People Don't Change (Dally Winston)

Chapter 6

I twisted, trying to get away from whoever had grabbed me, but they were too strong. I could tell it was one of the Socs by the sleeve of his madras shirt, but I couldn't see his face.

"Now, sweetheart," he sneered, "are you going to come with us?" I assumed that any answer other than 'yes' would result in injury to me, but I don't give up easily. I struggled against him, trying to get out of his grasp.

"Let her go!" a familiar voice with a New York accent shouted. I knew immediately that it was Dallas. The Soc released me seconds before he fell to the ground, holding his nose.

Dally stood next to me, anger blazing in his eyes, fists clenched and ready to find their next victim. Not saying anything, he grabbed my hand and drug me after him. In a few blocks, we reached the Curtis house. Dally opened the door, not even bothering to knock.

Inside, Pony, Soda, and Johnny sat, looking miserable. They were covered in dark purple bruises and scratches. Before they noticed us, Darry had been yelling at Pony for losing me.

Dally cleared his throat, "Yeah, lucky I found the little broad for ya." They all turned to look at us. They, especially Ponyboy, looked extremely relieved.

"You okay, Jenny?" Darry asked. I nodded in reply.

"The Socs need to learn to stay on their side of the town, or else I'll show em' how we take care of problems in New York," Dally grumbled.

"Dally, I'm fine. Just calm down," I told him. He continued to look angry, but his glare faded away a bit.

~~~

I walked across Two-Bit's lawn to the porch that creaked when I stepped on it. The light of the moon cast dark shadows across the ground, but I could still see the expression on Dally's face. In that one expression, so many emotions were shown, like a collage across his face.

He had been silent the entire time that he was walking me home, so I assumed that he didn't intend to say goodbye. I stepped towards the front door, but he stopped me.

"Jenny, I'm sorry for everything," he said, looking at me like he actually meant it. I opened my mouth to reply, but he turned and walked away, leaving me standing on the porch, alone.