faraway - dallas winston

007

i waited on the bleachers for cherry as finished up cheer practice. sometimes, people would come and watch the cheerleaders cheer, but today it was only me. i was doing my homework, but i had finished, so i resorted to picking at my nails. i watched the cheerleaders do an assortment of flips, climbing on top of each other, and moving in unison. it's different watching them practice versus at school events.

cherry stood out from the other girls, with her bright red hair swaying as she moved precisely. there were periods of time where i wanted to be her. not just because she was beautiful and popular, because she was confident. i mean, don't get me wrong, i would love to have her perfect body and uniform curls, but i envied how well she could voice her opinion. she was a leader, charismatic and bold.

i switched between looking at the cheerleaders and my nails, waiting for the practice to end. it's fun watching them practice for the first four times they do the routine, but after a while, it got uninteresting to watch.

"hey jolene," i heard from behind the bleachers.

i looked to my side to see two-bit walking up to the bleachers.

"what are you doing here?" i asked, happy to finally have some company.

"just walking around school, seeing if there's anything fun to do around here."

"always looking for fun, aren't you two-bit?"

"that's what i do best," he smirked. "so what is it they're doing?"

"they're practicing their routine." i sighed. "and i'm miserably watching."

"why not just go home early?"

"i can't. cherry and i have plans after this." i looked back over at her. she was laughing with her friends.

"oh."

the girls went to the benches and picked up their belongings. i sighed in relief, i could finally get out of here. "they're finally done."

i see cherry jogging over to the bleachers and i stand up, getting ready to leave.

"hey jolene, i know we had plans after my practice, but the girls invited me for ice cream." she kind of made a face, not knowing how i would react.

i was kind of disappointed, but i didn't show it. "that's okay, cherry. you can get ice cream with them." i shined a fake smile.

"thanks jolene, do you want to come? they won't mind." cherry asked. i knew she was only trying to be nice after canceling plans with me. i saw two-bit out the corner of my eye.

"no, that's alright. have fun though!"

cherry gave me a half smile before running back over to her friends that were walking out of the gym.

i sat back down on the bleachers.

it was silent for a moment before two-bit spoke up. "why didn't you go with her?"

"it was a pity invitation. her friends don't really like when i tag along anyway." i stared at the floor.

i saw two-bit's shoes in front of me, as he held out his hands to help me stand. i took them and got up, grabbing one of my bags as he grabbed the other.

"where are we going?" i questioned.

"curtis house." he replied casually.

"alright."

i placed my bag down on the floor after we walked into the curtis' house.

"hi johnny." i waved.

"hey." he smiled at me.

"is anyone else home?" two-bit yelled out as i sat on the couch next to johnny, who was watching tv.

"i'm in here!" pony shouted back to two-bit.

pony then walked out to the living room and into the kitchen to get a can of soda.

"hey jolene."

"hi pony."

"what are you doing in there?" i asked.

"drawing."

"ooh, can i see?"

he nodded and i followed him to his room where his utensils were laid out on the table. i leaned over as he sat back in his chair. pony handed me the drawing so i could get a better look.

"wow pony, this is truly beautiful. wow." i admired the painting, amazed with his talent. there were two horses, the shadows and highlights made them look realistic, something about it really stood out.

"thank you." he smiled with pride.

i set his piece back on the desk before going back to the living room where two-bit had joined johnny. i sat between them, slowly drifting off as the show continued.

when i woke up, my head was rested on not johnny or two-bit's shoulder, but dallas'. i don't even know how two-bit and dallas switched while i was asleep, i'm usually not a heavy sleeper.

"good morning princess, or more like good evening." he chuckled as i stretched my back.

"what time is it?"

"7:28"

"i've been sleeping for 3 hours?! why didn't anyone wake me up?"

"well, to be fair, we don't know you well enough to know how you act when woken up from a nap." someone i didn't get introduced to yet replied.

"who are you?" i asked, confused.

"sodapop curtis, nice to talk to you." he laughed.

"jolene clemonte, nice to meet you."

"i think you know i already knew that."

"i figured." i smiled with my head tilted down.

"that's steve by the way. i don't think you met him before." sodapop pointed to a guy in the dining room. he looked tough, almost angry although he was relaxed.

"you gonna join us for the party tonight?" dallas asked, now across the room.

"oh no, i got to get home now." i said, shaking my head, almost worried about my parents.

"c'mon now, it'll be fun. and you're already out." dallas called out, taking a sip of his beer.

"i've never been out partying before. and i honestly don't feel like starting now."

dallas walked over to me. "what can i do that will make you go to this party with me?" he asked, with a sense of desperation in his voice.

"it's just really not safe..." i trailed off.

"i'll be with you the entire time. i won't let you out of my sight." he said, hard, like he meant it.

"promise?"

"promise."

"ayy, we have a newcomer." two-bit put his arm around my shoulders, shaking me a bit.

i sighed, still slightly smiling. what have i gotten myself into?