Hey, everyone! Back already! *Chibi Angel gigglez* I just posted Ch.2 this morning! With
any luck, I'll be done by the end of the night. *Both Angels cross their fingers* I know my
other stories are suffering. The truth is, I've had the next 2 chapters to Runaway done since
Tuesday the 24th. But I was sick on Thursday and Wednesday, and we had Friday off bcuz
of a pd day, and my notebook is at school. So, sorry, and I'll have them up by Monday night
I hope.
The Outsiders
Chapter Three
When the movie finished, it suddenly occured to us that Serena and Molly didn't have a way
to get home. Since the West side was only about twenty miles away, Ken acted like a
gentleman and offered to walk them home, but they wanted to call their parents and have them
send their chauffeurs to get them. Finally, Ken talked them into letting us drive them home in
his car. I think they were still half-scared of us, although they were getting over it as we
walked to Ken's house to get his car. It seemed trippy to me that Socs--at least, if these
girls were good examples--were just like us. They like the Backstreet Boys and think
Eminem is *so* last year, and we think that BSB sucks and Eminem is tuff, but that seemed
like the only difference. Aight, well, greaser girls would've acted way tougher and swore
more, but there was a basic similarity. I decided it must be cash that separated us.
"No..." Sere said slowly when I said that to her. "It's not just money. I mean, part of it is, but
that's not all of it. Greasers have different values; you're more emotional. We're hard, cool
to the point of not feeling anything. Nothing's real with us--you know, sometimes I'll catch
myself talking to a girlfriend and realize I don't mean half of what I say. I don't really think a
keg-party is dope, but I'll go on and on about one to a girlfriend just to be saying something."
She smiled at me. "You're the first person I've told that. I think you're the first one who's ever
really gotten through to me."
I was getting through to her all right, probably because I was a greaser and a little younger
than her; she didn't have to keep her guard up around her.
"Have you ever heard of having more than you want?" Serena asked. I had, and I nodded,
although I'd always thought it sounded stupid. How could you have more than you wanted?
"So that you can't want anything else, and you start looking for something else to want? It's
like we're always trying to find something to satisfy us, but we never can. Maybe...Maybe if
we could spazz once in awhile, we could." She finished.
I guess it was true; Socs are always behind a wall of ice. Being careful not to let their real
selves show. I saw a social-club rumble once. They even fight cold, practical, and impersonally.
"That's why we're separated," I agreed. "It's not money, it's emotions--you don't feel anything,
and we feel too violently."
"And--" she was trying to hide her adorable, red-hot, sexy--wait, what am I thinking?--grin,
"--that's probably why we take turns getting our names in the paper."
Ken and Molly weren't even listening to us; they were *that* engaged in some wildly exciting
conversation that made no sense to anyone but themselves.
I've got a big rep for being quiet, almost as quiet as Greg. Ken always says that he wonders
why me and Greg are such good buddies. "You must make such exciting information," he'd
drawl, doing his infamous raising of the eyebrow. "You keeping your mouth shut, and Greg
not saying anything." But Greg and I understand each other with no words, and no one but
Andy could really get me talking. Not since Rini. Until I met Sere Tsukino.
I wondered why I could talk to her as I shuffled along; maybe it was for the same reason that
she could talk to me. I couldn't believe it when I started telling her about Mickey Mouse, Andy's
horse. I've never told anyone about Andy's horse; it was personal.
"Andy had this buckskin horse, except it wasn't his, It belonged to this guy who kept it at the
stables where my brother used to work. Mickey Mouse was Andy's horse, though. The first
time he saw him he said, 'That's my horse, Darien,' and I never doubted it. I was around
ten then, I think. Anyway, Andy's horsecrazy. I mean it. He's always hanging around rodeos,
hopping on a horse everytime he gets a chance.
"When I was ten, I used to think the two of them looked alike--*were* alike. Mickey Mouse was
dark-gold, a real smart ass and bad-tempered, too. He'd come when Andy called him, but
he wouldn't come for anyone else. He loved Andy; he'd just stand there and chew on his
sleeve or collar. Damn, but my brother was crazy about that horse. He'd go down to see him
everyday. I didn't really get it--I mean, Mickey Mouse was a *mean* horse. He was always
kicking other horses and getting into trouble. 'I've got me an ornery pony," Andy would say
as he rubbed the horse down after he was rode. "How come you're such a jerk, Mick?"
Mickey Mouse would just chew on his sleeve, and sometimes try to gently bite him. He
might've belonged to another guy, but he was Andrew's horse for sure, Serena."
"Does Andy still have him?" Sere asked.
"He got sold," I mumbled. "One day, they just came and took him off. He was a real valuable
horse; pure quarter."
She didn't say anything else, and I was grateful. How could I tell her that Andy sobbed all
night long after they came and got his horse? She'd think it was stupid, crying over a horse
that wasn't even yours... Then again, maybe she wouldn't. She was different from other Socs.
I cried, too, if you want to the truth. All Andy ever wanted was a horse, and he'd lost his. He'd
been twelve at the time, almost thirteen. He never let Mom and Dad know how he felt, though,
'cause money was tight and we had enough trouble just keeping the few possessiosn we
had. When you're thirteen in our neighborhood you know what goes down.
I saved my money for a year, thinking that someday I could buy Andy his horse back. I guess
ten year olds can be kind of dumb. Rini thought it was sweet, though, so I got my first kiss.
"You read a lot, don't you, Darien?" Serena asked suddenly.
Startled, I shook my head yes. "Yeah, why?"
She sort of shrugged, and her beautiful blue eyes were soft. "I could just tell. I bet you watch
sunsets, too." She was quiet for a moment after I nodded. She was staring at the ground.
"I used to watch them, too, before I got so busy..." When she raised her head, I was shocked
to see them sad and sparkling with crystal tears. I rested my hand on her shoulder, not knowing
what else to do. Like I said, I don't have much experience in comforting girls. The only chicks
I've really hung out with wouldn't cry in front of you for the life of them, they save their heartbreaking
tears for later, while they're waiting for sleep to come, alone in their lonely rooms.
Serena rested her head on my shoulder, and I nearly jumped a foot in the air. Thankfully, I
caught myself in time.
It's kind of uncomfortable to have your hand on someone's shoulder when they're leaning
against you, so I withdrew it and hesitantly wrapped my arm around her waist. Somewhere
in her own safe world, Serena sighed wistfully.
I tried to picture her watching the sun set. Maybe she stood still and watched it set when
she was supposed to be taking the garbage out. Stood there and watched, forgetting
everything until her big brother screamed at her to hurry up. I gave myself a mental shake,
snapping myself out of this dreamy world. It was weird to think that the sunset she saw from
her patio and the one I saw my back steps was the same one. Maybe...Maybe the two
different worlds we live in aren't so different...I mean...We see the same sunset.
Behind us, Molly suddenly gasped. "Oh, shit! Sere, look! Look who's comin'!" She sounded
strangely worried.
We all looked, and saw a blue Ford coming down the street. Greg made a weird sound in
his throat, and when I looked at him he was white and looked like he might pass out.
Molly was shifting nervously. "Sere, what are we gonna do???"
Serena bit one of her pink-painted nails, then quickly jerked it from her mouth. "Stand here,"
she said. "What else can we do?"
"Who is it?" Ken asked, smart-ass as usual. "Agent Scully and Mulder? You two on the run
from the law?"
"No," Serena said flatly. "It's Sapphire and Diamond." (AN: I know it's Saffier, or Saphir, and
Dimando, but I think Sapphire and Diamond are kew together since they're both gems.
*gigglez*)
"Your boyfriends?" Greg's voice was steady, but I was standing real close to him and I could
feel him trembling. I wondered why--I mean, he's jumpy, but never *that* jumpy.
"And," I added grimly, "A few of the other snobby ass--excuse me, socially elite young men--
set." As intended, my cut earned a faint smile from Sere.
Serena started walking down the street. "Maybe they won't see us; they're probably drunk
by now. Act normal."
"Who's acting?" Ken grinned. "I'm natural, 100%."
"Wish it was the other way around," I muttered, and Ken playfully hit the side of my head.
"Don't get mouthy, Dari." he said.
The Ford passed by, slowly, and kept going. Molly sighed in relief. "That was close," she
murmured in her cute accent, looking at Ken from beneath her long eyelashes and leaning
against him in feigned weakness. He grinned and tightened his arm around her, even
though I know he knew what kind of game she was playing. Molly giggled towards Sere,
who rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
Serena turned back to me. "Tell me about your oldest brother, Darien. You haven't said much
about him."
I tried to think of something to say, and felt ashamed when I couldn't find something to say
about my own brother, so I fumbled desperately for a calm mask so I could shrug it off.
"What's to talk about? He's buff and girls think he's hot, and he likes to play football."
Serena rolled her eyes again, but at me this time. "I mean, what's he like? I feel like I know
Andy from what you said about it. Help me with Seiya."
I stayed silent, so she elbowed me gently. "Is he wild, like Soda? Dreamy, like you?"
My face got hot, I bit my lip. Seiya...What the hell was Seiya like? If you want the truth, it
scared me a little that I couldn't think of a single thing to say about my brother, my guardian...
Seiya's practically my dad. He's worked *so* hard to take care of us... I...
"Damn! He's not like Andy at all, and he sure as hell isn't like me!" I burst out bitterly. I tried
to choke back the words, but they were tripping over themselves in their rush to get out. All
the frustration I'd ever felt towards my brother came storming out in one wild release. "He's
like a rock, hard and cold and inhuman. He's got eyes exactly like blue-green ice, and he
thinks I'm a solid pain. He loves Andy--everyone loves Andy--but he can't stand me. I
know he wishes he could shove me in a foster home somewhere, and damn it if he wouldn't
do it if Andy would let him. I hate him sometimes!"
Ken and Greg were staring at me now. "No..." Ken said. He was dumfounded. "Darien, it
isn't like that, it isn't like that at all! You've got it wrong..." Sere was gazing at me, with her
pink-glossed lips falling open and her crystal-moonlight eyes wide as they regarded me.
Molly had stopped and was looking at everyone, seeming confused.
"Wow," Greg said softly. "I thought you and Seiya and Andy got along really well..."
"Well, we don't." I snapped. I felt like an idiot and I knew my ears were red by the way they
were burning. I was thankful for the curtain of darkness that hid the blush from their view.
Compared to Greg's home, mine was heaven. Seiya never gets drunk and beats me up,
or force me out of the house. And I always have Andy to stop him when he does go on a
trip, and I can talk stuff over with him, too.
That pissed me off--making an idiot out of myself in front of everyone, including the girl I
was rapidly becoming infatuated with, I mean. "And you can shut the hell up, Greg Cade,
'cause we all know you aren't wanted at home, either. Can you blame your parents?"
Greg's eyes went even bigger than usual and he cringed as if I'd socked him. I felt like leaving
my body to kill myself for my harsh words, and Ken slapped me, hard, across the side of the
head.
"Shut your mouth, kid. If you weren't Andy's kid brother, I'd beat the shit out of you. You know
better than to talk to Greg like that." He put his hand on Greg's shoulder. "He didn't mean it,
Gregs." (AN: Another nickname. LoL. At least it's better than Greggie Gregz. *giggle*)
"I'm sorry, man." I said, miserable. Greg's my bst friend. "I was just pissed."
"It's the truth," Johnny said with a forced grin. "I don't care."
"You shut up, too, kid." Ken said, tousling Greg's carefully gelled hair. "We couldn't get along
without you, you know that."
"Damn it, It's not fair!" I hissed suddenly. "Why the hell do we get the sucky end of everything?"
I don't know exactly what I meant, but I was thinking of Greg's dad being a drunk bastard and
his mom being a selfish bitch. I was thinking of Ken's mother, driven to the streets to try to
support him and his little sister after their father took off. And Chad--wild, reckless Chad--
turning into a 'hood because he'd die if he didn't, and his face when the doctor told us Rini
was gone. Yaten, his hatred for his father coming out in his quiet-but-deadly voice, the violence
of his temper. Andrew...My brother...Dropping out of school so he could get a job and keep
me in school. And Seiya, damnit, Seiya... Getting old so far before his time, trying to hold us
all together, keeping two jobs, never having any fun. Trying to keep me and Andy out of
trouble so we won't get split up...
I thought of the Socs and a rare anger filled me. While Seiya worked, and worked, and worked,
they had so much spare time and money, they jumped us for fun. Had keg-parties with $100
kegs, because they didn't know what else to do. Serena was right, things were rough all over.
All over the East side, my home. It just didn't seem right.
"I know," Ken said with his trademark grin. "Everything sucks when it's our turn, but it's how
shit is. What can we do?"
Sere and Molly remained silent; I guess they felt out of place and didn't know what to say
We'd almost forgotten they were there, and I felt stupider than ever, going on and on about
how bad we had it in front of these spoiled-but-sweet girls.
I heard a choking noise beside me and half-turned. Greg was staring down the street, pale
again. I followed his gaze and cursed. "Shit." The blue Ford was coming down the street
again, slower this time.
"Damn," Sere swore in resignation. "They spotted us." I realized, absently, that had been
the first time she cursed all night, and I smiled faintly, again thinking of Raye and Lita.
The Ford came to a screeching stop beside us, and I fought the urge to cover my ears. The
two guys in front climbed out. They were Socs, all right--one had a white shirt and a country
club polo team jacket on, and the other had a cashmere blue sweater on. I looked at their
expensive clothing and realized for the first time that all I had on was a pair of holey jeans
and an old, navy-blue sweatshirt of Andy's with the sleeves cut off. I swallowed hard. Beside
me, Ken started to tuck in his shirttail, but stopped himself in time. Instead, he flipped up
the collar of his black leather jacket and lit a smoke. The Socs didn't even appear to see us.
"Sere, Molly, listen to us..." This guy with black hair, the kind of guy Raye would call hot, began.
Greg was breathing hard, as if he was having trouble getting enough air. I followed his gaze
again and saw that he was staring at the Soc's hand. He was wearing 3 heavy rings.
I looked quickly at Greg, realization dawning on my face. I remembered it was a blue Ford
that had pulled up beside the vacant lot, and that Greg's face had been cut up by someone
wearing rings. Serena caught the stricken expression on my face and her eyes searched
mine until I used my hand to gesture, almost imperceptively, at the guy's hand. Her blue eyes
widened, and the same horrified look crossed her face.
The Soc's voice broke into my thoughts. "...Just 'cause we got a little drunk last time..."
Sere looked pissed. "A *little*? You call weaving and passing out in the streets a *little*?!
Diamond, I told you. I'm never, ever gonna go out with you when you're drunk. It's me or the
damage." (AN: Damage being alchohol.)
The other Soc--Sapphire, I assume, since the other one was Diamond--a tall guy with a
haircut that reminded me of that dope group from like the seventies--you know, the Beatles?
Anyway, he turned to face Molly.
"Baby, you know we don't get drunk very often..." He whined. She didn't respond, just gave
him a cold, hard stare. He got pissed. "And even if you are pissed at us, that's no reason to
go walking in the streets with these freaks."
Ken took a long drag on his smoke, Greg slouched and hooked his thumbs in the tops of
his pockets, and I stiffened. We can look meaner than Stone Cold when we want to, and
looking tough comes in handy sometimes. Ken put one of his elbows on each of Greg's
and my shoulders and leaned between us a bit. "Who you callin' freaks, hotshot?"
"Look, greasers, we've got four more of us in the back seat..."
"I feel sorry for the backseat," Ken directed at the sky.
"If you're looking for a fight..."
Ken raised his eyebrow, but it only made him look cooler than ever. "You mean, if I'm lookin'
for a good jumping, you outnumber me 'n my boys here, so you'll give it to us good? Well..."
He grabbed an empty bottle that was lying on the ground, smashed the end, and gave it to
me. Reaching into his back pocket, he flipped out his blade. Greg dug around in his pocket
and pulled his out, too.
"NO!" Serena cried desperately. "Stop it!" She looked at Diamond. "We'll ride home with
you. Just hold up for a second!"
"Why, Sere?" Ken demanded. "We aren't scared of them."
Diamond glowered. "Don't call her that."
Serena shuddered and didn't appear to notice her boyfriend's threatening tone, or, rather, his
words at all. "I can't stand fights...I can't stand them..." She stammered.
I pulled her to one side. "I couldn't use this," I said, dropping the soda bottle. "I couldn't ever
cut anyone..." I had to tell her that, because I saw the raw fear in her eyes when Ken flicked
out his blade.
"I know," she said quietly. "But we'd better go with them. Darien...I mean...If I see you in the
hall at school or something and don't say hi...Don't take it personally...But..."
"I know," I mumbled.
"We just couldn't let our parents see us with you. You're real nice and everything..."
"No, Sere--Serena. It's okay." I said, wishing I was dead in a hole somewhere, or at least
wearing a decent shirt. "We're not in the same clss. Just...Don't forget that some of us watch
the same sunset, too."
She looked at me quickly. "I could fall in love with you, Darien Shields. I better hope I never
see you again."
She left me standing there with my mouth dropped open, and the blue Ford zoomed off,
leaving three feet of rubber behind it.
The remaining three of us continued home in silence. I wanted to ask Greg if they were
the same Socs that beat him up, but couldn't find the words to say it. Greg never says
anything about it, so we don't talk about it.
"Well, those were two hot girls if I ever saw any." Ken yawned as we sat down on the curb
near the empty lot. He took a pink piece of paper out of his pocket and ripped it to shreds.
"What's that?"
"Molly's number. Probably fake, too. I must've been crazy to ask for it, but I think I'm a little
smashed."
So he *was* drinking. "You guys going home?" he asked.
"Nah," I replied. I wanted to have another smoke and watch the stars, I didn't have to be
in till twelve. I didn't have a watch, but I was pretty sure I had lots of time.
"I don't know why I gave you that bottle," Ken said suddenly as he got to his feet. "You never
would've used it."
"Maybe I would've," I shot back casually. "Where you going?"
"Gonna go look for some gambling, maybe get smashed. I don't know. See you tomorrow,
Darien. Later, Greggie-Gregs."
Me and Greg stretched out on our backs, staring up at the diamonds in the sky. I was freezing--
it was a cold night and all I had was that sweatshirt--but I'm so astrology obsessed I'd watch
the stars in minus fourty weather. I stared at the moon, thinking of my lost little bunny.
Rini...God, why did you take her? I miss her so much. Could Serena really be...Don't be stupid,
Dare. We've been through this. But still...It'd be so awesome...
"'Cause we're greasers.' Greg said. His voice was hard, low, and flat, and I knew he was
talking about Serena. "We could hurt her perfect reputation."
"I guess..." I murmured, wondering if I should tell him about what she'd said to me before
departing.
"Man, that was a tuff car. Fords are tuff." (AN: *sticks out her tongue* A *Ford?!* Greg must
be cRaZeE!"
"Definite Socs, that's for sure..." There was a hardness growing inside me; it wasn't fair for
the Socs to have everything. We're just as good as they are: maybe better, since we feel.
It's not our fault we're greasers. I just can't say "Screw it all," like Ken, or ignore it and just
fall in love with life anyway, like Andy, or get hard till I don't care, like Chad, or just enjoy it
like Jed and Amara. The tension was growing insdide me and I knew something had to
change, or I'd explode.
"I can't take it anymore!" Greg bolted upright and spoke my own feelings. "I'll kill myself or
something!"
"*Don't!*" I blurted, sitting up in alarm. "Gregz, you can't kill yourself!"
"...I won't. But I gotta do *something*. Go somewhere with no greasers, no Socs. Just people,
ordinary people."
"The country," I amended, lying back down.
I love the country. Being out of towns, away from excitement. Lying on my back, under a tree,
and read a book or drawing a picture. Never worrying about being jumped, or carrying a
blade, or ending up married to someone like Raye or Lita--nice enough girls, but too hard
and tough. *The country would be like that,* I thought dreamily. I'd have a dog, like I used to,
and Andy could get Mickey Mouse back, and Seiya would be like he used to before Mom
and Dad died. Since I was dreaming, I brought Mom and Dad back to life. Mom'd make
chocolate cakes again, and Dad would drive the pickup out early to feed the cattle. He'd
slap Seiya on the back and tell him he was becoming a man, a real 'chip off the ol' block',
and we'd all be close like we used to be. Maybe Greg could come and live with us, and
the gang could come out on weekends. Maybe Chad would
see there was good in the world after all, and Mom would talk to him and make him smile
in spite of himself. "You've got a phat mom," he used to say. "She knows what's going down."
She used to talk to Chad, keep him from getting in lots of trouble. She was there for us all
when Rini died, of course, but for Chad and I more than anyone. My mother...She was golden,
pure golden, and beautiful, like Serena...
Sere. She could come out and see us on weekends, too, and maybe she really would fall
in love with me, for keeps, forever. She would dump Diamond, and someday we'd get
married... She'd help Mom make chocolate cakes, and they'd have long talks, and they'd
adore each other...
"Darien!" Greg was shaking me. "Oh, shit, Darien, wake up."
I sat up, shivering. The stars had moved. "Damn! What time is it?"
"I don't know. I went to sleep, too, listening to you go on and on about the country and your
parents or something. You'd better get home; I think I'll stay out here all night." Greg's parents
don't give a damn if he comes home or not.
"Aight." I yawned. Damn, but it was cold. "If you get cold or something come on over to our
house."
" 'Kay."
I ran home, scared at the idea of facing Seiya. The dim porch light was on, maybe they were
sleeping and I could sneak in. I peeked in the window. Andy was sleeping on the couch, but
Seiya was reading the paper in the arm chair, looking beyond pissed. I swallowed hard, then
opened the door quietly.
Seiya was on his feet in two seconds flat. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" he
thundered, advancing on me.
I gulped and backed up a step, shaking my head and remaining silent.
"Well, it's two in the morning, Darien! I was THIS close to calling the police!" He held his
index finger and thumb a centimeter or two, ignoring the banging on the wall--from our
neighbors who couldn't be too pleased that Seiya was spazzing at 2 a.m. "Where were you,
Darien?" My silence seemed to enrage him further, and his voice began to rise. "Where in
the hell were you?"
Even I have to admit how dumb it sounded when I finally stammered out that I had fallen
asleep in the lot.
"Darien?" Andy's sleepy voice startled us both and we turned to the couch. My brother was
sitting on the end of it, in his boxers, rubbing his eyes sleepily and looking for the world like
a little boy. "Where you been, kiddo?"
"It wasn't my fault!" I begged Seiya. "I was talking to Greg and we just fell asleep."
His voice got angrier. "Oh, so now you're bringing Greg into this, huh?" Andy looked at both
of us, seeming confused.
"I guess it never occured to you that your brothers might be totally freaked for you, but were
scared to call the cops, because something like that could get you and Andy stuck in a home?
*And you were asleep in the damned lot! Darien, what the hell's wrong with you? Couldn't
you stop to think? You don't even have a damn coat on! I should've just gotten you put in with
a foster home when Mom and Dad died."
"Seiya! Don't ever say--" Andrew started, jumping up. He looked shocked, and a little pissed
that Seiya would say something like that.
Suddenly, Seiya spun around and started screaming at Andy. "You shut your God forsaken
mouth! I'm sick of hearing you defending him all the time."
He can't ever yell at Andy. Nobody can ever yell at my brother, I won't let them. So I exploded,
like I always do when I'm talking about Andrew and someone starts to badmouth him or
something.
"Don't yell at him!" I shouted. Seiya spun around again and slapped me so hard it knocked
me against the door.
Suddenly it was deadly quiet, and the air was heavy. We were all frozen, our family never
hit each other. Not for real anyways. Andy was staring at both of us, his blue eyes wide and
scared. Seiya looked at his hand, which was red, then back at me. His eyes were big and
guilty, maybe even frightened."Darien...Oh, God, Darien..."
I turned and ran out the door, back to the lot, as fast as I could. Our door banged open and I heard
Seiya scream, "Darien, I didn't mean to!" But I was at the lot by then and pretended I couldn't
hear him. I heard his pounding footsteps and doubled my speed.
"Greg? Come on!" I called, nearly screaming as he rolled over and jumped up almost under
my feet. "Come on, Greg. We're running away."
The good thing about Greg is that he doesn't ask questions. We ran for several blocks, until
Seiya's steps finally ceased and we were out of breath. Then we walked. I was crying, so
hard I could barely see, and finally I just sat down at the curb and sobbed, burying my face
in my arms. Greg plopped himself down next to me and leaned his elbow on my shoulder.
"S'aight, Darien, chill," he said softly. "We're gonna be okay."
Finally, I chilled and wiped my eyes on my bare arm. "Got a smoke?" I asked, my voice
quivering and my breath coming in desperate gasps.
He handed me one and sparked it with his old lighter.
"Greg, I'm scared."
"Don't be; you're the one who's scaring me. What happened? I've never seen you bawl like
that."
"That's 'cuz I never have before," I said, sniffling and feeling stupid. This times 10 happened
to Greg everyday, and he never even complained. I get hit once, and I start crying like a baby.
"It was Seiya," I finally admitted, staring at my hands. How could I tell my best friend, who lived
with this everyday, that I cried because my older brother smacked me one that I deserved?
"He hit me. I don't know how it happened, but I just...I couldn't take it with him yelling at me
*and* hitting me all the time...He never used to be like this, we used to get along okay. Before
Mom and Dad...You know. Now he can't stand me."
"I think I like it better when my dad's hitting me," Greg sighed. "'Cause then I know he knows
I exist. I go in the house, no one says shit. I walk out, no one says shit. I stay out all night,
but no one notices. At least you got Andy; I don't got no one.
"Damn, Greg," I blurted. "You got the whole gang! Chad didn't hit you tonight 'cause you're
the pet. I mean...Damn, Johnny, you got the whole gang."
"It's not the same as havin' your own parents care about you." he mumbled simply. "It's just
not the same."
I was chilling out, and wondered if running away was such a great idea. I was sleepy, and
cold as death again, and I wanted to be in bed, warm, with Andy's arm thrown over me. I
decided I'd go home and just not talk to Seiya. It was my house as much as his, and if he
wanted to pretend I wasn't in existance, it ws fine with me and he could suck it. He can't
stop me from living in my own house.
"Lets walk over to the park and back. Then maybe I'll be chilled enough to go home."
"Aight," Greg said easily. "Okay."
Things gotta get better, I figured. How could they get any worse?
I was wrong.
Aight, so I didn't finish last night. But I almost did! *grinz* I only had to type up a bit more today.
Come on, guys, review! Peaz? Chibi Angel has been crying all night, for sobbing out loud!
We're not getting any reviews for this story! REVIEW THIS STORY, OR I'M DISCONTINUING
RUNAWAY!!!
any luck, I'll be done by the end of the night. *Both Angels cross their fingers* I know my
other stories are suffering. The truth is, I've had the next 2 chapters to Runaway done since
Tuesday the 24th. But I was sick on Thursday and Wednesday, and we had Friday off bcuz
of a pd day, and my notebook is at school. So, sorry, and I'll have them up by Monday night
I hope.
The Outsiders
Chapter Three
When the movie finished, it suddenly occured to us that Serena and Molly didn't have a way
to get home. Since the West side was only about twenty miles away, Ken acted like a
gentleman and offered to walk them home, but they wanted to call their parents and have them
send their chauffeurs to get them. Finally, Ken talked them into letting us drive them home in
his car. I think they were still half-scared of us, although they were getting over it as we
walked to Ken's house to get his car. It seemed trippy to me that Socs--at least, if these
girls were good examples--were just like us. They like the Backstreet Boys and think
Eminem is *so* last year, and we think that BSB sucks and Eminem is tuff, but that seemed
like the only difference. Aight, well, greaser girls would've acted way tougher and swore
more, but there was a basic similarity. I decided it must be cash that separated us.
"No..." Sere said slowly when I said that to her. "It's not just money. I mean, part of it is, but
that's not all of it. Greasers have different values; you're more emotional. We're hard, cool
to the point of not feeling anything. Nothing's real with us--you know, sometimes I'll catch
myself talking to a girlfriend and realize I don't mean half of what I say. I don't really think a
keg-party is dope, but I'll go on and on about one to a girlfriend just to be saying something."
She smiled at me. "You're the first person I've told that. I think you're the first one who's ever
really gotten through to me."
I was getting through to her all right, probably because I was a greaser and a little younger
than her; she didn't have to keep her guard up around her.
"Have you ever heard of having more than you want?" Serena asked. I had, and I nodded,
although I'd always thought it sounded stupid. How could you have more than you wanted?
"So that you can't want anything else, and you start looking for something else to want? It's
like we're always trying to find something to satisfy us, but we never can. Maybe...Maybe if
we could spazz once in awhile, we could." She finished.
I guess it was true; Socs are always behind a wall of ice. Being careful not to let their real
selves show. I saw a social-club rumble once. They even fight cold, practical, and impersonally.
"That's why we're separated," I agreed. "It's not money, it's emotions--you don't feel anything,
and we feel too violently."
"And--" she was trying to hide her adorable, red-hot, sexy--wait, what am I thinking?--grin,
"--that's probably why we take turns getting our names in the paper."
Ken and Molly weren't even listening to us; they were *that* engaged in some wildly exciting
conversation that made no sense to anyone but themselves.
I've got a big rep for being quiet, almost as quiet as Greg. Ken always says that he wonders
why me and Greg are such good buddies. "You must make such exciting information," he'd
drawl, doing his infamous raising of the eyebrow. "You keeping your mouth shut, and Greg
not saying anything." But Greg and I understand each other with no words, and no one but
Andy could really get me talking. Not since Rini. Until I met Sere Tsukino.
I wondered why I could talk to her as I shuffled along; maybe it was for the same reason that
she could talk to me. I couldn't believe it when I started telling her about Mickey Mouse, Andy's
horse. I've never told anyone about Andy's horse; it was personal.
"Andy had this buckskin horse, except it wasn't his, It belonged to this guy who kept it at the
stables where my brother used to work. Mickey Mouse was Andy's horse, though. The first
time he saw him he said, 'That's my horse, Darien,' and I never doubted it. I was around
ten then, I think. Anyway, Andy's horsecrazy. I mean it. He's always hanging around rodeos,
hopping on a horse everytime he gets a chance.
"When I was ten, I used to think the two of them looked alike--*were* alike. Mickey Mouse was
dark-gold, a real smart ass and bad-tempered, too. He'd come when Andy called him, but
he wouldn't come for anyone else. He loved Andy; he'd just stand there and chew on his
sleeve or collar. Damn, but my brother was crazy about that horse. He'd go down to see him
everyday. I didn't really get it--I mean, Mickey Mouse was a *mean* horse. He was always
kicking other horses and getting into trouble. 'I've got me an ornery pony," Andy would say
as he rubbed the horse down after he was rode. "How come you're such a jerk, Mick?"
Mickey Mouse would just chew on his sleeve, and sometimes try to gently bite him. He
might've belonged to another guy, but he was Andrew's horse for sure, Serena."
"Does Andy still have him?" Sere asked.
"He got sold," I mumbled. "One day, they just came and took him off. He was a real valuable
horse; pure quarter."
She didn't say anything else, and I was grateful. How could I tell her that Andy sobbed all
night long after they came and got his horse? She'd think it was stupid, crying over a horse
that wasn't even yours... Then again, maybe she wouldn't. She was different from other Socs.
I cried, too, if you want to the truth. All Andy ever wanted was a horse, and he'd lost his. He'd
been twelve at the time, almost thirteen. He never let Mom and Dad know how he felt, though,
'cause money was tight and we had enough trouble just keeping the few possessiosn we
had. When you're thirteen in our neighborhood you know what goes down.
I saved my money for a year, thinking that someday I could buy Andy his horse back. I guess
ten year olds can be kind of dumb. Rini thought it was sweet, though, so I got my first kiss.
"You read a lot, don't you, Darien?" Serena asked suddenly.
Startled, I shook my head yes. "Yeah, why?"
She sort of shrugged, and her beautiful blue eyes were soft. "I could just tell. I bet you watch
sunsets, too." She was quiet for a moment after I nodded. She was staring at the ground.
"I used to watch them, too, before I got so busy..." When she raised her head, I was shocked
to see them sad and sparkling with crystal tears. I rested my hand on her shoulder, not knowing
what else to do. Like I said, I don't have much experience in comforting girls. The only chicks
I've really hung out with wouldn't cry in front of you for the life of them, they save their heartbreaking
tears for later, while they're waiting for sleep to come, alone in their lonely rooms.
Serena rested her head on my shoulder, and I nearly jumped a foot in the air. Thankfully, I
caught myself in time.
It's kind of uncomfortable to have your hand on someone's shoulder when they're leaning
against you, so I withdrew it and hesitantly wrapped my arm around her waist. Somewhere
in her own safe world, Serena sighed wistfully.
I tried to picture her watching the sun set. Maybe she stood still and watched it set when
she was supposed to be taking the garbage out. Stood there and watched, forgetting
everything until her big brother screamed at her to hurry up. I gave myself a mental shake,
snapping myself out of this dreamy world. It was weird to think that the sunset she saw from
her patio and the one I saw my back steps was the same one. Maybe...Maybe the two
different worlds we live in aren't so different...I mean...We see the same sunset.
Behind us, Molly suddenly gasped. "Oh, shit! Sere, look! Look who's comin'!" She sounded
strangely worried.
We all looked, and saw a blue Ford coming down the street. Greg made a weird sound in
his throat, and when I looked at him he was white and looked like he might pass out.
Molly was shifting nervously. "Sere, what are we gonna do???"
Serena bit one of her pink-painted nails, then quickly jerked it from her mouth. "Stand here,"
she said. "What else can we do?"
"Who is it?" Ken asked, smart-ass as usual. "Agent Scully and Mulder? You two on the run
from the law?"
"No," Serena said flatly. "It's Sapphire and Diamond." (AN: I know it's Saffier, or Saphir, and
Dimando, but I think Sapphire and Diamond are kew together since they're both gems.
*gigglez*)
"Your boyfriends?" Greg's voice was steady, but I was standing real close to him and I could
feel him trembling. I wondered why--I mean, he's jumpy, but never *that* jumpy.
"And," I added grimly, "A few of the other snobby ass--excuse me, socially elite young men--
set." As intended, my cut earned a faint smile from Sere.
Serena started walking down the street. "Maybe they won't see us; they're probably drunk
by now. Act normal."
"Who's acting?" Ken grinned. "I'm natural, 100%."
"Wish it was the other way around," I muttered, and Ken playfully hit the side of my head.
"Don't get mouthy, Dari." he said.
The Ford passed by, slowly, and kept going. Molly sighed in relief. "That was close," she
murmured in her cute accent, looking at Ken from beneath her long eyelashes and leaning
against him in feigned weakness. He grinned and tightened his arm around her, even
though I know he knew what kind of game she was playing. Molly giggled towards Sere,
who rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
Serena turned back to me. "Tell me about your oldest brother, Darien. You haven't said much
about him."
I tried to think of something to say, and felt ashamed when I couldn't find something to say
about my own brother, so I fumbled desperately for a calm mask so I could shrug it off.
"What's to talk about? He's buff and girls think he's hot, and he likes to play football."
Serena rolled her eyes again, but at me this time. "I mean, what's he like? I feel like I know
Andy from what you said about it. Help me with Seiya."
I stayed silent, so she elbowed me gently. "Is he wild, like Soda? Dreamy, like you?"
My face got hot, I bit my lip. Seiya...What the hell was Seiya like? If you want the truth, it
scared me a little that I couldn't think of a single thing to say about my brother, my guardian...
Seiya's practically my dad. He's worked *so* hard to take care of us... I...
"Damn! He's not like Andy at all, and he sure as hell isn't like me!" I burst out bitterly. I tried
to choke back the words, but they were tripping over themselves in their rush to get out. All
the frustration I'd ever felt towards my brother came storming out in one wild release. "He's
like a rock, hard and cold and inhuman. He's got eyes exactly like blue-green ice, and he
thinks I'm a solid pain. He loves Andy--everyone loves Andy--but he can't stand me. I
know he wishes he could shove me in a foster home somewhere, and damn it if he wouldn't
do it if Andy would let him. I hate him sometimes!"
Ken and Greg were staring at me now. "No..." Ken said. He was dumfounded. "Darien, it
isn't like that, it isn't like that at all! You've got it wrong..." Sere was gazing at me, with her
pink-glossed lips falling open and her crystal-moonlight eyes wide as they regarded me.
Molly had stopped and was looking at everyone, seeming confused.
"Wow," Greg said softly. "I thought you and Seiya and Andy got along really well..."
"Well, we don't." I snapped. I felt like an idiot and I knew my ears were red by the way they
were burning. I was thankful for the curtain of darkness that hid the blush from their view.
Compared to Greg's home, mine was heaven. Seiya never gets drunk and beats me up,
or force me out of the house. And I always have Andy to stop him when he does go on a
trip, and I can talk stuff over with him, too.
That pissed me off--making an idiot out of myself in front of everyone, including the girl I
was rapidly becoming infatuated with, I mean. "And you can shut the hell up, Greg Cade,
'cause we all know you aren't wanted at home, either. Can you blame your parents?"
Greg's eyes went even bigger than usual and he cringed as if I'd socked him. I felt like leaving
my body to kill myself for my harsh words, and Ken slapped me, hard, across the side of the
head.
"Shut your mouth, kid. If you weren't Andy's kid brother, I'd beat the shit out of you. You know
better than to talk to Greg like that." He put his hand on Greg's shoulder. "He didn't mean it,
Gregs." (AN: Another nickname. LoL. At least it's better than Greggie Gregz. *giggle*)
"I'm sorry, man." I said, miserable. Greg's my bst friend. "I was just pissed."
"It's the truth," Johnny said with a forced grin. "I don't care."
"You shut up, too, kid." Ken said, tousling Greg's carefully gelled hair. "We couldn't get along
without you, you know that."
"Damn it, It's not fair!" I hissed suddenly. "Why the hell do we get the sucky end of everything?"
I don't know exactly what I meant, but I was thinking of Greg's dad being a drunk bastard and
his mom being a selfish bitch. I was thinking of Ken's mother, driven to the streets to try to
support him and his little sister after their father took off. And Chad--wild, reckless Chad--
turning into a 'hood because he'd die if he didn't, and his face when the doctor told us Rini
was gone. Yaten, his hatred for his father coming out in his quiet-but-deadly voice, the violence
of his temper. Andrew...My brother...Dropping out of school so he could get a job and keep
me in school. And Seiya, damnit, Seiya... Getting old so far before his time, trying to hold us
all together, keeping two jobs, never having any fun. Trying to keep me and Andy out of
trouble so we won't get split up...
I thought of the Socs and a rare anger filled me. While Seiya worked, and worked, and worked,
they had so much spare time and money, they jumped us for fun. Had keg-parties with $100
kegs, because they didn't know what else to do. Serena was right, things were rough all over.
All over the East side, my home. It just didn't seem right.
"I know," Ken said with his trademark grin. "Everything sucks when it's our turn, but it's how
shit is. What can we do?"
Sere and Molly remained silent; I guess they felt out of place and didn't know what to say
We'd almost forgotten they were there, and I felt stupider than ever, going on and on about
how bad we had it in front of these spoiled-but-sweet girls.
I heard a choking noise beside me and half-turned. Greg was staring down the street, pale
again. I followed his gaze and cursed. "Shit." The blue Ford was coming down the street
again, slower this time.
"Damn," Sere swore in resignation. "They spotted us." I realized, absently, that had been
the first time she cursed all night, and I smiled faintly, again thinking of Raye and Lita.
The Ford came to a screeching stop beside us, and I fought the urge to cover my ears. The
two guys in front climbed out. They were Socs, all right--one had a white shirt and a country
club polo team jacket on, and the other had a cashmere blue sweater on. I looked at their
expensive clothing and realized for the first time that all I had on was a pair of holey jeans
and an old, navy-blue sweatshirt of Andy's with the sleeves cut off. I swallowed hard. Beside
me, Ken started to tuck in his shirttail, but stopped himself in time. Instead, he flipped up
the collar of his black leather jacket and lit a smoke. The Socs didn't even appear to see us.
"Sere, Molly, listen to us..." This guy with black hair, the kind of guy Raye would call hot, began.
Greg was breathing hard, as if he was having trouble getting enough air. I followed his gaze
again and saw that he was staring at the Soc's hand. He was wearing 3 heavy rings.
I looked quickly at Greg, realization dawning on my face. I remembered it was a blue Ford
that had pulled up beside the vacant lot, and that Greg's face had been cut up by someone
wearing rings. Serena caught the stricken expression on my face and her eyes searched
mine until I used my hand to gesture, almost imperceptively, at the guy's hand. Her blue eyes
widened, and the same horrified look crossed her face.
The Soc's voice broke into my thoughts. "...Just 'cause we got a little drunk last time..."
Sere looked pissed. "A *little*? You call weaving and passing out in the streets a *little*?!
Diamond, I told you. I'm never, ever gonna go out with you when you're drunk. It's me or the
damage." (AN: Damage being alchohol.)
The other Soc--Sapphire, I assume, since the other one was Diamond--a tall guy with a
haircut that reminded me of that dope group from like the seventies--you know, the Beatles?
Anyway, he turned to face Molly.
"Baby, you know we don't get drunk very often..." He whined. She didn't respond, just gave
him a cold, hard stare. He got pissed. "And even if you are pissed at us, that's no reason to
go walking in the streets with these freaks."
Ken took a long drag on his smoke, Greg slouched and hooked his thumbs in the tops of
his pockets, and I stiffened. We can look meaner than Stone Cold when we want to, and
looking tough comes in handy sometimes. Ken put one of his elbows on each of Greg's
and my shoulders and leaned between us a bit. "Who you callin' freaks, hotshot?"
"Look, greasers, we've got four more of us in the back seat..."
"I feel sorry for the backseat," Ken directed at the sky.
"If you're looking for a fight..."
Ken raised his eyebrow, but it only made him look cooler than ever. "You mean, if I'm lookin'
for a good jumping, you outnumber me 'n my boys here, so you'll give it to us good? Well..."
He grabbed an empty bottle that was lying on the ground, smashed the end, and gave it to
me. Reaching into his back pocket, he flipped out his blade. Greg dug around in his pocket
and pulled his out, too.
"NO!" Serena cried desperately. "Stop it!" She looked at Diamond. "We'll ride home with
you. Just hold up for a second!"
"Why, Sere?" Ken demanded. "We aren't scared of them."
Diamond glowered. "Don't call her that."
Serena shuddered and didn't appear to notice her boyfriend's threatening tone, or, rather, his
words at all. "I can't stand fights...I can't stand them..." She stammered.
I pulled her to one side. "I couldn't use this," I said, dropping the soda bottle. "I couldn't ever
cut anyone..." I had to tell her that, because I saw the raw fear in her eyes when Ken flicked
out his blade.
"I know," she said quietly. "But we'd better go with them. Darien...I mean...If I see you in the
hall at school or something and don't say hi...Don't take it personally...But..."
"I know," I mumbled.
"We just couldn't let our parents see us with you. You're real nice and everything..."
"No, Sere--Serena. It's okay." I said, wishing I was dead in a hole somewhere, or at least
wearing a decent shirt. "We're not in the same clss. Just...Don't forget that some of us watch
the same sunset, too."
She looked at me quickly. "I could fall in love with you, Darien Shields. I better hope I never
see you again."
She left me standing there with my mouth dropped open, and the blue Ford zoomed off,
leaving three feet of rubber behind it.
The remaining three of us continued home in silence. I wanted to ask Greg if they were
the same Socs that beat him up, but couldn't find the words to say it. Greg never says
anything about it, so we don't talk about it.
"Well, those were two hot girls if I ever saw any." Ken yawned as we sat down on the curb
near the empty lot. He took a pink piece of paper out of his pocket and ripped it to shreds.
"What's that?"
"Molly's number. Probably fake, too. I must've been crazy to ask for it, but I think I'm a little
smashed."
So he *was* drinking. "You guys going home?" he asked.
"Nah," I replied. I wanted to have another smoke and watch the stars, I didn't have to be
in till twelve. I didn't have a watch, but I was pretty sure I had lots of time.
"I don't know why I gave you that bottle," Ken said suddenly as he got to his feet. "You never
would've used it."
"Maybe I would've," I shot back casually. "Where you going?"
"Gonna go look for some gambling, maybe get smashed. I don't know. See you tomorrow,
Darien. Later, Greggie-Gregs."
Me and Greg stretched out on our backs, staring up at the diamonds in the sky. I was freezing--
it was a cold night and all I had was that sweatshirt--but I'm so astrology obsessed I'd watch
the stars in minus fourty weather. I stared at the moon, thinking of my lost little bunny.
Rini...God, why did you take her? I miss her so much. Could Serena really be...Don't be stupid,
Dare. We've been through this. But still...It'd be so awesome...
"'Cause we're greasers.' Greg said. His voice was hard, low, and flat, and I knew he was
talking about Serena. "We could hurt her perfect reputation."
"I guess..." I murmured, wondering if I should tell him about what she'd said to me before
departing.
"Man, that was a tuff car. Fords are tuff." (AN: *sticks out her tongue* A *Ford?!* Greg must
be cRaZeE!"
"Definite Socs, that's for sure..." There was a hardness growing inside me; it wasn't fair for
the Socs to have everything. We're just as good as they are: maybe better, since we feel.
It's not our fault we're greasers. I just can't say "Screw it all," like Ken, or ignore it and just
fall in love with life anyway, like Andy, or get hard till I don't care, like Chad, or just enjoy it
like Jed and Amara. The tension was growing insdide me and I knew something had to
change, or I'd explode.
"I can't take it anymore!" Greg bolted upright and spoke my own feelings. "I'll kill myself or
something!"
"*Don't!*" I blurted, sitting up in alarm. "Gregz, you can't kill yourself!"
"...I won't. But I gotta do *something*. Go somewhere with no greasers, no Socs. Just people,
ordinary people."
"The country," I amended, lying back down.
I love the country. Being out of towns, away from excitement. Lying on my back, under a tree,
and read a book or drawing a picture. Never worrying about being jumped, or carrying a
blade, or ending up married to someone like Raye or Lita--nice enough girls, but too hard
and tough. *The country would be like that,* I thought dreamily. I'd have a dog, like I used to,
and Andy could get Mickey Mouse back, and Seiya would be like he used to before Mom
and Dad died. Since I was dreaming, I brought Mom and Dad back to life. Mom'd make
chocolate cakes again, and Dad would drive the pickup out early to feed the cattle. He'd
slap Seiya on the back and tell him he was becoming a man, a real 'chip off the ol' block',
and we'd all be close like we used to be. Maybe Greg could come and live with us, and
the gang could come out on weekends. Maybe Chad would
see there was good in the world after all, and Mom would talk to him and make him smile
in spite of himself. "You've got a phat mom," he used to say. "She knows what's going down."
She used to talk to Chad, keep him from getting in lots of trouble. She was there for us all
when Rini died, of course, but for Chad and I more than anyone. My mother...She was golden,
pure golden, and beautiful, like Serena...
Sere. She could come out and see us on weekends, too, and maybe she really would fall
in love with me, for keeps, forever. She would dump Diamond, and someday we'd get
married... She'd help Mom make chocolate cakes, and they'd have long talks, and they'd
adore each other...
"Darien!" Greg was shaking me. "Oh, shit, Darien, wake up."
I sat up, shivering. The stars had moved. "Damn! What time is it?"
"I don't know. I went to sleep, too, listening to you go on and on about the country and your
parents or something. You'd better get home; I think I'll stay out here all night." Greg's parents
don't give a damn if he comes home or not.
"Aight." I yawned. Damn, but it was cold. "If you get cold or something come on over to our
house."
" 'Kay."
I ran home, scared at the idea of facing Seiya. The dim porch light was on, maybe they were
sleeping and I could sneak in. I peeked in the window. Andy was sleeping on the couch, but
Seiya was reading the paper in the arm chair, looking beyond pissed. I swallowed hard, then
opened the door quietly.
Seiya was on his feet in two seconds flat. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" he
thundered, advancing on me.
I gulped and backed up a step, shaking my head and remaining silent.
"Well, it's two in the morning, Darien! I was THIS close to calling the police!" He held his
index finger and thumb a centimeter or two, ignoring the banging on the wall--from our
neighbors who couldn't be too pleased that Seiya was spazzing at 2 a.m. "Where were you,
Darien?" My silence seemed to enrage him further, and his voice began to rise. "Where in
the hell were you?"
Even I have to admit how dumb it sounded when I finally stammered out that I had fallen
asleep in the lot.
"Darien?" Andy's sleepy voice startled us both and we turned to the couch. My brother was
sitting on the end of it, in his boxers, rubbing his eyes sleepily and looking for the world like
a little boy. "Where you been, kiddo?"
"It wasn't my fault!" I begged Seiya. "I was talking to Greg and we just fell asleep."
His voice got angrier. "Oh, so now you're bringing Greg into this, huh?" Andy looked at both
of us, seeming confused.
"I guess it never occured to you that your brothers might be totally freaked for you, but were
scared to call the cops, because something like that could get you and Andy stuck in a home?
*And you were asleep in the damned lot! Darien, what the hell's wrong with you? Couldn't
you stop to think? You don't even have a damn coat on! I should've just gotten you put in with
a foster home when Mom and Dad died."
"Seiya! Don't ever say--" Andrew started, jumping up. He looked shocked, and a little pissed
that Seiya would say something like that.
Suddenly, Seiya spun around and started screaming at Andy. "You shut your God forsaken
mouth! I'm sick of hearing you defending him all the time."
He can't ever yell at Andy. Nobody can ever yell at my brother, I won't let them. So I exploded,
like I always do when I'm talking about Andrew and someone starts to badmouth him or
something.
"Don't yell at him!" I shouted. Seiya spun around again and slapped me so hard it knocked
me against the door.
Suddenly it was deadly quiet, and the air was heavy. We were all frozen, our family never
hit each other. Not for real anyways. Andy was staring at both of us, his blue eyes wide and
scared. Seiya looked at his hand, which was red, then back at me. His eyes were big and
guilty, maybe even frightened."Darien...Oh, God, Darien..."
I turned and ran out the door, back to the lot, as fast as I could. Our door banged open and I heard
Seiya scream, "Darien, I didn't mean to!" But I was at the lot by then and pretended I couldn't
hear him. I heard his pounding footsteps and doubled my speed.
"Greg? Come on!" I called, nearly screaming as he rolled over and jumped up almost under
my feet. "Come on, Greg. We're running away."
The good thing about Greg is that he doesn't ask questions. We ran for several blocks, until
Seiya's steps finally ceased and we were out of breath. Then we walked. I was crying, so
hard I could barely see, and finally I just sat down at the curb and sobbed, burying my face
in my arms. Greg plopped himself down next to me and leaned his elbow on my shoulder.
"S'aight, Darien, chill," he said softly. "We're gonna be okay."
Finally, I chilled and wiped my eyes on my bare arm. "Got a smoke?" I asked, my voice
quivering and my breath coming in desperate gasps.
He handed me one and sparked it with his old lighter.
"Greg, I'm scared."
"Don't be; you're the one who's scaring me. What happened? I've never seen you bawl like
that."
"That's 'cuz I never have before," I said, sniffling and feeling stupid. This times 10 happened
to Greg everyday, and he never even complained. I get hit once, and I start crying like a baby.
"It was Seiya," I finally admitted, staring at my hands. How could I tell my best friend, who lived
with this everyday, that I cried because my older brother smacked me one that I deserved?
"He hit me. I don't know how it happened, but I just...I couldn't take it with him yelling at me
*and* hitting me all the time...He never used to be like this, we used to get along okay. Before
Mom and Dad...You know. Now he can't stand me."
"I think I like it better when my dad's hitting me," Greg sighed. "'Cause then I know he knows
I exist. I go in the house, no one says shit. I walk out, no one says shit. I stay out all night,
but no one notices. At least you got Andy; I don't got no one.
"Damn, Greg," I blurted. "You got the whole gang! Chad didn't hit you tonight 'cause you're
the pet. I mean...Damn, Johnny, you got the whole gang."
"It's not the same as havin' your own parents care about you." he mumbled simply. "It's just
not the same."
I was chilling out, and wondered if running away was such a great idea. I was sleepy, and
cold as death again, and I wanted to be in bed, warm, with Andy's arm thrown over me. I
decided I'd go home and just not talk to Seiya. It was my house as much as his, and if he
wanted to pretend I wasn't in existance, it ws fine with me and he could suck it. He can't
stop me from living in my own house.
"Lets walk over to the park and back. Then maybe I'll be chilled enough to go home."
"Aight," Greg said easily. "Okay."
Things gotta get better, I figured. How could they get any worse?
I was wrong.
Aight, so I didn't finish last night. But I almost did! *grinz* I only had to type up a bit more today.
Come on, guys, review! Peaz? Chibi Angel has been crying all night, for sobbing out loud!
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