Being alone wasn't anything new for me. I've been on my own my whole life. Not that I minded most of the time. I've always been the quiet type that no one pays attention too, well almost no one. The socs would get out of line sometimes. I wasn't much of a target to them though. I never did much to make them want to jump me. Although I guess sometimes you are just stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. You see there are two types of people, greasers and socs. Greasers are the white trash hoods. That's what I am considered. Stealing and fighting is what we do best. Socs, well socs are white trash with money. Getting drunk, riding around in their expensive cars, and spending their mommies and daddies money is what they do. Socs are nothing but trouble. They feel so high and mighty compared to us greasers. I guess you could say they are the reason I am here in Tulsa, walking alone in the rain.

My red hair was soaked along with my thin denim jacket and jeans. It's been a couple of days since I've had anything to eat, but that's nothing new to me. My mom is always too high to buy food, and dad is nothing more than a drunk bastard. My parents don't care about me. I don't think they even care about each other for that mater. Only the toxins they abuse all day long. They are the other reason I am here now. Maybe I am meant to be alone. I've never let anyone get close enough to make friends, at least not real ones. It's just always been easier not to care about anyone but myself because then no one can ever hurt me. I've always been a loner, an outsider.

I tightened my arms around my thin frame, hoping to gain warmth if possible. No help there, it was probably ten o'clock or so, and I desperately needed to get out of the rain. But I had nowhere to go, so I just kept walking. After a while my body was numb from the cold, I had to stop. I found a house that looked dry at least. I could hear voices of men laughing, yelling and telling jokes. I carefully crouched down by the door to make sure that I could make a run for it if anyone exited the house.I hugged my knees to my chest, tying to gain any warmth I could. It was going to be a rough night, but then again I've had worse. After a while the house became silence, and my muscles began to relax and I drifted off to sleep.

Next Morning

The next morning I woke up stiff and cold. My clothes were still slightly damp from the rain as well. "Great" I muttered to myself trying to stretch out my legs while leaning against the house. Today was not going to be fun. I didn't have much money left, and I had to find a job, and somewhere to sleep besides strange porches. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize some one was opening the door.

"What the? Soda I think one of your fan girls is stalking you!" a stocky boy yelled out. SHIT! I pushed myself off the house and tried to run away but the boy caught me before I could get too far. Instantly I started flailing my arms and legs trying to get loose. That did no good. This guy was way too strong.

"Let go of me!" I screeched

"Calm down!" he instructed holding my arm tighter "Soda get out here!"

I was still kicking and screaming when a gorgeous boy with black hair walked out. He obviously didn't want to deal with this at the moment, and I didn't either. I was livid at this point. I can't believe I let myself get caught. I know better than to let my guard down and now this idiot won't let me go.

"What are you doing to do pour soda on me, you stupid jackass"

The first boy just laughed "She's a feisty one" I glared up at him. My body must have been past its limit because before I knew it I got light-headed and my entire body went limp causing me to fall into his arms. To make matters worse about four other guys gathered around watching the scene play out. Well this is just great I thought to myself.

"Who's the braud Two-Bit?" asked a really tough looking guy lighting up a cigarette

"I thought she was one of Soda's fan girls"

"I've never seen her in my life"

"Can you just let me go?" I asked defeated.

The boy named Two-Bit let's go of me. Some how I managed to get to a railing to steady myself so I wouldn't collapse in front of everyone. As I am about to walk away from the horrific scene, someone grabbed my arm yet again. I am too weak to do anything and almost wither towards the person.

"What's your name baby?

I didn't say anything half because my voice was hoarse from screaming and half because I was scared. All the boys dug their eyes into me as I just looked down trying to ignore them. The hand tightened around my arm making me wince.

"What you too good to tell me your name?"

I wrenched my face in pain and muttered "my name is California"

"Ha, why don't you come to my place and we can get you out of those damp clothes and in my bed"

I feel my stomach drop and use any strength I have to try to push away from him. This was a mistake of course because he only squeezes my arm tighter causing me to cry out in pain this time.

" Hey stop! You're hurting her!" one of the boys say to him

"Shut the fuck up" he warned glaring at the gorgeous boy from before. No one else said anything to him after that.

At that point I didn't dare to move or say a word myself. I just felt like crying but I knew I wouldn't, not here and not in front of all these guys.

Suddenly I hear the door open again and I look up and see another person emerge from the house. He is tall and older than the rest of the boys around me.

"What's going on out here?

"Two-Bit found this girl outside our house and Dally got mad at her for not answering his questions"

"Hey! I told you to shut your damn mouth!"

I could feel the oldest boy or man I guess you could say looking down on me but I didn't care to meet his gaze with my own.

"Bring her inside. I don't want the neighbors getting the wrong idea" he says sternly

Without another word I led into the house. I looked up at him with my eyes wide. I wanted to fight them but I had no strength and my arm was hurting pretty bad. The tough guy who I am assuming is named Dally took me inside and pushed me onto the couch roughly. The room was completely and utterly silent. And let me tell you it was the most awkward silence you could imagine. I was like an ant compared to the guys surrounding me. Not to mention how tuff they all looked. They were definitely greasers and I was scared shitless at this point. I didn't dare to look at them.

"So your name is California?" I simply nodded my head without caring who was even asking.

"And what exactly were you doing outside of my house?" this time I looked the boy straight in the eye and in a somewhat clear voice I explained that I accidentally fell asleep there when I was trying to get out of the rain last night. Each of the boys looked at me as if I was a circus freak or something.

Finally one of the boys spoke up, "Where do you live?"

"Colorado" I muttered

"What are you doing here then?!" a younger boy exclaimed.

I stared him straight in the eyes and frowned. He was obviously the youngest one there, and the least tough.

"None of your business" I said sternly. I had answered their questions and I was ready to leave. But of course the moment I attempted to get up I was shoved back into the couch. I really hated that they thought they could push me around because I was a little girl who showed up on their door step.

"Hey we ain't done with you" I crossed my arms and glared at them.

"If this is how you pick up chicks, it's really pathetic"

The room burst out in laughter. I however stayed silent. What more did they need to know about me? I looked at the boys in front of me then back down to my lap once the laughter had subsided.

"Well Cali, I'll make a deal with you" Two-Bit smirked "if you answer all our questions you can kiss me"

I rolled my eyes and slouched back into the couch. Really? This was ridiculous! What I really wanted to do was forget this even happened. These guys were wasting my time.

Before I knew it my thoughts were interrupted by my stomach growling ferociously. I grabbed it as if telling it to shut up. But that didn't help much. I just sighed and looked up at them with pleading eyes.

"how about you guys settle this at Dingo's? You obviously need some food and I have to get to work now" The oldest boy mentioned. I simply nodded my head and got up. I did need food, and maybe they would leave me alone afterwards.

I followed in the back watching the boys as they walked and joked around, occasionally looking back at me. It was obvious they were talking about me. I just ignored it and kept walking.

Soda's POV

We were walking to Dingo's to grab a bite to eat. This morning was quite a surprise. I wonder why she came all the way to Tulsa. I mean it's not the nicest place on earth, and it's so far away from Colorado. But it was obvious she didn't have the greatest life.

"So what do you think of Cali Baby?" Steve asked "Awful pretty don;t you think Ponyboy?"

Pony blushed and looked down at his feet. He had stared at her the whole time. We all laughed at his embarrassment. California was in fact a very pretty girl. Not like most greaser girls either. She didn't bat a lash at any of us. She was probably a good girl. Not very trusting though.

"Aw, lay off him Steve" I nudged Pony "She seems nice"

"Yeah nice in bed"

I looked back at her one last time to see her trailing behind us.

The rest of the way was about the same. Making jokes, and talking about Cali. It wasn't too crowded when we got there. Some greasers and a couple of Socs where there. We sat down and pulled two tabled together. Much to her disliking California sat in-between me and Two-Bit. The waitress came to take our ordered and Dally and Two-Bit began hitting on her. Typical.

"Question time Cali Baby" she rolled her eyes at Two-Bit. She obviously didn't like her new nickname. "How old are you?"

She uttered the word sixteen. Her voice soft and monotone.

"You're the same age as Johnny" Pony commented. She looked across the table at Johnny who looked away and Blushed. He was always shy, even around the gang. The only ones he really talked too were Pony and Dally. Everyone knew why though. He didn't have the greatest family, so Dally looked out for him a lot.

"Why'd you come to Tulsa?" She looked down at her hands, and took a deep breath.

"I just had to get away from things." She didn't move her eyes away from her hands and in return none of us looked away from her. We were hooked. She was like a book waiting to be read. All of us wanted to know more about this mysterious girl who shoed up on our doorstep.