Through the Fire and the Flames

My-Arabian-Knight

BTW there will be a song in this chapter, and I know its' not from that time period, but just bear with me, cause I don't know any from that period, and I have a good song I want to use. Thanx!!

Chapter Six

The next day things were back to normal. Neither Pony, Dal or I brought up what happened or was said in the hospital room which I was thankful for. I met up at the Curtis's around noon to get ready for the barbecue slash party we were going to have. I helped Darry get out his old grill. It was black and round. We had to send someone to buy some charcoal for it and the iron seriously needed to be cleaned. It had dried black crusty stuff on it, probably from not getting' clean last time it was used. Darry told me to get a sponge and soak it in water for a little.

Ponyboy was vacuuming, the living room. He was probably the only other person who actually volunteered. Two-Bit didn't even show up, Soda had to go to work with Steve, I think they were going to bring the charcoal when they came, and Dally went to find the Shepards.

“Pony! Get in here please!” I called from the kitchen. I slowly dropped the grill into the sink and turned around, whipping the suds off my hands. Pony came in with his eye brows raised in a sorta question look. “Where do you keep your sponges?” I asked. I didn't want to use the one they used for dished, cause it would get all disgustin'.

“Under the sink.” well, that does seem like a normal place for sponges. I thanked him and bent down and retrieved a new sponge from under the sink. I made a mental note to tell Darry that this was a cleaning sponge, not a dish sponge, that way he would now for future reference. Pony went back into the living room and I soon heard the vacuum start up again further down the hall.

I began scrubbing furiously at the grill. That black stuff was fuckin' tough to get off. I was beginnin' to think it was useless, when Pony walked in and opened the fridge. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, as he pulled out the chocolate milk and poured himself a glass. I scrubbed harder.

“Hows it going?” he asked appearing at my side.

“Not good. I can't get this shit off.” I told him in a huffy voice.

“Here, let me try.” I shrugged and handed him the sponge. He took it and began rubbing the grill, using the rough side, the side I didn't use. The black stuff began going away, slowly. “It's easier when you use the rough side.” he told me. I nodded, feelin' like a complete idiot.

“I didn't know you could use that side.” It was true. I never did dishes. Mostly cause I eat out, at the Curtis's, or Buck's bar.

“That's alright. Here, I'll finish this up, if you clean the bathroom.” he said, grinning at me.

“Yeah sure.” I drawled. I turned on my heel and went to the bathroom. I was used to cleaning bathrooms. I cleaned ours. Dal doesn't clean, so I'm the one who usually ends up cleaning that bathroom, or the bedroom. I only do it when it needs to be done though.

The Curtis bathroom wasn't as dirty as you'd think it'd be with three guys—and their friends who practically live their would be. They did a good job of cleaning up. It used to be cause the social worker would come, but now they just do it cause they're used to it.

It took me a total of ten minutes to clean the bathroom, and when I came out, Pony was rinsing off the grill. I walked over and took his milk, chugging it before he could grab it away from me.

“Hey!” he said.

“Hey is for horses.” I told him playfully.

“Yeah, but grass is cheaper.” he countered.

“Horses can't live off of grass forever.”

“They could if they were wild.”

“Oh right, you would know ponyboy.” I teased, hitting him lightly on the arm. “Anyway, we're even now. You drank mine, I drank yours. Even” I told him, remembering the other day when he downed my chocolate milk.

“You offered it to me. You said, want some, not, want a sip?” he grinned.

“You better watch yourself, or I might have to wipe that grin right off your face.” I warned him as seriously as I could.

“You'd wipe it off as effectively as you squash an elephant.” he chuckled.

“Which if quite effectively FYI, you should have seen that last elephant that picked a fight with me. It was running away with fear.” I told him proudly. He just rolled his eyes and flicked some water at me.

“Whatever.” just then Darry walked in wiping his brow with the back of his hand.

“Alrighty. I think everything is ready. Pony, you got the living room done, vacuumed, the grill is clean, and did one of you get the bathroom?” he asked. I nodded.

“Yup, just finished.”

“Great! Now all we have to do is wait for everyone to come. Soda and Steve get out of work in about a half an hour, and Two-Bit just drove by. He's picking up some chick, and Dal is. . .?” he trailed off looking at me.

“Letting the Shepards know that we are having a party.” I answered.

“Okay. Sounds good.” he left the room and went down the hall, presumingly to his room to change his clothes. Pony placed the grill on the counter on a rag to dry before turning to me. He leaned against the counter and folded his arms.

“So, do you think you're up for the party tonight?” he asked.

“Of course! It's a party! Of course I'm up for it.” I assured him, although he didn't seem to believe me because he raised an eyebrow at me, reaching forward and feeling my forehead. When his hand touched my forehead I felt my heart beat faster, and something like an electrical charge run up my back.

“You don't feel warm or anything, but you're not going to just faint out of no where?”

“Well if I was to faint out of no where, how would I know right now?” I questioned, swattin' his hand away. He grabbed my hand holdin' it firmly in his. Our eyes connected and my breath caught in my throat. my heart was poundin' so hard I thought it would explode out of my chest and smack into Pony, after all, that's where it belongs. It didn't last long though, cause almost an instant later he dropped my hand.

“I'm going to go change.” he said hurridley, brushing past me and out of the kitchen. I turned and watched after him, loss in my heart.

“Hello? Anyone home?” A deep voice called in through the living room.

“Yeah! In here!” I called, grinnin' as a familiar person came. I ran over and hugged him, as I always do when I see him.

“Hey Snow!” he grinned, ruffling my hair. I let go and stepped back. I noticed he was wearing jeans that were cut off at the knees, and a light olive green tee.

“cute pants.” I complimented, trying to hide the sarcasm in my voice.

“Shut it.” he said, playfully cuffing me on the head.

“Coal?” Another deep voice came into the kitchen.

“Darryl! How's it goin' buddy?” Coal turned and he and Darry did their “man-hug”. Why can't they just hug like normal people, but no, boys have to be cool about everything.

“Good. Money's a kill but life's good. You? I heard you were getting' serious with Vanessa?” Coal grinned.

“You heard right. I'm going to ask her to marry me.”

“Really, that's great man!” Darry congratulated him, giving him a clap on the shoulder. I could tell this was going to turn into a conversation that I didn't want to be a part of, so I walked out into the living room, leaving them to catch up with each other in the kitchen. I went outside, and sat on the porch swing.

I pushed off, letting myself swing a little. I couldn't believe summer was almost over. It seemed like only yesterday that school let out and me and Pony walked home together, laughing about something someone said, I don't quite remember what it was anymore.

And It seemed like just yesterday the gang first herd me sing.

I smiled, remembering that. It was probably three and a half weeks ago. I was sitting in the lot, alone. It was around midnight, and everyone went to the Nightly Double. Dally, Steve, Pony, Two-Bit, and even Soda. Darry stayed home of course, sleeping from his hard days work. I didn't go to the movie. I hadn't gone to a movie since Johnny died. It just didn't seem right. It was kinda like a me and Johnny thing. We were always there together. If I couldn't go, or didn't want to go, Johnny wouldn't go. Me and Johnny understood each other real well. He was like my little brother, even though he was about two years older than me.

Well, I was sitting in the lot, lookin' up at the sky. It was a clear night, and I could see the big dipper. I always loved to look for the big dipper, just to see if I could find it. I never tried to look for the little dipper. I don't know why, it was just not something I liked to look at. But it was real quiet, too quiet. So, I began singing. I began singing my favorite song. It was 100 years. I didn't get real far, but I remember how far I got, and what happened.

Flashback

I lay looking up that the sky. It was so beautiful, and the big dipper was almost right above me. I could see all seven stars, each shining brightly in the sky. I smiled and closed my eyes, breathing in the cool night air. But then, I noticed something. It was quiet. Really quiet, unlike the loudness I'm used to. It bothered me, bein' so quiet and all, so I decided to do something. I opened my mouth slightly, and sang softly, as if to a baby in my arms.

“I'm fifteen for a moment, caught in between ten and twenty and I'm just dreamin', couting the ways to where you are. I'm 22 for a moment, she feels better than ever and were on fire, making our way back from mars. Fifteen theres still time for you, time to buy and time to lose, 15, theres never a wish better than this, when you've only got one hundred years to live.” I paused, breathing outward, letting to lyrics flow around me.

“Don't stop.” I jumped, startled by the sudden presence near me. I bolted to my feet, looking at the group around me. “That was nice.” I let out a sigh of relief when I saw who the speaker was. It was Soda, and he had a grin on his face. I blushed deeply.

“I didn't know anyone was around.” I mumbled.

“Nope, just us.” Two-Bit said cheerfully.

“Don't worry Dani. We won't tell anyone that you're good at singing.” Soda told me, winking. That made me blush more.

“Seriously, you don't have to pretend I'm good. I was just passing time, and it was too quiet.” I explained, brushin' the dirt off my pants.

“No seriously, your self. It was pretty good. Not the best in the world, but good.” Soda told me honestly. “Good enough for me to want to hear the rest.” he hinted. I actually felt better after he said that. The 'not the best' part.

“Yeah, how 'bout not.” I told them, making my way to to the street. “It's bad enough y'all caught me, I don't need to keep doin' it.”

“Aw come on!” Two-bit protested. “You can't just start a performance like that and not finish it!”

“I wouldn't have started if y'all didn't sneak up on me.” I retorted.

“Dani, come on! Please! Don't make us beg!” Two-Bit said, getting down on his knees.

“No.”

End flash back.

I never did finish that song for them. But they forgot about it eventually. They always do, I mean, they're boys, they barely ever remember to change their underwear, yes I know, the scary truth comes out. That's why you never want to borrow their underwear, or wear it like they do in the movies. The boy will wake up and the girl will walk in wearing his boxers and shirt. Yeah, that's a no go.

But the best memory, the best memory was when Dally go chased by a dog. Not something you'd think would happen, but it did. Some neighbor down the road got a watch dog, and one day it broke lose and tore after Dal. Dal didn't realize until the dog had him around the leg. Me and Two-Bit were walkin' with him that day and we laughed our butts off as Dal took off down the road, cursing at the mutt. He flew like a bullet into the Curtis's, slammin' the door loud enough for us to hear it all the way at the lot.

The dog stayed their until the owner realized where it had gone and went and got it. Dal didn't come out for a few hours. And of course, we told everyone about it when they got home. Dally didn't appreciate that very much, and ended up dumping his chocolate milk on my head, gettin' Darry upset who began yellin' at Dal for getting' his carpet dirty. It ended up pretty badly. Dar and Dal got into this shoutin' match and everybody was just starin' on. Until someone knocked at the door. It turned out to be Tim, and he was lookin' for a place to stay, but hearin' all the noise, decided it best to knock first.

That was probably the funniest thing I ever saw, and it was days before we let that go. Dal was grumpy for almost a week later, grouchin' 'bout how we had no idea how sharp that dogs' teeth were.

But now there's barely a week left before school starts, and I'll barely have time to do anything with them anymore, 'cept on the weekends. Even then there's not enough time to do anything fun, cause the wheather starts to get shitty, and its too cold to walk anywhere so you're stuck stayin' in once place until you feel like freezin' your ass off and walkin' somewhere else.

“Hey Kiddo.” I turned from where I was starin' out into the street while day dreamin' to see Dal walk up the steps with the Shepards behind him. “Where is everyone?”

“Inside. Soda and Steve haven't gotten out of work yet, and Two-Bit went to pick up some broad.” he nodded, openin' the door and goin' in. Tim followed, but Curly and Angie came over.

“Hey Ange.”

“Hey Ray.” Ray, that's what Ange called me. She said that she liked it better than Dani, I don't see why though, it's nothin' special. “What's up? I haven't heard from you in ages. It's like you're too good for me now.”

“Well, I can't argue there.” I told her, grinnin' as she rolled her eyes and flipped her amazingly long black hair over her shoulder. “Nothin' much actually. Just hangin' out and shit.” I turned my gaze to Curly, “Whatta 'bout you? How many broads have you wasted lately?”

“Damn Winston, whatcha got against the playa?” he asked grimacing. “Ain't that bad lately. Only a few-”

“A night.” Ange cut in with a playful smile on his face.

“That don't surprise me.” I sighed. Curly frowned at the both of us.

“Ya know, I think I'm gonna go talk with Pony.” he turned and walked inside, leavin' me and Ange laughin' after him.

“He's so grumpy lately. His girl friend for the past month finally found out that he was cheatin' on her and left him. I'm surprised it lasted that long. Either Curl was real sneaky 'bout it this time, or that broad was just stupid. Curl can't hold down a girl more than a week without getting' caught.” She pulled a cigerette out of her coat and lit it up, blowin' a smoke ring out into the yard. “I don't see why he can't just stay with one girl.”

“Yea Ange? You should know about stayin' with one.” I teased, nudgin' her with my shoulder. She flicker her ashes at me, blowin' smoke into my face. I helf my breath until it passed. “Besides, it's his loss. Some of those broads were actually worth a try. He's a good lookin' kid, just got no brains.” I shook my head, getting' up and leaning on the railing, restin' my elbows on the railing.

“Ain't that the truth.” she sighed. “I don't think i've met one greaser with brains and good looks. Well, except Pony,” I stiffened. “But he ain't my type at all, too quiet.” I relaxed.

“I don't know. He's pretty fun to be with, once ya get to know him. He just don't advertise himself like most other greasers do.” Ange cocked an eye brow at me, and gave a whistle.

“Ooh, looks like someones got the hots for a certain Ponyboy?”

“Yeah you wish.” I said, but couldn't help the blush that rose up my cheeks.

“It's true!” she insisted, pointin' at me with a smirk on her face. “You do like him, you're blushin' like crazy!”

“Shut up Ange, he might hear ya.” I mumbled, tryin' not to smile. Ange let out a laugh, throwin' her head back with glee.

“I never thought I'd live to see the day that Jordan Winston fell for a guy.” I looked up fast.

“Why not? I like guys, I've had crushes.”

“Really? You're not to loud about it. I've never seen you look twice at any guy.”

“Well, that's cause I know they don't like me, so why bother.”

“This is different. I can feel it, it'll work good.” she assured me, puttin' out the cigarette and throwin' it into the grass. “Let's go inside.” I could tell by the tone of her voice, that she meant lets go see Pony. I sighed, turnin' to the door.

“Fine.” I knew then I was going to be sorry I agreed, especially when Ange dug her long blood red nails into my back to get me to move faster. What have I gotten myself into?

A/N: I AM SOOOOOO SORRY!! I KNOW I SUCK AT UPDATING!! WELL, THERE IT IS...WHY AM I USING CAPS?...I DONT KNOW...OH WELL, HOPE YOU LIKED IT!! LET ME KNOW WHATCHA THINK!!