angel~dallas winston

Brothers Shadow

Mackenzie

"Hey Kenz,"

I looked up from my test that still had three blank answers and my eyes were wide. "I didn't finish," I said. "What?" Olivia asked. "I didn't finish my test," I said. "You'll still get a passing grade," She said. "Liv you don't get it, my parents are gonna kill me," I said. "Miss Sheldon, may I please have your test? Class has ended,"

I handed my test to her and looked over at Liv. "My life is over," I frowned as I grabbed my bag and put it on my shoulder. I followed her out of the classroom and backed up slightly as a few greasers ran passed me, nearly running into me.

"It'll be okay, I bet you can do an extra credit assignment," Liv said as she opened her locker. "Hopefully," I said. "I was asked to tutor a greaser, he's a really sweet boy and everything, but Bob would lose his mind," I said. "Which one? Is he cute?" She asked. I laughed. "His names Johnny Cade," I said. "Oh I know him, the one with the cute puppy dog eyes right?" She said.

"That's the one," I said. "He's cute!" She said. "I'll put in a good word for you," I said. "Thank you," She winked.

She closed her locker and I followed her to the front of the school. "Can you help me find Johnny?" I asked and she nodded. We looked around outside before we spotted him and a few other greasers. "Hey! Johnny! Wait up," I said and ran over to them. "Oh, hi, it's Mackenzie right?" He said. "That's me," I said. "Sorry for the uh, abruptness, I was just told you could use a little help in English and thought I could offer you a hand," I said. "That's uh really nice of ya but-," "He'd love your help," Another boy said, Steve I think.

"Great, I don't know if you'd like bein' around my brother too much but I could come to your place anytime," I said. "Oh my folks probably wouldn't like that," He said. "How about Dingos?" I asked. "That would work for me," He said. "Wanna go now or would another day work better?" I asked.

"Now works for him," Ponyboy chimed in. He was in my History class, a little genius. "Great," I smiled. "I can drive us over or we can walk, whatever works for you," I said. "You guys are more than welcome to come too," I added, looking at the other boys around him. "Well as much as I hate to turn down a pretty lady, I gotta go pick up some beers," Two-Bit said.

"Have fun," I laughed. "You and Johnny go, maybe I'll stop by for a bite later," Steve winked. "Sounds great," I said. "Would you mind drivin'? I got a beat up leg," Johnny said. "Yep, follow me," I said. Olivia made sure to remind me to put a good word in. I promised I would and she was on her way.

"So what happened to your leg?" I asked Johnny as we got in the car. "Well, I got beat up by a few soc kids," He said. "Is that how you got that scar?" I asked.

"Yeah, he was wearing some rings," He said, clearly uncomfortable. I knew Bob wore rings. "It didn't happen to be my brother did it?" I asked. He stayed quiet. "I'm real sorry about him, I promise I'd never do anythin' like that," I said. "Nah everybody knows you're the nice Sheldon," He said. I smiled.

We pulled into Dingos and took our bags inside. We ordered some food and pulled out the most recent English assignment. It was simple, not too difficult to do, but I know greasers didn't get as much attention in class.

"Okay, so basically for the first part we're supposed to add proper punctuation and the proper spelling of certain words, just fix the grammar," I said. He stared at me. "I can show you how if you'd like," I said. "Yes please," He said. "So, right here, it has the wrong use of there," I said, pointing at the word.

"So it says their with an ei and it's supposed to have an ere instead, ei would mean it belongs to them," I said. "Ohhh," He said.

We finished the assignment and he progressed a lot. I was impressed at how quickly he caught on considering he knew hardly anything, including spelling, when we had started. Of course I didn't judge him for that, I was just impressed at how easily he learned when he got the proper attention.

"Hey Johnny how ya doin man?" We looked over and I sighed. "Hey Dal," Johnny said. Dallas Winston, one of the only greasers I tried my hardest to avoid.

Not because he'd done anything to me, but because Bob said if he ever saw me anywhere near him, he'd ruin my life. One of the many threats from my lovely big brother.

"Oh are you two on a date? Damn good job Johnny," He said. "Oh no, I'm helping him out with English," I said. "Oh, so you're playing the part as the hot nerd?" He asked. "Not quite no," I said. "Well it's working," He said. "Mind if I sit?"

"Sure," I said. I moved over and he sat down. He smelled like cigarettes and cheap cologne. "So, why are you helping Johnny?" He asked.

"I heard he needed help and I had some free time," I said. "Huh," He said. "What?" I asked. "Just doesn't seem normal for a soc to be nice to a greaser man I don't know," He said. "I'm sorry I didn't live up to your soc expectations," I replied. "I should really get going, is there anything else I can help you with today Johnny?" I asked. "Nah, thanks a lot," He said.

"Anytime, let me know if there's anything else I can help on," I said. "Excuse me," I said. Dallas moved out of the booth and I grabbed my things and stood up. "Hey, what's your name?" He asked. "Mackenzie," I said. "Dallas," He said.

"I know," I said. "See you around," He winked, and sat back down. I drove home and walked into the house. I set my bag down and went into the kitchen. "Where were you?" Bob asked. "Helping tutor a kid," I said. "Speaking of, can you please stop beating up innocent people?"

"I only beat up greasers who deserve it," He said. "Except they don't," I said. "Oh, Mackenzie you're home," Mom said, walking in. "Hi," I said. "How did your test go?" She asked. "I...I don't know, I didn't get to finish," I sighed. "Are you kidding?" She asked. "I'm sorry," I said. "Well you better find a way to fix it, your brother finished his test yesterday and already got a 100%," She said. "I'm sorry, I'll fix it, I promise," I said.

"Good, I'm sure Bob will help you if you can't do it on your own," She said. "No way," He said. "I'll be okay," I said.

"He knows the information," She said. "I'm okay mom," I said. "I gotta go," Bob said and walked out. "Can't you try as hard as your brother next time?" She asked. "Yes ma'am," I said.