bexley curtis ✰ || the outsiders

Nineteen

I wasn't calm when I seen Darry's junked up truck start to roll down the street from the distance. I knew it was his, it was the only junky truck that was chipped to show a dirty copper color. The headlights were becoming more brighter the closer it got down the road, I didn't know what to do, I glanced around to at least hide but I knew it wouldn't solve anything at all — it was too late. I stood completely dead in my tracks as it felt like knives were being jabbed through my chest. I seen Darry lean in closer to get a better look at who was standing here watching his truck drive past; his truck was starting to slow down. I seen his eyes squint as he started to look at me carefully. The tires jammed to a complete stop, the squeaking of it making me jerk upright. The truck was standing in front of me in my presence as the engine was still rumbling, the windows were rolled down to where I could see Darry clearly. He glanced at me with an expression that I couldn't understand whether he was pissed or just feeling another expression I couldn't understand.

"Get in." He glanced back at the road, clenching the steering wheel as tight as he could. He sounded angry, it made me feel small and shrunken as I heard his voice. I nervously walked to the truck and opened it as I was met with the smell of cigarettes. Usually his buddies from work would chill in his truck and have a smoke between breaks which explains it. I climbed in, reaching out to grab the door handle and slammed it shut.

I admit, I am a nervous wreck. I huddled myself into the corner like I was being punished, my back was up against the door with my shoulders exposing out the window with the fast wind slapping my arm and dancing through my hair. I fiddled with my thumbs as my head was slouched low, I didn't even want to lift it back up, I didn't want to know what was gonna' happen. The silent tension between Darry and I made me sick to my stomach, I felt nauseous. My stomach was tightening into a tight knot like I couldn't breathe. You could tell he was mad, he wasn't a happy camper. During situations like this, for example, he would be bombarding me with all different kinds of questions like I'm some type of criminal being taken in for questioning. Surprisingly; no questions were asked.

He took a sharp turn which made my body shift off the seat, but I caught myself. I looked at Darry with a serious, annoyed look as he hopped out the truck and didn't bother shutting the door or turning off the ignition. I turned my head and seen that we were already parked in front of Buck's. Darry threw a "be right and don't move" over his shoulder and darted up the cement steps that lead up to the small porch. As soon as he stepped inside, I couldn't help but to think to myself how he knew this happened. I realized Ponyboy was home, he probably told Darry something, but what was there to say? Buck must've called Darry when I wasn't around during the last-minute fight, who knows. It's a pretty small town like Dally always says, and words do get around fast.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as I looked desperately around me. It was starting to get a little chilly during these almost soon to be fall nights, but it didn't necessarily bother me as much as it did when I was a kid. I paused at the mention of my name and the accompanying sound of sneakers hitting against the cement close to me. Steve came flying down from somewhere towards me. It took me a second to register that he'd called to me, because I was so unaccustomed to hearing him speak.

"Goddamnit, Bex," he said quickly, as if he was out of breath. He took a few seconds to catch his breath, then managed to fix his eyes to me, "I thought - I thought you disappeared out of the blue or some Soc's got you or something. I came back and didn't see you anywhere. Where the hell were ya' at?"

I pursed my lips as I looked passed his shoulders to see if Darry was out of the building yet, but he wasn't, "I seen Darry roll by down the street," I started as I looked back at Steve, "He knew it was me once he slammed on the brakes. Golly, Steve, I've never seen him that pissed. He made me hop in the truck and we came back here, told me to wait here. I have no idea what's happenin'."