Greased Lightning

Chapter Three

Searchlights

I stood outside my old house thinking of the words, "How did I get here?"

It was just after school. Instead of coming home right away, I decided to take a long walk. To where? Golly, I don't even know, but I don't really care, to be honest. I just needed to be out.

Today was nicer than usual; the sun was bright, the sky was clear, and it was cooler than the summer had suggested. I met up with a few greasers while walking around Jay's and other places 'round it. A bunch of them just came along to say that I did a good job for something, I brushed them by quickly, not really listening to them. I didn't know why they'd say, but I didn't care so much. Besides, I didn't know many of them so well.

When I walked out to the drag a little while back, I stopped and silently made a wish. I had wished that I could see the same two people roughin' it out, the mexican hit-hiker and the old greaser, again. Not because I was bored, well not mostly at least. But because I hoped that things could be back to the way things were.

And as usual, it wasn't. I didn't expect much else anyways, but that didn't stop me.

*Sigh*

I don't like change...

I went so far as to walk to the Nightly Double, for the same reason as before. Hoping that maybe Cherry would be there, or maybe Two-Bit would jump out and scare me to death again. He never did try anymore. I though that maybe it's because when there are two less people around that you're always around, you've got less things to remember. Less things to worry about. And less smiles to see...

Now, all you really had to know 'bout them, was that they're dead now.

And that was it...

But they'd never leave my head, no matter how much I've tried. I think I've tried though, not hard enough at least. I don't think I'd want to forget them, ever. Since my friends are the only things keeping me here on this world. And they always were, if I really think about it.

Looking back at the drag and at the Nightly Double. Things weren't so different, actually. There were still greasers fighting, smoking, or off lookin' for trouble. The movies still showed the same crap it always did.

It's all the same, I thought... All except the people I was around. They were never there.

At the streets and at places like the Dingo, I'm pretty sure it was the same people around. At the movies, I swear it's the same people I see that came around every day. I didn't know them, nor did I want to. But they all looked the same to me.

Were they? Probably not.

This wasn't the first time I've been doing this. I came around the same routine at least once or twice every week, hoping to God things would be back to normal.

And for the most part, they were. Everything was normal, nothing's changed. Nothing but me.

I hoped something would be different, I needed a sign. A sign that would say, that all the things me and my friends had to pull through wasn't for nothing.

Then again, just what were we? Greasers, that's what. It's not like we ever mattered to anyone, anyways...

We're just greasers...

I came back to the Nightly Double anyways, is was still pretty early.

I wondered if Steve would eventually come over here lookin' for me since I hadn't seen him the whole day. He found me here a couple time before, once when I had actually fallen asleep here. If he didn't come as soon as he did, who knows how much trouble I would've gotten into.

I guess Dally was right after all...

Of course, since when was he not, I laughed a little to myself.

"Johnny?" I looked around, my eyes settled on a familiar, good-lookin' girl.

I felt my eyes light up vibrantly, "Marcia!" I almost didn't believe it at first.

She walked right up to me, "Hey there." She smiled so brightly at me, and I returned the favor.

"It's been a long time, ya'know. It's so good to see you."

I responded with a meek, "Yeah..."

The two of us ended up talking the whole way through the movie and we even left before the whole thing ended. We talked about a lot of stuff. Clothes, foods, and other random things like about purple foods. How there aren't a lot of those things. We got to talking more about her eventually. A little about her friends and how they're like.

But of course, we ended up talking about Socs and greasers again. I told her what most greasers liked; which were cars, our hair, drag racing, and other tough things like that. I mentioned how a lot of us had weapons like blades, chains, and heaters. Made sure not to tell her that I had a blade right here, in my pocket as we spoke, though. I talked about Jay's and the Dingo. How the smell of cigarettes were never too far off, and I mentioned about the time a girl got shot that one time.

I could tell she was getting uncomfortable and I only laughed lightly at her expense. Of course none of the stuff I said should've really surprised her in the end, I doubt they would have.

...

It was really nice to talk to Marcia again. I've seen them around but...

Once a few days ago, I saw Cherry leave the school doors and we saw each other. She smiled at me at first but it just melted soon after. She looked around and behind her. I think she saw a couple of friends and she just ignored me and walked away. I saw Marcia, and she looked back at me too, with a grin. But Cherry walked by her and the same thing happened with Marcia as Cherry. Their eyes settled, and my smile left along with their's.

"Why?" I blurted out with a faded look in my eyes. Her pretty face became tarnished at my comment, noticing my solemn tone.

"What?" her voice, a distasteful one.

I stiffened up, I hated to continue but I just had to say it. "In school, how come you never say hi, or anything?"

She looked at me awful sorry-looking. I didn't like it, so I just looked away, "You'd just ignore me, you and Cherry both."

"Johnny...I'm sorry but..."

"...But what?" my voice kept real quiet, but my eyes began to narrow slightly.

"My friends, they're..." she stopped right there, fishing for the right words to say but she could never find one. Not one that she knew wouldn't get me more pissed at her.

(They're Socs?) So I answered for her.

I sighed lightly, makes sense, I guess. And I should've expected as much in the end. But that's really not what had bothered me right then.

I finally faced her again, and looked her in the eyes. "Marcia. When Ponyboy was in the hospital, me and the rest of the gang, we all tried our best to be there for him. And after the rumble, we all went to see him right away," my words slowed, and my head nodded gradually as I looked away from her.

Greasers don't cry, remember?

"But not too long after, he..." my heart stifled as I struggled to continue, but the pain was just too much for me right then. The thought of my best friend on his deathbed... My right hand balled up into a fist and shook as it tightened up.

"Died..." she finished it for me, I really wished she hadn't though. I remembered the yells of terror that belonged the only two living members of that family left. My head hit the ground as the anxiety peaked.

...

"Why didn't you visit him then?" I demanded.

"Johnny...Bob was one of my best friends..." her voice began to trail off.

I thought of the same drunken guy who was so ready to kill me...twice. And somehow, I was supposed to believe that the Bob Sheldon was all those things Marcia was saying - I wasn't buying it.

"Johnny, if you got to know him, then you'd think so too." That statement left a wry, sour imprint on my face, much to her dismay.

(I seriously doubt that, Marcia.) I so wanted to holler out so badly, but I wasn't.

I laughed to myself and formed a little grin, "What're you talkin' about, Marcia?" I went on, but the smile didn't last long. "I got know him alright, and his blade too." She looked back at me, bothered by my comment but I kept on ignoring it.

I grimaced, "If you ever get to see the guy again, tell that I said, 'thanks a lot' will ya'?" I felt myself stiffen up, finally remembering the cut wound I still had on my cheek.

Marcia looked at my face with eyes asking, 'Is that how got that?'

I responded with an expression that said, 'What do you think?'

"An' besides, I wouldn't want to be friends with an alcoholic who has a big anger problem, anyways." My face became grim.

"I already said that Bob and Randy weren't always like that!"

I looked away in disbelief, "Sure..."

She went on, "And deep down, I know you think there was a good person in the both of them, no matter what happened."

(Where'd you get that idea?)

She stepped back a little, she seemed scared for some reason. "At least, that nice kid me and Cherry met at the Nightly Double would. The same nice kid who told his friend to back off, the one who jumped at his friends impression of another Soc.

I know for sure that he would think so."

My head sunk low as I still faced away. I spoke softly, "He probably would have, Marcia. I'm sure he would."

I said in a dull and heavy tone, "It's too bad that kid's dead now."

(He died along with his two best friends.) She responded in a silent gaze at me, it was like she was peering into my soul and being; which began annoy the hell out of me.

"What happened to you?" she plead out the words which was only attributed by the devastated look on her face.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know..." my voice was acerbic, and the vibrant gleam in my eyes had grown sullen.

"Johnny, please! You're a good kid...And do you how hard it is to find good kids like you, nowadays!"

My thoughts wavered upon the answer. (Pretty damn hard.) I'd guess so. I thought about all the 'good' people I could think of. I could definitely tell that Steve didn't fit so much along those lines. Even if he was a great friend, others wouldn't think so. Dally too, but Two-Bit...Maybe, I'd think he is. And Sodapop and Ponyboy fit under that, maybe even Darry to his old friends. I guess I wouldn't know.

Other than them, Marcia and Cherry, Evie, and some people I've seen at school - I didn't really know that much nice people.

But Marcia still hadn't answered my question, I don't think she was avoiding it or anything, she just like forgot. I had to wonder why she and Two-Bit got along so well, and I still can't quite figure it out.

"So Marcia...You never answered my question. Why didn't you come see Ponyboy when he was in the hospital. You know that it if were you in there, he'd be there for you, no sweat!" I know he would, but she didn't say anything. Her eyes settled to the ground which was evidently more interesting, or at least more important that what I had to say.

Even if she couldn't find an answer, there was no hiding the severe look of guilt she had plastered on her face.

"I already told you Johnny, Bob was something special. He was one of the best friends I could ever have, I've known him longer than I've known anyone. If you'd Cherry and she'd say a lot of the same things I would, no doubt. And I know Randy and Bob were asking for it and all, but I just don't think I can face the guy who killed my best friend."

...

My patiences was running thin, real quickly.

"Marcia...You said that I should go an' look past Bob being out to kill us...

So why can't you do the same for Ponyboy!" I yelled out the words, my voice came out scornful yet morose at the same time. I was literally on an edge here.

She stopped, her eyes shined out radiantly but the face was empty. I'm not so sure if she had said it or not, "I...Don't know..."

Inside of my was hell, everything I've lived and known told me I shouldn't be mad. But at the same time, reason told me otherwise. I felt myself being torn apart as the anger began to flood and wash away everything else inside of me.

"So what the hell would you want us to do, Marcia? If Ponyboy hadn't killed Bob with that knife, I'd be dead because they would've drowned me!

Is that what you want? Would rather have us dead then Bob?" I felt my eyes burning up and my arms quiver.

A reticent, "No..." was all that left her mouth.

"Really? 'Cause it sure as hell doesn't seem like it!" my bangs were covering part of my vision right then, so I moved it away.

She turned away, crying no doubt. That stopped me in my tracks, I couldn't say much more, I hated to see a girl cry and I think this is the first time I ever caused it.

It didn't me feel so hot, the inside of me quickly began to freeze over.

"You know what?" she began. "You're right Johnny, it isn't fair for me to say that, it really isn't. But I can tell you think us Socs got it made."

(You do...Don't you?)

"Well we don't, yeah y'all got it real tough, there's no denying that. But we've got worries you wouldn't even think about, our grades, who's got the best car, or rings-" she went on for a while more. But in the end I ignored the majority of it, knowing full as to where it was going.

"Yeah that sounds real tough, don't it?" she looked back at me incredulously. I then cursed myself for saying it out loud, I really wished she hadn't heard me say it, but that's how I truly felt right then.

"Oh you wouldn't understand," Marcia said sounding like she was fed-up with me by now, but now that I think about it, I've probably pushed her off that edge a long time ago.

I rose an eyebrow at her, but didn't smile. (Why? 'Cause I'm a grease?) I refused to let myself say it out loud, knowing she couldn't say no without lying to me and things would only get worse than they are now.

I sighed heavily to calm myself down, and gather my thoughts as Marcia seemed to go on and on, "I guess that's the same reason why Cherry didn't come either," I was saying to myself mostly but I also really needed Marcia to confirm my thoughts.

"Yeah." She just stopped what she was saying, or maybe finished long before I had said anything, but I wouldn't know either way.

"...You know what? I'm glad you two didn't come see them, I wouldn't want you to anyways. And Marcia, you can go ahead and stop acting so nice to me; I don't need any of your damn pity."

Marcia wheeled around and gazed at me in terror; barely believing a single bit of those words had come from this boy's mouth. "What? I'm not being nice to you because I feel sorry. I liked you from the start, Johnny."

I muttered a quiet, "Sure..." so she wouldn't be able to hear me, but what was really going on in my mind was: You fuckin' lier.

She looked back and let out a quivering sigh, "You know Johnny? Your friend, the hoodlum - Cherry was scared of him. But not in the way you'd think, she was scared of loving that man."

(Wait what?) I didn't believe that, I couldn't believe that.

...

Cherry Valence...in love with Dallas Winston? That can't be right... I don't even see how that's possible.

...

Is that why Cherry and Marcia didn't go to see both of them? Bob was Marcia's best friend, and Cherry's boyfriend - now that I think about it, I wouldn't think it'd be such a great idea to visit the guy who'd kill my best friend. In fact, I don't think I'd ever do it, no matter who they were. And maybe that's why Cherry hated Dally so much, she didn't want to see him - that way she wouldn't fall in love with him. Marcia would already be afraid of Dally. Even though Dally was unconscious the whole time he was in the hospital, Marcia'd know that even if she wanted to see him, it wouldn't matter to Dally either way. He wouldn't want her there, and she doesn't have to be where she's not wanted.

"Hey," I called out suddenly, "can you see the sunset read good from the West Side?"

She blinked, startled, then she smiled at me wiping away a tear, I hadn't even noticed her crying. "Yeah."

I grinned real lightly, "Cool."

"Hey Johnny..."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

I didn't say anything, just smiled back at her and we went on, walking home slowly...

Author's Note:

Ugh! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update for such a long time, I've been reading a lot more fanfics in that time so I guess I'll use that as an excuse. Well anyway, I'm sorry this chapter was a piece of crap, it really sucked and I don't know why I couldn't get it all together. Maybe I'll re-write the whole story sometime soon, I dunno.

Well, the nearly month long hiatus was very helpful to me, in fact the course of two of my stories greatly shifted in that time. For that I'm very glad I didn't update, because well - the newer plots I thought up were much better, actually.

Oh, and before I forget, this chapter two take place before chapter one does.

Okay, so obviously this chapter was based off Ponyboy's talk with Cherry. I decided I wanted to make it Marcia instead of Cherry here not only because she is a far more obscure character than Cherry but also because the fact that Cherry was in love with Dallas intrigues yet deeply perplexes Johnny. Which would be why the conversation would be between Ponyboy and Cherry in the book, instead of Johnny and Marcia; as Cherry told Ponyboy, but not Johnny.

Poor Johnny, he's being so selfish here. Kinda odd how he wants everything to be back to the way they were, yet he also wants to see that things have changed (and hopefully for the better) since his friends have died.

I've got the next chapter kinda planned out, but don't expect an update for a while since I'll be resuming my fanfic writing hiatus. The only reason why I bothered posting this up now is because quite a people asked me to.

Reviews are welcome...