Author's Note: Okay, kiddies don't freak. This is another chappie!!! Hurray and finally eh. I'm doing my best to make it really long to make up for the time you guys had to wait and I'll try and make it exciten. I'm glad everyone enjoyed the character change, lol I thot I'd get ppl chasin me with pitchforks but that's good that no one tried it…yet. I'll fix everything by the end tho. So don't worry about Mr. Matthews. ;)
Thanks to all my cuddly fuzzily and loveable reviewers. You guys are the best:
Jacky Higgins- LOL, I'm so happy you think I'm keep him in character. I think that's the hardest part keeping them the way they were in the novel. Thanks a lot for the kind words about my writing, I've have quite a few people say that and it makes me feel so good. Ya, I thought the last chappie was kinda freaky too and I was kinda scared to put it up cus Two-bit is so different in this story but I hope everyone keeps readin.
Nicole- Well, thanks for the great review, and I'm sorry I didn't right soon like you asked but because I love the review from everyone so much I tried to make this extra long, but it prolly isn't. But still, here is a lot more.
Myhubbyisob- Ya, that was the whole reason I thought of the story. I was thinking about his name and then I was like wow wouldn't that be crazy if he wanted them to call him Keith and Keith was like an entire different person. Thanks for the awesome review hope you like this chappie.
MedinaMax- Awe, people seemed to enjoy watching Dally fall? Lol, poor guy. Ya, I guess the chappie was kinda freaky, I didn't think so tho but I guess it takes a lot to freak me out. Writing this last chappie tho I think most of you will agree hes a lil bit scarier. I'll make it all betta tho in the end. Thanks for the review.
Delirious-joy- Thanks for the AWESOME and SPECTACULAR review. Lol. Sorry it was short but hey, i try. This chappie is longer than the last and I can't stand short chappies so I did my bestest to make this one long. I just got out of exams so bear with me. And hope you enjoy.
Ale Curtis-Carter –Awe, lol I'm crying. I can't believe I made your top ten…if you have a top ten…well…that I'd make your top ten if you had one. I just wanna take a few seconds to thank everyone that got me this far. I'd like to thank my agent Jerry and my mom and dad and my best friends Cletus and Bobby Sue. And to my reviewers and the poor computer that takes a beating everytime it doesn't load my stories on fast enough. LOL. Oh and please don't hurt no one okay, I'll fix, promise. ; )
Mrs. Benji Madden- He'll be like this for a bit, but hey I no you like it. You say eek but i know. Don't worry tho he'll be good as new in the end. I've got this big finish to bring him back, its gonna be great. I'm slowly making my way there. Enjoy and thanks for the kind words.
Dreamer4lyf718- Ooooh, I'm so glad people loved this chappie, I'm glad no one got upset for me messing around with Two-bit like that, but it is kinda cool tho. I'm so happy I got five stars, I hope their gold stars, cus then I can pin them on my shirt and show them off to everybody. Thanks a lot for the great review, how you have fun readin this chapter.
Goldengreaser- I love his mom too. When I thought about including her I was like wow I wonder how she should be. I pictured her just like Two-bit except she was a woman but she'd be funny and everything. I'm glad you thought it was funny too, I'm trying to make it funny and still crazy so I guess I'm doing my job so far. Keep readin and enjoy this chappie.
Ashlee- Okay, your review was like the first one I got for this chappie and it was such a nice one too. I'm glad you enjoyed the way he came and helped everyone. I was thinking about what to do for that for a while because I didn't want it to seem all corny or nothing and I guess the way I did it worked out great. And in response to you wanting more changes in Two-bit, well here ya go. A WHOLE LOT MORE COMING! For now anywho. So enjoy the chappie and the two-bit troubles.
AND NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ON TO THE MAIN EVENT…..
Chapter 5:
Johnny kept a good eye open for anyone important on the third floor. Behind him was a metal door marked Medical Supplies which Dallas just happened to be inside. With the light fingers he had practiced at achieving, he began to pocket random items that could be useful to him and his injured arm. He wasn't doing it for the thrill of stealing this time; instead it seemed like an honest steal, if there was such a thing. Arm cut up, all bloody and raw, he couldn't just leave it like that and he didn't have a penny to his name. In the end he figured he'd be paying taxes one day and this would just be a little IOU until then.
A few rolls of gauze, some thread, a bottle of Neosporin and a hand full of cotton balls later Dally emerged. A toothy grin spread across his face to hide the pain that continued to circulate through his arm. Like always the front he had put up worked and Johnny didn't even cringe when he caught sight of the arm.
"Come on; let's get back to the room."
"That don't hurt none?" Johnny asked, gesturing to the wide gash. Dallas shook his head, the smile only growing.
"Shoot kid, this is nothin. Heck, I remember this one time…" Johnny listened intently as Dally went on to recount one of his famous stories. He'd heard them all before but it didn't bother Johnny in the least. Dallas lived a life of excitement, with wild parties, and beautiful women. A life where anything seemed possible and there were no boundaries or rules that could hold a person back. His life was one many would die for but never get. It was one that Johnny envied and respected with every being in his body. That was why he looked up to him the way he did, because when he felt so afraid, so timid and helpless all the time, there was Dally, the complete opposite. Taking chances with his future, never thinking before he acted, he lived by the moment. It was stupid and childish, but it was something he admired deeply.
"Two-bit Matthews, you sit your butt down right now! You hear me?"
Mrs. Matthews, eyes burning with rage, stood inches away from her thickheaded son. Even with the new personality change, he was still stubborn as hell which made it hard for his mother to control him. Two-bit turned to her, bloodied jeans from the night before hanging from his hips and leather coat in hands. He leaned in, lips pursed and whispered,
"The names Keith m'a. Get it?" He smiled and headed for the door.
Dallas curled a grin, leaning carelessly in the doorframe to block any exit Two-bit planned on making. It was interesting having Two-bit or Keith as he called himself around. In so many ways this new person reminded Dally a lot of himself. He was rude, coldhearted, bold and above all other things seemed tougher than nails. Shoot, he wanted to get the ol Two-bit back, but the ol Two-bit could get on someone's nerves real fast. This one however, well, he was starting to grow on Dal. Even if the rusty hared bastard had come after him with a broken bottle, it took guts to do that. Especially when it was Dallas Winston you were coming at.
"Where ya goin?" Dally's voice dragged out casually. Two-bit made an almost animalistic sound in the back of his throat, before shrugging and trying to shove Dallas aside.
"Shit, I ain't goin nowhere if ya don't get outta my way." He backed up from Dally, waited and shot him a glare. It was if he expected Dallas to be frightened of him, to just immediately back off. If that had been the case than poor Two-bit had hit his head just a little too hard. "Well…"
"Well what?" Dally snapped.
"Fuck, I don't have time for your childish bullshit."
Without bothering to say another word, Two-bit took hold of Dally by the collar of his shirt. Dallas' eyes began to narrow just as he was thrown to the floor. It was the second time in one morning he found himself looking like an ass. He scrambled hurriedly to his feet to finish what the Rusty hared greaser had startedbut it was too late. The doorway was empty. Only Mrs. Matthews, Johnny and Dally remained in the room.
"I should be getting home" Mrs. Matthews whispered, stepping close to Dallas. "Take care of him son. I don't want him getting into anymore trouble." Dally nodded, and watched while she turned into the hall.
Her arms shook recklessly at her sides while her body went through another series of sobs. She had to keep it together. Two-bit was a smart boy when he needed to be, he could take care of himself. He just needed to blow off some steam or clear his head or get drunk or whatever he needed. After it was over he would come back home and be good as new. Well, not new, old. He would be the ol Two-bit again, the son she knew not the stranger walking around in his skin.
Inside the room, Dally was just finishing up his arm, with some poor help from Johnny when there was a slight knocking sound from the hall. Before Johnny could even get to his feet and gain his full height again, there were four greaser bounding into the room.
Steve whistled loudly and threw a heavy arm around the darker greasers neck. Sodapop, Pony, and Darry were only a few feet behind him. It was Darry with his keen eyesight who noticed the hospital bedempty. The sheets were ruffled and the pillow had the indent of a head and few spots of red but there was no Two-bit.
"What happened?" Darry demanded, voice low as he set his gaze on Dallas.
"Why do you always assume when something bad happens, I'm involved?"
Steve rolled his eyes dramatically. "Because you usually are."
"Don't start with me again Randle." Dally hissed warningly.
"Yeah, you ain't gonna tell Darry that your responsible for this?" Steve gestured towards the bed.
"I ain't."
"Look, something obviously happened. You even got this to prove it." Steve did the unthinkable. His oil stained fingers found their way onto Dally's arm and with a vulture grip, clamped his hand down on the bandaged section. Dallas' eyes bulged while the rest of his face wrinkled in pain. He was doing his best to keep the look emotionless, like it didn't bother him, but it did. Without thinking, which was what Dally usually did, he wrenched his arm from Steve's hand before returning the favor with a strong right fist. The greaser stumbled back before landing with a hard thud on his ass. Pony let a small chuckle escape and Dallas grinned.
"Anything else you want?"
"Come on," Steve encouraged.
Darry stepped between the two. Things weren't going his way at all.
"The both of you grow up! It's the second time today I've broken things up. Now, Dally what the hell happened to your arm? And where's Two-bit."
"Well, which news do ya want first?" Dallas began casually, making his way into a nice stiff chair.
"Which news is there?" Pony asked.
"Well, there's the bad news, and the really bad news."
"Bad news" Darry answered for everyone.
"Okay, well Two-bit woke up."
"How is that bad news" Steve snapped, finally able to stand on his own two feet.
"Well, the doc was right about him not rememberin anything. He's kinda different. Calls himself Keith and he's as hard as a rock."
Soda burst, unable to hold back the impending laughter. "Two-bit! He's the biggest joker, the biggest …"
"I know. But it ain't like that anymore. He's cold and mean, didn't even crack a grin. I'd watch out. He took off just a few minutes before you guys showed up. His ol lady was here too, she couldn't do nuthin for him either."
Dally sighed and rested his eyes.
"Shit" Steve mumbled still in surprise.
"So, what's the really bad news?" Darry pressed, unsure if he wanted to hear it.
"The bastardcut my arm!" Dallas growled raising up his arm and grimacing. Steve didn't bother to comment on it and instead rolled his eyes once again.
Two-bit or Keith as he preferred to be known, spent the next few hours wondering about the dull, lifeless streets of Tulsa. It was another sweltering day, with the cracked asphalt sizzling every time a drop of sweat rolled down his back and onto the ground. His head still ached, but it was more of a hangover feeling than the 'I feel like I'm dying' sense. He couldn't be bothered with recuperating in the hospital, not with nurses who acted as if a lobotomy would be a dream come true for them. Sticking needles into every available vein and prodding him to make sure he was alive, treating him more like a lab rat than an actual patient. No, he wouldn't stay there a minute longer.
During the absence of his two pals, Two-bit was able to spend some quality time with his mother. She seemed a bit shaken about the whole ordeal, her voice coming out in short stutters now and then although she tried to keep her calm front. Dallas had told her enough of what had happened to help her in telling her son. Two-bit listened obediently to what she had to say, but really, he hadn't forgotten what had happened. She might have thought it, but hadn't even bothered to ask him if he remembered anything. He remembered the way he was, childish and naïve, always the joker, but this new attitude and persona that had suddenly washed over him like a gentle summer's rain. Refreshing and cool, it made him feel complete. It was something he had never felt before, giving him this rush that sent his heart beating to a different rhythm. This must have been what Dallas felt all those years, that was why he acted so hard, so cold all the time. It gave him the same rush it did Two-bit.
The new and improved greaser stopped, a sly grin coming over his face as he finally reached his destination. Before him was the little Diner, the one all the rich kids, the south side socs visited. He was stepping into territory that didn't belong to him, adding to the already increasing war between the two gangs and yet, for once he didn't care. This time it wasn't between greasers and socs' it was between a hood and a whole bunch of assholes waiting to get their heads kicked in.
Two-bit shoved his way through a group of well dressed kids and made his way up the stairs and into Rusty's. (and I think that's wut the soc hangout was called. Sorry if its not.) He found a few glares directed his way, but ignored them. At the back of the Diner he could already make out the familiar faces and the abnormal features that seemed pieced on them awkwardly.
"Well, if it ain't lil red riding hood. What, ya get lost on your way ta grandma's?" one of the socs laughed, taking a long sip on his Coke. He waited for Two-bit to say something but when the greaser didn't answer him he got to his feet angrily and gavehim a slight push. "What the hell are you doing here? This aint you're turff."
"Payback." The word came out quietly in a sadistic tone that sent shivers down through every bone in the socs body. The air in Rusty's turned deathly quiet with only the sound of the soc swallowing down the hard lump in his throat to break it. Two-bit's increasing smile revealed tobacco stained teeth, while his lips curled in a malicious way. Without anyone moving or saying another word, the greaser let loose a right hook. The boy who had unfourtunately been standing on the otherside of the blow, hit the floor with a nauseating sound that came dangerously close to the sound of bones snapping. "Now, it's time for the real fun." Two-bit advanced on the helpless soc, face hard and emotionless.
It was going on nine p.m. when Dallas Winston finally caught sight of what he'd been trying to track down all night. Sitting in the lot, on the hood of his banged up old car was Two-bit, cigarette dangling carelessly from his mouth. Dally almost thought he looked the same, almost like the old happy go lucky guy he remembered but as he drew closer to the car and the greaser, he realized it wasn't the same person at all. His eyes were bloodshot and filled with a dark nothingness that when compared to made Dally's look so heavenly.
"Hey, I've been looking all over for you." Dallas called out. "I didn't know where you were."
"Well, obviously you did if you're here talking to me" Two-bit replied in the dull monotone voice that he seemed to be accustom to.
Dallas tried to shrug it off, but it was just too strange. He liked the old Two-bit, yet the new Two-bit was pretty interesting.
"I heard someone jumped some socs in Rusty's today. Beat them good."
"Yeah, and your point…"
"Was it you?" Dally asked. Two-bit slid off the hood of his car and threw is cigarette into the nearby grass.
"Yeah, it was."
"You know that ain't gonna help with the war we've been havin out with the Socs.'"
"It had nothing to do with the war. They jumped me I jumped them. Thought you'd understand" Two-bit snapped pulling open the door to his car and climbing in. He started the engine up with a few curses and acouple turns of his key.
"I do Two-bit…"
"Keith!"
"Whatever the hell you wanna be called" Dallas yelled. "The point is you can't just go around doin this shit. Your gonna get one of us jumped because you were an ass."
Two-bit smiled. "You're one to talk. Big Dallas Winston preaching to the choir. Never thought I'd see the day."
"Neither did I" Dally replied, realizing now exactly what he had been saying.
"I guess this makes it a whole new ballgame. For everyone." Two-bit burned rubber almost nicking Dallas as he took a sharp turn out of the lot and sped off down the road.
&&Okay, guys wut do ya think. I read it over and i think meh, its okay. But thats the way i am with everything. So tell me. Wut do ya like, dislike, the only way to make things better is if i no.Okay.
