The next morning I woke up in the same arms that I fell asleep in. Dallas Winston. Who would ever think that THE Dallas Winston was a softy for me and Johnny. I've never heard of him showing any emotion besides anger or hearing about him in the cooler. This guy was tough and tuff, I could tell you that much. He can handle anything that you throw at him.
I smelled no delicious aroma that I usually smell. Instead it was just beer. Slowly opening my eyes, I noticed Dally still sleeping and Two-Bit on the ground drinking a beer eating that chocolate cake watching Mickey Mouse. I could hear the shower running and someone trudging down the stairs. Looking up I saw Ponyboy walking downstairs holding his backpack over one shoulder. When he noticed my stare, he gave me a slight smile. Looking away, I knew I wouldn't be able to return the look. When the shower stopped, there was a little movement that I could hear coming from the bathroom and then Soda walked out in nothing, but a towel. Wow was he cut. Who knew that working at the DX station could make you so fit. Maybe I'll try to get a job there, but not any time soon.
"Has anybody seen my DX shirt?" Soda asked glancing around the room frantically? As if on que, Steve burst through the door like a big shot. He looked at me tangled in Dally's arms wearing his jacket and smirked at us.
"Well would'ya look at that. She got Dally soft." Steve said laughing. I moved to get out of his grip trying not to wake Dally, but I guess that wasn't going to happen. Luck is real running out on me. Jerking awake, Dally looked around the room to find his eyes landing on me. I gave him a weak smile.
"Aww that at them too. Damn lovebirds," Steve was really getting on my last nerve. My grandma, my only family, died yesterday and he treats me like trash. I am not some toy and I would never allow Dally to toy with me like that. Ever.
"Stop." I tried to make it sound demanding, but came out as a whisper.
"When's the wedding?" He continued to joke. Now Ponyboy, Soda, Dally and Two-Bit were listening in.
"Please stop." I said with a little more confidence. He was really getting on my bad side and it's worse because I'm not a morning person.
"Knock her up, Dal?" Steve egged on. He was really asking for it.
"Hey Steve, man stop. It's not funny no more." Soda told Steve. Thank heavens for Sodapop Curtis. Steve continued to laugh and looked at us again.
"You two should move in together if she got a bun in the oven. Is that a baby bump I see?" I looked down at my stomach. Was I really that fat? I workout everyday and eat healthy. "Maxy, you should go get yo stuff from Grammy's and bring em to Dally's," He exclaimed.
I can't believe he brought her into this. Tears were already brimming in my eyes and now I could feel my cheeks get wet. Starting to put my head in the couch, my body jerked up a bit as I saw Dally hook Steve in the nose. He threw Steve against the wall making a loud bang. Pony ran up to me and held me in his embrace as I cried, but through the tears I managed to watch what was going down in the Curtis's living room.
"Boys, what's all the racket?" Came Darry's booming voice from upstairs. Nobody cared to listen because Steve popped Dally in the lip causing him to stumble back a few steps, but that didn't stop him. He jumped at Steve grabbing him by the neck and pinning him to the wall. Steve's face started to become red when Darry came downstairs.
"Dallas Winston! You let that boy go now!" Darry yelled as he came down the stairs in his usual black muscle shirt and his jeans with a black belt to hold them up. I watched as he ripped Dally off of Steve and stood between the two riled up boys.
"Care to explain?" Darry commanded. If only I sounded like that earlier when I needed to. Nobody stepped up to answer so Darry sighed and walked into the kitchen mumbling something about boys.
"Dallas, I see you learned a thing or two in jail," Steve teased.
"I'll use you to show more if you don' leave the girl alone." Dally exclaimed loudly. The room was filled with tension for a while and soon I just couldn't take it anymore. Unwillingly, I ripped myself out of Ron's grasp and ran out the door, bawling my eyes out.
I had only run a block full speed, without even breaking a sweat. I guess that's what working out at the gym everyday for three years builds your sweat glands up. Feeling a tug on my arm, I turned around to see Sodapop standing less than an inch away from me. Before I could comprehend what was happening, Soda pulled me into his strong arms and held me against his chest as I wept.
"Everythin's alright baby girl." His angelic voice spoke. He said other things that eventually calmed me down as my harsh cries soon turned into a few sniffs here and there. "Do ya want to go to the DX station with me today?" I nodded my head in return as we headed back to the Curtis household.
When we got back Steve was standing in the living room leaning against a wall with his arms cross and his leg propped up against the wall. He looked really pissed. He snapped his head our way when Soda and I walked through the door and gave me a menacing glare. I stepped closer to Soda and grabbed his arm scared of Steve.
"Max is coming to the DX with us Steve. Be nice, buddy," Soda said firmly. Steve gave me a scary glare as I clutched Soda's arm tighter. How could Steve be Soda's best friend. Steve is the complete opposite of Soda! Soda is sweet and understanding, while Steve is mean and aggressive. I don't get it.
As we walked to the DX station, people were talking about me and what happened at the hospital. They would whisper over to their friend that I was the psycho who had a meltdown at the hospital. It really hurt that people would do that. Nobody really knows who I am anyways so I don't understand why it's such a big deal.
As we approached the DX station, there were about two or three cars getting gas and maybe two parked in the lot that were in the station buying stuff. Steve roughly pushed the door open not even bother holding it open for Soda and myself. Walking in the station, I noticed two boy socs in the corner looking at food and a big lady in the corner of the store rummaging through shelves in the fridges. Looking forward I saw a girl greaser filing her nails at the cash register wearing the same shirt that Soda and Steve were wearing, but with the name Heather sewed onto it. She had pin straight bleach blonde hair that fell a little lower than her shoulders. She had very fair skin and was wearing a little eyeliner, blush and mascara. When she saw us walking in the bored look on her face was replaced with a smile.
"Hey Sodapop! Hey Steven!" She said in an angelic. Wow everything about her is beautiful. I could only imagine what it is like to be that beautiful. How did Steve and Soda work with her everyday and not just drool over her beauty? I would think one of the boys would be at her everyday!
"Hey Heather. How's it goin?" Soda asked sweetly.
"Oh the usual. Mom and dad fighting, me staying at Mitchell's. I go through like four packs a day I'm so damn stressed!" You could see a little anger and annoyance in her eyes.
"How are you and Mitchell doin?" Steve asked attentively. Looks like someone is fawning all over her anyways. I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that this Mitchell guy is her boyfriend.
"Fine. He's bein an idiot though. Comes home drunk sometimes and tells me how I'm a waist of space," She said annoyed at this Mitchell guy.
"Break up with him them. Come with me baby," Steve leaned on the counter and winked at her. For some reason that made me a little mad and I squeezed my grip on Soda's hand that was now laced with mine.
"Ow!" Soda yelled making Steve and Heather break eye contact. I didn't speak, but loosened my grip on Soda and threw my head down feeling bad.
"Hey Soda, why don't you introduce me to yo lady friend here?" Heather said sweetly. If I wasn't so bitter right now, I might actually take a liking to her. She's really nice, but my head is down in the gutter right now and the only people I want are Sodapop and Two-Bit if I can't have my grandma.
"Oh Heather, this is Max. She's umm staying at our house," Soda answered. Wait what? Since when was I staying at his house? I thought it was just a one night thing and then he'd kick me out. That gave me a warm feeling inside knowing that someone cared for me.
Looking back up at Heather, I saw her face had fallen. "You're the girl whose grandma died yesterday. Oh sweety, I'm so sorry." Her words were very comforting seeing as she was the only person in this damn town who was sympathetic about it; besides the gang. She walked around the counter and held me in a breath-taking hug. When she pulled back I nodded my head to her and sniffed a bit. I watched her walk over to a big purse while she took her DX shirt off revealing a black tank top. She threw her DX shirt over her purse and waved goodbye to us and walked out.
"I will never get ova how damn fine that broad is. If I were Mitchell, mm I wouldn't let her outta my sight," Steve spoke. I squeezed Soda's hand again as anger washed over my face. Now I know that Steve is the one fawning all over her.
"Ow! Max that hurts." Soda yelped again. Loosening my grip on his hand again, my head hung low. Steve smirked at me and then went to a door that I was guessing led to the garage because it said 'Employees only' on it. Soda wondered over to the counter and let go of my hand. Being free for the first time today, I stood only a few feet away from Soda, which was enough to hear what the two socs boys in the corner were saying.
"Isn't that the girl who's grandma died at the hospital yesterday?" One of them asked the other. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that boy was pointing at me. He had brown curly hair and was quite tall.
"Yeah. She was screaming right? Making a loud racket I heard," The other said. He had dirty blonde hair that hung a little above his eyebrows, but you could still tell he was a socs by how he dressed.
"I heard that too. Man she caused a lot of trouble," the brunette said.
"I heard she spends everyday at the gym and has no friends. Probably cause she's a freak. She's so pathetic," The blonde haired boy spoke. Tears were brimming in my eyes. These comments were much worse than the ones I had been getting earlier.
"It's her damn grandma, not that important," the blonde continued. That crossed the line. I swerved around and faced the two boys. Stomping up to the them, I saw out of the corner of my eye Soda's head pop up in confusion. When I approached the two boys, I grabbed the blonde and punched him right in the jaw.
"You son of a bitch!" I screamed throwing another one at his nose. He stumbled back and held his nose. There was blood dripping out of it.
"What the fuck you psychotic bitch!" He screamed causing everyone to watch us now. My hand got in a fist again and I punched him in the stomach. As he bent down to protect his stomach, I kneed him in the face and he fell over onto the ground.
"You can say whatever the fuck you want bout me, but don't you say one thing about my grandma unless you wanna be the next one in the hospital. Get it you fucking bastard!" I screamed kicking his ribs. He inched back scared. I was scared at how I was capable of this. I've never fought anyone in my life. Those days at the gym really did help I guess.
I turned back around to walk back over to Soda, when there was a tug on my shoulder. I turned around and before I could even comprehend who it was, I got a slap in the face. Stumbling back, I knocked into a shelf making it sway a little.
Once I got a hold of myself and regained my balance, I marched up to him, about to whack him so hard he would be knocked out, but my arms were yanked back and an arm was wrapped around my stomach. I knew that touch too well to know that it was Soda.
"I hope you burn in hell you mother fucker!" I was struggling to get lose, but Soda is a lot stronger than he looks. I guess people can say that about me too.
"You freak!" The blonde said before him and his friend ran out of the DX station.
My breathing started to slow down as I crumbled to the ground. I fell on my hands and watched the tears fall and hit the ground creating a little puddle. I didn't even notice my face was bleeding until a blood dripped into my pool of tears making it turn a pinkish color. With one handing holding my weight up, I felt my face where it burned and brought my hand into my eye sight again to see blood. Fuck my lip was busted open.
There was a wind next to me and then an arm around my shoulders. Looking over, I saw Soda's face next to mine. His was filled with concern. I tackled us to the ground pushing his body against the fridge and I curled up into him. At first he didn't react, then quickly he put his arms around me and held me letting me cry.
"Everythings goin be alright baby girl." Soda spoke in my ear. His hot breath sent shivers down my spine and I huddled up to him more making him grip me tighter. If only these were Steve's arms that I was in.
"No. It won't be. I'm the freak. The psycho. The-" I was cut off by Soda's words.
"You are none of those." Soda stated with sadness dripping from every word. He kissed my cheek and held me tight and using one hand, he rubbed my back to try and sooth me. "Do you wanna live with us Curtis boys?" Soda asked out of no where.
"What?" Shock ran through me. I had just met these boys and in the past two weeks they had seen me at my worst and close to my best. This was a side of me I have never even seen before. Usually it wouldn't get this far because grandma could make it all go away, but she's not here anymore. I nodded my head in response seeing as I had no where to go.
Our moment was ruined by Steve running through the 'Employees Only' door and yelling "What in the world happened?" When he looked at us he smirked. "Cheatin on Dally already? I see a new neighborhood whore, huh Sodapop?" Steve teased.
I just about had it with this. Breaking free from Soda's grasp, I marched up to Steve and slapped him causing him to swivel. I could feel my body heating up and my nostrils flaring, making my breathing become harder and my hands were in fists.
"Steve, I am fucking done with this shit! You won't stop teasing me when I done nothing to ya! You think you're cool by being an asshole to a girl who is mourning and in pain? Well guess what you fucking dick, you've been beat up by Dally and now you just got beat by a girl! I wonder what people will think now! You leave me the fuck alone Randle!" I spoke harshly and spit on him.
For the first time I have met Steve, he didn't have a snappy comeback like usual. He didn't even comment on it. He just stood there in the middle of the station in shock at what I had just done. For the first time in my life, I was the one on top. I was the one people thought of as intimidating and let me tell you, it felt pretty damn good. "You're a fucking pig," I said even more harsh only a few inches from his face.
"Soda, I'm leaving. I'll see you at the house," I said quietly to Soda who was still on the ground with his back pressed against the fridge with shock on his face.
The warm summer breeze hit my face as I pushed the door open. I stuck my hands in my pocket as I started walking around town not knowing what to do. I just had to get out of there. I don't know where my feet were taking me, but the next time I looked up, I was in front of the gym. I didn't have the right clothes on to workout, so I'll just walk in and see what s going on.
Pushing the heavy door open, I remembered how when I first started working out here, I could barely open the door. Now I could with the slightest of hand. The moment I got past the door, my eyes landed on the cardio area of the gym. I could smell the sweat that I once reeked of. So many people of all different ages, genders, strengths, shapes were hear. This was a good place to meet new people at, but I had different intentions here.
Walking up to each machine, I admired what was so different about each of them. They could be small, but have a huge effect on the body, or big and just be for burning calories. It was kinda like people. Take me for instance, I'm a small person with a lot of muscle. You wouldn't expect such power coming from such a small girl. Then take my grandpa, when he was alive, he was a big man. Very muscular, but couldn't hurt a fly.
It was night by the time I finally arrived back to the Curtis's house. I did a lot of thinking walking back. The little stunt I pulled today in the DX station was not smart and slapping Steve was even dumber. I feel bad for slapping him. Yeah he deserved it, but he was just kidding. I decided I'm going to apologize.
Walking into the Curtis's I saw Two-Bit on the couch for once, with a beer glued to his hand. Johnny was no where in sight and neither was Ponyboy. They were probably still out. Steve and Soda were in the kitchen talking in hushed voices and no Darry cooking. It was about 6 o'clock right now so maybe he's still at work.
"Hey, Max. You okay?" I nodded my head as I walked into the kitchen past Two-Bit. When Steve saw me, he grabbed his jean jacket and was about to walk out the kitchen, til I grabbed his arm. He turned and faced me giving me a look that scared me, but I stood my ground. I looked deeply into his eyes and that's the first time that I would ever think a grey could be so beautiful.
"I'm sorry Steve. I didn't mean anything. I was just pissed off," I spoke. He stood for a second when his face became less hard, but he didn't answer. Instead he just walked out the door still leaving me with no answer.