Ponyboy, Johnny, Two-Bit, and I walked in a straight line along the side of the road. I shoved my hands into my pockets as a sharp wind blew cold air into my face. "I hate those guys," I huffed.

"You and me both," Two-Bit sighed. He crumpled up a piece of paper and shoved it into his mouth, spitting it out after chewing on it.

"What was that?" Ponyboy asked.

"Marcia's number," Two-Bit responded absently. "Probably a phony one too. I must've been out of my mind to ask for it. Girl like that would never go out with me, anyway."

"Trust me, she's not worth it," I reassured him. Two-Bit nodded and sent me a small smile.

"Where are y'all going?" Two-Bit asked.

Ponyboy shrugged, "Home."

"Yeah, me too," I added. "It's gettin' late."

Two-Bit sighed, "You guys are boring!"

"Sorry, Two, but we can't all be the life of the party," I chuckled.

Ponyboy laughed too. "You're crazy," he said to Two-Bit, who smiled and nodded.

"I don't know why I handed you that busted bottle," Two-Bit chuckled. "You never would have used it."

Ponyboy shook his head. "I don't know, I might have."

"I don't believe you for one second, Pony," I teased with a smile, elbowing him softly.

"Hey, come on," Ponyboy defended. "I might have!"

"And who knew Diana had a blade!" Two-Bit exclaimed.

"I knew," Ponyboy said. "She was the one who helped me from Bob and Randy a few days ago."

"Wait," Two-Bit's jaw dropped as he stuck out a hand in front of me. "You're the girl who scared off Bob and Randy by cutting yourself?" I chuckled and nodded. Two-Bit grabbed my shoulders. "Everyone's been talking about you! You're one badass babe," he said, impressed.

I shook my head and laughed, "Whatever ya say, Two-Bit." He laughed and let go of me, beginning to walk down the street.

"Where you headed?" Ponyboy called after him.

Two-Bit turned around but continued to walk backwards. "I don't know," he shrugged. "Maybe I'll go play snooker or get drunk. I'll see you guys later!" He waved and ran off down the street.

I couldn't help but glance at the house we stopped in front of. I heard two people fighting inside, the sound of broken glass echoed outside every once and awhile. It reminded me a lot of my own parents when they were together. The thought made me angry, so I decided it was best if I left. "I'm gonna head out too," I spoke up.

"Alright," Ponyboy said. "Why don't you stop by the DX tomorrow? We can go to my house and watch cartoons after Soda's shift."

"Oh, I don't know," I shrugged.

"It'll be fun. The whole gang will be there," Ponyboy added.

Johnny nodded, agreeing with his friend. "Plus, Darry is making chocolate cake."

"That's gonna he hard to pass up," I chuckled.

"So you'll be there?" Ponyboy asked again.

"Sure," I gave in. The two boys smiled, causing me to laugh and smile back. "Cya tomorrow," I waved and began walking off in the same direction Two-Bit had gone.

»»——⍟——««

I stood in my room at Buck's, looking at my reflection in the mirror that hung above the sink in the bathroom. I pulled my leather jacket off slowly and placed it on the knob of the bathroom door. Then, I took off my maroon zip-up, revealing the black bandana that was covered in dried blood. I carefully unwrapped the material on my arm, my eyes widening at the sight of my wound. The cut was basically black because of how much blood had dried. The skin around the slash was bright red, which wasn't a good sign. I immediately placed my arm under the facet and turned on the water. It's warmth ran over my cut and lessened the intensity of the black blood.

I watched as the water in the sink turned red and then swirled down the drain. After washing off my wound, I poured a bottle of alcohol — that I stole from the bar — over it. My jaw clenched as it burned my skin.

I reached for a towel that was hanging on the back of the bathroom door, and dabbed my cut lightly. I threw my bandana in the sink, telling myself I'd rinse the blood out later. I walked out of the bathroom and put on a black t-shirt that I bought from the drugstore earlier today.

Walking over to my bedroom door, I switched the lock and shut off the lights. I made my way over to my bed and wrapped myself under the covers, closing my eyes and quickly falling asleep.

»»——⍟——««

Knock! Knock! Knock!

My eyes snapped open from the sudden banging on my door. I glanced at the window and noticed that it was still dark outside, which meant that it was either the middle of the night or really early in the morning. Either way, whoever is at my door better have a good reason for waking me up.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"I'm coming!" I shouted angrily as I shoved the blankets off of my body. I pushed myself off the bed and slowly made my way over to the door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Jesus Christ, I'm literally right here!" I yelled, as I unlocked the door and swung it open.

To my surprise, Dallas Winston was standing in the hallway with his arms crossed and a glare on his face. My eyebrows furrowed as I tilted my head slightly. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"No," he said, confused. "What the hell are you doing here?"

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "I live here."

"No you don't," Dallas replied.

"I guess I don't then," I mumbled.

"Where's Sylvia?" Dallas continued.

"Probably whoring around on the streets," I stated, stifling a laugh.

Dallas glared at me, so I sent him an innocent smile. He sighed agitatedly and began walking away, until I called after him. "Hey! Dallas." He stopped walking and turned around to face me. "I was just wondering.. how did that soda taste?"

Dallas scoffed, "Ya know, you're real funny."

"I know," I smirked. "Good luck finding your ex!" I added before closing the door and finally going to bed.

»»——⍟——««

New York
James' POV

"Good morning Mr. Caballero," I greeted the old man. He looked up from the newspaper he was reading and tilted his head while smiling.

"How are ya, James?" The man asked.

I placed his order of eggs and bacon in front of him and nodded. "Been better."

Mr. Caballero chuckled and began eating his food. I walked down the counter to attend to another customer. Taking out my notepad and pencil, I sent the girl a small smile, "Hello Miss, what can I getcha?"

"I'll have coffee with two cremes please," she said.

I nodded and walked back down the counter to the coffee machine. As I placed a mug under the facet and pressed the buttons, coffee began to pour out. I turned around, leaning against the table as I waited for the mug to fill up.

"Have you heard about that robbery at the new bank?" Mr. Caballero asked, looking up from the newspaper.

I shook my head and shrugged. "No, I haven't." The old man folded the paper and turned it around, pointing to a headline.

"New York, bank robbed at grand opening," I read the title out loud.

My eyes briefly scanned over the words as Mr. Caballero said, "Police are sayin' some teens stole $50,000! Damn delinquents, always takin' what's not there's." He scoffed and shook his head angrily.

"That's crazy. I wonder who was behind it," I said, trailing off. The more I thought about the article and what the old man was saying, the more suspicious I was becoming.

"You gonna pay for that?"

"Put it on my tab."

"Speaking of that tab, you ever gonna pay it?"

"I'll have the money by tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night; 8 o'clock. Don't forget."

"I won't."

"I'm serious this time, Diana! Don't forget the money."

I shook my head, as if the movement would clear out my thoughts. There was no way Diana was involved in this. It had to be one big coincidence. I knew she wouldn't have the money, and knew she was lying when she said she'd get it. I just can't get the idea of her being involved with the bank robbery out of my head. She disappeared from New York right after this whole mess went down. I haven't seen her in days! It all just had to be some big coincidence. Diana is probably just hanging out in Harlem like she usually is, and I'm overthinking this whole thing.

"I hope the police catch those damn kids and throw 'em right in jail!" Mr. Caballero exclaimed as he slammed his fist down on the table, and broke my out of my thoughts.

I gave him a small nod and turned around to the coffee machine, pulling the mug out, and looking into the drink.

I really hope it wasn't you, Diana.