From Weakness to Strength

Spring Fling Formal

The school approved of the gang playing their song(s). They practiced the song Darla wrote, which was now officially called "Stay Gold" and they also practiced Soda and Steve's favorite song "Gloria."
Darla also created a slideshow of her and the gang, the whole gang, including Johnny and Dallas. And included photos of only Johnny and Dallas since she originally wrote the song for them. 

The gang's practice hours were so much so that Darla forgot to get herself a dress for the dance. She barely realized this was the passing period right before her last class of the day! The dance is in FOUR hours! Darla banged her head against the locker. 
"I'm. Gonna. Look. Like. An. Idiot. Showing. Up. To. A. Stupid. Dressy. Dress. Dance. In. Anything. BUT. A. Stupid. Dressy. Dress!" she banged her head against the locker at each word. 
"-Would you like some help with that?" came a feminine voice. Darla turned to see the person she least expected to see. Cherry Valance. 
"Why do you want to help me? I thought you don't talk to hoods like me during school hours," Darla spat. 
"Well, I learned something. Someone at a specific funeral taught everyone in the room that no matter what side of town we live on, we still see the sunset the same," Cherry replied. 
"Hmm. Why do you want to help me though. I haven't been that nice to you," Darla said. 
"So? I want to fix that. Maybe if I help you, you and I would be friendlier with each other," Cherry suggested. 
"If I say yes, would you leave me alone after all this is done," Darla asked. 
"Yeah, sure," Cherry nodded. 
"Okay, fine," Darla sighed. 
"Meet me at the front of the school after class," Cherry said once the bell rung. 
"Okay," Darla said. 

After class, Darla met Cherry and Marcia at the front of the school. Darla really didn't like Marcia right now. She jinxed Dallas. Darla remembers vividly at the movies:
"Dally got a blade?" Two-Bit asked. "No." said Darla. "I don't think so." said Johnny. "Good deal. Time will fight fair as long as he don't."
"You guys don't play rough, do you?" asked Cherry. "Well a fair fight ain't rough." said Two-Bit. "Yeah, real simple." said Cherry. "If he gets killed or something, you just bury him, no sweat." Marcia said.
"-Don't talk that way. I hate thinking about anyone to be killed." Darla said sternly. "Sorry." said Marcia.

"You ready?" Cherry asked. 
"What's she doing here?" Darla asked, cocking her head at Marcia. 
"She's coming with us. You don't mind, do you?" Cherry asked. 
"I kind of do," Darla replied. 
"Why?" Marcia asked. 
"You jinxed the death of Dallas," Darla said. 
"What do you mean?" Marcia asked. 
"Remember what you said about him at the Drive In? That if he got killed, we'd just bury him, no sweat?"
Marcia's eyes turned guilty. 
"Well, it was hard to bury him. Harder than you'll ever know. How would you like it if you buried your brother?" Darla hissed. 
"Look, I'm sorry. I meant no harm in those words." 
"Well, it did harm. It hurt me and I'm left with the scars that it gave me that will probably never heal."
"Darla, stop," Cherry interjected. "Marcia didn't mean those words she said. What's done is done. Now, do you want us to help you or not?" Cherry asked, stopping the feud. 
Darla glared at Cherry and her expression softened. 
"Yes," she replied. 
"Good. Now stop nagging at Marcia and let's go find you a nice dress."

Darla cautiously followed Cherry and Marcia to a blue Stingray. Darla got in the back seat and Cherry started to car and drove in to town. 
The headed into a petite dress shop, which Darla almost gagged when looking at. Darla was never really the girly type. If she could avoid a dress, she'd show up in jeans and a t-shirt. They got out of the car and right before they got in, Darla stopped and said "Nope," and turned her back, but Cherry and Marcia grabbed her arms, turned her back around and led her inside. 
"Not so fast," said Cherry. 
"Yeah, at least look around and see if you find anything," Marcia suggested. Darla whined as they brought her inside. 
Once they got inside, Darla pushed herself from their grip and started wandering around the store. Everything was colorful and feminine. Darla wasn't a fan of any of the dresses that were inside. Up until she went to the very back of the store. Her eyes landed on a black lacy dress. 
"Huh. This one isn't so bad," Darla said, approaching the dress. Darla looked at the price. It was the cheapest one in the store. 
"I guess you'll do," Darla said, taking the dress of the rack. Darla went back to the front of the room where Cherry and Marcia were waiting. 
"I see you found something," Cherry said. 
"Yeah. And it's the cheapest dress in the store, which is a plus, for you at least," 
"Yeah, don't worry about the money. We'll pay. Our treat," said Cherry. 
"Cool," Darla shrugged. 
"Why don't you find some accessories like shoes and hair pins and makeup. We'll pay for that too," Marcia said as her and Cherry got out their wallets.
"Oh. Okay. Thanks," Darla said.