For The Love of a Greaser
Chapter 21
To Lighten the Mood
Just as promised, Mike got back with us within the week, even going so far as to come over to the house to talk with us while the others were out at work and school. It was slightly unnerving having a cop around though, but perhaps that was just due to how our lives were, Darry with the boys and me with Eden. Neither of us really wanted the cops around the house, but at least Mike was far more respectable than his pig headed partner.
"Would you like something to drink?" I offered, gesturing toward the kitchen.
"No thank you Miss," Mike politely declined, leaving me to give him a small nod.
I then went and turned the radio off as Shake, Rattle, and Roll turned on, before going back over and standing by Darry.
"I'd like to apologize for Jim," Mike said. "He can be a bit…unpleasant at times."
"Sounds like you're puttin' it nicely," Darry commented.
"I real am sorry," Mike said, bowing his head.
"It's not your fault," I told him, feeling Darry place his arm around me.
"If you don't mind me asking, how long have you two been sharing the same house?" he asked.
"Since the fire," I told him before Darry could answer.
"So you're the one who's house caught fire last month then?" he assumed.
"Yes, except it didn't catch fire, it was set on fire," I grumbled slightly.
"I'm sorry that we haven't found the culprits yet," he said.
"Technically, you have," I told him, earning a curious look in return.
"I don't understand," he said.
"When Dan…" I paused for a moment. "Did what he did, he admitted to starting the fire," I explained.
"I see," he mumbled, sitting there for a moment as if thinking things over. "Unfortunately though, we'd need more evidence than just that to convict him," he expressed.
Unfortunately, I expected as much. They needed more than just my word in order to do anything, they needed cold hard evidence. I was only lucky that he wasn't able to get away with assaulting me. Although, how much time he would get for it was still to be addressed.
T
I was relieved when everything was over, leaving me alone with Darry. We'd given the man as much information as possible, along with the location that everything happened. Now, we had to sit back and wait for things to be done. I was happy though when he told me he'd put in a good word for Dally, hoping that perhaps it would get him out sooner, but we'd have to see.
"Hey Darry?" I was seated on the couch as I called him, my eyes set on nothing in particular.
"Yeah?" he turned his head toward me, his eyes trained on me from his spot in the kitchen.
"When do you think Dally will get out?" I asked quietly, bringing my knees up to my chest as I sat there.
I knew that it had caught his attention just by the look on his face because he stopped what he was doing, his jaw clenching for a moment before answering.
"Honestly, I don't know," he sighed, slowly walking into the living room a bit. "He's in for about 90 days for assaulting that guy," he told me, only standing, but a few feet away from me. "He'll be fine," he assured me, before going over to the radio and turning it back on.
As the current song came to an end, another one started. I just sat there watching out of the corner of my eyes as a grin crept up onto Darry's face.
"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as he slowly made his way over to me, his steps staying in tune with the beat.
Elvis Presley's Paralyzed was playing and he was lip syncing with the words, making my face go slightly red.
This was his attempt at getting me into a better mood as he kept up with it, grabbing my hands and pulling me toward him.
"D-Darry," I stammered, trying my best not to blush even further.
He didn't say a word though as he grinned, taking me with him as he moved around the room. He got up in my face though slightly when the words mentioned a kiss, pulling me up against him. This was definitely a new side to him that I wasn't used to.
T
To my surprise, Darry managed to take my mind off of everything, leaving me with a smile on my face as we danced outside with the radio. You'd never know just by looking at him that he was a good dancer, but he was, better than me in fact.
"Where in the world did you learn to dance?" I ventured.
"My mother," he told me, a small smile on his face as he twirled me around.
I laughed as he did this, feeling him pull me back against him.
"She did a pretty good job then," I grinned.
"Yeah, well she felt it might help me get a girl," he chuckled. "But it looks like I already have one."
"Very true," I nodded, leaning up and pecking him on the lips, before pulling away.
"Oh no you don't," he exclaimed, grabbing me and pulling me back to him.
All I could do was laugh as he did this, holding me close to him as he tried to get me to dance some more.
"Well, if this isn't a sight for sore eyes, then I don't know what is," I heard Two-Bit call out with a laugh making my face go red.
"T-Two-Bit!" I choked out, my face heating up a bit more.
The guy just grinned at me as he walked over, Ponyboy and Johnny following after him.
"Hand her over Dar, it's my turn," Two-Bit grinned, before howling with laughter.
Before I knew it, I was in Two-Bit's arms being swung around all over the place to the beat of one of Two-Bit's favorite songs, Shake, Rattle and Roll. He loved that song and the beat was just perfect for him, fitting him to a T. The song was about as crazy and wild as he was. I swear though, the kid made me dizzier than anything, twirling me around everywhere. With the way that he danced, he tried his darnedest to be as fast as the beat.
After that, Down in the Alley started to play, giving me a little bit of a break.
I sighed, sitting down on the ground next to one of the car, my breath heaving a bit.
"Man Two-Bit, I think you wore her out," Pony chuckled, coming over and sitting down beside me.
"Yeah," Johnny piped up, standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets, his foot kicking the ground slightly.
I gave a small sigh, raising an eyebrow for a moment, before I motioned Johnny over. Once he was close enough, I grabbed him my his jean jacket and tugged him down next to me and Ponyboy. His face went a bit red in response, but I just ignored it, a small smile on my face. The kid had to learn to loosen up a bit.
"So, where's Eden?" I asked.
"We dropped her off a couple hours again over at her friend's house. Some sort of project or somethin'," he added with a shrug, leaning his head back against the car.
"That means someone will have to pick her up after a while," I said, glancing between the boys beside me.
"Aren't you off today?" Ponyboy asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
I tried my best to bite back a grin, but I didn't do very good at it.
"You are!" he exclaimed, his mouth hanging open.
We all laughed at this, even Darry.
"You'd make us go and pick her up even though you're off?" Ponyboy couldn't believe it.
"Sorry kid, but I'm just too lazy," I laughed. "Now, who's hungry?"
That seemed to make everyone smile and raise their hands.
"Good cuz you're helping," I said, getting up and grabbing Darry by his shirt. "You're helping me with burgers."
"Fine," he chuckled, following along side me.
Once we got inside though, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight.
"Now, how can I do anything like this?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips.
"Man, I really did put you in a good mood, didn't I?" he grinned, laying his head on my shoulder as he stood behind me.
"I guess you did."
It was true, he had put me in a better mood than what I was in earlier and I was thankful for that, I really was.
"So, can we start on the burgers now?" I asked, turning my head to the side to look up at him.
"Nah, they can wait for a few more minutes."
"Darry!" I groaned.
He could act so juvenile at times that it amazed me. He'd rather spend more time with his arms around me than fixing food for himself and everyone else.
"Can't this wait until after we fix dinner?" I asked, wanting to get the food out of the way first.
"Do we have too?"
"Yes."
"Fine…"
T
Half a hour later, everything was done and on the table, the guys all sitting around with food on their plates.
"Now, I suggest you all start eating before it gets cold," I announced, taking a seat next to Darry at the table.
He was even kind enough to pull my chair out for me before taking a seat himself.
"Hey Darry?" Ponyboy spoke up.
"Yeah kid?" Darry looked up before taking a quick bite of his burger.
"I've been thinkin', maybe we could repaint the room upstairs?" he asked, trying not to look too hopeful.
"And what color would we be painting it?" Darry inquired before taking another bite.
"I don't know," Ponyboy shrugged. "Any thing, but that nasty gray we have in there though."
"So you wouldn't mind if we all pitched in and painted pink then?" Two-Bit chuckled, slapping his knee as he howled with laughter.
I had to admit though, Ponyboy set himself up for that one.
"I would mind," he grumble faintly, his face slightly red at the thought of a pink room.
"I'm sure that we could find you a nice blue or tan maybe," I piped up, glancing over a Darry for a moment who nodded in unison.
"She's right, it shouldn't be too much trouble," Darry agreed.
"In fact, I'd say that Joe probably still has some extra paint laying around," I pointed out.
"Really?" Ponyboy asked.
"Mmhm. He bought a bit too much when we repainted and never really got around to doing anything with the extra. I'm sure he won't mind," I said, a small smile on my face as I glanced over at the youngest of the Curtis family.
The kid's eyes seemed to light up at my words, a grin soon becoming plastered on his face.
"I can't wait!"
Finally, chapter 21! I wanted it to be a bit longer, but I had to end it there. The next one should be up soon. Especially since I have nothing else to do at the moment until my acceptance letter comes in the mail. I'm transferring to another college, so I'm stuck doing nothing until my letter comes. Anyway, please, let me know what you think about this chapter/story? Ideas on thoughts are ALWAYS welcomed, so please REVIEW and MESSAGE me! Thanks everybody. Don't forget to check out my other stuff as well. :) Chapter 22 might be up a little later today. :)