For The Love of a Greaser
Chapter 29
Paranoia Before A Rumble
That evening, Darry had to work later so I decided to walk home, my jacket over my shoulders and a bag of food in my hands. I had gotten so used to the rides to and from work that now it seemed strange almost, walking home like this. It didn't really bother me much though since I really had nothing to worry about. All the big Socs would be getting ready for the rumble tonight, just like Darry and the others. I'd even heard from him that Tim Shepard's gang was going to help out, helping to even the odds as much as possible. To be honest though, I wish that they didn't have to do this at all, but it was to keep them off of our turf. After all, if it hadn't been for them, then Johnny wouldn't be where he was right now. If it weren't for them, then none of this would have ever happened to begin with.
As I kept walking though, I got this strange feeling that I was being followed. I wasn't sure why though because every time that I looked back no one was there. If there was, then they were walking in the other direction or something else. I had no explanation for it, but after a while, it was really starting to freak me out. I even went as far as to walking inside a store, browsing for a few minutes, before going back outside just to make sure. It didn't do me much good though because it started right back up once I exited the store.
"Okay, this is really starting to get annoying," I muttered, quickly walking down a nearby street.
If I had to, I'd end up going a whole different route completely if necessary.
No matter what I did, no matter how many turns and back alley ways I took, nothing seemed to work. Whoever it was was definitely quick and good at hiding, that was for sure.
T
The moment I got to the house I hurried inside and locked the door. I wasn't going to take any chances with whoever it was that had been following me.
"Two-Bit? Ponyboy?" I called, walking through the house.
As expected, I got no reply, making me sigh in annoyance. Last thing I needed was to be here by myself with the possibility that someone had followed me home. The whole situation just made me more paranoid.
"They had better get home soon."
T
It had been around six o'clock when everyone finally started getting home, putting my nerves at ease. Although, that didn't mean that it made things any easier in trying to explain things. In fact, I hadn't even been sure on whether or not to say anything. A distraction like that was the last thing any of the guys needed.
"Hey, Two-Bit, where's Eden?" I asked, walking out of the kitchen.
He was sitting in the armchair with a beer in his hand, watching Steve and Soda mess around playing cards at the table. Ponyboy was over on the couch though, while Darry was busy doing pushups in the middle of the living room floor. I'd say that this was the first time I'd ever seen Darry working out in the house like this.
"Don't worry, she's over at a friends house. We dropped her off earlier," he told me.
"Wonderful," I sighed. "And why is it that she couldn't stay with you guys like I asked earlier?"
"I don't know, I guess she just didn't feel that comfortable with the idea of going down to the hospital," Two-Bit said with a shrug.
"Lovely..."
I'd have to talk to her about that later, but for now, I had to talk to Darry.
"Hey, Darry?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, gesturing toward the back.
"Yeah, sure," he nodded, before pushing himself up off the floor and walking out back with me. "What's wrong?" he asked.
I stood there for a moment, wrapping my arms loosely around my self. I wasn't exactly sure where to begin though. I just hoped that he didn't think that I was crazy.
"Would you believe me if I told you I thought I was being followed earlier?" I asked, turning to face him.
"Followed?" his brows furrowed together for a moment. "When?"
"It was when I was on my way home," I told him, scratching the back of my neck. "I didn't see anyone though, but it still felt like someone was following me," I explained.
"You're sure?" he asked, hoping maybe it was just me being paraniod.
"Positive."
"How far did they follow you?" he asked warily.
"All the way home."
He groaned upon hearing my words, but that was to be expected. We didn't need anymore trouble, yet now there was a possibility for something to happen.
"You sure you didn't see who it was?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, no. Whoever it was kept their distance enough so that I wouldn't catch them."
"I have a feeling that we're going to have to start locking the doors," he said, obviously not happy with the whole thing.
"Or a dog?" I suggested, earning a chuckle in return.
"You know, you're not the only one to suggest something like that," he chuckled.
"Really now?"
"Ponyboy brought it up to my parents a couple years ago. We just never really got around to it though," he told me.
"Well, maybe it's time for a change then," I said, a small smile on my face.
"Perhaps," he nodded, moving closer a moment later.
Before I could stop him, he had his arms wrapped around me, pulling me against his bare chest.
"Ugh! You're all sweaty," I cried, pushing against him.
It did me little good though because how much stronger he was than me. Although, it didn't exactly bother me that much, even though I knew he was doing it on purpose.
"It can't be that bad," he chuckled, wrapping his arm around my neck a moment later.
"Okay, now that is nasty," I groaned, trying to pull away.
The last thing that I wanted was to have my head stuck in his sweaty armpit. Luckily, he let go after a moment, allowing me to pull away. I smacked his arm after that though, wiping the back of my neck off.
"Remember, I know where you sleep," I said, hinting a warning threat.
"As do I," he countered.
"I can always sleep on the couch," I pointed out. "Or I could just kick you out of the room," I told him.
"I'd like to see you try."
"Dang it!" I exclaimed, before shoving him in the back. "Alright, back inside with you," I commanded, pushing as hard as I could.
He could have stayed exactly where he was, but I suppose that he decided to humor me, moving forward toward the door.
"I hope I don't bruise," he teased, earning a sharp smack in the back of the head.
He just laughed though as if it didn't even hurt. Truly, I knew that it didn't. Besides, it's not like I was actually trying to hurt him or anything anyway. I just got annoyed some times at the constant teasing. Thankfully, he wasn't too bad about it though. Steve and Dally were probably the worse and I wouldn't put it passed Two-Bit to join in either. Two-Bit seemed to know his limits though for my sake.
"Inside," I pushed, continuing to shove him toward the door.
Once we were inside, we could hear the others talking, Ponyboy asking something about shaving. I caught Soda saying something about Darry starting at 13, making me laugh a bit.
"Man you grew up quick," I teased.
"Do you really wanna go there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sure it can wait til later," I said, going and sitting down in his chair.
"Why, you figurin on growin a beard for the rumble?" Soda asked.
"Oh, you're funny," Ponyboy scoffed. "We ought to send you in to readers digest or something, I hear they pay a lot of money for funny things," he said, coming to stand about a foot from the table. "You like fights, huh Soda?" Ponyboy asked.
"Yeah, I like fights, man."
"How come?" Ponyboy asked, giving him a curious look.
"It's a contest. It's like a drag race or dance or somethin like that," he grunted, trying his best to beat Steve at arm wrestling.
"We gonna beat those Socs heads anyway. When I get in a fight I like to stomp the lot too," Steve exclaimed, putting more pressure on Soda's arm, until finally he folded and Steve won.
"How come you like fights Darry?" Ponyboy asked, turning toward his eldest brother.
Before Darry could say anything though, Soda butted in.
"He likes to show of his muscles," Soda laughed, a cheeky grin on his face, earning a laugh from Ponyboy.
"Hey, I'm gonna show 'em off on you little buddy if you get any mouthier," Darry warned, pulling his shirt on over his head.
After that, he unzipped his pants and tucked his shirt in like he always does, making sure to go all the way around. He then buttoned them and zipped them back up, fixing his belt afterward, before rolling the sleeves of his shirt up a bit.
"You could always show 'em off on Abigail," Soda said off handedly, before standing up.
"Careful kid, otherwise, you'll have both of us after you," I told him, tucking the tag on Darry's shirt in.
I swear, he always seemed to loved wearing those tight black shirts of his. What I didn't understand though was why he was wearing one of his nice black ones to the rumble. That was neither here nor there though.
"Hey, Pony, uh, I don't know if you ought to be in this rumble," Darry said.
"How come?" he asked curiously. "I always came through before ain't I?"
It was obvious that he didn't look that good. Even this morning I had noticed that. He just looked worse right now is all, sweat covering his face and neck. He pulled at the collar of his shirt, before speaking, his voice a bit scratchy.
"Yeah, but you was in shape before and I," he paused for a moment, trying to place his words. "You just ain't lookin so good," he said. "You're just tensed up all the time, you know?"
"Come on Darry, let him fight. Everyone's tensed up before a rumble," Soda offered. "It's skin against skin. He ain't gonna get hurt, is he?" he said, clapping him on the back.
"Come on, I'll grab hold of a little one," Pony said.
"Well, we will need every man we can get," Darry started, thinking it over. "But I don't know."
"Look, if it was knives and chains or somethin it'd be different," he told him. "I'll be okay."
"Alright, but you be careful, okay?" Darry told him.
"How come you never worry about him as much?" Ponyboy asked, looking over at Soda.
"Man, that's one kid brother I ain't gotta worry about," Darry said, wrapping his arm around Soda's neck. "Least for one thing to grow hair on," Darry said, grabbing Soda in a headlock, and grinding his knuckles against the top of his head.
"What are you doing!" Soda cried.
After that, Darry ran out the door before I could even say anything, Soda chasing after him in an attempt to get even. This made me smile as I watched them run out, everyone laughing cheerfully, so full of energy. I also watched as Darry ran over to the fence, grabbing hold of it and using his strength and momentum to push himself into a handstand. He was able to balance himself enough to turn around and land on the ground perfectly. I never knew that he was that athletic, at least not to that extent. He had done it with the strength and grace of a gymnist.
"Darry!" I called out, watching him turn around to smile at me.
I ran over to the fence and grabbed his hand, holding it close.
"Be careful?" I pleaded.
He just smiled, before placing his other hand on my cheek, drawing me closer.
"I promise," he breathed, pressing a kiss to my forehead, ruffling my hair afterward.
He then turned around to find the others staring and Steve up on the hood of his truck.
"Save the romance for after the fight," Soda laughed.
"Hey, get off my truck," Darry said, watching as Steve did a back flip off of it, actually managing to land this time without hitting his head on anything. "Let's go!" Darry said, before moving quickly down the street with the others.
That was my cue to head back in, closing the door behind me and locking it. I wasn't taking any chances tonight.
"Hello, can you connect me to Dallas Winston's room, please?" I asked, dialing the hospital.
T
"How ya doin Tim," Darry greeted, coming to stand before Shepard's gang.
"Pretty good," he replied, before turning his head to look at Ponyboy. "You and the quiet kid are the ones that killed the Soc, right?" he asked.
Ponyboy just nodded his head in response.
"Good goin kid. Curly always said you were a good kid," Tim commented. "Curly's in a reformatory for the next six months," he added, turning his eyes back toward Darry.
Shortly after, cars started pulling up one by one, Socs piling out.
"Hey, Greasers!"
T
"What do you mean you can't find him?" I asked.
T
Everyone started lining up, Soc and Greaser a like, drunk and sober. Some Socs were even falling over because they were so drunk.
"Hello Darrel, long time no see," Paul said, coming to stand before Darry, his hands stuffed in the jockets of his football jersey.
"Hello Paul," Darry greeted, his tone neutral as he stood there, his arms folded over his chest.
"You know, I haven't paid Abby a visit in a while," he said absently.
"I think it's best you keep it that way," Darry told him.
Paul merely smirked, before wiping his hands on his pants.
"The things I'd love to do with that girl," he breathed.
Darry stood his ground, trying to hide the look of disgust on his face. If it weren't for the fact that they were trying to hold the fight off just a bit longer, he would have already hit the guy. He never did take lightly to comments like that being made about Abigail or any woman for that matter, especially his.
"Sorry to put a damper on your night, but she's off the market," Darry told him.
"We'll see about that."
T
"He's got to be there somewhere," I said.
"I'm sorry miss, but the only thing we found was his hospital bracelet," she explained.
That's when it hit me. The rumble.
"Damn it Winston!" I hissed.
T
All that it took was one outburst as Dallas Winston came barreling through the trees yelling. One outburst from a stubborn Greaser and the Socs struck.
Yay! Chapter 29. I didn't think I'd be able to get it up tonight, but I managed. I bet you're all wondering who the mysterious stalker is? Well, that person will show up soon. Abigail is in for a world of trouble. Anyway, please REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and feelings on this chapter/story. I LOVE hearing FEEDBACK! It helps me write and keeps me happy. Anyway, thanks everyone!