The Outsiders II

Chapter Four

Darry and me were talking about the whole thing when Maggie came back.
"I get it, Darry. You've told me all of this, and Soda told too, I get it, I already told you. I don't wanna do anythin' for——" Maggie sat down next to me. I went bright red and scratched the back of my head. I guess she heard the jist of our conversation, because she plopped herself down and buried her face in her arms.
"Why does this have to be so weird?" She groaned.
"I know, I know. We'll get used to it. Or we'll at least try." I comforted, while giving Darry the death stare. He broke out of his serious look and tried not to laugh.

Eventually things got normal again, and we all dug into the cake, before it melted. Man, was it good. It had vanilla ice cream on the outside, and the inside had chocolate ice cream with this fudge cookie thing. It was incredible. Darry said he'd buy four more for the icebox.
"This is the best thing since chocolate cake!" Sodapop exclaimed.
Steve, with bits of ice cream cake in his mouth started yapping his trap off, like usual. Steve was like that. Chocolate and any sugar gets him riled up.

Maggie and me later got up and decided to walk down to the pond. It was around four, and we had time to kill, so I grabbed us a blanket and took a hike to the local duck pond. It was cool when we got there. I found a spot, where there wasn't anyone around, and laid our blanket down. It was actually kinda cold, so I was glad I'd brought two blankets. Maggie and I settled under the blankets and watched the sun set. It was beautiful. She curled up next to me and heaved a sigh.
"What a day, huh?" She said.
"Yep. I coulda died of embarrassment." I said. My arm was around her shoulder at this point.
"You're telling me." She said. "I was so red, I probably looked like a tomato." I laughed at her and kissed the top of her head. 

We ended up falling asleep, believe me, I don't know how it happened, but when I woke up, the sky was black. I quietly picked her up, without waking her and walked home. Not to sound rude or anything, but she's heavier than she looks. I was winded by the time I'd gotten up to my front door.
"Where you been?" Darry was upset. I put a finger over my lips and pointed at her. She was surprisingly out like a light. I carried her into my bed and got her out of her clothes and into a night dress. I closed the door over, and went back into the living room.
"Ponyboy Curtis. It's ten thirty at night. We thought you'd gone missing." Darry said in a low voice.
"We fell asleep at the pond." I said.
"What?" Darry looked mad. "This is the second time you've done that. Seriously, Ponyboy?"
"Come on, Darry. He's not even past curfew." Soda butted in. Darry looked defeated.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Darry threw himself in the armchair. "But you scared the dickens outta me, kiddo."

Maggie was sitting upright, and wide awake when I went to bed.
"Hey, Pony." She said groggily.
"Hey, Mag." I said, kissing her while I settled into bed. I'd already gotten my pyjamas on, so I didn't need to change. But I decided to take my shirt off, because it was scorching in there.
"Gosh, it's warm in here." I said. I opened my window to let the warm Oklahoma breeze come in. She put her hair up in a messy bun and kissed me.
"You look nice without a shirt." She teased.
I cocked an eyebrow and smiled.
"Yeah, I sure do." I said. I flopped down on the bed and sighed. Her hand glided across my stomach and she wrapped her arm around me. She chuckled softly.
"What?" I said. She shook her head.
"Nothing. I'm just admiring your beauty." She smiled in the dark. I flipped my hair and smiled widely.
"Why thank you, darling." I said in the most girly voice I could do. She tried not to laugh and raised her hand and pulled my head to her chest. She smelled like oranges. I was now on my side and my arms were wrapped around her waist.

Nothing happened that night. I fell asleep peacefully in her arms, which was the best feeling ever. Of course when Soda and Darry came in to wake us, they teased me about being her teddy bear, but personally, I didn't mind.

Summer flew by in an instant, and we were all back at school. And let me tell you, that flew by like the wind. Before we knew it, it was Halloween, then Christmas, then Valentine's Day, which allow me to tell you about. Valentine's Day, I mean. Our school hosts dances for Halloween, Christmas, and pretty much every holiday. But Valentine's Day is different. It's the one dance they have lovers' dances and the one day you're allowed to kiss your date without being clubbed in the head by a teacher for PDA. Of course you're not allowed to go full on make out with the tongues and moaning. Believe me, I've seen some things before. As I was saying, Valentine's Day is different.
Yeah, there's a theme, like Halloween, which by the way, Maggie and me had the best costumes in the entire school. According to the guys, and might I mention, the Halloween contest. Maggie went as Juliet, and I went as Romeo. Maggie wore a beautiful red gown with black lace (which Two-Bit's mother made for her), and ribbon. She also had on thick black eye makeup and red lipstick. Her hair was done up in this Victorian bun type thing. I don't know, I'm not a girl, I know nothing about girls' hairstyles. And I had this old fashioned red thing on. I don't know what it's called, but it had big sleeves (like Maggie's did) and a cape. I had to wear leggings and girly shoes. It definitely hurt my masculinity. 

Anyways, Valentine's Day, all the guys had to wear red and the girls pink. With the accent of white. I wore this cool looking white tux, and Maggie wore a really pretty pink dress with sleeves and little frills, lace, and ribbon. Man, Mrs. Mathews makes some killer dresses. I don't think there's much to say about the dance. Soda and Darry helped chaperone it. Steve, Two-Bit, and some other high school greasers were with their girls, which made me feel less like some weird grease on the dance floor.
Soda and Darry laughed at me the entire time, and I'll say, I wanted to beat the tar outta them. I mean so what if me and Maggie kiss? It's not that bigga deal. It's one thing if I was like trying to, y'know, steam the sheets with her, but still.
Since that dance, things have gotten rough for Maggie.

Socy girls, her age and older, started picking on her. For of all things, being easy.
They'd spread nasty rumours, saying she was doing things with me, and every greaser I know. Even some socs. There's been times she's come into class sopping wet from being dunked in a toilet. Other times, she's been egged while walking home. And jumped a couple times. Socy guys tried to have their way with her, which pushed my buttons. I've brawled with some socs before about it. Even Darry couldn't do anything. It made him angry. He could confront, and beat, and threaten, and they still wouldn't lay off. I felt bad for her. Her mood drastically changed at a rapid pace.

I remember one time, Maggie was having it out with one of her bullies. Those damned socs wouldn't let me near Maggie, and had her cornered in the girls' bathroom.
"Lay off, would ya?!" I heard Maggie shout.
"Oh what are you gonna do, give us the clap?" One of them snickered. I heard a couple blows land. 
"How do you like that, harlot?!" I heard another girl yell. I heard a couple more blows land, and Maggie yelp in pain.
"Get off of me you dirty soc!" I yelled. "Maggie! Mag...argh let go!"
"Aww one of your toys is calling for you, tramp!"
"Here, go fetch, you dog!" One of them shoved her out of the bathroom. I grabbed her and bit my tongue as I helped her to a bench. She had a little cut on her lip, but she was fine for the most part. She wasn't even crying. She looked defeated.
"Greasers don't take beatings like this." She mumbled.
"Mag, it's okay. Those....they will pay for this. Girls or not, we have some greasy girls who'll slug them for ya." I kissed her forehead.
"Let's just...go to class." She muttered.

The moment we got into class, the main girl, the popular soc who picked on Maggie everyday, was sobbing and had red marks on her. She was with the principal and her other friends.
"It's that one! That vile, greasy, broad!" The soc pointed at Maggie.
"Miss Jones!" The teacher yelled. "Did you slap Miss Stella Hughes across the face?"
Her name rang a bell. Stella Hughes. Her sister Valerie, who we call Val, is a greaser. Val hates Stella. For good reason too.
"What? Are you serious? No I did not hit her!" Maggie exploded.
"You snobby broad!" I snapped. "You're making fun of her every blasted day, and now you're calling her the bully?"
"Back it up, grease, or I'll cut off all that greasy hair of yours." A jock soc got in my face.
"Oh yeah? Bite me!" I screamed.
"Enough!" The teacher pushed us apart.
"It's clear to me, you hoodlums need to act like wild apes."
"Who you callin' hoodlums, woman?!" Maggie spat.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Ugh. See? Can't you greasers act like civilized people?"
Maggie slammed her fist against the chalkboard. Everyone eyed her.
"You know what? I'm done. I'm outta here. Oh and Stella? Watch yourself, bimbo." Maggie stormed outta the school, with me beside her.

We stomped silently home. To our surprise, Darry was already there. Maggie burst through the door and into our room and slammed the door behind her. Darry bolted up.
"It's not even lunch yet, Pony! Why are you both home?!" Darry was angry.
"Because. Those rotten soc girls keep harassing her and the school got her in trouble for it!" I yelled.
"I understand you're both mad, but why did you leave too?!" He shouted.
"Because I ain't lettin' her go down alone!" I screamed. I threw myself onto the couch and broke out in a frustrated cry.
"They won't leave her alone, Darry." I sobbed. "They...they just won't let off. Everyday, every hour. Even the teachers are attacking her. And us. They called us greasers hoodlums." I wiped my eyes. Darry put an arm around me.
"I'm sorry, kiddo. I didn't know. Just...go calm her down until I can figure out what to do."