Forever Apart (Johnny Cade) {The Outsiders}

Eight

The next morning I walked into the small kitchen to see Dallas in jeans, a plain shirt, and his brown leather jacket, I hardly saw him without it, he was protective over it. "Finally, you're up. Ready to go?"

"Yeah. As long as we're getting food on the way."

We stopped at a small bakery on the way. It was a family owned bakery with cute decorations and delicious food. I loved it there. "Five dollars." The cashier told me. I dug into my purse for some money and gave him a five dollar bill.

"Thanks." I took my breakfast and met my brother outside.

"Wha-did you pay for that?"

"Um, yeah." I confusedly answered.

"You waisted five dollars on a donut and some coffee." Dals tone was full of disappointment.

"Yeah.."

"You could've used that money to help pay for.."

"Drugs? Alcohol?" I interrupted his rant. Dal scoffed and closed his mouth.

"Don't forget, you are a Winston. I'll bet you're pretty good at stealing and getting away with it." I rolled my eyes at his comment.

"Coleman." I said through my teeth. The name Winston carried too heavy of a reputation, especially when Winstons were good at stuff like that. I didn't want that reputation when no one even knew me.

We met Johnny and Pony at the corner of Pickett and Sutton. Dally had this idea to mess around at the drugstore and shopping center. The four of us goofed around, shooting straws at waitresses and eyeing things out in the open. We really pissed off the store manager who eventually asked us to leave.

Then we went down Sutton on the way to the Dingo. Another drive in that only greasers really went to. On the way, Ponyboy explained to me that fights were especially common there. Not fights between Socs and greasers though, just fights between drunks and random people with grudges, maybe even strangers. Dally immediately began talking to the greasers that were there, introducing me to a few of them and keeping me away from others. "So, you and Dal are finally gettin' along." Johnny shoved his fists into his jacket pockets.

"Yeah, how'd that happen?" Ponyboy asked me.

"Well, we fought right outside the DX and then I went to the lots and Dal followed me. We ended up talking for the rest of the day, sharing stories and stuff." I explained to them.

"Really?" Ponyboy asked.

"Good for you, Peg." Peg a nickname that I was given without a choice. As if my nickname Peggy wasn't short enough.

"Hey Peg!" My head shot left. "Come here!" I walked in front of a few beat up cars on the way to my brother who was talking to a greaser. His black hair was slicked back with obvious grease, the sun shined on his head, making the grease even more obvious. His jeans were stained with oil and dirt and rolled up at the bottom. His shirt was a stained white and was covered by a black leather jacket, a jacket that looked too fancy for someone like him. "Jimmy this is my sister, Margaret."

"Peggy." I corrected Dal.

"There ain't no way this beautiful broad is related to you Dal." Jimmy leaned on a window of his car. "How come I've never seen her?"

"She's been in New York this whole time."

"You ain't fit to raise a kid, Dal."

"She'll be 18 soon."

"Hm." Jimmy smoked his cigarette and stared at me. "Well it was nice to meet ya, Peggy." He smirked at me and then looked up at my brother. "So Dal, heard you and Sylvia broke up." Their voices became distinct as I had gotten distracted.

"I wish he wouldn't introduce her to his hoodlum friends." Johnny expressed. "Do you see the way he's looking at her?"

"Look at little Johnnycake gettin' all protective."  Ponyboy teased.

"She's a beautiful broad associated with the wrong people. I'm just scared she's gonna get hurt. Whether it's physically or emotionally." Johnny muttered.

"Then make your move Johnny. I know Two-bit really likes her, I like her, I overheard Steve saying he'd dump Evie for her..but it's obvious that you really like her so we're all backing down." Ponyboy explained.

"I guess." Johnny kicked a rock in the road. "I guess I just-"

"Oh shit, she's coming."

"What are you two whisperin' about?" I teased them.

"Ah, shit." Ponyboy muttered. "Someone's got a blade."

"Peg!" The three of us followed Dally while the other greasers that were there scattered. Ponyboy explained to me that it's all fun and games until a blade is pulled and the cops'll be there before you know it and no one's wants to be there when the cops gets there.