Sam's POV

When I awoke in the morning the sun was shining right onto my face. I groaned and lent forward, trying to block out its piercing rays. It was way too bright and when I looked at the time I realized why. It was 10:30am. I groaned again and stood up stretching out my muscles as I did so. They ached from all the walking I'd done and a night spent on cold cement hadn't helped much. I sure did miss having a real bed sometimes.

I looked around and spied a water tap which I stumbled to gratefully. I splashed some on my face and the cold water woke me instantly. I washed my mouth out and looked around more thoroughly. I was going to have to grab some breakfast before I went any further. After checking my pockets; I still had $10.75, I headed in search of some grub.

After walking round for about half an hour I spotted a diner called The Dingo. Perfect, I thought and headed straight for the bathroom; if I was looking good enough I might get a cheap meal. I ran my fingers through my hair attempting to make it look well kept. I hated my hair, it hung straight and flat just below my shoulders, though it was a nice auburn color. Sometimes Mum would try and convince me to style it in some new way but I never did, that kind of stuff draws attention to people.

I fixed my bangs so they shaped my face just right and washed my face and neck more thoroughly. I dusted my clothes off and straightened up, looking at the result. My plain blue eyes stared back at me and I didn't hold out much hope for free meal, maybe a cheap one if I was lucky.

I pushed such thoughts aside and focused on my current task of breakfast. I walked out and found a booth near the door; a quick escape would be easy if necessary. I grabbed the menu and quickly scanned the list, my stomach growling with each new item I read.

"Welcome to The Dingo, can I take your order?" a bored voice broke into my thoughts. I looked up at the waiter with the full force of my gaze and said so sweetly it would make honey sour;

"I'll just grab a burger and fries." The waiter stared at me then his eyes traveled the length of my body and back. I felt repulsed but continued to smile sweetly.

"A coke to drink?" he asked with a leering smile.

"A coke would be perfect." I smiled in return.

"I'll be right out with that, don't go anywhere." He winked and hurried off to the kitchens. That was easier than I thought, I thought smugly and settled back into my booth just as the door clanged open. I looked up automatically and noticed four boys had entered. For nothing better to do I kept watching them, they were quite good looking and I'm only human.

Three looked to be in their late teens or early twenties but one guy looked about my age and was in a uniform that looked similar to that of the waiters, I noticed it had the Diner logo printed on it. Two of the older boys were wearing matching shirts and caps that had 'DX Garage' written on the back, and the fourth was wearing blue jeans with a Mickey Mouse shirt and blue denim jacket.

They all had their hair greased back in some way and were all rather good looking. One of the boys in a DX shirt caught my eye and smiled and I looked down, embarrassed to be caught staring. Man he was good looking! When I glanced back up at him under my lashes he was still grinning, a wide smile that lit up his whole face. I looked down again and suddenly became very interested in the salt shaker.

The boy in the Diner uniform led them all to a booth on the adjoining wall, right in my line of sight.

"Okay, look I'm 10 minutes late already so sit down and I'll get your food brought out as soon as I can. And for Gods sake can you behave?!"

"Sure thing lil bro, the sooner we get our food the sooner we'll be settled." The grinning boy grinned again.

The Diner boy, who was obviously the grinning boys brother rolled his eyes but grinned back, and as he turned, the full impact of that grin hit me. He was gorgeously good looking and I stared as he walked past me and into the kitchens, trying to soak up as much of his good looks as possible. He had long reddish brown hair that he had greased back along the sides down the nape of his neck, he had thick hair and the front of it hung over his forehead.

His eyes were the most illuminating greenish grey colour. He was tanned and not much taller than I was and his arms were slightly muscled, like he worked out on occasion. In short- he was perfect. He looked like a Greek God sent down from Mount Olympus to make us mere mortals look pitiful.

My waiter came back with my meal and I paid, a lot less than anyone else here I'm sure, and I spent my meal trying to get a glimpse of the God-boy. When I had finished eating I looked up to see the DX boy watching me with a slight smile on his face.

I held his gaze for a few moments before he stood up and made his way over. Yes, he and the God-boy were definitely brothers! Oh God, I thought, what does he want from me? I wiped my mouth and decided to duck out before he got any closer but just as I was about to slide out, he slid himself in next to me.

"Hi" he said happily like we were the best of friends. I just stared back at him.

"Uhh…hey" What on Earth was he doing? He didn't even know me.

"The names Soda, Sodapop Curtis." He held his hand out to me and I raised my eyebrows at his name.

"Sam." I replied simply, ignoring his hand. I started to slide out the other side of the booth but before I could move the other two boys decided to join us. They slid in, blocking my escape route. I shrank back into my booth and could feel my breath quickening. I tried to keep myself calm; I couldn't let these jerks know I was scared.

"Who's this lovely lady?" the boy in the jacket inquired.

"Yeah, who've you picked up this time, Soda?" the other DX boy asked. He looked me over and I felt instantly irritated by him.

"He hasn't picked up anyone!" I clarified before Soda could say anything. But Soda just ignored my glaring reply and gestured around.

"Guys this is Sam. Sam this is Steve and Two-Bit."

"Two-Bit?" I asked apprehensively before I could stop myself, I shouldn't be getting into a conversation I should be getting outta here!

"Yep that's my name!" Two-Bit grinned happily and I attempted a weak smile back.

"He always has to get his two bits worth in, that's how he got the name. Been Two-Bit for his whole life, not even ya Momma remembers ya real name, huh Two-Bit?" Soda asked

"Which is?" I asked when Two-Bit didn't reply, my curiosity was getting the better of me.

"Nope can't tell ya, Sammy, it's a secret." Two-Bit winked.

"Right well that's really nice and all but I should be on my way." I looked at Soda expectantly but he didn't move.

"What's your hurry?" Steve asked.

"I'm just passing through town and I should really get going." I made to slide out the booth but none of them moved and I could feel my panic rising.

"You look a little young to be passing through on your own." Steve didn't let up and my irritation flared up again.

"Who says I'm on my own?" I asked while looking through the window, hoping to make it appear I was waiting on someone. I know it didn't look very convincing and when I looked back at them Steve and Soda had their eyebrows raised. I glared at each of them in turn.

"Who says it's any of your business who I'm here with or without."

"It's not our business, but not everyone in this neighborhood will be as nice and welcoming as us." Soda said seriously and I almost felt my gaze soften a bit.

"Well thanks for your concern but I'll be okay really. I can take care of myself." And without looking at any of them I stood up in the booth, climbed over Soda's lap and walked out the door to the sound of Two-Bit hooting with laughter.