Disclaimer: Everything belongs to its rightful owners
NOTE: I have gone back and revised my chapters, adding in additional material, and chapter five is new.
Chapter Eight
October 1968
Of course, the universe would never be that kind to her.
"Did you have a good weekend?" Curly asked, plopping down into the seat opposite her.
"Pretty average." She said. "You?"
"Pretty average."
"I pity your date then."
"Oh, no," Curly said, leaning back in his chair. "She wasn't average."
"Ew, too much information." Peggy objected, cringing at the thought. "Sorry about Lori, she thought she was being funny."
"It's okay." He said. "She wasn't that good of a date anyway."
"Not much titillating conversation from her then?"
"Titillating?"
"It means interested, get your mind out of the gutter." Peggy told him. "Actually, it does have sexual connotations, I meant scintillating but that doesn't matter."
"God, Jones, we're at school." Curly said with mock disapproval. "Who knew you were so filthy minded?"
"Let's get started, shall we." Peggy announced, putting an end to any discussions that even lingered in the area of innappropriate.
The tutoring session was perhaps less successful than their others. Maths had never been her strongest subject, and it was hard enough getting Curly to pay attention for a full hour when it was a subject she actually liked. At least he was trying more now. He still took any chance to joke around and waste time, but when she asked him to do something he was putting up less of a fight.
After they finished she followed him out of the library and into the almost empty parking lot. She scanned the remaining cars, and was surprised when she didn't see his.
"You didn't drive today?"
"Nah, Tim needed my car for something." Curly said. "I'm walking home today. You?"
"Bus." She said, pointing in the direction of the bus stop. "Which way you heading?"
"That way." He replied, pointing in the same direction. "Guess you gotta put up with me a bit longer."
"Guess so." She said. "Isn't it kinda far to walk to your house? Though, I guess I wouldn't know since I don't actually know where you live."
"I used to walk home all the time 'fore I got my car." He said. "It's not a bad. Don't get jumped as often as I used to."
"You got jumped?"
"It's nothing." Curly said, frowning at her concern. "Used to happen all the time 'round my side of town."
"Yeah, I remember, I guess I just never put two and two together."
The semi-war of social classes that used to rage on their streets was hardly forgettable, but being middle class she'd never been much involved in it. It was easy to forget something you weren't a party to.
"Is it hard for Ponyboy, having all that attached to him?" Peggy asked. "You can't really escape a past like that, not here at least."
Curly shrugged. "I don't know. He gets on with it."
"Yeah, I guess he would." She said. "Anyway, so Tim, he's your brother right?"
"Yeah."
"And you've got a sister too, don't you?"
"Yeah, Angela. They're both pains in my asses but what can ya do." He said. "You got any siblings?"
"Five." She said. "One older, four younger."
"Shit that's a lotta kids." He said. "Bet they annoy the shit outta ya."
"No, not at all." She said. "I mean, sometimes they can get annoying but siblings always get on your nerves. Sides, I like having a big family. I don't think I could deal with being an only child."
"Sounds like fucking heaven to me."
"You don't mean that."
"Nah. They ain't always bad." Curly said. "So that what you want, a big family of your own?"
"Haven't really thought about it." Peggy admitted. "I'm not like Jennifer."
"What's that mean?"
"Jennifer won't date a guy unless she thinks he's husband material." Peggy said. "You know, will he financial support them, does he come from a good family, will he make good-looking babies, practical questions."
Curly looked almost alarmed at the prospect of someone thinking so in depth about the viability of their romantic partner. He didn't think any harder than their level attractiveness and skills in the bedroom.
"That mean Michael ain't husband material?"
Peggy's mouth gaped open as she processed the question. Of course he somehow brought the conversation back to her relationship, it was becoming a habit of his. For the life of her she couldn't understand his sudden interest, it wasn't like her and Michael had a very interesting relationship. Must've been another way of teasing her.
"He's not for me." She said. "I'm planning on ending things soon."
"Finally wisened up to the fact he's a dick." Curly said. "Thought you never would."
"He's not a dick, we just don't work." She said. "And if I break up with him now, in the right way, we might have a chance of preserving our friendship, somewhat."
"Ya think he'd be friends with you after you dump his ass?"
"Yes."
"I wouldn't."
"Well, that's you." She said. "Michael and I have known each other practically our whole lives, it'd be a shame to throw that all away over nothing."
"Your relationship is nothing?" Curly asked. "Shit, I almost feel bad for him now."
"I just meant, it's not like we're in love, and we haven't, you know, and the relationship just never progressed to anywhere serious, that's all." Peggy explained, her cheeks reddening at having made implications about her sex life in front of him. And by the way he was grinning she guessed he'd noticed. "Anyway, I had something to tell you."
"What?"
"Lori, she has a thing for you." Peggy said. "Asked me put in a good word for her."
"Lori." He mused, in such a manner that she imagined if he had a beard he'd be stroking it. "She's hot. I prefer blondes, but she's got a decent rack."
"She's also a nice person." Peggy added. "Which is important."
"Eh."
Before she could impress on him the importance of non-physical qualities, they were interrupted by a car pulling up beside them. Peggy immediately recognised it as Curly's car, so she assumed the driver to be his brother. It wasn't a hard guess considering how similar they looked.
From what she could see, Tim was taller than his brother and meaner looking, with a cold and penetrating stare that she refused to buckle under. Though, with Curly's face having taken on a hardened expression the family resemblance was almost startling.
"Whatcha doing here, Tim?" Curly asked, his eyes flicking towards Peggy. "Thought you had business?"
"I did, and it's done."
"Can I have my car back now, then?"
"And make me walk home, fuck off." Tim said, his eyes shifting towards Peggy. "Who's this?"
"I'm Peggy." She said, and Tim looked almost surprised that she'd spoken. She might've been the subject of the question but it hadn't been directed to her.
"She your girlfriend?"
"No." Curly quickly answered, and Peggy bristled beside him.
"We go to school together." She explained.
"Right." Tim said. "So you're the one tutoring him? Shit, I woulda been tutored in high school if they were as pretty as you."
"Tutors come in all shapes and sizes." Peggy said, matter-of-factly. "I'm sure you would've found one to your liking."
"C'mon, Tim," Curly grumbled. "Let's go."
"You gonna leave your tutor to walk home alone." Tim said. "Thought I raised ya better than that."
"You don't give a shit if she walks home alone." Curly said.
"Sure I do."
"It's fine." Peggy interjected. "I can take the bus."
Once again, she was the subject of the conversation and yet entirely removed from it. Neither Curly nor Tim would break their stare down to even look at her. Peggy shifted awkwardly beside Curly, unable to do anything but idlely watch their Mexican standoff.
"Nah, we'll take you home. Get in."
Tim said it in such a way that didn't leave much room to argue, so she didn't. The state of the car probably didn't help her unease, not that she expected Curly to be one to keep his car clean. Tidiness was not one of his virtues.
Even from the backseat she could practically hear Curly grinding his teeth, while Tim seemed far too pleased with himself. Peggy got the very distinct feeling that she'd just been used as a pawn in Tim's plan to one-up his brother, and it didn't sit well with her. Of course, neither did the fact that Curly had practically allowed it to happen.
When she told Tim her address he scoffed, and suddenly she felt self-conscious about her home. Her family weren't rolling in money, but being financially comfortable must seem like a huge step up to him.
"How long you tutoring him for?" Tim asked.
"Til school ends."
"If he lasts that long."
"Why wouldn't he?" She asked, defiantly.
"Shit, he ain't a good listener." Tim said. "Least he ain't never listened to me."
"Maybe you've never had anything of worth to listen to."
From the backseat she could see Tim's grip on the steering wheel tighten, his eyes narrowing. Perhaps it was a step too far, but it was what he deserved for so blatantly bad mouthing Curly. But then he's grip loosened, and his lips pulled into a bitter smirk, looking almost amused, like not many people had the gall to talk back to him but he actually enjoyed it when they did.
Tim didn't say anything more until they pulled up in front of her house, grunting in response to her thanks.
"I'll see you at school, Curly." Peggy said, and he jerked his head in something resembling a nod.
He'd spent the entire drive ignoring her, and she'd almost considered kicking the back of his chair to get his attention. It only would've pissed him off more, though. What did she care if Curly didn't pay attention to her anyway? They weren't even friends. At least not close friends. And if he wanted to be an ass then who was she to stop him.
Curly watched Peggy as she walked up her driveway. He wanted her to look back. He wasn't sure why, but he did. He also wasn't sure why he was so disappointed when she didn't.
"Whatcha doing hanging 'round with her?" Tim asked, pulling out from the kerb. "Prissy chicks like that ain't worth the hassle."
"It ain't like I chose to be tutored." Curly said. "You're the one that won't let me drop out."
"Doesn't mean you have to walk her home." Tim pointed out. "You like her or something?"
"She's just some chick." Curly shrugged. "She don't mean nothing."
"Good."
"You're one to talk." Curly scoffed.
"What's that s'posed to mean?"
The question didn't need an answer. They both knew what, or rather who, they were talking about. Tim was scowling at him with the rage he reserved solely for anything relating to Rose, and Curly was returning the glare with equal measure. Tim was goading him, Curly knew that he was, but he couldn't help himself.
"It means what it fucking means."
Curly was expecting his brother to hit him, or reply with an equally biting jab, but he said nothing. It was so damn typical of Tim to be so fucking hypocritical. Acting all high and mighty, like his judgment hadn't ever been compromised by a girl. It wasn't even like he actually liked Peggy or anything, she was just good company. Sure, he enjoyed flirting with her but why wouldn't he, she was good-looking and on occasion she flirted back, no guy would say no to that. But other than that, she was just a way of passing the time until he graduated.
"Did you get the job done?" Curly asked.
"Course I got the fucking job done, I ain't you." Tim said. "Those boys from Brumly'll have a hard time fucking with us with no hubcaps."
Curly grunted in response. Typical of Tim to act like Curly had done something wrong when he wasn't even involved. He couldn't do anything right where Tim was concerned.
