Chapter 1: Just The Beginning

Joann's POV:

"YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY DAUGHTER AWAY! SHE HAS A LIFE AHEAD OF HER. SHE WON'T SPEND HER REMAINING YEARS WITH A DRUNKEN FATHER WHO HAS NEVER BEEN THERE FOR HER! SHE'S EIGHTEEN, SHE CAN HAVE THE CHOICE TO GO WITH YOU OR NOT!" I heard my mother yell inside the house. The fight between my mother and my father has been goin' on for as long as I could remember; maybe even when I was a baby. My father was almost never there for me. He was always a drunk, he was never home when I was little. And when he was home, he was only there to get money for more beer, to yell at me or my mother, or just to sleep. It's horrible, I can't stand it anymore!

"I DON'T NEED A DUMB BROAD TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY KID." I heard him yell inside, smashing his beer glass onto the floor. That's when I cringed. I've been standing outside for hours on end ever since my father came home last night. I can't stand the sight to even look at him. My parents' yelling is so loud the whole entire Greaser neighborhood can hear it. Some people even stopped by to ask if I was fine. I normally am, just a little bit shaken up from the yelling. I should be used to it by now, but I just can't bring myself to it.

My father steps outside and grumbles words to himself. He's a large man, and quite frankly, he's very muscular as well for his age. He can beat anybody up, and that's what scares me the most. He only slapped me once for getting into the middle of his "conversation" with my mother. That's why I always stay outside when he's home. He shoots a troubled glare toward my direction, snarling and walking to his old, run-down vehicle. He starts it up and drives away.

"GOODNESS, THAT MAN!" my mother shrieks, slamming one of the doors inside the house. I sigh deeply and begin to walk around the neighborhood.

Oh, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Joann Caverly, but people call me Jo, Joey, or sometimes even Sunshine on how I'm always so happy. Which really, it's the truth. I always try to look toward the bright side of things, even how crummy my household troubles may be. I am definitely a Greaser, yessiree. Although I don't grease my hair back, I don't wear those snobby and skimpy dresses that the other Greaser girls wear. I don't smoke, but I don't mind the smell. I just hate the taste. The same with beer or any other alcohol; except for wine. I actually kinda like wine.

I have long, black curly hair that goes to the middle of my back. Really, CURLY hair. Extremely curly. Not too curly to be a hassle in the mornin', but pretty damn curly. You shoulda seen my hair when I was six. THAT was a hassle. My skin is pale and fragile, very easy to get burned. Weird, huh? I have a freckles across my cheeks and nose, and I have big and bright emerald eyes. My lips are full, which that's the downside of my figure. My friends back in high school said I looked good with my thick lips, they said it was extremely kissable. I just ignored 'em, I don't understand. But in a way, I don't care what other people think about me. I have perfect white teeth when I smile, and I have a birthmark on my neck and a birthmark above my upper lip towards the right side.

I only had one boyfriend during high school, and it didn't even last too long. Of course, we kissed a few times and cuddled; thankfully we didn't go too far. It was only a short time when I found him making out with another girl, half-naked in my living room couch. MY LIVING ROOM! What the hell! What kind of guy cheats on his girlfriend in her living room couch? So I slapped him, kicked him out with his new girlfriend, and cried for a few hours. It only took me about a day or so to get over him. All I did was watch a full-on marathon of I Love Lucy and eating half a box of Mike & Ikes. Nothin' too much.

I've lived my life as a poor Greaser for many years. It ain't too bad once you know how to manage it all. I work at Paramount Diner right across from the DX. It's an okay job. I go home with leftovers at times, and I made a few friends. The pay is good at least. I recently took the job, and I think I'm getting the hang of things there. I've came across a few rude customers, throwing the money at me when they're pissed off at somethin'. I just sucked it up and gave them my attitude back, and that made me feel real good.

I waited about twenty more minutes and thought my mom would be cooled down by now. I walked back inside, shutting the door quietly. My ma was doing the dishes.

"Hi mama." I say, smiling at her and walking over to help her by putting away the dishes.

"Hi Jo." she begins. "How was work today?"

"It was okay. I got a few tips, so maybe that can get us some groceries for the week." I say, placing the plates and cups away in the cupboard.

"That's good. I was planning to go shopping tomorrow anyways."

Mother and I always carried on our conversations after the fight between her and my father as if nothing really happened. I'd like to keep it that way. She hates talking about it as much as I do.

"So, have you met any cute boys yes?" my mother chimes.

"Mooommm!" I say with an annoyed tone.

"I'm being serious here, Joey!" mother laughs. "I know you've been lonely since your last boyfriend has cheated on you. That little shit…" mom mumbles under her breath. I just giggle softly and smile.

"I ain't lonely, mama. I've got you, 'member?" I say, finishing putting the dishes away.

"I know, I know." She says in a sing-song tone, drying her hands with a cloth. I go off to grab any of our dirty laundry and putting it all in a bag. "Ma, I'm going to the Laundromat. Need anything extra from the stores?" I ask.

"No, it's fine. Don't be back late!"

"I'll try not to. These stores are always crowded on Fridays." I say. "I'll be back soon!"

And I went off like that. The Laundromat wasn't too far from here, just a couple blocks down from the Greaser neighborhood. Honestly, this all ain't a bad place until the Socs come along with their Mustangs and Corvettes. The Soc boys hit on any lady, even Greaser girls. They treat 'em all like shit, but what do you expect? They're spoiled. It's the same with most Soc girls. They wear fancy clothes and drive fancy cars; they brag about boyfriends and the prom. I only had one Soc friend, and she wasn't any like those. It's a shame she moved to Washington in her senior year in high school.

I was wearing a denim jacket with my sleeves rolled ¾ the way up with a pale yellow shirt under. I had dark jeans that fell right to my knees that were slightly rolled up, and sneakers with my socks rolled down. My jeans were lightly ripped, and my jacket was ripped up around the shoulder areas. My hair was clipped up with many of my curled tendrils falling down to the side of my face. I didn't look trashy, but I sure didn't look like a damn Soc. Hell, I don't even wear make-up. I don't wanna start Halloween early.

I arrive in the Laundromat moments later, looking for an open washer. I finally found one next to a haggard-looking old lady who looked like she owned many cats. I shiver a bit, but I walk toward there and dump the clothes inside, adding the soap and softener and turning it on. I slip in a few quarters just for extra, and then I sit and wait. I hated going to the Laundromat. Not only there's bizarre looking people there, but people can take out your damn clothes from the washing machine and put their own inside. That's what pisses me off the most about this place. I also hate the wait. It's so boring! I wish they added a small TV here, or maybe add a little music. I looked over to my left and saw a Soc guy making out with some skank, being "intimate". 'Really? In here?' I ask myself in my head, snorting a bit and shaking my head. 'Why the hell do I care? This is Tulsa, it happens everywhere.' I smirk a bit and wait a bit longer, crossing my legs.

When the washer finally finished, I jumped up and walked over to put it in the dryer, placing in some quarters. I don't like to dry 'em for too long because it takes too long. So what I normally do is I dry it halfway there. Then I set them outside to dry for about half an hour. It saves both time and money.

As I wait, I began to think about my high school years and how I should be in college by now. Really, as much as I wanted to go to college, I just can't. There's no way in hell my father would help us with the bills and the house. Somebody's gotta help my poor mother. I took the responsibility of helping her, doing more chores and taking a job. I might go to college sometime later in the future, but I'm now more focused on helping my mother.

Much later, the dryer FINALLY finished the clothes. I take them out and set them back in the bag I came with, walking out of the Laundromat and going back home. I look up to see the sun setting. I loved watching the sunset as much as I loved watching the sunrise. The beautiful amethyst and golden colors mixed together, rays of bright pink flowing through the sky. I just love it. I also love laying in the night and watching the stars with a cup of hot chocolate. I used to do that with my friends in high school. Such good memories flow through my head whenever I see the sunset. I sure do miss those years.

I luckily didn't get jumped by any Soc on my way back, so I hurriedly ran back inside my home. "Mama, I'm home!"

"Okay, good. Bring the clothes so we can fold 'em." She says. I walk on over and dump the clothes on the bed. Surprisingly, they're not as damp as I thought they would be. I begin to grab them and fold them neatly, putting them away in my mother's drawer and my own drawer in my room.

I grab my pajamas; which were boy pajamas that I bought from the store. I felt uncomfortable wearing nightgowns. I usually wear silky plaid pajama pants and a T-shirt that goes with it. It just feels so comfortable on me. I go and take a shower, thinking back on the last time I had a real crush in high school. 'What's up with all these memories?' I ask myself in my head. 'I'm almost never like this; I always move forward. Maybe mama is right, I do need a boyfriend.' I laugh softly at my silly idea and step out of the shower, brushing my teeth and getting dressed in my pajamas. When I step out, I go to my mother.

"Ma, I have work tomorrow, so I'm goin' to bed early." I let her know.

"Okay, dear. Good night." Says mom.

"Night, ma." I bid her a goodnight and go to my room, uncovering the sheets and shutting off the lamp. Maybe work tomorrow won't be too bad… I soon drift off into sleep, dreaming of Mike & Ikes, sunsets, and laundry.

Darry's POV:

For some reason, it's been an extremely long day for me. Work, bills, prying Two-Bit off of Pony in the mini-wrestling match in the middle of our kitchen, and makin' sure Dally doesn't get too drunk again and bring girls home here. I just feel that I need a break, somethin' to ease my mind.

"Hey Steve, have ya seen the new waitress in the diner?" I heard Soda ask Steve as they walk inside our home.

"She's a looker, huh?" Steve chuckles and takes off his DX uniform. "We should visit her sometime, maybe talk with her for a bit. She's a Greaser like us, ain't she?"

"Yeah, I seen her 'round here. She sure don't look like one, but she's a nice gal. She looks around our age or Darry's age."

I heard the conversation go on for a bit as I continue to pay the bills. 'My age, huh?' I ask myself in my head. 'I might just visit her as well.' No-no-no! I'm too busy with work, I don't have time to take breaks and talk with girls. But somethin' is telling me that I should at least see her for myself. It's been a while since I've got myself a girl. Hell, even Pony's gettin' some girls himself! Pony's fifteen now and he has the ladies lining up. I really do need to have a break.

"Soda, I might stop by the diner tomorrow. I haven't eaten there in a while. Just to drop by or somethin'." I say as I look up from paying the bills.

"Sure, Darry." Says Soda, sitting on the couch and groaning softly from the day's work.

"And go shower. You smell like a gas station." I say.

"Noooo, really?" says Soda in a sarcastic tone. "I never knew!"

I smirked a bit and put the bills away, stretching. "Pony, you doin' your homework?" I ask.

"Aw, Darry! It's Friday! I have a date with Diane in half an hour!" whines Pony.

"Then work on it now before you leave." I command.

"Alright, alright. Jeez." Says Pony, dragging his feet to his room to do his homework. I shake my head a bit and go on with my other things; cooking, cleaning, and making sure Soda does the dishes and Pony does his homework while I make sure the gang doesn't mess up our home. Again.

Hours has gone by and Pony has came back from his date to see Johnny crashed on the couch, snoring softly.

"Johnny'll stay here for the night. Maybe for the next couple of days, his folks are givin' him more trouble than usual lately." I say reluctantly, sitting next to Pony.

"Damn." He mutters. "Alright. Well, Johnny and I have plans for tomorrow anyways, so I guess this is a head start." He chuckles. "Night, Darry."

"Night, Pony." I say. I then change out of my clothes into my boxers and go into my room, crashing on how exhausted I am. My mind begins to wonder on the new girl in the diner that Soda and Steve were talking 'bout earlier. Do I really need a girlfriend now? I asked myself. Maybe I'm just tired of being alone or left out.