The Outsiders: A Girl in the Gang

Chapter 13

        On Saturday I slept late, it's not like I had anything else to do since I was probably grounded again.  I sulked around the house all day, I couldn't sneak out and go do something, I didn't even know what I wanted to do.

        Dally was working outside on something or another, but every twenty to thirty minutes he came in to check on me.  Like I was some disobedient little kid that'll be sticking something in their mouth or coloring on the wall the minute you turn your back.  I vaguely wondered how much more work he could get done if he wasn't watching my every move.

        It was the same on Sunday, we didn't go anywhere, and I almost missed hanging out with the guys, not that I would ever admit it to any one of their faces.

        And I'm assuming they missed my presence too, because on Monday the minute I walked into English, Pony was waiting for me by my desk.

        "Hey," he said as I sat down, and he sat backwards in the desk in front of me that was currently empty.  "What'd you do this weekend?" he asked me cautiously, no doubt he had heard by now that I'd gotten hauled into the station on Friday night, though it was more so Saturday morning.

        "You probably already know," I said grudgingly.

        "Yeah, but I'd like to hear it from you cause you know how people exaggerate things," he answered sincerely.

        "I got in a fight with Dal when I got home late, he kicked me out of the house and then I ran away and ended up getting in a fight with a Soc and hauled down to the station," I explained, not sure why I was even telling him this.  "Bottom line: I'm grounded again, probably for my whole life," I added boredly, though Ponyboy was the first person all day to actually ask me for my version of it, rather than just assume and give me a weird look like everyone in the halls did.

        I was probably one of the first girls in Tulsa to get hauled into the station for picking a fight with a guy, and a Soc at that.

        "Oh, and I'm not allowed to talk to you anymore," I added, as if the shock showing on his face from what I'd said earlier wasn't enough.

        "What?!" he shouted, and the few other kids in class gave us funny looks.

        "Dal's mad at me.  You know how he gets when he's mad," I said as way of explanation, not telling Pony the whole reason why I wasn't supposed to talk to him anymore.

        "But-" Pony objected, and I said,

        "Don't worry.  I never listen to him anyways," because it was true, thought that is why I was grounded a second time.

        Pony gave me a confused but skeptical look, and then asked, "So if Dally sees me with you, I'm dead?"

        "Not just dead, but anywhere near.  But don't worry, I'll be dead too," I replied nonchalantly, because I honestly didn't think Dally would see me with Pony, he never came anywhere near the school unless he was gonna vandalize it or something illegal like that.

        And then I made the stupid mistake of going down to the DX with Pony, Johnny, and Two-Bit after school, even though I should have just gone home.

        Because Dally was at the DX, and the minute he saw me he came over and screamed in my face, "Tara Annamarie Winston, what do you think you're doing?"

        Immediately I was furious at him, and I yelled back, "It's called having a life!  Maybe you should get one and stay out of mine!"

        "I thought I told you you weren't allowed to talk to Ponyboy!" he yelled, glaring at Pony, and everyone else just looked shocked and confused, staying silent as they witnessed yet another fight between me and my damn brother, though this was probably one of the first ones they'd actually seen, despite how many we'd actually had.

        "You also kicked me out of the house and then came and got me from the station, so how am I supposed to know when you mean what you say or not?  Excuse me for having friends, Dal," I said sarcastically, "but maybe it's time you learned to share, cause if you haven't noticed, we have the same friends," I replied bitterly.

        Again he got that blazing blue flame in his eyes, like he was gonna belt me, but he never did.  He just took a step closer and said in a low angry voice, "We're going home," sounding more like he was telling me than stating something.

        "Thanks, but I can go back by myself, Dal.  I don't need a babysitter," I retorted.

        He whirled on me, about to say something, but then Pony cut him off.

        "Dal, wait-" but then Dally slapped him right across the cheek.

        "Shut your mouth, kid," Dally warned Pony, who stood there, stunned, as a bright red hand print appeared on his cheek.

        I glanced at Pony and then back at Dally, who was stalking down the street towards his truck, the mill truck.  Rage and fury rose inside of me, becoming a blazing fire and sparking me with adrenaline as I ran down the street after him, determined to kill him this time.