Best Times Of Our Lives

Chapter Five

Disclaimer- I do not own the Outsiders. And thanks to dorkyduck for allowing me to use you.

"So, what's gonna happen?" Soda questioned softly. Everybody had been silent since we'd told them that our dad was trying to take us away.

"Well," Andy began. "Our mom says that there's no way she's letting him have us, but, I dunno...a lot of times courts will side with the mothers on these things, but, our mom doesn't have a job yet, and our dad does, so I dunno..."

"So, you sayin' that there's a better chance that you guys are gonna be leavin' than there is of you stayin'?" Two-bit asked. I knew that's what Andy had meant, but to hear it actually said sent a shiver down my spine. Dallas must have noticed because he wrapped his arm around me.

"It's gonna be okay," he whispered in my ear and I rested my head down on his shoulder. "You're not goin' anywhere."

"Is there anyway you guys can get out of it?" Steve asked.

"Well, yeah," Andy thought for a moment. "If we tell them what he was like to us than there's no way they'll let him have us."

"Than just do that," Two-bit said excitedly, he thought the problem was solved.

"If we did that, though, than I'd have to tell them that he was hittin' me," Andy said slowly, staring at the table with glazed eyes. It was like he wasn't really looking at the table, he wasn't really looking at anything. Just thinking. "They'd put him in jail."

"He deserves that," Dallas growled. I knew he was only looking out for us, but I still wasn't sure if I agreed with him. I looked over at Andy, he looked how I felt. Scared and confused. I could tell he didn't want to agree with Dally either.

"It ain't that easy," Johnny said quietly. He would understand. I knew he would understand. It was the same way with him, he could easily get out of his situation by telling someone about his dad hitting him, but if he did that than his father would end up in prison. Not only would they take him away from this neighbourhood, which would be the worst thing that could happen to Johnny, but his father would be in jail. As much right as Johnny had to hate his parents, he didn't. Just like Andy and I didn't hate our father.

Later that day I was sitting in Carrie's room. "I don't know what to do," I finally admitted. She gave me a curious look.

"About what?" she asked. I held up my hand, showing her Dally's ring. "Ohmigod! You didn't tell me you and Dal were goin' steady! How long?"

"Just last night," I replied. "But, I can't wear it anymore or my mom'll see it and know we're still together."

Carrie thought for a moment before getting up and going to the small vanity she kept in her room. I heard some quiet, melodious music and knew she'd opened a jewelry box. She came back a second later and held out a small silver chain.

"Wear his ring on that and when your mom's around, just tuck it into your shirt. She'll never see it," she suggested. I smiled and thanked her as I slipped the ring onto the chain. "I got boy troubles, too," she told me, staring at her bedspread.

"What is it?" I asked as I did the necklace up at the back of my neck. I couldn't imagine what she was talking about. Things seemed really good with her and Johnny.

"I don't think Johnny really likes me that much," she said, sounding sad.

"What?" I questioned, amazed that she would think that. "He asked you out didn't he?"

"I know," she replied. "But, I dunno, he hasn't even tried to make a move."

"Well, you've only been official for a few days," I tried to assure her.

"Yeah, but we've been going together for almost a month," she cried. "And he hasn't even kissed me."

"Well it's Johnny," I reasoned. "He's really shy, you know that."

"Yeah, I guess," she answered but still didn't seem to believe me.

"Look, asking you out in the first place was a huge deal for him," I told her. "And then, asking you to go steady was even huger."

She smiled a little bit. "Yeah," I was starting to convince her, I could tell.

"And he's just nervous," I said. "You still like him, right?"

"Of course," she said quickly.

"Than, if you wanna kiss him, you make the first move," I suggested.

Her smiled got wider. "Yeah, I just might," she replied.

That's when I heard a car door slam outside. I looked out the window into the driveway. It had been Two-bit's car and he and a girl were coming into the house. "Who's the girl with your brother?" I asked Carrie.

"Is she blonde?" Carrie asked back. I nodded my head. "That was a stupid question, they're all blonde," she said to herself. "But, yeah, it's probably Caryn, Two-bit's girl-of-the-week."

I nodded my head in understanding. In the few weeks I'd been in town Two-bit had gone through too many blondes to count. I didn't usually take an interest in them, but, than again, he didn't usually bring his girlfriends home with him. I figured there must be something different about this one.

"CARRIE!" Two-bit's voice called. Carrie rolled her eyes.

"WHAT?" she yelled back.

"WHERE'S MOM?" he yelled again. I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them.

"Good communication you guys have," I joked.

"We get by," she replied, shrugging "MOM'S AT WORK!"

"THAN WHAT'S FOR DINNER?" he shouted again.

"I DUNNO! MAKE SOMETHING!"she suggested. I heard Two-bit laugh pretty hard at that.

"COME IN HERE!" he commanded. Carrie gave an annoyed sigh before getting up from her bed and walking out into the living room. I followed her. "Oh, hey Marie," Two-bit said when he saw me. "What are you doin' here?"

I rolled my eyes at his stupidity. Carrie's my best friend. "I'm stayin' the night," I replied.

"What for?" he asked.

"Don't feel like dealin' with my mother," I answered. He nodded his head.

"Oh, this is Caryn, by the way," he introduced me to his girlfriend.

"Hey," I greeted. "I'm Marie Stewart."

She smiled at me, "Hey."

"So what are we gonna have for dinner?" Two-bit questioned.

"I dunno," Carrie replied. "Go get a pizza."

"Okay," Two-bit answered and was out the door without another word.

"Well that was easy," Caryn said. We laughed.

Despite everything that had happened today, I could tell tonight was going to be a good night. Or, at least, that's what I'd thought.