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Chapter 4: The Party

That night was probably the first time I've ever been truly worried about what I was wearing. I gave up after about five million choices were laid all over each other on the bed and I still couldn't decide.

I couldn't imagine being in the same room with johnny after what had happened in health this morning. I flopped down on my array of clothes and winced as I thought of Johnny's face that morning.

What if he won't even look at me, I thought grimly, well, I wouldn't blame him. I'm not exactly the safest person to be around...

I glanced at the clock in my room. If I didn't go now, I'd be late and then everyone would turn and stare and everyone would see that it was the girl who nearly gave Johnny brain damage.

"Johnny'll be there" Two-Bit's voice rang in my head. Wait a minute, what did he mean by that? What if he knows how I feel about Johnny–but it's Two-Bit, I thought grimacing at the thought of Two-Bit Matthews knowing one of my deepest secrests.

And speak of the devil, Mr. Matthews himself, waltzed right into my bedroom at that very moment. I couldn't even imagine my mother letting some guy with greasy sideburns like Elvis, a Mickey Mouse t-shirt on, some ripped jeans, a motorcycle jacket, and cowboy boots into our house, much less near me.

"You ready?" he asked enthusiastically, examining the books on my desk. "Just like Pony," he muttered to himself, setting down The Catcher in the Rye.

"What?" He waited until we had reached the open street outside to answer me.

"You and Pony, ya'll both like to read a lot I guess."

"Isn't Ponyboy Soda's brother?" I already knew the answer to my question; I was just making conversation.

"Yup."

I nodded more to myself than Two-Bit as we walked up the Curtises' steps and Two-Bit slammed the door behind him, leaving me to pull it open myself. The moment I entered the room, I was met by the blaring of "Runaround Sue" by Dion, competing with the television's volume.

Soda looks up from a big platter of chocolate cake and yells as I sit down, "Hey, Two-Bit who's this?"

Two-Bit said something under his breath to Soda and Sodapop grinned mischievously. Probably something about Johnny, I thought, rolling my eyes. I looked around and saw Ponyboy. I recognized him even though I'd only seen him two or three times before. My eyes followed his path across the room, avoiding all the guys laying all over the floor, and finally he sat down next to Johnny. Our eyes met for a minute and I stared into his blankly, not quite thinking of what I was doing. It was only when he looked away, blushing that I tore my eyes away from his face and resorted to staring at my shoes.

Johnny's P. O. V. (Yeah we get to see what's up with J. C.!)

I noticed her staring at me and I looked away, embarrassed. I'd seen her come in, but this was the first time she had noticed me. I wanted to talk to her, but while I was arguing with myself whether to or not, the next time I looked up she had already began a game of poker with Two-Bit and Steve so I remained in my seat. I remembered what Steve had told me a while ago: girls could get me into a lot of trouble. I remembered how Sylvia had pretended to be real sad about Dally getting hauled off and how she had all of a sudden started playing with my hair and telling me how cute I looked. I wondered if She (A/N: he's referring to Angelina) would ever do something like Sylvia and as I looked at her giggling at Two-Bit dancing around, I doubted it.

"Whatcha lookin' at, Johnny?"

I looked to the left side of me, expecting it to be Ponyboy who was talking, but when I saw that he wasn't there anymore, I looked to the other side of me and I saw Dallas Winston standing in front of me with an evil smirk on his elfish face.

"Nothin'," I said quietly as he plopped down beside me on the old, worn couch.

"It's that girl isn't it?" he replied, ignoring what I had just said. I didn't respond, just leaned my head on my hand trying to look too tired to talk.

"I bet it is," he continued, grinning, "Well, I guess she's a pretty okay broad for you. A little silly, though, don't you think?"

I turned my head back to Dally who was sort of leaning into me with this sort of glow in his icy eyes.

"I don't think she's too silly," I retorted under my breath.

"Yeah," he said, sitting back, "sure. You know, I heard about what happened in class this mornin' with you and her."

I didn't say anything. 'I'm sure Mr. Cade is very flattered'...what did that mean? I thought to myself vaguely, what did she write that could be so flattering

"So, are you gonna ask her out or what," asked Dally eagerly, interrupting my thoughts.

I shrugged.

"You should, Johnnycakes, I bet you she ain't that bad, if you know what I mean." Oh, I knew what he meant alright, but I didn't exactly want to stick around for the discussion. I was tired of talking to Dally, but it wasn't that I was tired so much as that I didn't really feel like talking about Her anymore.

I went into the kitchen, where Ponyboy was sitting on the counter, arguing over a piece of chocolate cake with Soda.

"Let go of it, Pony!" Soda was yelling.

"No, I don't care if it's your birthday!"

"That's right it is my birthday, so let go!"

Ponyboy suddenly hopped off of the counter, apparently tired of fighting with his older brother and sat down in the seat across from me.

"What's going on, Johnny?"

I shook my head and played with the table coth, not looking up at Pony.

"What's the matter, is it that girl?"

God, I thought getting up, and accidently knocking over my chair, I can't get away from Her no matter where I go. I knew that everybody was probably looking at me by now, but I didn't really care. I entered the nearest room I could find, and stopped in my tracks as I realized that I was looking at Steve and Evie on the bed, making out.

Steve looked up, frustrated, but when he saw that it was me, he said gently, but hurriedly, "Hey, Johnnycakes, could you leave us alone for–"but before he could even finish his sentence, I'd already closed the door and started down the hall again, this time, putting my ear to the door before going into a room.

I flopped down on Darry's bed and put my hands behind my head, staring up at the white ceiling, drifting off slightly until I fell into a light sleep...

Angelina's P. O. V.

The guy named Steve threw down his cards in frustration and said "I give up, I'm going to find Evie." Two-Bit was still standing up, laughing at himself, and when Steve left he sat down beside me and swayed dangerously.

"Geez, you're already drunk?" I said as he leaned his head on my shoulder. "The party's just started."

Suddenly, there was a crash that sounded like it came from the kitchen, followed by Johnny's figure in the doorway.

Everyone turned to look at him as he bounded down a hallway, opening a door for a moment, closing it quickly and entering an adjacent room.

The blonde boy, who was sitting near me on the couch gave me a look and I mouthed 'what?'. He got up and when he reached where I was sitting, grabbed my arm and ushered me roughly out the door.

When we were outside, I pulled away from him and folded my arms across my chest challengingly.

He sat down on the top step of the porch and motioned for me to sit down. I walked over to the steps and stood beside him with my arms still crossed. He looked up at me and said, annoyed, "Well, ain't ya gonna sit down?"

After contemplating his motives, I sat down hesitantly and wrapped my arms around my legs.

"So, tell me, what are you two doing?" He didn't really look like he was talking to me. He was just staring absently into the distance.

"Us two," I asked, knowing perfectly well what he was talking about.

"You know, you and Johnny."

"We're not doing anything," I said a little defensively. I was tired of thinking and talking about Johnny. It was frustrating.

"What do you mean 'not doing anything'. That's the biggest lie I've ever heard." He got up and began pacing behind me.

"Look, why are you even talking to me?" Evidently, this comment caught him off guard. He stopped and glared down at me. "I mean, I don't even know your name."

He sat down again and I could tell that he was already frustrated with talking to me.

"'name's Dallas." He said, rolling his eyes and for some reason, this made me smile.

"My name's Angelina," I said, offering him my hand.

He looked from it to my face for a moment, then reluctantly, Dallas shook my hand.

Johnny's P. O. V.

A loud knock was the sound that I woke up to. I was a little upset that my sleep was interrupted, but I got up and opened it. Ponyboy was leaning against the door frame tiredly and he pushed me aside to make way for him.

"Pony, are you drunk?" I asked as I closed the door.

"No, I'm just tired as hell."

I sat down on the bed, trying to take his shoes off with one pull, but gave up after a while and just layed back.

"What were you doin' in here anyway?" he asked rolling over onto his stomach.

"Nothing. Just thinking I guess."

I pushed him over and sat cross-legged on the bed beside him.

"You've been thinking a lot lately haven't you?"

I shrugged and laid back again.

"Johnny," said Pony, suddenly awake and sitting upright, "I know you don't like talking about it, but...do you really like that girl?"

I sighed, but I guess I didn't really care that much about talking about Her anymore, and besides, I was still real sleepy and all.

"I don't even know her, Pon'"

"Yeah, I know." he seemed real bothered about it. "But...you know, all girls aren't like Sylvia."

He paused for a moment, probably waiting for me to say something, but when I didn't, he continued, "I mean, Angelina, she's real nice. We were partners once for a history project and she was real smart and everything."

Angelina, I thought, making sure to remember it. I could imagine her and Pony being partners and talking about movies and books and everything. Well, how come Pony's tellin' me all this?

"I don't know, maybe she likes you," said Pony and I realized that I had said my thoughts out loud.

I shook my head disbelievingly and Ponyboy sighed to himself.

"Just...I don't know, I know maybe you don't want to, but maybe–maybe you should at least talk to her. I mean, God knows what Dal's sayin' to her."

"What?" I said suddenly, sitting up. Dal? Dallas Winston? What was she doing talking to Dally?

"Yeah, he pratically dragged her outside a few minutes ago."

And for the first time, I actually cared about a girl that Dally was bothering to talk to.

I hope all you greasers LOVE this chapter as much as I do!!! Don't worry, though, there will be some Johnny and Angelina interaction in the next chapter, including some Dally appearances and controversies. Please Read and Review as soon as possible. Love ya!

"Ain't nobody gonna call the fuzz in this neighborhood, cause they know better! AHAHAHAH!!!"–good ol' Steve Randle

Stay gold, everyone.