Stay Gold {The Outsiders}

Chapter 1: That Night

     "Come on, Dolly Daydream! Our shift is over." 
     As I glanced up at the young woman who had spoken to me, I couldn't help but smile. Her long, chestnut brown hair was curled beautifully, framing her tan face. She grinned at me, making her already vibrant hazel eyes light up with joy.
     "What were you thinking about?" she questioned, looking at me skeptically, "Were you thinking about that good looking boy that walked in here a while ago? Cause I know I am," she continued, smirking cheekily.
     I just continued to smile, amused by my best friend. Before she could start talking about 'that good looking boy', I answered her first question.
     "I'm just thinking about my brothers, AJ. Ponyboy has a test that he's real worried about and Darry's back has been bothering him and Soda........well, he's Soda."
     She laughed at the last part, then she untied her apron and threw it over the back of the nearest chair in the diner.
     "Let's go before the boss tries to get us to stay," she said, hurriedly. Just to annoy her, I very slowly untied my apron and hung it on its hook. "Well you took your sweet time, now let's go!" She yelled, dragging me by my right arm. 
     Her expression was hilarious. It was a combination of irritation, determination and fatigue. I couldn't help but laugh, making her scowl playfully at me. That only caused me to laugh harder. Her scowl disappeared as she began to laugh also.
     We continued to talk as we walked home. You see, AJ is my neighbour but she's also my best friend. Well, other than the gang of course. I think she's the only greaser girl that I'll ever be able to put up with.
     We were only a block away when a red Mustang drove up beside us. I could see AJ tense next to me.
     "What are two fine greasers like yourselves doing walking alone?" 
     The drunken voice of the unknown Soc sent chills down my spine. We both ignored him and began to quicken our pace.
     "Hey, I'm talking to you!" the Soc yelled, agitated. For some strange reason, the Mustang stopped.
     AJ looked at me, confused. Neither one of us wanted to look back but eventually, I did. The Soc had stopped so that he and four of his friends could get out of his fancy vehicle.
     As the approached us, they stumbled. Their clothes reeked of alcohol and their breath was even worse. They smirked at us, coming closer and closer.
     I looked at AJ and saw her shaking. She had been jumped before and trust me, the outcome wasn't pleasant.
     "It'll be ok, AJ. On the count of three, you run home and get the guys. I can handle myself for a minute or two," I whispered, eyeing the Socs. As she began to protest, I gave her a stern look. "I mean it, AJ."
     She sighed quietly and nodded her head. She looked at me with sorrow in her eyes as I began to count.
     "One........two..........three!" I yelled the last number, signalling her to go. She ran incredibly fast toward our houses, but I wasn't sure if even that was fast enough.
     They attempted to catch her, but one of them put up his hand signalling them to stop. By now, the five Socs were extremely close. They all smiled cruelly at me, but I did not once regret my decision. I had to get AJ away from them; I didn't want her getting hurt again.
     "Well, I guess it's just us now," one of them said. I didn't show the fear that I felt fore I knew that that would only satisfy them.
     I watched them closely. They were only a few feet away. I stood my ground and opened my mouth to speak, hoping that my voice would sound confident.
     "You guys should really learn how to stay on your own side of town," I sneered, proud that I had actually sounded brave.
     "Shut it, greaser!" another shot back. Suddenly they all charged at me. I was surprised by their action and didn't have time to move out of the way. They laughed as they grabbed my arms. I couldn't slip out if their grip, no matter how hard I struggled.
     I looked at the one Soc that wasn't holding me.
     Must be the leader, I thought. He reached behind him and grabbed something from his back pocket.
     He held up his switchblade for me to see, as if he was proud of it. The metal glistened in the afternoon sun, threatening me.
     "You know what I do to greasers that sass me?" he asked me, tauntingly, "I introduce them to my little friend here," he finished, waving the switchblade.
     I began to struggle again as he brought the blade close to my neck. He laughed, along with his friends.
     Hurry up, AJ! I thought desperately. His hand reached for the hem of my shirt, lifting it slightly. I panicked and stomped my foot down onto his. He let out an irritated growl before sliding the cold blade against my neck.
     "You shouldn't have done that," he sneered.
     In the distance, I heard multiple footsteps running toward us. He was just about to cut me when one of his friends stopped him.
     "What?" the Soc yelled angrily. His friend looked momentarily confused before responding with another question.
     "That sound, what is it?" he asked. The leader also looked confused until he realized what the sound was. He quickly retreated to his car, along with the other four, as AJ and the guys ran past me. They threw rocks at the Mustang and yelled multiple profanities. Though the ladder was only Dally, Two-Bit, Steve and of course, AJ.
     I stood in the same place, shocked. I quickly came back to reality as my twin brother, Sodapop, ran to me, embracing me in a warm and comforting hug.
     "Are you okay, Rosie?" he mumbled, still hugging me. He slowly rubbed gentle circles on my back. Pulling back slightly, he kissed my forehead, "Did they hurt you?" he asked.
     "I'm fine, Soda, don't worry," I replied calmly, even though I was shaking. I could tell that he knew I was lying. Eventually everyone was gathered near me. AJ stomped toward me.
     "Why did you do that? You could've got hurt! You could've died!" AJ yelled as she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.
     "Shoot, I think you're hurting her more than those damn Socs did," Two-Bit joked, making AJ let go of me to smack him on the back of his head. "You okay, Rose?" he asked, rubbing the spot where she had hit him. I just nodded, not wanting to repeat myself.
     "Let's get back to the house; Ponyboy's got homework to do," Darry announced, trying to change the subject. Thankfully, it worked.
     The walk back to the house was like any other walk with the gang; loud. They were telling jokes and laughing until their faces were red, especially Two-Bit.
     I stayed quiet, though. I was thinking. Just thinking. As I looked over at my brothers and my friends, I couldn't help but feel proud of them. Yeah, Soda was a drop out and yeah, Dally gets thrown in jail every other week, but they were always there for one another, including me.
     Wait! Dally? He's not supposed to get out of the cooler for another week! He caught me staring and walked over to me.
     "Aren't you supposed to be in jail or something?" I questioned, eyeing him skeptically.
     "Got off early on good behaviour," he answered, chuckling slightly, "If I didn't know any better, I would think that you don't want me here," he teased.
     "Well.........." I smiled, laughing as he mocked hurt. He had placed his hand over the right side of his chest. "Wrong side, genius," I corrected. He just rolled his eyes.
     "So, how's everyone been?" he asked casually, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a cancer stick. He was acting as if nothing had ever happened.
     That's one thing that I liked about Dally, he could always make me smile and forget my worries. He could also be real sweet to me but the gang didn't know. If they did, they would think he's going soft. Now don't start thinking that I dig Dally or something. He's like another brother to me.
     "Pretty good, Dal. Soda got a job at DX with Steve and Soda's girlfriend, Sandy came over for supper a few nights ago. Other than that, nothing much has happened," I replied, shrugging my shoulders as I watched him light the cigarette.
     I've never smoked. That's one thing that Darry and I have in common. Neither of us have ever smoked and we don't plan on starting anytime soon.
     "How's the kid doing?" he questioned, nodding toward Johnny, who was walking with Ponyboy. Dally cared for Johnny as if he were his younger brother. Too bad Johnny couldn't see it though, he's always looked at Dally as if he's a hero or something.
     "He's been just fine, Dally. He hasn't been jumped since the accident," I replied, wincing as I remembered the night we found him, half alive.