Chapter 5: Football and Cigarettes

"So what now?" I get bored easily and I was staring to bore right now. "Its 4:30 – shouldn't Soda and Steve be home soon?"

"They should be here anytime." Victoria said – and just as she did they walked in.

Steve came right up to Victoria and gave her a hug – I rolled my eyes – stupid love birds.

Soda came in behind him grinning. "Hey guys!" Then he laughed. "…and Emma."

"Hey!" Victoria protested.

"Oops, sorry." Soda grinned again. "Hello guys, gal, and Toria." Victoria punched Soda playfully then sat on the couch beside Steve. Soon they were lost in their own little conversation.

Two-bit sat on the couch beside Victoria, Johnny and Pony sat on the floor, and Soda sat in Darry's chair after he changed out of his DX uniform.

I stood against the wall.

"I'm boorrred." I sighed. This place was boring – In New York there was always a fight going on, a rumble being planned, something being stolen, or a party being thrown. But there seemed to be no action in Tulsa at all. I had been here almost three weeks and there hadn't been one rumble yet and I hadn't gotten into any major fights, either, which for me, was a miracle.

"What is there to do in this town?" I asked. "Tulsa seems kinda quiet and boring."

"Ha." Steve huffed.

"It's not boring." Two-bit grinned devilishly and raised his eyebrows.

"You have no idea girly." Victoria said as if I had missed something big recently.

"Don't call me girly." I hated being called that – and that was about the third time she alone had called me that alone – not to mention Tim, Dally, and Curly calling me that.

I think it came out a little harsher than I expected, though because everyone looked at me in surprise and Victoria just raised her eyebrows – then she shut up.

"Seriously – what do you do for kicks around here?" I asked my question again.

"Get into fights, go to parties, and break the law." Two-bit said.

"Well how come I have been here almost three weeks, only seen two real good fights and not even seen one real party?"

"Because you're a girl, Tim's protecting you, and you probably wouldn't even know a real party if you saw one." Two-bit replied.

"Ha! You've never been to a New York party – and what does being a girl have anything to do with it?"

"Nothing, just that girl's don't usually get into good fights."

"Have you seen a cat fight recently?"

"No, but..." I cut him off.

"Well, there you go. Chicks can fight just as well as guys if not better." I hated when people underestimated girls or me because I'm thin. "Some can't fight at all, but just because a few girls can't, won't, or don't fight doesn't mean none can."

"Two-Bit, do me a favor and shut up." Victoria said. "You seem to have forgotten I'm a girl too."

"Ok, I guess you have a point." Two-bit said defeated.

"You guess?" I mumbled, luckily I don't think anyone heard.

"So… what are we going to do till Darry gets home?" I asked, yet again.

"Whatever you want. Soda and me have been working all day –we're tired and we're just gonna sit around." Steve said, hugging Victoria.

"Would you get off of me?" Victoria said shrugging him off of her.

"What do you want to do Emma?" Soda asked nicely, ignoring Steve.

"I don't know." I thought for a moment. "What do you do in Tulsa at 4:30 on a Wednesday?"

"Nothing usually." Pony said.

Usually on Sundays me and my New York friends would be planning & throwing a party, or at a rumble.

"That's boring." If they did nothing all the time why haven't they turned into vegetables?

"Well Darry's not going to be home for another hour and a half, so how about we go see a movie or find a party?" I suggested.

"There are no good movies out right now and the nightly double won't be starting for a while yet – it's still light out." Victoria spoke up. "And as for a party – Buck probably has one going, but Johnny doesn't go to parties, Pony and Soda aren't allowed, and Dally would kill either of us if we went to one. It doesn't stop me from going – but you shouldn't be going to parties at your age."

"I bet you went to parties when you were fourteen." I could pretty much guarantee that she did – so she had no say as to whether I do or not.

"It doesn't matter if I did or not – you're not." She shot back.

"Who says?"

"Dally and me." She narrowed her eyes and stressed the word me.

"Whatever. So seriously – what now? I'm bored to death."

Two-bit and Soda laughed, and Johnny chuckled.

"I think you might live." Soda laughed.

Smiling, I retorted. "I doubt it." I laughed along with Two-bit.

"Do you guys have a Frisbee or maybe a ball? We could go to the park." I suggested, suddenly having an idea. Why hadn't I thought of that before?

"We have a football." Pony said.

I frowned. "I can't play football –I suck at it."

"Do you even know how?" Steve asked, smirking slightly.

"Actually, no." I admitted.

That shocked Steve. "Have you ever played?"

"Uh," I hesitated. "Nope."

Steve smiled then, chuckling slightly.

"Well, today is the perfect time to learn and to try it." Soda grinned.

"I'll get the football." Pony said, jumping up.

"But…" I started.

"What? Don't you like trying new things?" Victoria asked somewhat mockingly.

"I tried a new city didn't I?" I retorted somewhat snotty.

"Yes, you did – how's that going for ya?" She asked challenging me – if I didn't say I liked Tulsa chances were she wouldn't like me.

"Tulsa's a great little city – a lot different form the huge New York, but its okay." I answered, softening my tone and body language. "Quiet."

Victoria smirked at that one. But I chose to ignore it. The only reason she didn't find it quiet is because she had never been to New York – and if she did, she would probably be frightened by all the noise. Or maybe fascinated, I don't know.

"I'll get the football!" Two-bit exclaimed suddenly, jumping up.

Moments later he returned with the football and we were on our way to the lot.

After a very rushed two minute explanation on how to play, we rushed into a game of football.

We were on two different teams: Steve, Victoria and Pony against Two-bit, Johnny and me. Soda was referee because we had an uneven number – Dally was still no where in sight.

Steve tossed the ball to Victoria and she took off towards our end zone, Two-bit right behind her. Steve took on Johnny and Pony came after me.

I quickly dodged Pony and Steve took down Johnny – who was also chasing Victoria – then Two-bit just missed Victoria and they got a touchdown.

Next Two-bit had the ball and was running the other way. Everyone piled on top of him and somehow Johnny got squished in there also.

I just stood there giggling; the football was lying on the ground beside the pile of people.

I went over and picked it up, still laughing – they still didn't notice.

"Go Emma! Go! Run!" Soda screamed at me.

Everyone stopped and looked at me.

Crap.

I ran. No second thoughts. Just ran.

I thought for sure I would make it, too. I had always been the fastest runner at my school in New York.

But I guess Pony was the fastest of the gang – because he caught me. Caught me, tackled me and knocked me right to the ground.

It shocked me so much that it knocked the wind out of me. I lay there for about thirty seconds before I realized that Johnny and Two-bit and Soda were cheering; I was in the end zone.

The game continued on, and we ended up winning a close game of 6 to 5.

We all sat down in the grass under a tree and Pony, Johnny, Two-bit and Steve all pulled out cigarettes and lit up.

I guessed Soda and Victoria didn't smoke because they didn't follow suit.

"Hey – anyone got an extra weed?" I asked. "I have a lighter, but no smokes."

They all looked at me.

"You smoke?" Soda asked surprised.

"Ya, what's the problem you all do – and its not like girls don't smoke in Tulsa – I've seen lots."

"No, there's no problem – just, we didn't know." Two-bit said handing me a smoke.

"Thanks." I replied, lighting up and taking a puff. "I don't smoke too often, usually just before or after a fight, or when I'm really pissed and need to blow some steam." A blew a smoke ring. "Or when I'm really, really bored." Another smoke ring. "Right now I just felt like one."

"Who knew?" Steve grunted and Victoria slapped him when he mumbled something else that I didn't catch. (AN: hey sorry guys, I don't remember exactly what Steve was saying here… but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with Emma being a lot like Dally.)

"What? It's true." He hissed, rubbing his arm.

I flicked my cigarette on the ground and stamped in out.

"Let's go home." I said standing up.

"Ya, Darry should be home soon." Soda stood up too – followed by everyone else.

Darry got home only about five minutes after we did.

"Hey guys." He greeted.

Everyone said hello to him and he went in the kitchen. I followed him quietly, standing in the door frame.

As soon as he saw that supper was already made his eyebrows shot up.

"Hope you don't mind – and if the sauce tastes slightly burned then that's Pony's fault – that was his job." I said softly.

"You made this?" He asked shocked.

"Um, ya."

"Why?"

Don't reveal your strategy yet.

"No reason."

"Don't like my cooking?" He laughed, joking around.

"No, your chili was disgusting." I laughed making a face.

"Well then you can make supper tonight." Darry puffed out his chest and crossed his arms.

"Fine." I said switching from arrogant to snotty. "Done!" I said stirring the sauce, changing back to my normal self and letting go of the act.

Darry and I both laughed.

"Thanks for making supper it looks delicious – I'll heat it up and we can eat." He said turning on the stove.

"No – I'll do it." Don't be too eager – you'll give yourself away.

"No. You've done enough. Thanks, but I've got it." He insisted.

"Okay." I caved.

In about 15 minutes we were sitting at the table eating.

Dally arrived about five minutes after Darry had, so he was sitting at the table with the rest of us eating supper, too.

"Mmmm. Emma this is good." Soda said after his second helping of spaghetti and salad.

"Ya. I wov vis vood Em." Two-bit said with his mouth full of food – noodles and lettuce spilling out of his mouth.

"Thanks." I blushed slightly, and then giggled as Two-bit sucked in a noodle which then flew up and slapped him in the face – sticking to his nose.

Darry chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes Emma, thank-you for making supper. Whatever reason you did it – I appreciate it."

"Ya… why did you make supper?" Steve asked.

Before I could answer a loud meow sounded through the house.

Everyone looked at me. Victoria, Two-bit, Pony, and Johnny all looking expectantly and everyone else slightly confused.

"What was that!" Steve exclaimed.

"That, Steve, was the sound a cat makes – you know cats meow, dogs bark." Soda said.

"I know that smarty-pants." Steve snapped.

"Why did a cat meow from inside the house?" Darry asked looking at me.

I slumped in my chair.

"Maybe your house has a ghost...?" I joked half-heartedly.

When no one said anything I mentally slapped myself.

"I have a cat and he'srealcuteyou'lllovehim, canhestayhere?" I said rushing the last part.

"What was that?" Steve asked confused.

I sighed, sitting up straight.

"I have a cat, his name is Jet and he's real cute." I looked at Darry. "I'll feed him and he's house trained and very nice and well behaved." Darry could tell where this was going. "Can I please keep him?" I asked sheepishly.

"I'm allergic to cats." Steve stated loudly and very ignorantly.

My heart sank. Plunk.

"We know you are." Victoria said. "He gets really...sneezy." Steve groaned. "It's true; the last time you were around a cat you couldn't stop sneezing."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice and off my face, but I guess I failed.

"You say he's house trained?" Darry asked.

"Yes, he never messes in the house." Why was he even bothering? I obviously couldn't have a cat here if Steve was allergic.

"And you would pay for any food for him and take full responsibility for him?" He continued.

"Yes…" I was unsure of were this was going.

"Well then, as long as he stays in your room, you can keep him." Darry said finally.

"What!" Steve exclaimed.

"If the cat…"

"Jet." I cut in.

"If Jet stays in Emma's and Victoria's bedroom, and Emma takes care of him, then you won't be affected." Darry said.

"But then I can't go in Toria's room." Steve whined.

"It's only fair to her."

"I promise he will be quiet, and as soon as he gets used to you guys and all the smells and noise of the house, I'll let him outside – then he'll just spend most of his time there and occasionally come home." I defended myself, even though, apparently Darry already was. "I only want him to get used to the noise and smells so that he can at least feel comfortable when he does come to sleep with me at night."

"See? It can work." Darry was good at playing peacekeeper. "But you better do your part Emma." He said looking at me. "Keep him in the room and if he meows all the time he's out."

"Yes sir." I nodded, smiling.

After that the subject was dropped, we had dessert and did the dishes, and I snuck off to give Jet some scraps of spaghetti that I had saved him. He had only meowed earlier from hunger and fear. New sounds, deep voices and a growling stomach. He usually never meowed, just when he was scared or hungry.

Like I had told Darry, he was a good cat.

When Jet finished the cold pasta he lay down on my pillow and went to sleep.

Bed that night was around 10:20ish and to my delighted surprise Victoria warmed up to Jet, and as I had expected – he immediately loved her.

The last thing I remember before falling asleep was an owl hooting, people fighting in the distance, and Jet's warm purring presence between me and Victoria.