Chapter 2

Sunlight streamed through my window, and my eyes slowly open but close quickly for I looked at the sun, it hurt my eyes. Sitting up, I scratched my head and move to the side of the bed, working the stiff muscles in my legs. Yawning, I get up and go to the bathroom, tip toeing when I get close to my parent's room. It seemed like a good morning, and I really wasn't looking forward to getting a new bruise.

Entering the bathroom, I pulled out my toothbrush and put the paste on it. After doing so, I brushed my teeth, washed my face and went back to my room to get dressed. Pulling on my shirt, I looked out the window and sighed. I don't think me and Dally will be talking much today. Once I was done getting dressed, I moved out of the house and towards Darry's.

As I edged towards the Curtis household I heard a loud bellow of laughter. Seemed Two-Bit got here early, and that's unusual . Is it me, or is something up? I entered in the middle of Soda telling a joke, and as I sat down in a empty chair everyone began laughing at it. Ponyboy looked over at me and smiled, which I returned. He was the only one who understood me aside from Dally.

I watched Darry cut up some left over chocolate cake and place a plate in front of me. Picking up my fork and closing my eyes, I placed a bit of chocolate heaven in my mouth. It tasted so good, I didnt notice the door slam and Dallas coming in, nor did I notice that I was softly singing as I ate. Opening my eyes, I saw everyone was looking at me weird and I blushed and put my head down.

"You got a pretty voice there, Johnny," a voice drawled out and I knew it was Dally. I looked over at him, suddenly missing the twinkle he had in his eyes, but noticing the red mark on his cheek.

Muttering a quiet "thanks," I went back to my cake, as did everyone went back to their conversation. My thoughts were preoccupied, and I only heard tid-bits of what everyone else was saying... but I knew Dally wasn't saying anything. He just stood there watching over me, and listening to Darry make small talk as he prepared for work.

"... And then she came over and was like 'Heya, I saw you out there with the Socs, you fought good, by the way... my name is Maria,' and winked at me. I got Maria's number and called her last night, tonight they're playing that movie, Rebel Without a Cause," Two-Bit chatted away with Steve, grinning all the while. I don't know why he's so fond of greaser girls, who are just are tuff and ruff as we are, they could stand independent. I'm sure he just likes the thrill of it, but I wouldn't want to go near one.

"Maria, Maria... Oh, I know her. Me and her use to hang around the rodeo. Yea, Two-Bit..don't waste your time on that lady... she's just a woman who likes to thrill, and she'll leave you confused and broke before the end of the night," Dally said as he strolled over to where Two-Bit was. I could tell by the flash in his eyes that Maria had done more than her fair share to Dallas, but choose to keep silent and listen in instead.

"How do you know, Dally? I mean, shucks, I know you've been with a lot of woman, but I don't think you've been with every girl around in Oklahoma, and I doubt she's what you make of her. Maria looks nice, and I wanna get to know her, so shove of and mind your own business," Two-Bit replied as he backed out of the chair. I looked over at Darry who was watching the two with narrowed eyes. He hated when people argued in his house, except for maybe him and Pony. I don't know why, but by the looks of everyone else, I don't think I want to know.

"Fine. Glory, I was just trying to help ya out... but if you're gonna be that way, then maybe I let you learn yaself," Dally said before storming out through the door. Dally sure was one for the dramatics. He always put on a show that let you think you saw his emotions...but most of the time it was something totally different. I knew something was bothering him before he came here, and I think the whole ordeal with Two-Bit just put the icing on the cake.

"I don't need help from the likes of you!" Two-Bit yelled at Dallas's retreating form before sitting back down and grumbling. He looked at everyone who was watching him and with a "What are y'all lookin at?" We all started to look else where, talking in our conversations about anything but what just happened.

Soon enough Darry came and said it was time for Pony to go to school and him and Soda to go to work. Figuring I had nothing else to do, I went with Pony to school, although I knew I wasn't smart enough to even think about going. About the time me and Pony moved towards the school doors, I was starting to have second thoughts but Pony pulled me right through the doors and dragged me to the classroom.

"Alright, class, now we are going to... Oh, look here. It seems Mr. Cade and Mr. Curtis have decided to show up for class today. I'm surprised to see you, Mr. Cade, considering you haven't been showing up lately," Mrs. Harris said as we walked in. I didn't bother to reply as I walked over to the back row seats, slumping down when I sat in one. Mrs. Harris continued the lesson once Pony was seated beside me, and as he took notes, I looked out of the window and watched the clouds roll by.

"Mr. Cade, would you be so kind as to tell us the answer to the equation?" Mrs.Harris asked knowing full well I didn't know it. I opened my mouth and before I could let out a excuse some guy yelled out "He's too stupid to know the answer," while some kids giggled. My face warmed up and I looked out the window again to avoid the stares and snickers of my classmates.

"Students! Please keep your snide remarks to yourself," Mrs. Harris said as she tapped the ruler against the chalkboard, making a loud clicking sound. Everyone got silent after that, and Mrs. Harris continued her lesson. By the time she was done, it was almost lunchtime and I needed a weed badly. Wiggling my way out of the class, and pushing through the crowds I finally made it to a area outside where no one was around. Pulling out my weed from my pocket, I light it and took in a deep puff. It was a bad idea coming to school knowing I would get teased for being slow.

It wasn't that I was dumb, I just didnt understand school the way Pony or Darry does. I think it's stupid when I'm never going to go to some fancy college or get a real job making a good paycheck. So I just don't listen and most of the time, teachers ignore me and students tease me. Mrs. Harris tried to contact my dad once, and I ended up getting beat up for that. When I came to school looking battered and bruised, she vowed to never call him again, but she didn't tell anyone about it.

Blowing out my last puff of smoke, I dropped my cigarette and stepped on it to put it out. I walked down the street, deciding I didn't want to go back to school and went to the shed me and Dally had our... "meetings" at. Opening the door, I was surprised to see him there laying on the makeshift bed we had put there. His hair was messed up and he looked as if he had just been beaten up. Slipping off my shoes and jacket, I lied down next to him and closed my eyes. I felt his weight shift and a arm moved to be placed on my waist, a head on my shoulder. I shivered slightly when I felt Dally's breathing on my neck before slowly drifting into a light sleep.

I woke up when I heard a groan form the other side of the bed. Soon the weight on it was lifted and a quiet "shit," was said when a loud bump hit the side. I moved my body so it was facing Dally as he hopped on his left foot with other one in the air. I chuckled, and he looked over at me with a half-smile. I smiled back, then yawned as I sat up. Slipping on my jacket, I moved towards Dally.

"Are you ok?" I asked as I looked at him with his right foot sticking up in the air. It would have been a funny sight if I wasn't over him. He looked back over at me and smiled, and my heart melted as he moved over so that he sat on the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine, but what are you doing here? I thought Darry took you to school," Dally asked as He again looked over at me. I moved my eyes from his, and sighed. He knew about the other kids. Didn't help much though. It wasn't like he could go over there and kick their ass, was it? They were only a bunch of high-schoolers who were talking trash.

"He did, I just got out earlier because I didn't want to stay," I said sitting on the bed so that my legs touched Dallas's. He didn't reply, just stood up and moved to retrieve his own jacket. I watched him do so suddenly reminding me of what he said last night.

"Dallas... about last night. Maybe... maybe we should stop… I mean... maybe we should see other people," I said as I shifted my feet. I didn't want to see other people, but if he wanted this to stop, fine. I wasn't going to stop him... or be the weaker one in this weird relationship.

His eyes flashed like the had earlier and soon he moved over to me, his body towering over mine and even if I was standing, I knew he would still tower.

"Why, so you can be with Steve or Soda? Someone else, huh? Is there a chick or sumthin that you wanna be with, huh, Johnny? Is there?" I tired to tell him, that no, I didn't want anyone else and I was just replying to what he had said last night, but nothing would come out of my mouth.

His eyes moved around my form, before his lips gently pressed against mine. I sighed as his hands reached my waist and my arms curled around his neck. Suddenly, he pushed me off of him and his eyes blazed into mine as I looked at him, hurt and confused.

"You are mine, Johnny," was all he said before he stormed off, leaving me helpless.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again Special thank you to iluvthecheat for helping me on my story(My spelling and grammar is bad as most of you know)