There are three things I know for sure about the Curtis brothers.

One, they are incredibly competitive.

Two, they are good – almost great – dancers.

Three, even when they don't want to admit it. They love to show off.

Ponyboy, while milder compared to his brothers, hid these traits well in passing, but not so much in the middle of the dance floor at the community center. The moment we passed through those doors, the music seemed to swell inside Ponyboy, and we did not leave the dancefloor until it felt like Ponyboy had spun, dipped, and swung me around enough that my feet would fall off.

When a slow song finally breezes its way through the air, Ponyboy smiles and spins me in a slow circle, pulling me as close to him as he can manage. I take a moment and rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beats of his heart as he rests his chin on the top of my head. We move slowly, swaying side to side, and enjoying the slow tempo from the band. Ponyboy's hands rest comfortably on my lower back and hips, fitting into my curves like his hands have always meant to belong there.

I lift my head from his chest to stare up at him and when his eyes meet mine, I feel the heat of a blush melt across my face. He smiles knowingly and tilts his head down to press the softest of kisses against my lips. The butterflies swarm my stomach as I try to hold onto him for just a few moments more as the band kicks back into a quick paced song.

"Let's go outside for a bit!" I yell over the music, taking a moment to push Ponyboy's hair back, feeling the slight dampness of his sweat. He nods and takes my hand, pulling me through the crowd until we are pushing our way past Bryon and Cathy before heading back out the front doors of the community center.

"Told you we'd dance circles around them," Ponyboy grins as he spins me one last time before pulling me back into him to rest an arm over my shoulder as we descend the back steps.

"Shoot," I say with a smile, "they couldn't have caught up if they wanted too."

In the parking lot of the community center, the small group of our peers we had arrived to seems to have doubled in size. No longer just a small hangout for the high school students, the Shepard boys and even more Brumley boys have made their presence known by filling the lot with their loud personalities and their even louder cars. As we step closer to the group, Ponyboy takes a moment to straighten himself. I notice that he pulls his shoulders back, making him look broader like Darry, but also pops the collar of his jacket, a motion that catches me off guard. Ponyboy is not like my brother or Steve Randle or even his brothers in that regard. I knew Ponyboy was tough, but he wasn't one that felt the need to prove that in his looks. Ponyboy, whose face was just smiling towards me moments ago, has set itself into a firm scowl. He tightens his grip across my shoulders and leads me back to the corner of the lot next to Mark.

Mark is in a deep story about some Tiger's that he and Bryon hustled during a pool game the other night and I take a moment to study the faces around us. I recognize some of the other boys, most of them being peers from the high school, and a few being from Shepard's gang. Although, what takes me longer to realize is that most of them to be in a similar state, clutching onto beer bottles and laughing at moments that are just not funny. They are loud, they are rude, and that usually means they are looking for any means to start a fight. Instantly, I realize why Ponyboy set himself to look a little tougher – nothing good ever comes from a bunch of drunk boys in a parking lot.

"I'm going to go see the girls," I say when I finally notice Annette and a few of the other girls from the high school. Ponyboy nods and begins to walk over with me, but Mark suddenly grabs him, pulling him in for a different story. "I'll be back in a second," I assure him before braving across the lot by myself.

A few of the Brumley boys whistle as I hurry past them, but I do my best not to lift my eyes in their direction. They were smart enough to know that any girl that didn't show interest on this side of town was not theirs to mess with. A few perks from growing up on territory run by Tim Shepard.

"Oh, thank God," Annette gasps when I finally reach the small circle on the outskirt of the parking lot. "I thought you were dead for sure."

"What are you talking about?" I ask as a few of the other girls quickly drop their eyes from me. A few of them even walking away as soon as I settle myself into the group.

"Shepard's looking for you," another girl says as Annette dramatically clings to me.

"Which one?" I ask sarcastically, knowing full well that the only one to cause this much fear and anxiety could be Angela.

"She's on a murder streak," Annette says. "She saw you and Ponyboy kissin' and just about beat my face in when she ran into me in the parking lot."

"Shit," the other girl says quickly. "She would have too. Good thing your fast on your feet."

"Yeah, good thing Curly Shepard was just a few steps away," Annette says with a slight blush. "Hiding behind him was just about the only thing I could of."

"Why was she goin' after you?" I ask, quietly putting a pin in her comment about Curly for later, and Annette rolls her eyes.

"Keep up, huh?" Annette says, "She knows that I took your side, and you know the Shepard's think fear and loyalty are the same thing. She was going to beat the tar outta me to force me into being her friend again."

"Well, shit" I say before quickly looking over my shoulder for any sign of Angela Shepard. "What was keeping her from jumping me in the community center."

"Curtis," the other girl says quickly, "Angel doesn't want to look bad in front of him."

"She already made herself look bad," I spit before crossing my arms over my chest. If this was the truth and because I trust Annette, I knew it was, then my night was about to be more interesting than I wished. "Maybe Ponyboy and I should just go home."

"I was just thinking that" Annette says. "Where there's Brumley boys, there's about to be a brawl. We don't want to get caught in the middle of that and – Oh shit!"

Annette cups her hand over her mouth in surprise and I turn just in time to see one of those Brumley boys swing a bottle at Ponyboy, narrowly missing him as he dodges in equal surprise. I begin to rush forward, but Annette grabs me quickly, pulling me back into safety as the other crowds rush forward to watch the fight. I feel my heart beating solidly and quickly against my chest and my legs slowly turn into gelatin as I try to see over the tops of heads. For me, it feels like I am stuck in the spot trying to see for hours, but it only takes a few minutes for Curly Shepard to push his way through the crowd and whistle for our attention.

"Annette," he yells motioning us to meet him.

"What happened?" I say and Curly shakes his head.

"Dunno, some Brumley kid thought he was tough. He's hurt bad. Come on." Curly says as he leads us through the crowd. A million things run through my mind, and it feels like time, has once again slowed itself down on us.


A/N: Hello my wonderful readers. I did not forget about you, but life quickly got in the way. I typically do NOT like posting such short chapters, but knew I needed to post. Here is a small teaser. I will see you on Sunday. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.