"Remember class, those who haven't already done so, your second essay on Romeo and Juliet is due next week." Mr. Syme said, packing his notes back into his briefcase. The group of students got up out of their seats and left the room.
"Oh, Miss Curtis?" He called out as Melody left her desk.
"Yes sir?" She replied, picking up her text books.
"Excellent job on your essay. You really do have a natural talent for writing." Mr. Syme said, handing her essay back to her. Melody smiled when she saw the 'A+' written at the top of her page.
"Thankyou sir." she said. "I'm not sure about the natural talent part though."
"Nonsense. Both you are your brother possess it. It's clearly visable in your work, especially some of those pieces you wrote out of class. You should really consider it after you graduate." Mr. Syme said. Melody smiled again. After the accident, Mr. Syme helped Mel come up with the idea of the notebook.
"I'll think about it. Thankyou sir." She said, leaving the room. Two-Bit and Steve were talking by her locker.
"A+ again, huh?" Two-Bit wondered. Melody smiled and nodded her head as she opened her locker. Two-Bit smiled and grabbed the essay from her grasp and began to read it.
"Hey Stevie?" She asked.
"Yeah?" Steve said.
"You leaving for lunch today?" Melody asked.
"Wasn't going to...why?" Steve wondered.
"Because I'm gonna hijack your car." Mel shrugged. Steve groaned.
"Why my car?" He asked.
"Three reasons. One, Because I don't have one. Two, because his is a complete death trap." Mel said, pointing accusedly at Two-Bit, who just rolled his eyes and finished reading the paper.
"And the third reason?" Steve wondered. Melody smiled at him. You know, that smile that girls do that makes everyone totally give in to them?
"Three, because you love me and want to make me happy." She said, batting her eyelashes jokingly. Steve sighed and shook his head. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his car keys, tossing them at Melody.
"Right, so that had nothing to do with the fact that Mel can be a total bitch when she wants to be?" Two-Bit wondered, earning a slap from Melody.
"That too." Steve grinned. Mel rolled her eyes and folded her paper in half and slipped it inside her bag before shutting her locker. Two-Bit wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked down the hall.
"What you need the car for anyway? Going to visit Dal for some 'alone time'?" Two-Bit joked. Mel elbowed him in the stomach.
"No. I just happen to know a certain brother of mine who's been working way too hard and needs a break." She said.
"Yeah, Superdope does work too much. I dunno if he even knows the meaning of the word break." Steve said.
"Well, I'm just going to force him to take a break." Mel shrugged. They walked out to their usual spot for lunch. Ponyboy and Johnny were talking as they made their way over to the spot. Melody waved goodbye and jumped into Steve's car and drove away.
Darry's work site wasn't too far from the school. She pulled up out the front and found him working up on the roof. Even though he was so high up, Mel could tell he was tired from working in the hot sun all day. She saw him wipe his head with his shirt that was crumpled up next to him. She smiled to herself as she leaned out of the window and whistled.
"Oi, Greaser!" she shouted out. Darry stopped and looked around, finally spotting her in the car. He raised his hand above his eyes, using it as a visor and looked down at the car.
"Aren't you supposed to be at school?" He yelled out.
"Check your watch, Curtis. It's lunchtime." Melody called out. Darry rolled his eyes.
"Finish up, we're going out." She yelled. Darry smiled but sho0ok his head.
"I can't. I've got too much work." He called back. It was Mel's turn to roll her eyes.
"Darry, you work too much! As your little sister, It's my job to tell you to relax. So put your damn shirt on and get your ass down here!" She laughed. Darry sighed and grabbed his shirt before getting down off the roof and made his way over to the car. Mel smiled innocently at him.
"Hi." she said. Darry laughed.
"So, remind me why you're here?" He wondered.
"I've come to take you to lunch." Mel said. "But you gotta hurry cause I gotta be back before lunch ends and I'm borrowing Steve's car." Darry smiled and shook his head again as he got into the car.
"Didnt think you would refuse your baby sister's charms." Mel laughed, starting up the engine. Darry just rolled his eyes as they made their way down to the dingo.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"I can't even remember the last time I was here." Darry said as they pulled up out the front. Melody smiled.
"Like I said, you work too much." She said getting out of the car. Darry smiled and they walked inside.
"Well I'll be. If it isn't Darryl Curtis." A tall blonde girl said as they made their way to the counter.
"Hey Ginny." Darry smiled. Melody smiled and waved at her friend. Ginny Phelps had known the family for years. In fact, she actually went to school with Darry. Her mother remarried when she was about ten and had her little brother, Tommy. She and Tommy now live with their Grandmother after their her stepfather went to prision and her mom left.
"Seems like it's been years since we last saw you." Ginny said. Darry shrugged.
"I know I know, I get enough of that from this one!" Darry said, pulling Melody into a headlock. Ginny laughed as the young Curtis tried to free herself from her brother's grasp.
"Come on guys, I'll get you a table." She laughed. Darry finally let his sister go and they followed Ginny to a booth. Mel sat down on one side and Darry on the other as Ginny took their orders.
"Hey Ginny, how's Tommy doing?" Mel asked, remembering what Kathy had told her a while back.
"Much better now. At first he didn't wanna leave the house after it happened. " Ginny explained. "But he's much better now, thanks. I'll tell him you said hi."
"Thanks" Mel said.
"Alright I'll be back in a second." Ginny said. She smiled at Darry before going back to the kitchens. Mel looked at her older brother and smiled...he was still smiling. Mel rolled her eyes.
"Oh for crying out loud...just ask her out already." she said. Now that pulled Darry out of his daze.
"What?" He asked, looking across the table at his sister.
"Darry...what's stopping you? Just ask the girl out. I mean, it's not like you don't know her or anything." Melody said.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, kid." Darry insisted. He looked across the room at Ginny, who was carrying a couple of drinks over to another table. Before she walked back, she looked over at him and smiled. Darry smiled quickly and turned away again.
"Darryl Curtis...are you blushing?" Melody teased. Darry threw her a warning glance just as Ginny arrived back with their meals.
"Here you go, guys." She smiled, brushing a strand of her blode hair out of her eyes.
"Thanks. Oh hey, are we still on for later?" Mel asked. Ginny smiled and nodded.
"Sure thing. I should be finished here about, oh say, four-ish. So you and Kathy can meet me out the front if you like." she said. Darry looked at his sister. It was clear he didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Melody rolled her eyes.
"Come on, Dar. I told you about this last night." She said. Darry thought for a minute before he finally remembered.
"Oh right...dress shopping." he said, taking a bite out of his burger.
"I'll drop her home tonight if you want, Darry. I know it's better if she doesn't walk around that late by herself." Ginny offered.
"Well, Thanks Ginny." Darry smiled. Ginny smiled in return and heard her name being called out.
"Oh shoot. I gotta run. I'll see you later alright, Mel?" She asked. Melody nodded her head. Ginny looked up at Darry and smiled.
"It really was great to see you Darry." she said. Darry smiled.
"You too Gin." he said. With one last wave, Ginny went back to work. Darry smiled and looked back at his sister, who was now sitting with her arms crossed, a knowing look on her face.
"Don't give me that look." he said. Mel put her hands up defensively.
"I didnt say a word." she said as she took a sip of her pepsi.
oOoOoOoOoOo
The car came to a stop outside the work site. Darry sighed and looked over at his sister.
"Thanks for today, Mel." he said. Mel smiled.
"Don't mention it. Now get back out there...I gotta get back or Steve will wring my pretty little neck." she laughed. Darry smiled and kissed her cheek before getting out of the car.
"I'll see you tonight." he said. He waved and began to walk away when Melody called out.
"Hey Darry?"
"Yeah?" he said, turning back towards the car. Melody just grinned evilly.
"Just think about what I said before." she said. Darry rolled his eyes as Mel started the engine and drove off. When she returned to the school, Steve and Two-Bit were waiting out the front. Melody sighed and got out of the car.
"Come on, we're gonna be late." she said throwing the keys to Steve. Two-Bit walked ahead with her as Steve stayed behind, inspecting the car for any signs of damage. When he was happily convinced, he ran to catch up with the other two.
