Ch 3

I was sitting in my seat reading one of my favorite books when a boy grabbed my face. His brown eyes scanned my face.

"Not a scratch on her," my twin's best friend announced proudly.

"Cut it out, Steve," I said pushing his hand away from my face. He was tall and lean with black hair that was very greasy.

"That's cause she learned how to fight growing up with us," Dallas Winston replied sitting on top of the desk next to me. He had platinum blond hair with blue eyes cold as ice. He usually frightened people, but he never scared me. "The chick didn't have a chance." Steve hopped on top of my desk as he laughed.

"But she doesn't fight," Soda reminded them as he sat in his seat behind me.

"It wasn't a girl fight, Dally," I said patiently.

"I told you," Johnny told Steve as he sat in the seat in front of me. "She wouldn't do that." He had black eyes with black greasy hair. He was close friends with Ponyboy and was like a kid brother to me. My family kind of adopted him since his family is so messed up. Most nights he stayed for dinner at our house since he hated going home. His parents fought too much and took it out on him.

"Thanks Johnny," I thanked with a smile.

"So what happened?" Steve asked as he began to comb his hair.

"Nothing. This guy was just bothering me."

"Bothering how?" I gave Dally a glare and looked him in the eye.

"Bothering as in accusing me of being one of your broads."

"What?!" Soda yelled. He could be very protective of his twin sister at times.

"Did he hit you?" Johnny asked as there was a knock on the door.

"Mr. Winston and Mr. Randle off the desk." They both got off, but Darry leapt onto my desk.

"No but he looked like he wanted to."

"Why?" Steve questioned.

"Because she said she saw kids scarier than me." We all looked up to see Brendan standing by the seat next to me. He gave me a devilish grin. "I guess I can't stay away from you."

"Don't bet your ass on it," Soda warned. It was official: he had to stop hanging out with Steve.

"Easy Soda," I soothed quietly. I looked up at Brendan. "Why don't you just keep your trap shut?" He laughed, but stopped when he noticed Dally.

"Hello Dallas." Dally's hand tightened on my desk which alarmed me. Dallas never flinched. I searched his face and found rage on it

"Brendan," Dally said with pure venom. I'd be a liar to say I wasn't scared.

"Mr. Randle and Mr. Winston in your seats now," the teacher ordered. Dally leapt off my desk and looked Brendan in the eye. Steve clapped Dally on the shoulder and the two of them walked to the other side of the room to their seats. I pulled out the events quiz I had been given in English as the teacher took roll. I tapped my pencil against the desk trying to remember the answer to the last question. I finally gave up and decided to ask.

"Johnny Cade." Johnny turned around and looked at me. "When was the first Mickey Mouse episode?" Johnny smiled. He looked like he was trying not to laugh.

"You've spent how much time watching it with Two-Bit?"

"I know." I giggled. "I can't remember the answer, though."

"Boy you get around," Brendan noticed. "Don't you." Soda jumped out of his seat. Johnny caught him before he could hit Brendan.

"Mr. Curtis is something wrong?" We all looked at our teacher.

"Sodapop Curtis if you don't sit I swear," I muttered under my breath. He heard my threat and shook Johnny off of him. They both sat down.

"No Sir," Soda assured. "Not at all." The bell rang and I booked it out of there before any of them could get up.

***

"Two-Bit!" The guy I had chased for a minute turned. He had rusty colored hair and pretty gray eyes. He was a grade ahead of me and should've been a junior, but he got held back a year.

"Hey Kitty," he greeted using Soda's nick name for me. He was part of my brothers' "gang". "What's wrong?" I smiled to reassure him since he seemed worried.

"Nothing. I need a ride home is all." He grinned.

"What no cheerleading for the greaser girl who is a Soc." I hit his chest for using the words he did. "Greaser" and "Soc" were two words not in my vocabulary. "So why didn't you ask me earlier for a ride?"

"I don't know. I guess I forgot."

"Or you just wanted to see me tense up cause you think it's sexy."

"Eww Two-Bit," I complained. The one rule I always had was not to get involved with one of the guys in the gang. Johnny was standing with Steve and Soda by the car.

"Aww man," Steve complained when he saw me. "We got to fit her in."

"Come on Steve," Soda replied. Steve could sometimes be jealous of my closeness with his best friend. I couldn't wait until the two of them got girlfriends. That would be a laugh.

"But we were going to meet up with Sheppard and the guys."

"Sorry I bothered you," I told Two-Bit as I walked away.

"Kit!" I heard Soda call. "Get back here." I ignored him and headed towards Miss Samson's room. She was the cheerleading couch and taught English. Sometimes some of the cheer girls hung out there after school while she tutored students. Hopefully Jaime or Christie were there to give me a lift. I stop halfway there when I remembered she had a doctors appointment.

"Dang," I swore to myself. I turned to go another way when I bumped into someone I didn't want to see.

"Well hello Miss Curtis," Brendan greeted.

"Brendan," I muttered as I tried to walk past him.

"Hang on," he said putting a hand on my shoulder to stop me. "I want to apologized…" He looked over my figure again. "For earlier."

"Apology not accepted," I replied shoving past him. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. "Let go!"

"I'm not finished with you."

"Brendan!" The two of turned to see Dallas walking towards us at full speed. He looked extremely furious. I took a step towards him and put a hand on his chest.

"Walk me to the football field?" I asked and begged at the same time. I was afraid he'd get into another fight. Dally shook my hand off and stepped in front of me. I stepped in front Dally and leaned my weight onto Dally forcing him to put his arm around my shoulder. "Dallas, please?" He looked from my pleading face to Brendan's.

"Your lucky punk!" he said fuming mad. "Touch her again and I'll re-arrange your face. Come on Kit." He pulled me away from Brendan and I didn't look back as we turned our backs to the new kid.

Sorry it's been awhile since I updated. With school and all I'll be able to update more often. Remember to REVIEW!