I do not own The Outsiders but I do own Halley, Arya, Hannah, Aubree, and any other characters that do not seem familiar to the original story. Well, on with the story...

Chapter 13

Dally's POV

It's been two weeks since the fight between me and Soda, and since then we've worked things out. We're back to how we used to be before the whole "Halley infatuation" came between us. My lip is healed, except for a scar on my bottom lip, and Soda's black eye is clearing up.

Since I've arrived, I've become friends with the whole gang. They're all used to the way I act now, except for Two-Bit, who's still scared of me sometimes. But that's okay. I gotta keep my edge somehow.

This kid, Johnny, is like the pet of the gang. Everyone's real nice to him. He's kinda grown on me. He hangs around me a lot, so I've made it my job to look out for him. It seems like he looks up to me, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Some of the things I say and do, I don't wanna catch him doing or saying. But don't think I'm going soft. It's only Halley and Johnny that affect me.

I was sitting on the curb when I saw Johnny coming down the road towards me.

"Hey Johnnycakes," I said when he reached me, "What's up?"

"Hey Dal. Uhh…nothing really. I just have a favor to ask you. If it's all right that is," he said sitting down besides me.

"Sure Johnny. Shoot."

"Okay. I was wondering if you could maybe double date with me and Hannah. It's our first date and I'm kinda nervous and have no idea what I'm supposed to do."

"Yeah, Johnny. No problem. I'm just gonna have to check with Halley, but I'm sure she'll be okay with it."

"Okay, great. Thanks Dallas."

"No problem Johnnycakes. Tonight we can all go catch a movie. Then we can go for a walk in the park or something."

"Alright. Tonight's gonna be real tuff," he said getting up from the curb. "Thanks Dal. I'll see ya later." Then he walked away.

School had started Monday so everyone was either there or at work, except for Johnny who didn't go much. Friday's classes would be over soon so I decided I'd go fill Halley in on me and Johnny's plans for tonight.

I walked over to the high school and sat on the steps. I thought I'd surprise Halley when she came out. About ten minutes later people started coming out of the doors so I got off the steps. Halley walked out of the building, talking to Two-Bit and some broad.

Halley looked around the school yard. Her face looked shocked when her eyes fell on me. She instantly ran over to me and kissed me.

"Hey cowboy," she said, using the nickname she had given me when I started riding at the rodeos.

"Hey beautiful," I said and kissed her again. The girl and Two-Bit were soon over to us.

"Well who do we got here?" asked the girl.

"Oh, sorry. Emily, this is my boyfriend Dallas. Dallas, this is my best friend Emily."

"Hey," I said to her.

"Halley, you sure know how to pick your men," she said, "First Soda, now him. You have very good taste."

"Yes I know," she said, "Come on, let's go. I don't wanna hang around here any longer than I have to."

"Okay," I said, putting my arm around her waist. "I have something to talk to you about."

'Okay. What is it?"

"Johnny has a date with Hannah tonight so he asked me if we'd go along. So I told him we would. So if it's alright with you, we're gonna go with them to catch a movie and maybe do other stuff."

"Well I already had stuff planned for us," she said, giving me a flirtatious grin, "but we can tag along with them if you want."

I regretted agreeing to go with Johnny at that point because I really wanted to go along with Halley's plans but I had already told Johnny we'd go, so I couldn't back out now.

We continued the walk to the girls' house behind Emily and Two-Bit, who seemed to be getting pretty close. He usually only liked blondes, but he seemed to be making an exception for her.

We reached Halley's house and all four of us walked inside. The house was empty. We were the only ones there. Two-Bit went straight to the TV and turned on Mickey Mouse. The rest of use went into the kitchen to get some chocolate cake. Halley made it ,and hers is the best.

"Two-Bit, you want some?" Emily yelled from the kitchen.

"Sure. Bring me a beer too," he replied.

"Get off your ass and come get it yourself," Halley yelled back.

"Fine, I'll come get it myself." I heard the TV turn off and he came into the kitchen shortly after. He walked right to the fridge and took out a beer. "Anyone else want one?"

"Yeah, I'll have one," I told him.

"Me too," Emily said.

"Halley?" Two-Bit asked.

"Nope. I don't drink much."

Halley passed out the cake and we all sat at the table. "This is really good, Halley," Emily said.

"Thanks. It's a good thing I made it and not Aubree. Otherwise, it would've been way too sweet."

We finished our cake and then Halley and Emily went to Halley's room to do homework. Two-Bit and I went back into the living room and watched TV.

About half an hour later, Pony, Aubree, and Hannah walked in.

"Where's Halley?" Hannah asked.

"In her room. Why?"

"Because I need her, that's why."