Wow, 749 hits on this story! Thanks, edwards other bella, mrcrockz06 and IrenieBeanieCocoPopOmgTomCruis. Your reviews move this story along! And no, Jesse is not Two-Bit's or any of the gangs girlfriend. But, out of curiosity, if I were to make her end up with someone, who would you want it to be? This could be interesting...
5
We walked home, mostly in silence, because there was nothing to say. Two-Bit took a piece of paper out of his pocket and threw it away. "What was that?" Pony asked.
"Marcia's number, probably a phony one, too. I still think I'm a little soused."
Aha, so he had been drinking. It was hard to tell with Two-Bit. He could act sober when he was wasted and wasted when he was sober. I dug my hands farther into my pockets. It was mighty cold outside. The four of us settled down on the curb outside the lot. We lay down and watched the stars, smoking cigarettes.
Finally Two-Bit stood up. "I don't know why the hell I handed you that busted bottle, Pony. You never would've used it."
"I might've. Where you headed?" Pony asked.
"I don't know. Maybe hunting booze, or a good poker game. See ya'll tomorrow!" Then he walked away, throwing his used cigarette away as he did so. Me, Pony, and Johnny lay down on our backs and looked up at the stars. I took a last long drag on my cigarette then threw it away. I watched the embers for a moment as they burned on the street, the orange and red and yellow and the smoke that circled and twisted up into the night and mixed with the stars and the night. The sight and smell began to make me tired. Suddenly I felt my eyes getting really drowsy and I was enveloped in darkness as I heard Pony talking about the country...
I saw my mom and dad on a porch as the grass blew in the breeze. I ran through it, my long hair being blown back by the wind. I laughed and smiled and I saw Pony and Johnny and Dally and Soda and Two-Bit and Steve waiting for me. Even Darry was there. We all lay in a circle as we watched clouds in the sky drift by lazily. A simple life away from guns and fights and Socs. It was peace. "Jesse!"
Clouds in the sky...
"Jesse!"
Johnny?
"Jesse, wake up!" I jerked up and looked around. Johnny and Pony were sitting up looking at me. I had fallen asleep outside. Great. Well, at least no one would care.
"What time is it?" I asked, standing up, my body stiff.
"I dunno, but we had better get home." Ponyboy replied, standing up as well. Johnny remained sitting. "You coming, Johnny?"
"Nah, I'm gonna stay out here tonight, no one would care, anyway." Johnny said.
"Sounds good. I'm gonna walk Ponyboy, and then I'll be back, 'kay?" I replied. Might as well, what had I got to lose? It was mighty cold out, though.
"Alright, see ya in the morning, c'mon, Jess." Pony said, starting to walk.
Me and Ponyboy walked in silence, until we reached his gate. "G'night, Pony." I said, smiling.
"G'night, Jess." He replied, grinning. We turned, and I began to walk away. But, I turned again when I heard shouting. Darry, then I thought I heard Soda, then Pony. Then something like a crash. I saw Ponyboy run out of his house. He caught my hand and we started running, him pulling me.
"Pony?" I asked, pumping my legs to keep up with him. He stayed silent. We found Johnny.
"Johnny! Wake up!" Pony shouted, keeping my hand in his. Johnny sat up.
"Pony?" He asked.
"Come on! We're running away!" Pony shouted again. Running away? What had happened in his house? Johnny jumped up without a word, and we were off again, Pony dragging me along. I shot a glance at Johnny and he caught my eye. We were both worried, but didn't say a word. We finally slowed down when we couldn't run anymore, and Pony finally let go of my hand. "You got a light, Johnnycake?" Pony asked. He looked close to tears.
Johnny took out a pack of cigarettes and we all had one. "What happened, Pony?" Johnny asked.
"Darry hit me!" Pony cried, taking a drag on his cigarette. "I swear we got along just fine before mom and dad died!" He was crying now, and sat down on the curb, burying his head in his arms. I sat down next to him and draped my arm over his shoulder and I laid my head on his other shoulder.
"It's okay, Pony...It's gonna be fine..." I said softly. I looked up at Johnny. He looked back at me, concern apparent on his face. He sat on the other side of Pony.
Pony looked up, and wiped his eyes, sighed, and laid his head on mine before saying, "I'm sorry. It's just...Darry and I used to get along fine, but after mom and dad died, I dunno. It just seems like he can't stand me anymore...Sometimes he's trying to be loving, but all I can see is the strictness, and it gets me mad, and then he boils over and...well...this sort of stuff happens." He sighed. "Come on, maybe a walk in the park will cool me off." We all stood up. "I need to remember a coat next time I run away." Pony said. That made us all laugh, but it was too cold to be happy.
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The park was a big place, with an empty swimming pool and a fountain in the center. We all walked through, taking drags on our cigarettes and rubbing our arms for warmth. Johnny buttoned up his jacket, I crossed my arms and Pony was holding his bare arms, only letting go to smoke for warmth. "You look like you're gonna freeze, Pony." I observed. He looked at me, frowning.
"You ain't kidding." he said, taking a look around the park. BEEP!All of us jumped at the sound of a car horn. We turned to see a blue mustang circling the park. "What're they doing here?" Pony said.
"This is our territory...What do some Socs want this far East?" I thought out loud, watching the slow car drive.
"They're looking for us," Johnny said. "We picked up their girls, remember?"
"Speak for yourself," I said stupidly, my sarcasm blurting out of me in an attempt to lighten the mood. If anything, it made Johnny and Pony more tense.
"Glory, just what I need on a night like this." Pony said, groaning, throwing his burned out cigarette butt on the ground.
"Want to run for it?" I asked, glancing at the two boys.
"Too late. Here they come." Johnny said nervously. Sure enough, as I looked up, five Socs were headed straight for us. They were stumbling as they did so, and I cursed under my breath; they were drunk. Perfect, angry, drunk teenagers.
I watched out of the corner of my eye as Johnny's hand drifted to his back pocket. His switch-blade. For once I wished Two-Bit had convinced me to get one, I could sure use it right now. Slowly, I looked over at Pony and Johnny to see their reactions, and while Pony looked scared, Johnny looked downright terrified. His skin had suddenly gone pale as a ghost, like all the blood in his body had frozen to ice. Needless to say I wasn't exactly calm in this situation either, and I felt my feet slowly carrying me back, up against the fountain. Trapped. Damnit, stupid instincts. The Socs surrounded us slowly, smirking and making laughing sounds in the back of their throats. They reaked of booze and leather, and I heard Ponyboy make a gagging noise. I couldn't blame him, but it was best to keep silent in these situations. I considered calling for someone, and I wished that Two-Bit hadn't left, but it looked like Pony, Johnny and I had to fight this one out. I gulped silently, not only were we at a disadvantage with numbers, but me and Pony were only 14, Johnny was small for his age, and I was a girl. And we were up against five drunk hormonal teens. Johnny had branded an expressionless look on his face, and Pony was glaring at the Socs. I stared too, and let my hand drift to my pocket, in an attempt to make them think I had a blade.
"Hey, whatta know?" I recognized two of the guys as Randy and Bob, Cherry and Marcia's boyfriends, and three other guys who I didn't recognize. Johnny couldn't take his eyes off Randy's rings. "Here's the greasers who took our gals."
Randy swayed a little as he said it, confirming it. The whole lot of them were reeling pickled. "Hey, greaseballs." he said.
"You're in our territory, now." Johnny said, "You better watch it."
"No, you better watch it." Bob spoke, stepping in closer. "Next time you want a broad, pick up yer own kind; dirt."
That stung me. I snarled. "Shut your trap if you know what's good for you." Damnit, me and my big mouth.
"Hey, Bob," Randy said, gaze on me now. "How about a trade, since they picked up our girls, we should take theirs!" The Socs laughed. I would've killed them all if I could, I tried backing up more, but we were up against the fountain like dogs. No escape.
"Stay away from her." Pony said harshly. I saw Johnny grip his blade tighter behind his back.
Bob grinned. "You know what a greaser is? White trash with long hair."
I saw Pony's face go cold. Bob had hit too close to home for comfort. "You know what a Soc is?" Pony said angrily. "White trash with Mustangs and madras." Then Pony spit at them.
"You look like you could use a bath, grease. Give the kid a bath David." Then they were all on us at once. A big kid went for Pony and I caught sight of him duck, but I was too distracted by Randy and Bob on Johnny. "Johnny!" I screamed, running for it.
"No! Jesse run! Get help!" He cried, trying to fight against the Socs.
"Get the bitch!" Randy cried. Two other guys came towards me, and caught my leg as I tried to run away. I kicked one of them in the face and got up and ran again. I ran across the park, only thinking about getting Darry and Soda. I ran and ran, the Socs and Johnny's cries getting fainter and fainter. I had to get to Pony's house. I got to my house faster than I expected, ducking through my yard to get to Pony's house. So close, Johnny and Pony would be safe.
Suddenly I felt a jerk on my arm and I was flung against the side of my house. I screamed, not for me, but so maybe Darry and Soda would hear. But I was smacked in the face. "Bitch!" My father screamed. He grabbed my arm again and dragged me into my room, throwing me in and shitting the door. I heard him lock it, and ran straight to the window. I gasped. No... I thought. He had painted it over.
"No!" I screamed, trying to get the window open, desperate to get to Darry and Soda. I ran to the door and started pounding. "Let me out!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face now. Pony and Johnny could be killed out there. "Please!" I cried, sinking against the door, feeling the dread of realization wash over me. "Please..." I cried, lightly punching the door. I had been too late.
I had failed.
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Hi all! I'm back from a very, very long break, but the next chapter won't take a year, I promise. That's why I made this one extra long! Please, please review. Gracias!
Edwards other bella: Yeah, cliché, but I'm trying not to make her a Mary-Sue. I hate those things...but anyway, hope you keep reading and enjoying!
Skylinebabe: Thanks, much appreciated! Sorry I haven't updated in forever, but the next chapter will be up very soon! Peace!