Guess who decided to stop procrastinating and start writing? ME! AND GUYS I GOT SECOND PLACE IN MY HISTORY PROJECT! *dabs excessively* I. Feel. So. Proud. Of. Myself! Well anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. ;)
THIRD PERSON POV
(FOCUSED ON DALLY)
(but also*COUGH COUGH* JOHNNY & ALI *COUGH COUGH*)
Dallas Winston had downed his third beer in less than ten minutes when all of a sudden he got the idea that he should go and find some action, rather than to stay at a boring party watching people get hopelessly drunk and wasted beyond belief. He glanced around the darkened room filled with loud obnoxious music, dancing people, and he slowly stood up; his back cracking as he did so. This caught the attention of another greaser that was with him.
"Where ya goin' Dal?" Two-Bit asked as he held a half empty beer bottle in his right hand, his left hand grabbing the railing to balance himself. A goofy grin was plastered on his face. "Cause the party's only just know a party ain't a party without Dallas Winston." He laughed at his own joke, before he took a long sip of his beer.
Dally only rolled his eyes, and simply ignored his comment. "This part sucks, just like you do. I'm leavin'. Going for some fun tonight." He said and started to light a cigarette.
Two-Bit only shrugged absentmindedly, losing interest in his and Dally's conversation. But before he was able to say anything else, he was sucked right into another conversation that had no purpose. And behind him Dally zipped up his jacket, and with that, he left.
It was only around eight in the evening, when he decided to visit the Curtis' house, because he hadn't found anyone to beat up, and he was bored. I'll bet they have something to do, he thought, as he scratched his head. Cause if I get any more bored than this, I'll jump off a maybe I'll beat up Tim.
It was a regular Friday. Pretty normal for anyone, but people don't really know what normal means. So tell me; define normal. What does normal really mean?
Was someone's normal seeing someone else being beat up? Was someone's normal, hanging out with friends at a park? Was someone's normal fighting with someone else for fun? Was someone's normal breaking into houses and killing people? Normal, had many definitions, depending on how you lived you life. What was normal? Well, for Dallas Winston, normal was hanging around, looking for fights -anything that broke the law- and anything that got him occupied and busy. Anything that made him look tough as steel.
Dally walked up and down the street hoping he could catch sight of Johnny. If he comes in with another bruise anywhere near his face, I'll pummel his parents, he thought. But in reality, he knew he couldn't. For if he did, it would only get worse for Johnny.
Dally was about to throw open the door of the Curtis' house, when he heard a loud pitched laugh. At first he dismissed this laugh for one of Pony's annoying, overreactive laughs. But as he started to turn the doorknob he heard more talking, and that same high pitched voice. Now he knew that it was a broad. He, for a split second thought it might of been Sandy -Soda's girl- but all of that vanished when the door flew open and there stood a redhead. She had been laughing, but when she came face to face with Dallas Winston, her laughter ended quickly. Her smile faded, and her posture changed.
He just stared as Pony walked up behind her, his cheeks a small tint of pink -probably from the laughter- then he stopped smiling too.
"Oh hey Dally," he said and looked over at Cherry, who looked at Dally apprehensively. "What are you doing here? I thought you were at a party at Bucks."
"Yeah well I got bored. Two-Bit is still there, getting himself drunk as hell." He quickly averted all his attention from him to Pony. "Hey Pony, I didn't know you got yourself a broad." He let out a puff of smoke as Pony shoved his hands in his front pockets and looked down. "Isn't her name Candy, or Cindy or . . . Chelly or somethin'?"
Cherry readjusted her purse and patted down her hair. She looked Dally up and down as if she was unimpressed by him presence -and she was- but she calmly said, "It's actually Cherry."
Dally waved her off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah." He turned to face Pony again, ignoring the fact the he seemed uncomfortable. "You seen Johnnycake anywhere? Didn't see him as school yesterday."
Pony glanced at Cherry again and looked back up at Dally. "I think he went out with a classmate." He pursed his lips. "Went out to do a project or something."
Dally nodded, realizing that Pony wasn't telling him everything. But he wasn't going to push him, like he would usually do, because he was in a good mood. He felt generous.
He shot a glance at the driveway, finding it empty. "Where's Superman? He know you got a lady friend over?" He smirked. "Where's Soda? He out with Sandy?"
Pony nodded. "Yeah Darry knows. He went out for dinner with some buddies of his at work. He's coming back around ten. And Soda? I have no idea where he is. I think he's with Steve."
Dally nodded and just stood there for a second before he got tired of the silence. "Well kiddies, gonna look for some fun," he turned and scoffed at Cherry. "Oh and Pony knows the rules, so try not to pull anything ya broad."
He spun around and walked on down the road. He heard Cherry sigh and take a deep breath.
"Bye Pony. And thank you again, you know, for defending me."
"Yeah, no problem. And I'm sorry again. You know . . . Dally."
Dally snickered loudly, as their voices started to fade away, and as he passed a dim streetlight he stomped out his cigarette and pulled out another one. Defending her from what? Me?
He was walking up to this shop, probably going to rob it or steal something when the door flung open.
"And did you know that he's famous? Like he got really popular after his book." A girl said.
"Wow, I didn't know that. He writes some good books. I'll have to read some more."
Dally looked up and saw Johnny. He went to say something, but when he realized that this girl, he shut his mouth. He didn't want to make Johnny mad at him, for being rude to the girl. Dally was glad to see Johnny, but he couldn't say the same to the broad.
What's a slut like her doin' in a place like this after dark? Aren't her parents going to be worried? He almost laughed out loud. I hope she gets picked on by some of my guys.
He quickly regained his tough composure and started to think about the situation. He was beyond displeased, he was pissed and a little hurt, that Johnny would want to hang out with an annoying Socy broad he had just met a few days ago, than with him. But he wasn't letting anyone know that he was a little hurt. He would have to kill the person if they found out. But when he saw the girl he hated next to him, he couldn't hold it in. If he couldn't be directly mean to her, he could do it indirectly. Dally ignored the girl.
"Hey Johnnycake! What're you doin' out so late at night?" He asked as he gave Johnny a noogie on the head. Ali gave him a wary look, but Dally didn't even seem to care.
Johnny rolled his eyes and fixed his hair, giving Dally an annoyed look before he spoke. "I was just talking to Ali about this project at school-"
"Why didn't you talk to Pony about it? Isn't he in some of the same classes as you? I saw him just a little while ago."
"No he isn't. And Ali asked me to watch a movie with her and after that we cou-"
"Why didn't she ask me? I could've taken you, and we would've have had to pay."
Johnny wrinkled his nose. "I know, but I just wanted to talk with her-"
"You could talk to me. You don't have to hang around this no good broad."
Johnny stopped talking and got quiet. He glanced over at Ali who was looking a little scared. She was holding on tightly to her little purse. Dally almost smiled.
"Dally . . . could you please not disrespect her?" He asked in a small voice.
Dally smirked this time. "What you mean her? And why should I stop. Why's she doin' in our territory anyways?"
Johnny bit his lip and in a quiet voice he said. "Well as I was saying . . . she invited me to go and hang around with her."
Dally widened his eyes. "And you accepted? Johnny don't you know better?"
Johnny looked back at Ali, and back to Dally. "I was wondering if you could come with us to buy something at the corner store. You know down the block."
Dally shrugged. "I have nothing better to do."
Johnny changed the topic, Dally thought. He shrugged away the thought. Of course he would. He doesn't like all the attention for himself.
"I'll go get us something to drink okay?" Johnny said with a small smiled on his face.
He was worried about leaving Dally and Ali alone, but he couldn't take the stress. He had to leave for a while and think what he was going to do with a greaser who hated everything -especially Socs- and a girl Soc whom he had started to get close with -who hated dangerous people- meaning Dallas Winston.
I'm so selfish for doing this. Oh Ali, I hope you forgive me, he thought. Guilt was starting to form in the pit of his stomach. I hope Dally doesn't do anything dumb. He's too smart to go beating around with Socy girls right? He was trying not to show any nervous actions.
"I'll be back in a while okay?" He said and looked at Ali. A worried look was plastered on his face, but it was too dark for anyone to notice.
"Okay," she said simply.
"Sure man," Dally replied and looked down at Ali, who was staring ahead. He could tell she was nervous, but he smiled. He liked making people feel nervous. Johnny walked away, unbeknownst to him that a detailed conversation about him, was going to get heated.
Dally leaned back and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. Ali was fidgeting with her purse, the silence was killing both of them, so Dally was the one who spoke up first.
"So, uh, you and Johnny close?"
She swallowed and slowly said, "Yeah. I can say we're pretty close."
Dally lit his cigarette. "I don't want no damn explanation. It's a yes or no question, and yer goin' to give me a yes or no answer."
Ali licked her lips. She was feeling nervous and scared and thirsty at the same time. I hope Johnny gets back quickly, she thought. "Yes. Johnny and I are close."
Dally stomped his foot on the ground and took a deep breath in, before he let it out.
It was about one minute later when Ali broke the silence with a surprising question.
"Why don't you like me? Is it because of Johnny?"
Dally was too stunned to even register this, but when he did he got mad. Why doesn't this good for nothing broad get it?
His eyes narrowed, and he stomped out his cancer stick so so quickly Ali didn't have time to register what was happening. She didn't have time to step away either. The only thing Dally felt was pure rage, but if he beat up a Socy girl, he might be put in prison for the rest of his life, and he didn't want that. He wanted to go in and out, and not just stay in there.
"I don't want know one hurtin' Johnny 'cause he's already had enough in his life. His parents don't give a rat's ass about him, and I don't want him getting hurt." His voice lowered, but the tone hardened even more. "I don't want a good for nothin' broad hanging all over him, making him feel special, and then goin' on and breakin' his already fallin' apart heart. So if you little slut -hurt him in any way, I'm coming after you and your family. Got that?"
Ali just stood there staring. In disbelief and shock. She didn't care about her family, but she only nodded. Her hands were wrapped around her body. "Do his parents hurt him?"
Dally shrugged his shoulders casually as if it was not a big deal. He leaned against the brick wall, his head hitting the hard cold bricks. "What'd I say? They don't give a rats ass about him."
Her voice softened, as if she didn't want anyone else to hear about what they were discussing. No one was there, or close or nearby but she didn't hesitate to lower her voice. Ali knew this was a serious topic, and that these types of conversations should be respected. "Is that why he had all those bruises?"
Dally smirked. "Yep, now if you think he's ugly and worthless you can just say so now, and you can get out of his life. It'll hurt him less."
She felt hurt by Dally's words. I could never hate him, she thought angrily, but her anger faded as she realized what Dally had said. His parents hurt him? No. This isn't supposed to be happening. It can happen to me, but it can't happen to Johnny. He's too kind and sweet for this . . . her thoughts raced as she tried to process all this. When did it start? How and why?
Her voice started to slightly quiver "I don't hate him. I can never hate him. He's too young and kind to be hit. He's too good for that."
Dally laughed. "Man I if I acted like that -nice all of a sudden- my folks would kill me. They'd think I'd turn into some mutant." His voice remained cold and icy, but his voice lowered. "His parents don't think that. They think he's worthless and worth absolute shit. That's why they beat him. His old man usually does the beatings, but that hag can slap pretty hard. She's got that foul mouth too. I don't understand why he just doesn't get it." Dally shook his head.
"Why? What did he ever do to them? Why?"
Her voice was getting shrilly and it was annoying Dally..He whipped his head and stared her down. "Cause they never wanted him. Johnny wouldn't want me talkin' about him, cause you're Soc and might spread rumors and shit that ain't true. Now mind yer own business you brat."
Ali didn't back down. She had to know. She had to.
"And what do you guys do? Do you try to help him? Why can't he just leave?" She asked, her voice coming out in a pleading manner. "Can't he tell anyone?"
"Hey, hey!" Dally snapped. "Don't go on askin' me all these pointless questions! Can't ya figure it out? Huh? Aren't you in some of those advanced classes? Ask Johnny if you really want to know, but if you do, he might hate you. He don't like feeling or letting anyone know he's vulnerable or weak."
She gulped and tightened her fists. "Do you know of anyone else that gets hit by their families?"
Dally blew out a smoke, thinking for a moment before he answered. "Yeah actually, seen plenty of them. Most guys get beat up. The Shepherds do get beat up my their old man a lot. Dunno 'bout the girls though. They might. I bet my life on it. Everyone is living through hell here."
She let a tear slip, but not even she realized that it had fallen. It was too dark for Dally to notice either. With all that practice that she did, her voice didn't falter. "Do you think Socs get beat up too?"
Dally laughed out loud as if he had heard the funniest joke of all time. But his laugh was empty. "Socs? Man, I'll be damned if they're parents even said no to them! They got everything!"
Ali just stared at him and clenched her fists. With a soft voice she said, "I'm going home."
Dally chuckled. "I'll tell Johnny you were tired okay? Or better yet, I'll tell him you didn't want to be seen with a greaser!"
She spun around. "You tell him that and I'll hate you for the rest of my life!"
Dally laughed again. "Oh boy! Look at me! I'm so scared!"
His laughed diminished as he watched Ali skimper away. "Damn. Doesn't that broad know better than to walk alone in greaser territory at night?"
"Where did Ali go?" Johnny asked as he came out with two pepsi's in his hand. He had a concerned and worried look on his face. I knew I shouldn't have left them alone . . . what if Dally did something?
"Why'd you only buy two?" Dally asked as he lit up another cigarette. He hadn't answered Johnny's question, and because of this he grew more concerned.
"One was for Ali and you. I wasn't going to drink one." He said and looked down. "So why did she go?"
Dally shrugged, "She said somethin' about . . ." He looked and saw Johnny with his pleading eyes. And Dally sighed. There was no way, he was going to hurt Johnny. "Her folks wanted her home, about a family reunion or some stupid shit like that."
Johnny eyed him and handed him a coke. "You didn't do anything . . . right?"
Dally narrowed his eyes, but didn't look at Johnny. He popped open the Pepsi, and instead of getting angry, he laughed. "Man, what is it with people these days? Thinkin' imma goin' to jump anyone. Johnny don't worry, I promise I didn't do nothin'."
Johnny nodded and opened his own can. They sipped it quietly and looked at the street. It was empty, just like they felt sometimes.
THIRD PERSON POV
(FOCUSED ON ALI)
Ali had gone home to find that her father had gone a business trip for the remainder of the week. She had silently gone up to her room, ignoring Bob and her mom's confused stares. It didn't matter that her father was gone. It was only a one week break for her. But she didn't think about her father. She could only think about Johnny.
Why didn't he say anything?Was he scared? Like I would've been if someone had found out? And why did Dally shrug? Did he not care? He acted like he didn't care. Maybe he is that jerk and heartless person everyone talks about. I just don't get why Johnny kept talking about him; saying that he was tuff and all that other junk . . .
And with all these jumbled up thoughts in her head, she laid down in bed and stared up at her ceiling.
"Hey doll!" Two-Bit said excitedly, as he skipped over to where Ali was unpacking her things. He was excited because he felt proud of himself. He hadn't done work ever since he was like . . . a baby, and working with Ali -even if it just was handing her the supplies and giving her useless tips- he felt accomplished. It was a nice feeling for Two-Bit.
Other Socs looked up, giving, shooting weird looks and even stepped away as Two-Bit came closer to where Ali was putting her stuff away. Some male Socs eyed two-Bit, but didn't do anything. As soon as Ali heard Two-Bit's enthusiastic voice, she looked up but didn't say anything. Two-Bit laughed because he thought that for some reason, she was made at him. He didn't know that Ali was worried. She was worried, scared and, well, guilty.
"Two-Bit," Ali said in a quiet voice, and glanced around the hall. "I need to talk with you."
Two-Bit smiled. "Have you finally realized your love for Dally?"
Her eyebrows knit in a confused look. "What? No- Two-Bit, it's serious."
Two-Bit feigned a heart attack and batted his eyes, in a manner that almost made Ali laugh. But she couldn't, because if she did, she wouldn't be able to stop. She was too nervous.
"Love is serious! You can't keep your feelings to yourself! You need to let them go. It isn't good to keep all of them bottled up inside of you."
"Two-Bit come on!" Ali looked around and some some girls staring at her. "I think we should move away."
Two-Bit whirled around. "You mean, as away from the cute girls over there? No way sista I'm staying here."
He smiled widely again and wiggled his eyebrows at the other girls. Ali could feel her cheeks heat up as they stared daggers at her and rolled their eyes at Two-Bit. Ali grabbed Two-Bit by the arm and dragged him away. She could hear the whispers that the other girls were saying. She could feel their stares, making holes in her back.
When they were finally away she sighed. "Two-Bit." -he was looking away and waving at some other girls. "Keith!" -Two-BIt whirled around. "Pay attention!"
"Geez. What is it? It better important cause those pretty broads over there were eyeing me."
"Two-Bit, I was with Johnny yesterday, after we finished. And um, we talked and talked."
Two-Bit raised an eyebrow. "And? What's the important part of the story?"
"We went out to buy some stuff and Dally showed up-"
"-You mean the love of your life?!"
"No. Anyways, Johnny went to buy us a drink and we started talking-"
"Did it get heated? Dally likes to sweet talk the girls, or sometimes he likes to talk dirt-"
"Kieth! Let me explain please!" Ali said and closed her eyes. If this continues, I won't be able to talk to him. If the bell rings I . . . I could talk to him at lunch . . . or in the same class we have, but that will attract to much attention. And I need to talk to him now.
"Okay," he sighed. "But really, don't call me that ever again." He said and crossed his hands over his chest, as if he was pissed. I should the be the one who is pissed, Ali thought. He isn't letting me speak.
"Did you know Johnny was abused by his folks? Is it true?" Ali asked in a rushed and hushed voice. She looked around and was glad to find that no one was nearby. She looked back at Two-Bit who had frozen. Immediately his smile faded. It was replaced by a worried look. And a how-could-you-have-possibly-found-out-this-was-like-a-secret look. "How did you find out? Who told you? Oh no, was it Dally? I'm beat him up. I ain't afraid of him. He disrespected Johnny's-"
"Well he didn't do it on purpose. It kind of slipped out," Ali said and moved her hands.
Two-Bit gulped and keep stealing glances around the hall. "Yeah his parents didn't want him. They're deadbeats. They abuse him daily." He stopped and took a deep breath. "Just . . . just don't ask Johnny okay? You two are becomin' real close and if he wants to tell you himself, it'll be in his own time okay?"
Ali nodded. "Okay, okay."
Boy, she felt horrible now. She felt bad for actually feeling a bit of relief. I shouldn't be feeling this, she thought as she went to her first class. I should feel bad for him, pity. Not relief!
But indeed she felt relieved and if anyone knew, she couldn't' deny it.
She wasn't the only one being hurt by her parents and it made Ali feel closer to Johnny in some way. Made her feel that someone understood.
Now, if only she had the courage to tell someone.
Ali was exiting her sixth period class to go to lunch, when Clara Whittmore appeared and got all up in her face. Clara was trouble. She was one of those snobby and slutty girls that always got what she wanted. Ali didn't like her - a lot of people didn't like her.
"So, I saw you talking with a greaser," she spat and popped her gum. Her two other friends stood behind her, giving Ali some death stares. Ali gulped and readjusted her skirt. "What was that all about huh Alison? You going all poor on us?"
Ali fumed and felt her cheeks heat up from how frustrated she was. She had always hated Clara's ignorant and slutty attitude. "No I wasn't. I asked him a question, and he politely answered back."
She snorted and looked Ali up and down, as if she was disapproving her outfit, she probably was, but Ali didn't care. "Yeah, anyways. I heard that you and that greaser were working on a project in weird woman's class. Wanna tell me what that's about? You dating a dirty greaser? Why are you even talking to him?"
Ali gritted her teeth in annoyance. "No there was no one else to pair up with, and we got paired up together I was just talking to him about our project. It's not like it matters.." Ali hoped Clara couldn't read a person well. She hoped that she couldn't tell a lie from a truth.. She was feeling a little guilty she had lied. "And what's it to you anyways? It had nothing to do with you."
Clara laughed, before she abruptly stopped and rolled her eyes. "I don't care. I just need to find a good reason to ruin your reputation." Her eyes lit up all of a sudden. "Does Bob know about this? Oh if he finds you hanging out with a greaser, he will end both of you."
"Yes he is clearly aware, and we were only talking." Ali said stiffly and looked past Ali to see Two-Bit rounding a corner before he disappeared .She was frozen for only a moment before she regain her composure. Her heart was beating fast. Why is Clara even here? Unfortunately Ali's luck wasn't the best, and she thought TWo-Bit had left, but when he peeked his head around the corner she knew it was not going to go well. Ali thought Two-Bit was only fooling around, but when he smiled and casually making his way over, she knew she was doomed.
Oh no, she thought. This isn't going to end well. Oh god help us all.
"Ali? Is that you?" Two-Bit said loudly, knowing that she hadn't wanted him here. All the girls spun around, looking a little surprised. But when they saw who it was, they relaxed. It's only a stupid greaser, they thought. Clara gave an annoyed groan. Her blonde and brunette friend took a step back.
"Oh great, we have two morons now."
He smiled but in a sarcastic, sad voice he said,. "Oh honey, don't put you and your friend down like that." He looked at the the blond girl standing next to her friends. "I can't say the same about this one. She looks smart."
He winked at her and loudly whispered, "if you haven't noticed, I dig blondes."
She turned away and looked down. Ali felt bad for her, but not bad enough because she wanted to laugh so hard and make fun of them. She resisted, and with a straight face, looked at Two-Bit disapprovingly.
Clara spoke up and popped her gum again, "What are you even doing here greaser. Mind your own business. Can't you see we're busy here? Or are you blind too?"
"No Soc, you're the blind one." Two-Bit got all serious all of a sudden, and stood up straight. He saluted to Ali. "I'm sorry ma'am, I got clear instructions from the president to accompany Ali everywhere she goes." He was trying not to laugh. "I'm her personal bodyguard or somethin' like that."
Clara just stared at him, before she scoffed. "Um yeah, bye losers."
Her and her little possy walked away. And Two-Bit spoke up. "So since when have they've been boethin' ya?"
"Oh them? It's normal-"
"Them botherin' you is normal? Ali, that is some weird crap you're talkin' about right there. Being picked on isn't normal."
And neither is lying, but we all keep secrets to ourselves, Ali thought sadly. "It started in seventh grade. We used to be good friends. I-I don't know what happened."
Two-Bit pat her shoulder and he saw Ali jump back. He gave her a worried look, but continued on what he was about to say. "If they give you a hard time, you tell me about it and I'll go an' give them a lesson okay? You don't need to be bothered by a group of sluts."
She nodded and played looked at her nails. "Thanks."
They began to walk towards the cafeteria, but before they could part ways Ali asked, "So, did you actually like that blonde? Or where you calling them sluts because you were trying to cheer me up?"
He laughed. "Oh they are sluts, but that blonde," -he whistled- "Man, I haven't seen a good lookin' broad like her in days.
OOPs Is this chapter a little short? Hahaha, I hoped you liked that Dally and ALi moment, and that Two-Bit and Ali bonding!
GUYS I GOT MY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD! I just got home and decided to finish this because of the spurge of motivation I had. Oh, and heels hurt like so much, I was only in them for an hour. I don't know how my mom or anyone else wears them almost all day. Well anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
