Freshman and Sophomore
By S.M. Scott
A/N: I do not own the Outsiders.
Chapter Ten:
The North Side Greaser Band
Even that unforgettable holiday had to come to an end. January 8th meant that everybody had to go back to school. Summer however, was closer from this end of the school year than the last. I already knew that I would be touring the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. It's almost like nowhere else in the world, so I've heard. I couldn't wait to visit New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or tiny red Prince Edward Island, although you needed to board a ferry to get there. This would cost extra money.
January and February passed without much incidents, unless you count that there was this huge fight at the shelter downtown on January 12th which culminated in shattered windows, thrown property, and a fatal stabbing where somebody got sent to the morgue, another person sent to jail. I read about this in the newspaper. Mary Jo and Britney also told me all about their holiday in Paris, France, and how they both stood on the Eiffel Tower and got to see all the great works of art and shopping places. Lucky Ducks, although I would definetly visit England before France. That's where the Beatles come from. Ha ha. Never mind.
I told Britney and Mary Jo about Little Ashley and how I had reunited her with her mother on Christmas. Luckily, Amanda was able to leave such a boyfriend who turned out to be bad news, and worse, for her sake and Ashley's. Unfortunately, because of life being completely messed up, Amanda still had to take Ashley and live with her Grandparents in Louisville, Kentucky. Her parents basically disowned her for having Ashley as young as she was. The very best part of it all however was that I was able to do it all incognito. Not even Buck Merrill breathed a word.
In February, we were still struggling through Level 2 Algebra. I had managed in the last semester to bring my D- up to a B, but Algebra 2 was only more challenging. I wasn't going to stay after school with Mrs. Kimball anymore, though. I was determined about that. Even Ponyboy was Hell-bent on passing everything in grade nine, with no grades lower than B's and A's. The things he came up with for English blew even me away, I could just see Ponyboy doing something for journalism, or majoring in English literature. But some of the books he read were just so boring to me when I tried to read them.
It really isn't fair. I wanted to be able to read more than made up fiction like Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia, and the Queen's Confession without yawning, even if the last I mentioned was based on a very true story. Marie-Antoinette of Austria and France was headed for doom, the writing on the wall said. From a featherbrained, naive, carefree Princess-Bride to the Queen who became the most hated royal in France since Catherine De Medici and lost it all, including her own head to the Guillotine during the Reign of Terror. But at least I was never bored with a story like this.
Then came the ugliest month of the year, which was March. We were also beginning to knit in Sewing, which was a lot easier to watch someone else doing than attempting it yourself for the first time. I have never tried to do something so frustrating before, except for Algebra. Even having to have my pictures taken for the papers was preferable. Not that I'm vain, I just hated sewing, and knitting. I think it's better left to the Mary Jo Houstens of the world.
Then, in Music, this thing happened which I thought was completely insane, but in a good way. It was all so typical of Two-Bit, although a lot of people still tend to think he went too far. They are only sick with jealousy, though. Snake and Samson told me about this.
It all started with a ridiculous fancy Two-Bit took to signing up for the W.B.H.S.S.O (West Brentman High School Student Orchestra). This was to replace the sax player Huey Carmichael, because he broke an arm. So, Two-Bit struts right up to Mr. Greshner, thinking nothing of it, and asked him if he could play in the Student Orchestra in Huey's place. Mr. Greshner looked like he wanted to throw more than chalk at Two-Bit. But he restrained himself, of course. "Mr. Matthews, this is not some primitive garage band for you to muck up. This is a serious student organization. But go ahead, I'd love to see you trying to perform with this beauty." It was not the instrument Huey played, but a microphone stand.
"Uh...Mr. Greshner sir, I thought that I was going to play a sax..." But Mr. Greshner waved this away impatiently. "I wouldn't trust any delinquent like you with any such perfect instruments of art, let alone performing in any orchestra. But go ahead and sing, I don't have all day, nor does this orchestra. Amuse me."
One of the orchestra Socs said to his buddies, "This ought to be interesting." And he snickered. "You ain't seen a Two-Bit before, so shut up, or I'll shove that clarinet where the sun don't shine, and you won't like it." Snake growled so only that Soc got the full benefit of the warning.
All of a sudden, Steve came along with this, "You can't sing without a guitar." And he went by Two-Bit's side. "You also need some bass." Samson ventured up with a bass guitar. "Fine," Mr. Greshner said. "Just shut up and start playing, you punks."
The Soc was looking like summer vacation got cancelled. "Greasers! You can't handle those classroom instruments without asking! I'll report..." But Snake said, "They already have permission, you retarded ass-wipe, and by the way, I ain't really fussy about where these drumsticks go. I'd watch it, Soc."
Snake took his place by the drumset. Then, they began their performance.
"That was actually quite good." One student said. "Good?" went. "They're astounding. For amateurs, anyway. How long have you been playing in this band of yours?" They all said they'd been playing since the Curtis Brothers had been encouraged by their parents to show some musical interests of their own. They just agreed that they should one day, too. That was how the North Side Greaser Band started. I had a lot to learn about my greaser boys. I had no Idea.
From that day forward, the North Side Greaser Band would perform at every school dance until graduation.
End of Chapter Ten.