It's All or Nothing | (Cherry, casual)

[eastsidesunset]

I was crazy, wasn't I? Absolutely out of my mind. My heart threatened to jump out of my chest with every step I took, for more than one reason. I winced every time I stepped on a twig or a stray leaf that hadn't been noticed yet in this neighbourhood that felt quite honestly like a minefield that would explode if I took one wrong step. Too clean, too quiet, too fancy, too cold, too... terrifyingly perfect.

It was starting to get dark, the afternoon giving way to the beginnings of a sunset. Traffic was thinning and not a lot of people were out on foot, so I managed to stay invisible, for the most part. Stepping behind a tree quietly every time someone passed, I felt like a thief that was trying to execute a not-so-well-planned robbery. Well, I thought wryly, to these people, I might as well be. And that was why I had to sneak around to get to that theatre I'd never in my life thought I'd end up going to. I shook my head, still half in shock I'd gotten Cherry Valance, the Soc cheerleader, to go to a movie with me.

I remembered the surprise meeting in Central Park last week, when I'd shown her the old playground I'd found when I was thirteen and it all went on from there. I was still half-cotnvinced it had all been some dream I'd spun up, because it was too impossibly amazing to be true. At the same time, I could swear I could still feel her lips on mine sometimes, and how could something so real be nothing but a dream?

Not looking at the road in front of me, I almost tripped on a "FOR SALE" sign, bringing me out of the daydream. I looked around, hoping I wasn't lost or something (in this neighbourhood, being lost would probably end up in being arrested). Where was that movie theatre? I turned around, and realized I'd passed it. Sighing, I backstracked and headed inside the theatre with my head ducked, painfully aware of the disgusted glares I was already attracting, the only greaser in the crowd of Socs in every size and shape. What the hell had I been thinking?!

But, what was done was done. I slipped into the darkest corner of the lobby of the movie place and leaned against the wall, picking up and pretending to read some random magazine from the coffee table so I wouldn't have to meet anyone's eyes. I was about ten minutes early, but I hoped Cherry would be here soon. I ran a nervous hand through my ungreased hair that felt too long and too light without the grease- I'd washed it all out before coming here to blend in a little but it somehow, it just made me feel all the more vulnerable. Without it, I wasn't even a greaser. I wasn't anything.

Again, I wondered if I should have dug out Dad's old clothes, the few shirts and jackets that didn't have holes or tears in them. Darry and Soda weren't home and they'd never have known... But even thinking about wearing something of Dad's made me feel like something was squeezing the air out of my lungs. It was wrong, plain and simple. So I'd pretended the thought never occurred, and thrown on the cleanest jeans I owned- ignoring the tear in one knee and the fact that it had been worn until the dark blue turned light- , a plain t-shirt and an old black hoodie with tennis shoes that had once been white but was now brown-ish and had a hole in one toe.

I know, I know. Great attempt at "blending in" with the army of perfectly dressed Socs that crowded the theatre tonight. But it was the best I could do. Recipe for disaster or not, I thought, trying to look like there was nothing wrong with me being here. The cold switchblade in my back pocket seemed to have a pulse of its own which grew heavier and heavier until I couldn't stand it anymore. Jerking upright, I walked quickly outside and decided I'd wait for Cherry there. Outside, I sat on a street corner and pulled out a cigarette, ignoring the smoking laws. Besides, I tried to convince myself, no cop would ever think to drive around here , of all places, looking for someone to fine.

The smoke calmed me, and I let out a long breath as I watched the sun go down slowly from my spot on the sidewalk. That's when I heard footsteps approaching.

[thenerdherd]

Cherry woke up that morning with a smile on her face, it was Saturday. It was tough not speaking to Ponyboy at school, it made her feel awfully guilty too. He made her happy and she didn't the decency to acknowledge him. The redhead stared at herself in the mirror as she brushed the locks of her hair, well that was going to stop, if Ponyboy thought it'd be okay, that was. After she had finished brushing her hair she made sure that her outfit looked okay, it consisted of a light blue dress that fell just above her knees with a pair of White flats. 

Cherry's eyes glanced to her alarm clock and she saw the time, she had to get going. With a bright smile on her face she walked out of her room and down the stairs, passing by the dining room and feeling a bit of happiness that her parents were away on business. The young girl really didn't want to play 20 Questions with them today.

Finally, Cherry was out the door and making her way to the movies. Her stomach tightened with butterflies the closer she got, she also hoped that there would be no trouble. She just wanted spend time with Ponyboy.

The smell of cigarette smoke hit her as she neared closer to the theatre, her nose wrinkled and she waved her hand across her face, ridding herself of breathing in the smoke. Cherry saw a figure leaning against the wall smoking and she shook her head, she'd never understand why people smoked.

Her eyes glanced down at her watch and she noticed she was almost ten minutes early, oh well, she didn't mind waiting. Cherry's eyes rose again and they met the figures. She knew those eyes, those eyes that made her heart flutter so much. "Ponyboy," she breathed with a smile before coughing and waving the smoke away again.

[eastsidesunset]

(ooc: Attempted my first ever [url=http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=29926756[/url]... just for this. X3)

I was startled at the sound of my name out of a moment of letting my mind drift off, or what Two-Bit would call "going to LaLaLand". My eyes snapped to the direction of the voice and focused on none other than Cherry Valance. A wide smile lit up my face and I opened my mouth to say hi. Then I realized she was coughing from the smoke and I quickly dropped the cigarette and stomped it out, feeling a strange sense of guilt. I don't think she'd ever seen me smoking before. What if she didn't like guys who smoked? What if she hated me because of it? What if...

I swallowed hard and stared at the ground, mumbling, "Hey, Cherry." There was a pause, and I finally said in a rush, "Sorry 'bout the smoke." Managing a slightly sheepish grin, I asked as I finally met her eyes, motioning vaguely towards the theatre. "So, uh, you wanna go in?"

If this was any indicator of how the rest of the day was gonna go... then the bad feeling I'd had since I'd first stepped foot in West Windrixville just multiplied by a hundred. I tried to force it to the back of my head, though, and hoped I was just being paranoid. I mean, this was the girl I couldn't get off my mind for a week now, only narrowly escaping questioning looks from the whole gang with improvised lies. I was here, so I might as well make the most of it.

I mean, it wasn't like things went wrong all the time. I had to convince myself it'd be okay and it would be okay.

Right?

[thenerdherd]

Cherry felt guilty. Coughing like that had been rude, she should have just stayed a bit away to talk to him. He shouldn't have had to put his cigarette out. She was surprised actually, she hadn't ever seen Ponyboy smoke and she had even thought he didn't smoke. Oh well, she would never understand why they smoked but it didn't bother her, it was just the smell.

"Hey Ponyboy," she said before shaking her head, "don't worry about it. I shouldn't have acted like that, I could have just stood over there while you finished." she gestured with her finger to a place near by with a bench that wasn't too far, that way she could have spoken to him still as he smoked.

"Of course, I've been waiting all weekend." she grinned before taking a breath, preparing herself. Cherry was about to walk into that theatre with Ponyboy, and she was afraid for him. The young woman was terrified he felt uncomfortable as all hell and he would leave. 

As an act of comfort, she took his hand into hers and tugged him towards the theatre. "You look nice." she said leaning against him, as soon as she had pulled out the door she could feel the difference in air. 

It was the two of them against everyone else in the room. Cherry was as good as a Greaser at the moment to them. She watched as heads turned to look away or to look in disgust. Overhearing whispers as she passed them. Subconsciously, she rubbed her thumb against the back of Pony's hand, perhaps telling him not to pay attention to them.

"There was the most annoying song on the radio this morning, it was called 'Sherry'. Ironic isn't it?" she asked, as if she couldn't see the other people. Although it was true, she could hear them but all she could see was Pony. "So, what movie are we going to see?" she said happily 

Everything was going to be okay. No one was going to bother them. Cherry had to think positive! It was just a date with Ponyboy. A grin washed over her features at the thought.

A date with Ponyboy Curtis.

[eastsidesunset]

"Hey Ponyboy. Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have acted like that, I could have just stood over there while you finished."

I shook my head, giving her an apologetic smile. "Nah, you can't really stop yourself from coughing so it ain't your fault. 'Sides, I shouldn't be smoking here anyway," I said, glancing at the no-smoking sign only three or four feet away. "You were right to stop me before someone called the cops or something." I realized I was rambling a bit and I shut up, suddenly more just plain nervous than anything else. I mean, I'd never done this before. Sure, Two-Bit would bring me along to a movie with a bunch of girls sometimes but that wasn't the same. Not by a long shot.

But I had to smile at her next words despite everything, because, well, "Me too. C'mon, let's go in before we miss half the movie." She took my hand and pulled me inside, sending slivers of electricity up my arm. It was crazy what Cherry's simple touch could do to me, something unrivaled by anything I'd ever experienced. It was all just amazing, every impossible thing that was happening. Having her by my side seemed to put a sort of barrier, however thin, between me and the rest of the accusatory world. At the moment, well, that "world" was the crowd in the theatre.

I glanced increduously down at my worn out outfit and rolled my eyes with a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, if 'old and dirty' is the new 'nice'." I laughed again, this time with the slightest hint of a bitter undertone. "I kinda gave up digging for something better pretty quick." I shrugged, then stopped staring at the listing of movies long enough to grin and say to Cherry, "I mean, you look amazing. Compared to me, even more so." I gestured vaguely at her, not used to giving girls compliments and feeling more than a little awkward about it.

I guess I'd decided to just do my best to ignore the looks people were giving me left and right, so I pretended there was nothing wrong with stopping traffic in the theatre simply because I existed. "Yeah?" I said distractedly about the song she talked about.

"I don't know," I said thoughtfully, staring at the list of movies and softly tapping each name in turn. "What do you think? Action, comedy, romance, drama, thriller...?" I knew I should've planned beforehand, I thought, groaning inwardly. I'd know better next time. Next time... would there be a next time? Could there?

[thenerdherd]

”I’m not used to being around smoke, is all. I mean my dad smokes a cigar once and awhile but Bob drank and that didn’t have a smell until after.” Cherry’s nose wrinkled at the memories of booze on his breath, it has always made her stomach churn. Her eyes followed Ponyboy’s glance and she noticed the no-smoking sign before nodding, ”Yeah, well I would have come to bail you out of jail right after.” she said

”Okay.” Although, they could miss the whole movie and Cherry wouldn’t mind. As long as she was with Ponyboy, she didn’t care where they were. The atmosphere of the theater seemed to change when they stepped in together, the air seemed…thicker with a bad emotion. It surprised Cherry that she didn’t seem to care at the moment, she felt safe with him beside her. Reputation didn’t matter do Cherry when she had someone she cared deeply about, the world could rip them apart and it wouldn’t change her feelings. A few times Cherry actually glared at the others, daring them to say something about what they were seeing.

Cherry rolled her eyes and gave his arm a squeeze, ”Well I like it,” she told him truthfully, ”So maybe it is the new nice and I’m just out of style.” the redhead laughed and gave a happy sigh. At his compliment Cherry’s eyes brightened ever so slightly, ”You think so?” she asked, ”I just kind of threw on anything that would be good in the weather, today.” Well that was a lie, Cherry had spent hours upon hours fussing over what she would wear. Several possible outfits were now scattered through out her room and she laughed at the scene in her head.

”Well, I won’t make you sit through a romance.” she laughed leaning her head on his shoulder, ”What about…that one?” she asked pointing to one of the titles, ”It sounds good, and if we don’t like it we can always go sneak into another.”

”Is that…a Greaser?” a Soc said from behind them

”Doesn’t look like another Greaser chick with him.” another voice came

Cherry’s eyes narrowed in anger and she let go of Ponyboy, turning around to face the two boys. ”Why don’t you mind your own damn business?” she asked in a cold tone before looking to Ponyboy, ”Ignore them, let’s go in.” her tone quickly changed from cold to comforting when she had turned back to the boy. There was no way she could be mad when she looked at him, even if the anger wasn’t towards him.

"She seems to have a mouth on her. I always did have a thing for redheads that talked dirty."

"Yeah, baby, why don't you skip out on him and come with us?"

"Pony, lets go inside." she said tugging on him, as soon as they were in the dark room everything would be okay. Or at least that was what she was telling herself. Why did other people always have to mess things up?

[eastsidesunset]

I could've sworn a chill passed over the entire area when Cherry mentioned Bob, except I was the only person who felt it. Another emotion I couldn't place tugged on my insides, something cold and dark and honestly scared me a little because it was so... unfamiliar. Was this what people called jealousy? If it was... I had the distinct feeling that it could do more than plain raw anger ever could. It was like that Robert Frost poem, "Fire and Ice". The world was just as likely to end in ice as it was in fire.

And it sure felt like there was a piece of ice in my chest, just with a simple mention of Bob.

What was wrong with me? I just hoped Cherry couldn't tell. It was probably melodramatic but at the moment I felt like I'd rather die a slow painful death than have Cherry know I was jealous of Bob, the football-playing Soc who jumped Johnny a few weeks ago.

But then I noticed her positively glaring at the people who looked at us (or probably just me) with that look of revulsion, and the ice melted just like that. Absentmindedly, I wondered how Dally could keep that ice in him all the time. I wondered how frozen you had to get- How long exactly it took to freeze so completely nothing could really melt you anymore. I hoped I'd never be like that. I hoped I wouldn't have a reason to.

I realized with a jolt I wasn't really paying attention to what Cherry was saying and a wave of guilt washed over me. Redoubling my efforts to see her and only her- because wasn't that the whole reason I risked coming here despite the Socs, despite the trouble I'd probably get into, despite everything?- I said honestly, "'Course I think so. But then, ya look good in everything so that's kinda a given." Only after the words left my mouth did I wonder with a sort of horror if that was too much, cheesy even. Maybe it was cliche, heck, it probably was. But I meant it classic.

I laughed lightly and nodded. "Sounds good. C'mon, let's go before all the good seats are taken."

But the last sentence was cut off by the sound of other voices, hostile ones.

”Is that…a Greaser?”

”Doesn’t look like another Greaser chick with him.”

I stared away pointedly, determined to pretend not to hear, not wanting to start a fight that was lost before it begun. We were in West Windrixville- Total Soc territory- and that meant I had to hold my tongue or get in a shitload of trouble. There was no one to give me a hand out here, I knew that much.

I guess Cherry didn't have that problem, though, because she shot an angry retort at them of her own. They answered back none too nicely. Dimly I felt Cherry try and tug me into the theatre, but by then I was fighting to stay calm. Eventually the logical side of me won out, and I let her pull me into one of the dark theatre rooms with previews still playing.

I let the heavy door close with a thud and all the voices coming from outside vanished. Casual, quiet chatter filled the theatre, and I was glad it was dark so no one would notice me. Once again I marveled at how great movies were- everyone was anonymous behind the soundproof doors, everyone was equal in the blind eyes of the actors onscreen who had no idea who their movie would be shown to. I might as well have been the President of the United States for all they knew. It was weird, but knowing I was nobody in the theatres was comforting unlike anything else.

I sat down beside Cherry in a relatively empty row of seats and took her hand, albeit hesitating a little out of shyness. Then I stared at the previews without really seeing it, glad that the darkness hid the slight redness of my face. The smell of buttery popcorn filled the room and, with Cherry's hand in mine, I felt like maybe it would all be okay.

(Sorry for the pointlessly long rambling and lack of dialogue. :/)

[thenerdherd]

Cherry grinned and gave him a side hug, ”Well thank you, that means an awful lot to me coming from you.” she said. Ponyboy was such a sweetheart, maybe that was why Cherry liked him so much. He wasn’t like the others she heard stories about, the ones that got jailed constantly or ran around jumping people for fun. Or maybe he did and she just didn’t know, either way, he didn’t show it. The looks they were getting bothered her to no end, why couldn’t people just do what they had been doing and just let two people enjoy what they were doing?

A giddy smile on her rose colored lips when they had picked the movie and were prepared to go inside. Just her and Ponyboy. Watching a movie. Together. This was going to be one of the best days of her life, or at least that was what she was starting to believe. As long as they could ignore the others they would be okay, so far so good. ”Oh the horror of not having a good seat.” she laughed.

The anger was still bubbled in her chest at the Socs who had spoken to them. Why wasn’t there anyone who was just neutral? Or at least it seemed like it was no one. Everyone you met in Windrixville either hated Greasers or hated Socs, it was how it went. And most of the time the feud just made Cherry want to scream.

She let out a sigh of relief when Ponyboy let her take him away. She wasn’t sure what she would have done if a fight broke out. Cherry hated fights, she hated fights. There was no way she could tell if she would have taken Ponyboy’s side or gone to hide under a rock, knowing her though, she may have just screamed at them to stop it. Although it may have not done any use. But thankfully, no fight had erupted and it wasn’t going to.

Once they were in the theatre she took a deep breath and let the annoyance she had to the boys outside leave her. The redhead had gotten her usual smile on again and she showed it to Ponyboy, enjoying the quiet voices that were in the room. Without the lights they shouldn’t get anymore trouble and if there was-well-Cherry had already proven that she could fight back…in a way. ”I wasn’t that scary was I?” she asked laughing a little bit.

Once they were sitting down Cherry felt his hand in hers, a blush following his gesture. She was starting to relax from the scene that had happened just outside. The darkness made her feel comfortable and with Ponyboy beside her she felt safe. Her eyes watched the previews for the movies intently, watching to see if there would be another movie she would drag someone to go see sometime. Cherry’s eyes trailed from the screen to the boy beside her and she smiled again, looking up to the ceiling and mouthing “Thank you.”

The teenager watched the lights as they went darker, signaling the movie was about to turn off. She settled into the chair even more. ”This is going to be fun.” she told him. There was going to no more trouble…or at least that was what Cherry continued to tell herself.