Unattainable

Chapter 26 Ponyboy vs Socs

SHAWNS POV FLASHBACK OVER
Astrid's lips continued to move with mine as I let my cool fingertips linger just underneath her shirt. Her hands gripped my hair only slightly as my lips trailed along her neck.

"Shawn?" I pulled away and let my hands fall from her waist.

"I'm sorry..again."She shook her head and reached for my hand.

"It's not you, it's the cold." I looked up in the light and watched her blush. "Not doing a good enough job of keeping you warm now eh?"

I kissed her cheeks and pulled her into my arms again as her hands pressed against my chest.

"No no you did," she laughed, "it's just the natural cold."

I pushed my nose against hers as she looked down. "Would you like to head home now?"

She sighed, "As much as I would love to stay out all night I should get home so yes tale me home, Mendes."

I laughed lightly as I swung my arm over her shoulders and steered her towards alley exit. "And as much as I don't want you to go, I'll take you."

She smiled as we turned and walked a few paces in the lamp-illuminated alley, until I heard familiar voices.

"Get back!" I pulled Astrid into my arms and pressed her back to the wall, my chest holding her there.

"Shawn!" She tried to ask but I hushed her.

"Just be quiet. They can't see us yet. Just be still."

"Who?" She whispered back. I didn't have to answer her as the unpleasant voice of Daemon and his friends filled the alley and echoed off the brick walls.

"It's Daemon." I heard her gasp into my neck. I tightened my grip around her as I attempted to shuffle us out of the light of the sign above us but my foot kicked a can on the ground as Daemons voice stopped.

"Hey," I heard their feet stop shuffling. "Did you hear that?"

"It's probably just a rat." Kyle's voice.

"No no someone's here. I heard them."

Daemons feet started up again, moving towards us.

"Here," I whispered to Astird, pulling out an unopened pack of cigarettes. I stepped away from her.

"Lean against the wall and look like you've been here and don't care. We won't smoke them."

Her eyes met mine in a shocked expression. "You smoke?"

I didn't answer rather i just tore the plastic off the case and forced one in her hand. "It's cold enough to fake it," I said blowing out. "Just stomp it out."

I lit them quickly as I watched her panic.

"I saw a lighter someone's here." Daemon got closer.

"Drop it." I instructed, crushing the smoke beneath my shoe. She did as I did just as

Daemons face was unveiled from the shadows, his eyes almost level with mine. I hated looking up at him.

"Well, if it isn't Shawn and the ever lovely Astrid."

"I thought you said only pretty faced names stuck in your head." I heard her snap beside me. I watched as he stretched his hand on the wall between our heads and leaned towards her.

"Well I've decided to let yours stick."

"That so." I asked as I shifted in between them, forcing his hand to leave. I noticed Daemons eye was still swollen from when I had hit him at the party. Good.

"Now don't need to be all protective there, Mendes. I'm just here for some fun and it looks like you were too."

He pointed to my cheek and I felt Astrid's lipstick stain framed by my cheek.

"Well you ruined it, so why not you leave us and let us get back to it."

I pushed him back.

"Shawn-" Astrid's hand pulled my shoulder back.

"Don't do it lets just go."

"Maybe I want in on it." Daemons hand snapped onto Astrid's wrist and he pulled her away from the wall.

"Let her go!" I cried but as I went to lunge for him, Kyle and the rest of his friends surrounded me and pushed me against the wall.

"Stop it!" I heard her scream as everything skipped into slow motion.

"Aw c'mon baby I just want one thing." I heard him snarl at her and I could hear him smirking. It was disgusting.

"Daemon stop it!" I struggled to get loose.

Suddenly, I felt a blow to my stomach and the taste of blood met my lips. Somehow had punched me hard. I gagged as I slunk to my knees.

"Shawn!" I heard her call as I spat out the red

"I just want a little something that's all and I'll leave you two to it again."

"Astrid-" I coughed, but I was too late.

"I'll do it what do you want?" There was a moment of silence.

"Just a kiss."
No. But I couldn't get the words out. Maybe I didn't want to.

"Fine. And then you'll leave us?"

"Till Monday."

"Okay."The group around me split and I could see them clearly now. His hands went to her waist and my stomach felt sick.

She touched his chest.

They kissed.

"There," she gasped as she backed away and he touched his hands to his lips. "Go."

He bowed mockingly as the group laughed together. "The battle is won, let's go boys."

The people left my sides and someone kicked my side on the way out of the alley.

I watched as Astrid sunk to her knees on the damp pavement.

I clutched my stomach and side and dragged myself over to her. "Astrid-"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do." Her voice was empty and weak.

"It's not your fault."I forced my arm onto her shoulder as she leaned into my chest.

It's mine.