Author's Note:
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the short chapter, but since last chapter was kind of long, I thought I would make this one shorter. The next chapter is going to be an interesting one so stay tuned.
Sincerely, keylime2001
Disclaimer: The Outsiders is owned by S. E. Hinton
Chapter 8
(Mid-February)
Harley's POV:
Thursday…
The semester had gotten off to a crazy start. Pony and I had told the track team about our engagement which turned into a big to-do. The track team wanted to throw us a party, a college rager to celebrate. Pony and I told Gary, Dorthy, and Linda (my old roommate) that we got engaged. Dorthy then insisted that she coordinate with the track team to throw the party. It was a little much. Pony looked like he was going to keel over from embarrassment. He didn't like being the center of attention and neither did I. I also had to gear up for picking classes for my last fall semester in the fall and I was starting to work on my law school applications for USC and UCLA.
I was hoping I could stay at USC in the fall, but we shall see. On top of all of that, I was still working at the library, tutoring, and now I was wedding planning with Pony and rehearsing for the spring musical. This was going to be a crazy semester. At least I had another thing to talk about in my application. The one thing that I was dreading was the secret that I was keeping from Pony. Manson had been transferred to an LA prison for a trial that he was a part of next month. I was going to go to interview him. I had told the prison to tell him that the girl with the camera from USC wanted to interview him. That got an automatic yes from him. He must have heard about Pony and my escapades into the ranch and returning to his old haunts. On the positive side, we had heard from Darry that he had gotten into the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa PT program with a scholarship and so had Lila.
I was going to go to see Manson when Pony was at track practice. I had the day off from a musical workshop so I was able to squeeze it in. I made sure to leave a note for Pony saying that I had to run some errands and run some lines for the musical with Professor Adams. I hadn't told him that practice wasn't going on today, so I had felt guilty. I fiddled with the ring on my finger. This wasn't the best first step after getting engaged, but I knew if he knew where I was going, he would be too concerned. I just had to keep it a secret. I just had to look forward to the engagement party tomorrow that was being thrown for us tomorrow.
I drove to the detention center and walked up to the guard at the front desk. "Reason for your visit?" The guard said gruffily looking me up and down. I immediately became self-conscious. "Meeting with Charles Manson," I said trying to hide the nervousness in my voice. The guard just looked at me in disgust. "You're not one of those cooky members of his so-called family are you?" the guard snarled. I shook my head. "School project," I said. The guy looked at me again but shrugged. "Name," the guard said. "Harley Cooper," I said. The guard gave me a badge and then called for a guard to lead me to a secure room where we would be monitored while I talked to Manson. I had to wait in a cold dark room at a metal table on a cold metal stool. I got out my tape recorder that I had brought with me. As I waited I fiddled with my ring and I looked at the photos in my locket. I hadn't taken off my locket since I got it nor had I taken off my ring. Then I heard the clang of the door open and a shuffle of someone in handcuffs and feet cuffs walking into the room. Manson was moved in front of me and put in the seat in front of me. Manson gave me a crazy-looking smile and had a wild look in his eyes.
"Well, well, well," Manson drawled. "Isn't it the girl that has given my family a hard time? Where's your partner in crime?" I pushed down the awful feeling that was rising into my chest. "Not here," I said nonchalantly. "Where's your lawyer?" I asked. Manson shrugged. "I've got nothin' to hide," Manson said. "Do you mind if I record our conversation?" I asked ignoring his comment. Manson shrugged. "Don't care," Manson said. I eyed him up and down. Just looking at him gave me the creeps. Manson caught the gleam of the ring on my finger and cracked a smile as I turned on the tape recorder. "Good for your partner in crime," Manson chuckled. "Leave him out of this," I snapped. "Oh, a feisty one," Manson retorted. It took all that I could to not scream at him. "So," I said pulling myself together. "Why the family?" I asked. Manson gave me a manic smile. "Because I'm the Chosen One," Mason said like it was a simple fact that should be believed. "I know what is going to happen, and the family believes in me." I gave him a skeptical. "So you are a maniac who is narcissistic and wants to manipulate people," I snapped back. I probably shouldn't have said that but I couldn't take it back. I saw Manson's lip twitch in anger and had an accompanying look in his eyes. "I think you're the one that is being brainwashed by the media," Manson said with a snarl. "You in turn will brainwash others with what you write." I gave him a surprised look. "You know I write articles?" I asked him in genuine shock. "Saw that little expose you did on the track team and that article about your run-in with Bouncy Ball," Manson said with a creepy grin. "You've made quite a name for yourself." I felt my blood boil. "Well you've made a name for yourself as well," I said. Charlie Manson chuckled. "Well, at least I'll go down with making an impact," Manson said. "Well, at least when I go down in history, I'll make a positive one for good not evil," I snapped back. Again, I couldn't help myself, I shouldn't have said that, but he asked for that. Manson's hands twitched and he put them on the table and the handcuffs clanked on the table. "Why did you kill Tate and the others?" I asked suddenly. "Why?" Charles Manson gave me a manic laugh. "They deserved it," Manson said. "It was in the prophecy." I stared at him in horror. "You know what," I snapped. "I should've never have come here. You're a narcissistic prick that is power hungry and is out to make a name for himself at the expense of others." As I got up Manson lunged at me and wrapped his hands around my throat and squeezed. I couldn't scream or fight back. I kicked over the metal stool to draw attention. Then the guards came running. But before they could do anything, Manson spun me around and pulled the metal chains of his handcuffs around my neck and pulled hard so that they pressed into my neck cutting off my air supply. I elbowed behind me trying to get him off of me. The guards were fumbling with the keys but finally got the door open and got Manson off of me. I gasped for air and rubbed my throat. "You get out of here," the guard said gruffly. I nodded grabbed my tape recorder and ran.
On the way back to the apartment I pulled over at the thrift store to catch my breath. I scurried inside to grab a choker that could hide the marks that were left on my throat as well as the bruises that were already starting to form. I made my way into the apartment to Pony making spaghetti on the stove. "Hey," Pony said beaming at me. I went over to him and kissed him. "Hey yourself," I mumbled. "I don't mind kissing the chef if you don't mind me kissing." Pony chuckled. "I don't mind at all," Pony said with a smirk. Pony's eyes traveled to the choker on my neck. "Where did the choker come from?" I shrugged. "The costume department," I fibbed. Pony raised an eyebrow at me. "Well I like it," Pony said. I gave him a weary smile. "I'm going to go change and get cleaned up," I said heading to the bedroom. Pony nodded. "I'll come get you when dinner is ready," Pony said. I nodded and headed to get cleaned up. After my shower, I tossed on my favorite outfit a gray tank top, leather jacket, ratty jeans, and my black Converse. I looked at the bruises that had darkened more on my neck, before I could put the choker on to cover it in Pony popped his head into the bathroom. "Dinner is on the ta…" Pony trailed off when he saw the marks. Anger and concern flashed in his eyes. He rushed forward and slowly traced the outlines on my neck. "What the hell happened Harley?" Pony asked. "It's nothing," I said hurriedly. "Harley be honest with me," Pony said pleadingly. I sighed and pulled him down on the edge of the tub the shower-tub combo. "I went to go see Manson in prison today," I said sheepishly. "I didn't have a theater workshop today." Pony gawked at me for a minute. Then he ran a hand through his hair. "What were you thinking!" Pony shouted and he started pacing. I stood up and took his face into my hands. "I wanted answers directly from the source," I said softly. "I'm fine," I promise you." Pony sighed but nodded. He took my hands in his and kissed them. "Ok, but please tell me next time," Pony said. "We can't keep secrets like these from each other." I kissed Pony. "I promise," I said.
The rest of the night, Pony and I had dinner. We also did our homework, Pony called Darry and Soda to let them know what was going on. Pony put me on the phone after they demanded I talk to them. "Hey," I said with a sigh. "What the hell were you thinking? Are you stupid? Do you have a death wish?" The guys all shrieked over each other. I groaned. "I'm fine and no I don't have a death wish," I said with a chuckle. "How is the wedding planning going Stevie?" I asked trying to steer the conversation away from me. I heard Steve groan. "Just getting my tux fitted with your grandmother's insistence," Steve said grumpily. "How is the playlist going?" "Almost done," I said cheerily. "Don't worry, I kept you in mind as well when putting it together." Steve sighed in relief. "Thanks, Motorbike," Steve said. "How insane is your grandmother driving you and Pony for your wedding planning?" Two-Bit quipped at me. I groaned. "Well, Pony and I decided on extra chocolate cake for our wedding cake with chocolate icing," I said. "We also decided on a barn wedding on New Year's Eve." I heard the gang let out a cheer. "Pony asked you guys to be groomsmen right?" I asked. "Yep," Darry said. "Have you decided on your bridesmaids?" I thought. "Would the girls like to do it?" I asked hopefully. "I don't really have a lot of girlfriends." "We can ask," Darry said. "Thanks, Dar," I said with a grin. "Look, I know it's late, so I'll let you guys go." After the phone call, Pony and I finished our homework. Then we had one of our famous mini-concerts. At the end of the night, we crashed in bed. "Is it ok if I invite Dorthy, Gary, Larry, and Linda to our wedding?" I asked Pony. Pony shrugged. "I don't see why not," Pony said. "Can I ask the track team?" I nodded. "Seems fair," I said with a smile. Pony pulled me in for a hug. "I love you," Pony said kissing me. "I love you too," I said. Then we fell asleep snuggling with each other.
Friday…
Today at Pony and I's shift at the library, we told Gary and Dorthy they were invited to our wedding and to pass along the invite to Linda and Larry. Dorthy also had shoved a new suit and a dress into our arms despite our protests. "For the party tonight," Dorthy said with glee. "What did you do Dorthy?" I asked with dread. "You shall see!" Dorthy squealed. Pony and I looked at each other in fear. "This can't be good," Pony moaned. "No it isn't," I said. When Pony and I got back to the apartment we opened the garment bags. For me, she had gotten me a gray and black striped jumper dress with black leggings and an undershirt with matching black penny loafers. Pony was given a denim suit with a bandana fabric suit tie and brown loafers. We both groaned when we saw them. Dorthy was always ahead of the trends, given she was from Beverly Hills but Pony and I were both not looking forward to these trends. "I think the gang, especially Two-Bit would get a kick out of these outfits," I said with a chuckle. Pony groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I think you're right," Pony said. "I'm not going to hear the end of this, especially from Steve." I laughed. "Let's get a picture," I said. Pony rolled his eyes. "Fine," Pony grumbled. We took the photo and then left to go to the dance hall where the track team and Dorthy booked the party.
When we got to the dance hall, Pony and I were stunned. There were disco balls galore and fog machines. There were also roller-dancers. "I think Dorthy took over and went a little overboard," Pony whispered in my ear. "You think?" I asked him. Pony chuckled. "Let's go enjoy ourselves," Pony said. "This is for us." I nodded and kissed him. The whole night was a blur of fun. It was good to relax after the crazy I had the day before.
Pony's POV:
Thursday…
Track practice was brutal today. I couldn't wait to relax at home with a nice relaxing dinner and finish some unfinished homework. When I went in the front door of the apartment it was unusually quiet. Normally, Harley would have the turntable going and she would type furiously on the typewriter. Then I noticed there was a note on the counter. It read:
Pony,
I had to run to a last-minute musical theater practice. I wished I was there to cook dinner with you and talk about practice and classes. I left some groceries for spaghetti and tomato sauce in the fridge and pantry. Don't forget to get some homework done as well. Also, I told my grandmother we would go with the extra chocolate cake, your favorite. I also told her we decided on the barn wedding for New Year's Eve like we discussed. Don't forget to tell the guys that you want them as your groomsmen. Don't worry if I'm out late.
Love,
Harley
I smiled at her note. I smelled it and smelled the faint pine smell that always seemed to follow her. I hoped that Professor Adams didn't run her too hard. I know that Harley was nervous and running more ragged than me with her schedule on top of her story. Luckily she hadn't done anything crazy recently and we hadn't seen that crazy guy since the car accident. I decided to put on some David Bowie and some Henry Belafonte on the record payer. Those were the records that Harley and I loved to listen to together all the time. I worked on some of the papers and lesson plans. I couldn't wait until senior year got here so I could do my student teaching rotation. As it got closer to dinner time, I started making spaghetti. I found the ingredients where Harley said they would be. As it got darker outside, I got more concerned that Harley hadn't shown up yet.
Then Harley came into the door seemingly out of breath. "Hey," I said beaming at her. I was relieved that she made it back in one piece. She looked like she was worn out and tortured by the practice today. Harley walked over to me at the stove and kissed me. "Hey yourself," Harley mumbled. Her warm pine scent wafted up my nose and I breathed it in deeply. It made my heart flutter. "I don't mind kissing the chef if you don't mind me kissing." I chuckled. Two-Bit must be rubbing off on her. We don't need more of those. One is enough. "I don't mind at all," I said with a smirk. Then the new choker she was wearing caught my eye. "Where did the choker come from?" Harley shrugged. "The costume department," Harley said. I raised an eyebrow at her. "Well I like it," I said. Harley gave me a weary smile. This raised alarm bells in my head. Something was definitely up but I didn't want to press or else she would shut down. "I'm going to go change and get cleaned up," Harley said heading to the bedroom. I nodded. "I'll come get you when dinner is ready," I said. Harley nodded and headed to get cleaned up. I pulled the noodles off the stove and drained it. Then the sauce was ready. I was able to put it on the table. I heard the shower go off. Harley must be done.
I went to the bathroom and poked my head in. "Dinner is on the ta…" I trailed off when I saw angry red, blue, and black marks on her neck. Some were in the shape of hands and others had chain marks like someone had tried to strangle her with something. Anger and concern bubbled up in my chest. Harley stared at me with wide eyes. I rushed forward and slowly traced the outlines on her neck. They felt awful. I wanted to hurl. Harley whimpered. "What the hell happened Harley?" I asked. "It's nothing," Harley said hurriedly. The hell it was. "Harley be honest with me," I said pleadingly. Harley sighed and pulled me down on the edge of the tub the shower-tub combo. "I went to see Manson in prison today," Harley said sheepishly. "I didn't have a theater workshop today." I gawked at her for a minute. Then I ran a hand through my hair. I had jinxed myself thinking that she had dropped things. It was wishful thinking on my part. "What were you thinking!" I shouted and I started pacing. Shit, I had sounded like Darry. He would've gotten a kick out of that. I shouldn't have yelled. Harley stood up and took my face into her hands. "I wanted answers directly from the source," Harley said softly. She looked at me with pleading eyes. "I'm fine," I promise you." I sighed but nodded reluctantly. I took her hands in mine and kissed them. "Ok, but please tell me next time," I said. "We can't keep secrets like these from each other." Harley kissed me reassuringly. "I promise," Harley said.
The rest of the night, Harley and I had dinner. We also did our homework, then I called Darry and Soda to let them know what was going on. "Curtis house," Soda said. "Hey Soda, it's Pony," I said wearily. "Hey Pone, what's up?" I sighed and rubbed my eyes. "Just taking a break from homework," I said with a sigh. "What's wrong honey," Soda asked me with concern. Soda knew me too well. "Harley went to visit Charles Manson in jail," I said with a sigh. "She did what now!" Soda yelled. I flinched. Then I heard Soda yell back to the group about what happened. Then I heard Darry answer the phone. "Harley visited Manson?!" Darry asked/yelled. I rolled my eyes. "That's not all," I said. "She got choked by him." I heard Steve and Two-Bit curse in the background. They all must be gathered around the phone. "Can we talk to Motorbike?" Steve asked. "Yep," I said. "Before I hand the phone to her, can I ask you guys for a favor?" "Sure, kid," Two-Bit said. I chuckled. I could always count on Two-Bit. "Could you guys be my groomsmen?" I heard Two-Bit whoop. "We would love to Pon," Darry said. "I know this is unorthodox, but could Darry and Soda split best man duties?" Soda chuckled. "Sure can do honey," Soda said. "Now put Motorbike on the phone." I sighed in relief and passed the phone to Harley.
After the phone call, Harley and I finished our homework. Then we had one of our famous mini-concerts. At the end of the night, we crashed in bed. "Is it ok if I invite Dorthy, Gary, Larry, and Linda to our wedding?" Harley asked me. I shrugged. I didn't care, as long as she was happy. "I don't see why not," I said. "Can I ask the track team?" Harley nodded. "Seems fair," Harley said with a smile. My heart fluttered. I pulled her in for a hug. I felt her heart beating against my chest and I felt her body heat warm me up and smelled the faint pine smell that comforted me. "I love you," I said kissing Harley. "I love you too," Harley said. Then we fell asleep snuggling with each other.
Friday…
Today at Harley and I's shift at the library, we told Gary and Dorthy they were invited to our wedding and to pass along the invite to Linda and Larry. Dorthy also had shoved a new suit and a dress into our arms despite our protests. "For the party tonight," Dorthy said with glee. "What did you do Dorthy?" Harley asked with dread. "You shall see!" Dorthy squealed. Harley and I looked at each other in fear. "This can't be good," I moaned. "No it isn't," Harley said. What were we thinking when we invited Dorthy to the wedding? Dorthy and Larry sure. But Dorhty and Linda? They were both handfuls. When Harley and I got back to the apartment we opened the garment bags. For Harley, she had gotten her a gray and black striped jumper dress with black leggings and an undershirt with matching black penny loafers. That would look great on her. I think Dorthy is finally getting Harley's fashion choices. I was given a denim suit with a bandana fabric suit tie and brown loafers. She still doesn't know me that well. We both groaned when we saw them. How does Dorthy even find this stuff? "I think the gang, especially Two-Bit would get a kick out of these outfits," Harley said with a chuckle. I groaned and buried my face in my hands. "I think you're right," I said. "I'm not going to hear the end of this, especially from Steve." Harley laughed. I loved her laugh. "Let's get a picture," Harley said. I rolled my eyes but relented. "Fine," I grumbled. The guys would kill me if we didn't get a picture, especially Darry. Darry loved keeping the family photo books filled. Something about keeping Mom's dream alive. We took the photo and then left to go to the dance hall where the track team and Dorthy booked the party.
When we got to the dance hall, Harely and I was stunned. There were disco balls galore and fog machines. There were also roller-dancers. This was a big Soc-like party, one that I always dreaded and feared to attend. "I think Dorthy took over and went a little overboard," I whispered in my ear. "You think?" Harley asked me. I chuckled. "Let's go enjoy ourselves," I said. "This is for us." Harley nodded and kissed me. The whole night was a blur of fun. It was good to relax after the crazy I had the day before. The party wasn't too bad, and it was actually kind of fun.
Soda's POV:
Thursday…
It had been a long, but exciting week. Mrs. Adams had taken us cake shopping for both Harley and Pony's wedding and Steve and Evie's wedding cake. Steve and Evie picked out a chocolate cake with white icing. All of us took our girls out on a group date to the drive-in where we ran into Cherry Valance, which was not awkward at all, but it made sense since she and Marcia were friends and Two-Bit was dating Marcia. During the date Lorelai and I talked about cars and I asked her all about her studies. She found a way to explain it to me by explaining it in car terms which made it helpful. When I looked over at Darry, I couldn't help but feel relief to see him and Lila smiling at each other and holding hands. It was good to see Darry so happy. He needed to focus on someone other than himself.
When we walked in the door from our date, the phone rang. "I'll grab it," I said. Darry shot me a grateful look. "Curtis house," I said. "Hey Soda, it's Pony," Pony said wearily. "Hey Pone, what's up?" Pony let out a long sigh sigh. "Just taking a break from homework," Pony said. I could automatically tell that something was bothering him. He normally didn't sound this tired or worn out, especially this early in the semester. "What's wrong honey," I asked Pony with concern. "Harley went to visit Charles Manson in jail," Pony said with a sigh. "She did what now!" I yelled. What goes on in that head of hers? "Guys," I shouted to the gang. They all whorled around and looked at me in confusion. "Harley went to visit Charles Manson in prison today," I continued. Steve cursed his fair share. Darry grabbed the phone from me. Two-Bit went pale in the face at a loss for words. "Harley visited Manson?!" Darry asked/yelled. I groaned. Of course, Darry takes it to the next level. Typical Dar. Darry held out the phone so all of us could hear Pony. "That's not all," Pony said. "She got choked by him." Now both Steve and Two-Bit cursed. Two-Bit finally got his voice back. "Can we talk to Motorbike?" Steve asked. "Yep," Pony said. "Before I hand the phone to her, can I ask you guys for a favor?" "Sure, kid," Two-Bit said. "Could you guys be my groomsmen?" Two-Bit let out a whoop. "We would love to Pon," Darry said. "I know this is unorthodox, but could Darry and Soda split best man duties?" I chuckled. "Sure can do honey," I said. "Now put Motorbike on the phone." Pony sighed in relief and passed the phone to Harley.
"Hey," Harley said with a sigh. She must have heard Pony's side of the conversation and knew that we would be down her throat. You bet her ass we would. She's family. "What the hell were you thinking? Are you stupid? Do you have a death wish?" We all shrieked over each other. Harley groaned. "I'm fine and no I don't have a death wish," Harley said with a chuckle. How could she be so chill about this? Maybe it's all the stuff she's been through that she has just become numb to it. Or she's just good at hiding it. "How is the wedding planning going Stevie?" Harley asked trying to steer the conversation away from her. Steve groaned causing me to chuckle. "Just getting my tux fitted with your grandmother's insistence," Steve said grumpily. "How is the playlist going?" "Almost done," Harley said cheerily. "Don't worry, I kept you in mind as well when putting it together." Steve sighed in relief. "Thanks, Motorbike," Steve said. "How insane is your grandmother driving you and Pony for your wedding planning?" Two-Bit quipped at Harley. "Well, Pony and I decided on extra chocolate cake for our wedding cake with chocolate icing," Harley said. "We also decided on a barn wedding on New Year's Eve." We all let out a cheer. A cowboy wedding. How fitting. "Pony asked you guys to be groomsmen right?" Harley asked. "Yep," Darry said. "Have you decided on your bridesmaids?" Harley hesitated for a minute. "Would the girls like to do it?" Harley asked hopefully. "I don't really have a lot of girlfriends." "We can ask," Darry said. "Thanks, Dar," Harley said with relief. "Look, I know it's late, so I'll let you guys go." Darry hung up the phone.
"That was intense," I mumbled. "You're telling me," Two-Bit joked. "What made her go see that whack job," Steve asked with exasperation. "Who knows?" Darry said with a sigh. "At least she's fine and Pony's there to keep an eye on her. "Hopefully he doesn't have nightmares about this," I said.
