Fifth Post - Yet again am I posting. But this be not an ordinary post. It is... THE NEXT CHAPTER. Yes, I know, this took way too long. And I apologize. But may Dallas make up for this by dragging you in like Pennywise drugged Georgie under. Just... less pain and more charm with the perfect look of an angel.
Worlds Apart Will Soon Collide: Part 2
I sighed, wandering to side of the road on my bike while watching houses go by. The frustration from the fight I had with someone in my family still sitting with me. It also didn't help that the humid air ran against me. The night's breeze was refreshing when I picked up speed but the muggy and stuffy breaths I took were bothersome. Areas where I had gotten hit didn't feel too swell either, aching each time I pushed my legs.
It wouldn't be a stretch to think I was running away since I had a backpack full of clothes, cash, a blanket, and snacks on. It made it difficult to keep going but I didn't want to stop.
Originally, I planned on going to Michael. He would tease less than James and wouldn't dote on me like Rebecca or Laura. Not to mention I'd probably get questions from their parents about ill intentions.
But I'd probably get questions pestering me so it wasn't worth the hassle. So I just decided to go on and on until I couldn't.
Trees started going past instead of high-kept cars and houses.
Then areas filled with things littered across the yard.
It was then that I started to slow. This place was somewhat unfamiliar. I wasn't use to seeing anything this messy in my neighborhood.
Pretty soon, I realized why.
There were looks as I passed by the run down houses. Ones of curiosity or hate. Even the soft scoffs, huffs, and grinding of teeth was audible as I looked around.
Suddenly screeching to a stop, my head whipped around.
I was in the ghettos with people that were now looking at me like vultures on their next meal.
I frantically looked around, attempting to find a way out that wouldn't land me in the claws of a Greaser, let alone anyone here.
In my 360° search, I laid my eyes onto a building lit up. Immediately, I identified it as diner from the flashing sign and laughter coming from it. In all honesty, I wanted to just skip it and travel back, staying with Michael until things blew over.
But as my stomach growled, letting me know this, and the bars I brought wouldn't suffice.
With a quiet whine, I got my bag and drove my bike towards something I could lock it up on.
Walking in, I looked around.
Despite the gloomy outside appearance, it was actually nice...
Laughter bounced off the walls while people talked with one another like old friends who hadn't seen each other for awhile. They smacked each other friendly like, grinning ear to ear.
As I continued down the area, I suddenly met the end of the diner.
And with it came a crowd a few steps away from the only empty streets.
I tensed up before trying to silently shuffle my way towards the booth.
When I sat down, I messed around with the pen left on the table as I waited for the waitress. It dropped at one point so I leaned under the table to get it. The rough bumps of dried gum rubbed around my arm as I attempted to reach it. Coming up after doing so, scratches of things like initial hearts and drawings brushed passed my hand, making me regret coming here a bit.
But something else only increased that regret.
A voice drifted through the air, boastful and loud. It was oddly familiar as I kept on listening.
"The fuzz are never getting this one. I've escaped them once and I'll do it again. Besides, I'm not afraid of their little time out buildings! It's nothin' I can't handle."
That voice... Where have I heard it before?...
"Yeah but it ain't the same for the Socs!"
There was laughter before the voice bragging cut it off.
"You!- Now listen here, I left those girls on purpose. I just didn't feel like messin' with them anymore 'cause they were boring but if I wanted, I could'a picked up them girls in a heartbeat! Not to mention this other kid with a real ugly mug showed up and it was really annoying how he tried being all brave."
The laughter changed from mocking to a friendly shared one but that just made things more uncomfortable for me because realization hit me like a sack of bricks.
It was that Dally person I encountered at the park.
Now those snack bars didn't look like morsels, rather, a meal all of a sudden.
I rummaged through my bag, trying to get my hoodie so I could cover my face and leave. That plan failed when the crowd started to move around and I looked up only to make eye contact with the one person I wanted to avoid.
"Speakin' of pests... Look who decided to roach his way into our territory!"
I felt like I was shriveling up like a grape right in my seat as he stopped leaning against the counter and started walking towards my table.
"What's Soc trash like you doing in our turf?"
His voice was filled with venom, like he had just turned into a snake or something the moment his eyes met mine.
On second thought, maybe that fight was just a little bit of words calmly said to help me.
As if the universe wanted to remind me, one of the areas suddenly shot a sharp sting up the side of my face when I subconsciously bit the inside of my mouth. With a quick wince, I turned a bit, making Dally laugh.
"What, scared I'm gonna jump yah or something? You're just as sad as when you tried challenging me back at the park."
I stared up at him with fear hidden in my soul. But being the idiot I was, I replied with a smart remark.
"And you're just as pitiful as when you thought you could pick up my friend."
That's probably when he snapped, approaching with a bloodthirsty expression. Thank god he was stopped short by someone else that was familiar to me.
"Come on man, just let him be. You were sorta in the wrong when you bugged 'em. Just let him be."
Dally looked at me with disdain before walking off with a huff. As he did, the person came to my table.
"Sorry about that. Dallas sorta likes doin' his own thing. I'm Two-Bit by the way. Nice to meet you."
He looked at me for a response but I was too busy staring at the shake he brought with him. When he noticed my gaze, he snickered.
"I should probably let you get your order in first, yeah?"
I nodded, thankful I didn't have to sit hungry or else all of what he might say would've gone over my head.
As a waiter came by, I gave them my request before turning back to Two-Bit to listen.
A nod was sent to him in response as I waited for what else he was going to say. But instead of hearing words, I got a chuckle.
"I ain't got anythin' else. Sorry if you were expecting something. Got anything yourself? Like a name you're willin' to share? Questions?"
I paused for a bit, thinking about what I was going to say before finally speaking up.
"One, how'd you come up with your name?... And two, how do you seem like Dallas is the easiest person to talk to?... Oh, sorry, I'm Y/N by the way."
This got another chuckle as he looked to the side with a smile.
"Far from it actually. A few people in our gang just put up with him. But he's still alright. A hero at times the way I see it, though he doesn't loke bein' called that much so don't go using it on him, you hear?... Bravest man you'll ever meet but dangerous too. Sorta like a lion. As for my name, I just got by that 'cause everybody always says I have my own 'two-bits' to put in. Nice name by the way. Sounds interesting."
My mind wandered to Dallas' image, thinking about what he said. Now that it was brought up, he did look sorta like one. A wild mane, fierce looks, and sharp attacks. Seemed like a lion to me.
As if Satan himself heard my thoughts, along came the man I wanted to avoid.
"Hey, why are you acting like he's your best friend all of a sudden? Last I checked, we didn't need to add anyone into the group and you already had someone to fill that spot."
"Come on man, leave him some slack please. Seems like a nice person. Why don't you two talk while I get you a shake or somethin' Dally?"
My brain quickly though of something out of the blue.
What if I was the one who got something? It would ease Dallas a bit to the point he might talk to me. But why would I want that?... Hmm... Let's say for answers about his type of character besides the bothersome dick but we know about. Yeah, that's it and that's all.
Once he said his order, I spoke up.
That's when heads turned my direction.
Oh lord why did I just blurt that out... Lovely, just lovely. Now I look desperate.
Dallas responded with a glare.
"What was that all about? Eager to flaunt your money or something? Big talk from someone who looks like they're on the run or something."
I stiffened up, staring down at the table to avoid eye contact but in hign-sight, it was just something that made me look more guilty.
A laugh followed. A cold, mocking laugh.
"And here I thought Socs were actually decent at one thing and that was being content with their lives. Apparently not. You guys have it all and yet you're still whiney little craps that want more-"
"Dallas, maybe you shouldn't-"
I felt something click, ready to be fired as he mocked me for my choice.
"You don't care about others. It's just yourself. You want to have everything and then take it again and again like the selfish brats you are-"
My hands slammed down on the table as I stood up a bit.
"You're a lot of talk for someone who thinks they can just mess with whoever they want and act like they own people or things that aren't even theirs! Do you think I wanted to be alive?! To have this whole Socs/Greaser feud going on?! To have my family member always pestering me about things they shouldn't be on about? I'm sorry if I'm selfish but I'm also sorry for the fact you're so frail that you think you need to seem tough and act like a jerk all the time instead of being a decent person!"
By then, the dinner has went silent. The only sound that came now was the sound of me getting up and the rustling of my bag. But as soon as Dallas glared at them, the chatter went back like it had never died down. Yet I was already out the door.
Getting my bike, I tried to simply hop on and pedal off but my bag bought me backwards.
It's contents spilt everywhere, just adding to my frustration.
Leaning down, I started picking it back up, planning to leave quickly just like before. Those plans were put on pause as a pair of shoes stood in front of my face.
My eyes traveled up to meet Dally's, each having a look of murder.
"Well I can't be okay if I don't do just shut up and let me..."
I huffed in defeat, not wanting to have another fight, especially with this person. In the middle of picking things up, he spoke up yet again.
"I apologize about what I said back at the dinner Y/N."
"Don't. I know you're lying. And how do you know my name?"
"I am not now just take it!... And Two-Bit told me. Now just accept my apology..."
I looked back at the dinner to see a hopeful Two-Bit with his thumbs up and let out a sigh.
"Fine. Apology accepted now go away."
He stood there before finally saying something.
"No... I was gonna ask you if you needed a place to stay... I have somewhere... I was going to offer it. It would make me seem less like a jerk, right?..."
A loud scoff came from me before I sat there.
"You're just trying to fix your image... Figures."
"I'm am but not for the reason you're thinking. Look, I may not care what people thought before but I've already gone through a scene where someone didn't trust me because how I acted and it screwed things up so... I'm trying to make sure I seem okay. Besides, Soc or not, the others seem like they're already trying to drag you into this group... Probably because Ponyboy's whole speech crap, trying to convince us not all Socs are bad... And I want the people in my gang to know I'm not gonna screw them over if they ask for help."
I paused, processing the words. It was hard to believe these people who barely even knew me were trying to get me into their gang so it seemed like an excuse. But it's probably beneficial to me if I just ignore that... Nothing big would come out of me asking anyways, right?
"Fine... I'll take it..."
"You sound like you're reluctant. Look, I get that you're mad at me and some bullshit things, but the least you could do is be sure about staying."
I thought for a bit, mind playing what he said. Maybe this really was an apology but despite the meaning, he had a sucky way of showing it.
"I said fine. I don't mind... It's better than any other place..."
I couldn't help but laugh at the sudden question and look on Dallas' face. He seemed confused and it was slightly humoring.
There was another pause amongst the multiple that seemed to be happening tonight before he crossed his arms and went back to the tough boy look.
"Then... fine. But you're coming back inside. You're wasting a good meal and you still owe me my shake. You aren't getting off rent free."
I sighed, picking up my bag with myself before following him back it. This may be difficult but maybe things were beginning to look up between me and Dally?...