(present)
tulsa, 1965

"Hey pops, do you know where I could get a job around here? I kinda need to find a girlfriend to talk to." I asked while putting away the dishes.

"Not sure of any place right now other than the DX, and you couldn't work there since its a gas station. Maybe you could ask the Curtis brothers. They know more about work in the area then I do." My pops said while turning on the T.V.

I nodded and left. Once I reached the house I walked inside and was greeted by Ponyboy.

"Hey there Kelly. Why're you here?" He asked.

"I needed your help. You see, I really need a summer job to get some dough. I asked my pops for help but he couldn't think of anywhere." Ponyboy looked up at the ceiling, thinking long and hard about where I could work.

Pony said, "There is this guy named Buck, he's good friends with Dally. He's havin' parties every day, and I'm sure he'll need some help with bartending. There is also the Dingo, a greaser diner, but it isn't safe. A girl got shot there."

"Yikes, I'll pass. I guess Buck's is ok." I replied with my eyes widening in fear. Didn't know things were that rough on this side of town. I sighed heavily, I absolutely despised being around Winston, that awful flirt. But there was no other choice, I had to get this job.

I sat down on the ripped couch next to Ponyboy while we watched the football game on the T.V. screen. "So, what's the greaser life like?" I asked.

Ponyboy took his eyes off of the screen and looked at me. He radiated a smile that made me happy. "Pretty great to be completely honest. We have our ups and downs but were like family. Brothers, y'know? We look out for each other."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, watching the television intensely.

"Yes!" I yelled when my home team scored a touchdown.

"No!" Ponyboy said in agony. I laughed at his loss.

The door slammed wide open. "What's all this ruckus 'bout?" I hear the familiar voice come through, his figure hovering over us.

I glance over at him and give him a small, fake smile. Luckily he doesn't fluster me unlike before, and I've pretty much gotten over his flirtatiousness. I knew he just wanted to get in my pants. "Hey, Dally. I'm lookin' for a new job, so I was wonderin' if you could drive me to Buck's place for a bit."I say nonchalantly.

"Sure, but it'll cost ya." He replied with a devious smirk. I'm not sure where this is going.

"Oh really, what is it, pretty boy?" I reply sarcastically.

"Hmm, I like that nickname," I rolled my eyes and he continued, "I guess a kiss will do fine."

Ponyboy's eyes widened, and he focused his attention towards the T.V., pretending to not pay attention to us. He didn't like where this was going.

I scoffed. "Oh please, shut your trap and just take me. Can you quit being a hotshot for a second and be nice?"

"Nope, I'm never nice," he replied. My anger was getting higher and higher, I was getting tired of this boy. Who knew you could get so agitated by a playful guy in two weeks.

I grabbed Dallas by the collar of his brown leather jacket, pulling him close to my face as I angrily utter, "listen here pretty boy and listen real good. I'm sick and tired of your flirty act, and it's getting real old real quick. So you better get your shit together and take me there, ok?"

Dallas was taken aback, I could tell. I haven't gotten truly upset with him before, or anyone really. My hands let go of his collar, pushing him slightly away. He smirked and opened the door, gesturing the way out. "After you, miss."

I nod and wave goodbye to Ponyboy. I hopped inside of his car, and we drove in silence. My hand found its way to the radio, turning it on slightly. Elvis Presley was playing, and I got giddy like a child. He was always my favorite artist.

My body danced in the seat, and in the corner of my eye, I could see Dallas trying to hold in a laugh. It didn't bother me, though. I wanted to get close to Dal, just like I was with the boys. I thought the first step was to be completely open with him and myself.

He stopped in front of a large house and before we got out I heard him light up a cigarette. "Hey, can I get one of those cancer sticks?" I ask politely.

Dallas handed me one without saying anything, and we walked inside.

It was a dimly lit home, the LED lights radiated a bright red hue. There were tables everywhere. Who would've guessed this was an actual house, it looked like a bar. A tall male that looked like he was in the late twenties smiled at us while he cleaned a glass.

"Hey there Dally. Who is this pretty lady you got here?" Buck smiled and I reciprocated.

"This is Kelly, she's lookin' for a job and one of the boys suggested here. Got any space?" Said Dallas, blowing out the smoke.

"Of course, we could use a new waitress. They work pretty late though, but if it becomes too much for you, you can crash in one of the upstairs bedrooms. Have you ever been one?" Buck asked, placing his glass cup down.

"Yes, actually. I was one for three years while I lived in LA, so I'm sure I will do just great." I replied confidently, giving him a thumbs up.

"Great!" he chuckled, "you can start tonight if you're up for it."

"That would be awesome, but do you think I could call my pops first? Ya have a phone around here?" Buck pointed to a telephone and I walked towards it, dialing my grandpa's number.

"Hey pops, I got a job at Bucks! So he said there was a shift I could work tonight, and they run a little late so do you mind if I crash here for a night?" I crossed my fingers, praying he would say yes.

"Oh, Buck? I forgot about him. He's a good kid though, so it's fine with me. You're old enough to be by yourself. Just be safe. Love you!" My pops replied.

"Thank you so much! I'll see you tomorrow. Love you too." I put the phone away, smiling to myself, trying to contain the excitement rushing through me. Always loved getting some extra dough.

"I can work tonight, thank you so much, Buck." He nodded in response and got back to work. I checked myself in the mirror, making sure my outfit was appropriate enough for the shift.

Once it reached nighttime, my shift started, and it was a lot more hectic than I thought. There were loads of drunk twenty-year-olds shifting across the floor. Some of them hit on me, which was painfully annoying, but I just played innocent. It was the best way to bring in extra tips.

I finally got a breather in the middle, taking a small break. I stood there, drinking a glass of water and watching Winston play pool. He was really good, he ended up getting all the balls in the holes in three turns.

"Hey sweetie, you can come watch up close, I don't bite." He smirked, but all I could do was scoff with a smile.

"You really never quit, do you?" I ask.

"I like the chase, what can I say?" Dallas replied.

I went back to work, weaving my way through all the tables. Until I came across a girl, no older than me, staring at me with anger in her eyes. I walk over confidently, asking her what the problem was.

"The problem is, is that you're checking out my ex-boyfriend over there, Dallas. You better watch yourself, ugly bitch. Don't know why you even bother at this point. " The girl retorted, pulling back her dark blonde hair into a ponytail.

"Wow, with that sorry attitude, no wonder why he broke up with your sorry ass!" I spat back. She got up and out of nowhere, pulled out a switchblade. Ok, that took a surprising turn.

"What did you say to me?" She said, getting real close to me, but I wasn't that scared. I mean, I was, but there was no way I was showing my fear to this pathetic girl.

"You heard me!"

She cut my cheek and I cried in pain, which brought the attention of the whole bar at this point. Tears were forming, and I did what any normal girl with enough common sense in their brain would do; beat the shit out of her.

I took the arm she held the switchblade in and twisted it around her back which made her yell. I kicked her legs so she was kneeling on the floor and I took the switchblade from her hand. "Touch me again n' I'll break that pretty little face of yours. I think it's best if you don't mess with a Cali girl." I whisper in her ear.

I let go, gave her the switchblade, and let her storm out of the home, and while she did the whole bar laughed, cheered, and some even whistled. Guess they loved a cat fight.

I let out a sigh and winced. I felt the blood rushing down my face. Dally immediately ran over to me, cupping my cheek. "Well golly, did Sylvia do this to you?" I nodded, pushing his hand away.

"I'm fine, I'll go get a band-aid-"

"Don't worry doll, I'll go get it for ya. Let me help you. I can be a good guy sometimes," Before I could oppose, he was walking behind the counter. He came back with a band-aid and gently put it on my face.

"Thanks," I uttered while breathing in and out slowly. I was trying to get the adrenaline out of my system to calm myself down.

Dallas looked off into space, thinking to himself a while, which confused me. "So eh, how'd you learn to do moves like that? It's not like you come across a girl every day who can take down a girl with a blade."

I wiped the blood off of my hands. "You know pretty boy, you ain't the only one with a rough past. Other people have suffered, too. You ain't the only one in pain." I mumbled the last bit, not really thinking about it much.

"Who said I was in pain, huh?" Dallas responded. He sounded like he was pissed, and I wouldn't be surprised if he were. It was none of my business, but I still pestered him about it.

"I can see it in your eyes. I have 'em too." Before he could go bonkers on me, telling me how crazy I was, I left the room and headed upstairs. Just as my body was about to get into bed, I sighed to myself and remembered I didn't bring any clothes.

So J quietly made my way around the top floor of the house, wondering if Buck had anything I could borrow. The door opened with a quiet squeak, and it revealed a shirtless Dallas about to take off his pants.

I examined his body and quickly reminded myself that this wasn't the time.

"Sorry, I thought this was Buck's room. I was looking for PJ's... I'm surprised that you aren't hookin' up with someone though. " I chuckled while fiddling with my hands, avoiding his eye contact.

"You can just borrow one of my shirts. Or you can stay in here and use me for warmth." Dallas threw me a dark gray, Elvis Presley shirt. I smiled while I looked at the print.

"Thanks, but I'll pass on that offer. Maybe when you're actually interested in me, hm?" I was about to leave before he stopped me.

"Wait, so you're sayin' one day you'll stay in this room with me?" He said with a smirk.

I shrugged with a slight smile, not really thinking about it. "Maybe when you stop lookin' at me as another object for one night stands, I'll consider it. Night Dal."

I shut the door and walked into my room. Once I finished changing into the oversized T-Shirt, I shut off the lights and instantly fell asleep in the soft, warm bed.

I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door. "Kelly, it's time to wake up. It's almost eleven." I heard Dally say through the door.

"I'm comin', alright? Gosh, and what's with you all of a sudden. You actually knocking n' callin' me Kelly? That's a first." I reply while I rub my eyes together. I opened the worn door with a yawn, and it revealed a shirtless Dally yet again.

"Geez, put on a shirt," I said with a hoarse chuckle.

"Oh come on, you know you love it." He replied.

"There's the Dallas I know! I was worried you were on vacation." He rolled his eyes from my smart comment.

"Actually, you're wearin' the shirt I was gonna put on today." He tugged at it from my shoulder and I swatted his hand away.

"Alright, alright. Let me go change. Be out in a sec."

Once I finished changing and handed him the shirt, we went downstairs to an empty household. Buck must've gone to the store or something.

"We should probably head out. We shouldn't stay here for too long. It'd be kinda invasive, y'know?" I pushed him towards the front door, but he grabbed my hand and held onto it.

"I live here, Kelly. No need to leave so soon."

My eyes widened at his response. This wasn't supposed to happen. I thought he was a friend of Buck's, not his roommate. To my luck, I get to see Dallas every single day. Each day filled with horrible flirtatious words and gestures. "You've got to be kidding me!" I replied.

"Nope, being totally serious."

a/n

OOOOf a new chapter
this one came out pretty quickly
just cause i have been really
inspired heheh :))))