Chapter 10… The Gunshot

The war got worse as the week went on. Angela had gotten jumped real bad. Her brother Curly found her knocked out in an alley. A few guys were shot over on Yates Ave. The guys had me on high security. I wasn't alone for even a second when I was out of the house. If one of the gang wasn't with me, Jesse was. I sat with Sandy and Angela at lunch every day and we all got pretty close. Sandy would come over to the house and we would talk for was still a little stand offish but I didn't ket it get to me.

" Earth to Daisy?" Jesse waved his hand in front of my face. I had gotten to Bio early and was spacing out when he came in. "You ok?"

" Yea, I was just daydreaming." I smiled as he kissed my cheek.

" Bout' me?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

" Maybe." I teased him.

" I'm walking you home today." He said excitedly.

"Why?" I asked. Two-bit was supposed to be driving me.

" Two-bit got detention last period and Ponyboy's got track practice. Remember?"

" What do you wanna do? I asked.

" We can just go to your house.." He shrugged.

" The house will be empty." I winked.

" Oh yea?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Mhmm" I giggled.

" Ok class today we will be studying the anatomy of amphibians." Mr. Richards announced as he came in rolling a table with a pile of tin containers with dead frogs in them. Jesse went up and got one for us.

" EW!" I said, stepping back a little. Jesse grabbed the frog by one leg and dangled it in front of my face. " Jesse, stop!" I screamed.

" Ms. Curtis and Mr. Russo! That is not appropriate lab behavior!" Mr. Richards scolded us. Jesse put the frog back in the tray and picked up the knife.

" Would you like to do the honors?" Jesse teased. I looked at him like he had six heads and he got the hint.

" That's disgusting!" I scowled and the now cut open frog.

" Oh don't be such a girl!" Jesse said while poking at it.

" I am a girl." I smacked his arm.

" Thank God for that." He laughed.

We walked hand in hand through the cafeteria to our table. The whole crew was already there. Angela and Joe were all over each other like usual.

" Damn! I forgot the ketchup" Jesse said.

" I'll get it for you baby." I offered, getting out of my seat.

" You're the best." He smiled.

I made my way through the sea of people. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a boy approach. I didn't have enough time to react before he grabbed me by the waist.

" Luke get the hell off of me." I struggled against his grip.

" Did ya miss me darling?" He drawled.

" No!"

" Playing hard to get? I dig it." He kissed my cheek.

" LUKE I DON"T WANT YOU!" I screamed in his face. The entire lunch room went silent. All the students began to stare. Waithing to see our next move, " NOW GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!"

Luke's face looked stricken. In a moment it went from hurt to enraged. " You're gonna regret that." Luke hissed before releasing me and leaving the room. I walked over to the stand, got the ketchup and walked back to the table while the whole room watched.

" Are you ok?" Jesse asked as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

" I'm fine." I sighed, leaning my head against his shoulder.

Jesse met me by my locker at the end of the day. He grabbed my hand as we exited the building. The walk to my house was a long one but I didn't mind. I snuggled closer to Jesse and enjoyed the time I had with him.

" I still can't believe that scumbag from lunch! Wait till I get my hands on him." Jesse said angrily.

" Don't worry about it baby. He's just an idiot." I tried to calm him down.

" You don't put your hands on my girl like that."

" Why don't you just talk to Tim. Can't he just put him in line?" I asked. Tim had complete control over his gang.

" That kid ain't no Shepherd! He's a Brumley." I was shocked. I looked at Jesse with wide eyes. " Don't worry Daisy. He won't hurt you."

"He's such a creep!" I said, disgusted.

" Let's not think about him anymore." Jesse said. Stopping and turning me towards him. " Daisy… I was gunna wait but… will you be my girl."

" Y…yes" He grabbed me and lifted me off the ground, swinging me. I knew I was his girl. But him actually asking was so great!

" Im so happy you said yes baby." He put me back down. He gently brushed the loose hair out of my eyes and caressed the side of my face with his thumb. " My girl." He sighed.

It was then that I spotted the black corvair driving oddly slow down the street. I didn't recognize the driver but the passenger was all too familiar. Luke's cocky smirk stared at me as he slowly lifted the black pistol. "Jesse" Was all I could get out. Jesse pushed me to the ground with his body over mune just as the gunshots rang out. When they finally stopped, Jesse rolled off of me.

" Are you ok baby?" He was panicing.

" I'm fine." I was shaken, but alive. " Are you ok?" I watched as Jesse clutched his shoulder. The red liquis seeped through the gaps in his fingers and he went limp. His eyes closed and he stopped moving.

"JESSE!"…