Friends With a Greaser

Chapter 10

Nicholas Morrison watched Rilee plan their first practice nervously. He couldn't help but think back to this afternoon and the big blow out as Rilee drew out the next play.

***

Recap:

"What.Do.You.Think.Your.Doing?" Sophia snarled, standing up as if she was an alpha protecting her territory.

Layla glared back, her hands placing themselves on her hips as she sassily replied, "I'm here to save my friend from a table of Greasers."  With this comment may others at the table began to rise, especially Rilee who was glaring daggers at the girl beside Nic... she seemed almost... jealous?

"Back off you prissy rich girl!" Rilee bellowed as she made a move to grab Nic, but he dodged her attack. He needed to settle this before it got too out of hand, and everyone would find out why Sophia gave him those looks.

Layla seemed to almost leap forward to grab Rilee, but before they could get at each other's throats, Nic stepped in the way.

"Rilee chill, I'll settle this." Nic demanded giving her a pleading look. Her hard face softened slightly as she saw his features, and she slowly sat back crossing her arms. Even though she continued to glare at Layla, she sat back doing nothing, with difficulty.

"Come on." He barked at Layla, stalking off out of the cafeteria, feeling way to mean for his liking.

When arriving in the hall, Nic turned to find Layla with her arms crossed and her face in question. "We don't need a pointless fight." He said simply as Layla shrugged ignoring what he had just said.

"So you know the little greasers name?" She asked causing Nic to catch his mistake. He had asked 'Rilee' to stop, not some random greaser that as a Soc he would not know.

"Layla, she just helped me out to the soccer fields, it's nothing, why are you freaking out on me?" Nic immediately felt the guilt wash of him for lying, but tried to push it back knowing this would save him his friendships and life.

"So then why did she go sit with you?" Layla snapped back, a fire in her eyes. Nic didn't know that his one friend could become so savage.

Nic sighed deeply, hating himself for what he was about to say next. "The little Greaser thought she could be friends with someone like us, maybe she thought she could slip in our little loop hole for once and see what's like to have money. You know that people like that will do anything to get their dirty little hands on some money." Nic spat so venomously he didn't recognize his own voice, but it didn't matter because Layla seemed convinced as she smiled and came forward to hug him.

Her hug stung him like a thousand bees as he took in what he had just said about his new best friend. But he had to hold strong. Life was tricky and he had to hold tight on the reins of emotion if he wanted to survive.

***

"There!" Rilee exclaimed showing him the new play, "what do you think?"

"I think it's a keeper." Nic smiled at the play, Rilee had really out done herself with this one, it was as if she was meant for this position.

"Hey Nic," his head snapped to look at her directly, she had her head dropped looking at her shoes in dismay. "Are you alright? you seem... quieter then usual."

Nic stared at her, his eyes taking in her, in general, just her. He wanted to answer so honestly, he was exploding with emotion, with guilt of today, with depression because of his mother's death, with fear of losing all his loved ones, especially his newly found loved ones. Two-Bit, Ms Matthews, Ponyboy, Darry, Sodapop, Rilee, and even Sophia.

Rilee looked up at Nic, concerned about his delayed answer. She almost jumped in surprise seeing that their faces were only inches apart. Nic seemed to almost lean forward... Rilee didn't know why, but she began to lean forward also... they were so close.

"Nic! Rilee!" The sprang apart subconscious, scrambling to get as far away as they could while still looking normal. Two-Bit, only seconds later appeared at the door.

"Deserts ready, we have apple pie!" Two-Bit sang with a large smile on his face. He was jumping from one foot to the other before noticing the looks of horror on their faces.

"Looks like you've guys seen a ghost, you alright?" His head tilted watching them.

"Fine!" Rilee yelped leaping up to go to her boyfriend. She gripped his hand as she begun to pull him with her to the kitchen.

"What about.... Nic!" Two-Bit was yanked around the corner before he could finish his sentence. Nic sat there by himself for a few moments. Staring at the soccer plans that were fluttered around, what had he just done?