Disclaimer: I do not own the characters S. E. Hinton does so do not try and a rest me.
A/N: I want to thank ALL my reviews. The more you review the faster I try to get the next chapter up.
I woke up the next morning with a killer headache and my knee hurting. I looked over at my alarm clock and groaned. It was only 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday and I had to be to work by 8. I didn't even know if I could make it down the stairs let alone go to work. Life was anything but fair.
I pushed off my navy blue comforter and put my feet on the different color carpet. It was my favorite thing about my bed room. The carpet was scraps of carpet from a friend of Darry's. He puts in carpet for a living and found out that I need some carpet for my room. So he gave Darry some scraps from the different jobs he did. They were just going to throw it out anyway and I liked it. It was unique, just like me.
I walked over to the trap door, limping every other step. I went downstairs to the bathroom. I open up the medicine cabinet and got out the Advil and some gauze for my knee. I took a couple of the pills and sat down on the toilet to work on my knee. It hurt like hell and the fact I was trying to wrap it wasn't making it any better. I was concentrating on it, biting back the pain. I guess I was doing too good a job at that 'cause I didn't even hear soda come in.
"So. What happen to your knee?" Soda asked as he sat down on the edge of the tub.
"Nothing." I said sharply and Soda looked at me skeptically.
Soda took a look at the job I'd done with the gauze and shook his head. He took it from me and started unwrapping the mess I'd made of it.
"Did no one ever show you how to use this stuff?" He asked
"Nope." I said and he frowned
"Well, watch carefully." He sighed
He started wrapping my knee again and I noticed how gentle and neat he was with the bandage. He was really trying not to hurt me and I was grateful. It was sore and I don't think Darry had to ground me, I was being punished enough. I winced when he accidentally pulled to hard and gave him a pained smile.
"Sorry" he said when he head me wince
"It's alright." I said knowing he was honest
"So talked I to Darry last night" He said casually
"And?" I asked
"And he said that you were out 'til one-thirty in the morning when you were supposed to be home at twelve." He said
"I was hanging out with some fiends and we lost track of time." I said going back to my story
"I really don't believe that. Where were you? If you were out with a boy there is noting to worry about as long as you didn't do anything." He added
"I wasn't out with a boy." I snapped "And I'm not scared if you guys find out if I was with a boy 'cause I wasn't. To tell you the truth I wouldn't give a damn if you did get mad about it. I am a girl it is a fact of life for me to date guys."
"Alright, alright. I didn't mean to get you mad. Just remember you can tell me anything. Ok?" He said looking me in the eye
"Yeah I know" I sighed as Soda finished working on my knee.
"You better get ready because Steve is gonna be here in less than an hour." Soda reminded
"Oh yes. Wouldn't want to make Steve wait just for lil' old me." I said sarcastically "I swear that boy spends more time paying attention to his hair then me."
I walked into the kitchen reminding myself how true that was. Sure Steve spent a Lot of time on his hair, but you'd think he'd know something about me. You could give him a quiz on Mary Katherine Curtis and he would ask 'Who?'
"Morning Darry" I said going over to the coffeepot.
I got a cup with lots of cream in it, turning the coffee a light brown color and walked over to table. I glanced at Darry who was wrapped up in his paper and probably didn't even hear me come in. Either that or he was giving me the silent treatment. I hated that. He knew yelling at me didn't phase me in the least, but ignoring me full out really got on my nerves. I swallowed my pride and decided I didn't want to be mad at Darry so I was going to apologize.
"Listen Darry. I'm sorry about yelling at you last night." I said as Darry made a start to get it up.
He turned to me and sat back down in his chair. He waited for me to go on. Great. Now I had to think up something to go along with I'm sorry.
"I was just really mad that you were treating me like I was a child. I mean come I am fifteen soon-to-be-sixteen and you treat me like I am five going on six." I said
"Listen M.K. I am sorry for making you feel like you're five going on six. It's just I don't want nothing bad to happen." He said trying to be very sincere "When you go out and come back late I worry that someone has done something bad to you and I don't think I could bare that."
"That's just it. In order for me to grow up I have to get my hands dirty and make my own mistakes. You can't be there for every second of my life, protecting me from the world, but you and the rest of the guys can help me go through it. Besides, I'm not a girly girl. I can handle myself when it comes to the streets."
"Yeah, I know. I guess I'm just being an over protective brother." Darry said.
He looked like he had been defeated in some great war right then and I felt worse than I had when he was talking. I stood up gave Darry a hug. I think he was surprised at first but he then hugged me back. It was one of those TV family moments that you never expected to have in your real life, but I liked it. Darry and I weren't that close, no matter how much he looked like my father, but we had our moments. I looked up at him and he was smiling slightly.
"I am still glad that you're my brother. It's ok with me if you are over protective because I know you doing it because you think it what's best for me." I let go of him and turned to Soda. "Now, as for you mister, I think I need to give you something."
Soda smiled and opened his arms for me to hug him. I shook my head and he looked at me questioningly. I ran over to him and tackled him to the floor I grab him by the head and started to wrestle with him. I managed to get on top of him and my arm was wrapped around his throat.
"Holler uncle" I ordered
"Never" he said trying to get in the upper hand.
"I don't think so. Call uncle and I will stop" I was so busy that I didn't notice that Steve and Two-bit had come in.
"Nope" Soda said
The next thing I knew Steve had grabbed me from behind and was holding me there. I felt safe like I was in one of my brother arms and that was the weirdest part. Not even the fact Steve had a hold of me could top that.
"Ha ha! Now who has to call uncle?" Soda teased
"No fair you cheated!" I cried
"Well all's fair in love and war." I gave him an evil glare and noticed that Steve still had a hold me so I elbowed him.
Steve let out a breath of air and I wiggled out of his arms. I smiled at him as he playfully glared at me.
"You know, all you had to say was let go." He pointed out
"Now where is the fun in that?" I asked
"I don't know but what I do know is that we are gonna be late if you don't get in to some work clothes." He pointed out
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I walked over to him and messed up his hair. Steve looked like he wanted kill me. "Well, must go get ready."
I ran up to my room and slammed the door behind me. I went over to my dresser and leaned on it for a minute. All that had really made my knee hurt. I was going to have to let up on the rough housing for a while. I got out Soda's old DX shirt and a pair of shorts, since I didn't do my laundry and all my pants were dirty. The shorts were dark blue and the shirt was light blue with a patch on it that said DX service station with Curtis on it too. I went down stairs onto the bathroom brushed my hair and teeth.
"Hey Soda can I brow you DX cap?" I asked Soda, who was in the living with the rest of the guys watching TV.
With the way Steve was hollerin' about being late you'd think he would have the good sense to keep from watching TV. I wonder sometimes if all that grease he uses has gone to his brain.
"Yeah whatever" He yelled back over the TV
I went into Pony and Soda's room and grabbed the hat of the end of the bed. I looked around the room and shook my head at the mess. Of course mine was worse, but hey! I am a teenage girl and there was only one of me where there were two of them. I went back into the bathroom and pulled my hair up into a bun. I put the hat on pulled the bun out through the hole. After shoving some loose hairs under it I walked into the living room.
"Ok I'm ready" I said as I stood in the door way. All the guys, that weren't my brothers, stared at me.
"Damn M.K. You are lookin' mighty fine today" Two-bit commented.
Soda knocked Two-bit over the back of the head and glared at him. I rolled my eyes. I noticed that Steve was not looking at me and had his eyes glued to the TV. I walked over to Pony who was sitting in between Steve and Soda. I sat on his lap and he looked at me like I was actin' weird. I smiled and he smiled back.
"So what has my little, yet very protective, brother been up to?" I asked making conversation
"Nothing really. I'm going be running at the game this Saturday. Do you think you can make it?" He asked
"Hmm...Yea I think so. And you should know I never miss a game." I smiled
I leaned back and put my head on Soda's shoulder. I looked at him with a smile on my face. He grinned at me with that movie star smile of his. He was a heart breaker already.
"So what are you planning on doing today since you get the day off and all?" I asked
"Hmm. I don't know. Maybe visit some friends, spend time with Sandy." I rolled my eyes when he said that he was gonna see Sandy. I think he noticed too. "Do you not like Sandy or something?"
"I...uh...I...ah...Steve isn't it time for us to leave for work now?" I asked
Steve looked down at his watch and nodded. I got up off of Pony's lap, said bye to the guys as quick as I could and walked outside to Steve's car. I was sitting on the hood when Steve decided to grace me with his presence.
"Get in the car we have to be there in 10 minutes" Steve said as he walked around to the driver's side.
I got of the car and hopped in the front seat. I buckled up while Steve was starting the car. Most Greasers don't bother with seat belts but Darry had drilled it into my head pretty good and it was just habit now. No one even commented on it anymore.
"So why don't you like Sandy?" Steve asked.
"I don't know. It's just something about her that gives me the willies and I just don't like her." I said "Plus she's always wearing make up and dresses and doing her hair up all fancy even when they ain't going anywhere."
"Uh huh." Steve said "Are you sure it's not because you're jealous of her?"
"No, that's not it. I would be fine if he dated some other girl. It just something about Sandy I don't like." I explained
"Um hum." Steve sounded skeptical
"You don't have to believe me. I know what I know and that is all the matters." I informed him and that was all that was said
We reached the DX in a few minutes. I got out of the car and when to the service part of the station. I signed in for another day at work and I knew it was going to be a long one no matter that I did. It was about an hour later when Mike and Steve came into the garage with my car. I smiled at them and went outside.
"I call this car since you got to have the last three." I said quickly
"I don't think." He said "This car is in need of a really good mechanic so I got it."
"No, I get to fix this car. After all, Mike is MY friend. So I should get to work on HIS car." I said sharply
Steve was about to probably tell me off good when Evie arrived. I smiled at him as I took the keys out of his hands. He glared at me and I stuck my tongue out at him. He turned to talk to Evie. I didn't like Evie much either. She wore too much make up, smoked too much and swore like there was no tomorrow. I went over to the tow truck and started to back the car up so I could work on it in the garage.
It was two hours later that I decided to see if Steve was still sore at me. The rule was that when one of us was in the garage the other was to be in the main part of the DX where the cash box was. The boss gave us hell if it wasn't watched and I even felt like we deserved it. I went to the service area and frowned when Steve wasn't there. I went to the door and saw that Evie's car wasn't there. Just great. He wasn't supposed to take off in the middle of a shift, but he did it anyway. I went to sit back at the counter and saw a note from Steve.
M.K.Went out with Evie I should be back before closing. Steve
Oh I'm gonna kill him when he gets back. I smiled to myself at least I get to work on the cars for a while, even if I have to lock up the main part of the station to do it.
It was nearly closing when I started keeping a look out for Steve. He was going to die when I saw him. Of all days to leave he had to choose the one day where we get packed down with business! And what's worse is that he was my ride home. Come closing time there was no Steve. I signed out, turned off the lights, locked the garage doors and locked the service center's doors before starting my 10min walk home.
I started to shiver it sure was cold outside and all I was in was a pair of short and the DX shirt. I wasn't too worried; I'd made the trip in worse weather in no more than this. It was when I heard that car come up behind me that I started worrying. Great! Now I was going to get jumped! This was just not my day. I heard the car pull up beside and looked over at it as calmly as I could. I gave a sigh of relief to see Two-bit and Dally in the car.
"What are hell are you doing walking home in the cold and in shorts too?" Dally asked "Especially in this neighborhood?"
"Steve went out for a break and never came back. He was my ride home" I said as I got as close to the car as I could. A running car gives off a fair bit of heat.
"Well come on and get in. Darry and Soda would kill us if they found out that you were walking home and we didn't pick you up." Two-bit offered
"Thanks Two-bit I always knew I liked you better than Steve." I smiled getting into the back seat
Two-bit turned around and gave me a grin. I grinned back. I was stared out the window just waiting to get home and into some pajamas with a big cup of hot tea. Both Dally and Two-bit were quiet on the way and I knew that was unusual for the both of them, but I figured Dally had just had a bad day and Two-bit was out of ideas. I shrugged to myself and watched the trees and houses flash by.
It was around 10 that I was sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in my hands and a blanket covering me up watching the news. It look like it was gonna be perfect weather all week, but I thought it was pretty cold. Ponyboy was in his room sleeping; Soda was on the couch watching the news too while Darry was reading a book called Roots by some guy. Darry always did like reading books about slavery and all that history like stuff. I thought fairy tales were much better. At least you know the bad stuff never happened and always has a happy ending.
Two-bit was out with Dally getting drunk and picking up girls. I didn't know where Johnny was or Steve, the asshole.
"Why do you like to watch the news M.K.?" Soda asked me suddenly
"I don't know." I shrugged "I guess because I hate not knowing what's going on around me. I guess it all started when I was little and mom and dad wouldn't tell me anything."
"Oh" He said going back to watching the weather
"Soda?" I asked
"Yea?" He answered
"Why do you like Sandy?" I asked
"I don't know." He shrugged "There is just something about her that makes me happy."
"Oh." I said and we were quiet for a minute "What would you do if you got this bad feeling about some one but everyone else totally trust them?"
"I don't know. Why?" Soda asked
"No reason" I anwered
We went back to watching the news for awhile and the only noise was crickets and TV. I looked over at the family picture that was still hanging above the TV. It was taken just a week before the accident. I can't remember where we were going now, but it was someplace special and Two-bit wanted to take our picture with some camera he lifted. He didn't tell Mom and Dad the last part, but they appreciated it all the same. Mom was in a white with pink flowers summer dress, Dad was in a nice shirt blue pin striped shirt with black dress pants and a jacket. Darry was in a black shirt with his lettermen jacket on and in a pair of blue jeans. Soda was in a blue t-shirt with a leather jacket on and in light blue jeans. Pony was in a t-shirt and some blue jeans, too. I was in a white sun dress with some yellow flowers on it. It was my one and only dress.
That day was the last day I ever wore a dress and the day that they died was the last day that I cried. Even then I didn't cry that much cause I had to be strong for Darry, Soda, and Pony and most of all I had to be strong for myself. That day was the worst day of my life. I still remember it....
Flashback
I was walking home by myself. I had a bad day and all I wanted to do was cook with Mom and have Dad teach me how to play the guitar some more. I was I had practiced every night and was really excited. Today was supposed to be my last lesson.
I was turning the corner when I saw police car at my house. I walked up to the front door and opened it. When I walked in I noticed that Darry was looking grim and Soda and Pony were crying. Darry looked at me. I froze right then. Nothing about this picture was right and two key members were missing.
"Darry what's going on? Where're Mom and Dad? Why are Soda and Pony crying?" I asked starting to panic a little
"M.K. Mom and Dad had an accident." I noticed that Darry was having trouble saying whatever it was that was bugging him. He took a deep breath and said "They're dead."
I felt my body go numb and that my day just got worse. I turned and looked at the police officers.
"Is there anything I can help you with? Because if there is nothing else I was hoping you could leave." I said and Darry looked worried you didn't get smart with Cops.
"No there is nothing else. I am sorry about your loss. I knew your Dad in high school. He was a great man and you mother was a sweet gal." He smiled, as if truly sympathetic and I smiled back at him.
"Thank you, sir." I showed him to the door. I watched as him as left my house.
I turned to my brothers. I knew I couldn't cry right now I had to be brave. I walked into the kitchen and put some tea on for them. I went back into the living room and sat between Soda and Pony. I gave them their cup of tea and just comfort them like Mom would if she was around. I looked up at Darry who was silently crying. It scared me. Darry had never cried and I had never expected him to but here he was and I couldn't do anything. I motioned for him to come and sit with me.
It wasn't long after that Pony fell asleep on my shoulder. Soda was still up. Darry got up and carried Pony to bed.
A couple days later was the funeral and I still hadn't cried and I didn't cry at the funeral either. Then one day not long after I got home early, hoping that pony didn't get home before me because I knew he would start cry with no one there with him. I got home to find out I was all alone. I wasn't bothered that bad by it but it still felt weird. I went over to the corner of living room and started to play the guitar. I was in the middle of a cord when I just burst into tears. I would never finish my lessons or see my father again. I felt so lonely. The door had opened then and in came Darry, Soda, Dally, Steve and Two-bit. They all looked at me. Soda and Darry came over to me.
"It ok M.K. its ok" Darry said taking me into his arms
"It not ok!" I nearly screamed "My parents are dead and I am crying I can't cry! I have to be strong."
"No you don't M.K. You can cry, you have to cry it's not good to have emotions to bottled up." Soda said tearing up himself
"It just isn't fair! I want my Mom. I want my Dad back. None of us deserved to have this happen. I just I cant do it I can't be strong like I should be. I just want to die." I confessed
"No you don't baby girl." Soda took me then and rocked me back and forth saying soothing things in my ear as Darry got me some tea. I fell asleep with Soda holding me.
I woke up the late at night in Darry's room. I went into the living room to found soda and Darry just setting around.
"I...uh...I, uh hey" I said not knowing what to say
"You really don't want to kill yourself do you M.K.?" Soda asked and I shook my head.
"I can't sleep. Can I just stay with you guys?" I asked
End of flashback
I was fourteen then. I'm fifteen now and I still think about that day. I also remember how I said that I wanted to die. I almost did the day before I cried. No one knew but me. To tell you the truth I really am glad I didn't. I thank god for the day that he gave me the strength to get through that hell.
"Do you guys ever think about Mom and Dad and about what has happened and what would have happened if they hadn't died?" I said quickly and looked over at them. Darry set his book down and stared at me. Soda sat up straight and also looked at me. I wondered where Pony was then too.
"I do. Sometimes when I'm in my room I swear I can hear them laughing or when I wake I can her Mom humming and Dad scrambling to get you guys ready. Then there are thoughts times when I'm in the kitchen get some water I can smell Mom' perfume or Dad's cologne." I looked at the guys again to see what they would do.
"Yeah, sometimes I hear them" Darry said heavily
"I do too." Soda said nodding
"Just wondering." I said
Then Steve walked in with a big smile on his face. I looked at him. Steve happy was another thing he didn't show much
"Why are you so happy?" Soda asked.
"I just had the best time of my life!" He even sounded happy
"Sorry, but I can't guess what happened and I don't want to here about it." I stood to leave but stopped. "Hey Darry can I go to the game next Saturday?"
"Yeah you can." He said going back to his book now that the serious talk was done
Thursday
I've been spending a lot more time with Mike lately and I think Steve is getting annoyed with it or he is just feeling like being an ass to me. Either way I could have cared less. Since that night I walked home on my own I'd been as cold to Steve as I could and he's bumped up the ass routine.
I was walking to parking lot with Mike. I told him that I wasn't going to go to the race this weekend since I was grounded. Plus the fact my knee still hurt and I didn't want to hurt it even more. I couldn't' afford to go to the doctor when we were just getting by as it was.
"It's a shame that you aren't gonna be going, but its good money for me." Mike smiled
"I know it is" I said looking over at Steve and saw that he was glaring at me or Mike, either way I didn't appreciate it right then.
"Look I got to go. Steve is my ride and he is looking kind of impatient. So I'll see you tomorrow" I gave Mike a friendly hug and started my way over to Steve.
"Get in the car, we have to go." Steve snapped angrily.
"What's the matter with you?" I said getting into the car.
"Nothing. I'm just getting tired of having to wait for you" He said starting up the car
"Well sorry. I wasn't really happy when I walked in on you and Evie kissing at the station or when you left for work early to go screw her either." I snapped back
Steve pulled up to the station faster than was wise, but he pulled up with plenty of clearance
"Well if you don't like it then don't watch"
"Well if you don't like waiting for me I should just get another ride here" I glared at him
"Maybe you should" Steve said slamming his door
"God Steve you are a complete and total ass!" I yelled
I got out of the car and slammed the door shut, too. I glared at him and walked to the service station. I open the door and turned around to see Steve right behind me. I slammed it right in his face.
"What the hell?" He asked angrily
"Why don't you just go to hell Randle?" I said just as angry
I went to the sign in sheet and started my way to the garage to find Sandy and Soda making out. Great. If it wasn't one of them it was the other!
"God! Why can't you guys get a room and stop using the work area as a make out place?" I almost yelled
"What's the matter M.K.?" Soda asked totally oblivious to what I was yelling about. This wasn't the first time I had caught them and it shouldn't bother me but it does!
"I got to get out of here" I walked back out of the garage and into the service station.
"Where are you going?" Steve snapped
"OUT" I answered
"Out where?" He asked coming after me
"Out to make out with someone! Then I might find out why you two seem to hink it's ok to do it every chance you get! If not I'm going home. I don't feel good." I slammed the door and started towards home
Saturday
I'm still pissed at Steve, but I'm not going to let that get to me. Tonight Katie and I are gonna have girls night out, just the two of us. It had been a long time since we had spent time together since I had been grounded and all. I was so glad Darry was letting me go. I don't think I could stand another night in the house with no where to go except work where Steve was waiting to torment me. Since we both love football Katie and I decided to go to the game. It was Hornets vs. Panthers. The Panthers were the home team so there would be a lot of red and green colors tonight.
We where at the front gate when Katie saw her boyfriend who just happened to be there. I glared at Katie who shrugged and led me over to him. His friend Bryan was there too and I was starting to wonder if I was being set up for something. Katie had always told me she wanted to double date so I wouldn't put it past her. This was supposed to be our night though! I wasn't impressed.
We found seats in the bleachers and waited for the game to start. Bryan tried to make conversation several times but I was bound and determined not to have anything to do with him aside from sit beside him. He was just another Steve. I was reminding myself I was pissed at Steve too! I put all of it out of mind and waited for the game.
I was really having a great time! I'd been watching foot ball since before I could walk and I'd been to every one of Darry's games when he played. It was one of my favorite things in the world and it was really putting me at ease. For the first time in days I had something else to concentrate on besides Steve and I was lovin' every minute of it.
Bryan was still talking about himself, thinking I was listening and Katie and her boyfriend had been making out for a good half an hour. I guess the only thing keeping me sane was the football game. I was really starting to wish I had gone to the races instead of this, but I didn't know how this would turn out. I put it all out of mind and focused solely on the football game. I really got into it and even roared and sighed with the crowd. It was during the best play of the game when McNeill faked a hand off to Sutton and they made a touch down that I jumped with the rest of the crowd and cheered as loudly as I could. I appreciated a good play as much as the rest of the crowd!
Suddenly I stiffened and the game was the furthest thing on my mind. Bryan had a firm hand on my butt and I felt dirty, like I was being felt up, which I was! I turned and evil eye on him before hitting him right on the side of his pretty face. He sputtered and Katie pulled away from her boy friend to gasp at what I had done.
"I've had it." I said walking down the stands
"M.K! He didn't mean it." Katie said with little to no certainty in her voice
"Oh he meant it alright." I yelled back now on the ground and heading towards the parking lot
"M.K!" I stopped long enough to look over at Soda who was calling my name
I loved Soda. I think he was one of my most favorite people but he was also with three of my least favorite people; Sandy, Steve and Evie. I kept on walking and heard Soda's feet on the grass as he jogged to catch up to me.
"M.K what's wrong?" He asked getting in front of me so I had to stop
"You're male so explain to me why all your half of the species is only concerned with feeling up girls and yammering about themselves for hours on end?" I snapped
"I...uh..." Soda stammered
"That's what I thought." I said trying to push past him
"What happened?" He asked sternly
"I was with Bryan, a friend of Katie's boy friend. I thought I was doing a good job of ignoring him but I lost it when he grabbed me like that." I explained
"Some boy grabbed you?" Soda asked getting all defensive
"I got him good, so don't get all mad or anything." I said calming down a bit "I don't know. I just wanted to get out of here."
"You come sit with me and no boys will bug you." He said and I nodded
I and Soda went to where the others were sitting. They were good seats and I figured I could get into the game again while Soda was making sure I wasn't going to have to hit any other touchy guys. I finally relaxed and enjoyed the game, glad for the first time in several minutes I had come. It all turns out to be right when you're with the people you love.
A/N: I will try and get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Please review.