Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Outsiders'
Chapter 4:
When I got home, Paul was losing his mind.
"Where the hell were you?"
"Around town."
Paul rolled his eyes. "Before that, Jane."
"Still around town."
"Before that!"
"The Shepard's."
"The Shepard's?" Paul had stopped yelling, brows furrowed right at me. "What the hell were you doin' there?"
Tim Shepard. "Believe it or not, Curly's kind of a friend, so when he has a party, I go to it." I laughed, throwing my jacket somewhere and walking down the hall to my room. "Where's David?"
"He's at work," Paul said, following me to my room.
"Did he do anything to dad while I was gone?"
"Roughed him up a little." I could practically hear Paul smiling.
I entered my room, falling onto my bed and groaning loudly.
"What's with you?" Paul asked as I felt him lay down beside me.
"Nothin'," I said quickly, debating on whether to tell Paul the sugar-coated version of my night. "I just..."
"You just what?"
I sighed, looking up at my ceiling. "You know Tim Shepard?"
"Uh-huh."
"What's he like?"
"He's a real hood, that one."
I couldn't help but laugh. "What'd you mean?"
Paul put his hands behind his neck, his elbow hitting me in the head. "I heard he slashed a copper's tires right in front of 'em and still got away with it," he said, feeling the need to add, "And some say he's never lost a fight. He's real strict. That's why his gang's so tuff."
I nodded slowly, pushing him away slightly. "Huh."
"He gets a lot of chicks for some reason. Personally, I think he's a bore."
I chuckled, looking over at him. "What, you're not interested in him?"
Paul looked at me with disgust. "Shut up, Janey."
I pushed him, causing him to roll off of my bed. When I heard the loud thud on the ground, I looked over the edge at a disheveled Paul. "Get out of my room, Pauly."
He stood, shaking it off and raking a hand through his hair. "Why you so interested in Tim all the sudden?"
"I just saw him at the party last night and I was just wondering," I lied easily, falling back onto my back.
"Alright," Paul said, letting it go easily - not as I expected. He walked out of my door. "You want it closed?"
"What's with the nice act?" I asked.
"No act," Paul said, voice a little high, a signature that Paul was lying out his ass.
"Paul," I said sternly, sitting up.
Paul sighed, looking at me for a long second. "Mom says to go easy on ya."
"Now she cares."
"Hey, she cares," Paul said, taking on the stern tone I had before. He pointed a mean finger, taking a couple steps into my room. "She's only doin' her best."
"I know," I said loudly, cutting off anything else he was going to say. "I get it. Just get out, Paul."
Paul walked out, no more words from his smart mouth and he slammed my door.
I rolled over the width of my bed, opening up my window and almost crawling out.
No.
I sighed, walking over to my dresser and grabbing a cigarette.
Instead of sneaking out, I sat on my bed by my window and smoke a calming cigarette.
My dad didn't show the next day. Not in the morning and not after school, so, I didn't sweat it and I did my homework, then started to get ready for work.
I walked into the living room, realizing that riding that bike was the last thing I wanted to do. I stepped toward Paul, sitting around with all of his friends in the living room. "Hey, Paul, wanna give me a ride?"
"No," Paul said, not even looking at me.
I glared at the back of his head. "Paul."
"I'll drive you," Chip said, standing up.
My eyes widened, going back to my original decision. "I think I'll take my bike."
"What, why?"
Paul and Joey laughed and Chip still looked confused.
I hit Chip's shoulder, mostly to push him away from the door. "Because last time I took a ride from you, I got a giant bruise on my forehead and a scar for life."
Chip shook his head, placing his hands on his hips. "No, that wasn't my fault. I was -" He stopped, seeming to remember.
"Drunk?" I asked, laughing.
"I'm sober now."
"I don't know if you're any better sober, Chip."
Paul and Joey laughed again, making me wish I could stay and play cards rather than work.
I hadn't really realized, but I had really removed myself from everyone here, and I missed them.
Chip walked past me to the the door. "Do you want a ride or not?"
I figured if I died, at least I wouldn't have to go to work. "Yeah, I'll take it."
We got inside of his car that was barely together and we drove to the diner. Chip pulled up, one tire making its way onto the sidewalk - a place it should've never been.
"There you go, Janey."
I opened the car door, sliding out. "Thanks, Chip."
"Don't I get a kiss?"
I gave him a serious look. "No."
Chip shrugged, unaffected by my defiance. "Alright. Have a good day at work, Janey!" He sped off before I could say anything else.
I shook my head and smiled a little, and then I turned and walked inside the Dingo.
Curly was the first person I saw and the first one to say something to me. "Tell your boyfriend that he can't park there next time."
I walked past him, grabbing my apron of the way, making sure to bump his shoulder in the process. "He's not my boyfriend, just my brother's friend."
Curly smirked, nudging an innocent Ponyboy beside him. "Are we friends?"
I tied my apron, turning away. "No."
"Ah, come on, Janey, I've seen ya naked."
Pony choked on his soda. "Wha - what?"
I glared at Curly, my eyes slowly shifting toward Pony. "Curly and I have never gone to that place." I looked back at Curly, eyes narrowed. "We are never going to that place."
Curly shrugged, letting it go. "How 'bout a coke instead?"
I nodded. "Coming right up." I spun around, grabbing his drink easily and placing it in front of him, grabbing the coin from him. "What are you guys doing later?"
Pony shrugged his shoulders, tapping the counter. "We might head over to the movie house."
"Or we might get into Bucks."
I laughed at that. "You guys, get into Bucks? Good luck."
Curly smirked, pointing his slender finger. "Don't try and hide, Jane King. I've seen you in there before."
"I had an in," I said honestly, wiping the counter.
"Who was that?"
"Ray Tanner."
"That friggin' guy," Curly said, not sounding impressed. "He's an asshat."
I just continued to wipe the counter. "He's alright."
Pony looked at me, a face like he was trying not to chastise me. "He's not that great, Jane."
I smiled at him. "Thanks, Pony."
He smiled back. "No problem."
Curly let out a goofy laugh, looking past Pony and I at two guys fighting outside. "Looks at those two."
They were younger than we were, and they must've thought they were really cool.
"Jane!" my boss yelled at me. "Go cut that before the po show up."
I nodded, reluctantly walking outside and closer to the mini-rumble. "Hey!" I clapped my hands loudly, not gaining much attention.
"Back off, girlie," one of the boys told me.
I grabbed the back of the guys shirt, yanking him back. "Hey!" I yelled to the group, gaining all the attention. "Take this somewhere else, alright?" I let go of the kid, pushing him toward the street. "Come back when you turn thirteen."
The boys ran off, some glancing back and saying some mean things.
I smoothed out my uniform, walking back inside of the Dingo and sighing as I walked past my friends. "Well, there wasn't any blood."
"Shame," Curly said, still looking out the window.
I bobbed my head, glancing over at Pony and Curly every once in a while at the pool table in the dim red light. I turned back to the bar, twirling the nearly empty beer on the counter.
"Jane King."
I groaned, not wanting to talk to anyone, especially Ray. "Ray, I'm really not in the mood."
Ray laughed, leaning against the bar counter. "So, this is how you're doin' without me, huh?"
"No." I chuckled, leaning up and looking him in the eyes. "I've been working a lot, that's all."
"Okay, Jane." Ray smirked, sounding like he didn't believe me. "You're not losing sleep over me? Alright, sure."
I shook my head, more than sure. "I'm really not."
"Okay."
"I'm not."
"How about I buy you a beer?"
I nodded, liking that idea very much. "Okay."
"Two beers," Ray said to the bartender, and then gestured to the couch. "Which one?"
I looked over to see all the leggy blondes sprawled across the couch. "The one in the red top."
"Why her?"
"'Cause she looks like she'll slap you when you don't call her tomorrow."
Ray laughed, looking at me. "I do love a challenge."
The beers appeared on the counter in front of us. Ray took his and I took mine.
"Do you want to join us?"
"I don't think I'll fit in." I put on a charming smile, walking past him to the separate room where Pony and Curly were getting their asses kicked in pool. "How's your guys's night?"
Pony sighed, standing back and leaning against the wall. "Not so -"
"Very good," Curly finished for him, leaning up after sinking one ball. "As you can see."
I nodded, trying not to laugh at him. "Uh-huh. It looks like you're doin' really well." I patted Pony's shoulder, sipping my new beer. "Alright, well, I need some air."
"Alright."
I walked out of the building, not expecting anyone or anything when I walked around the building to the back. What I did get was a couple making out. "Sorry," I apologized, looking away.
The girl pulled down her skirt quickly. "Whatever."
I looked around, finding a latter barely stuck to the wall and I climbed it quickly, wanting to get away from that awkward situation. I got tot he top of the ladder, managing to crawl onto the gravelled roof.
"This is my spot."
My heart jumped and my eyes shot up the the body hunched over the edge of the building. I stared at him in the darkness, walking closer. "Not every spot can be your spot."
His head whipped back to me, his greasy hair barely moving. "Jane?"
I couldn't help but to smile for some reason, sitting down beside him, making sure not to be too close. "The one and only." I sighed, placing the cold beer between my legs. "Don't you have friends?"
"They're too loud," he said, voice rough.
I hid my smile, taking a swig of my beer and then saying, "You seem to like the quiet, huh?"
"Uh-huh."
I nodded and stayed quiet, feeling that suddenly I was being super loud every time I opened my mouth to speak.
"You're sixteen?"
"What?" I asked him, thinking I had misheard.
Tim looked at me, holding his beer against his knee. "You're sixteen, right?"
I shrugged, looking away. "Well, almost seventeen."
"Jesus, kid."
"King," I said, not loving the direction of the conversation. I started to stand, ready to cut out.
Tim tugged on my jeans briefly. "Hey, sit down, King."
I sat back down beside him, looking out at this part of Tulsa. "Anybody else know about this spot?"
"Nah."
My foot bounced against the building as I said, "You've got it made, Tim Shepard."
Tim hummed. "Maybe."
We sat in silence for a good three minutes before I asked, "You got somethin' going on with anyone?"
Tim shook his head, but I caught the hesitation. "No." He threw his empty beer behind him. "You?"
I thought about Ray for a split second. "No." I sighed, placing my hands behind me and leaning back. "Will you be honest with me, Tim?"
"Always," Tim said lowly, maybe a little sarcastically.
"Am I good lay?"
He chuckled and I was sure that was the first time I had seen him smile. He turned to me, his teeth surprisingly straight and white. "Yeah, kid, you're a good lay."
I smirked, leaning over to his face and kissing him, to which he reciprocated with no hesitation.
When I got home later that night, I put out my cigarette, but didn't throw away my beer bottle. I walked inside the house, noticing that some lights were still on.
"I'm home," I sang through the house.
My mother appeared from the kitchen her face wrinkled with worry. "Jane, honey, where were you?"
I shrugged, not being able to come up with a decent lie. "Work."
"Speaking of which." My dad came around the corner. "Where's your paycheque?"
I hated this situation. I could see that he was angry already, but this time, I was the one who was drunk instead. No doubt, the night would end in someone bruised and battered. Spoiler alert, it was going to be me.
"I don't know," I mumbled, walking to the hallway.
"Jane." My dad caught my arm. "Where is it? Your mother and I need the money."
I smacked his hand away. "I -"
He slapped me like it was as easy and natural as blinking. "Do not give me attitude, Jane.'
"Sorry, dad," I said, turning to walk down the hallway again.
"You're drunk," he pointed, placing his huge hand on my back and pushing me harshly.
I fell down onto my knees, scraping them on the old wood. My beer bottle fell out of my hands and rolled away from me and I said in a delayed reaction, "Ow."
His foot landed on my side, pushing me onto my back. "Where's the money?"
"It's already in the money jar."
"All of it, Jane." he said, fire in his eyes dark eyes. "Not half; all."
I shook my head. "No, that money's for me."
He kicked my side. "Where is it?" he growled viscously.
"Richard, please," my mom begged from behind him.
He turned to my mom for a second. "We need the money, Nancy."
"It's her money, Richard. We can't take it from her."
"Why are you talking back?" He started toward her, giving me time to stand up.
I almost started running the other way, just like I always had done, but I turned back for a split second to see my father walking toward my mom. Her body trembled and she held her hands tightly together, her body ready for whatever he was going to do.
She never stuck up for me because she was scared of him too.
I reached down and grabbed the beer bottle from the ground, holding it up and smashing it over his big head. My mother gasped as he fell onto the ground, unconscious. I let what was left of the bottle slide out of my hand as I looked at her and breathed out a heavy breath. "Goodnight." I turned around and walked to my room, sitting on the bed and staring at the floor.
Never had I ever fought back, let alone smashed a bottle over his head.
I felt my body start to shake as I sat on the edge of my bed. I covered my face with my bloodied hands, covered in cuts from the bottle and slivers from the floor.
The door to my room opened and I straightened immediately.
"Oh, Jane."
I looked up at Paul. "I'm sorry."
Paul walked over to me and sat beside me on my bed, taking my shoulders to make me face him. He set his wet cloth in his lap and took my hands in his, picking out the slivers. "Damnit, Jane."
"I said I was sorry."
"You put yourself in these places," Paul said sternly.
"I know," I said back. "Where's David?"
Paul was silent for a minute. "He's at Molly's, but he'll be home in the morning."
I nodded. "Ah." I breathed in, feeling Paul taking out the last sliver roughly.
"Sorry."
"No, you're not."
Paul picked up his wet cloth and rubbed my hands gently. "I hate seeing this happen to you, Janey, but you need to stop coming home late, drunk and smelling like smoke. You need to stop being a smart ass, and just give dad what he wants."
"That's your tactic because you're scared," I retaliated stupidly.
Paul gave me a hard look. "That's my tactic because I don't want to get the life beaten out of me every other day. If I do, I don't get a whippin' for stupid shit like this."
"I'm not gonna give him what he wants."
"Good luck with that," Paul said, moving on to wiping my face.
"Ow, Paul," I hissed as he rubbed the spot on my cheek, where there was surely a bruise.
"Sit still, Jane."
"I am."
"Alright," Paul huffed, moving away from me and looking me over. "You're good."
"Thanks." I moved over, so I was closest to the wall and I laid down, closing my eyes. I waited, quickly growing tired of the fact that the lights were still on. "Shut off the light, you ditz."
"Chill out, Janey. I'm gettin' to it."
Paul's weight left the bed and the lights turned off a second later, Paul's weight returning.
"You know, you have your own bed, Paul."
I heard Paul sigh loudly. "I know."
I sighed too. "Goodnight, Pauly."
"'Night, Janey."
