Kaleidoscope- a Cherry Valance fanfic

Returning

It had been a couple of days since I'd been back to the Curtis house. I hadn't told anyone where I was, though I doubt anyone cared too much. Cherry told me I could stay with her as long as I needed, but as the days went on, she was convinced others would worry about me.

"Y/N, you have to go back. You've gotta let someone know you're alive," she'd say.

On the fourth night of being away, I told Cherry I was going to Bucks. She insisted on driving me, and I let her. The drive was quiet as I bounced my knee nervously. Cherry's hand rested on my thigh as she rubbed it, easing some of my anxiousness. I took her hand into mine, still letting it rest where she'd put it. When I heard the loud music coming from the bar, I took a deep breath. As we approached it, Cherry placed a kiss on the back of my hand. 

"Come back to my place if you need to, okay?" she said as she stopped her car.

I gave her a nod in response before exiting the car. I shivered immediately, the night chill enveloping me. There was no moon in sight, enhancing the brightness of the stars that hung in the sky above. I looked up, taking another deep breath before exhaling, creating a cloud of vapour that quickly dispersed into the air. I patted my pockets down before finding a cigarette and lighting it. As soon as I took a puff, I felt more at ease. I knocked on the door of the run-down bar.

The door was opened harshly by Buck, but I'd never been introduced to him and only knew him from seeing him at these parties. 

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Is Dally around?" I asked.

"Yeah, why?" he responded.

"I really need to talk to him," I answered.

"Come on," he said, opening the door wider for me to enter.

I followed him to the bar counter, where Dallas sat with a beer in his hand. 

"Dal, there's a broad here to see you," Buck said as I took a puff from my cigarette.

He turned around to face me. He didn't say a word before standing and grabbing my sleeve, pulling me up to his bedroom. Once the door was shut, he wrapped his arms around me tightly in a hug. I stood there for a second, confused as hell, before warily returning the gesture. When he pulled away, I could tell he was angry.

"Where the hell have you been?" he yelled.

"I crashed at Cherry's house for a couple days," I admitted calmly.

"And you couldn't tell anyone?" he asked.

"It didn't sound like anyone wanted to hear from me," I answered, remembering how Darry had spoken to me.

"Why? Because of what Darry said?" he asked.

"Yeah, I just figured I'd do more good if I wasn't around," I said.

"You can't be taking what he said to heart, man. Pony ran away after being involved in a murder. What, you think Darry's gonna be all happy go lucky after that?" Dallas said.

"No," I muttered, knowing Dallas was right.

"You almost gave me a heart attack, kid," he admitted, chuckling a bit.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled.

"What was that?" Dallas smiled, leaning closer as if he hadn't heard what I said, mocking what I'd done to him shortly after I'd arrived.

"Yeah, yeah," I said, shoving him playfully.

He chuckled, sitting on his bed. I joined him and we both leaned against the closed window.

"So, what'd you do at soc princess's house for four days anyway?" Dally asked, lighting a new cigarette for the two of us.

"Nothing," I blushed.

He looked at me and examined my face, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"She has an indoor pool, y'know?" I said as I tried to get Dallas's attention off my face.

"Oh, I'm sure they do. Now, why are you blushing so hard?" he asked.

"I'm not," I objected, my face heating up more.

"You are, just look at you," Dal laughed, pointing at my cheeks.

"Oh shut up," I said, looking away.

"Did you and Cherry," he began, leaning to whisper in my ear, "fornicate?"

I let out a loud laugh when I heard him say that.

"Where'd you learn that word? You started reading while I was away, Dal?" I giggled.

"It was in one of Pony's books, man. Stop changing the topic," he smiled.

I giggled more as I tried to make eye contact with Dally, failing drastically.

"Holy shit, you did," he smirked.

"I did," I bit my lip.

"How the hell did you do that?" he asked.

"I don't even know, man. One minute we're talking, and the next we're leaning in for a kiss," I gushed.

"I can't believe you pulled that off," he said, "Holy crap, Bob's gonna kill you."

"Forget Bob, I've knocked him out before. I can do it again. I'm more concerned about the gang, and Pony. Pony's like, head over heels for her," I said.

"You're right, man. You're screwed, man," Dally laughed.

"Okay, yeah, whatever," I rolled my eyes.

"Listen, we can talk more about this tomorrow, alright? I've gotta get up early tomorrow to check in on Pony and Johnny in Windrixville," he asked.

"They're not back yet?" I asked.

"Nah, man. Don't say anything to anyone, though. They still think they're on the run," he whispered.

"Okay," I answered.

"You wanna come with me?" he asked, to which I nodded.

"You can crash here for the night," he said, before standing to shut off the light. 

Once it was dark in the room, I laid down on the bed, thinking about everything. I was worried about Pony and Johnny, I was worried about Cherry and me, and I was worried about what would happen in the future. I let my mind run until eventually, it stopped, and I was fast asleep.