Blowin' Smoke

Amanda: I do! I wondered when you would call me that again lol. And you'll see, who knows what my devious mind will come up with lol. Thank you for reviewing!

Candymouse22: Haha, you'll find out in this chapter! Thank you for your review.

Shattered Aura: Thank you! Yes it does, but I'm absolutely wracking my brain for somewhere else he can work, but I haven't thought of anything else yet. My pacing is what I think is my worst point, but it's also what I'm trying to improve on. Thank you for your advice, your reviews always help me so much! :) Enjoy!

CHAPTER 4

Ponyboy's POV (December, 1967)

I heard the front door bang open, causing me to look up from my history book. My eyes widened when they landed on the figure that flew through our door. It was Steve, looking like he had just seen a ghost.

"Darry, you guys have to come. It's Two-Bit. We got jumped." My stomach dropped. That was all it took. Darry jumped up and we followed him, running out the door.

It was then, as we started running that I noticed Steve was leaning funny on his right leg, his lip was bleeding, and his eye was turning a dark purple.

After a minute or so Darry and Steve were about thirty feet in front of us and Soda and I slowed down to a quick walk. An asthma attack from either of us wasn't needed with everything going on, the main focus was making sure Two-Bit was okay.

When we finally got to him, he was breathing funny and clutching his side. His eyes were half-closed and they kept fluttering like he was struggling to stay awake. I almost puked; it reminded me too much of when Johnny got jumped, which was something I didn't want to think about, not even a year and a half later.

Darry threw Two-Bits arm over his shoulder and Soda did the same with Two-Bits other arm. I tagged behind them with nothing to do and feeling slightly awkward. I clenched my fists at my side.

The house wasn't very far away, but Two-Bit was exhausted by the time we got there and Steve's limp was worse than before. Darry helped Two-Bit slowly onto the couch and started barking orders for different supplies.

Two-Bit took a few greedy gulps of rum before Darry asked him to take his shirt off. Within a few seconds Darry knew Two-Bit had broken one of his ribs. Darry stitched up a cut on Two-Bit's jaw line with surgical precision and wrapped up his ribs tightly. By time Darry was finished, Two-Bit had passed out from exhaustion, but he looked better now that his face was cleaned up.

Darry then turned to Steve, who removed the ice rag from his lip to show Darry.

"I'm all good, Darry. I don't need any stitches."

"How's that leg of yours? What did you do to it?"

"It's not broke or nothin'. Just twisted my ankle funny," Steve explained. Darry nodded solemnly.

"These Socs are going too far. Twice in the past month they've come and jumped one of us in our territory," Sodapop raged suddenly, surprising me. He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched.

"'Bout time we have a rumble and teach these Socs a little lesson," Steve suggested, his voice matching Soda's in bitterness. Soda nodded excitedly. Darry furrowed his eyebrows.

"I don't know what you're getting excited about, little buddy, even if we do decide to call a rumble you sure ain't goin'."

"You think your gonna win a rumble with just the three of you? Have you lost your mind?" Soda gaped.

"I think I'm going to get every other greaser we know and keep you out of it, Soda. If there even is a rumble. Let it go," Darry's tone left no room for argument. Ticked off, Sodapop got up wordlessly and escaped into our shared bedroom.

I wanted to go after Soda, but I figured he needed his space. Suddenly exhausted, I stood up and stretched.

"I'm taking a shower and going to bed," I announced.

"G'Night, Pone," Darry answered.

"Night, Dar."

OoOoOoO

"I want to go too, Soda," was the first thing I said when I opened Soda and I's shared bedroom door.

"Me too. I say we sneak out after they leave," Soda suggested, his voice low so Darry wouldn't overhear, but he sounded less angry than early.

"Would it work?"

"I think so, Pone. Just take a different route than they do, and jump out and start fightin' right when it starts. Darry wouldn't have any time to see us until it was over. We'll get caught, Pony, but it wouldn't be till after. We'll get to fight," Soda's voice held so much longing that I couldn't argue with him. "Aren't you sick of being left out?"

I nodded. "Let's do it."

It was time to stop being scared and careful and start taking action. It wasn't going to be Darry and the gang doing all the fighting this time, I was going to be able to fight for myself for a change and for all of the other greasers.

A/N: Please keep reviewing guys. Anything is welcome besides flames.

Stay Gold,

-Alee XxX