An Outsider Love Story

hustle

After a few days of being monitored by the gang, I got to be by myself for a little while. I realize that I was in over my head. I just didn't know how to deal with this in a less violent way. I never actually wanted to die. I just wanted to be with Dally and Johnny again. I wanted to make them come back. I didn't want them to leave. I understand that now. I understand that they are gone and they can't come back. I went and gave Buck his gun back. Told me that it was the right choice. Started hanging out with the gang more. Tim said it'll help me get over everything emotionally. And it did partially. But I'll never forget Johnny and Dally. Never. They have affected my life so much. They made me think life over and over again. Making sure that I chose the right decisions. That I'll be strong emotionally. I'll be tough and smart mentally. They didn't want me to be hardcore like Dally was. They wanted me to be smart and make my decisions in life right. They wanted me to stick up for what I believe in and if anyone says otherwise they can go screw themselves.

I'd wear Dallas's necklace and Johnny's denim coat everywhere I went. It made me feel like they were still with me.  It also made me feel safe. I was working at the dingo this afternoon. It was close to 10. Empty, which was strange because the dingo is always over flowing with drunks and broads at this time. There was a group of five men playing pool in the back corner. Roger was in his office going through taxes and grown up shit. A man walks into the bar and takes a seat on the stool. He places his hat on the table and looks around the place.

"What can I get for you?" I walk over to him.

"Draft beer."

"Coming right up." Pouring draft is easy as long the glass is tilted the right way.

And the mixed drinks are kind of fun to learn and if I mess them up it's not like the customer will really say anything the majority of the time. How do they know how a kamikaze is supposed to taste? I place a napkin down and set the tall glass down. It was filled with the cream colored liquid with white foam surrounding the rim. The man brings the glass to his lips as the foam fizzes on his upper lip. I turn to the sink and start washing cups. Two strangers walk into the bar as they sit two stools away from the man I just served.

"Mark. Bryon." I greeted them. These were the guys that cut off all of Angela's hair. Bryon used to date Angela.

"Lola, hows it going baby girl?" Mark smirks as Bryon coughs uncomfortable. He knows I'm well aware of what they did to my baby sister. Bryon slams down a dollar bill. Since they weren't of age I could get them a coke each. A dollar would cost them three rounds of coke and ten cent left over since cokes were fifteen cent here. I set their first round of cokes down with napkins.

"Mark, honey I thought you were locked up?" I smirked.

"Word is your boyfriend got shot up by the cops." Mark asked. My jaw clenches.

"Lay off Mark." Bryon mumbles as he takes a sip of his coke. The man that ordered the draft gets up and places his payment on the counter. I pick it up and cash him out. The man takes his change and walks away as I grab his glass.

"What about the puppy dog greaser that followed him around? He died too, didn't he?" Mark asked as the tall glass slips out of my hand and shatters across the ground. I look down at the ground unable to look him in the eyes.

"I'm sorry doll. According to Bryon here, I don't know how to use emotions." Mark says as I reach in the corner and grab the broom.

"You don't." I mutter.

"We're sorry to hear about Dallas. We knew he hung out with the Curtis kid." Bryon starts.

"Ponyboy." Mark corrected him as he gulps down his coke.  He grimaces as the acid of caffine was making it hard to swallow.

"Yeah, he did. Ponys going back to school now. Doing good. But you wouldn't know. Y'all don't care about people." I snap as I place the broom back.

"You don't get it do you doll?" Mark snickers as I place their second round on the counter.

"Whats that?" I asked as a few more guys fill the bar. It was getting louder and the atmosphere was getting more intense.

"People don't care about people the one thing that you have to learn in this world is don't trust anyone. Don't think anyone will save you in a life-and-death situation. If it's choosing you or themselves, they will always pick themselves." Mark slams his glass on the counter as I grab his third round. Bryon slowly still working on his second round was eye balling the guys playing pool. That was their game.

"Then you are just as heartless as the broad that left you broken." I reponded back.

Mark chuckles lightly and then wore a familiar look. The Dallas Winston grin. I dont know mark that well but I knew he was trouble. Not as much as Tim or Dally was but I wouldn't try to get caught in an ally with this guy.

"What time you get off?" He asked as his eyes flicked to me and then at the door with a couple of gals struttin in. I couldn't tell if they dressed like that on purpose or if they only paid 50% for the clothes they had on. The other 50% was not there.

"Late. Besides you've got a game to hustle." My eyes glared at the pool game. Its what they do. They hustle the game and bet. I don't know how they do it but they always win. They always get the money. Maybe its just luck.

"Lets go Mark." Bryon tigs on Marks leather jacket sleeve as he throws back his third coke and stumbles over to the game.

"I'll catch you later Lola." Mark winks as I roll my eyes. I finish sweeping the glass and finish the ins and outs of closing down. Roger finally gave me the ok as I punched out and left. I didnt want to stick around any longer then I have to. Mark and Bryon were splitting their wins in the ally as I sped walk to my house. I dont want trouble.