Jason Barks saves the day…well maybe not

Bailey looked over at her cousin and she could have sworn they could have been twins. Darry sort of pushed Bailey away and answered his little brother's question.

"She is Bailey Clare Parker and Auntie Jade's youngest daughter. She will be living with us for a while." Ponyboy walked up to her and shook her hand.

"Names Ponyboy, That's my brother Sodapop, we call him Soda, and that's my best friend Johnny Cade." Bailey smiled and shook back. It was a good start to life in the Curtis household.

Bailey met the whole gang. She became Ponyboy's 2nd best friend and Johnny's other friend. The three of them for the most part were inseparable. In high school, she was just as smart as Pony and had the same classes. She did have art with Johnny instead of creative writing that Ponyboy had. She stayed away from Darry when he was in a "mood" and avoided Dally and Steven.

One night in October, Bailey had missed her bus to get to the house and had to walk home. She had listed to Darry lecture her how life here was ruff here compared to where she had grown up. Bailey hadn't believed him truthfully. She was walking really fast and was in a deep thought trance. I got to get home and change I promised to go with Johnny and Ponyboy to the movies. Her steps quickened and her long blond hair wrapped around her face.

She was almost home and in Greaser territory, when she heard the roaring of a mustang. She knew if she turned around a soc would stop his car. It was to late thou, the socs where hollering at her now.

"Hey Bailey Parker. Bails Parker!" screamed one of the socs. Bailey swung around and glared with her green eyes, she found Bob Sheldon, Randy Anderson and Jason Barks looking at her.

"Do you need something socs?" Bailey asked.

Bob smiled and walked closer to her, "Your so pretty Bails, Why not come with us for a drive?"

Bailey could smell the beer on his breath; he came closer and touched her face. "I will not! Stay away!" Bailey called almost hollered. Randy called to Bob from the car, "Leave her be incase some greasers hear her." Randy also held a beer bottle and it made Bailey want to throw up. She watched Bob think over his choice and before he stepped closer, clean-cut Jason made the choice for him. "Bob, come on we got to go get Cherry and the others."

Jason helped Bob into the car and walked back to Bailey, "I'm sorry Bails, and you didn't deserve it!" Bailey only nodded and said, "Thanks Jason." He slid his hands threw his hair, grinned his trademark grin, and walked back to the car. Then Steve and Sodapop came running around the corner, they were to late because Randy had already sped off.

Bailey just stood stupid and got her thoughts back fast. Steve and Soda were walking up to her. Soda asked, "You ok Bails? Did they hurt you?" Bails smirked and said, "Nah they were to drunk to do anything and Jason told them to leave me alone!" Before Steve could say something Bails walked towards the house with Steve and Soda on her tail.

Bailey opened the door to the house and found Darry on the couch and Ponyboy in the kitchen with Johnny. Darry heard her feet and stood up and hollered, "Where have you been Bailey Clare." When he used that name she knew he was angry. "I was walking home because I missed the bus. And I was stopped by Socs and they were drunk." Darry threw us arms up, "How many times do I have to tell you Clare you can't treat this place like home!" Bailey hated her middle name and Darry knew well. "I am safe and you know the Socs won't hurt me." Darry stormed into his room and slammed his door.

Bailey looked up at the gang just starring at her. Soda just kind of stood stupid and then Steve said, "We got to get to work Soda. Come on." Soda woke from his trance and nodded. They left with no more words. Johnny walked behind Bails and whispered, "Don't worry, and Go get ready." Bailey turned around and hugged Johnny. Johnny shoved her (nicely) and she ran up the stairs. Ponyboy grabbed Johnny's sleeve, "You like my cousin or something?" Johnny shoved Ponyboy (playfully) and they chased each other around the house till Dally came into the house. Bailey came running down the stairs in blue jeans, a blouse, sneakers and a ponytail. Dally glared, "Bails dress normal!" Johnny yelled at Dally, "Leave her alone!" Bailey grinned at Johnny and grabbed Ponyboy's arm and they were off to the movies.

Dally kind of walked behind the 3 teens. Bailey headed for the gate to sneak through. They all made it and sat in the back row of the chairs. The movie was long and by the end of the night Bailey was fast asleep on Johnny's shoulder. He gently shoved her and Ponyboy ticked her sides. Her eyes grew huge and she laughed really hard. Dally came over and said, "Time to go kids, I don't want Darry ringing my neck." Ponyboy smirked and said, "Do we really have to?" Bailey yawned and started towards the fence.

Johnny fallowed with Ponyboy behind and Dally too. As they reached the street a red convertible mustang pulled up. Bailey saw Randy and Bob staring straight at her.

Dally got in front of her, "What do you want socs?" Bails looked at Ponyboy and Johnny. (Hint before the rings episode with Johnny and Bob) They both looked like they were ready to murder the socs. "We came to talk to Bailey Parker." Randy said. She turned at the ear when she heard her name and walked in front of Dally. "What do you want Randy?" she asked. "Will you go for a ride with us or we might not use violence. We got cars around the corner just waiting for our signal!" Bailey's eyes went huge; she turned to see Johnny and in his eyes showed pure hatred for the socs. If I go there will not be violence but if I don't people will be hurt.

She looked at Randy and answered his question with a simple word. "…."

I had to leave a cliffhanger.

Lighthope1 out for now