I woke up, my mind foggy from the fall. I could hear a distant voice, but it somehow felt close to me. I tried opening my eyes, but my vision was very blurred.
"Shit, Soph. I told you I didn't want to do it!" I said, my voice croaky and hoarse. My head was thumping so loud I could hardly hear myself.
"She's pretty bad." I heard a male voice say.
"James, is that you? Please don't tell my dad!" I exclaimed, thinking it was the shopkeeper. I tried sitting up, but I felt strong hands lay me back down.
"Relax. You took a pretty hard fall," the voice said again. My eyes started to clear up, and I saw a boy, about 15 or 16, kneeling next to me. There was an elderly lady stood next to him, glasses perched on the end of her nose. Confusion swept over my face as I realised I didn't recognise either of these people.
"I didn't mean to startle you, but I thought you was hurt and needed help." He said quietly. He was wearing an old white t-shirt with a pair of blue jeans and the same shoes as me. He had green eyes and brown hair that was slicked back with pomade, so much so that it was glistening under the harsh lights.
"Who the hell are you?" I asked, completely puzzled. I looked around me, and saw shelves and shelves of books.
"And where the hell am I?!"
He looked scared.
"You're in the library, little miss. Please mind your language in here. There's people readin'!" She told me, clucking her tongue and shaking her head.
"Sorry, I'm just a little shook up." I said, trying to stand up again. My head started spinning, and I winced in pain as I realised I'd grazed my knee on the way down.
"It's okay, missy. Just be more careful next time you want to grab a book. The chairs aren't all that stable." She warned me, smiling placidly.
I looked around, and saw the exact chair from the antique store with one of the legs broken off.
"Can I please get up?" I asked the young boy. He nodded, and gently helped me up, putting his arm around me to stop me taking another fall.
"Thanks. Where's Sophie?" I asked, still puzzled about the whole situation.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"No-one was here. You were on your own," he told me, sitting me down on a nearby chair. I was shocked.
"What town am I in?"
"Uhh, Tulsa. In Oklahoma?" He told me shyly. He looked really concerned. But at least I was near home. But then, I noticed how he was dressed. Not many boys these days dress like that. Then I noticed that there were no colourful kids books, or any computers or printers like most libraries. And all the people who were in the library were dressed in old fashioned clothes.
"And what year is it?" I asked, the words sounding crazy as soon as they left my mouth.
"Its 1966," he told me. My heart dropped.
No way. How did I get here? How was I going to get home? I had so many emotions running through me that I felt numb.
"Do you live nearby?" He asked. I shook my head.
"I-I can't remember," I told him. I lived on a fairly new street; I doubt it would even be built yet, if he is telling the truth. I had nowhere to go.
"Well, do you want to grab something to eat? You look pale as a ghost." He told me, noticing the panic across my face. I smiled. I had no other options, and he seemed like a decent boy.
"That would be great. Thank you."
He held me again as we walked out of the library. The lady who was there when I woke up was sorting books out at a desk.
"Thank you for helping me," I said gratefully.
"That's alright. You take care of yourselves, now. Don't go getting into trouble." She warned, winking. We walked out of the library, and I almost fainted again, the bright summer light burning my eyes. The boys grip on my arm tightened.
"Thanks. What's your name?"
"Ponyboy Curtis." He told me. I raised my eyebrows.
"That's unique,"
"I know. I got a brother called Sodapop, it even says on his birth certificate. My father was a unique person," He remarked. He seemed really proud, but I saw sadness flicker in his eyes.
"Im Violetta Fowler," I told him, changing the subject. He seemed uncomfortable talking about his father.
"Thats a fine name," He said, smiling sheepishly.
"Well thank you. You can just call me Vi, though,"
"Sure. How old are ya?"
"I'm 14. How old are you?"
"I'm 14 too," He told me.
"You sure don't look 14! I thought you were 15 or 16," I exclaimed. He blushed.
"I get that a lot. I'm in Somophore year too, because I excelled and they couldn't teach me no more," He shyly told me.
"Wow. That's cool,"
"Yeah, it is kinda tuff being with all the older kids. The teachers respect you more. Well, not really because I'm a greaser, but they don't treat you too bad,"
"My grandma was a..." I started, remembering her old stories. I would sound crazy if I told him though. I shook my head.
"Don't worry. How far away are we?" I asked. My head was still thumping and I was starting to get dehydrated.
"Jeez, it's hot today." I said,fanning my face with my hand. I was wearing a white t-shirt, a pair of capri jeans and Converse. I gasped. I hadn't been wearing this at the store. Apart from the sneakers, everything had changed. Ponyboy must have noticed me looking at myself in shock.
"If you don't mind me saying, you're clothes sure are boyish. I ain't ever seen a pretty girl like you wear jeans and sneakers before." He told me.
"Girls where I come from don't often wear dresses anymore." I hoped he wouldn't notice my bluffing.
"Fair enough." He said.
We carried on until we found a small diner, which we both went into. He bought us both a coke and some fries, and we sat down to eat in awkward silence.
"I don't recognise any of this area," I said worriedly.
"Why don't you try calling your parents?" Ponyboy suggested.
"They're out of town," I quickly quipped, "They don't have a phone where they're going."
"And they've left you home alone?" He asked, concern furrowed across his face.
"Yeah, they tend to do that."
"I suppose I could ask my brother if you could stay until they get back. He wouldn't like to see a young girl alone, especially in this town,"
There was no way his brother would let a random stranger stay at his home, I thought. Though I suppose it was worth the ask. It's not like I had anywhere else to go.
We finished up our food and got to walking again. I was finally feeling steadier on my feet, though I could feel an egg-like lump forming on my head.
We turned into a little house with a beat up blue car and a red pickup outside.
"It ain't much, but it's home."
"It's nice!" I said,stumbling on a rock outside. We both laughed, which seemed to ease the tension. Pony helped open the door for me, and led me inside to a little room. He sat me on the couch. There was already a boy in there, about 17 or 18. He had a bottle of beer in his hand.
"Who's the pretty little broad, Pony?" He asked, winking at me and taking a swig of beer.
"This here is Vi. She fell at the library and can't remember where she lives. I said she can wait here until she remembers."
He looked disbelievingly at Ponyboy, however he didn't challenge his reply.
"Really? Well hey, Vi. Im Two-bit," He told me, offering his hand to shake. I shook it firmly.
"Let me get you some ice," Ponyboy said, touching the tender spot on my forehead. I winced in pain.
"Uhh, sorry," he stammered, turning red and pacing into the kitchen.
"Way to go, Pony. You gotta be more careful with the girl! Where you from?" Two-bit asked, taking a swig of his beer.
"Tulsa. Not far from here,"
"Sure doesn't look like. I ain't ever seen you around here before."
"We moved out of town for a while to live with my grandma, but we moved back recently." I told him. I wasn't sure how long I could keep it up for, or what I should say when I still 'can't remember' where I live.
"Won't your folks be looking for you?" He asked,drinking more of his beer.
"Probably not. They don't care much about me. They're all about the money. Besides, they're out of town at the moment,"
"You're welcome here as long as you like," Pony told me, handing me the ice.
"I'm sure Darry can handle one more. Not like any of us leave anyway, right Ponyboy," Two-bit said, laughing hysterically at his own joke. I started laughing too, and we all cracked up. I heard the door slam. Pony and Two-bit went quiet.
"Who's this, Ponyboy?" A tall, muscular guy said. He had cold blue eyes and hair like Ponyboy.
"This is Vi. She fell at the library and banged her head. I said she could stay here till she's better," Pony told him.
"Ain't she got a home to go to?" Darry snapped. Ponyboy got up and said something in his ear that I couldn't make out. It obviously convinced him, and he even looked slightly worried.
"Alright, you can stay. But just for the weekend. Don't need any more bums around here," He said, glaring in Two-bits direction. He pretended not to hear. I was only expecting to be here a few hours. I didn't know what Ponyboy said to convince him to have me stay, but I was shocked. Where I lived, it took weeks to just organise a sleepover.
"I can cook okay. I'll do anything, I don't mind. I'll earn my keep." I offered.
"Sure. Anything will help. Im going to lie down. Two-bit, drink anymore beer and you're gonna be crawling home, ya dig?" He said sternly. Two-bit laughed.
"I can hold my beer,"
"Sure." Darry said. He turned and looked at me.
"Pony, can I talk to you for a second?" Pony nodded, and walked out to the kitchen. I couldn't hear what they were saying over the noise of the TV.
"Mickey Mouse. Really?" I asked sarcastically.
"Damn right," He guffawed,unzipping his leather jacket and revealing the Mickey Mouse vest. I laughed again, shaking my head. I liked Two-Bit, he didn't seem to care what people thought.
Ponyboy walked back into the room.
"Darry says you can stay as long as you need. You'll need some clothes, too. It don't look like you have any with you," he said, nodding towards my small bag.
"Sure. Thanks for letting me stay here," I said, smiling.
"You wanna get them now?" He asked. It was a beautiful day outside, and I was feeling much better after the ice. I didn't want to sit in all day.
"Sure, let me grab my money." I reached into my pockets and grabbed two 20 dollar notes. The boys looked shocked.
"Where did you get that money?" Darry asked, brow furrowed.
"My mom gave it to me, I think," I said warily.
"Shit, kid, are you a soc?" Two-bit asked.
"A what?"
"Y'know, a rich kid, a south-sider?"
"I don't think so," I said. Then I remembered that $40 must have been a lot for a 14 year old kid to carry around in 1966.
"I'll buy food for tonight," I said quickly. Darry nodded.
"Alright. Don't go spending it all, though,"
"I won't. Where are we gonna go, Ponyboy?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Let's go now. I'll show you,"
"Okay. Bye guys," I said, putting the bag of ice on the table and heading out the door with Ponyboy. They mumbled goodbye back.
"I don't think Darry likes me much," I admitted. He seemed very wary of me, despite the fact he has offered me to stay.
"He's just paranoid. He likes to keep away from people. He ain't very social and welcoming."
"He's nice enough. I didn't think he would even consider letting me stay,"
"He's used to the guys being around us all the time. They're like our brothers. Im sure you'll get along with them all just fine." He said, reassuring me.
"How come you don't live with your parents?" I asked out of curiosity. He inhaled sharply.
"They died. In a car wreck. Darry takes care of me and Soda. They both work." Pony informed me.
"I'm so sorry. At least you have your brothers to look after you. That's more than some people have,"
"Thats a good way of looking at it. You sure are smart, Vi."
.
We walked the rest of the way in silence, until we reached the clothes store. It was a fairly small shop called Sally's Boutique. The lady inside was in her 40's, with peroxide blonde hair and a face full of makeup.
"Well look at you two lovebirds," She smirked, lighting a cigarette.
"Oh,we're not..." I started. Ponyboy was blushing fiercely.
"Yeah, sure. Anything in particular you're looking for?"
"Uhh, pants, a few dresses, some shirts, maybe a coat?"
"Sure, right this way," She said, hooking her arm through mine and taking me back."
"You just sit right down there," She told Pony,pointing to a chair by the window. He say down and grabbed a magazine that was on a small table in front of him.
She took me to the dresses first. I picked out one that was short sleeved in a lilac cotton, covered in tiny white polka dots. I picked up another white blouse, a black shirt and a lilac shirt. I bought a few vests, some underwear and a pair of tights. I bought two sweaters, a black skirt, a white skirt, a pair of jeans and a pair of capri's. I also bought a leather jacket. There wasn't much that I liked the look of. It looked like my grandmas old clothes.
"Any shoes?" Sally asked me. I shook my head.
"No offence, but I don't think sneakers are exactly classy." She said, glancing down to my dirty shoes.
"I don't really like flats, though," I told her. Sneakers were much more comfortable.
"If thats what you think," She sighed, shaking her head disapprovingly.
"Show me your shoes, then. There might be something i like."
I ended up buying a pair of black suede flats. I was shocked; in total, it only came to around $24. Even though it was the late 60's, the town still looked like it did in the 50's. The cars, fashion and music were still exactly the same.
"Thank you so much!" I said.
"My pleasure, dear!" She gushed, smiling and waving. Pony looked like he was going to pass out from boredom.
We went to the grocery store nearby and bought chicken, potatoes and some other necessities. Pony carried all the bags. I still didn't know how I felt about staying with all these boys. It seemed so rushed, and I didn't want to impose; it seemed like they had enough on their plate as it was.
When we got to the house, I handed Darry the food. I was still wondering where I was going to sleep, and where all my things were going to go.
"Pony, where am I going to put everything?" I asked.
"Soda and I share a room. Most of our clothes are all over the floor, so you can use the wardrobe. Theres an empty drawer to put the rest in." He offered.
"Thanks. Uhh, where am I going to sleep?" I asked worriedly. I didn't quite want to top-and-tail.
"You can sleep on the couch. We have spare blankets and pillows. Or you could have my bed and I could sleep out here." He suggested.
"No way. I couldn't do that, I'll sleep out here. It's comfortable anyways," I declared.
"Okay,"
"Thank you for being so kind to me. I can't believe you actually let me stay,"
"It's okay. It feels like I already knew you a long time. You're not like most girls," He told me.
"Really?"
"Yeah," He clarified, looking away.
"Im gonna sleep for a while. It's been a tiring day."
"Goodnight, Vi."
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.