The new outsider

Chapter three: Poker Anyone?

Soda and Darry went into the kitchen and came back with a chocolate cake and some chocolate milk. Soda handed Jessica a piece which she soon devoured.
"You guys sure know how to eat." Jessica said licking her fingers clean.

She ate two more pieces after that and had many glasses of chocolate milk to wash it down. Darry looked at his watch and cursed.

"Pony, hurry up, you are gonna be late for school." Darry said and Pony grabbed his jacket before he flew out the door.

"I gotta head off to work." Darry said "So do Soda and Steve but please just stay here, we can talk once I get home. Feel free to raid the kitchen if you get hungry again and if you wanna have a shower the bathroom is just down the hall."

Jessica nodded and mumbled a thank you. Darry grabbed his jacket and was about to head out the door but stopped for a second.

"If any of them give you any trouble, feel free to use your blades." Darry said smiling jokingly.

Jessica nodded and smiled. After Darry left, Tia stood up and stretched. Two-Bit was surprised to see how tall she was. He was guessing around 5'7 maybe 5'8 which was quite tall for a girl. (My height 🤗)

"How old are you anyways?" Two-Bit asked.

"Thirteen and a half." (My age) Jessica said "I'm going to have a shower, if either of you go near the bathroom I will skin you."

"Don't worry, we will be hear waiting for you." Dally said smiling.

"Thirteen?" Two-Bit said once the bathroom door was closed.

"She looks older." Dally said shrugging.

Tia came back after about twenty minutes. Two-Bit noticed she was kind of cute when she got all of that dirt off of her.

"So what do you boys do for fun around here?" Jessica asked rubbing her hair with a towel.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Soda and Steve heared voices as they approached the house. They thought for a minute someone was fighting but when they opened the door it was laughter they heard.

They came in to find Jessica, Dally and Two-Bit sitting on the floor playing poker and laughing hysterically.

"Jessica is a lot of fun once you get her loosened up." Dally said looking up at them smiling.

"We tried to get her to play stip poker but I am glad we didn't, cause she had taken almost all of my money." Two-Bit said pointing to a stack of coins and bills next to Jessica.

"Deal us in." Steve said sitting down.

"Where did you get the money to play anyhow?" Soda asked Tia.

"In Texas I did alot in the rodeo circuit, bronc riding and stuff." Tia said.

"Really?" Dally said "You should try the rodeo's down here sometimes but they might be a little too rough for you."

Jessica gave him a playful shove and laughed.

Pony and Johnny came in next but didn't join in, they just watched and joined in the conversation.

Darry was the last one to come home and was happy to see Jessica in better spirits. He didn't even recognize her at first. Her long hair was not brown, now that it was washed at dried, he could tell that it was actually dark blonde.

He didn't join in their game either, he went to start supper. When they sat down to eat Tia spoke up.

"Thanks for all of your help but I really should get going now that I am feeling better, I am just getting in the way and being a nuissance." Jessica said staring at her plate.

"Why don't you stay here for a while." Darry said "The boys like your company and you don't have anywhere's else to go."

"If it okay with the rest of your brothers?" Jessica asked looking up.

"Of course!" Soda said smiling.

Pony Boy nodded and smiled.

"Well, okay but I am paying you for food and stuff, without question." Jessica said looking Darry in the eye.

After supper they sat around for a little bit.

"Well me and Dally are heading out to Buck Meril's anyone wanna join us?" Two-Bit said standing up.

Pony looked up hopefully but Darry shook his head.

"How about you, Jess?" Dally asked grabbing his jacket.

"Sure." Jessica said shrugging.

"I dunno-" Darry started but Dally cut him off.

"Don't worry Darry, me and Two-Bit will keep a close eye on her." Dally said "Besides, she can take care of herself."

Darry reluctantly nodded and watched as Jessica and the boys left. Once outside Dally put him arm over Jessica's shoulders.

"Buck Meril will be able to set you up, get you into the next rodeo." Dally said.

Jessica nodded and carefully checked to make sure she had both of her blades on her. She didn't like the sound of Buck Meril but was just glad to be outside.