「it ended at sonic」 | d.w. + c.v.

Chapter Two.

PONYBOY STEPPED INTO the darkness of night, the air brisk and shiver-worthy. "You shoulda' brought a jacket or somethin', stupid." Dally chastised, nudging him. Sodapop was out with Steve, Evie, and Sandy - maybe to try and take his mind off of what had happened. It wasn't exactly the easiest thing to cope with. Johnny had been the most adored of the group, the one they all wanted the best for. The high schoolers of the gang were on winter break at the moment, meaning none of them had to worry about facing any classmates, though the pain didn't leave them.

"I know, I know." Their feet clattered against the sidewalk. It'd been precisely 6 weeks since Johnny's death - the gang had taken it pretty hard, Dally being affected the most. Pony had been keeping track of the time that passed. That was something Dally didn't know, though if he did he'd probably make some kind of remark about holding onto the past. Though that was hypocritical, to say the least, as he was still holding onto it as well. They came across the Nightly Double, crawling under the gate and brushing themselves off before walking in with no trouble. This was a usual thing for them, like a routine they'd picked up ages ago. Taking a seat by one another, Dally's eyes fell upon the familiar red headed broad. She was sitting in front of him, as she had been when the two first crossed paths, only this time she wasn't with Marcia. A guy sat at her side. He had caramel brown, lengthy hair that trailed all the way down to his jawbone. A Soc, though his was close to the length of how Ponyboy's hair had been before the haircut. He reached out, his arm folding over the curve of her shoulders slyly. Dally could've scoffed, but he kept quiet.

"Can't believe she's already over it, man." He murmured to Pony, but was unable to say anything more when four easily recognizable words spilled from her lips.

"Get off of me." She shoved at his arm, trying to scoot away from him.

"Oh, come on, little bunny." The Soc soothed, leaning in towards her. She pulled on a tight, fake smile on her lips.

"God, I can't even tell you how much I'm not your little bunny, or little anything for that matter." She went to stand up, though was yanked down just as quickly.

"Hey, leave her alone." Ponyboy attempted to say, though he said it so quietly it was a wonder the guy even heard him. He whipped around.

"You stay out of this, Greaser." His grip visibly tightened on Cherry's arm and she winced, trying to find a way to loosen it.

"Tony, stop it, you're drunk, you need to calm down-" She was cut off as his anger now directed itself towards her. He leaned in close to her face menacingly.

"I didn't ask for your input." This time, as his grip tightened, she cried out.

"Stop it, that hurts!" That's when Dally snapped. For once, he was going to tell someone to cut it out. Him, of all people.

"I think the lady said leave her alone." He stood up, closing in on the Soc. Tony stood, now, letting go of Cherry's wrist.

"You askin' for a fight?"

"You want one?" Dally shot back, face full of anger.

"Stop it, you two, this is crazy!" The broad cut in, trying to push them both away from one another but failing.

"Stay out of it, Cherry." His words slurred, clearly influenced by how much he'd drank. His arm snapped out, roughly shoving Cherry away as she fell back onto the ground. Dally, not even registering his movements, swung his fist into the Socs face and the guy fell back onto an empty chair. "Now you've done it." He said, shakily getting to his feet before running straight for Dally. Both had their arms locked to the sides, ready to tackle the other.

"I said stop!" Cherry finally shouted, along with the protests of the others trying to watch the movie. She took the chair she'd been sitting in and launched it forward. It slammed into Tony's legs and he tripped, nearly falling onto Dally as he did so. Ponyboy pulled him back just in time, Cherry shooting a stern look at both of them. "Is fighting all you ever do?" She inhaled sharply, storming toward the exit.

"Hey, I was tryin' to help you," Dally called out, trailing close behind. "The least you could do is say thank you."

"Well, thank you!" She whirled her head around slightly, her voice echoing throughout the lot. Ponyboy was silent, unsure of whether he should pipe in or keep his mouth shut. She turned her back to them again, walking hastily. "I have the worst taste in men." She muttered, her hand gently rubbing over the wrist the Soc had held onto. There was a red mark circling it that would, no doubt, turn into a bruise by morning. Pony made his way to her side, eyes switching from his feet to the road in front of them.

"Dally means well, y'know…"

"Yeah, I know." She finally responded, voice softer now. She glanced back at the brunet behind them, then straightened her gaze once more. "I just don't know what he wants from me. First he gets upset that I didn't come see Johnny, then he gets mad that I did, and now he tries to help me." She shrugged her shoulders.

"His old girlfriend Sylvia," Pony started suddenly, voice low so Dally didn't hear, "she two-timed him real bad. Dally doesn't really get close to people, I think part of him even fears it." He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I think since Johnny's gone, he doesn't wanta let himself get hurt again." She glanced back at Dally one last time, biting down on her lower lip. Was that really why he was all over the place? She'd just thought it was him being - well, him, but what if it had been something more?