S. E. Hinton owns her characters, I own mine.
Chapter 3: A Night To Remember
I guess I really was "primping", as Two-bit called it. Maybe I wasen't. Is it a crime to look nice? Well, nicer than usual? I've never been to any kind of none-rave parties, so what the heck. I have to keep up my reputation for best looking girl in California.
'You're not in California.' I reminded myself. Sadly, it was true. I wasen't. I shook the thought from my head, and continued getting dressed. I looked in my mirror, and scoffed. This wasen't me. So I went and changed for the 7th time. finally, I decided, who cares? Wear what I always do. So I did. And I waited. And waited. And I waited until about ten, and decided to go wait outside. I don't like being inside too long, or I get paranoid. I hate being afraid something's gonna jump out and kill me. Maybe it's just being in Oklahoma... I don't know.
So it just happened to be a Saturday, like any other Saturday. Man was I wrong. I'd remember this Saturday for the rest of my life.
Anyway, I was waiting for Dally, and I was getting really sleepy, too. And irretable. You can't forget irretable. Finally he pulled up, and it was about time. I hopped in, and we were off. He didn't say anything to me, so I figured he was ticked off. It really wasen't any of my business.
Finally, he said something to me, but I don't remember what. I have a bad memory. What can I say? Memory isn't included with beauty. Or so everyone tells me. I happen to think I'm just quite ordinary.
When we got to Buck's, I left Dally to himself (I've seen him angry before, it scares me. Nothing I can't handle, though.), and went and hunted up a pool game. (A/N: In the movie, the place Angelina's in is the room Pony almost went in before Dally grabbed him.) I'm fairly good at pool. But a really good player could beat me. But an ammature certainly couldn't. I figured I could make some extra cash, besides my tips from earlier.
Did I mention I got a job? A few days after I got here, I hit the jackpot. I got a job as a waitress down at the little cafe place under the hospital. Unfortunatly, Monday would be my first day at school, and I'd have to work in the afternoons and juggle my homework. I don't care about any of my classes, except Health. I have to pass that. I plan to be a nurse.
Anyway, I was playing these bad looking guys, and I had bet $50, my entire pay for 3 months. Oh well, if I won, I'd get 4 times that amount!
I guess you can say I'm a bit, well, obsessed with money. I've never had that much, I've always been poor, getting everything by chance, shoplifting, or stealing. I wouldn't have my Mustang if I didn't know how to hot-wire them. How's that for classy?
We were in the middle of our game when the sound of a fight just breaking out drew all of our attention. I pushed through the crowd and found Dallas Winston fighting with Tim Shepard. Honestly, I think they were destined to fight each other every minute of the day, every day of the year.
After a while, Dally lost. He walked past me, his mind intent on getting some sleep. I stopped him.
"Are you okay?" I asked. I had no idea why I cared. Wasn't he the one that called me a soc a week ago?
"Yeah, I'm fine. Listen, Cat, I'm going to go get some sleep and sleep this off." I nodded, and he went up the stairs. I couldn't help but wondering if he was really hurt. I shook my head and went back to the pool game. After a close shot, I won. And I got paid, which made my victory even sweeter.
I sat down at the bar, and watched everyone else for a few hours. A few people were smoking, which bugged me. It's not so cool to see someone smoking when you're a recovering drug addict. Not at all. So I didn't notice I was wringing my hands. It's a habit.
Another thing that bugged me was all the alcohol. I don't smoke, and I don't drink. Especially if I wanted to keep my place on the volleyball team. Since I was a star California player, I automatically got a spot on this school's team.
I was thinking about leaving when I saw Buck Marril go upstairs and came back with Dally. He looked as confused as me. I hopped off my stool (and some dude jumped on it in my place), and followed them to the door. Outside, to my surprise, was Johnny and Pony.
"Okay, kids, whatta ya need me for?" Dally asked. I stepped up right behind him, eager to see what's up. Johnny was rattlin' off some story about killing a Soc. Then I noticed it- Pony was wet.
Before I could say anything, Dally was leadin' them back up the stairs to the bedroom. I followed, yawning. I was tired.
They were talking about something, then I heard Dally say, "It wasn't anything like that, kid. Do you see Cat doin' that?" He grinned, trying to tick me off. I was beyond caring. I just wanted to sleep. But people around here must think I'm cute when I'm mad, or otherwise they wouldn't be so dead set on making me mad.
I gave him a mean look ad continued following them. When we got to the room (It took all my control not to lay down and go to sleep) Dally threw Pony a shirt and started coming up with a plan. I stood in the doorway, watching.
Dally gave them a gun, and a wad of cash.
"Pony, do Darry and Sodapop know about this?" Dally asked, which answered my mental question. I had been wondering the same thing. Pony shook his head.
"Boy howdy, I ain't itchin' to be the one to tell Darry and get my head busted." Dally shook his head.
"Then don't tell him." Pony said, and I jumped. I wasn't expecting him to say it like that.
"Cat?" Dally turned to me, and I didn't say anything.
"I'll tell him." I said finally. "He'll leave me alone." Or he better... I added mentally.
But that wasen't what Dally was going to ask me. "Do you know where the train to Windrixville is?" I nodded. I knew what he wanted me to do.
I walked downstairs, followed by Pony and Johnny. Johnny was shaking a little. Pony didn't notice, but I did. With what happened in my past, I'm firmiliar with people shaking. But let's not go into that.
We got to the train, and while they jumped on, I waved and ran off into the night. Back to the Curtis'. A place I didn't like to go.
As soon as I knocked on the door, it flew open. It was kind of freaky, actually. Like they were waiting for me. They're waiting for Pony, you idiot. Not you. I told myself.
"Oh," Darry said. "It's you."
I tried to say something, but I was out of breath.
"Cat, do you know where Pony is? He ran out earlier..." Soda's voice trailed off as I looked at him. I knew it was written all over my face that I did. Suddenly, Darry grabbed me by the collar. I'm not quite sure even he knew what he was doing.
"Where's Pony?" He asked, and I was terrified. Act like you're not. That was Ricky's 2nd rule.
"Get off me." I hissed, and he let me go. "Anyway, I came to tell you both," My tone was like ice now. "that Pony and Johnny got into a fight with a group of Socs." Soda was going to say something, but I held my hand up to silence him. "The end result was Johnny stabbed one of the socs, killing him. They've both ran off, but I don't know where they went. Good night." They both were staring dumbfound at me, and normally I would have said something comforting or stayed a while to make sure they were all right, but I was mad. Too mad to even care.
A/N: Okay, this was the longest chapter so far. 4 coming soon!
Chapter 3: A Night To Remember
I guess I really was "primping", as Two-bit called it. Maybe I wasen't. Is it a crime to look nice? Well, nicer than usual? I've never been to any kind of none-rave parties, so what the heck. I have to keep up my reputation for best looking girl in California.
'You're not in California.' I reminded myself. Sadly, it was true. I wasen't. I shook the thought from my head, and continued getting dressed. I looked in my mirror, and scoffed. This wasen't me. So I went and changed for the 7th time. finally, I decided, who cares? Wear what I always do. So I did. And I waited. And waited. And I waited until about ten, and decided to go wait outside. I don't like being inside too long, or I get paranoid. I hate being afraid something's gonna jump out and kill me. Maybe it's just being in Oklahoma... I don't know.
So it just happened to be a Saturday, like any other Saturday. Man was I wrong. I'd remember this Saturday for the rest of my life.
Anyway, I was waiting for Dally, and I was getting really sleepy, too. And irretable. You can't forget irretable. Finally he pulled up, and it was about time. I hopped in, and we were off. He didn't say anything to me, so I figured he was ticked off. It really wasen't any of my business.
Finally, he said something to me, but I don't remember what. I have a bad memory. What can I say? Memory isn't included with beauty. Or so everyone tells me. I happen to think I'm just quite ordinary.
When we got to Buck's, I left Dally to himself (I've seen him angry before, it scares me. Nothing I can't handle, though.), and went and hunted up a pool game. (A/N: In the movie, the place Angelina's in is the room Pony almost went in before Dally grabbed him.) I'm fairly good at pool. But a really good player could beat me. But an ammature certainly couldn't. I figured I could make some extra cash, besides my tips from earlier.
Did I mention I got a job? A few days after I got here, I hit the jackpot. I got a job as a waitress down at the little cafe place under the hospital. Unfortunatly, Monday would be my first day at school, and I'd have to work in the afternoons and juggle my homework. I don't care about any of my classes, except Health. I have to pass that. I plan to be a nurse.
Anyway, I was playing these bad looking guys, and I had bet $50, my entire pay for 3 months. Oh well, if I won, I'd get 4 times that amount!
I guess you can say I'm a bit, well, obsessed with money. I've never had that much, I've always been poor, getting everything by chance, shoplifting, or stealing. I wouldn't have my Mustang if I didn't know how to hot-wire them. How's that for classy?
We were in the middle of our game when the sound of a fight just breaking out drew all of our attention. I pushed through the crowd and found Dallas Winston fighting with Tim Shepard. Honestly, I think they were destined to fight each other every minute of the day, every day of the year.
After a while, Dally lost. He walked past me, his mind intent on getting some sleep. I stopped him.
"Are you okay?" I asked. I had no idea why I cared. Wasn't he the one that called me a soc a week ago?
"Yeah, I'm fine. Listen, Cat, I'm going to go get some sleep and sleep this off." I nodded, and he went up the stairs. I couldn't help but wondering if he was really hurt. I shook my head and went back to the pool game. After a close shot, I won. And I got paid, which made my victory even sweeter.
I sat down at the bar, and watched everyone else for a few hours. A few people were smoking, which bugged me. It's not so cool to see someone smoking when you're a recovering drug addict. Not at all. So I didn't notice I was wringing my hands. It's a habit.
Another thing that bugged me was all the alcohol. I don't smoke, and I don't drink. Especially if I wanted to keep my place on the volleyball team. Since I was a star California player, I automatically got a spot on this school's team.
I was thinking about leaving when I saw Buck Marril go upstairs and came back with Dally. He looked as confused as me. I hopped off my stool (and some dude jumped on it in my place), and followed them to the door. Outside, to my surprise, was Johnny and Pony.
"Okay, kids, whatta ya need me for?" Dally asked. I stepped up right behind him, eager to see what's up. Johnny was rattlin' off some story about killing a Soc. Then I noticed it- Pony was wet.
Before I could say anything, Dally was leadin' them back up the stairs to the bedroom. I followed, yawning. I was tired.
They were talking about something, then I heard Dally say, "It wasn't anything like that, kid. Do you see Cat doin' that?" He grinned, trying to tick me off. I was beyond caring. I just wanted to sleep. But people around here must think I'm cute when I'm mad, or otherwise they wouldn't be so dead set on making me mad.
I gave him a mean look ad continued following them. When we got to the room (It took all my control not to lay down and go to sleep) Dally threw Pony a shirt and started coming up with a plan. I stood in the doorway, watching.
Dally gave them a gun, and a wad of cash.
"Pony, do Darry and Sodapop know about this?" Dally asked, which answered my mental question. I had been wondering the same thing. Pony shook his head.
"Boy howdy, I ain't itchin' to be the one to tell Darry and get my head busted." Dally shook his head.
"Then don't tell him." Pony said, and I jumped. I wasn't expecting him to say it like that.
"Cat?" Dally turned to me, and I didn't say anything.
"I'll tell him." I said finally. "He'll leave me alone." Or he better... I added mentally.
But that wasen't what Dally was going to ask me. "Do you know where the train to Windrixville is?" I nodded. I knew what he wanted me to do.
I walked downstairs, followed by Pony and Johnny. Johnny was shaking a little. Pony didn't notice, but I did. With what happened in my past, I'm firmiliar with people shaking. But let's not go into that.
We got to the train, and while they jumped on, I waved and ran off into the night. Back to the Curtis'. A place I didn't like to go.
As soon as I knocked on the door, it flew open. It was kind of freaky, actually. Like they were waiting for me. They're waiting for Pony, you idiot. Not you. I told myself.
"Oh," Darry said. "It's you."
I tried to say something, but I was out of breath.
"Cat, do you know where Pony is? He ran out earlier..." Soda's voice trailed off as I looked at him. I knew it was written all over my face that I did. Suddenly, Darry grabbed me by the collar. I'm not quite sure even he knew what he was doing.
"Where's Pony?" He asked, and I was terrified. Act like you're not. That was Ricky's 2nd rule.
"Get off me." I hissed, and he let me go. "Anyway, I came to tell you both," My tone was like ice now. "that Pony and Johnny got into a fight with a group of Socs." Soda was going to say something, but I held my hand up to silence him. "The end result was Johnny stabbed one of the socs, killing him. They've both ran off, but I don't know where they went. Good night." They both were staring dumbfound at me, and normally I would have said something comforting or stayed a while to make sure they were all right, but I was mad. Too mad to even care.
A/N: Okay, this was the longest chapter so far. 4 coming soon!