I met the gang on a warm summer day when I was 15 and living on my own. Well, what I mean is that I was currently staying with my Uncle Rodney who was a drunk and a dead beat, most of the time I had to take care of myself. But who am I kidding? I was taking care of myself. Most of the time I stayed at Buck Merrils place, I even had my own room upstairs, thats what bullying the guy can get you. Dont get me wrong, Its not like Im real mean or anything,I just do what I gotta ya know?
I was walking down the street with my hands practically buried inside my jeans pockets. I passed by a trio of greaser girls who upturned their noses at the sight of me. I gave a scoff, lookin down on me just cause I don't wear a dollar bill with two pennies. It wasn't that long a walk from Buck's to the destination I was heading towards, the library sat just on an invisible line that separated the greaser territory from the Soc's. Ironically, this of course was the only library, so everyone went here. Surprisingly there have only been a coupl'a fights.
When I first discovered the library, I remember feelin mighty ashamed walking inside and getting a few stares from some of the people inside. Just by looking at me, you could tell I was a Greaser, from my sleeveless t-shirt, leather vest, and scuffed up Chuck Taylor's. I was proud of who I was though. Eventually the more I came to the library the less stares I got, I guess they got used to me.
Walking up the marble steps, my leg muscles slightly quivered reminding me that I needed to find a meal sometime. However, all my worries at the moment dissapeared as soon as I pushed open the door. A couple of Soc boys wearing striped madras tried to corner me as I was selecting a book from the Greek tragedies section. I was in one of the farthest ones, out of sight, out of hearing.
'Hey Tom, look there, a Greaser who thinks she can read' I clenched my teeth at their laughter and spun around on my heel. Giving both boys a once over before scoffing, ignoring them seemed to be the best option. Lord knows who's side the librarian would buy..lets just say that the situation would end with me on my rear end out the doors. Obviously they didnt take the hint, I could feel them creeping up behind me. 'Why dontcha answer me when Im talkin to ya' the boy with the orangish hair snarled.
I was about to reach into my back pocket for a weapon like I had seen so many other Greasers do. Feeling no lump reminded me to get a blade or somethin real soon. Bringin my hands into fists at my sides I thought I was done for..until a boy who looked to be about 14 stepped in front of them from the aisle right in front of the one I was in. 'Why don't you leave her alone?' Both boys turned around at the exact moment the librarian walked into an aisle or two behind us shelving books. They exchanged looks with each other before turning back to me. 'This aint over yet. You better watch it.' They walked passed the boy and gave him a light shove. I noticed his hands were fisted like, mine.
His hard expression loosened up a bit when he bent down to pick up my book I had dropped. 'Thanks for stickin up for me' I said in a quiet voice. I wasn't to good with people, if you catch my drift. He handed me my book , 'No trouble. I dunno who they think they are..tryin to mess with someone in here. And a girl at that.' We both stood. 'My names Ponyboy Curtis.' He stuck out his hand, and I noticed that his eyes were a mix between gray and green. More green in my opinion. ' Ponyboy..I like that. I'm Aisilinn.' (Readers- Ays-lynn,with a long A) We shook hands.
I ended up sitting with him at a table, each of us reading our books in silence. I glanced up and saw he was reading Poems by Robert Frost, his brows were scrunched up a bit like he was thinking of something mighty hard. He looked up and caught me staring. 'I just cant understand this one poem' he shut the book and stood up, I followed suit. 'Im sorry, you don't gotta leave. I'll go.' 'No no no! Its alright. I just feel like doin somethin else is all' I could feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment. 'Wanna come with me? I figured I could just walk around or somethin' I almost didnt answer the question..I never had someone ask me to do something with them before.
That was the beginning of a friendship with Ponyboy, who would later become one of my best friends.