On the Outside

Chapter 2

I don't see the Curtis gang for another week, until all of them come tumbling into the dinner I work at.

Looking up from my book, I instantly smile upon seeing the unruly bunch.

"Hey guys." I greet, striding to their booth.

A chorus of heys answer me.

"Look at all of ya'll! What's the occasion?" I tease.

"Nothing in the house." Pony complains.

I tsk, and take their order.

When I look at Dallas, our eyes seem to snare on each other, and I look down, almost bashful.

I wasn't stupid, I heard plenty a tale about Dallas Winston. But hey, he seemed fun, and a few friends couldn't hurt right?

-

The Curtis gang left a while later, leaving me to finish the rest of my shift.

The only way I would ever be free of my parents was this job, and so I took every shift I could humanly manage.

Which was why, as of eleven at night, in the pouring rain, I walked home alone through widely disputed territory.

One day, it was the greaser's. The next, the Soc's.

But every day, it was my way home.

My socks soak through with rainwater, as I miserably trudge on.

A car approaches from behind me, making me tense.

Dread fills me when it stops right next to me.

I kept walking, pretending I didn't notice, until the car door opens.

I risk glancing behind me, and to my surprise, see Dallas Winston.

"Hey Sealey man! Hop in!"

It was not the moment to look the gift horse in the mouth, that was for sure.

I run to the other side of the car, and quickly jump inside.

I sigh at the warmth of the interior of the car, a stark contrast to the frigid rain outside.

Dallas follows shortly after, and we both grin as we shake the rain from our hair.

Mine is truly soaked, much to my displeasure.

Dallas puts the car in drive, and continues down the road.

"Now what the hell are you doing walking in that Seal?" Dally teases, and I smile.

"Working on my waterboarding resistance." I tease back.

"No but really. You shouldn't be walking in this part of town at night. Some ruff characters out there." Dally berates.

I sigh, and remove my sodden sweater.

"I know. Don't have much of a choice. I need all the shifts I can get."

Dallas tilts his head nonchalantly.

We drive in almost silence, the radio faintly playing some Elvis, and myself pointing Dally in the direction of my home.

In a few minutes, we are outside my house.

I look at the living room lights, and to my disappointment, they are on.

Not a good sign.

Dally drums his long fingers on the steering wheel, and hesitantly looks over.

"I could give you a ride, if you want. I usually head this way around the same time every day." He offers, licking his lips almost nervously.

I smile, taken aback.

"You know, that would be real cool. Thank you."

In all honesty, I didn't expect him to go out of his way, however slight, for myself. Or for anyone really. I guess I misjudged.

I sigh quietly, not looking forward to getting pushed around by my either sober or drunk parents.

"Well. I work tomorrow, well- I guess I work every day except Sunday. If you're around, I get done at eleven every night."

I open the car door, and lean back in to grab my things.

"And Dally?"

His eyes snap back to my face from wherever they were lost.

"I really appreciate it. Thank you."

The dim light makes it difficult to see, but I almost swear he has a blush.

" 's on the way is all. No problem." He says with a shrug.

Taking that as my cue to skedaddle, I close the door and quickly walk up the steps to the slowly rotting porch.