Stronger with You

Rumble

July 12, 1965

The Gang was all at the Curtis house pumping themselves up for the rumble.

Steve and Soda were playing a game of poker. Peyton was sitting on Soda's lap, hiding an Ace under her thigh.

Two-Bit was sitting in front of the TV with the puppy, which they decided to name Cooper. Darry and Two-Bit both agreed to keep the puppy, mainly because that was the only thing Peyton wanted after being jumped. (everyone knew Darry wanted to the puppy just as much though)

Pony and Johnny were outside smoking talking about whatever it was they discussed.

Maya was in her room with Dallas "getting ready" for the rumble.

"Okay guys," Darry says walking into the room, glancing around, "Pony! Johnny! Come inside!"

Once they came in and Maya and Dallas came down, Darry got to talking.

"Okay, we kind of have a lot on the line fighting in this rumble. So if the fuzz show," Darry pointed at Pony and Soda, "you two beat it out of there. You'll get thrown in a home."

The two of the salute Darry, "Sir yes sir." Soda laughs. After that the gang headed out whooping and hollering, doing cartwheels and backflips down the street, getting themselves hyped up.

"Peyton, hold up." Two-Bit grabber his sisters arm pulling her behind the rest of the gang.

"You need to be careful, okay? Chad is going to be here and I don't know what he will try to pull." Two-Bit said seriously.

Peyton only laughed, "Of course, big brother. I'm always careful." She patted his cheek, running over to Soda and jumping on his back.

The Shepherd Gang had come to help in this rumble, meaning there was eighteen greasers. The Socs started pulling in their mustangs, one by one they lined up. Pony counted eighteen of them, it would be an even fight.

Dallas didn't hesitate, throwing the first punch at whoever was standing in front of him.

The fight kicked off, everyone had someone to fight. Dallas got ahold of Bob Sheldon, he was getting back at him for jumping Johnny.

Darry had already knocked out whoever was trying to fight him and was over by Pony and Johnny making sure they weren't getting beat senseless.

The rest of the guys were having a blast beating up any Soc they could get their hands on.

Maya had found Johnathan Herron, getting her hands on him. He got a few good slugs, but Maya had gotten a nice blow to the temple giving herself the upper hand.

Peyton stayed on the outside of the rumble, she was keeping an eye out for Chad, but hadn't even seen him pull up.

So instead she fought Joe Radcliffe.

The rumble went on with out any weapons, just like everyone had agreed. The Socs were beginning to bail, causing the greasers to cheer.

The guys and Maya were running back together in celebration. They won, they did it for Johnny, for Peyton. For every Greaser who had been jumped or raped by a Soc.

Two-Bit jumped up and down cheering the loudest.

"Where's Peyton?" Maya asked, the Shepard's had formed their own circle while all the Socs had bolted.

Peyton was hunched over, leaving again a tree for support. Her hand was pressed against her upper abdomen. She attempted to walk over to the gang but feel halfway there.

"Peyton."

Two-Bit ran to his sister falling to his knees beside her. Carefully, he pulled the small girl into his arms, cradling her to his chest.

"Chad, he showed up." She gasped out, squeezing her eyes shut, "he had a knife."

Soda was on the other side, holding Peyton's hand. Maya was at her head as the rest of the gang put themselves as close as possible.

Soda pressed against the wound causing Peyton to cry out.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. We have to try and stop the bleeding." Soda cried.

"L-look, I know I probably won't make it from this. I'm bleeding too fast," she gasped and brought in a large shaky breath, "but I love you guys. All of you, more than words can say." She squeezes her eyes shut again, clenching her teeth.

"No Peyton, do not talk like that. Do not," Two-Bit let out a sob, "I can't go to another funeral."

The bleeding girl tried her hardest to smile, "You are the strongest person I know. I will always be with you."

Blood painted her pink lips red, they all knew she'd be gone soon, but no one wanted to admit it.

"Soda, I love you. I'm sorry it took so long," Peyton placed a hand on his cheek, wiping the tears away, "It's going to be okay. All of you are going to be okay."

Maya broke, "how is this going to be okay!"

Peyton's demeanor changed, her pupils grew wide, "I'm scared. I'm so scared. Don't let them take me." After that, the breath coming from Peyton's mouth was short and choppy. Two-Bits lip quivered as he held his dying sister.

Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and one last word came so quietly from her lips, "gracie..."

"No!" Two-Bit screamed in agony, "No. You can't leave me! She can't be dead, she can't be dead." Sobs racked his entire body holding his best friend right against his own body, the comedic boy that no one thought could break, broke.

Soda sobbed, his eyes clenched shut and his forehead pressed against the grass, "no, no, no, no."

Maya cried quietly into Dallas' shirt, who let a tear fall down his cheek.

Steve stared at the scene in front of him in shock, not knowing how to cry. Johnny sat next to Maya, holding her hand tightly. Pony let his tears fall freely down his face, not making a noise.

Darry laid a hand on Two-Bit's shoulder, but couldn't form the words to speak. No one knew what to say. That night, they all lost a piece of themselves. A piece they could never get back.

The life span of a Greaser was short. Maybe they could make it to eighteen. If they were lucky, they could make it to twenty five, but most never saw a day past seventeen.

Peyton Matthews didn't.

Chad Wilson never received the punishment he deserved. 30 days in jail was all he got before his Dad paid for him to be out with parole.

Peyton Matthews never fully let go, she lived with the pain Chad caused. She was just starting to get better, but never achieved what she deserved. She never had anything she wanted, not even a life, because even that was taken from her too soon.