Disclaimer: I. don't. Own. The. Outsiders. Really. How many times do I have to say this... oh well. You know who does though? S.E. Hinton, the amazing author of the book. Yuuup.
I need another story
something to get off my chest
my life gets kind of boring
need something that I can confess
-Secrets, by One Republic
Chapter Three
"Hi there." He says as I step up to the counter.
There's nothing in his expression, movements, or tone at all to hint that he's flirting or anything. It just seems so neutral and nonchalant. These are the worst kinds of boys to fall for, I knew, the ones that just couldn't help having everything that came out of their mouths to sound genuine and polite and make a girl swoon.
There was going to be any swooning for me, though. Sure, I liked Sodapop Curtis a bit; he had great looks and seemed real nice, too. But, I didn't know him, and I doubted he wanted to be friends with me. And even if he did, I was in no shape to start opening up to anyone about myself and my life, no matter how much of a doll that person just might be.
"Hello." I say, smiling a little out of the corner of my mouth, and bob my head slightly.
"You look real familiar, but I haven't seen you around here. What's your name?" he asks curiously, again with no hint of flirting or anything.
Now, you may be thinking elsewhere. He's got to be interested in you if he called after you and asked you for your name and all, but no. He was just trying to start a conversation, that's all. I could tell that he was real bored right now. Maybe I looked like a good candidate for small talk, with the three other girls in the shop only wanting to get in bed with him. But there was a little part of me, just a small thing, hoping that maybe he thought I was pretty or something.
"I'm uh, new in town. I just got here yesterday." I say, brushing my hair through my bangs.
"Really?" Sodapop asks, raising one eyebrow higher than the other, then letting it drop as he flashed a killer grin.
3 smiles. He's smiled three times at me today. Glory, if that boy keeps up with this, I'll be seeing his smiles in my head left and right all day long, even after I've left this damn DX, I thought to myself.
Again, I didn't give him a major grin back in return, just kept the same old nervous smile on. And then I realized that he'd asked for my name. Sheepishly, I glanced up from his fingers, which were drumming lightly against the counter and into his dark brown eyes. They weren't ordinary dog-brown eyes, or even good-looking chocolaty brown eyes. No, they were dark, but not so you'd mistake them for black, and they had a golden glow to them, a glow I knew that always stayed, even if he wasn't smiling. Passionate eyes, that could be laughing like there was no tomorrow and angry as hell in the next moment, and they'd still be beautiful eyes. Everything about this Sodapop Curtis seemed to be a weapon against females.
I noticed him searching my eyes when I met his, but there was nothing there for him to see. Could he see a lonely, lost fourteen year old who'd just gotten off a train where she'd spent the entire night crying and smoking? Could he see that I was a kid that had it real rough for entire life in New York's West Side and Tulsa was all new ground for me? I hoped not, because those eyes looked at mine real hard.
"I'm Sodapop Curtis." he says, then, and I nod lightly.
Flicking my stare back down to the counter, I replied, "I'm Lorraine. Lorraine Winston."
Sodapop's grin fades a bit, and there's some shock scrawled across his face. I expect his smile to come back on, but it doesn't. He leaned a bit over the counter, looking closer at my face.
"Winston? You by any chance...related to Dallas...Winston?" he asked softly.
I bite the bottom of my lip and nod.
"Yeah, I'm his kid sister." I say, and Sodapop is still searching my face.
"He doesn't have a sister, though." Sodapop said, confused.
I pushed the emotions back, but they still found their way through my words because I'd practiced my entire life to not cry in front of people. My next words sounded so desperate and pitiful, and I was balling my fist up under the counter.
"He didn't tell anyone?"
OK! :) So, really, how do you like it so far? I hope it's all right. Do you think Sodapop and Lorraine would make a cute couple? Hmm...you guys haven't got to see much of her yet, but you will in the next chapter, Chapter 4! I'll describe her physical appearance in the next chapter, too. If it was obvious that Lorrain was Dally's sister before she said so, sorry to disappoint you, because I was trying to unveil that in this chapter. Review, please?
