The Outsiders Fanfic: Where Does the Time Go?

Chapter 23: He loves me, he loves me not

Arie's POV-

I sit on my bed fumbling with my phone. It's almost no use for me, given that no one else in Tulsa has a phone quite like mine. I can play music from it, and play a few of the apps I have, and take pictures, but other than that it's kind of useless. It's better than nothing, though.

"Arie," Cherry calls, "it's Ed!"

"Tell him I can't come to the phone," I say.

"She's in the shower, I'll tell her you called," Cherry says. "Well she likes to shower a lot!" she replies, after a pause. Cherry stomps up the stairs and enters my room, "You can't avoid him forever," she says.

"I know.. And I'm not.. I'm just sorting things out," I say.

"Arie, he calls every day, like five times!" she says, sighing.

"I know but-"

I'm interrupted, "and every time I have to tell him you're busy!"

"I'm sorting things out! It's not that much of a lie!" I say.

"What are you sorting out?!" Cherry yells. I grow silent. What am I sorting out? The question rings in my ears. I haven't even admitted it to myself, let alone to anyone else.

"Uh.. I.. I.." I stammer, unsure of what to say.

"Well, when you figure it out, why don't you tell me. Or better yet, tell Ed, because I don't know what happened with you two, but he really doesn't deserve this from you," Cherry says. I sigh as she walks out of my room and leaves me to my thoughts. What am I sorting out. That's what I need to think about. I really like Ed, I do.. don't I? If I do, and I think I do, then what's wrong? I ponder this for a moment, thinking of past events. Ed beat up a girl. That's it then, it must be it. I know I said I got over it, but I must've not.

"Cherry!" I yell from upstairs. She enters my room within the minute.

"Yeah?" she says.

"I figured it out," I say.

"Well then.. do tell," she says, still a bit irritated from our past conversation.

"Ed beat up a girl. I can't get over that. That was the turning point in our relationship and it's been going downhill ever since," I say, a bit relieved that I understand now, "I mean, you never know.. how do I know that he isn't going to get mad at me and beat-"

"He would never do that, Arie! You know that!" Cherry cuts me off.

"How do I know? I don't!" I yell.

"What is it really about, Arie? Or who..?" Cherry says, trailing off.

I squeeze my eyes shut and blurt it out, "Sodapop Curtis!"

"The greaser, Arie?" she asks, the anger still audible.

"Yes, the greaser. But he's not just that.. he was accepted at out dance, he was the only greaser there out of 'em all," I say.

"Them. Out of them all," Cherry corrects.

"Whatever. And he called Ed out on beating up a girl, and he was right about that! He didn't cause any trouble that night, Ed did!" I say, boiling with frustration.

"So what, you're in love with Soda? News flash Arie, a lot of girls are, you have soc and greaser girls to compete with. He probably has a girlfriend, not to mention he's just not right for you!" Cherry yells.

"Oh, and Ed is?! Cherry, if you like Ed so much, why don't you just go out with him?!" I yell. This pulls Cherry up short.

She begins soft, "I'm dating Bob. I love Bob, and he loves me too.. I would never leave him."

"We'll see," I say, annoyed, "Admit it, you liked Ed first. If Bob hadn't asked you out you might be dating Ed right now. I can see it. You're living through our relationship."

"I do not like Ed!!! He is your boyfriend!" Cherry says, becoming angry once again.

"You know what Cherry? Not for long," I say defiantly.

"So what, you're going to leave Ed, just like that?" she asks.

I think about this for a moment. Is that really what I want to do? "Yeah. Yeah, I am," I declare.

"And what, now you're going to run off into the sunset with Soda? You know there's always other gi-" Cherry says, before I cut her off.

"I'm not leaving Ed for Soda, I'm leaving Ed to leave Ed. And yeah, there's always going to be other girls but I know that as long as I'm dating Ed I won't be one of those girls. And as long as I'm dating Ed, seeing Soda, even just as a friend, will never be an option," I finish.

"Arie.." Cherry trails off.

"Just stop. It's my life, it's my decision, and I don't need anyone telling me what to do." I say, furious.

A/N: Hey lovelies! Just wrote this chapter legit during school like idek I was inspired maaan! Can I get a favorite for feisty Arie? ;))