dallas winston - the more you love, the more you know

chapter 6 - everywhere

couple days later - september 16, 1983

today is the day of the rumble. im not exactly scared or anything, but i am getting nervous. i told dallas about the whole deal with my brother and he didnt take any offense which surprised me. i actually enjoyed having his company, as well as the gangs. we all got along and for once i felt as if i belonged somewhere outside my own mind.

"GOOD MORNING GUYS!" i said as i swung the curtis' door open. i brought chocolate donuts because i knew they all needed some energy today.

"hey thanks val, this is really nice of you!" said ponyboy who started stuffing a donut in his mouth.

"you're welcome pony."

the rest of the guys thanked me and i went to the porch. today was such a nice day and it was going to get ruined by a fight.

"hey doll whatcha doing out here?" dallas said closing the door behind him.

"trying to get away from you." i said as sarcastic as possible.

"god you're mean."

"listen dallas, in all seriousness i dont want any of you guys to get hurt at the rumble tonight."

"we will all be fine, pony and johnny can find a little guy to take down."

"do you ever get scared of rumbles?"

"no doll. when i was a kid i was scared to death because everyone was older than me you know? the older i got the more tough i got. i just learned to block all the bullshit out."

"you shouldnt have grown up that way."

"but i did and theres nothing i can do about it now. my dad doesn't give a hang about me and my mom is gone." he said lighting a cancerstick. i genuinely felt bad for him.

i leaned on his shoulder because i didnt know what else to say. he hated when anyone felt bad for him. i just laid my head there for a while indulging in his scent; cigarettes and woody notes of his cologne. i liked it and i knew deep down i was beginning to like him.

dallas winston was so much different than any guy ive ever liked before. he was cold, but he didnt mind talking about his past. he was a sarcastic asshole most of the time, but he could be funny without being rude. he liked to joke and he liked to live. out of all people i never thought dallas winston would make me feel alive.

"hey guys let's get ready to rumble!! OUUUU OUUUU!" yelled steve ask he did a front flip off the porch.

i looked up at dallas and he looked down at me. he smirked and then jumped over the railing.

"LETS GET THESE SOCS!" darry exclaimed jumping on steves back. soda and pony looked at eachother and laughed. two-bit chugged a beer and off they went.

i decided to stay back. i went to the nearby gasoline station to get a first aid kit, food, drinks, and cigarettes. i spent $60, but i didnt mind. my dad gave me some money before i left. they may have not been great parents, but they always made sure i had cash.

i waited and waited and waited. i began to doze off on the couch until i got woken by stomping. i looked up and saw something i wish i never did. dallas had his side split open and all the other guys has bruised faces with bloodied lips.

"ah." dallas groaned as he sucked air through his teeth. there was blood everywhere.

"holy shit! lay him down on the table now!" i said absolutely shocked.

"some big time soc cut him as they were running away." said soda setting him on the table with the help of steve.

"hey man we stomped their asses and then cut ole dallas." said steve.

johnny was just in the corner biting his nails shaking. man looked scared to death. i gave him a reassuring look.

ponyboy was crying and soda helped console him.

"darry do you have anything for stitching? its real bad." i asked.

"yeah val ill go get it. keep pressure on the cut." he ordered.

dallas seemed unconscious. when dar came back with the kit, he took my place so i could wipe dal's face off with a washcloth.

"has this ever happened before?" i questioned as i cleaned the wound with alcohol. he didn't didnt flinch so i knew he was out cold.

"no, this is the worst that ive seen him." darry signed.

"im sorry you have to go through all this and you're only 20. you should live not be a father to 6 guys."

"i couldnt have it any other way val. once mom and dad died, they were all dependent on me. poor johnny over there was going to get adopted by my parents. it was a real shame."

"im so sorry darry. let me know if you ever need to talk or need help with anything around the house."

"i will thanks val."

"anytime." i said snipping the last stitch.

"steve, soda, and darry im gonna need your help moving him to a bed. is there a spare bed?" i asked them all.

"yeah ponys old room has a bed in it." soda said.

we picked him up and set him on the bed. i watched him for what seemed like hours. i just sat in the extra chair, wanting for him to wake up.

"you should go home val and get some rest." said darry.

"no no im fine."

"val just go home alright? he aint going no where and you have school."

"fine, but ill be back after school to check up on him."

i walked home and it was insufferable. everything i saw reminded me of him. signs, cigarette buds, and the rain. i just hoped he wasnt going to die on me. i dont know why he couldnt just go to the hospital. i really didnt want him to die on me for two reason. one; he became someone i could actually bear to be around and never get tired. second; the gang needed him.

as i walked into my house i immediately got hit with the smell of alcohol and dinner. lovely combination. i knew this night was going to be shit.

"where have you been valerie? i made dinner for you and you cant even appreciate it. i dont know why i fucking bother!" my mom said downing her glass of poison. god i hate when shes drunk.

"i got caught up with some friends im sorry mom."

"you're not fucking sorry. ive been putting up with this for years. you dont care about this fucking family. you're an ungrateful bitch."

i just walked upstairs into my room and played music. it soothed my soul. music was really the only thing that kept me from breaking down every night. i learned to build a wall up inside because i knew if i didnt, id never make it outside of tulsa. some people just never get out.