Chapter Text
Runaway Boys - Stray Cats
The air was cold as I walked back to my neighborhood from the party. I was still holding a red solo cup and taking sips of the mixture of whiskey and cola as I stepped.
It was my first night back out in Tulsa; The last couple years had been a whirlwind (or actually, a shit show) so I deserved a nice night. I smiled to myself as I thought about how I got to see the familiar faces of friends I missed at the party; Evie, Tim, Angela...
My thoughts were interrupted as I noticed headlights slowing down next to me.
Fuck, I didn't miss this. I downed what was left in the plastic cup and crushed it in my hand, throwing it to the floor as the car stopped. A mustang.
"Take a look boys, we got lucky tonight." the driver spoke, "What's a pretty grease like you doing walking by her lonesome this late?"
Drunk ass, I thought to myself. I was scared, but I wasn't about to let them have the satisfaction of knowing that. I did an eye roll and kept walking, trying to ignore their presence.
"Hey! I'm talkin' to you!" the boy slurred as he and three others got out of the car. Soon, I was surrounded, their bodies getting closer all around me.
"Leave me alone." I said sternly.
"I don't want to." the one in front said. I smelled the alcohol on his breath as he pulled in closer. "Let's have some fun." The soc tugged at my clothes. I pushed away with all my strength.
"I said get the fuck away from me!" I yelled and spat in the boys face.
"You little bitch!" he was angry. I got shoved to the concrete by the surrounding boys.
"Hey!" A man yelled from the distance.
I felt the bodies on top of me get pulled away. After, I heard punches being thrown and several obscenities being exchanged. This was followed by sounds of running and the car peeling away. I sighed in relief, still on the ground with my heart pounding out my chest.
"And stay on your side of fuckin' town!" the male voice said.
"Well, look who decided to come back to bumfuck" my savior extended his hand out to me and helped me get back up. I smiled.
"Winston! How've you been?" I greeted my old friend.
"Just fine, same old shit-- cooler and back. When did you get here?"
"Today." I replied.
He scoffed, "And already having to get your ass scraped off the street."
"Since when do socs hang in this neighborhood? I thought I'd be square." I retorted honestly.
"Nah, the socs problems've gone from bad to worse since you've been gone. Can't let your guard down."
"Yeah, yeah. Listen, I can hold my own, you know, so don't worry about it." I swatted away the dirt off my skirt and adjusted my top.
"Yeah, I know, kid." Dallas looked me in the eye. I looked down.
He continued, "So what? You back for good? Stayin' with your folks?"
"Yeah", I said. "Missed it... So, do me a favor then, Dal. Walk me?" I tried to ask in my most pleasant voice.
"Kick rocks, Valerie. I'm headin' to Darry's." he responded, starting to walk away.
"Wait up, I'll come with!" I said as I stepped to catch up.
Dally rolled his eyes and lit up a smoke.
"Lemme bum a stoge?"
"I don't like you smoking" he replied. He cupped his hand and lit another stick a flame, handing me it.
We continued catching up as we walked, blowing smoke O's in between. Soon,we reached the Curtis house. I felt butterflies in my stomach, excited to reunite with old friends. Dallas opened the door and went in first as I trailed behind him.
"Brought y'all somethin'" Dallas said, stepping in.
I walked into the house I remembered from years before. There was a scene of boys wrestling on the floor, television on, beer bottles scattered, and the sound of a rockabilly tune muffled on the radio.
"You're cheatin', Two!", the small boy wheezed from underneath the body on top of him.
"Aww, c'mon Ponyboy, you really gonna let him do ya in like that?" I said, smiling.
Both boys stopped rough housing to look up at me.
"Val?" Ponyboy sounded as if he was in disbelief. I smiled back as he got up and gave me a gentle hug. I looked over at some of the rest of the boys sitting on the couch of the living room.
"Hey y'all" I gave them a wave.
"Good to see ya, Val." Soda said as he got up and gave me a pat on the back.
"Here, sit, I'll go get Dar." He said, gesturing me to take his spot on the couch. I looked over at the rest of the boys. I recognized some of them, but my memory was a little hazy from the years. Pony seemed to notice my confusion.
"This is Two-Bit" Pony said pointing to the man previously suffocating him.
"Yeah, Matthews, right? I remember." I said pointing to him, wagging my finger.
"And Steve, and that's Johnny." Pony continued to introduce the boys.
I glaze over their faces and stop, meeting eyes with the one closest to the edge. His brown irises matched mine. Johnny, huh? Alright.