang seemed to pick up from Twobit.
"Tim stole a blade and needed a place to stay. I just couldn't think of anything else to do."
"What about sleeping, Dal?"
"I ain't tired."
Johnny continued on his quest for the glass of water. While getting it he realized it would be a while before he could go back to sleep. Least it was Saturday. He settled beside Dally on the sofa.
"So Johnnycake think that Carly kid has Pony whipped or what?"
"If she don't she will. I think she's a decent person from what little I know of her."
"She's pretty though too young for me. She seems like a Greaser but a Soc is always a Soc. Pony needs to realize that."
"I don't know. She seems different. Cherry seems decent too. Heck, I think we know more bout her than we do Carly. Sides her being Bob's sister."
"On a first name basis with her now? Wouldn't even look at her the other night. Don't forget Carly is Bob's sister. I ain't gonna tell ya what to do here. I just hope you aren't thinking of getting' involved with her."
"Nah Dal of course not."
"She's a cute girl I get it."
"I ain't ever been attracted to looks, Dal."
Johnny was questioning that statement considering how he kept pictured Cherry's beauty. His response still proved true in one way. He admired Cherry for her kindness. Her sense of doing the right thing. Her forgiveness towards him for being responsible for her boyfriend's death. He couldn't ignore that little detail. Cherry Valance sure was different from all the rest.
The Socs downed moonshine and pretty much anything they could get their hands on. Ted Reeves stood amongst his friends as he told them what he'd seen a few hours prior.
"Ted you're sure? Carly Sheldon and Cherry Valence were at the movies with Greasers?"
"Yes, that's what I saw."
"With the one who killed Bob?"
"Yes, he was there."
"Why would Cherry be hanging out with trash like that anyway? It's bad enough Carly thinks she's gotta be a Greaser. Cherry is supposed to be looking out for her. Why would she allow this?
"Were they being forced against their will?"
"Is Cherry trying to be a Soc too?"
"They can't be stealing our girls."
"They should know better than to be around Bob's girlfriend or his sister."
"We should jump them."
"Guys shut up!"
James Porter was the unofficial leader of his friends since Bob's death. He was tired of the other guys jumping to conclusions and making a big fuss about this.
"We don't know the full story so we can't be acting without thinking. Remember the rumble we just had with the Greasers not long ago? We try messing with Pony or Johnny too much and will have them to deal with. Carly is a kid who has always been in need of some guidance. Cherry is still beaten herself up over Bob. It's not surprising Carly could lead her astray. They're both kind of vulnerable right now."
That was all James would say on the matter for now. If they were going to jump anyone they couldn't do it now. Not without proper warrant. James was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for. He had only moved to Tulsa a year ago. He was fairly good friends with Bob. He had met Cherry but didn't really know her that well. He had never met Carly and until Bob's funeral had never laid eyes on her. He knew nothing about her save her connection to him and her disgusting Greaser act. It had to be a put-on, a ploy for attention. No normal Soc wanted to be a Greaser. While he was formulating a plan someone else in the Curtis household was as well.
Ponyboy was thinking about Darry's suggestion to invite Carly and Cherry over. Would they accept? Was it a good idea? Well, Cherry had wanted to know more about him so it would be her chance. Carly seemed pretty adventurous and agreeable in learning about his life. So it seemed to fall solely on them. Pony decided to ask Johnny's opinion the next morning.
"I don't see why we couldn't ask em. I just wouldn't be surprised if they said no. I was surprised when they invited us to the movies. Our house will be an even bigger surprise. Your house."
"Johnny it's your house too."
"Thanks, Pone."
So that Monday while the rest of the gang chatted nearby, Pony had the courage to approach Carly.
"Hey, Carly."
"Hey Pony what's up?"
"Not much um I have a question."
"Okay, what?"
"Would you and Cherry want to come for dinner and meet Darry one night?"
"I would love too. I will talk to Cherry and see if she wants too."
"Okay great."
Pony quickly turned around and headed back to the guys. He wouldn't want to cause himself and Carly trouble with any Socs. He got the idea Carly didn't much care what anyone thought. That didn't mean he couldn't worry about her safety. Or that he shouldn't be concerned. He returned to the guys and spoke to Johnny.
"Carly wants too and said she'd talk to Cherry."
"Good deal."
Johnny didn't know why but he really hoped Cherry said yes. He was eager to see her and show her his world. Why was this? Twobit couldn't be right. He couldn't be crushing on her. Maybe he was. Way in over his head here. Johnny caught sight of Socs nearby.
"Hey Pony."
"Yeah?"
"You see that guy right there?"
"The Soc?"
"Yeah."
"What about him?"
"He's looking at us."
"What do you mean?"
"He's looking at us. I mean just us. I don't feel right about it."
Pony looked at him but he was heading down the hallway.
"Ya think he knows about Carly and Cherry?"
"Maybe but how could he? We barely talk to them here."
"Maybe he saw us at the movies?"
"I didn't see him there."
"Me either but maybe we just weren't paying attention."
"Or someone else might have seen us there and told him."
"Maybe but what if were just jumping to conclusions. We don't know why he was looking at us. Best not to jump to conclusions."
Even as he said this they both knew they couldn't be too careful.
"Out of the way Carly."
She grimaced at Amanda's loud voice.
"Go past me cause I ain't movin'."
"Just a waste of space."
"Get lost, Amanda!"
She smirked and continued to giggle with her friends. What was it with that girl? They had battled it out countless time, probably many more times to come. Amanda just never lets up. She was worse since Bob had died. Carly rolled her eyes as she headed for Cherry's locker.
"Having trouble with Amanda again?"
"When am I not having trouble with her?"
"Good point."
"Hey ladies."
They looked up to see James Porter looking at them with a gentle smile. Gentle or not Carly wasn't falling for it.
"What do ya want?"
"I just wanted to see how you ladies were doing this morning."
"We're fine thanks, James," Cherry said with a careful smile.
She didn't think he just came over to say hello. Her thoughts were immediately on protecting Johnny and Pony.
"Good I heard this rumor you girls were seen at the movies with two Greasers."
"So what if we were?" Carly said rudely.
"I don't know who would have told you that," Cherry said gently while pinching Carly in warning.
"Well someone did. And to answer your question Carly if you were then I would be rather concerned. You could get hurt hanging out with some Greasers.
"If ya hadn't noticed I am a Greaser."
"Cherry is not. The thing with you little girl is you might think you're a Greaser but you're not. You are a Soc no matter what."
"Ya don't know anything-"
"Cut the accent, Carly. We all know better."
"Why you-"
"Enough Carly. James were okay now was that all you wanted to know?"
"Sure thing but um I heard in that rumor that those two you were with, two of them at least were Ponyboy and Johnny. I think you can see why that would concern me. What they did to Bob."
"Bob was drunk and they had to defend themselves."
"Anyway little girl that would be quite a concern if they were with you. I also heard one of those guys was Dallas Winston. It's bad enough you girls were with the Greasers we fought in the rumble. Even worse if you were with Dallas. He is way too dangerous for you to be around with."
"Thanks for the concern James but were fine," Cherry said calmly as she could manage.
"Everything alright over here?"
They turned to see Twobit eyeing James. That wasn't exactly the best thing to do right now. It just confirmed what James already thought he knew. Actually, it seemed like he pretty much knew already.
"Nah everything's fine," James said as he walked past him.
"You guys okay?"
"We're fine thanks, Twobit," Cherry smiled.
"Twobit I think we need to tell you what just happened."
Cherry nodded her head in agreement.
"Okay then."
"It's a long story though. Tell you after school?"
"Sounds good."
"We should tell the whole gang," Cherry suggested.
"Okay, then I'll let em know."
Twobit sighed as he walked down the hall.
"So James Porter was a friend of Bob's then," Darry said nodding his head.
"They say he's like a leader of the Socs or something," Dally said casually.
"Now they have it out for us fer another reason," Steve said sighing.
"What kind of guy is James Cherry? You seem to know him best," Darry asked.
Johnny's eyes snapped to her immediately. Pony noticed from his spot beside Carly on their couch.
"He's very arrogant, rich and dangerous."
"Like most Socs," Dally commented and Soda nodded in agreement.
"He's like Bob but worse."
"Bob was pretty bad."
"Will you knock it off so I can explain?" Cherry said glaring at Dally.
"If you hurry up then yeah."
"Sigh anyway he's worse than Bob because of this. Bob was usually fine until he got drunk. James doesn't need to be drunk. That's just his personality."
"Yeah those are the worst kind," Twobit sighed.
"Well, we all need to be careful and not walk by ourselves alone or without a blade. Especially you Pony and Johnny."
"We know Dar we know," Pony said.
"What about you girls will you be okay?"
"We should be. I don't think were in danger," Cherry answered.
"Well at this point since they already know ya shouldn't have to be secretive about being together anymore. I'd be careful though even if it's the four of ya. Socs run into you together and you girls might get caught in the crossfire."
"We can handle it," Carly said confidently.
Pony frowned at her confidence. That just made him want to protect her even more. He didn't care how small he was. Johnny was having similar thoughts about Cherry. Why did he have this sudden feeling to protect her so much? He'd never had that for a girl before.
"Well then everyone lets have dinner."
It was a good think Darry had made a lot of food. The whole gang, as well as the two girls, were all eating. Carly sat beside Pony and Johnny had casually gotten the seat beside Cherry. She'd smiled at him as he sat down. It had always melted his heart. She was so beautiful. Dally noticed but said nothing. The gang enjoyed supper together. Carly was glad she'd had sense enough to tell her parents she was staying at Cherry's while Cherry had told her parents they were hanging out at Carly's and would be home later.
After dinner was finished Johnny asked Cherry to come speak with him outside and she complied.
"What ya think there talking about?" Pony whispered to Carly.
"I don't know but I think it's a good thing."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah so why don't we talk?"
"Okay what about?"
"Pony I like ya, I mean really like ya."
"Really?" He asked his face heating up.
"Yeah of course. So do ya like me?"
"Yeah, I like everything about ya."
His face grew pinker and what he'd said. At least the rest of the gang were into a mock heated card game.
"I like everything about ya too."
"I'm glad," He said nervously.
"So Pony why don't ya kiss me?"
"I wanna respect ya, So I wouldn't less you asked first."
"I'm asking now."
Pony kissed her gently first. She put her hands around his neck as he put his around her waist. They were too distracted to notice the game was looking at them. Darry had started to warn Pony about being careful when Soda had stopped him by shaking his head. He remembered Sandy in this moment. It was the first time his younger brother had known anything like this. He needed the moment.
Twobit had wanted to whisper and make fun of them. Dally had stopped them. He could see way they were doing. He wondered what Johnny and Cherry were talking about outside. In this moment he knew they needed this. He may not like it but they did need this. This was an experience for Pony that he needed. Johnny needed that talk with Cherry. They needed this.