"𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆." - 𝑿𝑰𝑰𝑰

                                    

                                          
We decided we would catch a bus back home. Two-Bit left me and Ponyboy sitting on a bench while he went to get cigarettes at a gas station. 
                          
Ponyboy's eyes were starting to shut but when I touched the back of my hand to his forehead, they shot open. He jumped a bit and looked at me with confused eyes.
                          
"Are you okay? You're burning up." I said. 
                          
"I'm alright." He said. By this point, Two-Bit came back. I gave Ponyboy a look that told him I didn't believe him. He seemed to panic a little.
                          
"Don't tell Darry, okay? C'mon guys, be a buddy. I'll be fine by tonight." He said. "I'll take a few aspirins and it'll be fine."
                          
Two-Bit nodded his head and got distracted by something else.
                          
"Alright, but I better not catch you taking more than two." I said. 
                          
Ponyboy nodded his head.
                          
"You know something," Two-Bit started on the way home. I was sitting beside Ponyboy with his head on my shoulder and Two-Bit was sitting behind us.
                          
"The only thing that's keeping Darry from being a soc is us." Two-bit finished. 
                          
"I know." Ponyboy mumbled.
                          
Everyone stayed silent the rest of the ride. As we got off the bus, Ponyboy spoke up. "Tonight- I don't like it one bit." 
                          
Two-Bit pretended not to understand. "I never knew you to play chicken in a rumble before. Not even when you was a little kid." He was trying to make Ponyboy mad and he knew it. 
                          
"I ain't no chicken, Two-Bit Matthews, and you know it!" Ponyboy said angrily. "Ain't I a Curtis, same as Soda and Delaina and Darry?" Ponyboy asked.
                          
"Where did you get the idea that I was a Curtis?" I asked.
                          
Ponyboy's ears got red. "I meant because, y'know, ya live with us." He said. "My point is, I have a feeling somethin' awful bad is gonna happen." 
                          
"Somethin' is gonna happen. We're gonna stomp those socs' guts, that's what."
                          
"No, no, Pony's right. I kinda feel it too." I said.
                          
"Well, you guys are still gonna come, right?" Two-Bit asked.
                          
"Yeah, 'course we are. Ain't that right Delaina?" Ponyboy said.
                          
"Yeah." 
                          
~
                          
Cherry Valance was sitting in her Corvette in the vacant lot when we passed by. Her long, red hair was pinned in an up-do. 
                          
"Hey, Ponyboy, Delaina." She said. "Hi, Two-Bit." 
                          
"What's up with the big times?" I asked.
                          
"They play your way. No weapons, fair deal. Your rules." She said. We nodded our head. 
                          
Two-Bit turned and started heading on home. "Thanks Cherry." 
                          
"Ponyboy, wait. Stay a minute." Cherry said. I felt a pang of jealousy, but it went away when she continued speaking. "You too, Delaina." 
                          
"Randy's not showing up tonight." She said.
                          
"Yeah, we know." I said. 
                          
"He's not scared. He's just sick of fighting. Bob..." She swallowed, then went on quietly. "Bob was his best buddy. Since grade school."
                          
I thought of Soda and Steve. Would they stop fighting if they saw the other killed? No. Maybe Soda, but definitely not Steve.
                          
"Hows Johnny?" She asked.