Disclaimer: I only own Bleu.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~Chapter 1: Bleu Arrives~*~*~*~*~*~*~

          I caught sight of the clock on the wall that read 7:02 and nervously pushed my shiny auburn hair out of my face. When I'm nervous or scared, I study my hair and try to figure out what color it is. It takes my mind off everything else. My cousin's friend laughed and called me crazy after he had watched me study my hair for at least half an hour. I told you, it takes my mind off of everything. My hair has an equal distribution of light brown and red natural highlights, which is why I can't say for sure whether it is brown or red. I usually go with auburn, because it sounds better and it's relatively close to my hair color.

          The train suddenly stopped, and I was jerked forward. I accidentally pulled some strands of hair out of my head, and winced.

          "We've arrived at Tulsa, Oklahoma!" a deep voice boomed over the intercom.

          I paled. This was my stop. All sorts of questions rushed through my mind. What if no one told my aunt and uncle I was coming? What if my cousin didn't want a girl in his house? Would his friends recognize me? How will they treat me?

          I shook my head fiercely, trying to rid my mind of these awful questions. I hate when I get myself all worked up over nothing.

          Just then I saw three teenage boys hop onto the train. I instantly recognized my cousin Johnny as one of them

          "Johnny!" I cried happily, making my way over to him. I wrapped him in a big hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

          Johnny laughed and put his arm around my shoulder. "What's going on, Bleu?"

          I was glad he called me by my nickname and not my real name. I hated the name Bethany; I don't know what was wrong with my parents. Mentioning my parents to myself gave me a quick shudder, and thankfully no one noticed. Just then I noticed something different about Johnny; he had a long scar running from his temple to his chin. I didn't think much of it though; he probably got in a fight or fell down the stairs or something.

One of Johnny's friends grinned at me and stated, "You didn't need to pull out your hair waitin' for me, doll. I came as soon as I could!"

I frowned, and he motioned to my hand. I was still clutching the hair that I accidentally pulled out when the train stopped. I laughed, and replied, "I know, Two-Bit. I was just worried I would never see you again!"

We all laughed, and Johnny put his hand on the third guy's shoulder. "Oh hey Bleu, this is Dallas Winston. He was in the cooler last time you came around."

Dallas winked at me. "Everyone calls me Dally around here."

I stuck my hand out. "Nice to meet you, Dally."

He shook my hand. "Back at you."

Johnny looked around the train. "I guess we better get your bags before the train starts up again. Which one is yours, Bleu?"

I jogged over and picked up a medium sized blue suitcase. "This one!"

Two-Bit offered to carry my bag, and I agreed. We all walked in the direction of Johnny's house, soon to be mine too.

The closer we got to his house, I noticed, the pale Johnny got. Finally, when he was as white as Dally's hair, I asked, "Johnny, what's wrong?"

He spun around to face me, and there was fear in his eyes. "Eh, nothin' Bleu."

I raised my eyebrow and said what was on my mind. "Johnny, you're as white as Dally's hair."

Dally turned around. "Hey, this is blond, thank you very much," he replied, rubbing his head.

I giggled, and Johnny gulped and let out, "Bleu, I don't think you should stay at my house."

The smile slowly slid away from my face. The questions I thought about on the train returned. He really didn't want me. Was it because I was a girl?

I tried not to let my voice quiver as I said, "Why not, Johnny?"

He looked at the ground. "I don't want my folks to abuse you like they do me," he said softly.

My mouth widened. "What?" I asked, "What do they do Johnnycake?"

Johnny looked up at me. "It's nothin I can't handle, Bleu, but you should stay at the Curtis'. I'll probably come around too."

I nodded and swallowed. Suddenly I remembered that Dally and Two-Bit were still there. I looked up at them, and then to Johnny. We all walked to the Cutis' in silence.

Please review!!