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Lately it seemed like Marcia’s heart never stopped racing. Since Bob died, everything was wrong. Cherry was mad at her and so were the socs. Trip hardly acknowledged her when they were out together. He just kept rambling on about how they were going to kill the greasers at the rumble. With the way they were acting, Marcia didn’t doubt it.
She’d seen the way Bev pressed her cigarette into Two-Bit’s cheek. Bev knew that Marcia liked Two-Bit, and thought he was funny. Hurting him like that was a clear statement, either you’re with us or you’re against us. Marcia didn’t know where she stood anymore.
On the night of the rumble, Marcia crawled out her window and sat on the roof. She curled her knees to her chest, trying to catch her breath. It seemed like there wasn’t enough air in the world. Marcia closed her eyes and imagined that she could hear the rumble happening. She imagined shouts from the boys and smacks of fists on skin.
Though the night was cold, Marcia couldn’t feel it. She was sweating with the effort of calming down. If things were normal, she would call Cherry and ask her to come over. But she and Cherry hadn’t spoken since the vigil for Bob. It had been almost a week.
“Woah there, princess, what’s wrong?”
Marcia jumped and looked down. Standing in the driveway, looking up at her, was Two-Bit. He was battered and bruised, but was smiling.
Marcia’s eyes widened, “What are you doing here?”
Two-Bit shrugged, “We won the rumble, figured I’d let you know.” He nodded to the gutter, “May I?” Marcia didn’t know why she nodded, but she did. Despite his injuries, Two-Bit easily climbed up the gutter to the roof. He sauntered over to her with an easy smile, “You look worse than me and you didn’t just get beat up.”
Marcia looked down at her socked feet. She was suddenly aware that she was in her pajamas, hair pulled back in french braids. Two-Bit sat down beside her, “Marcia? You okay?”
“How bad was everyone hurt?” She asked quietly.
Two-Bit shrugged, “Nothing that we haven’t dealt with. Greasers won, but only because the socs ran. No knock outs.”
“That’s good.”
Two-Bit reached out towards her. His fingers were stained with blood and dirt. He was damp as well, it must have been raining in the park. With a surprisingly gentle touch, he took her hand. Marcia didn’t know why she let him, it was wrong, she shouldn’t be this close to a greaser. If Bev knew…
“What’s goin’ on?” Two-Bit asked her. His soft tone made her think of something Cherry said once. She said that greasers were all heart. It seemed that was true.
Marcia shook her head, “I don’t know. It’s like I haven’t been able to catch my breath since Bob died. Everything has been happening so fast. Cherry won’t talk to me anymore and Trip…I honestly don’t even know why we’re dating and then you show up and I don’t know why.”
Two laughed, “Well I can explain that one. I don’t got a reason really, just wanted to see you. I was high on adrenaline from the fight and just ran here before I knew what I was doin’. Glad I did though.”
Moving slowly, Two-Bit wrapped an arm around her. Unlike the way Trip touched her, she knew that if she pulled away, he wouldn’t hold her tighter. Two-Bit was a drunk and a cad, but he was kind in a way that soc boys never were.
Marcia leaned against his side. She didn’t flinch at the smell of rain and blood and sweat that clung to him. Water from his leather jacket soaked through her pajamas but she didn’t mind. It was nice to just be held like that for a moment.
Two-Bit spoke up after a long moment, “You met Johnny Cade, yeah?” She nodded. “Well he gets like this sometimes too. He says it feels like there ain’t no more air in the world.”
“That’s what it’s like,” Marcia agreed.
Two-Bit hummed thoughtfully and she felt him rest his cheek on her head. Trip never did that. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah.” It was probably the most okay she’d felt in days. There was a voice in the back of her mind that told her to stand up, to shove him off the roof or tell him to go to hell, to curse him for thinking he could touch her. Instead, she took his hand and willed the contact to silence the cruel voices. To her surprise, it worked.
Somehow she felt safer with a bloody greaser than her own boyfriend. After a few long moments of looking at the stars, Marcia’s breathing evened out. “Are you drunk?” She asked. It was a stupid question, unfair and rude.
But Two-Bit smiled, “Just a little. Had a couple before the rumble.”
She didn’t know how to feel about that. When Trip was drunk, he got loud and terrible. It didn’t seem to do that for Two-Bit. But the smell of beer on his breath still made her skin prickle. Yet she was still comfortable leaning on him.
“Would it be alright if I came to visit you again?” Two asked. Unlike his usual demeanor, the question was tentative.
Marcia pulled away so she could look him in the eyes, “I’d like that. And just so you know,” she said quickly, then slower, “Trip and I…I’m going to end things. I was waiting until after the rumble so it didn’t mess with his head.”
Two-Bit’s face split into a grin, “That might be the best news I’ve heard all night.” He leans towards her, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he tugged on the end of one of her braids. “You okay now?”
She nodded, trying to hide a smile, “I’m fine. Thank you.”
Two gave her a wink, “No problem, Miss Marcia. Sleep well, dream about me.”
Despite herself, Marcia barked out a laugh. She clapped a hand over her mouth, scared that her parents would hear. When nothing happened, she shook her head at him, “You wish, Matthews.”
Two-Bit lowered himself off the roof, dropping agilely to his feet. He grinned up at her, “I do. See you around.”
As he sauntered off down the street, Marcia stayed on the roof. She watched him walk away until she couldn’t see him anymore, all the while smiling softly.