The remainder of the week had gone by fairly normally: I continued to fail three classes, a bunch of Soc boys ganged up on me in the hallway, my mother continued to ingnore me, my father hit me again. What else is new around here? Ramona. She had started to hang around Pony and I more often; at lunch hours and Two-Bit gave her a ride home with us after school (when he wasn't in detention, that is). I just couldn't help smiling when I saw her standing at the end of the hall; waiting for me. I guess she made up for all the things that weren't too great in my life. And trust me- that was alot.
I walked down the halls in a rush, trying to avoid Socs. It was Friday, and the halls were crammed with kids trying to escape to the glorious weekend. I finally reached outside; and stood against the wall. I dug through my pockets for a cigarette. I found a scuffed pack of Kools and lit one up.
"Johnny?" I heard a soft but happy voice call my name. I looked up to see Ramona grinning like the devil at me. She was wearing a sweater that was a little big for her, and a navy blue skirt, which came up at her knees.
"Hi." I answered, and I was probably grinning too. I couldn't tell- couldn't drag my attention away from her. It was like she was a magnet or something. She came over and stood beside me on the wall, and looked around.
"Where are the boys?" She asked. I didn't know... I had figured they were going out with their girls tonight, and Pony had to go in early- He had a track meet bright and early tommorow. I had agreed to go watch with Darry and Soda. I had nothing better to do.
"I don't know." I answered.
She looked at me curiously and said: "Well, I guess it's just me and you then."
I liked the sound of that: me and you. It sounded natural. Like we went together... Like peanut butter and jelly. I laughed at the metaphor in my head.
"What's so funny?" She asked quizzically.
"Nothin'." I said, still grinning.
"So, what are we up to tonight Mr. Cade?" Ramona asked.
"Wherever you want to be Miss Charleston." I answered with a smirk. She laughed.
"I didn't expect that Mr. Cade... Your not the cheeky type."
"What type am I then?" I asked.
"Hmm... quiet, thoughtful, deep." Ramona said softly.
"I'm deep? I'm failing three grades, for cryin' out loud." I muttered.
"Your smart. I knew you were smart from the day I met you." She said, very matter 'o factly. I shook my head, and started to walk east. She tagged at my heels, and then pulled on the rim of my jean jacket.
"Don't you walk away from me, Mr. Cade. Your taking me somewhere."
"And where's that? I don't have any money... You'd be better off with a Soc boy... He'd take you to a nice diner on the west side." I said, then almost kicked myself for talking to her that way. I expected a sad face looking at me- instead it was the opposite. She smiled.
"I don't want a rich boy. I want you." I couldn't help grinning.
"I'll pick you up at seven." I said, then turned away.
"Don't forget, seven!" She hollered.
*****
I gulped nervously. There I was, standing at her doorstep, feeling terrified. Just ring the doorbell Johnny, stop being such a coward, I told myself. With a slight hesitation, I rang the doorbell. I could hear the irritating 'dingdong' noise from inside the house. It was a few seconds before a wrinkled old man with a frown answered the door.
He looked me over once, then grunted: "Well your a tiny bugger. How old are yeh, ten?" He then called Ramona to the door, and walked away. She lunged down her staircase and to the door, smiling. She seemed a lot more dressed up then usual; She had a nice, but casual dress on, and a pearl necklace. I assumed they weren't real pearls, but they still looked nice. She too eyed me over, then grinned.
"Oh don't mind me grandfather, he's just a grumpy old git." She said, loud enough for him to hear.
I could hear him yelling from the inside of the house: "Why you bloody little war-" And we were too far down the street to hear the rest. We stopped running, and were both laughing pretty hard.
"Ah, that was fun. So, where are we planning to go tonight?" She asked.
"I was thinking, maybe we could just walk around and find somethin' to do. There's not too much 'round here." I answered shyly. I hoped it was okay with her.
"That sounds like an adventure to me. Let's go!" She grabbed my hand and started running down the street with me. We ran together until we reached the lot. We were both running around the lot like little kids, throwing sticks at each other (in a playful way that is). I couldn't really remember having this much fun, not even with the gang. I didn't even realize how silly we looked until a middle aged couple drove by and honked their horn at us. I could see the man driving the car, he was shaking his head and his fist at us.
"PRICK!" I heard Ramona scream from behind me. In one swift action, the man spun his car around, pulling up to the lot.
"Run!" Ramona yelled, a grin spread across her face. We ran until we were in front of the park. It was a children's park, but now it was empty; being at suppertime. We collasped in the field, laughing like the funniest joke had hit us.
Between chuckles I said: "Boy Ramona, that was the most fun I've ever had."
She giggled, "Me as well, Johnny."
We sat for a while, and watched the sun go down. It was real pretty. I interrupted the silence.
"Ramona, do you like me?" I blurted out. I immediately blushed after my comment.
"Why of course I do Johnny, why wouldn't I like a sweet boy like you?"
"I don't know... Lots of people don't like me." I answered. It was true. My parents, the Socs, and basically everyone in society who saw me as a hood.
"Do you like me?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Of course I do... I wouldn't doubt that." I said, and I did mean it. She moved her hand a little over, and then folded it on top of mine. My heart raced. I moved a little closer to her, and she did the same to me. She leaned over, and my stomach erupted with butterflies. Her face was close to mine and she kissed me... Well, tried to. I moved away, and I didn't know why I did it. She moved back away and had a hurt look on her face.
"Look Ramon-" I was cut off by her.
"You'll think I'll reject you. You think I won't love you. You think I'll reject you like society, like your parents." She said.
"How do you know about my parents?" I asked softly.
"Do you think I don't hear the screaming from down the street? Do you think I don't see the bruises?" She said, angrily.
" I hate how they do that to you Johnny. You will never deserve that, not from anyone." She looked like she was about to cry. She moved in closer to me.
"Johnny..." She asked, tilting my head up, like she did in the car that time.
"Johnny, I would never hurt you. Never. I- I love you." And like that I kissed her.