People Don't Change (Dally Winston)

Chapter 4

The sounds of the front door slamming rang out as Dally left. I just stood there, confused about what had happened. Why was he angry at me?

I sat down on the couch and tried to distract myself with the TV, but my thoughts kept circling back to him. I felt tears forming in my eyes and began to blink quickly. I was scared that I had lost Dally, or at least the Dally that used to be my friend.

~~~

"We're goin' to the drive-in. Do you want to come?" Ponyboy asked. The boys, other than Dally, were being really nice to me. I nodded. Pony grabbed a jacket and opened the front door.

"Don't let her get into any trouble," Two-Bit yelled as we stepped outside. He wasn't coming along. Johnny, Soda, and Steve followed Pony and me.

It wasn't a long walk, but the scenery was new to me, so with every corner we turned I could feel myself getting more and more lost. It's a good thing that the boys knew the way, because I would never make it back to Two-Bit's house alone.

Inside the drive-in, there were swarms of people, walking around, leaning out of car windows, and talking. The boys stopped to talk to a few people, who I immediately forgot the names of, while I went to get some popcorn.

I could feel people staring at me as I waited in line. I'm not used to anyone taking much notice of me. I have light brown hair and grayish eyes. I easily blend in with most crowds.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a group of well dressed boys who continuously glanced at me. As soon as I got my popcorn, I hurried off to find the gang. They already had seats and were talking amongst themselves. I sat down in an empty seat behind them.

~~~

After the movie was over, the gang and I walked home. Pony and Soda had promised Two-Bit that they would walk me home. Johnny came along with us too, saying he wanted to avoid going home for as long as possible.

It was almost pitch black outside, since there didn't seem to be any working street lights in the neighborhood. Johnny jumped at every noise and cautiously glanced around. I wasn't scared until a blue mustang pulled up behind us.