Ok, Ok. So It's not The Outsiders. You caught me. BUT!!, There wasn't a
category for Tex. Heh. So, to those of you who have longed for a story
about our Lovely Tex McCormick, This is for you.
DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters that S. E. Hinton has made up. Although, I do, somewhat oddly, act like some of them. RANDY BELONGS TO ME!! Ask if you wanna use her somewhere else.
The person that inspired me to write this story, was one of my best friends, Bri. Thanks Bri!!
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~*~* Randy's P.O.V. *~*~
I pushed the my hair away from my face, as I stared at the vast country in front of me. God, if you REALLY wanted to be western, you could be. But me? Man, I'm a city girl, and comin' out here was killing me.
A sudden movement in front of me, made me near jump right out of my skin. Rowdy's ears pricked up, and he started towards a grove in front of me. I raised an eyebrow, but trusted my horse's intuition.
Rowdy pushed through the shrubs, and let out a neigh as he spotted another horse. I shook my head, but pushed Rowdy on towards the others.
"Howdy!" I sort of yelled, as I neared the guy.
He turned around, and smiled. "Howdy!" Then, he moved his horse closer. "Howdy, I'm Tex. Who're you?"
I grinned. "I'm Randy. Nice ta meet ya Tex." I held out a hand.
He kept that gorgeous smile going, and accepted my hand. "So, Are you new to town? I haven't seen you around much, and I know most people 'round here."
I shrugged. "Brand new. And I expect that you've lived here all your life, huh?"
He patted his horse's neck. "Pretty much, Yeah. And I ain't goin' anywhere anytime soon."
I laughed slightly. "Unfortunately, Neither am I."
He frowned. "What does that mean?"
I started off without answering. He was one of those guys that would drive himself crazy over what you'd said. But to my surprise, He followed me.
"Hey Randy! What didja mean by that?" He asked, after pushing the bangs from his eyes.
I laughed. "Man, Your persistent."
He smiled. "I do my best. Now, Answer my question. Whadja mean by 'Unfortunately, Neither am I'? I mean, You could leave if Ya wanted to."
I sighed. "Not really. I don't exactly have my own car to drive. Besides, Even if I did, I'd get sent back to a foster family, So I might as well stay here." I turned Rowdy towards a huge log, and set of towards it at a dead run.
Tex shook his head. "Slow down! You'll never clear it!" He started his horse towards us.
I sighed slightly, and pulled back on Rowdy, but we were too close, and we went straight over the huge log.
"RANDY!!" Tex shouted out, just as we hit the other side.
Rowdy snorted as we landed, and I nearly went over his head, but we had made it. I quickly checked Rowdy for any damage, and then trotted back towards Tex.
"Horses are like bikes. They do exactly what you want them to do, but better. Now Tex, What do ya want?" I smiled, my head slightly raised.
Tex stared at me. "I wanted to warn you about the ridge after the log, but you guys cleared it easily. Man You're good!"
I rolled my eyes. "It's not that big of a deal."
Tex smiled. "I've gotta go back. Will I see ya around?"
I laughed. "You should. I'm going to your school, and I live right next to you."
Tex grinned. "YOU are the ones that bought that house?"
I nodded. "Amazing, huh?"
He slapped a hand across one leg. "Well, I could walk you home."
I shook my head. "How 'bout I race ya."
Tex leaned forwards. "You're on."
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You can only guess who won. And then, he called me when I got home, to make sure I was ok. I found out later, when I looked in the mirror, that I had a huge bruise on my head, and a cut on my cheek. I wondered how they got there, but quickly dismissed the thoughts, as I thought about the guy on that horse.
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The next day at school, I had planned a huge surprise for the teacher, as I had taped a smoke bomb under her chair, filled one of her drawers with frogs, and for a special effect, remote controlled the fire alarm.
I walked into the class, my hair held up in a pony tail, and my aquamarine eyes hidden by dark sunglasses. I had a jean jacket on, and a bandanna tied around my wrist. The only thing normal about me, was my selection in reading, Smoky, the cowhorse.
I sat down in a seat, and slumped back, resting my feet on the chair in front of me, before opening my book and starting to read.
"Miranda Cade! Is Miss Miranda Cade present?" A shrill voice called.
I looked up, and scowled. "My name's Randy, and I'd be pleased if you'd call me that." A few guys in the back snickered.
"Well, Randy. Please remove your feet from Jeff's seat, close your book, and proceed to take the notes provided on the board." The teacher replied.
I laughed. "And If I refuse to follow the guidelines?"
The teacher smiled. "A rebel, eh? We have many of those. Please join the back with Tex and Johnny."
I grinned. "With pleasure." I got up, bowed to the class, as some had started applauding, and took my place in the back.
"Howdy Tex. Erm, Johnny." I nodded my head to each in greeting.
Tex smiled back, and Johnny waved. "Nice to see ya again. How's the head?"
I shrugged. "Better than yesterday. By the way, I planted a few, erm, bugs in the ol' teacher's desk. Just you wait and see what, I, think about the old hag."
The day was going well. No screams of terror, no alarms, no smoke. Nothing. It was going as planned. Lunch. When we all sat and ate our lunches, I'd ring the alarm. Then, when we all came back in, I'd ask for a pencil from the teacher, as I had lost mine in the alarm rush, the frogs, and when she sat down after giving me the pencil, the smoke. I was ready for the ultimate revenge.
Hey, I live up to my name. Get used to it.
The lunch bell rang, and I went along with Johnny's sister, Jamie, much to my displeasure. But the way that Tex kept looking at Jamie, made me feel even worse.
"So, Where are you from?" Jamie asked me.
"Erm, Chicago. I moved because I was being abused by my power hungry father. Can I..?" I replied.
Jamie looked upset. "Then who'd you move here with?"
I laughed. "My perfect, self-less, rich, sister Diane." I glanced at my watch, and then reached into my pocket, and activated the alarm.
I grinned with pride, and waltzed out the door, while everyone shrieked 'Fire! Fire!' behind me.
Tex placed a hand on my shoulder, and Johnny folded his arms. "How'd you rig it to do that?"
I held up a remote control. "I reprogrammed the remote to set off the alarms, but not the sprinklers. Funny, huh?"
Johnny grinned, and raised one eyebrow. "What's next?"
"Frogs." I nonchalantly replied.
"And then?" Tex poked me with an accusing finger.
"Smoke. Now come on you two, We've gotta get back so we can hear, Miss Riggs screach." I pulled them both back into the school, and pushed my way through the crowd. "Get in there, Tex, and you too, Johnny." I shoved them both into the class room, and I followed.
"Hey, Miss Riggs, Can I borrow a pencil?" I inquired, my innocent face on.
"Why certainly, Randy!" She reached into the drawer, and shrieked, as a frog popped out. "Tex McCormick! Johnny Collins! Go to the principal's office."
I smiled. "Thanks for the pencil, but, I can vouch for Collins and McCormick. They were with me the whole day. Gave me a ride to school and everything."
Miss Riggs nodded. "Ok then, but, if another thing happens, I'm sending all THREE of you to the office."
We nodded simultaneously. "Aye Aye, Captain." I cheesily remarked.
The teacher returned to her desk, and smiled as the rest of the class came in. "Please take out your English books. We will be studying William Shakespeare."
I grinned, and stifled a laugh, as Mrs. Riggs sat down onto her chair. Pillars of smoke rose quickly into the air from under Mrs. Riggs chair.
The classroom was alive with excited babble, as I was nearly dying with laughter.
"That's it. Randy, Tex, and Johnny. You three go to the principal's office." She then pointed at the door.
I grinned mischievously, and nodded, grabbing my stack of books. "Once again, my pleasure."
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When we reached the office, the counselor invited us in immeadiately. "Well, if it isn't Johnny Collins and Tex McCormick. Now, what have you done this time?"
I grinned at her, it was funny that she hadn't taken notice of me. "THEY, didn't do anything."
She turned to me. "And you, are the new girl from Chicago. Correct? Miranda Cade, I presume? And what do you mean, they didn't do anything?"
I grimaced at the use of my real name. "My name's Randy, so use it right, or don't use it at all."
She raised an eyebrow. "What a lovely mouth you have."
I laughed. "It comes from having a lovely mind."
She smiled at me, and then at Tex and Johnny. "So, You guys, didn't do these pranks?"
Tex looked at me. "Naw. We didn't do those."
Johnny smiled. "Nope! Not this time."
She nodded. "Then you guys can leave." She wrote passes to admit them back to class, and then watched them reluctantly leave. The door closed, and she folded her hands, and looked at me. I mean really looked at me. It was like she was tryin' to read my soul or somethin'. "Well, I guess I know who DID pull those pranks. Do you not like Mrs. Riggs? Did you want to get back at her? Where you trying to get people to like you? I just don't understand, but I want to."
I laughed. "The woman hates me. So, I guess, that the feeling is mutual. She labeled my a dang rebel. Me? A rebel? Do I look like a rebel to you?" I stopped, and pretended to smile. "But, I don't want you to understand me, because no one can, and no one ever will."
She stayed the same, no change in facial expression. "Randy, you are unlike any other girl I know. Maybe unlike anyone I know. But being different sometimes has its disadvantages. Don't hide who you are from everyone. Now, you will serve a detention, along with Mr. McCormick and Mr. Collins. Now get back to class."
I glared. "I don't mind a detention, and I'm sure they don't either, But they didn't do anything. Why punish the innocent people of our school? Tex and Johnny didn't do anything!"
She smiled, truly smiled. "I wanted to hear that from you. Good! Ok Randy, No one has detention. Now scoot! I'm quite sure your friends are waiting for you."
I shook my head. "Sorry to tell ya, but I don't got any friends."
She opened the door, and pushed me out, just as Tex scrambled in.
I cursed, and fell, my books crashed to the ground. I narrowed my eyes. "What's your problem, kid?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Kid am I?"
I let out a hollow laugh. "Sure are."
Johnny just stared at me, and then picked my books, and handed them to me. "Here, You dropped these."
I nodded. "Thanks." Then, I smiled at both of them. "You guys ain't that bad, but that sister of yours, Johnny, She's too girly."
He nodded. "That's 'cause she's a girl."
I laughed. "Yup. And So am I, but I don't hand around with groups of girls, while gossiping about the cutest guys in school, and what color nail polish is in."
Just then, Jamie rounded the corner with the usual pack of girls. "Hi Tex! Hey Johnny, Cole said you have to be home today by 4, he needs you to help him with something."
Tex just stared at her, not saying much of anything.
"Tex! Earth to Tex!" I snapped.
"It's no use, He's out of it." Johnny remarked.
"What's he thinkin' about?" I asked.
Johnny sighed. "My sister."
My face kinda got red, and I started home, ignoring everything around me. I could care less about what Tex, or anyone else did.
Suddenly, I stopped dead. "Hey Girlie!" Someone shouted.
I shook my head, and went on walking, clenching my fists and unclenching my fists. But the calls didn't stop, and the got more and more obscene each time, until someone grabbed my shoulders.
I growled in response, kicked him in the gut, and then punched him flat in the jaw. "That should not only teach you that girls are better fighters than guys, but also, that you shouldn't talk that bad about people."
"Hey Randy! Wait.. Ah, Come on! Don't be like that!" Tex called from behind me. This time, I started running.
"Dang it! Come back! Johnny, can't your bike go any faster?" Tex spat.
I raised an eyebrow, but kept running home. I used to be on track, and I could out run anyone, and almost anything.
I stumbled over something, and fell flat on my face, but I quickly got up, and kept running, the pains in my legs and chest gone, as the adrenaline rushed through my veins.
"Fine When we catch you, Oh, it ain't worth it." Tex finally said.
I slightly grinned, but kept running, But just as I reached my house, I fell unconcious to the ground.
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When I finally came to, I wasn't in my house, surprisingly. "Erm, Where am I?" I managed to ask. I tried to scratch an itchy spot on my head, but found a large bandage on it.
"You are in my house." Someone answered.
The voice sounded familiar, but I just wasn't sure.
"Ok then, Who are you?" I inquired.
"Tex McCormick." He happily replied, as he came into the room I was in. "How do ya feel? Johnny had to go home, but he's bringing Jamie back so she can make sure you're ok."
I sighed. "I'm fine, but why in the world am I in your house? I remember falling and then running again. And then nothing. Black. Obsidian abyss. "And, Why would I need Jamie, the rotten pest, to make sure I'm ok? I can handle myself, Thank-You very much." I got up to leave, but Tex's face made me stop and sit down again.
Tex Frowned. "But, everyone likes Jamie."
I laughed. "Open yours eyes, Not everyone likes your girlfriend."
Tex sighed. "Oh. So that's why you're mad at me? 'Cause I liked Jamie? And, I ain't goin' out with her, not her, and not anyone else. But, can you at least stay for a little while. I think you got a concussion when you fell."
I clenched my teeth, but nodded. "I'll stay, but I still have to ride Rowdy after this. He'll go crazy if I don't ride him, and no one else can ride him, 'cause he'll kill them."
Tex looked at me, an odd look on his face. "Naw, I'll take you over to your house in a little while, but no riding. Please, Please don't ride." He sat down beside me, and ran a hand through my hair.
I stared at him, unmoving. Part of me wanted to kiss him, and part of me wanted to beat the snot out of him. But luckily for me, he made the first move.
"I think I might kiss you." He mumbled.
I just smiled. "If you do, I think I'll kiss you back."
He leaned forward and kissed me. And, I, kissed him back. But I pulled away before he could go any further.
"I think that it has something to do with my head. I can't believe that I kissed him. Nope! I'm dreaming." But I smiled slightly.
Tex raised an eyebrow, but let me continue my argument with myself.
"I mean I liked it, I really did, but...Oh God!" I sighed. "Tex, I really have to..."
Tex wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen. It's ok."
I choked on a sob. "I can't let it happen again. I can't. I've got to go. Please, let me go."
Tex held me, even though I tried to get up. He wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me over to him, so I was leaning against him. "Please don't cry. It's going to be ok. You aren't going to get hurt. Please don't cry."
I relaxed slightly, and listened to the soft murmuring of his lips.
He smiled slightly to himself, and kept going on.
But his words were so soothing, that I couldn't move. I didn't want to miss anything And he cared. God, he cared. If only for a minute or two. But I couldn't stay this way. Someone could get the wrong idea.
"Tex?" I managed to speak.
"Yeah Randy?" He asked, his voice still calm and soothing.
"I can't.I can't love you like I do right now. I can't. I just.can't." I wrenched myself from his grasp.
He smiled slightly. "I know. That's why I didn't let you go. I didn't want to let anything end. I didn't want to scare you. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
He nodded. "Really. Now, so this doesn't happen again, Meaning your breakdown, Tell me what happened in Chicago."
I shivered, and he wrapped his arms around me, so I felt I had to tell him. "I was in Chicago, and my father had been drinking again. I saw the bottles, and the look in his eyes was scaring me. But I didn't let him know it. He asked me questions, and I got kind of smart with him. It comes natural to me. I'm always mean to adults. I have good reason. So, he started hitting me with a belt. And when I just stood there without wincing or yelping, he got mad. So, he got a huge stick from outside, and started hitting me with that." I took off my coat, and rolled up my sleeve. On my arms, were massive bruises.
Tex looked enraged. "He did what??" He picked me up, and set me on a kitchen chair.
I shivered slightly when he yelled. "Don't yell. I hate it when people yell."
Tex looked at me, that odd look on his face again. "Ok, but these marks aren't all from sticks and belts. You've got cuts. Did he take a blade to you?"
I closed my eyes, and took a breath. "No. You're close though. He had a whip. He got a special whip for training Rowdy. But, when I didn't wince from getting hit with the stick, he took the whip to me. It was leather, so it cut. That's when one of the neighbors saw him, and reported abuse. And then, I got moved here."
Tex sighed. "I'll protect you." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "No one will hurt you again."
I smiled sympathetically. "Tex, I'll be fine. Just chill. I moved away from it. I just don't trust many guys."
He looked me in the eyes, and when I went to pull away, he spoke. "Randy, I know that you've known me for only about a week or so, but I think you trust me. If you don't, You can."
DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters that S. E. Hinton has made up. Although, I do, somewhat oddly, act like some of them. RANDY BELONGS TO ME!! Ask if you wanna use her somewhere else.
The person that inspired me to write this story, was one of my best friends, Bri. Thanks Bri!!
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~*~* Randy's P.O.V. *~*~
I pushed the my hair away from my face, as I stared at the vast country in front of me. God, if you REALLY wanted to be western, you could be. But me? Man, I'm a city girl, and comin' out here was killing me.
A sudden movement in front of me, made me near jump right out of my skin. Rowdy's ears pricked up, and he started towards a grove in front of me. I raised an eyebrow, but trusted my horse's intuition.
Rowdy pushed through the shrubs, and let out a neigh as he spotted another horse. I shook my head, but pushed Rowdy on towards the others.
"Howdy!" I sort of yelled, as I neared the guy.
He turned around, and smiled. "Howdy!" Then, he moved his horse closer. "Howdy, I'm Tex. Who're you?"
I grinned. "I'm Randy. Nice ta meet ya Tex." I held out a hand.
He kept that gorgeous smile going, and accepted my hand. "So, Are you new to town? I haven't seen you around much, and I know most people 'round here."
I shrugged. "Brand new. And I expect that you've lived here all your life, huh?"
He patted his horse's neck. "Pretty much, Yeah. And I ain't goin' anywhere anytime soon."
I laughed slightly. "Unfortunately, Neither am I."
He frowned. "What does that mean?"
I started off without answering. He was one of those guys that would drive himself crazy over what you'd said. But to my surprise, He followed me.
"Hey Randy! What didja mean by that?" He asked, after pushing the bangs from his eyes.
I laughed. "Man, Your persistent."
He smiled. "I do my best. Now, Answer my question. Whadja mean by 'Unfortunately, Neither am I'? I mean, You could leave if Ya wanted to."
I sighed. "Not really. I don't exactly have my own car to drive. Besides, Even if I did, I'd get sent back to a foster family, So I might as well stay here." I turned Rowdy towards a huge log, and set of towards it at a dead run.
Tex shook his head. "Slow down! You'll never clear it!" He started his horse towards us.
I sighed slightly, and pulled back on Rowdy, but we were too close, and we went straight over the huge log.
"RANDY!!" Tex shouted out, just as we hit the other side.
Rowdy snorted as we landed, and I nearly went over his head, but we had made it. I quickly checked Rowdy for any damage, and then trotted back towards Tex.
"Horses are like bikes. They do exactly what you want them to do, but better. Now Tex, What do ya want?" I smiled, my head slightly raised.
Tex stared at me. "I wanted to warn you about the ridge after the log, but you guys cleared it easily. Man You're good!"
I rolled my eyes. "It's not that big of a deal."
Tex smiled. "I've gotta go back. Will I see ya around?"
I laughed. "You should. I'm going to your school, and I live right next to you."
Tex grinned. "YOU are the ones that bought that house?"
I nodded. "Amazing, huh?"
He slapped a hand across one leg. "Well, I could walk you home."
I shook my head. "How 'bout I race ya."
Tex leaned forwards. "You're on."
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You can only guess who won. And then, he called me when I got home, to make sure I was ok. I found out later, when I looked in the mirror, that I had a huge bruise on my head, and a cut on my cheek. I wondered how they got there, but quickly dismissed the thoughts, as I thought about the guy on that horse.
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The next day at school, I had planned a huge surprise for the teacher, as I had taped a smoke bomb under her chair, filled one of her drawers with frogs, and for a special effect, remote controlled the fire alarm.
I walked into the class, my hair held up in a pony tail, and my aquamarine eyes hidden by dark sunglasses. I had a jean jacket on, and a bandanna tied around my wrist. The only thing normal about me, was my selection in reading, Smoky, the cowhorse.
I sat down in a seat, and slumped back, resting my feet on the chair in front of me, before opening my book and starting to read.
"Miranda Cade! Is Miss Miranda Cade present?" A shrill voice called.
I looked up, and scowled. "My name's Randy, and I'd be pleased if you'd call me that." A few guys in the back snickered.
"Well, Randy. Please remove your feet from Jeff's seat, close your book, and proceed to take the notes provided on the board." The teacher replied.
I laughed. "And If I refuse to follow the guidelines?"
The teacher smiled. "A rebel, eh? We have many of those. Please join the back with Tex and Johnny."
I grinned. "With pleasure." I got up, bowed to the class, as some had started applauding, and took my place in the back.
"Howdy Tex. Erm, Johnny." I nodded my head to each in greeting.
Tex smiled back, and Johnny waved. "Nice to see ya again. How's the head?"
I shrugged. "Better than yesterday. By the way, I planted a few, erm, bugs in the ol' teacher's desk. Just you wait and see what, I, think about the old hag."
The day was going well. No screams of terror, no alarms, no smoke. Nothing. It was going as planned. Lunch. When we all sat and ate our lunches, I'd ring the alarm. Then, when we all came back in, I'd ask for a pencil from the teacher, as I had lost mine in the alarm rush, the frogs, and when she sat down after giving me the pencil, the smoke. I was ready for the ultimate revenge.
Hey, I live up to my name. Get used to it.
The lunch bell rang, and I went along with Johnny's sister, Jamie, much to my displeasure. But the way that Tex kept looking at Jamie, made me feel even worse.
"So, Where are you from?" Jamie asked me.
"Erm, Chicago. I moved because I was being abused by my power hungry father. Can I..?" I replied.
Jamie looked upset. "Then who'd you move here with?"
I laughed. "My perfect, self-less, rich, sister Diane." I glanced at my watch, and then reached into my pocket, and activated the alarm.
I grinned with pride, and waltzed out the door, while everyone shrieked 'Fire! Fire!' behind me.
Tex placed a hand on my shoulder, and Johnny folded his arms. "How'd you rig it to do that?"
I held up a remote control. "I reprogrammed the remote to set off the alarms, but not the sprinklers. Funny, huh?"
Johnny grinned, and raised one eyebrow. "What's next?"
"Frogs." I nonchalantly replied.
"And then?" Tex poked me with an accusing finger.
"Smoke. Now come on you two, We've gotta get back so we can hear, Miss Riggs screach." I pulled them both back into the school, and pushed my way through the crowd. "Get in there, Tex, and you too, Johnny." I shoved them both into the class room, and I followed.
"Hey, Miss Riggs, Can I borrow a pencil?" I inquired, my innocent face on.
"Why certainly, Randy!" She reached into the drawer, and shrieked, as a frog popped out. "Tex McCormick! Johnny Collins! Go to the principal's office."
I smiled. "Thanks for the pencil, but, I can vouch for Collins and McCormick. They were with me the whole day. Gave me a ride to school and everything."
Miss Riggs nodded. "Ok then, but, if another thing happens, I'm sending all THREE of you to the office."
We nodded simultaneously. "Aye Aye, Captain." I cheesily remarked.
The teacher returned to her desk, and smiled as the rest of the class came in. "Please take out your English books. We will be studying William Shakespeare."
I grinned, and stifled a laugh, as Mrs. Riggs sat down onto her chair. Pillars of smoke rose quickly into the air from under Mrs. Riggs chair.
The classroom was alive with excited babble, as I was nearly dying with laughter.
"That's it. Randy, Tex, and Johnny. You three go to the principal's office." She then pointed at the door.
I grinned mischievously, and nodded, grabbing my stack of books. "Once again, my pleasure."
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When we reached the office, the counselor invited us in immeadiately. "Well, if it isn't Johnny Collins and Tex McCormick. Now, what have you done this time?"
I grinned at her, it was funny that she hadn't taken notice of me. "THEY, didn't do anything."
She turned to me. "And you, are the new girl from Chicago. Correct? Miranda Cade, I presume? And what do you mean, they didn't do anything?"
I grimaced at the use of my real name. "My name's Randy, so use it right, or don't use it at all."
She raised an eyebrow. "What a lovely mouth you have."
I laughed. "It comes from having a lovely mind."
She smiled at me, and then at Tex and Johnny. "So, You guys, didn't do these pranks?"
Tex looked at me. "Naw. We didn't do those."
Johnny smiled. "Nope! Not this time."
She nodded. "Then you guys can leave." She wrote passes to admit them back to class, and then watched them reluctantly leave. The door closed, and she folded her hands, and looked at me. I mean really looked at me. It was like she was tryin' to read my soul or somethin'. "Well, I guess I know who DID pull those pranks. Do you not like Mrs. Riggs? Did you want to get back at her? Where you trying to get people to like you? I just don't understand, but I want to."
I laughed. "The woman hates me. So, I guess, that the feeling is mutual. She labeled my a dang rebel. Me? A rebel? Do I look like a rebel to you?" I stopped, and pretended to smile. "But, I don't want you to understand me, because no one can, and no one ever will."
She stayed the same, no change in facial expression. "Randy, you are unlike any other girl I know. Maybe unlike anyone I know. But being different sometimes has its disadvantages. Don't hide who you are from everyone. Now, you will serve a detention, along with Mr. McCormick and Mr. Collins. Now get back to class."
I glared. "I don't mind a detention, and I'm sure they don't either, But they didn't do anything. Why punish the innocent people of our school? Tex and Johnny didn't do anything!"
She smiled, truly smiled. "I wanted to hear that from you. Good! Ok Randy, No one has detention. Now scoot! I'm quite sure your friends are waiting for you."
I shook my head. "Sorry to tell ya, but I don't got any friends."
She opened the door, and pushed me out, just as Tex scrambled in.
I cursed, and fell, my books crashed to the ground. I narrowed my eyes. "What's your problem, kid?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Kid am I?"
I let out a hollow laugh. "Sure are."
Johnny just stared at me, and then picked my books, and handed them to me. "Here, You dropped these."
I nodded. "Thanks." Then, I smiled at both of them. "You guys ain't that bad, but that sister of yours, Johnny, She's too girly."
He nodded. "That's 'cause she's a girl."
I laughed. "Yup. And So am I, but I don't hand around with groups of girls, while gossiping about the cutest guys in school, and what color nail polish is in."
Just then, Jamie rounded the corner with the usual pack of girls. "Hi Tex! Hey Johnny, Cole said you have to be home today by 4, he needs you to help him with something."
Tex just stared at her, not saying much of anything.
"Tex! Earth to Tex!" I snapped.
"It's no use, He's out of it." Johnny remarked.
"What's he thinkin' about?" I asked.
Johnny sighed. "My sister."
My face kinda got red, and I started home, ignoring everything around me. I could care less about what Tex, or anyone else did.
Suddenly, I stopped dead. "Hey Girlie!" Someone shouted.
I shook my head, and went on walking, clenching my fists and unclenching my fists. But the calls didn't stop, and the got more and more obscene each time, until someone grabbed my shoulders.
I growled in response, kicked him in the gut, and then punched him flat in the jaw. "That should not only teach you that girls are better fighters than guys, but also, that you shouldn't talk that bad about people."
"Hey Randy! Wait.. Ah, Come on! Don't be like that!" Tex called from behind me. This time, I started running.
"Dang it! Come back! Johnny, can't your bike go any faster?" Tex spat.
I raised an eyebrow, but kept running home. I used to be on track, and I could out run anyone, and almost anything.
I stumbled over something, and fell flat on my face, but I quickly got up, and kept running, the pains in my legs and chest gone, as the adrenaline rushed through my veins.
"Fine When we catch you, Oh, it ain't worth it." Tex finally said.
I slightly grinned, but kept running, But just as I reached my house, I fell unconcious to the ground.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When I finally came to, I wasn't in my house, surprisingly. "Erm, Where am I?" I managed to ask. I tried to scratch an itchy spot on my head, but found a large bandage on it.
"You are in my house." Someone answered.
The voice sounded familiar, but I just wasn't sure.
"Ok then, Who are you?" I inquired.
"Tex McCormick." He happily replied, as he came into the room I was in. "How do ya feel? Johnny had to go home, but he's bringing Jamie back so she can make sure you're ok."
I sighed. "I'm fine, but why in the world am I in your house? I remember falling and then running again. And then nothing. Black. Obsidian abyss. "And, Why would I need Jamie, the rotten pest, to make sure I'm ok? I can handle myself, Thank-You very much." I got up to leave, but Tex's face made me stop and sit down again.
Tex Frowned. "But, everyone likes Jamie."
I laughed. "Open yours eyes, Not everyone likes your girlfriend."
Tex sighed. "Oh. So that's why you're mad at me? 'Cause I liked Jamie? And, I ain't goin' out with her, not her, and not anyone else. But, can you at least stay for a little while. I think you got a concussion when you fell."
I clenched my teeth, but nodded. "I'll stay, but I still have to ride Rowdy after this. He'll go crazy if I don't ride him, and no one else can ride him, 'cause he'll kill them."
Tex looked at me, an odd look on his face. "Naw, I'll take you over to your house in a little while, but no riding. Please, Please don't ride." He sat down beside me, and ran a hand through my hair.
I stared at him, unmoving. Part of me wanted to kiss him, and part of me wanted to beat the snot out of him. But luckily for me, he made the first move.
"I think I might kiss you." He mumbled.
I just smiled. "If you do, I think I'll kiss you back."
He leaned forward and kissed me. And, I, kissed him back. But I pulled away before he could go any further.
"I think that it has something to do with my head. I can't believe that I kissed him. Nope! I'm dreaming." But I smiled slightly.
Tex raised an eyebrow, but let me continue my argument with myself.
"I mean I liked it, I really did, but...Oh God!" I sighed. "Tex, I really have to..."
Tex wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen. It's ok."
I choked on a sob. "I can't let it happen again. I can't. I've got to go. Please, let me go."
Tex held me, even though I tried to get up. He wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me over to him, so I was leaning against him. "Please don't cry. It's going to be ok. You aren't going to get hurt. Please don't cry."
I relaxed slightly, and listened to the soft murmuring of his lips.
He smiled slightly to himself, and kept going on.
But his words were so soothing, that I couldn't move. I didn't want to miss anything And he cared. God, he cared. If only for a minute or two. But I couldn't stay this way. Someone could get the wrong idea.
"Tex?" I managed to speak.
"Yeah Randy?" He asked, his voice still calm and soothing.
"I can't.I can't love you like I do right now. I can't. I just.can't." I wrenched myself from his grasp.
He smiled slightly. "I know. That's why I didn't let you go. I didn't want to let anything end. I didn't want to scare you. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
He nodded. "Really. Now, so this doesn't happen again, Meaning your breakdown, Tell me what happened in Chicago."
I shivered, and he wrapped his arms around me, so I felt I had to tell him. "I was in Chicago, and my father had been drinking again. I saw the bottles, and the look in his eyes was scaring me. But I didn't let him know it. He asked me questions, and I got kind of smart with him. It comes natural to me. I'm always mean to adults. I have good reason. So, he started hitting me with a belt. And when I just stood there without wincing or yelping, he got mad. So, he got a huge stick from outside, and started hitting me with that." I took off my coat, and rolled up my sleeve. On my arms, were massive bruises.
Tex looked enraged. "He did what??" He picked me up, and set me on a kitchen chair.
I shivered slightly when he yelled. "Don't yell. I hate it when people yell."
Tex looked at me, that odd look on his face again. "Ok, but these marks aren't all from sticks and belts. You've got cuts. Did he take a blade to you?"
I closed my eyes, and took a breath. "No. You're close though. He had a whip. He got a special whip for training Rowdy. But, when I didn't wince from getting hit with the stick, he took the whip to me. It was leather, so it cut. That's when one of the neighbors saw him, and reported abuse. And then, I got moved here."
Tex sighed. "I'll protect you." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "No one will hurt you again."
I smiled sympathetically. "Tex, I'll be fine. Just chill. I moved away from it. I just don't trust many guys."
He looked me in the eyes, and when I went to pull away, he spoke. "Randy, I know that you've known me for only about a week or so, but I think you trust me. If you don't, You can."
