The story follows Baylee Curtis, The youngest of the crew. How the death of her parents and being raised by her brothers and the gang on the east side affect her everyday life. Can this young greaser stay out of trouble so the state doesn't split th...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
🖤
"Calm Down Bay" Jess urged, his voice a steadying presence as I anxiously paced back and forth in Ella's room. When I climbed out the window I booked it straight to grab Jess and have an emergency meeting at Ella's place.
My mind raced with countless thoughts and possibilities about what could have happened to Dally. Anxiety coiled tightly in my chest as I struggled to keep my emotions in check. "I can't calm down! Don't you guys understand what this means?" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with urgency. "Dally is in trouble—serious trouble. He didn't come back with Tim, which means something must have gone wrong. He needs us now more than ever. We have to go find him and bring him home," I say, my words spilling out in a rush as I feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me.
Ella's eyes followed me as I dug a hole in the carpet of her bedroom with my feet. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast flickering shadows across the walls. I was in a panic and perhaps not thinking logically.
"If he couldn't come back with Tim Shepard, he could be in real danger. What makes you think we can save him?" Ella questioned, her brow furrowing as she tried to reason with me.
"I'm with Ella on this, Bay you are talking about going to another state and looking for one person, we don't even know where to start looking". Jess said his voice filled with uncertainty.
"When Dally last spoke to Darry, he was using a pay phone at a pizza place called Giovannis. We can start there, find him, and bring him home."
I stopped pacing and looked both of them in the eyes as they stared back at me. I wasn't sure if they were communicating silently or if they were about to speak, but I cleared my throat, glanced down briefly, and then met their gaze again. "Dallas is my family, and I'm not losing anyone else. I'm going."
Ella and Jess exchanged glances and nodded. Jess hopped down off the old dresser he was sitting on and walked over, putting a hand on my shoulder. "When do we leave?" he asked with a smile.
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips, and I look past him at Ella, who is holding on to the shark tooth necklace hung around her neck. "I'll start packing". She says, her voice determined yet tinged with uncertainty. I could see the conflict in her eyes; she seemed like she wanted to come with us, to be a part of whatever lies ahead but at the same time, I know she is worried because the last time we ran off, we lost Carter. I won't let that happen again. We are not going to lose anybody else.
We searched the couch cushions for spare change and emptied Ellas's piggy bank. We scrunched up enough money to get three one-way bus tickets to New York. We left a note on Ella's pillow for her mom to find, explaining that we were heading back to New York to stay with her Aunt for a little while. We left out the part about looking for Dallas, although I am sure when Ellas mom lets Darry know I ran off to New York with her daughter, he will not think I went there to visit some old lady in a one-bedroom apartment with seven cats.
I know I am going to be in a heap of trouble. This might be at the top of the list of stupidest things I have ever done, even accidentally almost killing a Soc. The gang is going to be so mad, and I am hoping the law doesn't get involved and there are no surprise visits from our social worker. It would be hard to explain that your kid sister stowed away to a big city unsupervised to look for a hooligan that is Dally Winston. The thought of the state finding out and separating us did cross my mind, but the thought of Dally needing my help to get back home was louder.
I looked over at my two best friends, who were slumped over, leaning on each other asleep. I pressed my forehead to the cold bus window and looked up at the stars, wondering if Dally was looking up at the same sky.
I closed my eyes, and for the first time in a long time, I prayed. "God...It's me, Baylee Curtis, but you probably know that already. I know this might be a long shot, but if you could maybe point us in the right direction to help find Dallas when we get to New York, I promise I will stop giving Darry so much trouble and eat more vegetables also, if you could not let the state take me away when I get back home I would really appreciate it. Tell Mom, Dad, and Carter I said Hi and that we miss them down here...In your name, I pray....Amen". I finish feeling satisfied with my message sent up to the big guy. I unexpectedly hear a faint "Amen." From Jess, who sheepishly puts his hand in mine before dozing back off to sleep.
🖤🚬🍕🌆
Chapter Notes:
Little short filler chapter for you beautiful readers!
The Trio is heading to New York...Oh God, Where is Dally???
