A week passes, and things seem to cool down. Echo still gives Jett a dirty look every time we see him at school, but the Stallions all seem to have recovered from his treachery.
"You wanna go to a party this weekend?" Denver asks me one day whens we're standing by our lockers, as he shoves his hands into his pockets.
"Where at?" I ask.
He shrugs. "Some guy is throwing a party on Saturday."
"What'll we do there?" I ask.
He grins. "Oh, you know. Hang out, listen to the music they're playing, have fun."
I smile. "What then?"
"Then, if the music is good, we dance."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Since Darry and Soda are out, I get permission from Pony to attend the party. He reminds me not to get into a car with someone who's been drinking, then tells me to be back before midnight.
Riley's truck rolls into the driveway, and I skip out the door towards it.
"Hey, Aces," Denver greets, throwing open the passenger door and holding out a hand to pull me in.
"Hey," I smile back as I sit down and turn to buckle my seatbelt. Riley pulls out of the driveway, and I see Skittery's truck in front of us, also full of people.
"Did you guys pick up Echo yet?" I ask, trying to see through the other truck's windows.
"Yeah," Riley answers. "We just have to get Mickey now."
Denver scowls, and I can't help but laugh at him. "Is Parker coming along?"
"No, he had to go to the country club again," Riley sighs. "Poor kid."
"How come Montgomery couldn't make it?" Denver asks me.
"She's out with Johnny," I grin. "It's the first date they've been on in ages; Dally's out of town and Two-Bit is babysitting Lindsay."
The boys smile, as we pull up to Mickey's place.
Riley glances at his watch. "She said she'd be waiting outside at six."
He taps on the horn twice, and I can practically see Skittery's disapproving face.
"I'll go get her," I sigh, after several long moments when honking the horn yields no results.
I head up the front steps and open the door of the Shepard home, then carefully step around the mess of beer bottles and dirty clothes.
"Mickey, come on!" I call, afraid to go any further. "Where are you?"
"In here!" she calls from the hallway bathroom, and I bravely make my way towards her.
She's standing in front of the mirror, applying a coat of mascara.
"God, Mickey, hurry up!" I say impatiently. "We're already going to be late!"
"It's better to arrive late than to arrive ugly," she says, picking up a comb and teasing her hair.
"Do that in the car," I roll my eyes, snatching the comb out of her hands and grabbing her wrists to drag her out to the waiting vehicle.
We pull up to a house, and there's a lot going on already. Lights are flashing, and the music is cranked up loud. We all ease into the crowd and relax, letting loose.
As promised, Denver and I dance. He's quite good and has excellent rhythm, and avoids stepping on my toes. After one slow dance, we sort of drift apart.
Hours later, I realize I've lost my group, not that it matters. I had been hanging out with some of the girls from my class, but now that it's getting late I searched out Echo or any of the familiar gang.
I head down a hallway, scanning the crowd. There are several doors ajar, and I give each one a glance before passing by.
At the end of the hallway, I see a familiar figure sitting on a sofa through the gap in the door. I'm just about to walk in towards him when I see another familiar face.
Valeri Kay.
What's Skittery doing with Phoenix's sister? I wonder, pressing myself flat against the wall to hear what they're saying.
"You know you miss me," I hear Valeri say, and Skittery clears his throat.
"And you know we're over, Val," Skittery says in a gentlemanly voice. "I don't want to give you the wrong message."
"Are you still upset over that guy I kissed when we were dating?" Valeri pouts. "He didn't mean anything. You were always a much better kisser."
I hear Skittery make a strange, small noise, and I'm sure his resolve's crumbling. The sofa makes a creaking sound like someone just sat on it.
"You remember when we used to do this?" Valeri's voice is nearly a whisper. "You know you miss me."
"You have a guy, and I have a girl," Skittery says firmly, and I can hear he's getting brave again.
"But she doesn't kiss you like this, does she?"
I can't stand it anymore. I step into the doorway to see Skittery and Valeri, lips locked, her on top of him on the corner of the couch. Her fingers are tangled in his hair, and his hands are somewhere between them.
Skittery immediately jumps up and away, like he's been shocked.
"Ace, this isn't what you think- I swear!" Skittery sputters, backing against the wall.
Valeri smirks at me. "Who's this, baby? Your girl?" she asks Skittery, standing up and reaching for his hand.
He firmly pushes her away, but is gentle enough not to hurt her.
Skittery glares at her, but looks so upset he can't speak.
"Come on," I mutter to him, putting my arm around his shoulder and steering him out of the room.
I walk him out to the backyard and sit him on a bench.
"You've got about five seconds to explain, then I'm getting Echo," I warn, and he immediately starts talking.
"She grabbed me and pulled me into the room!" Skittery sputters. "I tried to leave, but she pushed me onto the couch. You know we used to date and she screwed me over, but she's showing interest in me again. I don't want her though, Ace, I swear, I don't want to have anything to do with her!"
"But you two were kissing for a good five seconds," I point out, frowning.
"Three," he protests. "And I didn't want to, she just sort of jumped on me! Please, don't tell Echo. She'll hate me."
"I dunno, Skit," I said, still frowning. "She's my best friend. I think she'll want to know."
"Let me tell her then," Skittery begs. "Please? At least give me the chance to explain it to her."
"Fine, you tell her," I say, sighing. "Could you take me home now? This isn't much fun anymore."
"I'll go round up the gang," Skittery says immediately, heading into the crowd. "Wait by the front door!"
Boys are always so much trouble, I frown to myself, as I wait for Skittery to gather the group together.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
The whole week at school, I give Skittery pointed looks. I'm not sure if he's told Echo or not, but I don't want to bring it up to her in case he hasn't.
When both of the gangs are hanging out after school, Skittery announces he has something to say, and we all turn our attentions to him.
"Jett cornered me before class ended today," Skittery tells us, getting a lot of surprised looks.
"What'd he want?" Montgomery frowned.
"He challenged me to a fight," Skittery sighs. "He says the Prisms won't accept him until he beats me up."
"Why you in particular?" Mickey asks.
"Maybe because he's the leader?" Denver says sarcastically.
"And Valeri probably put him up to it," Riley adds. "I know she'd love to see Jett beat up her ex boyfriend."
"He won't win though, right?" Lindsay smiles. "I've seen him punch. He couldn't hit a tree if he was six inches in front of it."
"We'll see," Skittery smiles back, but only a few of us catch that he sounds nervous. "I'm meeting him in half an hour."
"Where is it gonna be?" Denver asks quickly. "We'll be there."
"No, I don't want anyone else to come," Skittery says firmly. "I'm sure Jett will bring backup, but I don't want this duel becoming a war."
"Bull," Denver shakes his head. "You're not doing this alone."
"I have to," Skittery insists.
"That's stupid as hell. Do you want to get your ass kicked?"
"As long as I'm the only one!"
"Don't be an idiot, Skit, not about this," Denver says almost pleadingly. "It could be dangerous, it's probably a trap!"
"Just don't follow me," Skittery says, sounding nearly dangerous. "Don't."
"You can't stop me," Denver says stubbornly, his eyes suddenly flashing.
"Skittery's right," I say quietly, and everyone turns to face me.
"What the hell, Aces?" Denver demands. "You want him walking into who knows what- by himself?"
"Of course I don't," I snap, "but he's still right. Jett wants a one-on-one battle. I'm sure he's going to have backup, but this fight is different. He says he's not fitting in, right? So the Prisms won't cheat and help him win. This fight is for his honor. No one is going to be on his side."
"Thanks, Ace," Skittery smiles. "I don't want anyone involved who doesn't have to be. No one else has to get hurt."
"I still don't fricken like it," Denver frowns.
"Me neither," Riley says with a frown. "But you're still right."
"I'll meet you all back here in an hour," Skittery promises.
"Be careful," everyone else says in unison.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Damn it," Denver curses, running both hands through his jet black hair. "Damn it! Where the hell is he?"
We've been waiting for Skittery to get back for more than half an hour. Either the the fight didn't take place in Tulsa, or something went wrong.
"Stay cool, Denver," Riley says, looking chill as ever as he leans against the wall of a shop. "Calm down a bit."
"How do you expect me to do that, when my best friend is probably lying dead in a gutter?" Denver snaps.
Echo had just started smoking her last cigarette, but she hands it to Denver. He irritably takes a drag then hands it back.
"Stop being a drama queen," I say, as he exhales the smoke. "You know Skittery can handle himself just fine. Jett's nowhere near his match."
"I still think we should go look for him," Denver says, sounding a little desperate. "No fight should take this long, and I can't stand doing nothing."
"Where do we start?" Riley sighs. "You know there's a hundred good fighting places in Tulsa."
"Lets check the obvious places," Denver says. "Ace and I'll check the field near Jett's house. You and Mickey can look in the vacant lot, Montgomery, Scarlett, and Echo can search Hyde park, and Lindsay and Parker can check out Crystal Park."
"Got it," Riley says. "Everyone meet back here in twenty minutes, okay?"
"Alright," I say, before Denver practically drags me down the street towards the field.
I squeeze his shoulder gently. "You're overreacting. Jett's a loser, there's no way he held up Skittery this long. Maybe his car broke down."
"Maybe," Denver repeats, frowning, and I notice that his blue eyes get darker when he's worried.
"Ace?"
I look across the street when I hear my name called to see Johnny and Two-Bit, heading in the opposite direction that we are.
"Hey, wanna tag along on our search party?" I ask them, after they run across the street towards us without looking either way.
"Why not?" Two-Bit shrugs, and we fall into step behind Denver, who's already started walking again.
"Who're you lookin' for?" Johnny asks, walking quickly.
"Skittery," I tell him, taking two steps for each of their long strides.
"The tall guy we went to the rodeo with?"
"The very same."
"I like him," Two-Bit puts in thoughtfully. "He seemed like a good kid."
"Glad you approve of your little sister's boyfriend," I say, then crash into him as he stops abruptly.
"Her what now?" he demands, but we're interrupted by Denver cursing loudly.
"Jesus, there he is," he says, quickening his pace and rushing towards the field. We all run after him, until we see Skittery lying on the ground, face down.
"Oh shit," Two-Bit breathes, and I know he's thinking of the time this happened to Johnny. I can't help but remember that day, too.
We gently roll Skittery over, and he stirs a little. His nose is bleeding, and there's a cut above his eye.
"Skit, come on," Denver says, slapping his friend's cheeks lightly. "Come on, you okay?"
"Hell, he's never gonna wake up that way," Two-Bit says loudly. "Does anyone have a beer?"
"You are not pouring a beer on that kid," Johnny rolls his eyes.
"Who said it's for him?"
"Shut up, Two-Bit," Denver snaps.
Skittery moans, then blinks a few times and his eyes flutter open.
"Damn it, Skittery," Denver swears. "Goddamn you. What the hell were you thinking? I told you I should've gone with you! Damn you!"
"Sorry," Skittery mumbles, coughing. "I didn't see it coming."
"Damn right you didn't-" Denver fumes, but I cut him off.
"Save it," I tell him. "Let's get Skittery patched up first, then you can cuss at him all you want."
"Damn you, too, Aces," Denver curses anyway. "You're the one that stopped me."
"Thank God I did," I snap. "You want a war?"
"If I could've stopped this, then yes!" he shoots back.
"Jesus, Denver, could you keep your temper for a minute?" I say angrily to him. "Just help get him home."
Denver exhales hard through his nose, but pulls one of Skittery's arms over his shoulder to help him stand, while Two-Bit takes the other one.
"How many were there?" Denver asks, still sounding angry, but his voice is quieter.
"There was a big audience, but only Jett fought," Skittery sighs.
"Are you serious?" I ask incredulously. "He beat you?"
"Jett won fair and square," Skittery insists, but he has a strange look in his eyes. "He beat me and won."
Denver, Two-Bit, and Johnny all curse, so I guess I'm the only one who could tell.
He's lying.
I glance at his undamaged knuckles, which should be cracked and bloody from the fight, and something in my mind clicks, but doesn't make sense.
Skittery didn't even try. He threw the fight, and let Jett win.
But why?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
A/N
Thanks for reading! Sorry I haven't updated in a while!
Hope you liked it:) Thanks to all the guest reviewers, I really appreciate it!
Thanks again for reading! Please review:
Xoxoxo,
EmMarie