Angel

Dally

Dally POV

Her small legs dangled in front of my face as I carried her on my shoulders into the living room. She saw the TV and got all excited and all, and I had to grab her arms to steady her.

"Hold your horses, kid," I said, sitting down and pulling her onto my lap.

Angel settled into my arms and watched the program with enthusiasm. She eventually calmed down and watched quietly. Angel eventually fell asleep in my arms, and I smiled.

I got up and gently carried her over to Darry. "Careful, she's asleep, man," I said, handing her over.

"You really got her to sleep, huh," Darry remarked. No one could keep her down. Just me.

"I'm outa here, man. Probably headed to Buck's or somethin'," I shrugged.

As I left the house, I stuck my hands in the pockets of my worn, brown leather jacket. I took the shortcut through the alleys, stepping over broken glass and tipped dumpsters. These ghetto parts were dangerous, but 'dangerous' is my middle name.

I kept on a-walkin', trying to toughen up after softening up again, when Tim and his gang walked my way. "Dallas."

"Hey, Tim. Ya know man, I ain't lookin' for trouble tonight..."

"I wanna know who slashed my tires, Dallas, and since you keep doin' it, you seem the likely culprit."

"I swear it wasn't me, man. As I said, I ain't lookin' for trouble."

"Has Dally Winston gone soft on us?" one of the boys in the back remarked with a smirk.

"Lay off. I'm as tough as ever, aren't I?"

I pushed past them, my temper heated, and my back hunched in frustration. I was a good friend of Tim's and all, but he sure could be a pain sometimes.