I'M OUT THE door before Dally wakes. The sun is peaking through the giant buildings, the soft rustle of the trees filling the silence around me and the leaves dancing in the soft wind as I walk to Beatrice's house.

The Limbrey house was always awake by seven so I knew Bea would be awake. I needed to explain myself to her and apologize for ditching last night. I was probably the world's worst best friend right now. I definitely felt like it.

I felt bad for leaving Dally alone to wake up, but I made sure to leave him a note to tell him where I had gone. After my confession last night, we held each other and shared whispered conversations and soft kisses until we fell asleep. I didn't know if this meant we were together or not. I knew he and Kathy had broken up. He had broken up with her the same night he visited me at the hospital.

I gently knock on the white door of the Lambrey house and am surprised when Hele Lambrey's face pokes through the crack in the door. Distaste pulls at her face as she looks down at me with the same judgemental eyes from the first time I ever stepped foot inside her house.

She looked at me like I was trash on a sidewalk. Or a piece of gum that got stuck to the bottom of her heel that she can't quite shake.

"Beatrice isn't here." Mrs. Lambrey finally tells me after staring at me for what felt like an eternity.

"I can wait," I reply.

The age lines on Mrs. Lambrey's face tighten at my suggestion. She wets her red-painted lips "I doubt she wants to see you right now. Come back another day." She says as she attempts to close the door in my face. I wedge my foot into the crack, bracing both of my hands against the strong door.

Mrs. Lambrey looks at me with a bewildered expression "What on earth are you—"

"I know you don't like me." I start, cutting off the blonde woman with a desperate expression. "Believe me, I know Bea probably hates me right now, but I need her. So please just open the door."

I don't know if it was the desperation in my voice or if she was simply too tired to fight this early in the morning, but Mrs. Lambrey's face softens, and she opens the door wider, letting me inside.

I nod in thanks and slip inside the expensive house. I hear Mrs. Lambrey shut the door behind me, and the click of her heels as she walks past me. "I'm making some tea. Sit and I'll get you some." She instructs without looking at me, marching to the kitchen.

I open my mouth to tell her she doesn't have to, but she's gone before I can. I didn't want to see room and turn down her offering; I mean, I had already done enough when I forced myself into her home. She probably really hates me now.

At her command, I sit at the oak dining table in the dining room. A gorgeous chandelier hung from above, lighting the room and giving it an elegant vibe. I feel the ache in my rib intensify causing me to grimace in pain. I hadn't taken any pain medication all day yesterday and not any today.

I was hoping to get off these things as soon as I could, but the ache was too much for me to handle. I reach into my duffel bag and pull the pill bottle from inside.

As I screw the cap off, Mrs. Lambrey comes into the dining room holding a platter with two teacups, scones, and a steaming cup of tea with sugar cups and honey beside it.

Her eyes find the pill bottle in my hand, eyeing it wearily. I then realize that this probably didn't look too good.

"It's from the doctors, for my rib aches since I broke my rib," I tell her as she sits down, setting the platter between up.

"Yes, yes I read it in the paper." She hums, grabbing one of the tea cups and the teapot and pouring the steaming liquid into the cup. "You saved those children from that church fire." She says taking a small sip of her steaming tea while she stares at me.

I nod "It wasn't just me." I tell her "Johnny, Ponyboy, Dally, they all helped." I explain as I grab my teacup and pour tea inside. I put in two sugar cubes and a dot of honey, stirring it with a small spoon.

Mrs. Lambrey's eyes shine with interest. "Johnny Cade, the killer; Ponyboy Curtis, his accomplice; and Dallas Winston, the delinquent?" She questions with a raised eyebrow.

I feel my hold around the cup I held tighten making me flinch from the burn in my unprotected hands against the hot glass. I didn't like her wording choice with my brother or our friends. But she was technically right.

Mrs. Lambrey shakes her head as she stares off behind me. "Never in a million years would I have imagined you and them being on the front page of every newspaper for miles for saving children." She mumbles, bringing her hand up to fiddle with the locket around her neck.

"We're greasers, not monsters," I tell her trying to keep the defense in my voice at bay.

Mrs. Lambrey nods "I don't hate you, Angela." She admits, her eyes finding mine. "I never have."

Her words surprise me, and I almost think I've heard her wrong. "Then why do you treat me like trash every time I'm here?" I ask, desperate for the answer.

"It's a petty reason really." She replies with a frown "You remind me so much of my Charles."

I sat in the seat I sat in, unable to react. How was I supposed to react? This woman just admitted to me that the whole reason she was so mean was because I reminded her of her late husband.

"You, like him were born on the wrong side of town." She explains I see tears form in her eyes as a trembling smile grows. "He was incredibly smart but his family held me back. He always gave even when he had nothing." She explains.

His heart tightens at her words. My family wasn't holding me back. I was happy where I was. "Just...talking to you is so much like talking to him it's incredible but scary." She finishes.

"I'm sorry you lost him, he was a good man," I tell her. I didn't know what else to say so being sympathetic seemed like the best option.

Mrs. Lambrey nods, sniffling as she takes a sip of her tea. "That Dallas Winston is a dangerous man." She says.

"He's not dangerous; he just wasn't shown the good in the world early enough," I respond, and I believe it. The only good Dallas has ever known was our gang. His father was a piece of shit, and I've never heard him speak of his mother. I didn't know if that was because he never knew her or if she was just as bad as his father.

"Time will tell with that boy." She mumbles. I'm about to retaliate when the sound of the front door opening and closing is heard followed by Beatrice announcing her presence to her mother.

I jump to my feet at the same moment Bea comes into the dining room. "What is going on?" She asks looking at her mother with a questioning look.

"Angela came by to talk to you, and I already had tea brewing, so I thought I could let her wait." Mrs. Lambrey explains to her daughter.

I give Bea an awkward wave of my hand, and she rolls her eyes. "I don't wanna talk to her." She states before storming towards the stairs.

"Bea, wait!" I call to her. She ignores me continuing her way up the stairs.

I look at her mother for the go-ahead, and she nods her head. I take the stairs two at a time, rushing to Bea only to have her shut her door in my face. My shoulders slump and I put my hand on the doorknob, wiggling it only to discover it's locked. "Go away, Angela." I hear Beatrice demand from the other side of the door.

"I'm sorry for ditching you last night, it wasn't right, and I'm a bitch for it, I know," I tell her, turning around and sliding down the door to lay my back against it.

"You were with Dally weren't you?" She accuses.

I suck in a breath "Yes, I was."

I hear her scoff "Of course. It's always him." She mumbles.

I stay silent for a moment, guilt gnawing at my stomach. This wasn't the first time I had chosen Dally over my best friend. But I knew it would definitely be the last. "I fucked up," I say.

"No shit." I hear Bea reply. I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips at her 'duh' tone.

"And...I'm a shitty friend." I continue.

"The shittest," Beatrice adds.

A soft smile graces my features "And I'm stupid and..."

"Boy obsessed?" Beatrice finishes. I chuckle at her answer.

"Yeah, that's the word." I tell her "I know I've been shitty, but I love you, Bea." It's silent for a moment, and I think she might have walked away before the door opens, and I fall back against Beatrice's bedroom floor with a yelp of surprise.

Beatrice snickers and holds her hand out to help me up. "I love you too, Angela, and Happy Birthday." She says as she pulls me up, wrapping her arms around me. I had forgotten that today was Soda and I's birthday.

I smile and lay my head on her shoulder. No matter what, I knew Bea and I would always have each other. That was a comforting thought.

💥|DALLY'S POV|💥

WHEN I WAKE up, Angela is gone and there's a note on my bedside table.

"Had to go to Bea's
I'll see you around

Her words made my lip twitch up into a small smirk as I shook my head. I stretch, groaning as I do before getting out of bed and pulling some pants on. I grab a cigarette from my dresser and light it, sticking it between my teeth as I pull my shirt over my head.

My eyes find my brown leather jacket that was burned and still smelt of smoke. The paramedic had told me that the jacket had saved Angela's life. I didn't want to think about what would've happened if she hadn't been wearing it.

I leave Buck Merle's letting my legs walk me aimlessly through town. I wondered if Angela was home yet or if she and Beatrice were still hanging out. It was close to noon so I assumed she was still with Beatrice. I wonder if Beatrice knew she was with me last night.

I knew the blonde hated my guts, she had a right to. I've always taunted her, and she wasn't really the nicest. I guess I'd have to make it right with her since I'm kinda seeing her best friend.

I didn't know if Angela and I were dating. We never confirmed or denied it. But she had told me she loved me. And like the dumbass I am, I didn't say it back. I didn't know if I loved Angela. I've never felt love. Not for my parents or anyone else.

But Angela was different. She made the thoughts in my head still. Her touch was addicting and warmed my whole body. The way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she enjoyed made me smile, and I could listen to her talk for hours. I couldn't stand people who talked all the time, not until Angela.

I didn't deserve her, but I knew I was too selfish to let her go.

My aimless walking had me stopped in front of the Curtis house. I lean against the gate, looking through the windows to see if I could get a glimpse of Angela. All I could see was Two-Bit drunkenly singing Happy Birthday to Soda. I'd almost forgotten that today was Soda and Angie's birthday.

"Only perverts look through people's windows you know." A voice tells me. I can't stop the smile that graces my face as I turn to see Angela walking towards me with a smile; Bea walks beside her, holding a cake box.

"I guess I'm a pervert then." I shrug. Angela chuckles, stopping in front of me.

Bea glances between us before clearing her throat "I'm gonna go bring the cake inside." She says before walking onto the Curtis property. I don't speak until I hear the door open and close,e, along with cheers from inside about the cake.

"Are you having a good birthday?" I ask her.

Angela hums, shrugging her shoulders "It's been decent." She answers.

"Would a kiss make it a better birthday?" I question.

"A kiss from Alain Delon would make it the best." She answers with a teasing grin. She squeals as I pick her up and spin us around.

"Dally stop! Put me down!" She demands through laughs.

"I think I love you, Angela Curtis," I tell her as I stop spinning. She was still in my arms, her legs tightening around my middle.

"You mean it?" She asks.

"Yeah, I mean it," I answer with a nervous smile.

A giant smile brightens Angela's face before she crashes her lips to mine. I stumble slightly, holding her tightly. We pull apart when we hear whistling; our heads snap to her house, where all of our friends and her brothers hang out windows, whistling and whooping.

"Get your sappy asses in here and let's party!" Two-Bit hollers getting words of agreement from everybody.

I let Anglea down, and she grabs my hand. Together we walk into the Curtis house.