The new outsider

Chapter five: Shopping and Threats

Darry, Soda and Pony were still up when Jessica and the guys got there. They didn't bother coming in, they just waved to Jessica and agreed to come over tomorrow. Although Darry offered his room to Jessica she insisted that she would be more comfortable sleeping on the couch.

The next morning they had their usual breakfast (chocolate cake and chocolate milk). Pony headed off to school again and Darry, Soda and Steve headed off to work, leaving Jessica alone with Dally, Two-Bit and Johnny.

Once they finished up breakfast Jessica stood up and went to get her jacket.

"I am headed out to the stores, I need some more cloths." she said counting the money she had in her jacket pocket.

"You need some company?" Two-Bit asked.

"You don't look much like a shopper Matthews." Jessica commented laughing.

"I don't have anything else to do, Dally and Johnny will come too." Two-Bit said, Dally shrugged and Johnny nodded.

"Okay, fine with me." Jessica said and they headed out the door.

They walked the three blocks to the store and joked and laughed with one another the entire way there. Once they got there, they went to one of the cheaper clothing stores.

The guys watched in awe how Jessica shopped. Most girls spend so much time looking at the cloths then slowly trying them on. All Jessica did grab what she liked and move on. By the end of it she had three pairs on jeans (one for riding), some tank tops and some t-shirts.

As they left the store Jessica counted her money again. She still had $50, she could give $25 to Darry, Dally said that there would be a $5 fee for entering the rodeo and five for some smokes, that left her with $15. She would save that incase if the boys wanted to play poker again.

They stopped at the store on the way back and Tia bought a couple packs of cigarettes. When they left it turns out she wasn't the only one who didn't leave empty handed. Dally pulled out a couple packs of cigarettes, two chocolate bars and three lighters from his jacket.

They were heading to the dinner to have lunch when trouble started. They were joking around when a red car pulled up and five Socs got out.

"Morning Dallas." A guy who looked to be about 17 said. "Heard about you beating up one of my buddies Saturday. Broke three of his ribs you know."

"Only three?" Dally asked coldly.

"Who's the chick?" the guy asked "I haven't seen her around."

"Lay off Chris or I will break a few of your ribs and maybe a jaw to go with it." Dally said dangerously.

"We will talk again Dallas." Chris said smirking and turned towards Jessica"Now, how would you like to come with us gorgeous and we will show you some real action?"

"Go to hell." Tia said and gave him the finger before turning away.

Chris just laughed but left all the same. Even though the Greasers were out number, the Socs knew that Dally and Two-Bit were good fighters.

"Jessica, are you scared of anything?" Two-Bit asked. He was still in awe at how she handled the Socs. Most girls would just say nothing and get their guys to take care of them but then again, Jessica wasn't like most girls.

"Honestly?" Jessica asked.

Two-Bit nodded and waited for her response.

"I can't stand the feeling of being physically restrained. That scares me, its makes me feel helpless." Jessica said shrugging.

"You make it sound like it happened before." Johnny commented.

Jessica just shrugged and lit up a smoke. The guys didn't push the subject, partially because they respected but also because she had two blades on her.

They ate at the dinner and headed home. Pony was already home from school and Steve and Soda got home soon after that. They decided to play poker again while they waited for Darry to come home and because it was too early to start supper.

Jessica wasn't winning this time, Dally was.

"Say Jessica , I will give you back all your money if you answer one question for me." Dally said waving the money he won in her face.

"What is it Winston?" Jessica asked scowling at him.

"What's with the tattoo on your arm?" Dally asked pointing to the spider on her arm.

"Got it a few months ago. My last boyfriend, when we broke up, he called me the black widow. He said it was because guys were scared of me and I was deadly. I wanted to get a tattoo anyways so I figure I would show him up." Jessica explained and held out her hand "Pay up."

Dally shrugged and handed over her money. Darry came home soon after that and they ordered a pizza for supper. Jessica was feeling more and more comforable with the guys. They treated her like a sister and she liked it.