ʜᴇʀᴏ

saturday

It was Saturday, which meant the boys would be out on the town. And Darry's only day off was Sunday. Which meant the world was my oyster, as Two-Bit would say

After I had gotten ready for the day, I headed downstairs. I was dressed in my usual attire; jeans, a tank top, a flannel, and some chucks.

"Are you sure you want to stay home?"
Soda asked

"Yeah, I'll meet y'all at the drive in tonight."
I said, sitting down on the couch.
"I've got homework and I think I just need some time to myself. Go have fun."

Not that they needed my permission, but after that the gang rushed out the door, excited for whatever trouble they'll get into this Saturday. Darry had already left for work.

I spent most of my morning lallygagging around the house. I watched cartoons for awhile, then I attempted to do homework but it just confused me mostly. I didn't pay enough attention in class. Ponyboy had always been the smart one.

Around noon I heard a knock at the door and approached it with caution.

I peaked through the small window next to the door and saw the familiar frame of James.

I slowly opened the door before half smiling up at him.
"You've been making a lot of house calls lately. We do have a phone, ya know."

He smiled his devilish smile,
"yeah, yeah. But I prefer to see that pretty face when I talk to ya."

He had a tooth pick in between his teeth, hanging from the side of his crooked smile.

I blushed slightly and lowered my head to hide it. He reached out and placed a finger under my chin, lifting it up to meet his gaze.
"is the pack here?"

I giggled,
"no, they're all out for the day."

"Good."
he said,
"means I can do this without getting threatened."

He leaned down and kissed me, moving his hand from my chin to the side of my neck. I kissed him back, moving up onto my toes and leaning into it.

He pulled away after a minute.
"Let me take you out. A girl like you shouldn't be cooped up in the house on a Saturday."

A girl like me? Jamie was the first guy to pay me any mind. The guys in the gang all saw me as a little girl, a kid sister. Not Jamie, he saw me as desirable.

I looked around for a moment before looking back at him.
"and where do you plan on taking me?"

"Anywhere you want, doll."

—————————

Jamie and I spent the day being delinquents.
We bummed around town, doing so much and yet nothing at the same time. We mostly just talked and kissed. god jamie was a good kisser. and he seemed like he couldn't keep his hands off of me. but I loved the attention, I craved it.

Once the sun started to set, I remembered I promised to meet the gang at the drive in.

Jamie said he'd come along and I didn't mind. I felt safe walking with him. No one would dare mess with a girl who's going steady with Jamie Andrews.

Jamie and I snuck into the drive in through a hole in the fence. Jamie went off to go find me something to drink while I searched for the gang.

I found them sitting towards the back, throwing popcorn at each other and laughing.

"hey kid."
Dally said, when he saw me walk towards them.

"fizz, did you walk here by yourself?"
soda asked.

"no, no."
i shook my head and tried to hide my smile.

"no, mr. hood walked her here, didn't he?"
dally said, mockingly

i nodded my head.
"he has a name."

"yeah, yeah.."
dally said, shaking his head.

Johnny got quiet and stared down at his bag of popcorn.

"how's it going with your girl, johnnycakes?"
i asked.

"ahh, i broke it off. she was getting too clingy."
he shrugged.

"oh don't worry, john. you'll get plenty of girls with those big puppy dog eyes. soon you're gonna be shaking em off of ya."
dally said, shoving his shoulder.

johnny blushed and i smiled at him.

I looked around for Jamie but I couldn't see him anywhere.

"I'll uh.. be back."
I said before starting to walk towards where they sell the snacks.

"yeah, she won't be back."
two- bit chuckled.

I didn't see Jamie anywhere so I got in line myself. I was thirsty.

I looked up and a few places up in line I saw two Soc boys. They were turned away so I couldn't see their faces but I recognized them just by the back of their heads.

I froze. It was them.

My thirst was completely forgotten as I rushed out of line.

I walked back into the open area and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

My hands shook and i started to feel queasy. As I tried to walk back to the gang my legs quivered.

Once I finally made it back to them, they all looked up at me in concern.

"you look like you've seen a ghost."
steve said.

I just stared at him, my mouth open but unable to form words.

"use your words, kid."

I was scared. If I tell the gang, it'll cause a fight, no questions asked. but i don't have another choice.

"soda.."
i looked at him wearily.
"they're here.."

he stood up, instantly understanding what I meant. He had that quality about him. I could barely talk and he'd know exactly what was wrong.

"where?"
he asked firmly, looking around.

"what? who? what's going on?"
pony asked

"the guys.. the socs that jumped me."
i said

they all shot up, their demeanors all instantly changing.

"I saw them in line while I was getting a pop. they.."
i took a deep breath, choking back tears.

"who? do you know their names?"
dally asked

"liam loretz and bryce sullivan..."
i mumbled.

i watched soda as he processed the names and then my heart broke at the look of pain on his face when it registered.

"soda, it's not your fault. i promise, they're socs, they'd do that kind of thing either way..."
i blurted out, talking too quickly.

before i could finish my thought, he was gone. and after him was the rest of the gang.

a brawl was going to happen tonight.