Chapter Two-Cafeteria Trouble

It was pretty loud in the cafeteria when me, Johnny and Sodapop walked in. Then again, it was packed full of Soc's, so that explained a lot. They were all jumping around and making general asses of themselves as we picked our way through, heading to the one table the greaser population ruled. It sat all of the suckers who were too stupid to get away during lunch or who plain just didn't care. I sat next to one of my school friends, Rodney.

"Hey Rodney, how's it goin'?"

"Just dandy. Heard you and Soda got busted in Life Science."

"Yeah, Mr. Hendricks is making us go on that stupid field trip. Soda ain't too happy." I said, now watching my brother pick his way through the Soc's. It looked like he had stopped to get some drinks.

"Hiya boys. Want some drinks?" Soda asked, passing around soda bottles. Where in the earth had he managed to swipe these from?

"Hey Soda, Soc at six' o clock." Rodney warned, accepting a bottle. There were five Socs coming up and immediately the entire greaser table was watching and waiting for them to make the first move. These Socs had to be idiots to try and attack when we were backed by so many of our buddies. They approached Soda, and instantly me, Rodney, and Johnny were behind him.

"Well, well, well, if it ain't our old friend, Shitface Curtis."One drawled. They all started laughing like a bunch of idiots. I wondered what they wanted with Soda.

"You know greaser, your big brother did a number on my younger brother at the rumble the other night." I suddenly recognized the guy. He was William Fuller. His brother, Cadence Fuller, who was a freshman here had participated in the rumble held in the lot the other night, and had been stupid enough to try and attack Darry.

"Ain't our fault your brother was dumb was enough to attack a senior." I hissed. The greaser table was all standing now, ready to fight.

"Shut up Pukeface Curtis, you're in a world of hurt already. I'm just here to repay y'all a favor. Looks like your big brother ain't here to defend ya."

"On the contrary, I'm right here." I hadn't seen Darry approaching, but I was a bit grateful he was here now. Me and Soda were enough trouble with the school as it was. We didn't fighting stacked on there too. Darry came and stood right in front of us, daring a Soc to try and fight him. William stepped forward. It was apparent where his brother got his stupidity from.

"This is between me and your brothers, Curtis. Move away." He was trying to act all tough, but you could see the fear.

"Is this about me and your brother Cadence? Cuz' if it is then it's between me and you." The other greasers were sitting back down and eating now. When Darry was around, things rarely got out of hand. The Socs knew this too, because they began to back down, except fot William. I could tell he was about to start something when a gruff voice broke us up.

"Alright boys, what's going on here?" It was an old teacher. He walked right between Darry and William and got into Dar's face.

"You ain't startin nuthin, are you hood?" It was rare a teacher called us that, but not rare enough. I saw Darry tense, but back down.

"No Mr. Cadwalk. We were just talking." Cadwalk now turned to the Socs.

"Why don't you nice gentleman go back and eat. These hoods won't be bothering you anymore." Oh Lordy, I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. Unfortunately, Mr. Cadwalk saw me.

"What's your name young man?" He yelled at me.

"Ponyboy Curtis."

"Another damn Curtis? Yeah, I've heard of you and your brothers." He paused to cast a disgusted look at Sodapop. "And you," He turned to Darry. "Better watch that brother of yours. One false move and I'll have you all thrown in detention for the rest of your life. Now, I want all three of you." He pointed to my brothers an me, "and you," He of course pointed to Johnny."You and you." He pointed a Rodney and some other greaser I didn't know "All six of you will be serving after school detention for the rest of the week." He hobbled off, leaving us in a pissy state.

"Aw, I got football practice after school today." Darry complained, sitting down at the lunch table. We joined him and I opened up my pop bottle on the side of the table.

"Where did y'all get pop from?" Darry asked, watching me.

"I think Soda swiped it."

"I did not! I borrowed it." Soda defended, handing Darry one. Darry grinned and shook his head.

"Just make sure y'all don't get caught. I gotta go and tell the coach I won't be making it to practice today." He grimaced and left with his cola. Greaser kids were leaving the table now, so me, Soda, and Johnny got up, ready to get to class when the bell rang.

"What do you got next?' Soda asked as we began to merge into the packed halls.

"Gym. You?"

"Math. Wanna skip?" He asked hopefully. It sounded good but I was in enough trouble right now.

"I don't know Soda. We'll get into a lot of trouble. 'Sides, we got detention anyway. Might as well stick around." Soda grimaced at me, but didn't argue. He departed to hopefully go to math class and I said bye to Johnny before heading to my gym class.

Review. Review. Review. Pleeeeeeeease Review