Disclaimer: I only own Bleu.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~Chapter 2: The Gang~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two-Bit hopped up on the Curtis' porch and opened the door. "Anyone here?" he yelled, and then entered without waiting for an answer. Johnny and I followed him while Dally hung outside to smoke a cigarette.

The inside of the Curtis' house was just like I had remembered. The kitchen, the couches, and the rest of the gang sprawled out throughout the house. Steve Randle, a tall, lean seventeen year old, was lounging on one of the sofas smoothing his swirls he made in his hair and talking to Sodapop Curtis, his best bud. Soda, if possible, was even more handsome than I'd imagined. His brothers Darry and Ponyboy were pretty handsome characters too. Darry would be better looking if he'd have some fun once in a while. I mean, he's only twenty but he acts like an old man, roofing houses 24/7.  Ponyboy was more easy-going, yet was pretty quiet most of the time. He's into reading and writing, and considers himself different from the rest of the greasers.

Sodapop and Steve jumped up when they saw me. "Bleu!" they said in unison, and ran up and gave me a big bear hug. I laughed and pretended to be choking. Steve ruffled my hair and said, "Hey Bleu! How've ya been?"

"Pretty good, Stevie," I replied, using my nickname for him, "What have you and Soda been up to while I was gone? Still working at the DX?"

"Oh, yeah," Soda said, "Some things never change."

I grinned and asked, "Where's Pony and Darry today?"

"Darry went to work early and Pony's upstairs reading."

I dashed upstairs, and then slowly tiptoed to Pony and Soda's room. I saw Pony reading on the other side of the room, his back to me.

I quickly made my way over to him, then grabbed and shook his shoulders. "Boo!" I yelled, stepping away.

Ponyboy jumped off of his chair, clutching his chest. "Bleu!" he gasped, "I was right in the middle of Frankenstein! You scared the heck outta me!"

I put my arm around his neck and ruffled his hair. "Sorry, Pony. You forgive me?"

He gave me a grin that reminded me if Soda. "Of course, Bleu. Let's go downstairs."

He led the way down into the living room. I saw that Dally was still outside, flicking his ashes at the ground as if they were scum. Dallas looked like he'd grown up in a prison; his bright blue eyes would make his face handsome if they weren't so bitter and cold. His silhouette reminded me of an elf. One of those possessed, evil ones that would stab Santa without a moment's hesitation. It scared me, and I wondered how Johnny felt about this individual.

When Two-Bit saw me, he jumped up and immediately walked over to Pony and I. "Hey now, Ponyboy, don't you think about stealing this beautiful young lady. I had my eye on her first," he said, slipping his arm around my waist.

"Hey, Two-Bit I thought you only dated blondes!" Steve said, loud enough for both of us to hear. Two-Bit slid his finder across his neck in a 'shut up' motion. We all laughed, and I sat down next to Johnny on the floor.

Dally came in then and sat down next to me, after giving Two-Bit a look. Apparently he had heard the whole thing. "So anyone wanna go see a movie?" Dally asked.

"Soda and I are taking out Evie and Sandy in half an hour, so count us out."

"I have to finish a book for English class," Pony said quietly. I had a feeling he didn't want to see a movie with Dallas Winston.

"Two-Bit? Johnnycake, you and Bleu wanna come?"

"Me and Johnny'll come," I replied. Dally gave me a sly grin and I shifted closer to Johnny.

"Eh, I might show up. Don't count on it though," Two-Bit said, staring at Dally after he gave me a 'look.'

"Cool." Dally stood up and offered me a hand. I took it nervously and asked, "When are we going?"

"We can go now if you want, doll."

I didn't like the way he called me doll. "Okay," I said slowly, "That OK with you, Johnnycake?"

Johnny nodded. I noticed that he doesn't talk as much as he used to.

I gave everyone a hug goodbye, and when I hugged Two-Bit he whispered, "Watch out for Dally, toots."

Confused, I gave him a small smile and nodded. Dally put his arms around Johnny and I and we walked to Dally's car.