Disclaimer: I still don't own the Outsiders....I'm working on it though. :)

Did you ever take real life by the ears, tell it to scram, and it listened to you? Yeah, me neither. Sorry about the delay, I meant to have this up earlier but it has been a hectic week.

Thanks so much for the feedback! I love to hear what everyone thinks-whether it's good or bad. You guys keep me going. :)

On to the chapter!

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Chapter 3: Two-bit: Not Fit for Bodyguard Duty.

Putt, putt, putt.

Something in my car's engine was making a funny sound-and not in the ha-ha way. I guess that beer bottle that got broken in there last week did some damage after all. I made a mental note to have Steve check under the hood later on.

I glanced at my passenger, who was quiet-as usual. Ponyboy stared out his window with a blank expression on his face. I was beginning to think that Steve was right....maybe Pony was slow.

I can only take silence for so long though. "Did you realize that my name is the only one that cannot be shortened?"

Ponyboy continued to stare out the window.

Wait for it, I thought. Wait for it.

Just as I predicted, he frowned and tore his gaze away from the window. "What?"

"Well, think about it. Darry is short for Darrel, Soda for Sodapop, Pony for Ponyboy, and Steve for Steven-though I'm not sure that's his real name. But you can't shorten Two-Bit...or my society name for that matter."

"Society name." Pony deadpanned.

"Yeah, you know, in case I happen to join society one day. My mom says I have to use my real name if I ever want to be respected-what she doesn't know is that I'm already respected. But that's beside the point."

The kid stared at me with that same dull expression. "And what is the point?"

"The point is that you cannot shorten Keith either. You either get stuck with Key or Ith." I paused, hit by a jolt of inspiration. "That's it! Ith! Keith can be shortened to Ith! Brilliant!"

"Fine then, Ith, you missed your turn." Ponyboy remarked with a smirk.

"Huh?" I glanced at the road. Seeing the school passing by on our left, I quickly did a U-turn without slowing down.

"TWO-BIT!" Pony shrieked, hanging on for dear life.

The vehicle settled back to all four wheels as I skidded into the school's parking lot. I swerved into a nearby parking space and killed the engine. Jerking the keys from the ignition, I opened my car door and slid out. "That was fun."

My passenger just sat there, panting.

"Come on, honey. I know you're shy, but you have to go to school now." I put on my best mothering voice.

Ponyboy glared and got out of the car. He wordlessly slammed his door shut and headed in the direction of the school.

What a grouch.

I ran after him."Hey, Chuckles, wait up!"

He didn't even bother to slow down.

Figures.

He had almost made it to the entrance of the school when he came to a complete standstill. I knew this sudden action couldn't have been caused by me, so I tried to spot what he was staring at.

Following his gaze, my eyes landed on the back of a curly-haired head. But not just any curly-haired head. Oh no, this was Ponyboy-you're-my-unwilling-boyfriend-this-week-Angela-Shepherd's head.

Before I knew what was going on, Ponyboy had run back to me and pulled me in front of himself. "You can't let her see me!"

"Oh now I'm your best friend, is that how it works? I'm about ready to toss you to the lioness myself."

"Ok! Ok! I'm sorry! Just...please hide me from her."

I sighed. "You know, this is getting to be almost comical."

"Yeah, to anyone but the guy that she picks." Ponyboy peered over my shoulder at the broad who was still chatting and laughing away with her friends. "Do you have a plan?"

"Of course I do. Who did you think you were talking to? But you're buying me a drink after this."

"I can't buy you a drink!"

Oh yeah. I forgot that they don't allow sixteen-year-olds to drink legally yet. "Okay, I'll buy a drink and you can pay me back."

The kid's brow furrowed. "Wouldn't it be easier for me to just give you money to buy a drink?"

I huffed. "You really don't want me to help you, do you?"

"Ok! I'll pay you back!"

"Good." I quipped. So I'm easily appeased, what of it? I liked the kid and this is the first time he's asked me to help him in a long time. I patted his shoulder. "I'll go talk to her and you can sneak in while I have her distracted."

Ponyboy gave a short nod. "Got it."

I slunk off towards the small circle of girls, looking tough, smart, and suave. Cary Grant ain't got nothing on me.

One of the girls facing my direction abruptly stopped speaking when she saw me approach. The other girls started to turn to see what had caused this change in her.

Cary Grant, take notes.

I easily slid my arm around Angela's shoulders before she could turn. I really hoped I would not have to get a rabies shot after this.

She went as stiff as a board.

"Hey Angel, baby." I crooned.

I doubt Cary Grant ever got the icy look that I received. Maybe I could use a few pointers.

Her dark eyes seemed to bore into me. "Get your arm off of me."

"It doesn't want to move." I smirked cockily.

"Then convince it."

"But I heard you broke up with Bryon-what's-his-name and you were looking for someone to hook up with." Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Pony cautiously making his way to the front door. Hurry up, kid! "Want to give my lonely arm some company?"

"Your arm can stay lonely for all I care! And I thought I made it quite clear that I am not interested in you, Half-Wit, I want to talk to Ponyboy. Besides, I thought you were only interested in blondes."

Shoot! How did she find out about my weakness?

Ponyboy was almost to the front door. Angela started to turn in that direction, apparently done talking to me.

I grabbed her upper arms and jerked her towards me. "Who said I like blondes? Maybe I've decided to try something different."

And then suddenly I was no longer holding a human being, but a hissing, spitting viper. She twisted out of my grasp. "I ain't a thing to try out! Get your hands off of me, you creep! I hate all you pushy, blunt guys! At least Ponyboy has some decency!"

Since when did Angela care about decency?

I didn't have much opportunity to stew on that question because a small fist got acquainted with my nose. I jerked back with a cry, my hands flying to my face.

The girls around us let out a cheer as Angela stomped off.

I shot a worried glance at the entrance, but luckily Pony had made it inside. He'd better have made it for all the trouble that took.

Cary Grant definitely never got socked by a girl before.

Ponyboy's price just went up to three drinks.

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Besides the little incident in the morning, the rest of the school day passed by uneventfully-aside from the fact that my nose turned an interesting shade of blue. The bell rang and I grabbed my books on the way out of my last class, ready to make good on my deal with Ponyboy.

I could see him waiting at the end of the hall, shifting his weight restlessly.

Then Trouble abruptly knocked past my shoulder-Angela, in other words. She had her eyes fixed on the kid.

Not good.

I started to jog after her. But I had only gone a few paces when my mind registered what I had just passed.

A really, really cute blonde.

Two seconds later and I was at her side. "Hey there, I'm Two-Bit."

She blushed and giggled. "I'm Casey."

"What's a cute chick like you doing wandering around the halls all by her lonesome?" I waggled my eyebrows at her.

"Well, I'm not alone anymore, am I?" She smiled flirtatiously.

Beat that, Ponyboy! I can get a girl even with a busted nose! Oh wait. Ponyboy! The smile dropped from my face. "Will you excuse me for a minute, Casey?"

She frowned in confusion. "I guess."

I darted off to where I had last seen the kid.

He was backed into a corner with Angela's hands on either side of him. His face was absolutely mortified.

Think of something! Think of something! I reached the pair just as Angela stated, "You know, you're a hard guy to find."

"Ponyboy!" I screamed.

Both of them jerked in surprise and looked at me.

I ran forward and pulled the kid away from the chick. A few faked sobs escaped my lips to add to the dramatic effect. "You have to come quick! Chuckles is in trouble!"

Angela didn't look happy. "Who is Chuckles?"

"My cat!" I gasped. "She got hit by a car! They don't think she's going to make it-she's at the animal hospital thingymabob! Come on, Pone, I need you for moral support!"

And with that, I dragged a shell-shocked Ponyboy out of the school right under Angela's infuriated gaze.

Mission accomplished.

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You know, the entire time I was typing this chapter up I had Family Force Five's Drama Queen playing through my head. "She's got that diva thing. That D-I-V-A, diva thing!" Haha! I apologize again for the delay. Thank you for reading and have a blessed week!