Disclaimer/Author's Note/Review Gratification:
Uh, for disclaimer see Chapter One.
I would like you all to know that this story takes place before the events of the book. They'll happen, just not at the moment. Now for the reviewer gratification! And remember, if I didn't get you this time you're sure to be gotten next Chapter. Gah! More description in this chapter. Sorry folks!
Steves-girl-13: I'm glad you can stand it! I had so much fun writing it and some of the stuff I have for the future is looking really fun too. Steve's such a dork!
Stayingold88: Aw, I'm so glad you guys like this. You don't know how much reviews make my day… unless you do… hm…
Banana4422: Updating! Updating!
Bottle Rocket Baby: Ooh, I found a balance! The only one I'll have in life… just kiddin'! I love writing, so I'll update a lot I hope.
TheAngryPrincess13: More updating! More updating!
Volleyballlover: This is exciting. I love your stories and hope you update yours soon too! I promise I'll update this as much as possible just for you guys!
Blue jean babe: I would tell you but that would give away later plot twists and other important stuff, so you'll have to keep reading. It should be exciting though.
Chapter Two
The next morning I woke up the smell of eggs, bacon, and hash browns.
I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I stumbled into the kitchen. I had, had a bad dream last night that made me wake up three or four times, at least. Darry and Steve were talking by the stove. Steve was cooking.
"Mornin' bed head." Darry greeted, ruffling my hair. I stuck my tongue out at him and gave him a hug.
Darry Curtis was 20 years old though, sometimes, you wouldn't know it. He acts old for his age because he's had to work two jobs while taking care of Ponyboy and Sodapop, since their parents died in a car accident. He could be handsome too, if he didn't look so tired all the time. He's got dark brown hair that kicks out in the front with the cutest cowlick in the back. Actually, he looks a lot like Mr. Curtis did, but Darry's eyes are his own. They're the prettiest pale green color.
"Mornin'." I replied, still sleepy.
"That actually smells good Steve-o." Sodapop said, sticking his head in. "I'm getting in the shower and then we can head to work."
"Yeah," I agreed. "It smells good even if you're the one cooking it."
"Good deal." Steve said. He scrambled more eggs with one hand and with the other he leaned over and ruffled my hair.
"Will y'all cut that out? It's messed up enough as it is." I tried running my fingers through it to straighten it out a little but stopped after getting caught in a mess of tangles. I needed my brush, which I always left in the bathroom.
"Hey, Scarlet, why don't you go wake Ponyboy up?" Darry asked. I nodded and crept into the room Ponyboy and Soda shared.
"RISE AND SHINE SLEEPING BEAUTY!" I announced, pouncing on the bed. Ponyboy rolled over, knocking me flat on my butt. His head shot up from the pillow and we both erupted in laughter. I don't know whose hair was worse- his or mine.
"What smells good?" He asked, rolling himself out of bed.
"Steve made eggs and bacon." I said casting a glance at the bathroom where the shower had just finished up.
"We're going to die!" Pony moaned, making his way to the kitchen. I laughed again and clapped him on the back.
Ponyboy Curtis, the youngest member in the gang at 14, is one of my best guy friends. He's really dreamy and always has his head in his clouds. He's got this really serious look on his face and if you didn't know him you would think he was dull, but he's not. Looks wise, he's got hair like Soda's, only a little lighter. He wears it long and slicked back with a lot of grease. His eyes are green-gray, but he claims they're gray.
"Looking at the two of you together reminds me of a bird I had once." Two-Bit remarked. "Yup, they built nests. And your hair looks a lot like 'em." Then he broke up laughing.
"Ha ha… not funny." I muttered, taking a plate from Steve.
The food really did smell good. Two-Bit thought so too because he reached for a slice of bacon from the frying pan only to get a thwack with the spatula.
"Keep your greasy hands out." Steve scolded.
"They're greasy alright." Two-Bit agreed, rinsing them quickly under the sink before grabbing a beer from the fridge.
Two-Bit Mathews, whose real name is Keith, is a Mickey Mouse obsessed, 18-year-old with no job. He drinks to calm his nerves but he's funny. Two-Bit can lift things better than even Dally. That's how he got his switchblade. He only dates blonds, something I don't get, and he hangs around here more then he does his own house. Two-Bit's looks aren't anything to brag about. He has long, rusty sideburns, which are his pride and joy. His eyes are gray and are always laughing.
"Gross." Pony and I said at the same time. I shook my head as the front and bathroom doors opened at the same time.
"Here ya go." Soda said tossing my brush. I caught it.
"Thank you kind sir." I grinned.
"What's all this cooking about?" Came the sweet sound of a New York accent.
"Steve made breakfast." Darry pointed out, grabbing a piece of toast.
"Really?"
"Yup." I said, throwing my plate in the sink and rushing into the bathroom. Steve followed behind.
"We're goin' to work. Are you gonna meet me and Soda for lunch?" He leaned in the doorway.
"I- ow- dunno. Can I- jeez- bring Audrey?" I asked. I just started combing my hair.
"You're gonna rip all your hair out. I guess she can come." Steve sighed.
"Then I will."
"Alright. Be good and don't get into trouble. And if you see Curly today remember that-"
"He's a Shepard and he'll do anything to get in my pants. I know!"
"I guess you do." Steve said, giving me a hug. I shuddered and pretended to faint. He rolled his eyes and left.
"Don't go working too hard today, deal? You get grumpy when you work." I called out before closing the door and changing into the clothes that I had brought along. A simple red skirt that reached my knees and a plain white blouse. Next was makeup. Nothing fancy, just a little mascara and eyeliner. I looked at myself in the mirror.
I'm okay looking. I've got dark brown eyes like Steve, except mine aren't scary. I have freckles on my nose and cheeks, which make me look like I'm still ten. Yuck. The worst thing is my hair. My mom calls it dishwater blond, but I call it ugly. It's too curly, especially when I want to wear it down and can't.
"Hey kid, where'd you… Oh, there you are." Dally said popping in. I jumped a foot in the air.
"You've got to stop doing that. You're gonna give someone a heart attack one day."
Dally shrugged.
Dallas Winston is the kind of guy who goes looking for trouble. I secretly admire him though, because he's the only greaser I know who really doesn't care what people think of him. It doesn't hurt that he has a police record that goes on for a mile and a half even if he's only 17! He got arrested at the age of 10 and hasn't quit since. He thinks he's a stud because he rides in rodeos and his hair is naturally blond. Dally's eyes are ice blue and remind me of a tornado. You can't tell what he's thinking or feeling.
"You have a message from your boy toy." Dally informed me.
"Let me hear it."
"You don't sound excited."
"I don't feel excited. Don't you go telling him that either!"
"I won't. He wanted me to tell you that he's sorry again for lying about you, but kid I have to tell you something else."
"Later Dal. I've gotta get to the park. I told Audrey I would meet her over there yesterday. Said she was dying to tell me something."
"It's impor-"
"Which is why you can tell me later. Hey Pony, are you going?" I said skipping past the kitchen and to the front door.
"Yeah. Two-Bit don't watch TV all day." Pony warned. Two-Bit was sitting in front of the TV, beer in one hand, watching Mickey.
"Let's go." I said. I walked down the stairs to the driveway and turned a cartwheel. After Darry had taught the boys that, Steve taught me. Told me it was something all girls needed to know.
"Do you love Curly?" Pony asked me about ten minutes later. I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Why?"
"Just wondering. I mean, Soda says he loves Sandy and Steve has to like Evie a lot to stay with her for so long. So I was wondering if you loved Curly."
"Can you keep a secret?" I asked as we walked onto the grass. I could see Audrey on the merry-go-round.
"Sure."
"I'm in love with someone else."
"Really? Who?"
"It's a secret. Hi Audrey!" I exclaimed as my best friend in the whole world tackled me to the ground.
"Hey SR," Audrey McCleary enjoyed making me angry by calling me SR. It sounded so… boyish. And I am not a boy. "Hi Ponyboy."
Audrey is a mousey looking girl with her stringy brown hair that falls to her shoulders and clear blue eyes. She was real quiet when we first met, but now I can't get her to shut up. We met in the seventh grade and have been attached at the hip since then. I can tell her more than I could ever tell anybody in my life and we've seen each other cry on more than one occasion. More than Steve's ever seen me cry.
"So what is this big important thing you have to tell me?" I asked as I plopped down in my favorite swing. Audrey took the one next to me as Ponyboy lit a cigarette. He was leaning against the slide.
"You know that friend of yours. The super quiet one… Johnny?"
"Of course."
Johnny Cade, the last and most memorable member of our group, could be summed up in the word quiet. He has big black eyes that remind you of a scared and nervous puppy. He's got long black hair that was greased back but he needed a haircut. His skin is dark and fits in with the rest of him. Johnny's parents aren't the nicest folks in the world. They beat on him and ignore him all the time. It pisses me off just thinking about it.
"Well, I have a crush on him."
"You what?" I asked, not sure if I heard right or not.
"I like him."
"Oh…" was all I could spit out. How do you react to your best friend having a crush on someone who was like your brother?
"I'm thirsty." Pony said, breaking the silence that had fallen over us. I nodded and jumped off the swing.
"Me too." Audrey agreed.
"We could walk over to the DX and get something early. Lunch seems so far away." I said.
"SR, it's almost eleven. How are you not hungry?"
"We had breakfast late." Pony told her. "Steve cooked."
"I'm surprised you're not wiggling on the ground dead or something." Audrey raised her eyebrow.
We walked along the street, close to The Dingo. I peered inside the window, wondering if anyone I knew was in there. And that's when I saw something that made my heart skip a beat in my chest.
((End Note: CLIFF HANGER! I hope this doesn't sound too Mary Sue and that the guys don't sound out of character. Trust me, not everyone will get what they want and I'm not trying to change the plot. I'm trying my best not to make her perfect or dramatic or what have you. I've got an awesome plot twist though and unless you're a mind reader I don't think you'll guess it. Unless you do and then I cry. Anynoodlez let me know if I start sounding Mary Sue so I can make changes.))