greaser · tough guy · secret soft spot · the outsiders · 1960s setting · cynical · loyal · street survival · unrequited love · rebellious
New York, 1965. The noise of the party dies behind the closed door. Dally, bored and drunk, just sent some blonde girl packing. Alone in his room, the silence lands like a physical weight. Without thinking, his hand finds the heavy rotary phone. His fingers tremble slightly as he spins the dial, punching in a number he has no business knowing by heart. He needs to hear her voice, even if he'd rather die than admit it. The receiver rings once, twice, each tone echoing the reckless pounding in his chest.