Disclaimer: I don't own anything from The Outsiders


8

I opened the door, barely making it out of it before my mother was on my ass.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Why?" I turned to her. That was the first time I had ever answered her question that way.

She crossed her arms. "I've noticed that that older boy Danny is always getting dropped off from is also a friend of yours." Her eyes narrowed. "His name is something stupid."

"Two-bit," I answered. "And it's not stupid."

She thought she was so high and mighty because she wore a robe and went to church. She completely wrote me off. She also pretended that I had never seen her smoking and drinking. She acted like that part of our lives never happened. She was still being her pure and good, judgemental self.

"I don't want you around him anymore."

My eyes widened. "What?"

She stared at me, very serious. "If anyone sees you with him, what will they think? Who will they think this family is?" She scoffed. "Who will they think I am - letting my daughter run around with some greased up, bad boy?"

I scoffed, leaning on one foot as I looked at her. "A little hypocritical, ma, no?"

She pointed a hard finger, scowl on her face. "You don't speak to me that way."

I tried to laugh my way out of it. "I'm just going to see Macy." I gestured to the door. "Macy, you remember her, right? Good girl, blonde hair..."

My mother sighed, her eyes still narrowed. "Fine. Be back soon."

I nodded, turning around and walking out the door. I ran down the block until I saw Two-bit's car come into view. I smiled, getting inside and looking at him. "My mother says I can't hang out with you anymore."

Two-bit gasped. "Little old me?"

I laughed, sliding a little closer to him and getting comfortable. "Yes, you. You're a bad influence, apparently."

"Of course I am," Two-bit said, smile on his face. "I'm gonna take you out and get you drunk."

I smirked. "At 2 in the afternoon?"

"I'm jokin'." Two-bit turned onto a street I recognized as the street his house was on. "I was hoping you could help me get through some dishes. I've got a cake and some beer waiting as a reward."

"Ah, your favourite combination."

Two-bit nodded. "Of course."

We went to his house. I did all the dishes and got one on slice of cake along with half a beer. What a reward.

I sighed, placing my empty plate on the coffee table and putting my arm up and onto the couch. I was sitting on the floor, my back against the couch with my arm on the couch cushion, watching TV at Two-bit's house. He was sitting on the couch I was leaning on and I could feel his eyes on the back of my head.

I turned around slowly, giving him a chance to look away, but he didn't. "What?"

"What'd you do the other night?"

"Saturday night?"

"Yeah."

I shrugged, turning back to the TV. "Scott and I went out."

"What'd you guys do?"

I laughed, looking at him again. "Stuff. Why?"

Two-bit sat up and I realized that I had never seen his face so serious before. He was scaring me. I hadn't seen him smile in the past fifteen minutes, which was a first. He looked at me intensely. "Did he force you to do something you didn't want to do?"

My eyes widened. "What?"

"Danny told me that you came home crying."

I scoffed, looking away and shaking my head. "Punk."

"Well, did he?"

I grabbed my jacket and stood, sliding it on quickly. "It's none of your business if he did, Two-bit!" I didn't know why I was getting so defensive about it. Maybe I was just embarrassed. Either way, I sure as hell wasn't going to tell Two-bit about it. "It's my life!"

Two-bit was standing in less than a second. He grabbed my arm to keep me in place. "Are you crazy?" He was no longer just serious, he was mad. "If some guy is making you do somethin' you don't wanna do, you need to tell me."

"Why?" I loudly, not holding back any of my annoyed emotions. "You're not my brother or my father or my boyfriend!"

"Because I give a shit about you, Debbie, unlike Scott!" Two-bit was yelling now.

"Oh, my god!" I looked at him, feeling the heat on me. "He's not hurting me, okay?" I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. "He's just a guy who wants guy things!"

Two-bit shook his head. "Not every guy is an asshole, Debbie!"

"Okay, I get it!" I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, swinging the door open. "I'm stupid for being with him, I know!"

Two-bit's heavy and angry steps followed behind me. "I just wanna know what's going through your mind when his hands are in your pants!"

I spun around, not thinking twice before I slapped him across the face. I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth as I took a step forward and reached out for him. "Two-bit, I -"

Two-bit's hands grabbed my shoulders, using his strength to push me away and down. I knew he was just angry and irrational in that moment and I had just slapped him across the face, but hitting the ground hurt and I couldn't help but look up at him in disbelief.

I started to cry, initially from the harsh pain on my back, but I continued after I realized just how bad things between Two-bit and I had gotten.

"Debbie..." Two-bit was not angry anymore. He kneeled down in front of me, a look on his face I had never seen. It was sad and regretful and pained. The redness already coming to his cheek made me feel awful, but he didn't seem to mind. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around my leg. "Debbie, I'm sorry."

I pulled back from him, standing up quickly. I cried softly, wiping my tears as I did. Once Two-bit stood straight, I looked at him and said, "Why didn't you make your move when you had me?" I shook my head, wishing I could've been in any other situation right then. "Why didn't you ask me to be yours before Scott?"

Two-bit opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

I turned away and starting walking, covering my mouth as I sobbed. I was embarrassed that I was crying about it, but it just hurt so much.

My heart, my head, my back - everything was hurting.


I secluded myself for the week, just working, not talking to anyone. My mother didn't talk to me as per usual and Danny wouldn't even look at me. He was clearly upset with me, but I didn't know why. How was I supposed to know if he wouldn't talk to me about it?

Two-bit wouldn't talk to me either.

It was strange to have that part of my life missing, but I knew it was a long time coming. Two-bit's face whenever I brought up Scott was very telling that he disliked him even more than Danny did. I knew he was going to say something, I just didn't expect or that fight to be so...hurtful.

I focused on work and school, but when the weekend rolled around, I was even more jam packed with distracting the thoughts.

It was the end of school dance. Yay.

The girls in my year had spent more than enough energy decorating the gym to perfection. The theme was Winter Wonderland. It was cheesy and unnecessary, but I still put on a nice dress and pretty earrings and pretending to be excited.

Everyone was going. I had to go. Plus, Scott was excited to go, not that he cared about going with me. He still asked me, but probably because I was standing right beside him when the posters started to go up.

I would go to the dance. I would put on a smile and dance in uncomfortable shoes. I would kiss Scott and let his grab at me if it made him happy to do so. I would do all of those things and just wait for it to be over.

I couldn't have thought of a better way to do it.

The door of my bedroom opened, no knock, of course.

"Deb?"

"Yes?" I said, fixing my earring in my mirror.

"You're not going to that stupid dance, are ya?"

I gave Danny a look. "What does it look like?"

He rolled his eyes quiet dramatically, slumping against my doorway. "Don't."

"Why?"

"Because it makes you look dumb!" Danny scoffed, walking into my bedroom. "You look like an idiot when you're hanging off of that asshole and pretending everything's okay."

I shrugged. "Everything's fine."

Danny shook his head, angered look on his face. "Scott doesn't give a shit about you, Debbie. Two-bit does."

I turned just as angry at the mention of both of those people. "And what?" I said loudly, turning toward him on my stool. "What do you want me to do? Break up with Scott and go, run and tell Two-bit I'm in love with him?"

"Yes!"

"No!"

Danny groaned. "Why not? It's obviously true!"

I stood, snatching my purse from my bed. "Enough, Danny!" I walked past him, bumping my shoulder with his. I stomped through the hallway and out into the living room. "It's my life, I'll live it how I want."

Danny grabbed my arm, stopping me from going anywhere. "You've got this whole other life waitin' for you, Deb," he said softly. "Why are you choosing this one?"

"Two-bit didn't want me," I said quickly, not thinking about it. I sighed, rubbing my forehead, feeling a headache approach. "Two-bit didn't show any interest when I did, Danny. That hurt. Scott shows interest in me. Scott likes me."

"Bullshit."

I scoffed. "Okay." I opened the door, walking outside. I stalked over to Scott's waiting car, getting inside, not intending to slam the door.

"Hey, watch it, Debbie," Scott said, pulling out of the driveway. "This car's not indestructible, alright?"

I huffed, crossing my arms. "Just drive, Scott."

We made it to the dance. I sat on the bleachers with some punch, sipping it every once in a while. Scott was somewhere off with his friends. He was probably smoking a joint or quickly drinking a bottle of something sinful before they got caught. I didn't know what he was doing and I didn't care. I was just waiting until he said it was time to go. Until then, I could just sit and wait the whole time.

The sound of steps coming down the bleachers from behind me and getting closer to me didn't alarm me. What alarmed me was how Curly Shepard was wearing a button up and a tie.

"Debbie."

I watched him sit down and I smiled. "Curly. You look nice."

"As do you."

I looked ahead, tipping my cup to my lips and drinking the sugary liquid. "I thought you didn't believe in school dances."

"I made an exception."

I scoffed, shaking my head and looking away. "Well, good luck."

"Hey, Debbie." Curly patted my arm to get my attention. Once I was looking at him, he glanced me over me. "Danny says you're dating a Soc."

I nodded. "I am."

"Why?"

"Because I want to," I said simply, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Well, what about Two?"

"I need to use the washroom." I stood, crumpling my empty cup in my hand. "Nice chat, Curly." I jogged down the bleachers, fixing my dress and hair before walking over the gym bathrooms. I walked inside the empty bathroom and went to a mirror.

I made a face of disgust, hearing when I heard a loud moan from one bathroom stall. I looked briefly to see the reflection in the mirror of someones shoes as if they were sitting on the toilet and then feet facing the other way as if they were in that persons lap.

"Real nice," I muttered to myself, quickly exiting the bathroom. I walked away and back up to the bleachers, where Curly disappeared. I couldn't help the curiosity, watching the bathroom door to see who would come out.

Everyone was on the dance floor, listening to the band up front. The bathrooms, at the back of the gym, were not being watched at all. The bathroom door opened every so slightly and I saw Mandy's face pop out, glancing around.

Why was I not surprised?

What did surprise me was that Scott came out after her, tucking his shirt back inside his pants, hair disheveled, grin on his face.

I stood faster than ever, hopping down the bleachers and intercepting Scott before he could make it to the dance floor. I smiled brightly. "Scott, babe, where were you?"

Scott stammered for a second. "Uh, yeah, I was in the bathroom."

"Oh, that's so strange," I said softly, crossing my arms. "Because you just came out of the bathroom and I just saw Mandy come out of the bathroom just before that, which is so strange, right?"

Scott's eyes widened. "Deb -"

"What were you doing in there?" I asked, no longer smiling.

"I wasn't doing anything, Debbie, I swear."

I rolled my eyes, walking around him. "Your fly is still undone."

A second later, Scott grabbed my arm roughly. "Debbie, listen -"

I shook him off, pushing his chest to make him take a big step back. "Don't touch me!" I caught sight over Scott's shoulder of Mandy staring at me, weird look on her face. My eyes shifted from her face to Scott's eyes. "You're exactly the guy I thought you were."

I left the building after that. I hung around the back of the school, trying to think of what I wanted to do. I couldn't just call up Two-bit to give me a ride. I didn't want to tell Danny and have to listen to his 'I told you so' speech. But I couldn't think of anyone else who had my back - at least not like Two-bit did. I could've called Sodapop, but I didn't want to bother him.

The whole situation sucked.

It was completely unexpected. Mandy had always been interested in Scott and Scott had always been interested in anyone who would give him the time of day. I didn't know how long that was going on, but I was sure that little bathroom scene wasn't the first time.

I couldn't help but to feel hurt and betrayed, even though I wouldn't regret losing Scott either way.

"Debbie."

I spun around, eyes meeting with Mandy's makeup packed ones. "Hi, Mandy."

She walked closer slowly, the clicking of her heels the only sound. "So, you saw me and Scott, did you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm glad." She smiled proudly. "Scott and I don't have to hide anymore. Months of hiding is exhausting." She was gloating, eyes gleaming.

I shook my head. "You really are something, Mandy."

She laughed. "Beautiful?"

I stared at her, feeling the anger burn inside of me. "Try whore."

Her smile dropped and turned into a sneer as she got closer. "I'd watch what you say, Debbie." Her eyes were dark and dangerous now and she was unzipping her purse. "You know, I hear about Greaser girls."

"I'm not -" I stopped talking when I saw the gleam of a knife. My heartbeat picked up and I looked at Mandy. "How did you even get that?"

"I have people," she said, as if she was just that important.

I tried to hide my fear. "Do you even know how to use it?"

Mandy got closer to me, holding the knife out. "I'm about to learn." She raised it slightly, bringing it down to my face. I grabbed her wrist in the air, twisting it enough to make her drop it. I watched it drop onto the ground before she slapped me with the hand I wasn't holding.

I was holding my cheek, feeling the sting. I looked back up at Mandy. "Mandy -"

She grabbed me by my hair, yanking at it until I fell to the ground. She climbed over me, sitting on my back and pressing my face into the ground. I could hear her laughing. "You're a bitch, you know that? You're gonna get what bitches deserve."

I cried, still trying to fight back as much as I could, kicking my legs. She had her knees on my arms and a hand gathering my hair on the back of my head. I heard the slicing before I felt the rough tugging. She was cutting the most of my hair off. After she finished that, she laughed and then got off of me.

I scrambled to stand, receiving a hard kick to my stomach. I coughed, falling onto my back and looking up at the stars.

Mandy stood over me, leaning down and pressing the blade to my cheek. "You're trash, Debbie. You don't belong in the world, at least not in mine." She brought her face closer, whispering, "Go back to your greasy, little world and stay there." She pulled the blade away, in doing that, slicing a bit of my cheek. She stood and walked away, the clicking of her heels getting further and further, stopping when I heard a door close.

I stayed on the ground, looking up at the sky.

I didn't even feel like a person. I felt completely and utterly done with the world. Or at least that was part of it. Maybe Mandy had given me some good advice. Maybe Mandy was right. I didn't need her or Scott or any other stuck up Soc. I didn't need that world.

I stood slowly, using the short sleeve of my dress to wipe the blood from my cheek. I ran my finger through my hair, the chunky pieces stopping just above my shoulders. Both cheeks hurt from the slap and the cut. My stomach hurt from that hard kick and my scalp hurt from the tugging.

I just needed to go home.