Author's Note: First off, I have to give a nice big thank you to SodasGurl
and Sammie for being the first ones to review my work. *applauds*. Okay,
on to business. This chapter starts jumping into the plot a bit more.
Sorry this chapter's so long, but I hope you enjoy it, I'm having a fun
time writing it! Here's chapter two for ya.
CHAPTER TWO
DARRELL CURTIS' POINT OF VIEW
"Hey," she purred, her voice rippling like velvet. I managed to say, "Hello," back to her. "So, you any good at skiing?"
"I try to," she replied. Her voice was akin to a stupider Betty Boop. She then offered her hand, "Earlene. Earlene Summers."
"Darrel, but everyone calls me Darry."
"Oh, how cute!" she giggled inanely, smacking her gum. "So, you got a car or something?"
I looked at her strangely. Earlene was wearing very little considering the fact we were at a ski lodge. I replied, "Uh.a truck."
"Oh." she said snootily. "So your daddy doesn't buy you stuff? My daddy buys me everything. Daddy even bought me this new outfit, it's by Mary Quant. All the way from.wait, what is it? That one huge chunk of land, what's it called? UK I think."
"England?" I replied.
"Yeah! That's it! I was going to say Australia. How'd you know?" she asked. I rolled my eyes. She just HAD to be kidding. "Mary Quant. Ain't that quaint? Hey, it rhymes!" She burst into hysterical giggling and continued to chew on her gum.
"My father's dead," I replied plainly. I was very close to my father. Many used to think we were brothers. I still missed my parents at times. I was looking around the room, hoping for someone to rescue me. Why had Rich dragged me along?
"Oh, that sucks. You don't get any free stuff," Earlene shrugged, seeing logic in her statement. "Well, I guess a truck will do. C'mon, let's go!" And then she took my hand and started to drag me off.
"What?" I asked.
"What?" she reiterated like a parakeet.
I shook my hand from her grip. Earlene continued, "So, how much do you make?"
"I work as a construction worker."
"Oh." Earlene replied. It was her turn to be disgusted. "I didn't know Rich knew any poor people. I.better.go. Right." And then she hurried off to Rich's Swedish friend who had more muscles then brain cells. In moments the two had left for a quieter place.
"Hey, Darrel? You there?" I suddenly snapped out of last Thursday's memory. I had gone on a ski trip at the urging of my friend from high school, Rich. While there, I felt incredibly uncomfortable. The only two people I could really associate with were Rich and his girlfriend, and even that was strained at points. When most found out about my money situation they gave an exiting performance similar to Earlene Summers'.
I turned to face my boss. He was a crabby, balding New Yorker with bad body odor and even worse manners. I didn't like him too much, but he paid me and if that was enough to put food on the table then it was fine with me.
"Curtis, I ain't payin' you to stand around and stare at the pretty broads walking down the street. I pay you to roof houses. So get to work!" Spittle sprayed from his bottomless black hole of a mouth onto my face. I waited for him to turn around before I wiped the spit off of my face. It wasn't two seconds later until the other construction workers started whistling and making rude comments at two high school girls walking down the street to go eat lunch off campus. From the way they carried themselves and the way they dressed they were Socs. One was a cute brunette while they other was a gorgeous blonde.
"Hey, chickies, come over and give me some white sugar!" shouted the boss. The brunette giggled at it, while the blonde put her hands on her hips and pouted.
"That's disgusting!" she said to the other construction men.
"Yeah, I just wish you were as dirty as my car," my boss said, jabbing a thumb back at the most dirtiest car I had ever seen. Even Two-Bit kept his car cleaner, and he was the biggest slob I'd ever met.
The blonde curled her lip and began to walk past the construction workers, but they continued to make rude comments. She just held her head up and walked off, dragging her brunette friend with her.
"Pretty rank." I looked over my shoulder to see Crick. He's a Hispanic, a bit older then me. Nice guy but has no idea what he wants to do with the rest of his life and probably didn't have much of a future. I could usually see him getting high behind the garbage disposals on a Friday night.
"Yeah," I agreed.
Crick picked up his hard hat and tin lunchbox, "Hey, I'm gonna skip out early for lunch. Wanna come?" I looked around and saw the rest of the construction workers crowded around the wired fence, now making rude comments at an older black woman. I shrugged and grabbed my hard hat and paper bag, "Sure." So we started walking out of the work area, leaping over the fence and walking into the parking lot.
"Kat should be here any minute," Crick said, waiting patiently.
"Who's Kat?" I asked. I soon found out. Immediately, this beat-up Impala burst into the parking lot, burning rubber as it tipped on its side. The Impala pulled up right next to us. In the front seat was a tough looking Hispanic woman I'd have to assume was related to Crick. She had red-streaked black hair that flowed a little past her shoulders. She was wearing blue jeans and a white tank top and absolutely no make-up. In an odd way, she was quite attractive to look at, nice firm body with a defiant look. The driver tossed her hair as she hopped out of the car. Like a giggling schoolgirl she ran up to Crick and threw her arms around him, laughing merrily.
"That is Kat," Crick said, wearing his idiotic grin. "Kat, this is my co-worker Darry Curtis. Darry, this is my kid sister Kat."
"Damn straight," Kat said. She offered me her hand and so I shook hers. I had to confess, she was really nice to look at, especially when she smiled.
"You comin' to eat with us guys?" asked Crick teasingly. Kat shook her head, her wavy black hair tossing in the air.
"Nope. I just wanted to drop your hot girlfriend Carlene here off," she said sarcastically, patting the Impala, "but I could use a ride home."
"Ah, come on Kat, you too, Darry," Crick said. The three of us hopped into the Impala, with Kat in between us. She had the radio cranked up and was chewing gum, looking out at Tulsa. We passed by the local 7- 11, which had been broken into last night. Across the street was Mike's Bake Shop. Crick pulled in, murmuring a, "I'm gonna go buy some donuts," before hurrying off. Two police officers were standing nearby, shaking their heads.
"Man, they sure beat that guy down," the first cop said, fiddling with his greasy mustache.
"Yeah, blood everywhere," the second cop said, who from his gray hair was in his 50's. "Boy, I wish that Dallas Winston was still around so we could blame him for everything that went wrong."
"Those were the days," the first cop replied, nodding his head in nostalgic admiration.
"C'mon, Bennet, I'll buy you some coffee," the second said.
The first asked, "OK. What about the 7-11?"
"Aw, just hall Shepard and his gang down. We gotta pin it on somebody."
"You sure are smart, Dogberry." The two cops began to stroll back to their car. Mentioning Dally's name was getting easier to hear. He'd been dead for a couple months now, him and Johnny, but it still stung. I didn't get nightmares about it like Pony did. I worry about that kid.
"So, you work with my older brother?" asked Kat. She had now unwrapped a jawbreaker and popped it into her mouth.
I nodded, "Yeah, Crick works for me. He puts in an effort." Frankly, Crick was kind of a slacker, but how was I supposed to tell that to his kid sister?
Kat shrugged and then nodded, "That's a switch. Nobody in our family really works 'cept my stepdad and my other older brother, Paul."
"Your father died?" I asked. No one around here had a stepparent unless if one spouse died.
Kat shook her head, "Nope. Divorced, my dad's switches back and forth from owning a gas station and being a truck driver, he's living in Albuquerque last time I talked to him."
"Really?"
She nodded again, "Yep." Kat turned to face me, "So what about you, Superman? What's your deal?"
"My parents died in a car crash," I said softly. I was very close to my father. Before he died people used to comment on us, saying we looked like brothers. I sometimes still wake up in the middle of the night, panting heavily. I wanted more then anything for them to come back, and I wanted to sob like my brothers at their funeral, but I couldn't. I had to be strong, the eldest brother, the one in charge. So I just stood there, lost in thought, hands in my pockets, staring down at their graves, while Pony and Soda sobbed. I wished I could've done something. Would it have even mattered?
I forgot that Kat had been sitting there next to me. I couldn't remember how long I was sitting there. Afraid that Kat might have read the mixed emotions on my face, I mustered up the strength to hide them. From the knowing look in Kat's dark green eyes, I think she knew.
Crick ambled back into the front seat, baring an alcoholic bottle and tossing the donut bag to Kat and I, "Jesus Christ, how long does a cashier have to check an ID?"
"Aw, don't feel sorry for good ol' Crick," Kat teased jokingly. Crick playfully attempted to smack her on the head, but she ducked, laughing. Even I had to grin a bit. Crick started the car up again (after having it sputter and nearly die) and started driving towards Kat's place. The two of us didn't say anything, though occasionally I would sneak a glance at her and she'd sneak one at me. We'd both catch one another's eye and then immediately turn back to face the road, blushing slightly. I don't know how long that game lasted, but it seemed like only seconds before I heard Crick say, "Well, here you go, kid sis."
"Thanks for the donuts, bro. Nice meeting you, Darrel," Kat said, stepping out of the car. I took a look to see where she was living. The neighborhood looked rundown and unkempt, with it's broken roofs and overflowing gutters. There was a long, thin staircase climbing up the wall like roses.
"Better wait for her to get up to her floor," Crick murmured. "Never know what could happen in this side of town." I could barely hear him, but I too wanted to make sure she was safe. I finally couldn't contain myself any longer. I bolted out of the car and up the stairs after her, leaving Crick with a puzzled look on his brow, wondering what was going on. I reached her door and knocked on it. She opened the door and seemed a bit surprised to see me, but glad at the same time.
"Um, this is going to sound real stupid since I just met you but, sometime maybe we can have a bite to eat?"
She smiled and said, "I thought you'd never ask. Here." Kat looked around and tore off a piece of newspaper and took a pen. She jotted something down and handed it to me. "My number. That'd be great to see you again."
"Really?" I said. "I mean, sure. I'll call." Kat gave me one last beautiful smile before closing the door. I wanted to jump for joy as I headed back to Crick's car.
SODAPOP'S POINT OF VIEW
It had to be one of the hottest days of the year. No one was safe from the intense heat bearing down on Tulsa. Me and Steve had broken open a fire hydrant, and now everyone down at the DX was flocking to it. 'cept me and Anya. We were just happy lying in Darry's truck. When she'd slip out of high school and stop by we'd sit in his truck talking for as long as possible. I loved to hear the sound of her voice. I was leaning my head on her tanned legs, while she was running her long fingers through my hair.
"Hey, baby, you're ruining my grease," I joked. Anya laughed softly. I propped myself up on my elbows and gazed up into her face. She always looked so beautiful, even if she wore too much eye make-up and had car grease on her cheeks. But very sad at the same time, and it hurt me to see her like that.
"Anya, what's wrong?" I asked.
She shrugged and looked away. Anya then turned her gaze back to mine, "Soda, do you love me?" I was appalled she'd asked that. I loved her more then I loved anyone else sometimes. Sometimes I would sit up late at night just thinking about her wistful brown eyes.
"Of course I do," I said indignantly. "Why would you ever think I didn't?"
"What about Sandy?" she asked softly. I paused for a moment. Sandy was my ex-girlfriend. She had left the same week Ponyboy and Johnny had run off. Gone for Florida. When I'd send her letters, I'd only received them back, unopened. That week had been pure hell. A searing pain shot through my spine to my forehead.
"Are you okay," asked Anya. She sounded generally concerned, and must've seen the dark look that had grown in my eyes. "Look, I just heard Sandy.she's coming back."
"What?!" I asked, shocked. I didn't want to see Sandy, not after what she had done.
"She called Evie and I the other day," continued Anya, looking guilty. I could've died right there. Why was Anya feeling guilty for my problems? And then her voice, so soft I could barely hear it, creaked, "Are you going to leave me for her?"
"No, of course not, baby," I told her. Again, I was shocked that she'd ask that. "Why would you ask?"
"Because." she began. Her face was contorted, trying to find the right word to fit her thoughts, "because Steve told me about how much you loved Sandy and I was Sandy's friend and all.and, well, I kinda felt like you only dated me 'cuz Sandy wasn't here-"
"Look, stop right there," I told her. I took her hand and held it to my face, "Anya, I love you for more reasons then I even care to mention, and you know that."
"I know," she confessed, nodding. She kissed me softly on the lips. Words can't describe the way I feel when I kiss her. I gazed up into her face, the face of an angel that had been brought to me for a reason.
"You have to get back soon," I told her.
Anya shook her head, her dark blonde mane catching the light, "I don't think Mr. Finney will miss me too much if I don't show up for World History."
"I mean it, Marilyn," I told her. I call her Marilyn 'cuz Anya always wanted to be a movie star, lighting the silver screen up with her sweet girl-next-door personality. I wasn't too fond of movies, they took too much time and I can't sit through them, but I'd go and see them if she was starring. "You still have two years of high school to get through, just 'cuz graduation's coming up."
"I know, you're right," agreed Anya, reluctantly giving in. "I just don't want to leave." I nodded, and then hopped out of Darry's truck. I helped her out and swung her around, the two of us laughing, as if we were in some sort of other world. I set her down and headed back to the refreshments station. Steve was fixing some middleclass man's car up. Anya walked over and began to bother her cousin. I gazed up and saw Anya tickling Steve, the two laughing hysterically. I had to smile. Steve was always so angry, usually over his abusive parents, but when he was with his cousin he seemed like he was actually happy, alive. There were no customers nearby, so I ran over and decided to join in.
PONYBOY'S POINT OF VIEW
No greasers actually eat lunch in the cafeteria, so me and Two-Bit, like most students at Tulsa High School, skipped out to eat lunch over at the DX, where my brother Sodapop and his pal Steve worked. We were broke, but I figured we could pawn some money off of Soda.
"Hey hey, if it's ain't Soda's chickadee, huh?" asked Two-Bit, popping a cigarette into his mouth from his back pocket and striking a match.
Anya smiled sweetly, "Wow, Two-Bit, that's a pretty big word for you to know."
"Yeah," replied Two-Bit sarcastically, "that's what you get when you pay attention in class." He blew a perfect smoke ring that fluttered up into the sky.
"Hey, look, Two-Bit, it's Mickey," Steve said, pointing to the mini TV in the refreshments station. Two-Bit was the type of person that was easily amused, so just flip on Mickey Mouse and give him a beer and chocolate cake and he'd be in heaven. Satisfied that his idol was on, Two-Bit sauntered in. Steve was his usual angry self. Apparently he and Anya had moved back into Steve's folks' house. There were rare times when Steve wasn't angry, mostly when he was around Anya or Evie or the gang. Soda explained to me that Anya was more like Steve's kid sister then his cousin; they stuck together.
"Hey, Ponyboy, what's up?" asked Anya, ruffling my hair. We'd kid around a lot, Anya and me, since we're in the same grade and all. I saw the look in Soda's eyes whenever he was around her; it was love, real love. That's something you didn't see too often in our 'hood.
"Aw, I'm just skippin' out," I told her.
Anya nodded, "Yeah, we got that test in Biology."
"Mind if I copy yours?"
"Ponyboy!" said Soda. He walked over and wrapped an arm around Anya. She giggled while Soda said, "You know what Darry would say."
"Yeah, I know," I told him. I looked to Steve, "Hey, where's Evie?"
"She's visiting relatives in Oklahoma City," grumbled Steve. "She'll be back by graduation." I followed Anya, Soda and Steve into the refreshments station. Anya was now wearing Soda's DX hat and was whispering something into his ear. Two-Bit was lounging on the floor, the TV propped on his belly, drinking a Pepsi and eating potato chips.
"Didja ever wonder if Minnie has a sister?" asked Two-Bit lazily.
"Why, thinkin' of asking her out?" I asked.
Two-Bit pointed at me with the hand holding the Pepsi, "Hey, kiddo, I don't see you picking up any girls."
"I know some friends I could hook you up with," Anya said. "Sure, they're in the eighth grade but I don't think that's too much of an age gap." I tuned her out, because just then a bevy of Socy girls entered the store, two of them being Sarah and Gloria, the two girls that had robbed the 7-11 store last night. The other three were just random cheerleaders, prissy and snobby and their worst quality, vain. Sarah had her hair pinned up and was wearing little make-up. Her friend, Gloria, went off with the rest of the girls to the bubble gum aisle. Sarah and I met eyes, and she gave me a quick smile before joining them.
"Ladies, can we help you?" asked Soda.
One of the cheerleaders giggled, "Ooh, it's Sodapop-"
"Who's Soda?" whispered the other.
"The cute one!" the last said.
"No thanks, just looking for bubble gum," answered Sarah. She then looked directly at me and said, "Though I could use some help finding the candy bars."
"They're in." Soda began. He then picked up on the notion that Sarah was looking directly at me and quickly recovered, saying, "Ponyboy here can you help you." Glad I had an excuse to talk to her, I walked into the back aisle to talk to her.
"So, how's everything, Pony?" Sarah asked.
"Pretty good, you?" I asked.
She nodded, "Same here. Graduation's coming up pretty soon."
"We're only sophomores," I replied. She looked like she was going to say something, but Steve beat her to it, "Hey, guys, hear about 7-11?" Immediately Sarah stiffened. She bit her lip and didn't bother to brush her feathery white-blonde bangs out of her face. Gloria, on the other hand, seemed too busy fighting with one of the other cheerleaders over which one of the Beatles was cutest.
"Yeah, poor Larry," said Anya sympathetically. Soda pulled her into a tight embrace. Two-Bit sipped some Pepsi and then commented, "Yeah, I'm thinking of goin' down and visiting the poor guy." I looked to Sarah. She was now staring at the ground, finding her expensive high heels incredibly fascinating.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
I nodded, "It's gonna be ok."
"No, it's not," murmured Sarah. "It's never going to be alright." It was then, of all times, things grew worse. Gloria looked out the window and hurried over to Sarah.
"Sarah, we got a problem," she said in a hushed tone, "Thunderbird, dead ahead." Sarah looked up, and saw what Gloria had pointed out.
"I don't see what's the big deal," one of the cheerleaders said in a whiny tone. "I mean, nearly every girl wishes they had Spike and Chris has beaus-"
"Shut up, Adrienne," snapped Sarah and Gloria in unison. The cheerleader, Adrienne, huffed and pouted, arms crossed across her plunging neckline. Spike and Chris hopped out of the Thunderbird, followed by three other Socy jocks. The three cheerleaders screamed ecstatically, rushing up and attacking their boyfriends. Spike kicked open the door and sauntered in, followed by Chris. The other Socs watched from outside.
"Hey baby, c'mon," said Spike. His hand reached for Sarah's posterior, but she smacked it away. "Ow, bitch, what the hell was that for?!"
"That was for everything you've done to me!" shouted Sarah. Spike looked at his hand, red from the pain. "Spike, you're graduating from high school on Wednesday, does that mean anything to you?"
"Keg parties?" he asked. I watched in silence as the two locked eyes. Sarah was appalled, while Spike grew defensive, "What? What was that supposed to mean, anyway?"
"Spike, that means you're going out into the world, actually going to do something. If you haven't noticed yet, high school ends."
"So?" replied Spike. "What's that got to do with it?"
"Plenty, Spike!" Sarah shouted, laughing at his stupidity, "plenty. That's why I'm breaking up with you."
"Wha-what?!" spat Spike. The other cheerleaders gasped in horror, and one of them fainted. He suddenly noticed I was there, and then grabbed me by the shirt. He pushed me into the side of the store. Dull pain shot through my body. Gloria gasped, and even Chris seemed a bit uneasy. Soda and Steve jumped to my defense.
"Don't touch him!" snapped Sarah. She was about to bend down to be at my side, but Spike grabbed her firmly by the arm.
"Is this what this is about? Huh, Sarah? That you've been two-timing me for this little punk?!" He kicked me in the stomach. I suddenly felt my stomach lurch, and I thought I was going to vomit. I hated Spike, I hated Spike for nearly killing Larry, I hated Spike for the way he treated Sarah, and I hated Spike for being a no good Socy bastard.
Oddly enough, Steve jumped to my defense. He punched Spike, right in the face. Spike reeled back, crashing into the aisle, but tried to keep his balance. Sarah grabbed him by the shirt before he could throw a fist at either Soda or Steve. Two-Bit, Anya and Gloria watched in horror. Chris and the other Socs took a perverse pleasure in this.
"No, Spike, this has nothing to do with Ponyboy," snapped Sarah. Her face was flushed red, and her voice was growing louder. "This has to do with that I'm tired of the way you're treating me. I'm tired of having to drive you home because you're too drunk you wouldn't even know if you got mugged. I'm tired of having a boyfriend who the highlight of his life is getting high and looking down at strippers' cleavage!"
"You found out about Kitty Katz?" asked Spike.
"Dear God, it's not about that!" shouted Sarah. She was on the verge of tears. "It's over, Spike." She then stormed out of the DX station. Gloria looked to an amused Chris and smacked him in the stomach before storming off. I wanted to go too and see how she was doing, but Spike just pointed a warning finger at me, saying, "Don't think this is over, grease," before turning to Chris and the rest of his Socy posse, "C'mon, let's go." The Socs all left while the rest of us glared as their Thunderbird sped off.
CHAPTER TWO
DARRELL CURTIS' POINT OF VIEW
"Hey," she purred, her voice rippling like velvet. I managed to say, "Hello," back to her. "So, you any good at skiing?"
"I try to," she replied. Her voice was akin to a stupider Betty Boop. She then offered her hand, "Earlene. Earlene Summers."
"Darrel, but everyone calls me Darry."
"Oh, how cute!" she giggled inanely, smacking her gum. "So, you got a car or something?"
I looked at her strangely. Earlene was wearing very little considering the fact we were at a ski lodge. I replied, "Uh.a truck."
"Oh." she said snootily. "So your daddy doesn't buy you stuff? My daddy buys me everything. Daddy even bought me this new outfit, it's by Mary Quant. All the way from.wait, what is it? That one huge chunk of land, what's it called? UK I think."
"England?" I replied.
"Yeah! That's it! I was going to say Australia. How'd you know?" she asked. I rolled my eyes. She just HAD to be kidding. "Mary Quant. Ain't that quaint? Hey, it rhymes!" She burst into hysterical giggling and continued to chew on her gum.
"My father's dead," I replied plainly. I was very close to my father. Many used to think we were brothers. I still missed my parents at times. I was looking around the room, hoping for someone to rescue me. Why had Rich dragged me along?
"Oh, that sucks. You don't get any free stuff," Earlene shrugged, seeing logic in her statement. "Well, I guess a truck will do. C'mon, let's go!" And then she took my hand and started to drag me off.
"What?" I asked.
"What?" she reiterated like a parakeet.
I shook my hand from her grip. Earlene continued, "So, how much do you make?"
"I work as a construction worker."
"Oh." Earlene replied. It was her turn to be disgusted. "I didn't know Rich knew any poor people. I.better.go. Right." And then she hurried off to Rich's Swedish friend who had more muscles then brain cells. In moments the two had left for a quieter place.
"Hey, Darrel? You there?" I suddenly snapped out of last Thursday's memory. I had gone on a ski trip at the urging of my friend from high school, Rich. While there, I felt incredibly uncomfortable. The only two people I could really associate with were Rich and his girlfriend, and even that was strained at points. When most found out about my money situation they gave an exiting performance similar to Earlene Summers'.
I turned to face my boss. He was a crabby, balding New Yorker with bad body odor and even worse manners. I didn't like him too much, but he paid me and if that was enough to put food on the table then it was fine with me.
"Curtis, I ain't payin' you to stand around and stare at the pretty broads walking down the street. I pay you to roof houses. So get to work!" Spittle sprayed from his bottomless black hole of a mouth onto my face. I waited for him to turn around before I wiped the spit off of my face. It wasn't two seconds later until the other construction workers started whistling and making rude comments at two high school girls walking down the street to go eat lunch off campus. From the way they carried themselves and the way they dressed they were Socs. One was a cute brunette while they other was a gorgeous blonde.
"Hey, chickies, come over and give me some white sugar!" shouted the boss. The brunette giggled at it, while the blonde put her hands on her hips and pouted.
"That's disgusting!" she said to the other construction men.
"Yeah, I just wish you were as dirty as my car," my boss said, jabbing a thumb back at the most dirtiest car I had ever seen. Even Two-Bit kept his car cleaner, and he was the biggest slob I'd ever met.
The blonde curled her lip and began to walk past the construction workers, but they continued to make rude comments. She just held her head up and walked off, dragging her brunette friend with her.
"Pretty rank." I looked over my shoulder to see Crick. He's a Hispanic, a bit older then me. Nice guy but has no idea what he wants to do with the rest of his life and probably didn't have much of a future. I could usually see him getting high behind the garbage disposals on a Friday night.
"Yeah," I agreed.
Crick picked up his hard hat and tin lunchbox, "Hey, I'm gonna skip out early for lunch. Wanna come?" I looked around and saw the rest of the construction workers crowded around the wired fence, now making rude comments at an older black woman. I shrugged and grabbed my hard hat and paper bag, "Sure." So we started walking out of the work area, leaping over the fence and walking into the parking lot.
"Kat should be here any minute," Crick said, waiting patiently.
"Who's Kat?" I asked. I soon found out. Immediately, this beat-up Impala burst into the parking lot, burning rubber as it tipped on its side. The Impala pulled up right next to us. In the front seat was a tough looking Hispanic woman I'd have to assume was related to Crick. She had red-streaked black hair that flowed a little past her shoulders. She was wearing blue jeans and a white tank top and absolutely no make-up. In an odd way, she was quite attractive to look at, nice firm body with a defiant look. The driver tossed her hair as she hopped out of the car. Like a giggling schoolgirl she ran up to Crick and threw her arms around him, laughing merrily.
"That is Kat," Crick said, wearing his idiotic grin. "Kat, this is my co-worker Darry Curtis. Darry, this is my kid sister Kat."
"Damn straight," Kat said. She offered me her hand and so I shook hers. I had to confess, she was really nice to look at, especially when she smiled.
"You comin' to eat with us guys?" asked Crick teasingly. Kat shook her head, her wavy black hair tossing in the air.
"Nope. I just wanted to drop your hot girlfriend Carlene here off," she said sarcastically, patting the Impala, "but I could use a ride home."
"Ah, come on Kat, you too, Darry," Crick said. The three of us hopped into the Impala, with Kat in between us. She had the radio cranked up and was chewing gum, looking out at Tulsa. We passed by the local 7- 11, which had been broken into last night. Across the street was Mike's Bake Shop. Crick pulled in, murmuring a, "I'm gonna go buy some donuts," before hurrying off. Two police officers were standing nearby, shaking their heads.
"Man, they sure beat that guy down," the first cop said, fiddling with his greasy mustache.
"Yeah, blood everywhere," the second cop said, who from his gray hair was in his 50's. "Boy, I wish that Dallas Winston was still around so we could blame him for everything that went wrong."
"Those were the days," the first cop replied, nodding his head in nostalgic admiration.
"C'mon, Bennet, I'll buy you some coffee," the second said.
The first asked, "OK. What about the 7-11?"
"Aw, just hall Shepard and his gang down. We gotta pin it on somebody."
"You sure are smart, Dogberry." The two cops began to stroll back to their car. Mentioning Dally's name was getting easier to hear. He'd been dead for a couple months now, him and Johnny, but it still stung. I didn't get nightmares about it like Pony did. I worry about that kid.
"So, you work with my older brother?" asked Kat. She had now unwrapped a jawbreaker and popped it into her mouth.
I nodded, "Yeah, Crick works for me. He puts in an effort." Frankly, Crick was kind of a slacker, but how was I supposed to tell that to his kid sister?
Kat shrugged and then nodded, "That's a switch. Nobody in our family really works 'cept my stepdad and my other older brother, Paul."
"Your father died?" I asked. No one around here had a stepparent unless if one spouse died.
Kat shook her head, "Nope. Divorced, my dad's switches back and forth from owning a gas station and being a truck driver, he's living in Albuquerque last time I talked to him."
"Really?"
She nodded again, "Yep." Kat turned to face me, "So what about you, Superman? What's your deal?"
"My parents died in a car crash," I said softly. I was very close to my father. Before he died people used to comment on us, saying we looked like brothers. I sometimes still wake up in the middle of the night, panting heavily. I wanted more then anything for them to come back, and I wanted to sob like my brothers at their funeral, but I couldn't. I had to be strong, the eldest brother, the one in charge. So I just stood there, lost in thought, hands in my pockets, staring down at their graves, while Pony and Soda sobbed. I wished I could've done something. Would it have even mattered?
I forgot that Kat had been sitting there next to me. I couldn't remember how long I was sitting there. Afraid that Kat might have read the mixed emotions on my face, I mustered up the strength to hide them. From the knowing look in Kat's dark green eyes, I think she knew.
Crick ambled back into the front seat, baring an alcoholic bottle and tossing the donut bag to Kat and I, "Jesus Christ, how long does a cashier have to check an ID?"
"Aw, don't feel sorry for good ol' Crick," Kat teased jokingly. Crick playfully attempted to smack her on the head, but she ducked, laughing. Even I had to grin a bit. Crick started the car up again (after having it sputter and nearly die) and started driving towards Kat's place. The two of us didn't say anything, though occasionally I would sneak a glance at her and she'd sneak one at me. We'd both catch one another's eye and then immediately turn back to face the road, blushing slightly. I don't know how long that game lasted, but it seemed like only seconds before I heard Crick say, "Well, here you go, kid sis."
"Thanks for the donuts, bro. Nice meeting you, Darrel," Kat said, stepping out of the car. I took a look to see where she was living. The neighborhood looked rundown and unkempt, with it's broken roofs and overflowing gutters. There was a long, thin staircase climbing up the wall like roses.
"Better wait for her to get up to her floor," Crick murmured. "Never know what could happen in this side of town." I could barely hear him, but I too wanted to make sure she was safe. I finally couldn't contain myself any longer. I bolted out of the car and up the stairs after her, leaving Crick with a puzzled look on his brow, wondering what was going on. I reached her door and knocked on it. She opened the door and seemed a bit surprised to see me, but glad at the same time.
"Um, this is going to sound real stupid since I just met you but, sometime maybe we can have a bite to eat?"
She smiled and said, "I thought you'd never ask. Here." Kat looked around and tore off a piece of newspaper and took a pen. She jotted something down and handed it to me. "My number. That'd be great to see you again."
"Really?" I said. "I mean, sure. I'll call." Kat gave me one last beautiful smile before closing the door. I wanted to jump for joy as I headed back to Crick's car.
SODAPOP'S POINT OF VIEW
It had to be one of the hottest days of the year. No one was safe from the intense heat bearing down on Tulsa. Me and Steve had broken open a fire hydrant, and now everyone down at the DX was flocking to it. 'cept me and Anya. We were just happy lying in Darry's truck. When she'd slip out of high school and stop by we'd sit in his truck talking for as long as possible. I loved to hear the sound of her voice. I was leaning my head on her tanned legs, while she was running her long fingers through my hair.
"Hey, baby, you're ruining my grease," I joked. Anya laughed softly. I propped myself up on my elbows and gazed up into her face. She always looked so beautiful, even if she wore too much eye make-up and had car grease on her cheeks. But very sad at the same time, and it hurt me to see her like that.
"Anya, what's wrong?" I asked.
She shrugged and looked away. Anya then turned her gaze back to mine, "Soda, do you love me?" I was appalled she'd asked that. I loved her more then I loved anyone else sometimes. Sometimes I would sit up late at night just thinking about her wistful brown eyes.
"Of course I do," I said indignantly. "Why would you ever think I didn't?"
"What about Sandy?" she asked softly. I paused for a moment. Sandy was my ex-girlfriend. She had left the same week Ponyboy and Johnny had run off. Gone for Florida. When I'd send her letters, I'd only received them back, unopened. That week had been pure hell. A searing pain shot through my spine to my forehead.
"Are you okay," asked Anya. She sounded generally concerned, and must've seen the dark look that had grown in my eyes. "Look, I just heard Sandy.she's coming back."
"What?!" I asked, shocked. I didn't want to see Sandy, not after what she had done.
"She called Evie and I the other day," continued Anya, looking guilty. I could've died right there. Why was Anya feeling guilty for my problems? And then her voice, so soft I could barely hear it, creaked, "Are you going to leave me for her?"
"No, of course not, baby," I told her. Again, I was shocked that she'd ask that. "Why would you ask?"
"Because." she began. Her face was contorted, trying to find the right word to fit her thoughts, "because Steve told me about how much you loved Sandy and I was Sandy's friend and all.and, well, I kinda felt like you only dated me 'cuz Sandy wasn't here-"
"Look, stop right there," I told her. I took her hand and held it to my face, "Anya, I love you for more reasons then I even care to mention, and you know that."
"I know," she confessed, nodding. She kissed me softly on the lips. Words can't describe the way I feel when I kiss her. I gazed up into her face, the face of an angel that had been brought to me for a reason.
"You have to get back soon," I told her.
Anya shook her head, her dark blonde mane catching the light, "I don't think Mr. Finney will miss me too much if I don't show up for World History."
"I mean it, Marilyn," I told her. I call her Marilyn 'cuz Anya always wanted to be a movie star, lighting the silver screen up with her sweet girl-next-door personality. I wasn't too fond of movies, they took too much time and I can't sit through them, but I'd go and see them if she was starring. "You still have two years of high school to get through, just 'cuz graduation's coming up."
"I know, you're right," agreed Anya, reluctantly giving in. "I just don't want to leave." I nodded, and then hopped out of Darry's truck. I helped her out and swung her around, the two of us laughing, as if we were in some sort of other world. I set her down and headed back to the refreshments station. Steve was fixing some middleclass man's car up. Anya walked over and began to bother her cousin. I gazed up and saw Anya tickling Steve, the two laughing hysterically. I had to smile. Steve was always so angry, usually over his abusive parents, but when he was with his cousin he seemed like he was actually happy, alive. There were no customers nearby, so I ran over and decided to join in.
PONYBOY'S POINT OF VIEW
No greasers actually eat lunch in the cafeteria, so me and Two-Bit, like most students at Tulsa High School, skipped out to eat lunch over at the DX, where my brother Sodapop and his pal Steve worked. We were broke, but I figured we could pawn some money off of Soda.
"Hey hey, if it's ain't Soda's chickadee, huh?" asked Two-Bit, popping a cigarette into his mouth from his back pocket and striking a match.
Anya smiled sweetly, "Wow, Two-Bit, that's a pretty big word for you to know."
"Yeah," replied Two-Bit sarcastically, "that's what you get when you pay attention in class." He blew a perfect smoke ring that fluttered up into the sky.
"Hey, look, Two-Bit, it's Mickey," Steve said, pointing to the mini TV in the refreshments station. Two-Bit was the type of person that was easily amused, so just flip on Mickey Mouse and give him a beer and chocolate cake and he'd be in heaven. Satisfied that his idol was on, Two-Bit sauntered in. Steve was his usual angry self. Apparently he and Anya had moved back into Steve's folks' house. There were rare times when Steve wasn't angry, mostly when he was around Anya or Evie or the gang. Soda explained to me that Anya was more like Steve's kid sister then his cousin; they stuck together.
"Hey, Ponyboy, what's up?" asked Anya, ruffling my hair. We'd kid around a lot, Anya and me, since we're in the same grade and all. I saw the look in Soda's eyes whenever he was around her; it was love, real love. That's something you didn't see too often in our 'hood.
"Aw, I'm just skippin' out," I told her.
Anya nodded, "Yeah, we got that test in Biology."
"Mind if I copy yours?"
"Ponyboy!" said Soda. He walked over and wrapped an arm around Anya. She giggled while Soda said, "You know what Darry would say."
"Yeah, I know," I told him. I looked to Steve, "Hey, where's Evie?"
"She's visiting relatives in Oklahoma City," grumbled Steve. "She'll be back by graduation." I followed Anya, Soda and Steve into the refreshments station. Anya was now wearing Soda's DX hat and was whispering something into his ear. Two-Bit was lounging on the floor, the TV propped on his belly, drinking a Pepsi and eating potato chips.
"Didja ever wonder if Minnie has a sister?" asked Two-Bit lazily.
"Why, thinkin' of asking her out?" I asked.
Two-Bit pointed at me with the hand holding the Pepsi, "Hey, kiddo, I don't see you picking up any girls."
"I know some friends I could hook you up with," Anya said. "Sure, they're in the eighth grade but I don't think that's too much of an age gap." I tuned her out, because just then a bevy of Socy girls entered the store, two of them being Sarah and Gloria, the two girls that had robbed the 7-11 store last night. The other three were just random cheerleaders, prissy and snobby and their worst quality, vain. Sarah had her hair pinned up and was wearing little make-up. Her friend, Gloria, went off with the rest of the girls to the bubble gum aisle. Sarah and I met eyes, and she gave me a quick smile before joining them.
"Ladies, can we help you?" asked Soda.
One of the cheerleaders giggled, "Ooh, it's Sodapop-"
"Who's Soda?" whispered the other.
"The cute one!" the last said.
"No thanks, just looking for bubble gum," answered Sarah. She then looked directly at me and said, "Though I could use some help finding the candy bars."
"They're in." Soda began. He then picked up on the notion that Sarah was looking directly at me and quickly recovered, saying, "Ponyboy here can you help you." Glad I had an excuse to talk to her, I walked into the back aisle to talk to her.
"So, how's everything, Pony?" Sarah asked.
"Pretty good, you?" I asked.
She nodded, "Same here. Graduation's coming up pretty soon."
"We're only sophomores," I replied. She looked like she was going to say something, but Steve beat her to it, "Hey, guys, hear about 7-11?" Immediately Sarah stiffened. She bit her lip and didn't bother to brush her feathery white-blonde bangs out of her face. Gloria, on the other hand, seemed too busy fighting with one of the other cheerleaders over which one of the Beatles was cutest.
"Yeah, poor Larry," said Anya sympathetically. Soda pulled her into a tight embrace. Two-Bit sipped some Pepsi and then commented, "Yeah, I'm thinking of goin' down and visiting the poor guy." I looked to Sarah. She was now staring at the ground, finding her expensive high heels incredibly fascinating.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
I nodded, "It's gonna be ok."
"No, it's not," murmured Sarah. "It's never going to be alright." It was then, of all times, things grew worse. Gloria looked out the window and hurried over to Sarah.
"Sarah, we got a problem," she said in a hushed tone, "Thunderbird, dead ahead." Sarah looked up, and saw what Gloria had pointed out.
"I don't see what's the big deal," one of the cheerleaders said in a whiny tone. "I mean, nearly every girl wishes they had Spike and Chris has beaus-"
"Shut up, Adrienne," snapped Sarah and Gloria in unison. The cheerleader, Adrienne, huffed and pouted, arms crossed across her plunging neckline. Spike and Chris hopped out of the Thunderbird, followed by three other Socy jocks. The three cheerleaders screamed ecstatically, rushing up and attacking their boyfriends. Spike kicked open the door and sauntered in, followed by Chris. The other Socs watched from outside.
"Hey baby, c'mon," said Spike. His hand reached for Sarah's posterior, but she smacked it away. "Ow, bitch, what the hell was that for?!"
"That was for everything you've done to me!" shouted Sarah. Spike looked at his hand, red from the pain. "Spike, you're graduating from high school on Wednesday, does that mean anything to you?"
"Keg parties?" he asked. I watched in silence as the two locked eyes. Sarah was appalled, while Spike grew defensive, "What? What was that supposed to mean, anyway?"
"Spike, that means you're going out into the world, actually going to do something. If you haven't noticed yet, high school ends."
"So?" replied Spike. "What's that got to do with it?"
"Plenty, Spike!" Sarah shouted, laughing at his stupidity, "plenty. That's why I'm breaking up with you."
"Wha-what?!" spat Spike. The other cheerleaders gasped in horror, and one of them fainted. He suddenly noticed I was there, and then grabbed me by the shirt. He pushed me into the side of the store. Dull pain shot through my body. Gloria gasped, and even Chris seemed a bit uneasy. Soda and Steve jumped to my defense.
"Don't touch him!" snapped Sarah. She was about to bend down to be at my side, but Spike grabbed her firmly by the arm.
"Is this what this is about? Huh, Sarah? That you've been two-timing me for this little punk?!" He kicked me in the stomach. I suddenly felt my stomach lurch, and I thought I was going to vomit. I hated Spike, I hated Spike for nearly killing Larry, I hated Spike for the way he treated Sarah, and I hated Spike for being a no good Socy bastard.
Oddly enough, Steve jumped to my defense. He punched Spike, right in the face. Spike reeled back, crashing into the aisle, but tried to keep his balance. Sarah grabbed him by the shirt before he could throw a fist at either Soda or Steve. Two-Bit, Anya and Gloria watched in horror. Chris and the other Socs took a perverse pleasure in this.
"No, Spike, this has nothing to do with Ponyboy," snapped Sarah. Her face was flushed red, and her voice was growing louder. "This has to do with that I'm tired of the way you're treating me. I'm tired of having to drive you home because you're too drunk you wouldn't even know if you got mugged. I'm tired of having a boyfriend who the highlight of his life is getting high and looking down at strippers' cleavage!"
"You found out about Kitty Katz?" asked Spike.
"Dear God, it's not about that!" shouted Sarah. She was on the verge of tears. "It's over, Spike." She then stormed out of the DX station. Gloria looked to an amused Chris and smacked him in the stomach before storming off. I wanted to go too and see how she was doing, but Spike just pointed a warning finger at me, saying, "Don't think this is over, grease," before turning to Chris and the rest of his Socy posse, "C'mon, let's go." The Socs all left while the rest of us glared as their Thunderbird sped off.