Warning!: mentions of rape and violence and blood

Y/N POV:

I don't get why Riff wanted me here? Maybe to have an eye on baby John? No one knows.

All I know is that I'm standing here, in a gym full of people and low on oxygen. It reeks of sweat from the dancing teenagers and my feet are cramping from the shoes. I really don't want to be here. I quickly grab Action's arm as he waltzes past me.

-If Riff asks for me, tell him I left, I say irritated. He nods and I start making my way to the exit on the other side of the gym.

The activity leader announces a game, and I sigh as I watch the boys from the jets and sharks square up. But before I reach the exit, someone grabs my arm and pulls me back in.

I look and it's Riff.

-Where are you going? He asks.

-Home. I'm tired Riff, I say.

-Without you, well be one girl down, please? Riff begs.

-Alright, Just this game! Then I'm going home, I say and stand beside two sharks girls.

The music starts and we walk around... and around... and around... until the whistle shouts. I stop and see that I'm standing right in front of the leader of the Sharks... Bernardo.

He looks shocked at me. His brown eyes stare at me and the rest of the world seems to disappear. It's only us. Only us...

As the new music starts, A-rab grabs my arm and pulls me towards the other Jets.

Bernardo stares after me, but gets pulled away by a shark girl.

We dance battle for a long while, but in the end we all stop as Riff and Bernardo start butting heads again. I see Tony with an unfamiliar girl and I run towards them.

-Tony...? Are you alright? I ask. Bernardo guides his eyes towards me again, and his face softens up a bit. Tony and Riff looks at me too.

Riff angrily looks back at Bernardo.

-So you're after her now huh? You're after her? He asks and grabs my arm and hold it up roughly.

-Ow, Riff, you're hurting me! I squeak.

-Let her go, Bernardo says sadly.

-Why? So you can drag her back to your filthy neighborhood and do whatever you want to her? Riff asks angrily.

-Riff, That is enough! I say and finally rip my arm from his grip. The three men look at me in shock.

-Didn't Tony's mother teach you any better!? I ask Riff angrily.

-And you! I say and point to Tony.

-Don't go running around in territories you aren't familiar with, I say. Then I look at Bernardo and I feel my heart clench for a second, before looking to the others.

-I'm going home, I growl and walk towards the exit. I didn't notice that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in the gym was watching, and was building a path for me to walk out of. I remove my heels on the way and rush quickly to docs.

At docs:

I sigh as I sit down at a bar stool. I place my heels on the counter top and place my head in my hand and I hide my other arm in my dress.

-Damned boys, I growl as Doc hands me a coca-cola.

-What happened this time? Doc asks. I take a gulp from the soda and glare into the wall behind Doc.

-I make eye-contact with a Puerto Rican once, and Riff makes the conclusion that he wants to rape me, I say. Doc shakes his head.

-He's just scared that something will happen, Doc says. I shake my head.

-He wasn't going to hurt me... he asked Riff to let go of my arm when I told him it hurt... I say and take another swig if the soda. Doc looks curiously at me.

-What did he- he starts, and then the gang just bustles in and after comes officer Krupke and Schrank.

-We'll take it later, he says. I sigh as Schrank begins preaching about how we can help them catch the Puerto Rican's and put them in jail "where they belong", but the boys keep their mouth shut. The officers finally give up and head out. As they past me, I speak up.

-Just because you believe they make havoc, doesn't it mean they actually do... at least not alone, I say and drink from my soda again. The officers eye me curiously, before walking out.

As they're out, the boys begin getting rowdy again and Doc sigh.

-Now What did Riff do? He asks. I avoid his gaze.

-I promise that I won't tell a soul, he whispers. I sigh and bring my arm up on the counter. I can see Riff barely look my way from one of the tables in the shop.

A hand print has beginning to bruise a bit on the middle of my arm.

-Oh dear... do you want some ice? He asks. I shake my head.

-Just take one of them coca-colas and I can drink it later, I say. Doc chuckles and puts the bottle by my arm. I lean my arm on the cold bottle and sigh gladly.

Suddenly, the door bell clings as people walk inside. I look to the door, and there stands Bernardo and the sharks. Bernardo search the store and walk inside. He walks in and spots me. He mentions for his gang to go ahead in and he walks up to me. I try not to smile from the butterflies in my stomach.

- Are you alright? He asks and points to my arm. I smile and nod.

-Yes I'm alright, thank you, I say. He smiles for a second, before frowning and walking towards Riff. Riff sends away the girls, but let's me stay... out of pity...

They plan a rumble and I can't help but to listen in...

-Pipes, Bernardo counters.

-Cans, Riff continues.

-Bricks, Bernardo says. I groan loudly.

-Why can't you just handle it like real men and solve it with your fists? I ask. Tony comes inside and looks at me in shock. Bernardo and Riff does too.

-What? Afraid of getting close? Get some punches in, afraid of plain skin? I ask, turning towards them in my chair. Tony walks and stands off to the side as the gangs share knowing looks.

-Not even garbage? Action asks.

-Not even rocks? A-rab asks.

-Then It's not a rumble! Boo! He says.

-Who says... Riff says nonchalantly and I roll my eyes.

-You said "call weapons", Bernardo points out.

-The rumble can be done in a fair fight, Tony says and walks forward.

-If you've got the guts to risk it, I say nonchalantly back and finish my soda. Bernardo looks to me and sighs deeply.

-The best from each gang can slug it out, Tony offers and Bernardo stands up, looking into Tony's soul.

-I would enjoy to risk that, he says with a heavy accent. I hold my breath....

Don't do anything stupid now...

Bernardo looks to me, then back at Tony.

-Ok, fair fight! He exclaims. The Jets immediately fly out of their chair yelling.

-Commander decides if it's yes or no! Riff settles them down. He looks between them.

-Ok, fair fight, he then says and they shake hands. I sigh and begin drinking from the other cola.

The Sharks decide to leave and I grab Bernardos jacket arm lightly. He looks concerned to me.

-Promise it's gonna be a fair fight? Riff might be a jerk, but he's my best friend... please, don't take any knives, I beg. Bernardo stares into my eyes, before he nods.

-I won't use any knives, He promises. I smile.

Suddenly he puts down a 5 dollar bill beside me. He winks as I catch his eye.

-For the drinks, he nods and walks out. I bite my lip as I try to hide my smile and blush from the others, but to no avail.

-Oh dear, you're head over heels for him, Dic whispers to me and I hand him the dollar bill.

-I am, I giggle airily as I think about his dark brown eyes, that looked so kind when he looked at me at the dance.

The boys continue to discuss the rumble, and I look around. I grab my heels from the counter and hop off the stool.

-Where are you going? Doc asks and Riff looks my way.

-I just need to do something, I say and run out, putting on my heels in the process.

I run closer to the Puerto Rican's territory and I spot him... him...

-Bernardo! I shout and he stops.

-Bernardo, please wait! I say and begin slowing down. Bernardo turns around and smiles when he spots me. I half to a stop in front of him. He looks down on me.

-Hi... I say, panting lightly.

-Hello... He says and looks at me up and down.

-I believe I didn't get your name, he says smoothly.

-Oh, I-I'm Y/N, I say and hold out my hand for a hand shake. But instead, Bernardo grabs my hand and brings it to his lips and kiss it lightly. I blush when he hold my small hand in his two big ones.

-That is a very beautiful name... Y/N, he says with his accent.

-Your name isn't too bad either, Bernardo, I say and he chuckles.

-It's BeRnaRdo, he says in his accent. I try copying him and he laughs.

-Good enough of a try, he says.

-Oye? Bernardo, we need to leave! One of his friends state. Bernardo gives my hand a final kiss and starts walking away. I bite my lip...

-Bernardo! I say and he turns around again.

-Will I see you again? I ask. He nods firmly and smiles at me.

-You will see me many times, Y/N! He says as he walks away. He leaves me all giddy and alone in the middle of the street.

Later:

Clock is beginning to turn to midnight and I'm starting to get concerned for the boys. I'm once again sitting at Doc's, this time, with a water.

-Oh, I don't have a good feeling about this, I say and bounce my leg agains the leg of the chair.

-Relax, they're men, they can take care of themselves, Doc says. I shake my head and heave myself from the chair.

-No... I'll go there and get them to stop, I say. Doc sighs as I exit the shop and make my way to the place of the rumble; the bridge....

Third person POV:

The boys have already started to fight, but Tony stops them.

-Stop! Tony gets in between Bernardo and Ice.

-What are you doing? Riff asks.

-I'm trying to set things right! Tony says and looks between the two.

-Ah... are you chicken? Bernardo asks.

-Are you... afraid? He asks and pushes Tony.

He continues to push and push, until Riff gets in the way and pushes back.

They then begin fighting. And in less then a second, Riff brings out his pocket knife.

-So that's how it's going to be, huh? Bernardo asks and takes out his own pocket knife.

They begin charging at each other with the knifes. They jump around each other, while the others watch and yell at them. Y/N comes running and watches the fight from behind a nearby pole. She watches as Riff and Bernardo just barely misses each other. Suddenly, Bernardo kicks away Riffs knife and corners him to the metal fence. He looks terrified at Bernardo... who stands up and looks at his knife.

-No... I cannot, he says and puts it away in his pocket.

-Says who? A jet yells at him.

-I made a promise to a friend of yours that I wouldn't hurt him! He answers back. Y/N walks slightly out from her safety of the pole and towards them. Bernardo looks at Riff and gets his guard up.

-So... lets do this like real men, yeah? He asks.

But Riff has already decided on ugly play. He jumps away and reaches for his knife, cutting into Bernardos leg. Bernardo screams out in agony as blood begins trailing down to his feet. He sinks onto his knees and Riff stands above him with his knife.

-Yeah... like real men! He says and is just about to strike again, when:

Y/N POV:

-No! I yell and rush towards them. Riff stops his motion and I slide to a stop next to Bernardo and I sit down, taking a look at the cut.

-Are you ok? I ask panicked and put my hand on his cheek to look for further injuries. He smiles weakly before wincing in pain again. I gasp and rip a part of my dress to act as a bandage. I tie it tightly onto his cut, to stop the bleeding.

-What are you doing Y/N? Get away from him! Riff demands angrily. I decide to finally put my foot down.

-No! I say. He looks shocked at me.

-No? He asks in disbelief.

-You boys are taking this rivalry too far! It's time someone puts an end to this! I say sternly.

-Look Riff, you're like a brother to me, and I don't want to loose you for something as stupid as ethnicity, I say.

-You aren't the one who decides that! Riff say angrily.

-No, but I'm trying to prevent it, I counter. He glares down at me. I only glare back.

-Now, if you'd please back away so I can help him, I beg.

-Why are you helping him? Riff asks as I put Bernardos arm around me for support. I look him in the eyes.

-Because I am in love with him... I state. Tony comes forward and stands beside Riff and smiles. I hear a low chuckle from Bernardo. We all look at him.

-I'm glad the feeling isn't one sided, he says and kisses me. I freeze in shock, before fluttering my eyes closed and kissing back. I put a hand on his cheek as the kiss progresses and the sharks lets out happy yells. We pull apart and I look to Riff. He sneers at us.

-I don't understand you... he says sadly and puts away his knife.

-You don't have to... you just need to respect it, I say. Riff takes a deep breath before nodding.

-Ok.... Ok, he says and I smile.

-If he makes you happy, then so be it... But you must know, the Kets will always be your family, Riff says.

-I never said I'll leave the Jets, I say and lock eyes with Bernardo.

-Is say I might just expand it, I says and peck Bernardos lips.

Extended ending!:

We start walking home and Tony said he'll help me walk Bernardo all the way home. The rest of the Jets stayed in American territory as they're still ti apologize and make up for their mistakes.

Bernardo is still leaning slightly on me for support as we get closer to the building he calls home.

-You still have your dress on? Bernardo points out as we walk up the stairs. I nod.

-Yeah, I say and look down on my dress. I frown as I see the big rip in it.

-My mom will kill me... this was my only dress! I say sadly and grab the piece I ripped to stop the bleeding from Bernardos leg. Bernardo chuckles lightly as he knocks on the door to his apartment.

-Don't worry, I'm sure my sister and her friend Anita could sew you a new one, Bernardo says.

-Wait, you have a- I get cut off by the door opening by a slightly younger girl.

-Maria! Tony says and they hug. Bernardo and I look confused at each other.

-Oh, you did it! You saved Bernardo! She says happily and they kiss. Tony pulls away first.

-Actually, Y/N is the one that saved him, Tony says and mentions to me. Maria smiles my way and hugs me.

-Thank you for saving my brother... I am forever grateful, she says and pulls away. I smile back at her.

-It was the least I could do, I say. Bernardo grins at me.

-No. telling your so called brother that you loved me was the least you could do, he says and I blush.

-Bernardo! I scold. He laughs as he jumps from my arms into the apartment. He turns around and looks at me.

-I guess I'll see you around, I say sadly. Bernardo leans forward and captures my lips.

-You will see me many times, he smiles. I nod happily as he pushes Tony out and closes the door.

And boy did we see each other many, many times after that....