Letters & Leather | The Outsiders

~Chapter 8~

"What on earth were you doing with them?!" Dally retorted, a cigarette hung inside his mouth and his body was dressed in a black vest covered in a navy flannel shirt.

Audrey was stunned, he was right, what on earth was she doing with them? Why did she decide to go with them after Cherry had asked her, she knew those boys aren't different socs. They're the type of socs the gang had warned her about. A daunting question popped into Audrey's head, is hanging out with Dally that much worse though? He was the same wasn't he? He fought against the socs, causing them trouble just as much as the socs caused the greasers trouble. Audrey wiped this negative thought away from her mind, she hated that she thought that way even for a split second. Dallas Winston was a good friend to Ponyboy and Johnny, that was as good as any reason for her to be with him, they trusted him and she trusted them. She felt broad hands gripped on her arm, her weight was being pulled out of the now carpark. Since when had it gotten so dark, the day's nearly over. God she was out of it, her thoughts kept spiralling, all day she was in her own world. She snapped her eyes back to Dally, who was pulling her inside the bar.

"Dall-... Ow! Dally? Let go off me, okay?!" Her voice was raising, she tried to snatch her arm back, giving him a struggle.

"Allow it man, just get inside."

Audrey successfully wriggled out of his grip, forcefully bringing her arm back down to her side. Dally huffed, throwing his cigarette off to the side. The ignited bud melted into the concrete, the pair of them were breathing heavily, both apparently angry. Audrey rubbed the side of her arm.

"To hell with it Belle?! Just come inside will ya?" He was stern, his voice low. He meant what he was saying, this wasn't just him being mean for the sake of it, this was important.

"Yeah why should I?! God, anyone would've thought you were kidnapping me." She retorted, waving her arms around in exasperation. One thing about Audrey Belle was that she sure as hell was stubborn, she got it from her mother.

He ran a hand through his hair. Unlike the other boys in the gang and most on the east side, what was unique about Dally was that he never greased his hair, he preferred to let it hang naturally. It suited him best this way. "Look, man. Just come inside alright? There's just something I gotta' explain to you." His tone lowered a little, he turned from angry-looking to being concerned. "So ... So you won't get hurt." It sounded like he had to force the last bit out. Dally hated to appear soft.

Audrey still stood there, she was more persuaded. She was curious for what he meant and naturally more resilient towards him when he added that last part. Why does he care if I get hurt?. She thought he was only saying that to make her come with him. She unfolded her arms, her face still blank.

He scoffed. "My my, you have a face of a greaser..." He paused, running his wild eyes down her body. "But a body like a soc."

Audrey twisted on her heel walking the opposite way.

"Shit." Dally cussed, jogging lightly up to her, he grabbed her arm turning her to face him once more. "C'mon, Belle I didn't mean that shit, Just a joke."

"Notice how I'm not laughing though." She said dryly, her lips not helping but twist into a smug smile.

Dally cracked a laugh, his head moving back and his eyebrows wriggled ever so slightly as if impressed by her quick comeback. "Real funny you are, how ever did we find you."

Audrey noticed his hand was still wrapped on her arm, she looked down quickly, feeling his cold fingertips laced around her skin. He caught her looking and placed his hand back to his pockets.

"Just come inside, I'll buy you a drink and explain." He tilted her head insinuating her to follow, she did. "Shit man, what happened to my weed."

"You threw it, remember."