"She's far from sane, but she's the right kind of crazy. The kind you get addicted to."
{J}

//

"JAMES AND I aren't dating." I spoke quietly, leaning my elbows on the fence.

He blew some smoke out of his mouth, and I scrunched my face together in disgust. "Smoking is bad for your lungs, Dallas."

He chuckled. "We all die someday, who cares?"

"I care." I shrugged, smacking the smoke away from me.

He blew the smoke in the other direction so it wouldn't get on me. "Thanks." I grinned.

"Oh, and you can call me, Dally. You don't have to call me Dallas." He announced, throwing the cigarette on the ground and stomping on it.

"You from New York? You have a very thick New York accent." I giggled, catching a lightning bug in my hands.

(I'm from Kentucky, so I mostly call them lightning bugs, but they're the same things as fireflies lmao)

He nodded his head. "Where are you from? I know you can't be from here."

I sighed, thinking of home. "I'm from Windrixville. Not too far from here."

"Say, me and you are just alike. Besides the fact that you're more innocent than a puppy, and I'm as damaged as Lord knows what." Dally laughed, glancing at me.

"People can be innocent and still be damaged." I answered, my voice barely even reaching a whisper.

Dally turned towards me, furrowing his eyebrows. "What happened to you?"

I shook my head, looking down. "I don't like talking about it. The only people who know are JJ and Soda. Dr. Shetland practically forced me to tell JJ though, but I told Soda on my own."

Dally caught a lightning bug, letting it travel down his arm. "You know, Lexie, you can trust the gang. You can tell them anything and you don't have to worry about them judging you. You know why?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because we're outcasts just like you. We understand what it's like for people to not like you or make fun of you because we've been down that road. Hell, we still go down it." Dally shook his head.

"I know I can trust you all, but it's just hard for me to talk about without wanting to cry. I don't cry though. It's like I don't know how to." I explained, the breeze flowing through my hair.

Dally laughed. "I know that feeling. People just don't seem to understand."

"Exactly."

"I'm going to give you something, Lexie. It's for whenever those Soc's come and try to hurt you." Dally handed me a cold object.

I examined it and gasped. "A switchblade?"

"Just don't use it unless they're hurting you. But, I doubt you'd use it on anyone. You're too nice." Dally shook his head, an amused look on his face.

"Dally, can you teach me how to be bad?"

He frowned. "No. You don't need to get cold and mean like me. Stay the innocent you, Lexie. That's the whole reason Soda likes you."

"Why does everyone keep saying Soda likes me? If he liked me, he wouldn't have married Sandy." I started getting irritated.

"It's not really my place to tell you, kid. But, Soda didn't want to, I'll tell you that." Dally replied, a serious tone in his voice.

Confusion etched upon my face. "What? Sandy made him?"

Dally hesitated. "It's more complicated than you think, Lexie. Just keep in mind that he's only doing this to protect you."

I nodded my head. "Hey, Dally."

He turned back towards me. "What?"

I ran and gave him a hug, him not knowing what to do. "I know you don't like hugs, but I really need one right now. Plus, I really like talking to you. We're the same."

He laughed and hugged me back. "I don't hug people, but I guess I'll make an exception when it comes to you. Just don't tell the gang."

"Awww!" Johnny gasped from the doorway and the rest of the gang came out to see it.

I quickly pulled away. "I just fell into him, that's all."

"Mhm, I don't believe it. Don't cover for him, Lexie. I think it's cute. Dally could use a good friend like you to soften him up a bit." Darry teased as Dally rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, whatever." Dally's cold and hard voice came back as he walked off the porch.

"Lexie, I have one more piece of advice for you, though!" Dally shouted.

"What?"

"Loosen up!!"

Soda and Sandy were still here, seeing as they were standing on the porch. I decided to get the courage to talk to Soda, even if he was going to be 'mean' to me.

"Soda, can I talk to you for a second?" I asked softly, fiddling with my fingers.

Soda hesitated. "We were about to leave, sorry."

I bit my lip and looked down. "O-okay."

A sad expression washed over his face as Sandy practically dragged him away. I turned towards the gang, feeling this weird feeling again.

They all looked like they were going to cry, and they weren't even the ones going through this.

"I can't believe you're not crying. I'm not going through this, yet I'm about to cry." Two-Bit wiped his face.

"I don't like crying." I wanted my voice to come out cold and mean like Dally's, but instead it cracked.

"Oh, come here." Steve reached out his arms and I ran into them, burying my face into his chest.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Lexie, it's okay if you cry. Sometimes that's all you need to feel better."

It was Johnny.

I pulled away from Steve and looked at him, smiling. "I just don't know how."

Pony chuckled. "Here, all you have to do is think about what just happened."

I nodded my head and as soon as I thought about it again, I felt something wet run across my cheek.

I couldn't stop, and I started sobbing more and more. I hugged Pony and he put his arms around me, squeezing me tight.

"You know, Ponyboy. You're a great person. Just like your two brothers." I cried into his chest.

I heard a gasp. "What about me?"

I pulled away and laughed, wiping my tears away. "All of you are great people. I don't know what I'd do without all of you. I know I only met y'all almost three weeks ago, but it feels like I've known y'all forever. So, thank you. I love you all."

"We love you too, Lexie." They all spoke in unison.

"Now, let's go inside and watch Mickey Mouse!" Two-Bit clapped his hands together excitedly, making us all laugh.

"Wait, where's James and JJ?" I questioned, looking around.

"They both left when we caught you and Dally hugging. They said they were going to the bar to drink a few." Steve replied, keeping his eye glued to the television.

"Oh no." I mumbled, pacing back and forth.

"What?" They all asked.

"JJ can't drink! It makes his depression worse!" I started getting upset.

"We'll come help you find him, okay?" Two said, standing up along with the others.

"I just hope he doesn't hurt himself." I breathed, walking out the door.