On the Outside

Chapter Five

"Dallas Raymond Winston, I am not pleased!"

Steve cackles at the face Dally makes at the sound of his girlfriend's pissed off voice.

He swears, and tries to quickly remove the dried blood down the side of his face.

She bursts into the Curtis's bathroom, anger and what looks like fear on her face.

She sighs at the sight of him, bruised and cut.

"Give me that." Sealey mutters, and takes the wet cloth from his hand.

Dallas looks down to avoid her eyes as she gently removes the blood away from his face.

"You can look at me, Dal."

He winces, and does as she says.

She looks tired.

"He'll never bother you again. Or I'll kill him."

He doesn't expect Sealy's face to contort in anger.

"Are you kidding me! What happens if they call the cops on you Dallas! What happens then? You go to fucking jail. Real fucking jail. And where the hell does that leave me?"

Dally tries to take her hands, but Sealy pushes him away.

"They lock you up, a piece of greaser trash, and I'm out here, alone. Did you ever think about that? They'll kill me if you're not here Dallas-" Her voice breaks on his name, and Dally can see her shake.

He pulls her protesting body close to him, mind running a hundred miles an hour.

"What would I do?"

He rests his head on her stomach.

"I'm sorry. I didn't..." he trails off.

They're silent for a few moments.

"Did you kick his ass?"

Dally can't help but smile.

"They'll have to cut all of those rings off."

She kisses his filthy hair.

"I'm still mad at you." She mutters.

"I know."

■♤■

"Come on snake, let's rattle."

"What- Dallas!"

He pulls Sealy with him out to the dance floor.

The boys laugh at her spluttering.

"Dallas!" She hisses, but she still wraps her arms around his.

He swings them around slowly, until eventually, Sealy smiles at him.

"Why Dallas Winston, where did you learn to dance?" Sealy teases.

He's caught in how beautiful she looks right now, surrounded by cigarette smoke and buzzing neon lights.

The small cut on her face, made by that bastards rings has almost completely healed.

He simply kisses her, just to hear her laugh.

They dance until Dally gets bored.

Not of her, of course, but of the venue.

"Come on doll. Let's blow this joint."

"Wait, Dal!" She splutters as he pulls her out into the night, towards his car.

He quiets her with a kiss then opens the door for her like a god damn gentleman.

She huffs, but slides in.