The sentence hung between the two of them, the silence almost deafening in its stillness. Dallas's thoughts raced as he stood frozen, valiantly trying to keep his expression neutral. But it was futile since his face had betrayed him the second Jason had spoken those words. His widened eyes and the tightening of his jaw had been enough confirmation for Jason.
How does he know? What do I say? "What store?" Dallas asked innocently.
"Cut the act Dallas. If you don't tell me what I want to know right now, I will pick up that phone and call the police." He was shaking in his rage.
Dallas crossed his arms and stared at him defiantly.
Jason took a deep breath. "Fine, then." He walked over to the phone, and dialed a number in. Dallas stood watching him, a cynical smirk on his face. Yeah right, like he was calling the police. He didn't have the backbone.
"Hey, Will?" Jason said into the phone. Dallas straightened at that. Wasn't Will Officer Roberts's son? That could mean...
"Can I talk to your dad, Mr. Roberts?" Jason asked as he glanced at Dal. "Hello, Mr. Roberts, this is Jason. I was calling to-"
Dallas had walked over and plucked the phone out of Jason's hands and slammed it into its cradle.
Jace crossed his arms and glared at Dallas, his anger still fully evident. "Are you going to answer my questions now? Because I can easily call him back."
Dallas heaved a huge sigh, and reluctantly nodded.
"Good."
The two of them walked back to the table and took seats opposite each other. Dallas sat on the edge of his seat, his body tensed, like a tiger ready to spring at the slightest movement. After a moment's pause, Dallas spoke:
"What do you want to know?" His voice was calm, and this time his face didn't give anything away.
"Everything," Mathews said simply.
Dallas groaned, and slouched back into his chair. "Everything," he repeated.
"Okay, let's start with why did you rob that store?"
He rolled his eyes. To explain that he would have to explain everything. And he didn't want to explain anything, especially not to this soc.
"I felt like it."
Jason straightened in his chair; Dallas wouldn't be able to push him any further; he could see that. He opened his mouth to elaborate a little more on the robbery, when Jason snapped out his next question.
"Who's Johnny?"
Dallas flinched. His breathing quickened, and it was an effort to slow it back down. "Johnny?" he questioned, playing for time.
"Yes, Johnny. The one Carly heard you calling in your sleep, the one I heard you calling in your sleep, and the one they were talking about on the radio before you turned it off." Jason looked up puzzled as he said the last part.
"That guy on the radio...he said a Johnny had helped save some kids from a fire." Jason gazed unseeingly into space as started piecing together parts of the puzzle. "And then that Pony-whatever helped him, and then they were just going to tell about the other boy when you turned it off." He stared at Dallas. "It was you wasn't it?"
Dal shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked away.
"I don't get it. First you save some kids from a fire, and then you go and rob a store?"
Dallas stared at the table, never taking his eyes off it. "Johnny died," he whispered softly.
Jason glanced at him then looked away out the window, gazing at the storm raging outside, at a loss for words. Finally he said quietly, "I'm sorry." He hesitated then, "What about that Pony kid? What happened to him?"
"He's fine." Dal got back down to business. He searched for a way to keep Jason from calling the cops on him. Yeah, him saving those kids should help, but there was still the fact that he had robbed the store.
"Listen, uh, about my robbing the store...uh," Man, apologizing was harder than it looked, "I just wanted to, uh-"
Jason interrupted him. "Forget it. You don't have a gun anymore, and I took your knife. And hopefully you didn't get another one." Dallas quickly nodded confirmation. "You were upset since Johnny died. I guess that's what hoods do when they're upset. Well, the radio sure did a bad job of reporting that." The last sentence was muttered under Jason's breath, but the hood still caught it.
"What do you mean by bad job reporting?" Dal asked sharply. His ice blue eyes flashed as he lifted his gaze from the floor and onto Jason.
Jason stared right back. "Several days ago I was on my way to school and the radio said that a 'fugitive from Tulsa was believed to be heading down near the McAlester area.' It said his name was Dallas Winston, he had robbed a store, and he was believed to be armed and dangerous." Jason recited the radio's announcement easily from memory. "It conveniently left out the fact that you had saved some children from a fire, and that one of your friends had died because of that."
Another thought crossed Jason's mind. "By the way, why did you save those kids from a fire? No offense, but you don't seem like the kind of person to do that. Like you don't seem the kind of person to worry about their grades." Jason shook his head at the thought of Dallas's excuse a couple days before.
Dal shrugged. "Wasn't my idea. Johnny and Pony rushed off to save the kids, I was just making sure they stayed out of trouble. Lot of good it did, too," he whispered to himself.
Jason heard the whisper, and most of his earlier anger dissipated at the thought of losing a friend. If he had lost his friend Will, well, he wouldn't have robbed a store, but then again he wasn't Dallas Winston.
Dallas cocked his head as a thought occurred to him. "You said you knew about me days ago. Why didn't you call the cops?"
Jason shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. "Because I knew there had to be more. A person who robbed a store doesn't forget the money when he runs," Jason smiled a little, "and he doesn't try to kill himself just because he thinks the cops might get him." The smile faded.
The incident with the knife flashed clearly before Dallas's eyes. "So you knew I thought it was the cops that day."
Mathews rolled his eyes. "Dallas, we aren't that naïve. The whole family knew you were a hood the day we found you. So we knew you had to be running from something."
Dallas still struggled to understand. "Then why didn't you call the cops? You knew I was a hood."
"Being a hood isn't a crime, Dallas."
"But after you figured out I had robbed the store, then why didn't you called the cops?" Dallas pressed the question again.
"Well, like I said, I figured there was more. I didn't want to call the cops until I figured it out. But to be on the safe side, I had Lori follow you around when I wasn't home." Dallas glared irritably at him, and Jason grinned.
"So you're the only one who knows I'm a criminal." It was a statement, but it also was a question. Had Jason told anybody else?
"Well, I did ask my dad about you. Discreetly, don't worry," he added as he saw Dallas's worried look, "I simply asked what if you turned out to be a criminal."
When Jason didn't elaborate, Dal leaned forward. "And? What'd he say?"
Jason shrugged. "He simply said that criminal or not, God had brought you here for a reason. That was good enough for me so I didn't tell him you had robbed the store. And besides, you were itching to leave anyway, so I figured we could hurry and patch you up, you'd be gone, and my hands would be clean."
Dallas looked back down at the floor, then he shifted his gaze back to the ceiling. "So...so, you're not going to tell anyone I robbed the store?" He made sure he didn't squirm as he waited for the answer.
"Not unless you make me."
Dallas gazed at the ceiling a while longer, digesting the thinly veiled threat, then he brought his eyes level to Jason and nodded slowly.
Jason stretched and got out of his chair. "Well, I'm about worn out. It's tiring staying up and worrying, waiting for you to get home." He gave a tired grin, but it disappeared as a thought occurred to him. "What were you doing out so late?"
"Hanging out with my friends." He quickly evaded the question.
Jason stared at him silently for a second. "Do I really want to know?"
"No."
"Winston, I want to keep believing that my decision to keep what I know secret is the right one. So please don't do anything that'll make me second guess myself." He paused as he let the words sink in, then he turned and walked out of the room.
Dallas sat there for a long time. The impact of what he had almost done was just hitting home. Jason could have easily called the police once Dallas had left with Cliff and the gang. He didn't have to wait and give Dallas a chance to explain. Dallas was sure lucky.
Darry had been right. He shouldn't do anything illegal until he got home. It was his only chance. But it was awfully hard to break a habit. He was a hood, after all.
'Being a hood isn't a crime, Dallas.'
Funny, back home it had always been a crime. The police thought so, the socs thought so, and even the greasers and hoods themselves thought so. If you were a hood, you were a criminal, and you did criminal things. Everyone knew that.
Dallas knew for a fact that hoods were criminals. He himself was one. Hoods were criminals. He knew that.
Then why did Jason's comment feel so right?
Hey, sorry it took until Monday, people. But things were happening at home, good things mind you, and that took up time. And then on top of that, I got a cold. Just a little one, but enough to where if you drink something you have to be careful because you can't breathe! =)
Anyway, I know this was a pretty short chapter. But I wanted to keep this part separate from all the others. And hopefully there was enough going on that you don't feel cheated out of a chapter.
MissLKid- Thanks for being the first one to review. Yep, Jason knows a lot more. Well, at least you have one week down. Just go day by day and soon the school year will just slip by. Slowly, but it'll slip by.
bitterspirit- Thank you, thank you. I love cliff hangars myself. Both in reading them and in writing them. =) Good guess, he did listen to the radio. Glad you think I did a good job with last chapter.
steves-girl- Hey, I'm glad you have your computer back! Oh, how technology changes the world. We have everything on our computers, and when they go down, your entire life just seems to be upside down. Now I'm not putting technology down, I love it, but it is amazing how fast we adapted to it. Awww, thank you. You're making me blush. =)
Oblivious Misconception- Yeah, you would think Jason would say something right away. But then they all knew he was a hood and they didn't say anything. And with the way Dallas has been acting this entire week, Jason knows there had to have been more. Thank you, I try to keep the plot moving; I don't want this story to just drag its heels in the dust forever. Everyone will quit reading and I won't get my precious reviews! =) Well, the prison rodeo is an actual event. I got this fascinating tidbit of info from fellow reviewer Robot In Disguise. She e-mailed me a story about the McAlester Prison Rodeo. No, I could never make up something that creative. Thanks for your review!
Cinderbrat- Hmm, so you've decided there isn't going to be a romance? Interesting. What are you basing this on? I'm actually really curious. How come you've changed your mind? A sequel? Well, I haven't really thought about it. I might be able to pull of a sequel, my ending is probably the perfect spot for a sequel to come in, but I never really thought about a sequel. I guess it will depend on how many reviewers ask for one, if any, and if I think I could do it. Because the one thing I don't want is to write a sequel that just stinks, and ruin it for everybody. So you liked the cliff hangar? Oh, yes, Dallas is getting much better. He's a quick learner; he has to be since he lives on the streets. Well, that's why I write this story; as a reward for people once they finish their homework. No, bumper stickers don't come off that easy, and I'm kind of hoping that this one stays on until the story's done. So I'll try my best to keep it there. =)
CiCi- Yep, Jason knows. Well, not necessarily bad. I mean, it could work out for the better. If Jason hadn't known, he could have just let Dallas run around with that gang all the time, and they might have gotten in a knife fight and died, and then we're right back to the end of the Outsiders. So it could be a blessing in disguise. =) Sorry, bad joke, but you never know what could happen because of one little thing you do. =) Thanks for the review!
Malara- I'm so sorry!!! Please forgive me. I didn't want to write this too early and not try my hardest at getting it good. I'll tell you a secret, shh,- I didn't even go back and reread the other two chapters. I just hurried, wrote them, and pasted them on. And they were okay chapters, but I think I could have made them better. So I'm going to try and reread this chapter and get it pretty good. Okay, let me see, you're saying Dallas can be different but he doesn't have to be, and that he can be in character but he doesn't have to be. Is that what you're saying? =) And I understood the comment on the plot, and thank you! And I must say, I absolutely loved your other reviews. ALL IN CAPS SHOUTING FOR ME TO UPDATE AND THEN have a nice day. It cracked me up! You sounded so in charge and in control; you were going to get me to update, and then this sweet little kid says have a nice day. Thanks, that made my day!
DaNNi BaBezZz- Well, you're just a good guesser, I guess. Question: what do you mean by Dallas getting into the race? I don't think I remember a race, but then again, I could have forgotten something I wrote. Sad, huh? Thanks for the review!
Beth- Well, welcome home! I must say, it was kind of lonesome on the computer not having your reviews or e-mails to keep me company. =) Well, I'm glad you enjoyed 8 so much! Your favorite chapter? Wow, thank you! Hope you laundry comes out okay! I have a weird thing when it comes to laundry. I don't mind putting the clothes in the washer, it's just the taking them out, folding them up, and the big kicker, ironing them! Horror! Ironing is one of the worst things invented. It's not fun to do, it's not so hard that you have fun concentrating and getting it done, but then again it's hard enough that you can't just do it and watch TV or something. You have to watch what you're ironing. Well, there, I'll get off my soap box about ironing and washing now. Thanks for your review! =)
me- You have made my entire week! Seriously, WOW! Thank you so, so, so, so much! And yes, if you haven't figured it out, I give you permission to post this on your English site. I do have one request though; could you give me the address of the site? I would love to learn more about your school. I like learning about other places. But thank you so much for thinking so highly of my story that you would post it on your class site! Aww, man THANK YOU!
Joker is Poker with a J- Interesting name. But then, I guess my name sounds weird to other too, huh? And yes, I had to end it there. I love cliff hangars. But, I have not put very many in this story. I really just enjoy reading them. I haven't put cliff hangars into practice very much. I was sad too when Dallas died. But I was sadder when Dal died. I loved Johnny and it was so sad when he died, but Hinton kind of told you to expect that. Johnny was the cute puppy of the gang, and what better way to hurt the gang than kill the puppy? But then, just when you realize Dal has a soft side and that he's actually human, she ups and kills him. I mean when I was reading the end, I was in total shock! "How could she do that? Dallas, you idiot, don't!" Well, now that I've shown you I'm totally insane...=) I get carried away in my reading, I know. I watch movies and read books, and if I got hooked on it, and then the ending is sad or just bad, I can walk around all day just thinking about that. Anyway, thanks for the review!
Malara- Already talked to you earlier. Have a nice day, too, and I sincerely apologize for making you wait so long.
crimson cutie- Ugh, two weeks with no internet! That's sinful! Yes, Dallas needs to work on his cover stories. Obnoxious? I must admit, she probably is just a little bit. I tried not to make her obnoxious. You know, in most movies and books, if it's action, drama, or sports, the one girl in the story just annoys you to death. They all make them horrible! That's because they always have this romance going, and they do a bad job with the romance! Sorry, I get a little irked about that.
I think Jason is just concerned for his family. I mean, he kept the fact that he knows Dal's a criminal secret, but he wants to protect his family. Well, Dallas, Texas has always what has come to mind when I hear Dal's name. I have never even read Tex. Actually, I haven't read any other Hinton book besides Outsiders. And I don't think I'm going to read any more. Sorry, but she just makes too sad and too realistic for me. The only sad ending I can really take is Roman Holiday. It's a movie, and it has a sad ending, but it is soooo good. You need to watch it if you haven't yet.
I don't know if Dal is irked because of Nathan's disrespect. Really, all he's been concerned with is keeping Cliff's respect, and keeping him quiet. Right now, he's in survival mode: who cares about what a stupid hood from McAlester thinks right now? Well, I agree with you, it was probably a little illegal. I don't think hoods get together to have tea. Well, he knew before the rodeo. I think he was acting strangely because Dal got out of the family's sight for a while, and he didn't think that was a good idea. Which, obviously, it wasn't. Thanks for your long review!! I love 'em!
Okay, well, I hope this makes up for the rather short reviews last chapter. Sorry about that, I know, if you take the time to actually write a review, you should get something in return. I feel the same way, and I try to make it worth your while to review.
Happy Labor Day! And to make mine an even happier one, please review! Thank you, have a nice day, =), I'll see you when I write the next one (which will probably be another week and maybe a couple of days more.)! Thank you!