When Hearts Like Ours Meet

Star's POV

Clutching my pounding head I rolled over slowly mindful of my sore body. Last night had been the most passionate night of my life, even if it was just a one-time thing. Sighing I rolled on to my side realizing the pillow was still warm.

"How's your head doll?" A voice asked making me jerk up.

"Shepard?" I whispered surprised to see him step out of the bathroom fully clothed.

"Who else?"

" I gotta get going… it was fun," He said smiling as I nodded my agreement.

"Your girlfriends probably pissed," I said ignoring the twinge of guilt.

"It's been over for awhile now," He said shrugging as he brushed my hair away from my face.

" I gotta get going doll, I'll see you around," he said kissing me before he silently slipped from my room.

Sighing I laid back against the pillows wondering why their was a slight pain in my heart at the thought of not seeing him again.

"Have fun last night?" Dally asked smirking as I collapsed on to his bed dressed in blue jeans and a whit t-shirt.

"Real Funny."

"Look Star, Tim's a cool guy and all, but don't fall for him or anything , he breaks hearts," he said looking pleased when I nodded.

"You wanna met the guys?" He asked suddenly excited.

"Yeah," I said hooking my arms in his as we headed out. He never cared much a bout his rep when it came to me, and I was glad I could be so affectionate with him. I'd really missed having him around.

Twenty minutes later I was surrounded by the most unruly group of mismatched teens I had ever seen in one place. They were all completely different, but shared a common bond, and odd senses of humor. After getting used to the ideal that I was Dallys' sister, and I dug okay, I was welcomed with open arms.

" So Star, how do you feel about red heads?" Two- Bit asked wiggling his eyebrows as I laughed.

"Not the same way you do about Blondes," Dal said rolling his eyes as he handed me a smoke.

"They're all right," I guess I said shrugging as I studied everyone.

Soda was the best looking with a smile that was absolutely infectious, and Steve who was his exact opposite seemed to be his shadow. I could tell they helped balance each other out, and I couldn't help but feel jealous. I'd had a close friend like that once, name was Jade, but she'd died, killed by some punk out to rob her for money. Two – Bit was the joker, but when your life was like ours you needed comic relief on a daily basis , helped keep you from getting depressed. Pony and Johnny were pretty quite, probably cause they were the youngest two, and I knew from Dall Johnny had it pretty bad at home. Darry seemed like the level headed one of the group keeping every one out of too much trouble, minus Dal. Trouble just seemed to find him.

" So what's going on tonight?" Dal asked rolling his eyes as every one shrugged.

"Well I know Shep's having a party," Two- Bit said making my heart skip happily.

"Sounds tough," Dall said nodding as he eyes me carefully.

"Its cool with me Dal," I said smiling at his thoughtfulness. Shep had been his friend first, and there was no way I was going to cut in to that no matter what happened between us.

Later that night

Cursing myself as I changed to go the party I decided on a polka dot halter, and black pedal pushers. Since when did I dress to impress anyone? Hell he already had a girlfriend! Shaking my head I pulled my hair back in to a low slung pony tail ran lip gloss over my lips and headed down the stairs to met the boys.

"You look nice," he said raising an eyebrow.

"Just shut up," I said ignoring his laughter, as the others looked confused.

Suddenly nervous as we reached the house I hung back goofing off with Two- bit on the porch as we kidded.

"You must be Star Light Winston," Said a Curly haired boy who would've been down right adorable if his eyes weren't so hard.

"Yeah, what's it to you?" I asked taking the last drag on my cigarette.

"Just like to know the people in the neighborhood," he said shrugging as I narrowed my eyes and studied him carefully.

"You look familiar kid," I said trying to place him.

"He should he's my brother, Curly " said Tim walking out on to the porch, and shaking hands with Two- Bit in greeting.

"You know Star?"

"Yea we met at Bucks' party last night," He said surprising me as he fixed Two- Bit with a look that said back off.

"I'm gonna head in and find a beer," He said throwing me a look that said be careful with this one.

" Glory but y'all favor," I said leaning back on the porch railing as I tried to play it cool. I didn't want to be that silly little girl with a crush on that guy.

"I'm glad you came," He said putting me at ease.

Tim's POv

I knew she was nervous even though she tried not to show it. It was in the tense set of her shoulders, and the downward turn on her lips. If she was worried that I hadn't wanted to see her, she was wrong. I hadn't stopped thinking about the damn girl all day.

"How was your first day in Tulsa?" I asked taking in the halter, and black pedal pushers, glory she was looker.

"Quietly," She said chuckling as she shook her head.

"It's a lot different than Brooklyn, but I could learn to like it," She said shrugging as I nodded, wishing Curly would leave so we could be alone. Grateful when he took the hint, and took his leave I moved to stand between her legs as she hopped up on the railing.

"Did you miss me today?" I asked smiling when she wrapped her legs around me and nodded.

I wasn't much for public displays of affection normally, but I felt like I had to touch her. Judy and I had called it quits for good today after a blow out about the night before. I was actually relieved when she left ranting and raving about how much of an asshole I was. Wasn't like she hadn't known that going in to things.

"You sure look pretty tonight," I whispered cursing at how sappy I sounded. The smile that lite up her face was worth it though, and I took the opportunity to kiss the side of her neck.

"You're like a fever in my blood," I mumbled wondering what it was about her that made her so different.

"The feelings mutual Tim," She said shrugging helplessly as our lips met once more.

"Damn, you two can't keep your hands off each other can you?" Dally asked laughing as he stepped on to the porch and caught us.

"You all right with this Winston?"

"Hey Star makes her own decisions, but if you ever laid your hands on her I'd kill you," he said lighting his cigarette as I Nodded.

I wasn't sure what the hell this was, but I knew sneaking around had never been my thing. We spent a lot of time talking that night, which was weird for me. I was pretty quite most of the time, not really wanting any one to get me too much. Star had plenty of stories from back in New York, and I actually like to hear the things she had to say. She was deeper than most broads, talking about her crew, and her old friend Jade, not who was wearing what, and all the other trash the girls I had dated bored me with. As the party winded down I found myself frowning as Dally grabbed his coat.

"Stay?" I asked surprising us both.

"Sure Shep," She said winking as she grabbed her brother and whispered in his ear before he nodded and took off with a wave.

"Two nights in a row, you'd better be careful, I just might think you actually like me," She teased laughing as I threw her over my shoulder.

"Shyla Star, I just might." I said slapping her on the ass I stepped around my gaping brother. Sure I was sleazy with girls plenty , but not actually affectionate.