❝ I SENSE A STRONG HOSTILITY ❞

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"So what, you're getting into fights now? That it?" Steve raised his voice. I was seated on the Curtis's tattered navy couch. My brother stood hovered over me, his arms crossed. I didn't want to cry, which was quite hard for me, considering I had always been quick to tears. They brimmed in my eyes, threatening to spill if said one more word. He did.

"And skipping school? Jesus christ Holly. What on earth has gotten into you?" It was only Darry who was home. Dallas had gone off in the middle of my slumber, leaving me to be woken by my brother, who was now having a fit. His face was a bright red color, his hair combed back in complex, dark brown swirls. I choked on my breath.

"How did you find out?" I asked, my voice frail. He paused, his expression dropping. Narrowing his eyes, he flailed his arms.

"How did I find out? That's none of your goddamn business, Holly." He shook his head vigorously and faced away from me. I sank back into the rather uncomfortable sofa and placed my hands by my side. I didn't expect him to be done anytime soon. He flipped around, waving his arms in the air.

"What's changed, huh? What happened? Because before this, you've never missed a day of school before." He sighed, rubbing his temple with the tips of his callus fingers. He then pinched his nose and glared down at me.

My lips parted, eyes flickering up to the fuming boy. "I have."

"What?"

"I have missed school. I was sick that one time with pink eye. And I used to skip with James." I got up from the cotton sofa. "Shows how much you know about me."

He paused, shaking his head. "No. Don't turn this on me."

"I'm not," I sighed. "But I can make my own decisions. I'm old enough."

"Not when they're stupid." He narrowed his eyes. Running my tongue over my top lip, I looked to Darry who was preparing food in the kitchen. He seemed unbothered by our arguing, so I continued on.

"It wasn't. I didn't feel up to sitting through an hour of reading a book I've already read," I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. Steve's face was a pink color, blotches of red surrounding his cheeks as he pulled and scratched at it. His eyes were looking strained, the bags underneath them confirming his fatigue.

"You skipped the whole day, Holly-" he stopped himself. "I- just, don't do it again. God damn it."

"Yeah, whatever," I mumbled. If looks could kill, I would have dropped dead.

"Stop acting like a brat," he spat.

"Stop acting like my dad," I shot back, plopping onto the couch. He stared at me blankly, slowly running his tongue across his bottom lip. His mouth parted, about to say something, when Two-Bit came strolling through the door. Behind him followed Ponyboy, Johnny, and Sodapop.

"Hey, Steve. What's up?" Soda asked without looking at my brother. When his eyes flickered up to meet his, he did a double take, seeing how bloodshot they were. "Woah, is something wrong?"

"Everything's peachy." His jaw tightened, eyes flickering over to me. I gave a sarcastic smile and stood from the couch, my arms crossed.

"I- uh," Soda stuttered. I gave him a warm smile, disregarding my brother who stood in a fit of rage.

"Everything' fine, Soda. Don't worry bout him. How was work?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. He seemed to relax, hesitantly sitting on the couch. The three boys followed behind, their eyes darting uncomfortably around the room.

"It was fine, thanks, Holls," he smiled, his teeth glistening as he snuggled into the armrest. My bowl of cold vegetables still sat there, barely balancing on the edge. He moved it to the table and flicked on the television, turning to the same channel Dallas had been on. "How was school?" He asked, not meeting my eye.

Steve turned to me, his eyebrows raised, waiting for an answer. I squinted at him and turned to Soda. "Just fine."

"Good to hear," he mumbled, focused on the show. I sat beside him, Two-Bit joining us.

When the program ended, Soda parted his lips and turned to us. Steve had relaxed in the armchair, Ponyboy and Johnny seated on the ground. He scrunched his nose and held his hands out, as if he was about to make a proposition. "So, how about a party tonight, huh Stevo? You can bring Evie."

My brother's eyes lit up at the sound of the girl's name. He hesitantly nodded, eyes flickering over to me before he responded, "yeah sure. Alright."

"And Two, you've got that new broad now, don't ya? She can tag along if you'd like." Soda nodded, his eyebrow cocked. The jokester scrunched his nose and shook his head, holding out a beer bottle that he had gotten from the fridge.

"Nah, not this time. Gotta babysit my little sister," he rolled his eyes, leaning his head against his palm. I perked up, suddenly becoming interested.

"You have a sister?" I asked, turning towards him. He nodded, caught off guard by my input.

"Yeah, she's three years old."

Soda snorted and scrunched his face. "A mini Two is what she is. Rowdy."

"Is that so?" I asked, a smirk hinting at tips my mouth. Two-bit rolled his eyes and took a swig from his bottle.

"Shut it, Soda."

"Hey, I'll babysit her. I love children. Don't even gotta pay me," I smiled. I hadn't been booked to work on Mondays, so I was free for the night. I wasn't lying, either, I did love children. It was something about their innocence that warmed my heart.

"Really?" His head shot up, gratitude dancing in his eyes, "you'd do that for me?"

"Course, Two. Like I said, I love children." I smiled, fiddling with my nimble fingers. There was a long pause before Sodapop spoke up.

"Alright, well the party is at nine," Soda said, nodding his head. Two bit looked at me, grinning ear to ear.

"I'll let my mom know you're heading over soon." I nodded my head and sank back into my seat, eyes glued to the television. I managed to block out the boy's conversation as the black and white program played. I was completely engaged as the screen door slammed shut and Dallas came sauntering in.

"Hey, Dal." Soda tossed a popcorn kernel into his mouth and chewed on it. 'What's up?"

"Nothin', man." He said, leaning against the wall. He wasn't about to sit on the ground with Ponyboy and Johnny.

He gave a slight nod of the head and continued, "hey, how about you bring Sylvia to the party tonight? Steve is bringin' Evie I'm bringin' S-"

"Caught her two timin' again," Dallas cut him off, taking out a weed and lighting it with the chain around his neck. I remembered the first time I had seen that lighter, next to a bright mustang in the dead of the night.

"Again?" Steve furrowed his eyebrows. "Hope you dropped her this time."

"Course I did, I ain't no idiot." Dallas scrunched his face and took a puff from his cigarette. His eyes then flickered over to me, a slight smile forming on lips.

"What 'bout you, Holly?" Dallas asked, squinting his eyes as he blew a puff of smoke. I froze in my position on the couch as all eyes turned to me.

"What?" I asked, staring blankly at him.

"You two back together?"

"No, we aren't." I narrowed my eyes, my jaw tightening. He raised his eyebrows and coughed, smoke coming from his puckered mouth. He slipped off his leather jacket, throwing it carelessly over the sofa.

"I liked that guy," Soda said, frowning. I shifted uncomfortably, gazing down at my lap. Noticing my body language, Soda furrowed his eyebrows. "You alright, Holly?"

"Yeah, fine." I frowned, not looking up to meet his eye. Steve sat the whole time listening, not bothering to say a word. He liked James. At least, as much as he could have liked a boy that was dating his sister.

"Don't look like it," Dallas urged, jerking his head forward. "Looks like something's eating away at you."

"Shut it, Winston," I spat. Dallas raised his eyebrows, a hoarse chuckle emitting from the back of his throat.

"I sense a strong hostility." He tilted his head.

Poking my tongue between my teeth, I responded, "you sensed right."

"Jesus, you two sound like an old married couple." Darry sauntered in the room. "If y'all could keep it down, that would be appreciated."

My expression softened, smiling warmly at the buff man. "Sorry, Dar."

He turned to me and Steve. "You two staying for dinner?"

"No. Soda, Two and I are going to a party and Holly is babysitting," Steve answered. He then turned towards Dal. "You know, you don't gotta bring a girl Dally, could just pick one up there. Whad'ya say?"

Dallas's eyes flickered over to me. "Nah, I've got plans."

Steve paused, following his gaze uncomfortably. "Alright, whatever you say."

The boys continued to converse as Dallas shoved his weed in the ashtray, putting it out. They were talking about the party as Dallas leaned against the wall, staring intently at me. I stared back, my eyes occasionally darting from object to object. Just hours, I assumed, earlier, I had fallen asleep on his shoulder, and now I wanted to rip his throat out. He almost told my brother about James cheating on me, which was something I wanted to keep a secret from Steve. It seemed as if he knew that, too, as he watched, the corners of his lips tugging upwards. He looked wicked, his hair disheveled and eyes a deep brown.

"Her name is Julie," Two-bit said, turning to me. Dallas listened in. "My sister."

"I bet she's a little devil," I joked, lips turning upward.

"Sure is," he responded, snorting.

"So what does she like to do?" I asked, leaning back on the sofa.

"Well, she's a real boy magnet. Loves to party, drink-"

"Shut it." I snorted, slapping his shoulder. He cackled, placing a hand over the pit of his stomach. I shook my head, biting the insides of my cheek.

"You babysitting Julie?" Dallas asked, tilting his head. I turned to him.

"Yeah, what's it to you?" I squinted, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Nothing, darling." He twisted his jaw, grinning sardonically.

They continued to talk. I zoned out, leaning against the sofa with my arms crossed and my lips between my teeth. Finally, Soda got up and announced their departure. The three boys followed behind him and together, they piled through the doors, saying their goodbyes. I waved at them, a warm smile on my face as they exited.

Dallas hummed, turning towards me. Ponyboy and Johnny were sat on the floor, watching television as Darry prepared food.

"How are you getting there, sweetheart?" He asked, a sly smile on his lips. Realizing I hadn't gotten his address, I cursed under my breath.

"I, well, I guess I'll walk," I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on. Dallas strolled up behind me, a smirk on his face.

"Yeah? Where does he live?" He asked, stood right behind me. I could almost feel his breath on my shoulder. I spun on my toes.

"I'll ask Darry," I said, parting my lips, about to holler out for Darry.

Dallas squinted. "He's occupied. C'mon." The boy slipped an arm around my shoulder and crossed the threshold. I narrowed my eyes and tugged away from him, tightening my jacket.

'You really tick me off, Dallas," I mumbled, turning my head away. Dallas raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

"What'd I do this time?" He hummed, strutting down the sidewalk.

"You know what you did," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Stop pouting, for christ sake." Dallas scrunched his face. "He's oughta find out some way or another."

"No, not really," I shot back.

He held his hands up in defense. "Alright, alright."

Inhaling sharply, I broke the silence that had formed, "how long is the walk?"

"Not long. Here we are." He spun on his heel, stopping in front of the metal gates. I looked up at the old, dilapidated home.

"Alright," I responded, bringing my jacket closer to me.

"Bye," I said, as he ambled off. He threw his arm up over his shoulder.

"See you later."