Disclaimer: Not mines, anything mention by name isn't mines. Except the OCs.
It had officially been two months since the fight and life has gone back to normal. Well, normally enough for me that is. I went to work at the grocery store, have some Me time, then went to work at Sukey's. School had let out back in June so me and Denny had more time to hang out: fishing, going to the movies, going to a few sports game, the regular 50s teen stuff. And this Friday was the 4th of July, so us, Jane, and Irene would be going to the park to watch the fireworks tonight. Man, it feels so unreal to believe I've been officially living in this town for four months; four months since the incident happen. I still have no idea how I got here and why, or if I'll ever find a way back home, but since I have a feeling I'm not gonna be going anywhere anytime soon, I might as well settle in and accept my new home.
Strange thing is, I haven't seen much of Ace since the fight, nor his gang for that matter. Part of me was hoping they had went out of town to boost a car, got caught, and were now stuck in the pokey doing time, but I'm realistic, they're probably out there watching, waiting for their next move. I couldn't tell you why, but I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that something would go down between me and Ace again. Whether it was another fight, I don't know, but I could feel something big was coming.
"Alright, see you tomorrow Jerry!" I called out as I punched out of the store.
"Hey, see you tonight!" Jerry called back and I snickered, waving him off. It was officially the 4th of July and Castle Rock was already in the mood: putting up American flags everywhere, buying burgers and hot dogs, setting up the grill, preparing the potato salad, y'know, the stuff that makes you proud to be an American. Seeing all this set-up was making my mouth water and, feeling a sweet tooth, went to the Malt Shop to get myself something to drink.
"Welcome to Marty's Malts." Said the soda jerk at the counter.
"Hey, I like a root beer float." I told him as I sat down at the stool. Nodding, the soda jerk got a metal cup, scooped up the vanilla and flung it into the cup, catching it with ease, it's an art form, I'll tell you that. After finishing up with my beverage, I happily sip it, letting out a satisfied 'Mmm' and nodded. This was better than the ones my cousin makes. I was sitting them sipping until I hear jiggling that was getting louder until it reached me.
"Oh hey Vern." I greeted as he sat up on the stool next to me.
"Hi Vern." the younger boy greeted me back, "You gonna see the fireworks tonight? I heard they're gonna be Boss."
"Yeah, me and Denny and the girls are gonna be there." I told him taking another sip. "You going with Gordie, Teddy, and Chris?"
"I wanted to, but my Mom is making Billy take me." He explained. Billy, huh, that name seems familiar.
"Isn't Billy your brother?" I asked and he nodded in confirmation.
"Yeah, but I know he's just gonna complain about it the whole time." Vern sighed as he rested his face on his knuckle. I felt for the kid, really. Between him and Eyeball, Denny's probably the only decent sibling among these kids. Then I notice his pants pockets seem to be bulging.
"Something wrong with your wallet?" I asked.
"Naw, I'm just trying to collect as many pennies as I can. One day I'm gonna be a millionaire." He said and I laughed. I guess pennies are worth more in this time period then in mines. I got so many pennies at home, yet I sure I still can't order a whooper with them.
Suddenly the door jingled and new voices started talking. "I told you the little pipsqueak would be here." I cranked my neck and saw two teens walking in, one was a skinny looking blond dude and the other was a more bigger looking brunette with a ducktail.
"Well look who it is, the guy who got his ass kicked by Ace." The brunette said, "Too much of a pussy to finish the fight?" He sneered.
"Billy, what have I told you? I don't want that kinda language in here." The soda jerk said sternly.
Man, just when I was starting to feel better about myself, why bring up old wounds?
"I could've beat him right then and there, I just chose not to." I explained to him, resuming my drink.
"More like you couldn't. Man if me and Charlie were Cobras, you get your ass so beat you need to eat out of a tube." He and his friend snickered. I felt my fist ball up so tight I'd probably break my thumb, the soda jerk warning them again.
"If you want to throw down, I'll gladly take you and your toothpick friend on, and you'll get the same taste Ace got." I told them cracking my knuckles.
"Who you calling a toothpick?!" Charlie demanded, taking offense.
"Oh man, oh Jesus!" Vern muttered as I got up. Billy didn't look tough, I could take on both him and Charlie at once.
"Tessio!" Called out a new voice. We all looked towards the doorway and none other than Ace Merrill himself standing there.
Both Billy and Vern looked at each other before looking back at Ace.
Ace just rolled his eyes. "The big one." Both pointed at themselves before pointing at each other. Ace sighed, "The TALL and big one." Billy said 'Oooh'. "Why you messin' with Bryce here? He was just minding his own business when you came over being rude to him."
"Uh, um, Ace c'mon, we were just having a little fun." Billy reasoned and Charlie nodded in agreement, but Ace was having none of it.
"Well he ain't, git, both of ya." Ace ordered sternly. Both boys looked at each other and quickly left. "Don't mind them, Billy Boy likes to talk a big game but he ain't got the sack to really throw down, like I let those pussies ever be Cobras."
I couldn't believe it. Ace was... defending me? As he made his way out, I called out a thanks to him. He just nodded and left.
"Yeah, and he really stood up for me." I explained to Denny as we made our way to the park.
"That really is weird. It's not really like Ace to stick up for others." My friend commented.
"Hey, maybe me kicking his ass for a good while gave him some much needed humility?" I suggested as we turn the corner.
Denny just shook his head. "I doubt it, Ace never does anything for anyone just to be 'nice', I'm sure there's more to this." I just stuck my hands into my pants pockets. We kept walking in silence until I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
"Shit, I just remembered!"
"Remembered what?" Denny asked quirking an eyebrow.
"Last Friday was a my Dad's birthday." I explained, then suddenly felt a pang of sadness. I wonder how much time has passed in my time? My folks must be worried sick.
"Oh." Was all Denny could say. Then his face lit up. "Hey, why don't you write him a letter?" I just froze in shock.
"I, uh, I don't think that's a good idea." I said softly.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because..." Because my Dad not gonna be born for another two decades. "Because he might know where I came and come looking for me."
"Well, we can use my address to send it, and if he writes back, I'll get the mail before my Pop sees it." Denny offered. I just looked ahead and kept walking. "Hey, it might do you as much good as it is for him." I glanced over and nodded. We made our way to the park and it was pretty pack. Mostly families were there, but I did spot a few old couples and a few kids running around. A few had their grills set up and you could smell the meat cooking from where we were.
We looked around and saw Jane and Irene waving at us, both girls wearing cardigans and dungarees (Hey, I was finally getting the fashion around here right). Denny put an arm around Jane and pulled her closer. I stared at Irene, wanting to do the same but holding back. A whistle could be heard then the fireworks really started. Everybody stopped what they were doing and watch, the sky being filled with showers of green, red, white, blue, purple, and pink. The whole display was just gorgeous. It reminded me the first time I saw fireworks when I was 6, my Dad putting me on his shoulders so I could get a better view, it was unlike anything I'd ever seen before.
"Bryce Anderson, was it?" A voice suddenly said. Great, way to spoil the spectacle. We turned and saw six guys standing before us, all of them dressed so impeccable: clean slacks, pure white dress shirts, and hair combed to perfection. Not a single wrinkle on their clothes.
"Yes, can I help you?" I asked bored, I wasn't in the mood tonight, I just wanted to enjoy the show.
The Aryan looking dude stepped forward, I'm assuming he's the guy in-charge," We just wanted to congratulate you for having the courage to stand up to that trash Ace Merrill." He said sticking out his hand.
Ok, wasn't expecting that.
"No problem." I said shaking it.
"The way you just beat his face into the dirt, pretty fitting place for him, that was a thing of beauty." One of the dark haired guys said. Okay, I was getting weirded out.
"You are a shining example of what this town needs, to show that others have no reason to invoke fear from him." The Aryan guy said.
"What are you getting at Leslie?" Denny asked and I had to stop myself from snorting, dude's name was Leslie?
"We were wondering if Bryce here would be interested in joining our group, the White Coats. He seems to share our same ideology about trying to clean up Castle Rock from the low-lives." The Aryan guy, Leslie (snickers), said. "You know our offer still extends to you Dennis."
Denny just looked at him like he wasn't gonna buy into their shit. "And I still gonna have to turn it down." Leslie shrugged.
"Suit yourself." Then he gave me a business card, they have their own cards? "Come see us if you are still interested." Then the group of guys left.
"Ooook now, what was that all about?" I asked once I saw they were out of earshot.
"They're the White Coats." Irene explained, "They are a group who come from the View. He and Ace do not really see eye-to-eye." Huh, the View? Oh right, Castle View, the more richer said of town. Funny how I've been living here for four months and still haven't explore every acre of this place.
"But what would they want from me?" I asked.
"Probably because of your fight with Ace. They hate him probably as much as you do and want you to join them." Jane added. Ok, pretty surprise my scrape with Ace is still making rounds.
"Yeah, I'm not joining a Hate Group if that's the case." I announced as I tore up the card and release the pieces into the wind. Unfortunately after that happen, the show was almost over, dammit.
After the last firework went off, the crowd started to disperse and I was gonna join Denny in walking the girls home when I heard something.
"Pssst!"
I looked around and saw nothing. Shrugging, I went to join the others.
"Psssssst!"
Searching, I saw Ace standing behind a tree. It looked he was motioning for me to come with him? I pointed at myself mouthing 'Me'? He nodded and made a 'Come on over' gesture.
"Uh, hey, I gotta go take care of something, but I'll see you guys later." I told the others. They looked confused but said their goodbyes as I left.
"What do you want Ace?" I got to the point as I ran over.
"Follow me." He simply said as he turn to leave.
"Why?"
"Just come the fuck on."
Irby's Billiard. Not as popular as Sukey's but still one of the top hangouts in town. Plenty of older men came here to either let out the stress of the day, drink and shoot pool with their buddies, or just wanted a place to get away from the wife and kids.
"Never been here before." I commented as we reach the door.
"First time for everything." Ace said as we stepped in. We reached the counter, Ace ordered us some drinks, and then sat down at the stools.
"So... any particular reason you brought me over here, beside having a drink?" I asked as the bartender set our drinks down.
"Yeah, I wanted to say two things. One, no hard feelings about Marie. If you want to tap that, I have no objections." Ace said. I just stared at him like he was an idiot.
"Dude, I'm not interested in Marie, I was never interested in her, she just walked in on me as I was undressing." Ace looked puzzled.
"Oh." Was all he could say.
"And what's the other thing?"
Ace shook his head to snap himself out of it. "Right, I saw Leslie had approached you about joining their gang and how I'm not gonna let that happen."
"What? Huh?" Confusion washed over me.
"Remember our fight?" He asked. I wish he didn't ask, I wanted to put that behind me.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"You know you could've beaten me right then and there right?" He drawled.
I frown at the memory. "Yeah, and then I thought we could make peace."
"But you could have beaten me." Ace noted.
"But I didn't, you won, what's your point?" I was getting impatient.
"But you could have beaten me. I saw the look in your eyes when you had me down, you weren't gonna stop punching my face until you turned it into hamburger meat." Hearing me that made me feel even more ashamed about what happen.
"Yeah, sorry about that." I muttered, tracing my finger around the rim of my glass before taking a sip.
Now it was Ace's turn to look confuse. "Why are you apologizing?"
"I could've killed you right then and there man, if I hadn't snapped out of it..."
"You think I give a shit about that?" This surprised me.
"You don't care if you live or die?" I asked looking at him agape.
Ace just shrugged. "If you live, you live. If you die, you die. Circle of Life, me kicking the bucket then and there wouldn't have changed anything." I started to get uncomfortable and didn't like where this conversation is going.
"If you made me come all the way over here just to creep me off, well let me tell you..."
"I'm getting to it." Ace said as he waved his hand dismissively. "If your conscious didn't kick in then and there, you would've beaten me. You also had the same look in your eyes when Billy and Charlie Hogan tried to start shit with ya. You got a ruthlessness in you kid. Something I like, something I could use."
Wait, is he saying what I think he's saying?
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Ace then turned completely to look at me as he leaned against the counter, drink in hand.
"What I'm saying is, what do you think of joining us and becoming a Cobra?"
You knew it was coming, you could see the signs, but it's still hard to comprehend when you hear it.
"What do ya say man?" Ace asked again as he took a gulp.
Oh God, how am I gonna get out of this one?
A/N: Short chapter, but what a cliffhanger huh? Don't be afraid to review and tell me what you really feel.