The First Look

The first time I saw the greasers I was 14 years old. My parents, my brother and I were just coming out of the country club. My mother was fussing at me for the way I did my hair. I guess it just wasn't good enough, but nothing really was for her.

We started to cross the street when a car came flying toward us. The driver slammed on the brakes and beeped his horn.

My brother stopped and looked at the beat up car. "You are out of your territory greasers." He sounded angry.

The guy in the car smiled. "Just run along with mommy and daddy Soc."

My brother started toward the car, but my dad grabbed his arm. "Ignore the trash son." He straightened and walked with us to the other side of the road.

I watched as the car passed us. The driver flipped us off, but the guy in the passenger seat smacked him upside the head. "Hey she is just a kid. She didn't do anything."

"They are all the same," he said as they drove away.

My brother put his arm around me and guided me away.

"You are not to talk to those boys Lizzie."

I was starting high school the next day. Up until then I had went to an all-girl private school.

"They are dangerous," he continued.

"They are trash and I will not allow you to be anywhere near them Elizabeth." My mother said in her shrill voice.

I looked to the ground. I hated when she yelled at me. I didn't even do anything.

My brother hugged me to him. "I will look out for her." My brother was sticking up for me. He always did.

My mother dropped it. I didn't understand how they could hate people just for looking different. They seemed like normal boys to me. The one boy even stood up for me.

The next day I got ready for school. I was nervous. I had never been to public school. My mother said she wanted me to be refined and go to a private school. I knew her real reason to send me away though. She wanted me out of her hair. She never wanted another child. My brother is the only child my parents needed and wanted.

I looked in the mirror and frowned. My mother was making me wear a pink frilly dress. Most girls my age and station would have loved this dress, but I never felt like I was one of them. I guess that is why my mom sent me away.

"Elizabeth, hurry up!" My mother shouted. "Your brother can't be late for school."

I ran down the stairs with my backpack. "I'm ready Bob." I hurry out the door not wanting to talk to my mother.

He came out in his football jacket. He was a star. He was a perfect soc, but an even better brother. I knew that he was the only one that loved me in this family. No one wrote to me when I was at boarding school but him. He looked out for me. I knew that he drank a lot, but he always kept that part away from me.

We pulled up into the parking lot. My brother had a spot saved for his car near the front. It was a perk for being on the football team.

He stopped the car and looked over at me. "Hey be careful today. Stay with the Soc girls. Cherry said she would help you get around." I nod. "And remember stay away from those greasers."

"Okay Bob." I nod and take a deep breath.

"It will be alright sis." Bob smiled at me and hugged me. He was the only one that cared about me.

I nodded again and walked up to the school. Cherry was there to greet us. Bob tried to kiss her lips, but she turned her head so he kissed her cheek. She was a proper girl. She was the girl my mother wanted as a daughter. I just couldn't be like her.

Cherry smiled at me. "Hey, Lizzie. Let's get you to class."

I nod and follow her. She helped me most of the day. She was a nice girl, and I was glad my brother was dating her. He needed nice in his life. I knew that he went out and drank on the weekends. There were rumors of him beating greasers up. I didn't want to believe them. My brother was not as perfect as people thought, but he was still the only thing I had.

After school I went to find Bob. He was at football practice, so I had to wait for him to get done. As I walked outside I saw a Soc cornering a younger looking boy. He looked my age. I could tell he was not a soc. He was a greaser, but he looked scared.

"I said give me your money punk." The Soc got in his face.

"I don't have any….now you better watch it….I have friends." He was trying to sound tough.

"Well I don't see any of them you filthy greaser. I think you should watch it."

He shoved the kid against the fence and punched him.

"Hey!" Before I knew what I was doing I ran over and pushed the tall Soc boy. "Let him go."

"This isn't your business Bitch." He looked at me and then stopped. "I mean…..hey I'm sorry…..I didn't mean to call you that….."

He backed up. "Don't tell your brother okay? I will just leave him be."

I found my bravery a little. "Just get out of here."

He turned and jogged to his cool car.

The kid looked at me. "Ummm….thanks…." He wiped his mouth where blood started to drip.

"No need to thank me. I….I just couldn't let him hurt you."

He straightened. "Oh I would have been fine….It's not the first beaten I've got."

I cringe a little. "Well I am glad I could help….I'm Elizabeth by the way, but you can call me Lizzie."

He nodded. "I'm Johnny Cade."

"It's nice to meet you." I smile a little.

"Elizabeth, what are you doing?" My brother came over to me and grabbed my arm. He pulled me to him. "I told you not to talk to this trash."

"Bob I was just…."

"I told you to stay away from them!" He was yelling now. He turned to Johnny. "Get the hell out of my sight you dirty greaser, and you better stay away from my sister."

"Bob he didn't do anyth….."

"Shut up!" He yelled at me and I could smile the alcohol. He must have been drinking after practice. He never yells at me and tears came to my eyes.

Johnny looked at him. "Hey don't yell at her. She didn't do anything. She was just asking if I saw you…."

He lied, but it sounded better than the truth.

Bob looked at him and then me. "Get in the car Elizabeth."

I nodded and jogged to the car.

"Greaser if I see you again you will be sorry."

Johnny walked away in a hurry. My brother was a different person when it came to the greasers.

Bob got in the car. "I better never see you talk to them again. If you want to find me, you ask someone else."

I nod and wipe the tears away. He drove us home and I couldn't talk to him the rest of the evening. I was thankful though that he didn't tell our parents.