Disclaimer: I own none of S. E. Hinton's brilliant characters. I wish I own
Johnny though cause, erf, never mind. Please do not use Ace, Kim, Cody,
Dime, Trent, Bri, Mel, or Jessie in your stories unless consulting
Me first. Especially Ace and Jessie. *Pounce cling*
This chapter is for troublesfriend. She gave me the burst of inspiration to write this chapter.
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"Kim? Jessie? Oh shit!" I got out of the car, and slammed the door in frustration. The gang had stopped somewhere to eat, but hadn't woken me up. I ran into the diner, and stopped dead when I saw the scene going on. A gang of idiot thieves was holding up the diner. I sighed, and pulled out my blades. "Jess, you left me in the goddamn car when you guys could have all been killed in here?"
Jess sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. "Ace, Just chill. Please calm down. You're overreacting."
I shook my head, and toyed with the blade. "No, I'm not going to calm down. You should've woken me up."
Jess looked around, trying not to overreact himself. I crossed my arms. "Anyone wanna tell me what the hell is going on here?"
The leader of the gang that was holding up the diner laughed. "You're such a pretty thing. But that attitude could hurt you in the end."
I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the compliment, but I really want to get out of here. Why are you here?"
He shrugged. "Anywhere else to hold up?"
I smiled slightly. "Go to a gas station. You can blow the damn thing up to get your point across."
He pulled out a gun and shot a bullet into my stomach. "Keep your words to yourself."
I closed my eyes, and yelped lightly. "No. When you endanger my friend's lives, I get mad. You've got ten seconds to leave peacefully or you've got five to say goodbye to life."
He shrugged. "What are you gunna do? I shot you, you're bleeding."
I pulled out a heater, and shot him between the eyes. "Your five seconds was up."
The rest of the gang scattered, and as soon as they left, I collapsed. Jessie rushed over, and picked me up. "Ace? Ace? Oh God."
I smiled weakly. "I did my job. I saved the day."
Jessie laughed, even as tears poured down his face. "You never let on how scared you were, even after the bastard shot you."
I kissed him lightly. "Jess, Let's just go before I lose too much blood."
Jessie nodded, and ran to the car. The rest of the gang ran after us, and got in. Then Jessie sat up front by Kim, and held me on his lap. "We're gunna get you to a hospital. Stay awake. Talk to me if you can."
I laughed. "You're this worried over a bullet? It's a piece of metal! I'll pull through. Don't worry kid. I'm the one that needs to worry about you. You don't need to worry about me." I coughed, and a trickle of blood ran down my chin. I wiped it away, and then smiled slightly at Jess. "I'll be fine."
Jessie screamed at Kim. "Can't you go any faster?"
Kim started crying, not because of Jessie's outburst, but because she knew how long it was going to take to get us to the hospital. She knew I didn't have a chance.
I sighed, and clenched my teeth. "Let me drive."
Jess shook his head. "Never."
I leaned against him. "You want me to live?"
He nodded. "Hell yeah!"
I shrugged, my point clear. "Let me drive then."
Kim sighed, and stopped the car. "You hurt yourself worse, and I'll kill you myself."
I laughed. "You couldn't do that. I'll be driving too fast." I slammed on the gas, going about a 100 mph. I wasn't going to kill myself. I wasn't as weak as those guys were. I'd keep going. Besides, I have too much to live for.
Jessie grasped the side of the car, fear evident in his eyes. I turned on the radio, and then kept going. I had to. The hospital came in view, and I pushed the car into high gear. It was going as fast as it possibly could. We raced into the parking lot, and I almost flipped the goddamn car over. I slammed on the brakes, and then got out of the car. "Jess?"
Jessie ran to my side. "Yeah?"
I smiled. "I love you too."
He closed his eyes, and then kissed my forehead. "Let's talk about this later."
I shook my head. "If I don't get out of it, I wanna know that I was loved."
He picked me up, and started carrying me in. "You already know."
I smiled, and leaned my head against his shoulder. "You're right. I do know."
A doctor came rushing out of the doors. "What's wrong?"
Jess sighed. "She was shot in the stomach. Please help. She's lost a ton of blood."
I wriggled out of Jessie's grasp. "I'm fine. I can stand, I just need the bullet removed, and maybe you could make the colors go away while you're at it."
Jess raised an eyebrow. "She's delirious. Please help her."
The doctor nodded, and a bunch of E.M.T.s came rushing out to help me. I was lifted onto a stretcher, and then given blood, and after that prepared for emergency surgery. They finally sedated me, and I fell into a deep sleep.
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~*~* Flashback *~*~
I was lying on my bed, tired from the softball game I'd played in earlier. For the first time in my life, I'd felt what it was like to lose. I hated the feeling. It made me nervous all over. It was almost like being high, but a BAD high.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. I yelled. "Who is it?"
"It's your father." Was the reply.
I grinned, and opened the door. "Daddy?"
He smiled back, but this time it wasn't a good smile. There was something wrong. It was in his eyes, in his body language. It scared the shit out of me. I wanted out, but there wasn't an escape. I was locked in my room. "Yeah, It's me."
I shivered slightly at the tone. It was icier than usual, and he was usually calm and sensible. "Are you drunk?"
My dad slapped me across the face, slamming me against the wall. "And If I am?"
I yelped at the blow, and tried to hide the pain of it, but it didn't work. I started to cry. "Please leave. I don't want to talk to you."
He pulled out a stick that had all the twigs removed. "You lost your game today, right?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes Dad, I did."
He belted me with the stick. "Then you get beat." Blow after blow came, until I was bleeding, and my dad was hovering over me, grinning. "That should teach you how to win."
I was sobbing steadily. "Yes father."
I never forgot that day. He was someone I'd looked up to. I'd loved him. But after that, I didn't trust him. And that wasn't the last of the beatings. They got worse and worse, until I finally got a blade and gave him what he deserved.
~*~* End of Flashback *~*~
I woke up, and looked around. I knew where I was. I knew what happened. I was fully aware of everything. "Jess? Kim? Dime? Any body?" I spoke through parched lips.
Jess leaped towards me. "How are ya?"
I grinned weakly. "I'm fine. How're you?"
He kissed my hand. "I'm perfect."
I sighed. "Jess?"
He sat on the edge of my bed. "Yeah?"
I reached out for his hand. "Do you remember when I got beat by my dad after I lost my first softball game?"
He nodded slowly. "I was hidden in your closet. I saw the whole thing."
I started crying again. "I dreamed it again, and I felt the blows upon blows on my body. It scared me so bad. How could that happen?"
Jess tried to sit beside me, so I moved over slightly, and he laid on half of the bed. I grinned, and rested my head on his chest. "Just talk. At this point in time, Your voice sounds soothing to me,."
Jess laughed, and pressed his lips against mine. He stayed there for a couple of seconds, and then let go. "Now I'll talk to you."
I kissed him back, and then laid next to him. "Please do."
He started talking about everything. Kim and Cody, Dime and Bri, Dallas and Trent. Everyone and everything they did. It was amazing how interesting he could make something sound. Like Dime got his hand stuck in a vending machine, so he had to put more money into it to get his hand out. The way he explained it all, made me feel like I was listening to a book. It was that interesting. Finally, the pain slowly ebbed away, and I was in a peaceful state of mind.
Dallas walked into the room, and frowned slightly at the way Jess and I were lying beside each other. "Am I interrupting something?"
I laughed slightly. "Not really. Heard you ran into a telephone pole today."
Dallas glared at Jessie. "So. How ya feelin', kid?"
I grinned. "Well enough to get the hell outta here. You got a switch I could use to get out?"
He nodded. "Yeah. You had yours didn't you?"
I sighed. "I did. But they confiscated it."
He pulled out his blade, and handed it to me. "I don't need to tell ya to be careful with it, I know you won't."
I fingered the blade. It was sharp as hell. I closed it, and then smiled. "Thanks Dallas, You're a pal."
He laughed. "You promised me something in that car a little while ago. Don't you forget it."
I glanced at Jessie. His face was so pale that I thought he was going to faint. I nodded at Dallas, and then cuddled up against Jessie. "Ignore him, Jess."
Jessie shrugged. "You probably did promise him something."
I rolled my eyes. "And if I did?"
He slammed a hand against the wall. "Goddamnit Ace!! What do I have to do or say, to make you feel the same way about me, as I do about you?"
I grabbed his arm. "Jess. You know how I feel about you."
He shook his head. "Sometimes I doubt it."
I closed my eyes for a second, the pain came in unbearable waves. "Jess, If I get out of here, I'll show you."
He looked at me, and kissed me again. I kissed him in return, not holding back. He placed a hand on my waist, and I moved slightly, which added to the undying pain. I pulled away, and caught my breath. "Consider that a preview."
Jessie grinned. "Are you ok?"
I nodded, and pulled out the restricting i.v.s. "I will be. Let's go."
He hesitated for a second, and then followed me. I threw my clothes back on, and then walked slowly out to the lobby. Everybody just stared at me. "We're leaving." I commented, after flicking out my switch.
The gang all grinned, and then went out to the car. The nurses and other patients just stared, open-mouthed, and then moved out of my way. Some little girl grinned. "I'm gunna be like THAT girl when I get older!" She stated to her mother, who's eyes widened to the size of golf balls.
I grinned at Jessie, and got into the car. "That kid was kinda cute."
He nodded. "You're cuter."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good thing?"
He laughed slightly. "Yup."
I leaned my head against his shoulder. "Thanks Jess."
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and we sat almost on top of each other the rest of the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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I got out of the car, and looked at Dallas. "This your house?"
Dallas shook his head. "Naw. It's a friend's. Want me to give you a tour of the bedroom?"
I rolled my eyes. "That all you think about? Sex?"
Cody popped over at my side.
"Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll.
Speed, Weed, Birth Control,
Life's a bitch
Then you die
F*** the world
Let's go get high!!"
I cupped a hand over his mouth. "You disgust me sometimes. Did Dime give you Pepsi or something?"
Cody nodded vigorously, and then licked the inside of my hand. I shrieked, and smacked his across the head. "You asshole!!"
Jess grabbed Cody by the shoulders. "I thought I told you to leave Ace alone."
Cody shrugged. "So."
Jess glared, and shoved him towards Dime. "You get responsibility of Sugar Baby here."
Dime grinned, and wrapped an arm around Cody's shoulders. "I've got a deal to make with you." The two of them walked off, while Dallas led the rest of us into his friend's house.
Six guys were hanging around the house. Dallas introduced them all to us, one by one. The first was Darry, a tall broad-shouldered muscle man. He had dark-brown hair, and piercing blueish green eyes. His greeting was warm, but absolutely meaningless to me.
The second was Sodapop. That kid was so good looking. He looked a lot like Jessie. He wasn't as tall as Darry, but he had the muscles, and the finest build I've ever seen on a kid like him. He had dark-gold hair that was combed back, long, silky, and straight. His eyes were a dark brown that danced around the room, and his smile radiated through the room. He greeted us with enthusiasm and he almost hugged me.
The third was Ponyboy. He had a light build, light-brown, almost-red hair that was squared off in the back, and long in the front. He was polite, but he seemed somewhat scared of us.
The fourth was Steve Randle. He was tall and lean, definitely good looking, and the way he kept his hair, greasy and thick, combed back in complicated swirls, was almost perfection in itself. Too bad he was taken. He smiled at us, but the hatred in his eyes slightly frightened me. He somewhat looked like the guy that had held up the diner. He greeted us with a tough hello.
The fifth was Two-Bit Mathews. Boy was he a character! He was about 6 feet tall and stocky in build. He had gray eyes, a wide grin, and he was obviously very proud of his long rusty-Colored sideburns. He grinned at us, and shot a few smart remarks, and then winked at Bri, who in return, giggled.
And last but not least, the 6th memer, Johnny Cade. If you can picture a puppy that has been kicked too many times, and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'd have Johnny. He had big black eyes, a dark tanned face, and a slight build. His hair was jet-black and heavily greased and combed to the side, but it was so long that it fell in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He seemed suspicious of us, but he was more frightened.
I nodded to each, but took a personal like to Soda and Johnny. Don't ask me why, I just found them both interesting.
I grinned. "I'm Ace, I'm 16 and a half, and I ran away from home with the help of my gang." I introduced everyone else. "This is Jessie, He's 17, and his sister Kim, who is 20, and the leader of our gang."
Kim smiled, but her eyes were locked on something. I nudged her in the side, and she nearly bit me. I found that she'd been staring at Darry. I shook my head and went on introducing people. "This is Bri, She's 18, and she's a little weird, so be careful. Dime is outside, and he's 19, but he's kinda like your friend Two-Bit, identical in looks, but definitely different in personality. Trent is 17, He's got a huge record with the police, so don't push him to his limit. We don't need another murder on our hands. Cody is also with Dime. He's fourteen, although he acts like he's two. And Mel is 15. She's come because I asked her to. That about sums us up." I smiled, until a wave of pain and nausea rushed through my body. I went towards the door.
Sodapop grinned. "Where ya goin', Ace?"
I turned around and looked him straight in the eyes. "I was going outside."
He canted his head to the side. "Why?"
I smiled slightly. "Because I felt sick, and I wanted to sleep in my car."
Soda shook his head. "Naw. You four girls cane sleep in the bedroom I used to sleep in, It's big enough. And you four guys can sleep in Darry's room."
Darry nodded approvingly. "Yeah, you can stay here if you like."
I looked at the gang. I still felt sick, so I walked out of the house, and sat in the grass. I didn't even hear someone come up behind me. "You ok?" They asked.
I jumped up, and turned around, pain overwhelming me. I was shaking all over. "Whos there?"
The small figure of Johnny stared back at me. He smiled sympathetically, but he was still scared of me. "Are you ok?"
I nodded, but I didn't notice that I was holding my stomach. "Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for wondering."
He frowned. "Why are ya holdin' your stomach like that?"
I sighed. "I got shot in a hold-up a week ago. I left earlier than I should've, and it still hurts. Nothing too big, kid."
He nodded. "Oh. You wanna go back in?"
I shook my head. "Naw. I'd rather sit it out out here."
He nodded again. "Well, Call if you need something."
I smiled slightly. "Thanks."
He sighed, and then went back inside. Jessie came out as he went in. "Sorry, man." Jess smiled, and then moved so Johnny could get through. "Thanks." Johnny waved slightly. Jess came over and sat by me. "You ok, Ace?"
I shrugged. "I wish I knew."
He sighed, and kissed my head. "You wanna go to a hospital?"
I laughed sarcastically. "With what money will I pay the bills?"
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Do you want to get better?"
It was a retoricle question. Hell yeah I wanted to get better. I nodded. "Duh."
Jess kissed my head again. "Then you've gotta ignore the cost."
I sighed. "You wanna take me there?"
He nodded. "Anything you want."
I smiled, and kissed him again. " Thanks."
He grinned. "Come on, We've gotta get you there. It's been a week. You might have an infection."
I got up and went inside. "Jess is gunna take me somewhere. We'll be back later."
The gang nodded, but Kim seemed suspicious and concerned. "Where?"
I caught what she was thinking about. I placed a hand on my stomach, and then she nodded. "The hospital."
Jess wrapped an arm around my waist. "Ready?"
I nodded, and we both went outside again. Pretty soon, we were in the car and on our way.
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A younger doctor looked at me through his glasses. "What would be the problem?"
I looked at Jess, who nodded, and then l pulled my shirt up to show off my stiches.
The doctor tsked. "You have an infection." He pulled out a needle, and started to inject me with the liquid inside.
I yelped. "No. Shit, no."
Jess grabbed my arms, and pinned them against my back so tat I couldn't move. "Keep still."
I tried to pull away from him, but he had my arms held tight. I couldn't move at all.
The doctor took advantage of the situation, and injected the stuff into the cut.
I clenched my teeth, and tried to ignore the pain. But it didn't work. I yelped slightly, and closed my eyes. This was worse than getting hit with a stick.
"Tonto!" I screamed in my second language.
Jess laughed slightly. "Spanish? What does it mean?"
I pulled away from him, because the doctor had left. "It means half-wit."
Jessie raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I should take that as a compliment."
I shook my head. "You shouldn't." I shuddered, my stomach feeling better, but the pain still lingered.
Jessie laughed slightly. "Are you ok now?"
I nodded my head. "I think so."
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Another chapter finished, and with a bunch of words. I'm good!!
This chapter is for troublesfriend. She gave me the burst of inspiration to write this chapter.
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"Kim? Jessie? Oh shit!" I got out of the car, and slammed the door in frustration. The gang had stopped somewhere to eat, but hadn't woken me up. I ran into the diner, and stopped dead when I saw the scene going on. A gang of idiot thieves was holding up the diner. I sighed, and pulled out my blades. "Jess, you left me in the goddamn car when you guys could have all been killed in here?"
Jess sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. "Ace, Just chill. Please calm down. You're overreacting."
I shook my head, and toyed with the blade. "No, I'm not going to calm down. You should've woken me up."
Jess looked around, trying not to overreact himself. I crossed my arms. "Anyone wanna tell me what the hell is going on here?"
The leader of the gang that was holding up the diner laughed. "You're such a pretty thing. But that attitude could hurt you in the end."
I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the compliment, but I really want to get out of here. Why are you here?"
He shrugged. "Anywhere else to hold up?"
I smiled slightly. "Go to a gas station. You can blow the damn thing up to get your point across."
He pulled out a gun and shot a bullet into my stomach. "Keep your words to yourself."
I closed my eyes, and yelped lightly. "No. When you endanger my friend's lives, I get mad. You've got ten seconds to leave peacefully or you've got five to say goodbye to life."
He shrugged. "What are you gunna do? I shot you, you're bleeding."
I pulled out a heater, and shot him between the eyes. "Your five seconds was up."
The rest of the gang scattered, and as soon as they left, I collapsed. Jessie rushed over, and picked me up. "Ace? Ace? Oh God."
I smiled weakly. "I did my job. I saved the day."
Jessie laughed, even as tears poured down his face. "You never let on how scared you were, even after the bastard shot you."
I kissed him lightly. "Jess, Let's just go before I lose too much blood."
Jessie nodded, and ran to the car. The rest of the gang ran after us, and got in. Then Jessie sat up front by Kim, and held me on his lap. "We're gunna get you to a hospital. Stay awake. Talk to me if you can."
I laughed. "You're this worried over a bullet? It's a piece of metal! I'll pull through. Don't worry kid. I'm the one that needs to worry about you. You don't need to worry about me." I coughed, and a trickle of blood ran down my chin. I wiped it away, and then smiled slightly at Jess. "I'll be fine."
Jessie screamed at Kim. "Can't you go any faster?"
Kim started crying, not because of Jessie's outburst, but because she knew how long it was going to take to get us to the hospital. She knew I didn't have a chance.
I sighed, and clenched my teeth. "Let me drive."
Jess shook his head. "Never."
I leaned against him. "You want me to live?"
He nodded. "Hell yeah!"
I shrugged, my point clear. "Let me drive then."
Kim sighed, and stopped the car. "You hurt yourself worse, and I'll kill you myself."
I laughed. "You couldn't do that. I'll be driving too fast." I slammed on the gas, going about a 100 mph. I wasn't going to kill myself. I wasn't as weak as those guys were. I'd keep going. Besides, I have too much to live for.
Jessie grasped the side of the car, fear evident in his eyes. I turned on the radio, and then kept going. I had to. The hospital came in view, and I pushed the car into high gear. It was going as fast as it possibly could. We raced into the parking lot, and I almost flipped the goddamn car over. I slammed on the brakes, and then got out of the car. "Jess?"
Jessie ran to my side. "Yeah?"
I smiled. "I love you too."
He closed his eyes, and then kissed my forehead. "Let's talk about this later."
I shook my head. "If I don't get out of it, I wanna know that I was loved."
He picked me up, and started carrying me in. "You already know."
I smiled, and leaned my head against his shoulder. "You're right. I do know."
A doctor came rushing out of the doors. "What's wrong?"
Jess sighed. "She was shot in the stomach. Please help. She's lost a ton of blood."
I wriggled out of Jessie's grasp. "I'm fine. I can stand, I just need the bullet removed, and maybe you could make the colors go away while you're at it."
Jess raised an eyebrow. "She's delirious. Please help her."
The doctor nodded, and a bunch of E.M.T.s came rushing out to help me. I was lifted onto a stretcher, and then given blood, and after that prepared for emergency surgery. They finally sedated me, and I fell into a deep sleep.
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~*~* Flashback *~*~
I was lying on my bed, tired from the softball game I'd played in earlier. For the first time in my life, I'd felt what it was like to lose. I hated the feeling. It made me nervous all over. It was almost like being high, but a BAD high.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. I yelled. "Who is it?"
"It's your father." Was the reply.
I grinned, and opened the door. "Daddy?"
He smiled back, but this time it wasn't a good smile. There was something wrong. It was in his eyes, in his body language. It scared the shit out of me. I wanted out, but there wasn't an escape. I was locked in my room. "Yeah, It's me."
I shivered slightly at the tone. It was icier than usual, and he was usually calm and sensible. "Are you drunk?"
My dad slapped me across the face, slamming me against the wall. "And If I am?"
I yelped at the blow, and tried to hide the pain of it, but it didn't work. I started to cry. "Please leave. I don't want to talk to you."
He pulled out a stick that had all the twigs removed. "You lost your game today, right?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes Dad, I did."
He belted me with the stick. "Then you get beat." Blow after blow came, until I was bleeding, and my dad was hovering over me, grinning. "That should teach you how to win."
I was sobbing steadily. "Yes father."
I never forgot that day. He was someone I'd looked up to. I'd loved him. But after that, I didn't trust him. And that wasn't the last of the beatings. They got worse and worse, until I finally got a blade and gave him what he deserved.
~*~* End of Flashback *~*~
I woke up, and looked around. I knew where I was. I knew what happened. I was fully aware of everything. "Jess? Kim? Dime? Any body?" I spoke through parched lips.
Jess leaped towards me. "How are ya?"
I grinned weakly. "I'm fine. How're you?"
He kissed my hand. "I'm perfect."
I sighed. "Jess?"
He sat on the edge of my bed. "Yeah?"
I reached out for his hand. "Do you remember when I got beat by my dad after I lost my first softball game?"
He nodded slowly. "I was hidden in your closet. I saw the whole thing."
I started crying again. "I dreamed it again, and I felt the blows upon blows on my body. It scared me so bad. How could that happen?"
Jess tried to sit beside me, so I moved over slightly, and he laid on half of the bed. I grinned, and rested my head on his chest. "Just talk. At this point in time, Your voice sounds soothing to me,."
Jess laughed, and pressed his lips against mine. He stayed there for a couple of seconds, and then let go. "Now I'll talk to you."
I kissed him back, and then laid next to him. "Please do."
He started talking about everything. Kim and Cody, Dime and Bri, Dallas and Trent. Everyone and everything they did. It was amazing how interesting he could make something sound. Like Dime got his hand stuck in a vending machine, so he had to put more money into it to get his hand out. The way he explained it all, made me feel like I was listening to a book. It was that interesting. Finally, the pain slowly ebbed away, and I was in a peaceful state of mind.
Dallas walked into the room, and frowned slightly at the way Jess and I were lying beside each other. "Am I interrupting something?"
I laughed slightly. "Not really. Heard you ran into a telephone pole today."
Dallas glared at Jessie. "So. How ya feelin', kid?"
I grinned. "Well enough to get the hell outta here. You got a switch I could use to get out?"
He nodded. "Yeah. You had yours didn't you?"
I sighed. "I did. But they confiscated it."
He pulled out his blade, and handed it to me. "I don't need to tell ya to be careful with it, I know you won't."
I fingered the blade. It was sharp as hell. I closed it, and then smiled. "Thanks Dallas, You're a pal."
He laughed. "You promised me something in that car a little while ago. Don't you forget it."
I glanced at Jessie. His face was so pale that I thought he was going to faint. I nodded at Dallas, and then cuddled up against Jessie. "Ignore him, Jess."
Jessie shrugged. "You probably did promise him something."
I rolled my eyes. "And if I did?"
He slammed a hand against the wall. "Goddamnit Ace!! What do I have to do or say, to make you feel the same way about me, as I do about you?"
I grabbed his arm. "Jess. You know how I feel about you."
He shook his head. "Sometimes I doubt it."
I closed my eyes for a second, the pain came in unbearable waves. "Jess, If I get out of here, I'll show you."
He looked at me, and kissed me again. I kissed him in return, not holding back. He placed a hand on my waist, and I moved slightly, which added to the undying pain. I pulled away, and caught my breath. "Consider that a preview."
Jessie grinned. "Are you ok?"
I nodded, and pulled out the restricting i.v.s. "I will be. Let's go."
He hesitated for a second, and then followed me. I threw my clothes back on, and then walked slowly out to the lobby. Everybody just stared at me. "We're leaving." I commented, after flicking out my switch.
The gang all grinned, and then went out to the car. The nurses and other patients just stared, open-mouthed, and then moved out of my way. Some little girl grinned. "I'm gunna be like THAT girl when I get older!" She stated to her mother, who's eyes widened to the size of golf balls.
I grinned at Jessie, and got into the car. "That kid was kinda cute."
He nodded. "You're cuter."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good thing?"
He laughed slightly. "Yup."
I leaned my head against his shoulder. "Thanks Jess."
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and we sat almost on top of each other the rest of the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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I got out of the car, and looked at Dallas. "This your house?"
Dallas shook his head. "Naw. It's a friend's. Want me to give you a tour of the bedroom?"
I rolled my eyes. "That all you think about? Sex?"
Cody popped over at my side.
"Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll.
Speed, Weed, Birth Control,
Life's a bitch
Then you die
F*** the world
Let's go get high!!"
I cupped a hand over his mouth. "You disgust me sometimes. Did Dime give you Pepsi or something?"
Cody nodded vigorously, and then licked the inside of my hand. I shrieked, and smacked his across the head. "You asshole!!"
Jess grabbed Cody by the shoulders. "I thought I told you to leave Ace alone."
Cody shrugged. "So."
Jess glared, and shoved him towards Dime. "You get responsibility of Sugar Baby here."
Dime grinned, and wrapped an arm around Cody's shoulders. "I've got a deal to make with you." The two of them walked off, while Dallas led the rest of us into his friend's house.
Six guys were hanging around the house. Dallas introduced them all to us, one by one. The first was Darry, a tall broad-shouldered muscle man. He had dark-brown hair, and piercing blueish green eyes. His greeting was warm, but absolutely meaningless to me.
The second was Sodapop. That kid was so good looking. He looked a lot like Jessie. He wasn't as tall as Darry, but he had the muscles, and the finest build I've ever seen on a kid like him. He had dark-gold hair that was combed back, long, silky, and straight. His eyes were a dark brown that danced around the room, and his smile radiated through the room. He greeted us with enthusiasm and he almost hugged me.
The third was Ponyboy. He had a light build, light-brown, almost-red hair that was squared off in the back, and long in the front. He was polite, but he seemed somewhat scared of us.
The fourth was Steve Randle. He was tall and lean, definitely good looking, and the way he kept his hair, greasy and thick, combed back in complicated swirls, was almost perfection in itself. Too bad he was taken. He smiled at us, but the hatred in his eyes slightly frightened me. He somewhat looked like the guy that had held up the diner. He greeted us with a tough hello.
The fifth was Two-Bit Mathews. Boy was he a character! He was about 6 feet tall and stocky in build. He had gray eyes, a wide grin, and he was obviously very proud of his long rusty-Colored sideburns. He grinned at us, and shot a few smart remarks, and then winked at Bri, who in return, giggled.
And last but not least, the 6th memer, Johnny Cade. If you can picture a puppy that has been kicked too many times, and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'd have Johnny. He had big black eyes, a dark tanned face, and a slight build. His hair was jet-black and heavily greased and combed to the side, but it was so long that it fell in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He seemed suspicious of us, but he was more frightened.
I nodded to each, but took a personal like to Soda and Johnny. Don't ask me why, I just found them both interesting.
I grinned. "I'm Ace, I'm 16 and a half, and I ran away from home with the help of my gang." I introduced everyone else. "This is Jessie, He's 17, and his sister Kim, who is 20, and the leader of our gang."
Kim smiled, but her eyes were locked on something. I nudged her in the side, and she nearly bit me. I found that she'd been staring at Darry. I shook my head and went on introducing people. "This is Bri, She's 18, and she's a little weird, so be careful. Dime is outside, and he's 19, but he's kinda like your friend Two-Bit, identical in looks, but definitely different in personality. Trent is 17, He's got a huge record with the police, so don't push him to his limit. We don't need another murder on our hands. Cody is also with Dime. He's fourteen, although he acts like he's two. And Mel is 15. She's come because I asked her to. That about sums us up." I smiled, until a wave of pain and nausea rushed through my body. I went towards the door.
Sodapop grinned. "Where ya goin', Ace?"
I turned around and looked him straight in the eyes. "I was going outside."
He canted his head to the side. "Why?"
I smiled slightly. "Because I felt sick, and I wanted to sleep in my car."
Soda shook his head. "Naw. You four girls cane sleep in the bedroom I used to sleep in, It's big enough. And you four guys can sleep in Darry's room."
Darry nodded approvingly. "Yeah, you can stay here if you like."
I looked at the gang. I still felt sick, so I walked out of the house, and sat in the grass. I didn't even hear someone come up behind me. "You ok?" They asked.
I jumped up, and turned around, pain overwhelming me. I was shaking all over. "Whos there?"
The small figure of Johnny stared back at me. He smiled sympathetically, but he was still scared of me. "Are you ok?"
I nodded, but I didn't notice that I was holding my stomach. "Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for wondering."
He frowned. "Why are ya holdin' your stomach like that?"
I sighed. "I got shot in a hold-up a week ago. I left earlier than I should've, and it still hurts. Nothing too big, kid."
He nodded. "Oh. You wanna go back in?"
I shook my head. "Naw. I'd rather sit it out out here."
He nodded again. "Well, Call if you need something."
I smiled slightly. "Thanks."
He sighed, and then went back inside. Jessie came out as he went in. "Sorry, man." Jess smiled, and then moved so Johnny could get through. "Thanks." Johnny waved slightly. Jess came over and sat by me. "You ok, Ace?"
I shrugged. "I wish I knew."
He sighed, and kissed my head. "You wanna go to a hospital?"
I laughed sarcastically. "With what money will I pay the bills?"
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Do you want to get better?"
It was a retoricle question. Hell yeah I wanted to get better. I nodded. "Duh."
Jess kissed my head again. "Then you've gotta ignore the cost."
I sighed. "You wanna take me there?"
He nodded. "Anything you want."
I smiled, and kissed him again. " Thanks."
He grinned. "Come on, We've gotta get you there. It's been a week. You might have an infection."
I got up and went inside. "Jess is gunna take me somewhere. We'll be back later."
The gang nodded, but Kim seemed suspicious and concerned. "Where?"
I caught what she was thinking about. I placed a hand on my stomach, and then she nodded. "The hospital."
Jess wrapped an arm around my waist. "Ready?"
I nodded, and we both went outside again. Pretty soon, we were in the car and on our way.
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A younger doctor looked at me through his glasses. "What would be the problem?"
I looked at Jess, who nodded, and then l pulled my shirt up to show off my stiches.
The doctor tsked. "You have an infection." He pulled out a needle, and started to inject me with the liquid inside.
I yelped. "No. Shit, no."
Jess grabbed my arms, and pinned them against my back so tat I couldn't move. "Keep still."
I tried to pull away from him, but he had my arms held tight. I couldn't move at all.
The doctor took advantage of the situation, and injected the stuff into the cut.
I clenched my teeth, and tried to ignore the pain. But it didn't work. I yelped slightly, and closed my eyes. This was worse than getting hit with a stick.
"Tonto!" I screamed in my second language.
Jess laughed slightly. "Spanish? What does it mean?"
I pulled away from him, because the doctor had left. "It means half-wit."
Jessie raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I should take that as a compliment."
I shook my head. "You shouldn't." I shuddered, my stomach feeling better, but the pain still lingered.
Jessie laughed slightly. "Are you ok now?"
I nodded my head. "I think so."
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Another chapter finished, and with a bunch of words. I'm good!!