Abyssal Emotions (The Outsiders/Dallas Winston Fan-Fic)

Chapter Twenty Dallas' POV

It seems like years before I finally get up after Two-Bit leaves. I sigh and force myself to walk around and shake the thoughts from my mind. Ever since Johnny left I've been thinking about death a lot. Maybe that's why I tried what I did.

I walk to the fridge and get a beer before I start to think of that night. Every time I do I get screwed in the head for too long. I pop the top of the beer with my necklace and chug it. I make a satisfied noise even though it stings slightly, something I've grown used too. I feel a slight fuzz and easiness settle over my brain as I stare at the empty bottle and lean against the still open fridge with my head inside, letting the coolness dry the nervous sweat formed on my forehead.

I stay like this for a few minutes then throw the bottle in the trash and slam the fridge. I leave the house, leaving the door unlocked for other gang members to come and leave as they please, a silent Curtis house rule.

I begin my trudge to the DX, a hand in my jacket ready to pull a heater that doesn't exist on any unsuspecting Soc, but they don't need to know its not there. The fake bulge keeps me company and gives me comfort in the slightly chilled November air.

I need the DX and see Darry's truck outside. Soda must be working the late shift tonight for the extra cash. Darry probably doing some odd job after work. Darry has been set on making sure Pony goes to college lately and has been saving every extra dime.

I walk into the parking lot and am greeting by the slamming of a door and Steve walking out in a tensed position.

"Aye, man! What's wrong with you?", I chuckle and squint in his direction.

Steve turns and looks at me.

"Stupid chick blew me off. Again."

I chuckle even harder, a genuine chuckle.

"What's that, man? The third time this week?"

He starts to wipe down a car that just pulled in a little too forcefully.

"I don't know, but it sure as hell pisses me off. Here I am working my ass off to make a little extra money to take these slinky ass bar chicks out on a nice date and they ditch me. Probably to go hang out with some drunk ass too." He spits on the ground and tucks the towel in his pants and wipes his grease stained face with the tail of his unbuttoned uniform shirt.

I begin to chuckle as he pumps gas into the car and it drives off once he takes the money and slams a hand against the side of it.

"Such great service here, man. If I had a car I'd come here for sure."

Steve cracks a smile at that and replies, "Yea sure, asshole."

"Aye, man. No seriously. Nothing would make me happier than to go to a broken down DX with a sloppy, angry teenager. It's great, man."

He gives me a look and walks back inside to put away the cash and I follow him.

The whole gang is inside. Soda is behind the counter counting the money again and again with a confused look on his face. Darry is carries a toolbox past me and out the door. Steve throws the money in the pile Soda just counted and Soda looks at him in disbelief drawing a small laugh from me. Pony is sitting at a small table with papers spread in front of him, a pencil in hand. And Two-Bit is reading the comics section in the newspaper from one of the stands, probably without paying.

I walk over and join a chuckling Two-Bit. He looks up at me and speaks.

"So you finally decided to come. Where've you been? Stirring up trouble?"

"Huh, yea. Not yet, aye, man."

Darry comes back inside with the toolbox and puts it in a back room, locking the door back.

"I fixed the sign out front and the door in the back, little buddy," he calls to Soda who is still counting the money, a dollar tucked behind his ear.

Steve walks back by Soda and pulls the dollar out.

"I think you're missing this one." He laughs.

"Dammit," Soda grumbles, "I'll just count it tomorrow."

Pony laughs from the table he's sitting at and Darry runs over there a holds him down, rubbing the brownish-blonde hair on his head. His natural color finally growing back through the blonde peroxide dyed hair.

"What are you laughing at, little buddy? Huh? Huh?," Darry laughs as Pony tried to stop him from messing up his hair.

"Soda!" Pony yells.

"I've got your back," Soda jumps over the counter and onto Darry's back.

They're all laughing. Steve picks up the money that is drifting through the air and Two-Bit runs over, dropping the newspaper, trying to catch the money before Steve does.

I stand and watch, a smirk turning into a genuine smile. Maybe this is where I belong. Who cares about Soc's when you have this?