Chapter 9 …. The Influence

Two-bit drove us to school that Monday. His old Plymouth made it to the school on a wing and a prayer. It was a miracle the hunk of junk even started. The paint was chipped and the steel rusted. Even the seats were torn to pieces. You could feel the springs digging into your rear end.

The lot was packed by the time we got there. We ended up having to park all the way in the back. We all piled out of the car. Two-bit went over to some blondes leaning up against the car beside ours. I followed Pony and Johnny.

"Daisy!" I heard someone call. I turned to find Jesse jogging over to me. Once he got to me, he leaned in and gave me a quick kiss.

" Hey Jess" I smiled. He was looking real fine with his hair greased back and his black leather jacket.

" I missed you." He was suck a sweetie. He grabbed my hand and led me to a private spot on the side of the building. He leaned me up against the wall and began kissing me. We made out for a while before he pulled away and gently pushed back a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

" Daisy you are so perfect." He sighed.

" Nobody's perfect Jesse." The bell rang.

" Come on I'll walk you to class."

The day went by extremely slow. Jesse walked me to nearly every class. He was such a great guy. I was so relieved when 7th period came around and it was finally time for lunch. Jesse and I stood on the line for quite a while. We were almost to the front when I felt a sharp sting in my butt. I squealed and spun around to find a real greasy guy with a grin on his face.

" Nice cheeks darlin'" The boy winked.

" Watch it Brumley" Jesse hissed. Brumley? That was the gang that lived over the tracks on the west side. My brothers had always told me to stay away from them. They were nothing but trouble.

"Ain't my fault your broads got a nice ass Russo." The cocky boy sneered. Jesse grabbed him by the collar.

" Keep your hands off my girl scumbag!" Wait, did Jesse just call me his girl?! I couldn't believe it.

" Whatever." The boy said shaking Jesse off. " I already got my feel." He laughed, walking away.

" You ok?" Jesse asked, rubbing the side of my face with his thumb.

" Yea I'm fine." The situation didn't really upset me. It wasn't that big of a deal. " You just called me your girl."

" Well, yea… I thought ya know.. since we…" He got all nervous.

"It's ok Jesse. I like it" I smiled at him.

" Good." He sighed in relief and threw his arm around my shoulders.

We got our food and looked for a table. "Daisy!" I spotted Sandy waving me over to a table in the back. She was sitting with a whole bunch of people. I recognized a lot of them. There was Jesse's step brother Joe, Angela Shepherd, Dally's girl Sylvia and a girl I always saw Steve hanging with. I guessed she was Evie. Jesse say beside his brother and I squeezed in between him and Sandy.

" You're the Curtis girl ain't yaThe ?" Sylvia asked from across the table. She was a tough girl. Her hair was huge, lipstick red as blood and her clothes left little to the imagination. Totally Dally's type.

" Yea." I answered. She made me a little nervous.

" Well damn! Good looks definitely run in the family!" I knew I was blushing.

" Did you ask your brother?" Sandy asked.

" I can go" I smiled at her. She clapped her hamds and pulled me into a hug.

" I'm so excited! Oh, this is Evie. Evie this is Soda's little sister, Daisy. She's gunna come this weekend."

" Be at my house by six." She was a little snobby. But I ignored her tone and agreed.

" I'll pick you up at your house. We can go together." Sandy told me.

" Those Brumley's are getting out of hand." Joe commented as he glared at the guys a few tables away who were currently harassing a girl I recognized from the neighborhood. I had always thought the only worry greasers had were Socs. But it was becoming clear to me that there was a huge feud going on between the different gangs. Thought my brothers were not actually involved in the hardcore gang activity. We were apart of the Shepherd's. We lived in Tim's territory and we knew our allegiance.

" We gotta talk with Tim." Jesse agreed.

The last two periods flew by. I was still thinking about Jesse and the gang drama. I knew if things heated up there would be danger. I worried Jesse could get hurt.

" Soda said to meet him at the DX." Pony said when I met him in the front of the school. Two-bit had detention as usual. " He's getting out early today."

Soda had the DX locked up by the time we got there. He took my school bag and carried it for me. " I don't want you two walking alone. Things are getting rough around here." Soda said.

" Soda, we weren't allowed to walk alone anyway." Pony pointed out.

"Hey sweet cheeks. Fancy seeing you here." An old Chevy pulled up beside us.

The same boy from lunch was hanging out the window. " Hop in. Let's have some fun!"

" This ain't your turf John." Soda growled at the boy and pushed me behind him.

" This ain't none of your business Curtis."

" The hell it ain't! This is my kid sister scumbag! Get the hell out of here!" I had never seen Soda so aggressive.

" She's one sexy kid." The boy laughed. " I'll see you around darlin' " He winked at me and the car pulled away.

" How do you know that guy?" I asked Soda as we began to walk again.

" He used to live around here… traitor." Soda was really angry. " You tell me if he bothers you again."

" I will." I assured him.

Nobody was in the house when we got there. Soda went straight into the shower and Ponboy sat on the couch to watch TV. I went into the kitchen to start on dinner. Tonight I planned on making hamburgers.

" Where's the food at?!" Two-bit exclaimed as he came in, slamming the door.

" Daisy's cookin it" Pony said.

" Hey chef boy are beauty!" Two-bit greeted me as he took a seat at the table.

"I thought you had detention?"

" I got out early." He grinned.

" More like left." I laughed and shook my head.

" You know me too well baby girl."

Darry came home late that night. He didn't get to the house until ten and he was extremely tired. I felt real bad for him. It wasn't fair that he had to take on this much responsibility. He was in his room looking over some papers when I went in to check on him.

" Hey Darry." I said as I walked in and climbed into his lap. He was sitting at his desk. " Hey baby girl, You need something? He asked.

" No, just wanted to make sure you were ok."

" I'm fine baby." He gave me a tired smile," Are you ok? Soda told me about what happened today."

I knew Soda would tell him. " I'm ok. It wasn't that big of a deal."

" Well it could have been. I want you to be careful Daisy. Those guys could be dangerous. Even worse then the Socs"

" I'll be ok. Jesse's with me most of the day. And the gangs there."

" Yea… How are things going with him?"

" He called me his girl today." I beamed.

" Oh boy" Darry sighed.

" What?" He looked upset.

" Nothing… It's just that your growing up. And I don't think I'm ready for it."

" Darry, everyone has to grow up." I said.

" Doesn't mean I have to like it." He grinned." Just don't let Jesse talk you into anything you don't want to."

" Darry you know I won't." I assured him.

" I know you're smart Daisy. But it's my job as your brother to tell you that,"

I laughed. " You better get to bed. It's getting late." He suggested.

" Can I sleep in here tonight?" I asked. I had always slept in Darry's room on occasion. I slept better in there.

" Yea baby. Go get changed." I went into my room and pulled on one of Soda's old t shirts and a pair of shorts. Darry was already in his bed by the time I got back in there. I climbed in next to him and he threw an arm over me.

" Goodnight Darry. I love you." I said, half asleep.

" Goodnight babygirl. I love you more." I drifted off.