RUNAWAY

19. THE FIRST RUMBLE

"We're not just gonna let those socs get away with this though, right?" Steve asked.

"This isn't the first time they've jumped us," Sodapop added, a hint of anger in his voice.

"I know," Darry said. "And that's why I called for a rumble."

"When is it?" Steve questioned.

"Tonight," Darry said. There was a chorus of cheers and chatter from the boys.

"Yes!" Two-Bit exclaimed excitedly. "I've be looking to kick some soc ass."

I turned around and tossed the ice bag beside me on the floor. "What's a rumble?" I asked the group, confused.

Darry sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a fight between the greasers and socs."

"Yeah, something to get the mutual hatred out of our systems," Two-Bit said jokingly.

A mischievous smirk found its way onto my face, but before I could say anything, Darry cut me off. "And something that you're not coming to," he said strictly.

I frowned. "Oh, come on!"

"Doctors orders," Darry shrugged.

"More like your orders," I grumbled, crossing my arms with another eye roll.

"Look, Diana," Darry sighed. "You can come next time."

"Whatever," I scoffed.

"If you want.. I'll stay here with you." Johnny spoke quietly. I glanced up at him and half-smiled.

"Ponyboy is staying too," Darry stated. The said boy didn't object, either because he knew it was an argument he wouldn't win or he genuinely didn't want to have to fight again today. I assumed it was a little bit of both.

Everyone said their goodbyes and left the house in a hurry except for Johnny, Ponyboy, and me. Two-Bit grabbed two bottles of beer for himself on the way out, and joined the rest of the gang as they paraded outside and onto dark street, screaming and jumping in excitement.

I stood up abruptly, a mistake that caused my vision to become spotty and my body to tilt with dizziness. I reached for the wall behind me and steadied myself as an intense headache clouded my mind painfully.

"What are you doing?" Johnny asked.

I ignored his question and walked over to the window, peaking through the curtains to see the boys still out front of the house. "Hey, Ponyboy," I said, turning around to face him. "You got a back door?"

He nodded slowly, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. "No.. but there's a window in my room that leads you outside."

"Great," I smirked. This was too easy.

I walked passed Johnny and Ponyboy, who were both very confused as I made my way to the room Ponyboy and Sodapop shared. I shuffled through the dark bedroom, accidentally stepping on small piles of clothes as I walked around the bed. Like Ponyboy had mentioned, there was a window on the side of their room that lead to the backyard.

"Diana, where are you going?" Ponyboy asked. Him and Johnny had followed me into the room, and we standing beside me as I unlocked the window.

I paused and turned to face them. "What does it look like I'm doin'?" I sighed and pointed towards the window. "I'm escaping!"

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Johnny mumbled.

Ponyboy nodded, agreeing with his friend. "Yeah, Darry's not gonna like that."