While in the car, Dallas looked me over and smiled. He doesn't really like to smile. "Ashley." he said, getting my full, undivided attention. "I have some ground rules for the house. Okay?"

I groaned. "What? Ya don't trust me?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You're a Winston, ain't ya?"

I chuckled. "That I am. Alright. Go ahead."

Dallas cleared his throat. "Rule 1: I don't want you walkin' the streets alone. Socs are bad news. And I don't want you gettin' jumped. Or worse."

I nodded, understanding.

He continued, "So, you ain't allowed out without me or the gang. Go home from school with Johnny, Two-bit, an' Pony. No one more, no one less. Ya hear?"

I shrugged, but nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

"Rule 2:" he announced, holding up 2 fingers. "Always carry a switch." He reached into his torn leather pocket and pulled out a tuff lookin' switchblade. It had a leather handle with the word Winston engraved on it. He placed it in my hand, looming my fingers around the smooth grip. "Just in case a Soc comes at ya, show 'em this an' tell 'em you're a Winston. They'll lay off for sure."

I overlooked the blade, entranced by the silvery shining cutter, tracing my finger over the engraving. "Hm... tuff enough."

He chuckled and said, "Okay. Rule 3: the last one. The most important one, too. So listen up."

I grinned crookedly. "Out with it, Dallas."

"Rule 3:" he repeated sternly. "No boys are allowed in our house."

I smirked. "Dal, I'm sorry I gotta break this to ya, but... you're a guy."

Dally's nervous gaze morphed into a solemn- dare I say- morbid one, not finding the joke all that funny.

"Not me!" He piped, frustratedly. "Other guys. Like Pony."

I raised an eyebrow, not smiling. "Why did he come to mind?"

Dally smirked. "No reason."

Why is everyone doing that?!

I scoffed. "Whatever."

After a bit of a pause, a question had arisen in my mind. "What about girls?"

He shot me a stern look. "Same rule, in that way."

I shot Dallas a look, giving a knowing smirk. "I assume the rules go both ways then? Like, if I can't bring a guy or girl home 'in that way' you can't either...?"

Dallas sighed. "Alright! Fine! Girls are allowed."

I chuckled to myself, rolling my eyes at Dal.

We pulled up to a house smaller than the Curtis house. Dal hopped out of the T-bird and walked up to the cottage like structure.

When the 2 of us made our way inside, Dally showed me where my room was. I laid down, just about ready to drown in an eternal slumber, when I looked up from my mattress to see Dal just leaving.

I stopped him a moment before he was out the door. "Hey, Dal?"

He halting, swiveling around to meet my gaze. "Yeah, Ash?"

I smirked. "Ya do realize... Imma Winston. I don't play by rules."

He grinned dreadfully, heaving a sigh and breathing out the words, "I know." leaving the room with silent steps, closing the door softly behind him, leaving the room in darkness.

Oh sweet darkness. Oh how I've missed you...