I'm With You
A/N: I just wanted to say that in this story, I describe Dally as his description in the novel but who I really want you guys to imagine is Matt Dillon, Hopefully, you are imagining him like the way he was in the movie.
I didn't realize how long we had been running but when we finally did stop, I noticed we were outside of a drug store called "Al's Pharmacy"
Dally bent forward; panting hard and trying to catch his breath, he still held my hand in his.
"See…..Look, where smoking get's you, wheezing like a 70-year-old man" I commented, I probably sounded like a health freak to him.
He looked up at me "Oh, don't tell me you're not the slightest bit out of
breath!?…..We ran about 4 blocks until we finally lost that bastard" Dally
replied, exasperated
I shrugged "I thought you out of all people would be fit enough to run that much" I said, truthfully and half-teasingly.
He got up, revealing his full height, which were only a few inches taller than myself. He gazed down at me with a smug smile "Oh, I'm fit……..Just not in running" He responded, smoothly now.
Dally was close, a little too close yet again. "Oh, really?" I replied with an eyebrow arched.
"You want to find out…....?" He whispered before leaning forward and brushing his lips on the side of my mouth, not directly on my lips. He was teasing! What a…..…TEASE!
I pushed him lightly off, a cocky smile this time on contorted in my face.
"No thanks" I answered, before walking past him and up to the entrance of the drug store.
He looked back at me and with a sigh; he said, "OH, COME ON!!"
I couldn't help but laugh, "Did you actually think that was a good pick-up line?"
"Well, yeah" He replied as we walked into the pharmacy.
I gave him a sympathetic smile and shook my head "Have you ever thought of telling a girl something romantic and sweet instead of just getting to the sex?" I asked, as we began walking down the aisle and toward the soda cooler.
"Are you outta' your mind?" He answered back, shaking his head.
"Apparently with you, yeah…..…What time is it?"
"How should I know?….…It's probably twelve by now……Why do you ask? Got to be somewhere?……Got to get home to your Daddy?" He mocked.
"You seriously need an ass kicking," I muttered
"From you? Anytime." He replied to my comment, chuckling.
"You are such a pervert," I hissed, starting to regret my being there with him.
He opened the cooler and took out two coca-cola's, he tossed one to me, I made no attempt to catch it, which ended up just flying by me and and knocking the rack of potato chips down.
"Why didn't you catch that?" Dally asked, his vision narrowing to me and that expression on his face un-readable.
"Did I say I wanted a soda?" I retorted
"Well, no, I just thought you'd like one" He said, un-sure.
I soon saw the clerk from behind the counter coming up to us "Hey, you kids better pick those up!" He warned, I looked back at Dally, with a tiresome expression.
Adults these day's are so….…..
So…………… Argh!! I'm so tired right now that I can't even insult right!"She'll pick them up" I heard Dally say, smirking at me
"The hell I will" I answered back
"Well, someone is going to and it's not going to be me"
"You're the one who threw it!" I argued.
"Yeah, well, you were suppose to catch it…...." He replied back.
"No"
"Yes"
"No,no,no"
"yes,yes,yes"
"Immature Bastard"
"Shady Bitch"
"Ignorant ass-hole"
"Too much make-up whore"
I gasped, and raised a hand up to my face, looking offended
"I DO NOT WEAR TOO MUCH MAKE-UP!!!…….Elvis wannabe, who thinks he's a bad-boy, My raggedy-Ann doll is badder than you!" I quickly insulted, my face turning a slight red.
This time it was Dally's turn to look shocked "I am so a bad boy…….and…….and I hate Elvis!"
The two of us were arguing once more, and had forgotten all about the middle-age clerk standing there, watching us.
"Enough…..." The man said.
"Betty Boo know it all!" Dally yelled.
"The only women who want you are those working at the corner!" I shouted back.
"ENOUGH!!" The clerk raised his voice.
Both Dally and I looked back at him.
"Sheesh, you don't have to yell," We both said in unison.
Dally turned to me "Come on, Baby……….*People* here are so fuckin' RUDE!"
I nodded "I know. What? Since we're kids we have to be yelled at?….…Go yell at your wife, oh wait, you don't have one!" I responded, noticing no ring on the guy's finger.
"Go figure" I heard Dally say. We both started to snicker.
"Get out!" The clerk suddenly said. His arm outstretched and pointed to the exit "Get out right now, before I call the cops on you punk kids"
"Oooo, we're sooo afraid. Please, Mr. Grocery Bag guy. Don't tell our parents!" Dally pleaded, mockingly.
I laughed and we both began to walk towards the exit.
"Authorities……" I muttered as we stepped out of the pharmacy.
"Can't live with them..…….Can't live…….Actually I can live perfectly find without them!" Dally replied, letting his arms fall to his sides as if he had given up on something.
I laughed once more and it was like we had both forgotten completely about our argument only moments ago.
"Talking about Authority, I have one that's probably freaking out at home right now, I should get going," I said.
"Yeah, I should go too….." He replied.
We began to walk away, in separate directions "Dally…...." I called, suddenly
"Yeah?" He asked, turning around.
"Thanks" I said.
"For what?
"For just….....being there. Made me forget that I had a problem in the first place"
I saw him look down at the gravel and then back at me, the edges of his mouth curved up slightly "No prob, Baby"
I smiled and nodded "Bye"
DALLY'S POVWhen I made it to the Curtis house, everyone was out cold.
I walked into the living and flopped down onto the couch. I kicked off my shoes and slipped off my jacket as I tossed it over to the armchair.
It was late and I was beat, but it had all been worth it, I had an okay time with Baby.
She was down for a chick; I didn't hang around with broads very much. I usually screwed them then left.
I laid back and tried to get comfortable on the small sofa, but there was something clawing into my back.
I sat up and looked under me, to find a textbook.
"Ponyboy's" I said to no one in particular but myself, as I was about to place it onto the coffee table, I stopped.
The cover read "Gestures and Meanings"
I opened the book and flipped some pages trying to find a certain something…….
Then I stopped once more and read, "When a person shows their backhand to someone, it is the British gesture for an obscene meaning. Americans may know it to be "Flipping the bird" or "Giving the finger"
I shut the textbook and tossed it onto the coffee table.
I had a grim expression on my face but then I broke out with an unusual smile and just chuckled.
"Baby" was the only thing I could utter, remembering earlier in the day when she had given me a weird gesture I hadn't known what.
I laid back again and closed my eyes………………
BABY'S POV
I stride what was left of myself, up the steps of the porch and peer into the side window of the house, all the lights were out and seemed to have no one inside.
I looked under the mat in which I always left a spare key under. I often became scattered–brain and have come to actually locking myself out of the house. The worst time was during the winter, when my father was still at work and Tashia, well, I didn't know where the hell she was. I'd be practically freezing, waiting outside of my own house like a maniac with more problems than they already have.
As I un-locked the door and walked inside into the sudden darkness, I called out "Dad?"
I flicked on the light-switch and shrugged off my jacket "Dad?" I said again throughout the house.
I threw my jacket over the coat rack and started to drag my tired self into the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator and took out some milk.
While I opened the carton and raised it up to my mouth, I noticed an envelope that read "Baby" on the counter.
I took the strange letter that was inside and read out-loud……..
Baby,
If you get this, I just want to let you know that I am at Dr. Summers apartment. She offered to show me some parenting pamphlets and books, so I might get home late. When I get there, I suspect you'll be in bed (You're are still not off the hook).
P.S: We'll talk tomorrow about your punishment.
"Love Dad" I finished reading the last words. I stood there, just staring at the white piece of paper with my father's handwriting on.
"no…" I whispered
"NO!!" I suddenly raised my voice higher. I scrunched the piece of paper in my hand and threw it to the side.
"This is not happening to me…....No, my dad is not at that bitch's house…...no..….They're just looking at some parenting book(Which DO NOT help)…..Yeah, yeah…..That's it" I repeated, going into the hallway and closing the door of my room.
"Don't freak out, Baby…….It's find" I said reassuringly to myself.
But it wasn't all right.
How dumb did my father think I was?
Two adults. A man. And a Woman. Alone.
Not to be totally narrow minded, I guess I could see why my father would be considered good-looking to other people. I mean, Taishia, is always gushing about "How hot" he is.
I shuddered slightly.
And as much as I hated to admit it, Dr. Summers was pretty……..but she was a bitch!! A know it all. I know, she is my physiatrist and I realize her job *is * to know my business but….…I just didn't trust her as far as I could throw her. Which now that I think about it, isn't far but in my ideal self, it would be like flying from New York City to Los Angeles.
To put it this way, in a kindergarten kind of way, SHE'S NOT A GOOD LADY!
I sighed as I finished getting into my pajamas. I had a runny nose and I felt very warm.
I knew I was defiantly not going to school tomorrow because of my standing in the rain for so long.
I relished the feeling of lying on my soft bed.
It had been a hell of a day. But a good one.
Dally had actually been OK to hang out with, he was a little perverted but what boy isn't these days?
I had called him numerous names but knew I hadn't really meant them. Hopefully, he thought the same…...Because I do not wear too much make-up. It's natural beauty that counts…….and..…..ARG!……I just don't wear too much make-up! Got it?
I started to think……..For a sometimes conceited bastard, he could actually be a cute one.
It didn't take long until I was snoring away in my sleep.
STILL BABY'S POV!
The next day, like I had predicted, I stayed home. I woke up feeling terrible and my father had come home god knows when. We talked a little; actually, he came into my room and sat on the end of the bed, rambling about something, which I was half-asleep to understand.
I sat on the couch now, with a blanket wrapped around me and the T.V on.
"DING-DONG!!!!" The doorbell suddenly rang.
Actually, it was a knock at the door since my father is so cheap, he won't even buy a doorbell like everyone else!
I whimpered dramatically, Call me lazy, but I didn't want to get up. The walk from my room to the living room…..Just took all the strength out of me…..Hopefully, you'll realize that I am only kidding.
I got up and managed to get to the door, almost tripping on the blanket I still had wrapped around my shoulders.
When I opened it, my surprise was defiantly not hidden "Ponyboy!…..What are you doing here?" I asked, curiously.
He stood there, coming off nervous yet smiling at the same time.
"I, uh, I brought you your homework since you weren't at school today" He said.
I looked down at his arms, and saw he carrying a few textbooks and papers in them.
"Great…..Homework" I stated, not happy at all.
His smile brightened "You want to come in?" I asked, wanting to fall dramatically on the floor, be taken to the hospital, and told I will never be able to do homework again. New Disease.
He nodded and I held the door as for him, as he walked in.
I noticed him staring at me and soon realized that I was wearing my pajama's that had little pink bunnies on them and that stupid porky-pig blanket.
"Oh!…….Ponyboy, what you have just seen, you must guard with your life" I told him but truthfully, I was only half-joking.
He laughed "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," He promised
I grinned, "That's my Pony"
He blushed and his ears turned a bright red, very adorable
"You don't look that bad….. ..you should see my brother, Soda, when he's sick…..Not a very pretty site" He said.
I remembered his brother and how hansom he was, I chuckled.
"I guess not all good-looking people have their days…Not that I'm saying I'm good-looking or anything "
"From the school, everyone says you're the most prettiest girl next to Cherry Valance" Pony said.
"Nah!…..really?" this time it was my turn to blush, Cherry Valance was a very beautiful girl and to be compared to her……..
"Really" I heard Pony reply. He looked down at my books and handed them to me "Thanks" I replied, looking down at them and sighing heavily.
"Too bad you weren't at the track meet this morning" Pony said.
My eyes suddenly widened and I looked back at him "The track meet! I totally forgot!……Pony, tell me the truth……..Did Mr. Fiderio say anything?" I asked. I knew how that coach could get, he was real obsessive.
"Well, uh, er" Ponyboy fidgeted
"He freaked, didn't he?"
He nodded "And he said that when you come back, your going to run 20 laps around the field"
I shook my head and sighed "That guy has real problems….." I muttered.
"Tell me about it." He agreed.
I heard a honking from a car outside.
"Oh, I gotta go, that's my brother Darry" Pony said, walking towards the door.
"Bye then, thanks for bringing my homework, you're a life saver,"
He blushed once more and then left.
"Cute kid" I said, before putting the books down onto the coffee table and resuming my daytime television watching.
I sat at the kitchen table, doing my History homework.
I soon saw Taishia at the back door, "Hey!" She greeted as she opened the screen.
"Hey" I greeted back, glancing up from my book.
"Heard you were sick and decided to come over and make you feel better," she said, opening the refrigerator door and peering inside.
"By eating all the food in my fridge?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"If that helps……." Tai laughed. "So, what happened last night?" she asked, taking out some sliced bread, ham……You know, sandwich making foods.
"What do you mean?" This time I was the one to ask, confused. I was pretty sure I hadn't called her to dish.
"I heard the yelling all the way over from my house……..Then I saw you run out……..What happened to your car, Baby?" Taishia said, her back facing me as she stood by the counter.
"Oh…….That" I answered , remembering my car. I had forgotten all about it. "Yeah,….that"
"I got hit," I answered, closing my History book.
"By who?" Tai asked, glancing back at me.
"Dallas Winston" I replied with a grin
I heard her drop the metal knife on the counter, which made a loud "CLANT!" noise.
"He what!?…….What happened?…..What did he say!?…..Tell me, tell me" Tai said way to quickly as she abandoned her sandwich making and situated herself next to me at the table.
"Nothing…..I freaked, he freaked, I called him an ass-hole, he called me a bitch……It was all very sweet" I replied , laughing.
Taishia had a "Are you kidding?" look on her face.
"You had to be there," I re-worded
"I wish," She muttered.
"When I ran out of here, I went to the park and met Dally there, we started talking and spent the rest of the night with each other"
"I thought you gave up on him,"
"I thought….I mean I guess…..I mean I don't know. We didn't kiss or anything. Just hung out"
"That's it. No smoochies?" She said, with a grin.
"Grow up, Tai. Not everything is about kissing."
"No, sometimes it can be about groping…….you guys didn't grope, did ya?" She asked, slamming her hands on the table lightly and still grinning madly.
I looked at her, "Who are you and where is my friend?" I asked.
She laughed and nudged me "I'm kidding, no, if there wasn't anything, then there wasn't anything"
"Well…." I hesitated.
"Well…."
"He did almost kiss me once" I cave in, but I hated acting like one of those girls who, end up talking about…..get this….boys-to their best-friend. It's the cheesiest thing to do; yet I think I do it often. Damn, me.
Tai giggled, "I knew it, so what stopped you guys?"
"Police officer" I replied.
"The fuzz?" I could still see confusion written in her face.
"Long story…." I answered.
"So, how did ya Dad take the car thing?" She asked
"You already know the answer to that question…."
"Than not that good"
I nodded, tapping my pencil on my book "I have to get a job to pay for it, all because that bitch thinks it'll be good for me" I noticed I had snapped my pencil in two, every time I thought about yesterday evening and what had happened, I got mad. Too mad.
"Dr. Summers was here?" Tai said, surprised.
I nodded "Yeah"
"Bitch" I heard her mutter.
The phone rang………
I got up and picked it up which hung on the kitchen wall
"Hello?"
"……I can see you"
I would have been startled and afraid if I hadn't RECOGNIZED THE VOICE.
I looked back at Taishia and covered the receiver with my hand, "It's Dally" I told her.
She scrambled out of the chair and ran up next to me, her ear on the other side of the phone.
"Dallas, I know it's you" I uncovered the receiver and said.
"oh…...crap..…..just wanted to have some fun" he replied.
"I bet,"
"So, how ya doing?" he asked me
"Okay, got sick though from last night though"
"Aw, Baby got a boo-boo, to bad it's not the kind I can kiss away" Dally said, flirtatiously.
Taishia giggled and I elbowed her in the ribs "Ow!" She said with a small glare.
"Are your kisses really that healing?" I asked, and then mouthed, "I'm sorry" to her.
She just shrugged and continued to listen to the conversation.
"Want to find out?"
"Not really"
"…….Damn"
"So, why did you really call, Dallas Winston?" I asked.
"Just wanted to see how you were, isn't that an explanation enough!" He answered.
"…..Sorry" I blurted out
I heard a "Dally, get off the phone…..NOW!! Sandy might call!!"
"Hold your fuckin' horses!" He shouted.
"Baby, got to cut this short, Mr. I'm so pretty here-needs the phone free"
"Okay then…….Bye" I hung up, smiling.
I turned to Tai who was smirking and had her arms crossed
"What!?" I said, innocently.
"You like him" She simply replied.
"I do not!"
"You do too…....You have that smile, you know the smile"
"Whatever you say,"
"Well, I gotta go……..Meeting Krover soon" Taishia said, as she fixed her hair a little.
"Why? You know that guy is only known for is selling drugs….." I started, but it didn't take me long too figure it out.
"Oh, Tai"
"He offered me a good price," She quickly said as if it were a logical answer to what she was about to do.
"I thought you were going to stop…….." I spoke slowly
I knew she did drugs. A little pot, sometimes ecstasy. I didn't like it, I didn't like it one bit.
But it wasn't like she listened to me…….
She always said it was safe, that nothing was going to happen but I feared for her.
"Oh, Baby. Quit it, I'm careful, you know that" She reassured.
I shook my head "Careful has nothing to do with it, that stuff can really fuck a person up"
"And how would you know?" Tai suddenly spat out.
My head hung low now. "I just want you to be safe……Don't want you to end up like my mother" I said softly.
She sighed "And I won't!……..Look, I know you mean well but get off my back. I'm not addicted, It's just….…I need a release sometimes, you know?" She was staring at me now, trying to find some sort of understanding from me, of course, she found she none.
"…..I know" I whispered.
"Alright then…..." She said before leaving abruptly.
I just stood there.
"She wasn't addicted, she wasn't addicted……" I repeated.
I once read some pamphlets in Health class about drug use and how Teenagers these days are experimenting with ecstasy, cocaine, and etc. etc. A lot more.
I also came across this one part………………
It said most drug-users don't even realize they're addicted. They mentally refuse to think that about themselves.
Until it's too late…………I knew Taishia had been doing this for quite a while. At first I didn't say anything. It started with some weed, then over the period. It just…....progressed
She wasn't a junkie, or at least she didn't act like one……..
A/N: Sorry, that wasn't a great chapter but theirs still more to come!
