A/N I don't own anything S.E Hinton has created.

Prologue

It was late at night and I sat at the dining table eating dinner listening to my mom talk about my social skills. I love my mom but she is far too invested in my social life, in the past few weeks she has even mentioned my lack of male suitors. I think she is the only mom in town who wants her daughter to be dating, thankfully my dad still thinks no one is ever going to touch me until I'm over 30 and he's dead in the ground.

My mom was currently telling me that I needed to put myself out there, if I did I would have plenty of friends in no time.

I don't think she necessarily gets what's going on with my peers at the moment, I would like to say if she did that she would never let me out of the house but that wouldn't be true. My mom is one of those people who always sees the best in anyone, she's just plain friendly and has never had an issue with finding friends.

Me though I'm a nobody at school, invisible even. I think I kind of like it, sure it gets lonely sometimes but then a few Socs beat up a greaser or the other way round and being a loner is a blessing.

You see in this town there are the Socs and the Greasers or the Greasers and the Socs, if you ask either group about the kids who are in the middle you would get strong denials of there being such a thing. Both gangs seemed to think sooner or later those who don't take part will have to choose a side. Maybe they are right?

I live in the North-East side of town with my folks, we're not rich but both my mom and dad work hard to make sure I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in belly. Compared to some on the North side we have it good. I've thought about working to help them out but they insist school is the only work I need to do.

"You know? I was a lot bigger than you when I was your age. Still by putting myself out there I had a good group of friends."

I looked up from my plate to see that my mom was waffling on repeating some of her favourite gems, I just smiled and nodded.

I'm not the skinniest girl, mom was convinced this was the reason I didn't have many friends and that my weight was affecting my confidence. I admit it wasn't fun being a fuller figure at a school where most of the girls were very dainty and the ones that weren't usually had big boobs, small waist and wide hips, a 'Hourglass' figure. I had the boobs and the hips but the waist was a little larger than the other curvy girls at school, I wore conservative clothing so I probably looked dumpy more than anything. Before she graduated Allie Rowen was the largest girl at school, I've since taken her place so I get a few oinks here and there but honestly people are so caught up in their own drama filled lives they just ignore me.

Mom loved to tell the story of her own teenage years about how she had the best group of girlfriends and how she managed to gain the attention of a suave war hero 'Captain Wheat', my father, all while been the town's wallflower. I don't think my mom has ever been a wallflower, she is a loud vivacious woman who instantly sees the good in anyone, not a wallflower at all. That's how she caught the attention of my dad, she had personality.

I was currently watching my mom tell the story of attracting the attention of my father. She told the story like it was pride and prejudice of the modern ages, my father the cold handsome Captain and my mother the smart witty wallflower. My mom is so happy when she talks about her early days with my dad, he looks at her with the most loving gaze. My father is quite a serious man but he compliments my mom's sprightly personality.

After finishing her story with her food barely touched she grabs my hand "I love you Lou, I just want what's best for you."

I groan inside, I know what's coming she's going to tell me she wants me to have what she had. She does this every few months usually after meeting up with my 'Aunt' Sara and reminiscing their youth.

"I love you too mom but I'm ok." I smile at her.

She looks at me like she doesn't believe me but that's because she doesn't.

"I just don't want you stuck in the house all summer. You're young and no matter how much you wish it wasn't true, being able to hold a conversation is an important life skill".

"I won't be in the house all summer, Mimi will be visiting then we'll be at her Oma's house"

My mom removes her hand from mine the proceeds to pick up a slice of bread to soak up the remaining gravy on her plate. "Mimi will only be here for a 2 weeks Lou, that leaves you with 7 weeks lying around the house"

"I don't understand what you want me to say, I just don't have anything in common with the kids at school."

The gravy drenched bread is still on her plate untouched, she looks to my dad at the end of the table. So far he has kept quiet listening to her tales but when she looks at him he knows he now has to back up her idea, within reason.

"Lou, your mother wants you to make friends." He said in a bored voice, this conversation was getting old. "So make them."

"It's not that easy" I say with a whine.

"It's not that hard" he gave me a warm smile having the last word.

We will have this conversation again next month when my other 'Aunt' Elaina comes from Oklahoma City for a catch-up but for tonight it's over with.

I finished my dinner and after helping my mom to clear up I went to bed. The fleeting thoughts before I went to bed betrayed my view that I didn't need nor want friends.

A/N I've just recently started to write creatively for the first time since I was 12 so I know my writing won't be top notch so I would appreciate any feedback and tips to improve.