Disclaimer- I don't own The Outsiders.
" Um, a cheeseburger and a coke please." I said in a small voice to the waitress. Her bored gazed was fixed on me as she chomped loudly on her gum. Her eyes shifted to the person on my left, Steve.
She took the boys orders and no sooner had she stomped away; the guys had proceeded to fling spoon fulls of ketchup at each other. While they goofed off I just sat there watching; my face held no expression, as I was way too tired for my brain to function. Even with all the sleep I have had, the stress from these new problems that arose and my injuries had made me feel extremely exhausted.
The spoonfuls of ketchup continued to fly until the food came, and then they began to basically inhale the content of their plate. I stared at them with a mix of horror, disgust and fascination. I nervously glanced down at my plate and back up to them.
The way they were eating I was foolishly afraid that if I took my eyes off of the boys that one of them was going to take a hold of my hand and gnaw off a few fingers. It was a stupid thought, but yet it was scary.
After a few more glances up at the boys, I reluctantly picked up my burger and took a small bite. The juicy meat, melted cheese and crisp tomato blended together, as I chew, into a heavenly rich flavor that made me ravenous for more.
I had about finished my burger when I got the felling I was being watched. Looking up, I realized that Steve, Soda and Dally were all staring at me; their plates empty.
Steve was leaning forward with both elbows propped up on the table with his chin resting on his palms. Dally and Soda were both leaning back into the booth with I'm bored written all over their faces. I smiled at them the best I could and my hand instantly flew up to my mouth to catch a piece of lettuce that fell out of my mouth.
Steve was too busy eyeing up a tall blonde that just walked through the door with her friends to notice, but Soda and Daly did. I chewed my mouthful of cheeseburger in embarrassment as Soda nicely tried to hide his laugh by covering his mouth and throwing in a few coughs; but Dally threw his head back in a wild laugh that sounded around the diner. A smile graced my lips as I discreetly watched him as he continued to increase my humiliation.
As much as I wanted to be annoyed at him I couldn't, and that angered me. How could someone unknowingly have so much control over a person; it's very unfair.
Eyes peered from the nearby tables, and I shamefully stared at my plate that held my unfinished piece of burger that I was unwilling to finish due to my sudden lack of appetite.
I noticed Steve giving me a confused look and went to shrug my shoulders but practically jumped out of my seat instead.
"Here's the check." A too familiar hoarse voiced screeched from behind me. Then, with a snap of her gum she was off to bother some other unfortunate customer. I watched her waddle off to the kitchen before turning back to our table.
A few bills now rested on top of the check and I began to feel slightly guilty knowing that they had paid for my meal. If I had money I would insist that I pay for it, but I didn't so I just kept my mouth shut.
" Ok, let's go." You're supposed to be there at 6." Steve said while nudging me out of the both. My boots left a black streak on the dingy, tiled floor as they slid forward when I stood up. I took a quick look down at the mark before chasing the boys out of the diner into the crowded parking lot.
People were everywhere.
I followed close behind Soda as we weaved our way though the Saturday night crowd. I tried to look around at my surroundings but all I could see was soda's back, so I decided to stare at that.
His shirt was a dark blue with a number of dark stain splatters. He reeked of gasoline and sweat; I didn't expect it to be any different.
He was like any other greaser boy but nicer. He and his brothers had helped me when I needed it most and I will never forget that. I owed them my life.
Well, maybe not my life, but my sanity.