Chapter Two: Cursed? Yeah right.
Disclaimer: See last chapter.
Ms. Williams took her position at the front of the room, clearing her throat. "Alright, people, we're going to start off the debate club with a bit of historical debating."
Two-Bit groaned inwardly and sunk down further in his seat. Ms. Williams continued. "We're going to debate whether or not it was right for President Truman to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. Who will volunteer to start the debate?"
A Soc girl's hand shot up. "Alright, Beth, come up," Ms. Williams said. "And…Carmen, you come up. Beth, why don't you give us your opening argument?" Beth and Carmen came and stood at the front of the class.
Beth cleared her throat and began. "President Truman was clearly correct. It was the only way to end World War Two before even more people were lost to the war."
Ms. Williams nodded her approval and said, "Now, Carmen, state your opening argument."
Carmen had a soft British-accented voice, but spoke with emotion. "President Truman was completely wrong in dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He had no right to invoke destruction on innocent people who had nothing to do with the war."
Beth interrupted her. "There was no other way to end the war. He was a good president and we would do good to have more presidents like him," she concluded.
"Sure, he was a good president. And a good murderer of innocent citizens, too," Carmen said sarcastically. Giggles could be heard from a few students.
Beth turned red. She looked mad. Two-Bit sat up. This was getting interesting. "And just what would you know about it, you damn Brit? It's a good thing we kicked you out in 1776," Beth spat.
"I may not know so much about American history or views, but I do know that your president was heartless to harm people who had no power over either starting or ending the war," Carmen said, her voice shaking with rage.
"Girls," Ms. Williams said warningly. Beth ignored her. "Stupid Brit," she snapped. "You don't know the first thing about being an American during World War Two."
Carmen acted surprised. "And you do? You're older than I thought." Two-Bit had to laugh at this one, and he wasn't alone.
Maybe it was the fact that she was being outsmarted or maybe it was because the entire debate club was laughing at her, but for whatever reason, Beth flushed scarlet and practically screamed, "You're stupid! Go on, say it! You're stupid and you don't know what you're talking about!"
"I'm stupid and I don't know what I'm talking about," Carmen said automatically. There was dead silence. Carmen's eyes grew wider as if she just realized what she had said.
Ms. Williams jumped up. "Alright! I think that's enough for one day. Meeting adjourned."
Outside, Beth marched up to Carmen and screamed in her face. "You think you're so smart and all that? You stupid—!" Beth went on to say a few colorful things that Two-Bit thought he would never hear coming out of a "nice" girl's mouth.
"Beth," Carmen interrupted. "Calm down, already. It's debate club. Not a matter of life or death." Beth floundered around for something to say, her face getting redder and redder.
She finally let out a strangled cry and shoved Carmen hard with both hands, so hard that Carmen actually stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. Beth stomped off.
Two-Bit saw this as an opportunity to talk to her and offered her a hand up. "Bloody hell," Carmen muttered. "Thanks," she said gratefully to Two-Bit. "Are all your American girls like that?"
Two-Bit thought. "Naw," he said. "Just her. She's a drama queen."
"I might have figured," Carmen muttered. She walked with Two-Bit to the end of the street, and Two-Bit was surprised when she turned the corner with him.
"Are you following me?" he teased. "Wishful thinking, I presume. No, I live about three streets down from here," Carmen said, smiling.
"No way!" Two-Bit laughed. "You live right by me!" Carmen cracked a grin. "No way!"
"Yeah! But what's a nice girl like you doing on the east side of town?" Two-Bit wanted to know. Carmen looked embarrassed. "We're not so wealthy. It's the only place we could afford, my mother and I." She seemed confused. "What do you mean, 'nice girl?'"
"Well," Two-Bit started. "It goes like this…" He then proceeded to explain the whole Soc-greaser thing. Carmen was staring at him with an open mouth when he finished. "Did I go too fast?" Two-Bit asked, seeing her expression.
"You bloody idiots," Carmen said in awe. Two-Bit was surprised. "Huh?" he demanded, staring at her.
"Are you telling me that Socs and greasers can't get along because one has madras and one has long hair? You bloody imbeciles!"
"That's not what it's like!" Two-Bit protested. "That's certainly what it sounds like!" Carmen exclaimed. "Then what is it like, I'd like to know?"
"You don't have these problems in London?" Two-Bit wanted to know. "Well, we have street gangs and cliques, if that's what you mean, but this is crazy! We don't go around beating each other up, looking for trouble just because somebody's different!"
"Not even racism?" Two-Bit asked, thinking he had finally got her on something. She smirked, seeing right through him. "My best friend happens to be African," she said quietly.
Two-Bit was stunned. She was like…well, like Ponyboy. "Hey, Carmen?" he asked her, once she appeared to have simmered down.
"Yes?" she asked. "How'd you like to meet one of my friends? He's a sophomore at school," he explained. Carmen shrugged. "Alright, I don't see why not."
"C'mon," Two-Bit said, dragging her by the hand. "He must have gotten home from track by now."
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Two-Bit barged in, yelling, "Hi, everybody!" Nobody responded. He dragged Carmen into the next room. "C'mon, meet…whoever's here!"
"Hey, Two-Bit. Another blonde? Why am I not surprised," laughed a handsome boy wearing a DX station shirt.
"Hi, Sodapop," Carmen said, smiling. Soda stared at her. "What are you, psychic?" Carmen bit back a giggle and pointed to his shirt. "Your name's right there."
Soda looked down at his shirt. "Oh. Well, welcome to the Curtis', our door's always open if you need anything," he said, waving a hand vaguely.
Carmen raised her eyebrows. "That's pretty generous, considering you don't even know me."
Soda shrugged. "Well, you know Two-Bit, and he's here so often anyway that he might as well live here. Tell me your name?" he said questioningly.
"Carmen Ravencroft," she said promptly. Soda looked at Two-Bit, who shrugged. I don't know why she gets like that, Two-Bit thought. So why're you looking at me?
Two-Bit turned to Carmen. "Let's not wear out our welcomes," he suggested, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Let's go to the park."
"Okay," Carmen said, and followed him to the park. Two-Bit sped up midway. "Walk faster," he said out of the corner of his mouth. Carmen walked faster. "Socs," he explained, jerking a thumb back at the red Mustang that was following them.
Carmen rolled her eyes. Two-Bit noticed. "I know you don't approve, but they'll kill us," he said darkly. Carmen had to practically jog to keep up with his long strides.
The car pulled up beside them. "Hey, pretty girl," hollered a boy from the front, his window rolled down. Carmen ignored them and walked a bit faster.
"Hey, girlie. Want a ride? Better than walking with a greaser," the guy yelled. Carmen ignored him, and, annoyed, the buy shouted, "Answer me, girl!"
Carmen turned to face him and snapped, "No, I don't want a ride. I want you to keep driving and leave us alone." Two-Bit stared at her. She smacked her forehead. "Shit," she mumbled.
The boy stepped out of the car, followed by four other angry Socs. They looked like ravenous wolves.
"Run!" yelped Two-Bit. Carmen ran, following Two-Bit down the nearest alley. He caught his breath and smacked her.
"Ow! What was that for?" she demanded. "What do you think it was for?" Two-Bit yelled. "You could have gotten us killed!"
"Oh, like you wouldn't have mouthed off if I hadn't said something first?" Carmen snapped. Two-Bit felt like punching her. "Why, Carmen, just why?" he demanded, leaning against the wall, suddenly exhausted.
"I couldn't help it," Carmen said sulkily. Two-Bit glared at her. "Right, your mouth has a mind of its own," he said grouchily.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Carmen said. "You'd call me crazy."
"I'm calling you crazy now!" Two-Bit yelled. "Tell me what's going on!"
"I'm cursed," Carmen said automatically. Two-Bit stared at her. "You're right. I don't believe you."
Carmen took a deep breath. "Two-Bit. Please listen. You wan to know, so I'm telling you. Promise you'll listen without interrupting, saying anything, and promise that you won't breathe a word of this to anyone," she said, her voice low, desperate and urgent and pleading.
Two-Bit nodded solemnly. There wasn't a trace of his famous grin on his face anywhere.
Carmen took a deep breath and began to explain…
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I'm ending it on a cliffhanger to be cruel. Review to find out what's happening. Why did Carmen really move to Tulsa?