Chapter 6: Disrespect

Church was okay. I had never gone before. Les' said that I needed to go to work out some things. Said that God would be able to help me with a couple of things. Whatever.

The next day at school, I didn't know what to expect I lived in a greaser neighborhood, but all my friends were socs. News must have gone around, because everyone was looking at me as I entered. Socs were whispering behind my back and Greasers were sizing me up.

Before I could get to the door, though, a group of socs confronted me. One of them asked,

"Is it true that you live in a greaser neighborhood now?"

I nodded. I knew who this guy was. It was Chris. The same guy that kicked Ponyboy in the head. I didn't know him personally. I just knew who he was. Chris started to smile.

I knew that jokes were about to come. So I just pushed past all of them before they could get a word out of their mouth.

At class, I noticed Ponyboy taking more glances at me. I guess he had heard the news about me.

I didn't feel like going to lunch that day. I wasn't hungry. Probably because of what happened that morning. I just sat behind the school, where I knew no one would bother me.

After school, I worked up my nerves. I was going to see if they would accept me. I mean, I was still dressed like a soc. When I walked to them, I caught every single one of their attention. I noticed that Rick and Tyler were in the group when I walked up.

"Well. Look who it is," said Chris. "I don't know why you're still dressed like us. You don't live in our neighborhood. You live in the broke down quarters."

"I'm still a soc," I said quietly. That was a stupid statement. Chris and a couple others laughed.

"No you're not. You've been dropped. You-"

"Man. Chris. That's enough," said Tyler cutting in.

Chris looked at Tyler. I guess Chris couldn't believe what he just did.

"Let's just go," said Rick.

The socs walked off. Chris turned his head around and looked at me. He had an evil smile. He then mouthed 'greaser'. The label was official. I couldn't believe it. I didn't have any friends. I mean, Tyler and Rick didn't say anything bad to me, but they walked off with them.

I decided to just go home. My new home. As I walked home,

"Hey!"

I turned around. I was surprised to see who had tried to get my attention. Ponyboy was running towards me with his books in his hands.

"I know what's going on. Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I said quietly.

"Do-do you need someone to talk to?" he asked.

"I don't need your pity," I said coolly.

I could see that he knew that I didn't want to be bothered. I don't know why he was worried about me. I didn't even know him.

"Okay," he started. "Just let me know."

He started in a different direction. I went by the house. Les' was probably still at work. I just dropped my books in my room and left the house. I just walked around. I had no idea where I was going again.

I had lost my dad, my mom, my money and now my friends. Did I have anything anymore? Did I have anything to live for? Guess not. It was dusk about now. No one was on the street where I was. I looked around. I saw a bum lying there with a case of beer next to him. He was passed out. I reached down and grabbed one of the bottles that weren't closed. I struggled, but I finally got it open. I looked at it. Like I told Rick. I've never drank before.

What the heck. I had no one to impress. I drank the entire bottle. Interesting taste. I walked around; my head began to sway a lot. But I didn't care. I looked up the street. There was a bus coming. This might be my only chance. When the bus got close enough, I jumped out into the street.

I heard the honk and some brakes, but I still was lifted off of the ground. I figured I might have been hit. But I didn't feel any pain. There was some weight on top of me as I hit the ground. I passed out.

When I woke up. I was lying on something. I knew it wasn't a bed. It felt too hard. I kept my eyes closed. I didn't want to get up.

"Is he okay?" asked someone. The voice was familiar.

My eyes shot open to see some greaser over me. He backed off a little when he figured out that I was awake.

I sat up and looked around. Ponyboy was on the other side of the bench with some other guy.

"Is this the guy you were talking about, Pony?"

"Uh-huh."

The guy turned his attention to me.

"What's your name?"
"Dean."

"Hey. You already know my brother, Ponyboy. I'm Sodapop."

Great. Another weird named kid.

"Pony told me about you situation," continued Soda. "And it's a little obvious you need someone to hang out with."

"I guess," I said. It was partially the truth.

"Don't try killing yourself," he continued. "Good thing I found you."

Then I realized it. The guy must have pushed me out of the way of the bus before it hit me. Once again. These guys didn't know me at all. Why would they do all this?

"You need a ride home?" asked Ponyboy.

"Sure. I'll take it."

They led me to a truck. I sat in the back and they dropped me off.

"See you later," said Soda.

"Uh. Yeah."

'See you later?' I guess I could hang out with them a little bit. I walked into the house and Les' was washing dishes.

"Hey kiddo. I got your dinner on the counter. Where ya' been?"

"Oh. I just met some new people."

"That's good."

I ate my dinner and walked to my room. I still hadn't started on my homework. I thought for a moment. I guess this 'greaser' life wouldn't be so bad.