Chapter 3:

(Dally's POV)

I walked into the Curtis house. I saw everyone was there except Johnny. He must be in the lot again. I saw down on the couch. Two-Bit was watching Mickey Mouse, Steve, Soda and Darry were plannin' cards and Ponyboy was reading. I wonder why Johnny isn't here yet. I lit a weed and watched the TV. "Hey Dal," I heard Darry say. "Have you seen Johnny?"

"Not today," I answered.

"He hasn't been here all day," Ponyboy said as he looked up from his book. "Plus I haven't even seen him. We thought he would be with you."

"I haven't seen 'im either," I said. What the hell is goin' on here? Could he have been jumped and hurt? No, he had his blade and he could use it if he needed to. Then the imagines of when he got jumped by those Socs came into my head. I got off the couch and walked out of the room. Ponyboy came behind me.

"Do you think he was jumped and hurt again?" he asked me. I threw my cigarette on the ground and used my shoe to put it out.

"I don't know but I'm goin' to find out," I said. "Let's check the lot first; then his parent's house. After that, we'll call your brother and see if he's back after that. If not, we'll look all over for 'im. But I can't keep ya out later or your brother will skin me."

"Let's go," Ponyboy said as he began to run. I ran behind 'im. Where the hell is Johnny man?

(Rose's POV)

"Watch me Johnny," I said as I moved my feet. Then I moved my body and started dancin'. I dance for about a minute the stopped. I didn't dance dirty since I didn't want 'im thinkin' I was goin' to teach 'im that style of dancin'. The song was Come Together by the Beatles. Then I whispered to 'im, "Everyone in the DDG knows how to dance but it's the dirty way." I got his hands. "Okay, move your feet to the beat." I looked down and saw he was movin' his feet some. Then he started moving them some more. "Better: lesson two: move your body," I said as I let go of his hands and I showed him what I meant. I showed him what I did earlier and he watched. "Now try," I said. He moved his feet then tried to move his body. Johnny is so cute when he's tryin' to dance. I saw he got the hang of it a little and the song ended. "Let's go get a drink," I said as I took his hand and pulled him out of the crowd. We went back to the booth we were at earlier. "What would you like to drink?" I asked.

"Coke is fine," he said.

"Two cokes please Paula,"I shouted. Paula smiled and went back to her job. "So, what kind of people do you gang around with? Tell about your gang if you in one. Which gang is it?"

"You know the gang with Dallas Winston?" he asked.

"Yea," I said.

"The gang he's in, I'm in there too."

"With the Curtis brothers?"

"Yea."

"Don't tell Will that; she hates Winston's guts and next time she sees 'im, she may kill 'im."

"What did he do to her?"

"I can't tell ya here; plus Will may skin me alive if I reminded her about that event."

"Oh."

"And plus don't tell Abby you are in the gang with Ponyboy." Paula broke us the cokes and I gave her the twenty bucks.

"How did you get this baby girl?" she asked me as she sat next to Johnny.

"Will went into a drinkin' contest and I bet twenty bucks she would bet them all," I said. "And she did win."

"Good ol' Will," Paula said as she got up. "I have got to back to work; I'll hold onto the change for ya."

"Alright; make Will that drink that kills hangovers please. Give it to me and I'll give it to her," I said.

"Alright," Paula said. "Catch y'all later." She left and I looked back at Johnny. He was drinkin' his coke silently and I did the same. He finished his drink first then I did.

"Ready to try and dance again?" I asked. "Girls love guys that can dance."

"I'll give it a try," he said as he got up. I got up and we were about to leave when the guy from earlier came back over to us. Johnny didn't look at the guy. I knew he was scared of this guy. Rule Number 1 rules before you fight: count the people. There were six guys here. Damn; six guys to get one girl? It doesn't matter how many people there are. I'll still kick their asses. Because I am a DDG and I'm proud of it. Rule Number 2: make sure you have enough room to fight. There wasn't enough room but here to fight; damn. Rule Number 3: Kick the person or people's ass. Will taught me those rules.

"What the hell do you want?" I asked as I grabbed Johnny's arm and pulled 'im behind to me.

"You kicked me earlier broad," the guy from earlier said.

"So what if I did?" I asked. "What ya goin' to do about it?"

"Attention everyone!" we heard an announcer say. "It' time for the dance contest! Will those who are dancing please make your way to the floor!"

"We'll see you on the floor," the guy said as he and his friends left.

"Johnny, I think you should stay close to me," I said. "They look like they'll attack you too. I'm enterin' the contest; are you?"

"I can't dance," he said.

"I know but come and try at least," I said as I grabbed his wrist and dragged 'im to the dance floor. "I can't dance either."

"You can dance Rose," he said. "You're good at it."

"Anna taught me," I said.

"She did; that style?" he asked.

"Yes; she doesn't seem the type huh? Plus you haven't seen my style of dancin'. Go stand by Will please if you don't want to participate."

"Alright." He left to find Will and I made it to the center of the dance floor. I looked over and saw Will. Johnny was walkin' over to her. Good; these guys shouldn't mess with 'im if he's near Will. Even if Will's drunk, she's still good at fightin'. Johnny was sittin' next to Will and he was lookin' at me. I looked on the floor and saw there were only me, the dude I kicked earlier and his friends. I guess no one else wants to try. I am going to love this.

"Alright," the announcer said. "We're going to play a song. You dance however you like. We'll decide the winner after two songs. The winner will receive a free pass to this club for two years, a trophy, and $100!" Wow; I could really help Anna with that money. She would love it. I had to win now. I looked at the guy I kicked earlier. He looked at me and smiled. I was going to beat his ass so badly. "Alright dancers, get ready to dance." The song came on. It was Shake Your Groove Thing by: Peaches & Herb. I love that song. I have to dance dirty now. I shook my hips and had my arms up. I began to dance dirty. I am a DDG and proud of it. I looked around and saw people were staring at me.

"Good Rose!" I looked over and saw Paula watchin' me. "Work it baby girl! Show them what you can do!" And I did that. I started shacking my whole body and dancing dirty.

"Work it Rose!" Will yelled. I looked over at Johnny and saw his eyes were wide open. The song stopped and I heard yelling' after that. The guy I kicked earlier was looking at me. I smiled at 'im. He was starrin'.

"Wow ladies and gentlemen," the announcer said. "We might already have our winner."

"No," The guy I kicked earlier said. "Continue but with partners. I want only me, the bitch and our partners." He did not just call me a bitch. I'm beatin' his ass.

"Alright," the announcer said. "Go and get your partners." Damn I hate this guy. I wouldn't dance with any guy here except Johnny and he's still tryin' to get the basics. But what choice do I have. I need this money to help Anna. I want to show her I can be useful. I walked off the dancer floor and over to Will and Johnny. Johnny got up out of his seat. I guess he knew I wanted to dance with 'im. I'm glad I'm his height. I told 'im he didn't have to dance if he wanted. I would just say I prefer to dance alone. He shook his head and told me he would dance with me. I thanked 'im for that. We made it out to the dancer floor and I saw the guy with his girl. The announcer came down on the dance floor. It was Paula's boss. "May I know the names of our dancers?" He pointed the microphone at the guy.

"The name's Rob and this is my girl Cassie," he said. He had his arm around his partner's waist and almost touchin' her ass. Damn I hate guys like that. Just because they have a girl, they think they can do whatever they want with 'em. James walked over to me and Johnny and asked our names.

"The names Rose," I said. "My partner's name is Johnny. Rob, you knew Johnny can't dance well. So you think just because we're dancing with couple, you'll win. Well I got news for ya, if I had my boyfriend, we could kick your ass so badly. I say whoever wins gets $200." Well my old boyfriend. We broke up but they don't need to know that. I wish he was here now. I can't do anything dirty with Johnny. I wish Charles was here.

"Alright," the announcer said. "Get ready in 3, 2,-"

"Stop!" I heard someone shout. We looked around. Someone was pushing though the crowd. He came out and I saw Charles. What was he doing here? I went over to Charles, jumped on 'im and hugged 'im. He wrapped his arms around my waist. "How are you doin' Rose?"

"Good," I said as I looked up at 'im. He was tall and that's good. He was a greaser too but he was part of another gang. Their leader was Tim Shepard I think. Charles had black greased hair and brown eyes. He wore a black leather jacket, a black shirt, and black pants with chains. "What are you doin' here?"

"The boys and I came to get a drink but then I saw you on this floor with Cade," he said.

"You mean Johnny?" I asked.

"Yea; what were you plannin' to do; slow dance with 'im?" he asked. "Let me be your partner and we'll rule the floor." Should I really do that to Johnny? He got all his courage to get out here. I can't betray 'im now. But I can dance crazy with Charles. Damn this is a hard choice.

"I'm sorry Charles but…I'm stayin' with Johnny as my partner," I said as I let go of 'im and he let go of me. "So what I can't dance my way with Johnny. He got all his guts to get out here and I ain't lettin' 'im down." I walked back over to Johnny. "I'm sorry Charles." Plus, I think I'm fallin' for Johnny. I can't tell 'im that though.

"I see you moved on?" Charles said. "It's alright Rose." Then he disappeared into the crowd.

"Rose, you didn't have to do that," Johnny said. "You could have had a better partner."

"You'll be a good partner too," I said. "So you can't dance like I do. I don't care."

"Are you ready yet?" Rob asked me.

"Keep your pants on lover boy," I said. "We're talkin' here."

"If you want to talk, get off the floor and give up," he said.

"Not in a million years," I said. "Johnny, you ready?"

"I guess," he said. I took his hand and then he took mine. This was going to be hard.

"Just remember," I said. "Don't look at the ground. Do want you feel like doin' and don't worry about me."

"Alright," he said.

"Play the music," I said. The music turned on and it was Fame by: Irene Cara. Johnny and I started to dance. Johnny was lookin' at his feet. He must not what to step on my feet. I don't care if he does. It wasn't dirty dancin'; just regular dancin'. I looked over at Rob and saw 'im and his slut were dancin' dirty.

"Crystal," Johnny said. I looked at 'im in surprised. How did he know my really name? Oh right; Anna said it a couple times today. "Turn around," he said. I did as he said and the next thing I knew, I was up in the air. I looked down and sat Johnny had his hands on my waist and had lifted me into the air. Then he brought me down slowly. Either he was strong or I was little as a feather. I think he's strong. He looked up and twirled me. Good; he wasn't looking at the floor anymore. Good Johnny; you're learnin' fast. I looked back at Johnny.

"Next time warn me please," I said.

"Alright," he said as he twirled me around a couple times. When we stopped, I had my arms crossed and so did Johnny. I twirled out of them. As the song ended, I felt someone trip me. As I fell back, I felt Johnny grabbed my left arm and then my waist. Just as the music stopped, Johnny was leanin' over me and lookin' down at me. "Are you alright Rose? I'm sorry if I tripped you."

"You didn't; that bastard did," I said as he helped me up and I looked over at Rob.

"Looks like I win broad," he said. "I didn't see you dance well if 'im. You should have dance with the other guy."

"Just because I'm use to dancin' dirty, that doesn't mean it's my only style," I said. "Let's go Johnny." We left the stage and went to sit down. Will and Paula joined us. Paula handed Will her cure for a hangover and Will drank it.

"You did good kids," Paula said. "Drinks are on the house."

"No thanks," I said.

"Don't be upset because you lost baby girl," Paula said.

"She didn't lose," we heard a voice say. We looked up and saw James. "She won the contest. She chose to dance with someone new, didn't dance dirty since he was a beginner and they were a great team. Here's you awards." He handed me $200 in cash, two passes to this place and a trophy. He left and I handed Johnny $100, a pass and the trophy.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"For being the best partner in the world," I said as I hugged 'im. "Please, take the money." He nod his head slowly and asked me to keep it for him. I placed the money in my pocket.

"You better be gettin' home Rose or Anna will skin me," Paula said.

"I'll stay a while longer," Will said. I saw Charles come over to us. I was still huggin' Johnny though. He congratulated us then left.

"Okay," I said. "Let's go Johnny." Paula handed me my change from earlier and her paycheck. He told me to give these to Anna as well. We got up and left through the back door. "What's that fun Johnny?"

"It was cool," he said.

"And you're a great dancer," I said. "I knew you had it in you. You're a dancin' king."

"I'm not that good," he said as he kicked a can.

"Yes you are," I said. "Stop doubtin' yourself. I can't wait to see Anna's face when we bring all this money."

"No one will be happy if you lose it." Johnny and I turned around and saw Rob and his guys and his slut.