Chapter Two

I woke up to the sound of Soda howling in pain. "Ouch! My toe!" I heard him hop around our room and Darry hollering at him to quit making so much noise.

I exhaled softly and pulled the covers over my head to shield myself from the overbearing sunshine.

I was barely aware of Soda telling me to get up and was about to drop off again when I felt arms picking me up and suddenly felt the wind being knocked out of me. My eyes shot open and I gasped for breath on my back, and I caught a glimpse of Soda's grinning face.

I quickly caught my breath and grinned at him on my knees, "You bodyslam me again, greaser," I sneakily grabbed my pillow behind my back, "and I'll have you wishin' you never touched me!" I declared haughtily.

I watched his face morph into a sly smirk as his eyebrow quirked like Two-Bit's, "Oh yeah? We'll see about that, Shortcak-!" His smart remark was cut short as he yelped like a girl as I quickly hit him as hard as I could with the pillow right in his face.

He quickly recovered though and we soon were wrestling each other on the bed, and I was made painfully aware that he had already greased his hair for the day as I got smeared in the face a couple of times. I liked wrestling with the guys, it was kinda like a hug but with a few soft punches and headlocks mixed in. Two-Bit was my favourite to wrestle though, he was a great mix of fun and fight when we wrestled and it always ended with me winning, even though I was barely half his weight and reached just short of his shoulder. Sodapop was always too full of energy and wanted to keep going even after several minutes, and Darry always went too easy on me. Johnny didn't really like to wrestle and Dally barely pulled back on his punches when he wrestled with me. Once, when we were wrestling we exchanged shiners, and even though I didn't like it much Darry disliked it even more. That day, Dally ended up with two shiners.

"Get your butts down here, y'all are gonna be late!" Darry's booming voice practically shook the walls of our old home as me and Soda got off of each other. His cheeks were flushed as he grinned at me, and I couldn't help but return it back.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his side, his hand smoothed out the top of my light brown— nearly dirty blonde— hair and he planted a chaste kiss on the top. I smiled up at him as he grinned, and he promptly pushed me towards the bathroom, "Alright, up and at 'em, Baby. I don't need Darry hollerin' at me for makin' you late."

I got my clothes and quickly changed in the bathroom before washing my face clean of any hair grease Soda got on me. Finally, I opened the cabinet where we keep all the cleaning supplies and reached for the very back corner and smiled as I felt the familiar tube of mascara and lipgloss waiting for me. Susie had got me some makeup for my birthday last year, but I had to hide it since Momma didn't like me wearing makeup so young. I guess now that she wasn't here to stop me I didn't have to hide it anymore, but to leave it in the open would just solidify the fact that my Momma wasn't ever going to be telling me not to wear makeup ever again. Besides, I was sure Darry and Soda wouldn't be too overjoyed about the fact either. I didn't quite understand though, all the girls at school wore makeup already! Why couldn't I?

I shoved my thoughts to the side as I quickly curled my lashes and brushed some mascara on. I had to put the lipgloss in my skirt pocket though, Darry and Soda don't notice my mascara but they'll notice the shine on my lips.

I took one last look in the mirror before rushing to the kitchen to make sure Soda didn't eat all of the eggs Darry made for me.

To my surprise, Soda hadn't eaten my breakfast, but to my anger, Steve and Two-bit had.

I gasped and swatted at both of them and was about to start hollering when Darry shouted from the living room, "Baby, you got your bag ready?"

I yelped as I remembered everything was still in my room and was strewn all over the place. "Yeah!" I yelled as I rushed back to my room. I faintly heard the guys laughing at me.

I barely managed to get everything I needed together as Steve yelled at me to hurry up. On the days he skipped school, Steve drove me, Johnny, and Two-Bit to school before heading to the DX to clock in with Soda. The other mornings I just walked.

I ran past Darry who was putting on my work boots and jumped into Steve's old truck, "Bye, Darry!" Me and Soda yelled as Steve pressed on the gas and my hair went flying in the wind. All the guys drove real fast, and Darry always hated it when they did it with me in the car. I kind of hated it too, made my stomach churn, but I would never admit that to anyone. It would just make me out to be a big baby and give Darry all the more reason for someone to babysit me.

I felt a soft tug at my hair and turned to the side before gasping, "Sorry, Johnnycakes!" I quickly gathered my windblown hair in a makeshift ponytail before letting go once all of it was out of his face.

"It's alright." He muttered before slouching in his seat as Steve probably broke several laws. I knew Johnny didn't like the speed either, and I was sure he knew I didn't like it. However, we came to a silent agreement years ago not to tell since it would make the two youngest of the gang seem even younger if we were to complain.

Soon enough, Steve dropped me, Johnny, and Two-Bit at school before stepping on the gas to the DX. I quickly pulled out my lipgloss and applied some. As Two-Bit approached a gaggle of blondes and Johnny headed for his first period class, I was left in the parking lot. I looked at all the soc-y looking cars and felt my breath hitch as I spotted the red car that had been following me yesterday. Josh was talking to a few other socs as several cheerleaders sat on the hood of the car, grinning happily. I was about to walk to class when Josh caught my eye, and his lazy grin morphed into a threatening one. I was suddenly aware of my bare legs in my Momma's skirt again, but it was boiling outside and I think if I wore anything more I would burn to death. My hands clammed up when I suddenly felt a hand squeeze my right shoulder. My eyes squeezed shut and I successfully broke eye contact with Josh.

I whined as the hand dug into the bruise from yesterday, and the hand quickly retracted itself.

I turned around and saw my best friend, "Hey, Susie." I said as I carefully rubbed my bruised shoulder. Susie looked disconcerted as her eyes searched my face for answers.

"What's wrong, Pony? Are you okay?" Her worried voice was more than enough for me to forget about the pain I felt as I focused my attention on her.

I nodded my head before I linked arms with her and pulled her towards the entrance of school, "Yeah, I'll tell you what happened." Her head whipped to look at me at that and I could feel her about to start hounding on me when I hushed her. "Let's get inside first." I didn't offer up the fact that I could still feel Josh's stare on me as we stepped inside the building.

I explained what happened when I walked home from the movie theater yesterday as we put our things in our lockers. She stayed quiet the whole time while I told her my story and once I was done she turned to me and asked to see my shoulder.

I rolled up my tee-shirt sleeve as she examined the now dark purple bruise on my right shoulder before I pulled it down once I saw approaching.

Once he was out of earshot she snapped, "They're assholes, all of 'em!" She linked her arm with mine as we started towards English, "I cannot believe they have the nerve to say shit like that to you and still have the audacity to throw garbage at you! It's unbelievable!" I could see Susie's face turning redder by the second as she got more and more worked up. Susie had a colourful vocabulary, and I think it was her way of rebelling against her brother and mom. Although, I never did hear her swear when we were with the gang.

I tuned out the rest of her rant and as we finally made it to our seats in English she turned behind in her desk to look at me. She sighed, "I know you don't want your brothers to put you on house arrest or nothin', but don't you think you should tell 'em?" She probably saw the betrayal in my eyes as she hurried to add, "I mean, from what I heard, ain't Josh sound like the real deal? I mean, what if he actually touches you, Pony?" Her voice quieted down immensely as her face contorted into fear and worry.

I knew what she meant by 'touch' as soon as the weighted word tumbled out of her mouth. In the back of my head, I knew she may be right. Josh really did seem like the real deal, and I wouldn't put it past him to do such a thing. But the surge of anger I felt at being babied and worried about all the time was really starting to get to me, so I sassed her.

"Oh c'mon, me and you both know that socs wouldn't actually touch me. Have you seen my brothers and who they hang out with? Fat chance, Susie." I knew my words came out condescending just how I wanted them to if Susie's crestfallen face was anything to go by.

She turned around in her seat when Mrs. James walked in, and I heard her mutter quietly, "I just want you to be okay, Pony."

I felt my chest ache and I felt heat rise on my face, ears, and the back of my neck. I was being such a jerk to Susie, and all she wanted to do was look out for me. Shame and guilt flooded my body and I didn't really listen to Mrs. James for the next hour.

When the school bell rang I collected my stuff and ran after Susie who sped walked out of class.

"I'm really sorry, Susie. I didn't mean to blow up on you like that, but I just got so angry and I took it out on the wrong person. I'm real sorry, you don't deserve that." I apologized and I nearly felt my heart drop to the stomach when she kept walking.

I felt angry tears flood my eyes. Stupid Pony, why d'ya treat your only girl friend like garbage?

I was about to give up and walk to math class and let her go to gym when I heard her say, "D'ya want my oranges?"

I turned around at her with my jaw a bit slack, "Huh?"

Susie rolled her eyes, but a small smile formed on her shiny lips, "I said, d'ya want my oranges? Ma keeps packing them for me and I know you dig 'em."

I felt relief wash over me like a warm hug and blinked away the tears, "Yeah." I smiled back at her, "Yeah, I'll eat 'em, thanks."

She grinned at me and pushed my good shoulder, "Alright, get to class, greaser, or I'll have to write you up for detention." I laughed and swatted her hand.

I walked to Mr. Hendrix's math class with a certain joy in my steps.

For the first half of math class I actually attempted to listen to Mr. Hendrix's droning about functions and parabolas, but after a while I couldn't take it anymore. I raised my hand and he stopped talking about optimal value, "Yes, Ms. Curtis?"

"May I use the washroom, please?" He nodded and I felt a few of the socs' eyes train on me as I left the classroom. I got placed in a few AP classes, one of them being math and with that came a classroom with no greasers. It was uncomfortable to say the least, but nobody really paid that much attention to me. Sometimes, a few guys would try and talk to me but I didn't really offer them any real conversation.

I took the hall pass and lapped around the school once before heading to the washroom. I was just planning on retouching some of my lip gloss when I noticed several soc cheerleaders already gathered around the mirror. Guess I'll have to wait my turn.

I was about to lean on the wall and wait for them to finish when one of the blondes in the middle caught my eye and waved me over. "Come over here, you don't need to wait for us! Don't be afraid to use the mirror with us, honey."

The rest of her friends looked at me and I could tell they knew I was a greaser. They all looked back at her again, probably with an incredulous look. I shifted awkwardly before ambling over, "Thanks."

She smiled and tugged my forearm once I got close enough and pulled me in front of her with her hands resting on my shoulders. She was at least several inches taller than my 5'2 stature, she was probably a senior. We all stood in front of the mirror, and I noticed the reflection looking back at her was real pretty. Her hair was a golden blonde and her eyes were a baby blue. Yet, something about her smile was unnerving.

"I'm Jessica Dunner, and you're Pony Curtis, right?" I tensed as I slowly nodded my head. I wanted to ask why she was being so weird but held my tongue back. Let's just apply the gloss and go.

I reached for my lipgloss when she suddenly said, "You know, you're really pretty, Pony. You got this beautiful light brown hair, and with those green eyes, I bet you get loads of guys." The words meant a compliment, but her voice told another story. Her voice dripped with disdain as we made eye contact in the mirror. She was still smiling, though.

I grimaced, "I really don-"

She cut me off, "Don't act like an angel now," I gasped as her long, manicured fingernails dug into my shoulders and right into the bruise from yesterday, "I know how you seduced Josh yesterday." Her friends looked at each other before smirking, "Told me all about how your ass was practically hanging out and when you tried to kiss him, Bob had to throw a bottle at you to get you to stop."

She lost her smile and her eyes narrowed into evil pools of blue. I shook my head and fought back tears when her nails pressed harder into the bruise. "I-I swear, I never did anythin' like that!"

She rolled her eyes and shoved me hard, causing my head to bang against the mirror. I clutched at the wall to steady myself as tears flooded my eyes, the world spun around for a few seconds.

I heard her and her friend's steps click away before she said, "You pull something like that again, and I'll make you pay for it, slut."

Well, she ain't a happy camper, is she?

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"-ony? Pony? You good?" Susie's voice broke through my thoughts trailing back to Jessica, and I managed a weak smile.

"Yeah, sorry. Just a bit tired." I said, but I knew that wouldn't be enough to tide her curiosity over. Besides, she already knew something had happened. I directed my gaze to the ground, and I became painfully aware of the dull throb in my head courtesy to Jessica Dunner. I bit back a groan.

We still had some time to kill before we met up with Dally and Johnny for the Nightly Double, so we dropped our bags off at home and headed for the DX. If I was lucky, Soda would be working cash and he could get me a Pepsi. Steve on the other hand would rather me pay double the regular price for a Pepsi if he had the chance.

Susie swung an arm around my shoulder and rubbed my left shoulder with her hand. I knew she knew I was hiding something, but she didn't ask for the rest of the walk to the DX.

I pulled open the door and smiled at the sight of my brother speaking to a customer. My Pepsi is secured.

"Nothin' I can do 'bout that, sorry sir." I frowned as I overheard Soda and a middle aged man hash something out.

"But this is just ridiculous! A buck for only two packs of Marlboros? This is plain robbery." The man was definitely a middle-class man, if he was negotiating prices instead of just pocketing it.

Before my brother could respond I moseyed my way beside the man and leaned on the counter beside the packs of gum. I tucked my chin in and blinked up at him. "I'm really sorry sir, I think my daddy accidently marked the Marlboros up, but he isn't here right now. I promise you the next time you come back, I'll have it at the usual price again." I spoke with a certain airiness embedded into my words.

The man's once hard expression melted and he nodded his head, "S'alright, s'alright," He gave Soda his two packs of Marlboros to ring up, "I'll make sure to come back next time, girl." He gave me a doped sort of smile before he pulled out a $5 bill and gave it to Soda, and if he noticed the mistake my brother didn't say anything. The man took his cigarettes and left with a certain pep in his step.

Soda grinned at me, "Thanks, Shortcake!" We high-fived and I could faintly hear Susie laugh as she watched the man walk to his car, "But I'd appreciate it if you didn't flirt with boys, and especially not with men." His grin was still there, but there was a hardness in his words that made me aware he was being serious.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "What d'ya mean? I don't flirt, heck! I don't even know how!"

Soda looked at me with an incredulous look, "'Course you do! You just did!" His hand gestured towards the parking lot.

It was my turn to look at him like he was crazy, "No, I just looked up at 'im a bit and made my voice a bit higher than usual-" I froze before thinking back on the interaction, "huh, I didn't know I knew how to flirt." I shrugged and jumped up so I could sit on the counter.

"Get me a Pepsi, will you Soda?" He grumbled, and handed me a cold bottle of Coca Cola.

I gasped before frowning, "Okay, okay," I dramatically put my hand over my heart and straightened my back ram-rod straight, "I solemnly swear on good ol' United States of America that I will not intentionally flirt with boys from now on." I dropped my hand, "Happy?"

He flashed me a good-natured grin and exchanged my bottle of Coca Cola for a bottle of Pepsi, "Much better."

I smiled and popped open the bottle before taking a big gulp. I sighed happily afterwards.

"Why don't y'all go say hi to Steve out back?" I turned to Susie who shrugged her shoulders.

I wasn't keen on the idea, but since it was summer the DX store got real hot, and even though outside was boiling it was hotter in buildings. I hopped off the counter and thanked Soda on the way out.

I handed Susie the bottle of Pepsi, which she took a long swig out of as well. She slightly grimaced afterwards, though. "I won't ever understand how you like Pepsi better than Coke." I stuck my tongue out at her, "Don't go drainin' my supply, then."

We sat on the empty old crates of pop as we walked past Steve who was talking to some old looking greaser. Steve usually worked in the back garage of the DX, and he was apparently real savvy with cars and stuff. I couldn't say for myself, though, I could barely tell the difference between a wrench and a spanner, let alone car parts.

Steve ambled on over to the car in the garage and rolled on underneath it. "What are y'all kids doin' here?" He hollered from the bottom of the car.

"Dally and Johnny are gonna meet us for the Nightly Double tonight, and we still have some time to kill." Susie answered.

Steve grunted, "Well, might as well make yourself useful. Hand me the ford wrench." He thrust his arm from beneath the car with his hand spread out. I turned to Susie and rolled my eyes before the both of us looked at the tools on the wooden table in the corner of the garage.

I pointed to a weird curled tool and looked at Susie, who took yet another swig of the drink she just hated on. She shrugged, before yelling, "D'ya mean the monkey wrench?"

Steve hollered back, "Monkey wrench— ford wrench, same thing! Just get her over 'ere already!" He sounded annoyed already, and he had only just started talking to us. Oh boy.

I stared at Susie in slight wonder as she preened, "Keith taught me some stuff when I was younger."

I hummed, "So, which one is it then?" Her proud smile dropped before nonchalance took over her face, "Oh, I have no idea. All I remember is monkey wrench is the same thing as a ford wrench 'cause monkey wrench sounds silly." I rolled my eyes playfully as she swatted me on the arm.

I picked up a tool I hoped was the right one and when Susie shrugged at my choice I walked over and placed it into Steve's outstretched hand. His hand only grasped it before he groaned in exasperation.

"This is a spanner, not the ford wrench." He slid out from under the car angrily, "I'll get the damn thing myself, y'all kids just sit your asses back down— and don't touch nothin'!" I held my hands up as he pointed a finger at the both of us as we both sat on the crates again. We managed to keep it in for a few seconds before we both burst out laughing.

Me and Susie talked a bit more about everything before there was a stretch of silence and I knew she was going to ask.

She turned to me and I didn't avoid her gaze this time, "Pony, are you alright? I know you don't like bein' asked that, but you seemed real weird durin' lunch and after school— wait." She gave me a pointed look, "It doesn't have to do with Josh, does it?" The pure worry in her voice was enough to make me spill everything that happened in the washroom in a hushed voice, in case Steve heard. He would be sure to tell Soda and then the whole gang would know.

When I finished her jaw was dropped and her eyes asked me if I was being serious even though I was sure she already knew— I wouldn't lie about something like this. Despite it, I nodded.

Her fists clenched and her cheeks flushed with anger, "I can't believe it! Why, I oughta…" Susie went into a long spiel of doing things to Jessica and Josh that would leave them worse off than when Johnny was jumped.

I let her talk herself crazy until she started to calm down. She carefully rubbed my back, "Are you okay? And I don't just mean your shoulders."

I nodded, "Yeah, it was real nasty what Josh said I did and what Jessica did to me, but I'll be fine." I lied.

Susie didn't look convinced but she nodded her head anyways. I swirled the last bit of Pepsi in the bottle before downing the rest of it. I looked at the sun and decided it was probably best we start for Johnny and Dally now.

Susie nodded and we said our goodbyes to Steve and Soda before we headed for the street light on the corner of Pickett and Sutton.