Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, I know I don't own The Outsiders…
Chapter Three- Alone
Cherry tapped her pencil on her desk, staring at page one-hundred-fifty of her History text book. Her teacher was rambling on about some war, and the two girls in front of her were passing notes. Cherry felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Karen, who was sitting beside her.
"Do you have a date for Homecoming yet?" she asked tossing a paper note in Cherry's direction. Cherry picked the note up and began unfolding it slowly. She shook her head.
"No," she said concentrating on the folds in the paper. Why was everyone so interested in the stupid Homecoming Dance anyway, she didn't see what the big deal was. Karen turned her attention back to their history teacher as Cherry began reading the note.
Cher,
Hey, do you have a date yet? I do, his name's Michael, he's real sweet. He even bought me a flower. I think you and Bob should go together. Marcia told me how you two got to talking in the hallway yesterday morning. You guys are such a sweet couple, why'd you even break up? I think I'll vote for you for Homecoming instead of Maggie, you seem like you want it more. Maybe after school today we can hang out, or do you have cheerleading practice? Those boys we talked to yesterday at lunch were real cute, you should've come over with us. The one kept looking at you, I think he likes you. Well, I guess I'll talk to you later.
--Karen Barnes
Cherry refolded the paper and carefully stuffed it in her book. How did it seem like Cherry wanted to be queen more than Maggie, she didn't even want to run. The bell rang and Cherry stood up, closing her text book. Karen waited for her at the doorway. "You should really consider it, you know," Karen's high pitched voice said as Cherry walked past her, making her way to her next period class.
"No," Cherry said easily, "I don't like him, I'm not sure I ever did like him." Karen followed after Cherry, her blond curls bouncing freely around her head. Cherry smiled at a couple of boys passing by and then turned back to Karen. "There's nothing to consider, Karen," she said with finality. Karen sighed and turned into her Chemistry room.
After school, Cherry, Maggie, and Marcia were in the locker room, getting ready for cheerleading practice. Cherry pulled her blue and yellow pleaded skirt up over her blue shorts she wore underneath it. Marcia was explaining an Algebra problem to Maggie. Cherry pulled her hair back into a ponytail, a few extra strands of hair brushing into her face.
"Alright, girls," Coach Wilson said loudly as she walked into the locker room, "we have many new cheers to learn, and not a lot of time. Friday is the game against Whitesock and we have a pep rally on Thursday." Cheers were heard from one corner of the locker room, and Maggie and Marcia glanced at each other. Lindsey and Joyce Baker were the peppy cheerleaders who didn't really have a life. They spent every minute of everyday cheering.
Cherry finished lacing up her sneakers before grabbing her pom-poms and running into the gym with the rest of the girls. Coach Wilson gave her a warning look for being late, but Cherry pretended not to notice.
"Do you think you could give me a ride home tonight," Maggie asked Cherry as she was lifted to the top of a pyramid. Cherry nodded and began to below out the chant.
"See you later," Marcia said as Maggie and Cherry got into Cherry's car. Maggie waved and Cherry smiled. The wind was blowing furiously outside and it was turning colder and colder everyday. Cherry turned the key in the ignition and began pulling out of the school parking lot.
"Do you mind if I make a stop before we go home?" Cherry asked, she knew Maggie wouldn't mind. Maggie shook her head and looked out the window, neither girl talking the entire ride. Cherry pulled up to the DX, parking in the parking lot. Maggie got out and shut her door walking up to look in the window.
"Sodapop, I got someone here to see you!" Cherry said walking in the door. The counter was empty, but there was rustling about in the back room.
"I'm in here!" Soda yelled from the darkness behind the door. He came out carrying a box of car parts, his hands covered in oil. Maggie smiled. "Well, hi there Miss Cherry Valance." He pretended to tip a hat in her direction. Cherry smiled and tapped Maggie on the arm.
"This is Maggie, you know the one I talked about yesterday." Maggie gave Cherry a funny look and then held out her hand. Soda put the box down on the counter and wiped his hands on an old piece of cloth.
"Nice to meet you, Soda, is it?" Soda nodded and extended his hand as well. Maggie smiled politely and looked around the store. "I've been in here a lot before, it's a nice place." Soda smiled and Cherry laughed.
"Yes, ma'am. Cherry's a regular, she likes her cappuccino." Cherry laughed at Soda's comment and then began to walk around the store. There was something about the DX that made Cherry feel at home, especially when her parents were out of town. She always knew Soda'd be there, which gave her someone to talk to. Maggie and Marcia didn't know about her visits there. Maggie'd just thought she'd stop in for gas now and then.
"Well, we should get going," Cherry said walking toward the door, "I just wanted you to meet Maggie, since you seemed so interested yesterday." Cherry winked at Soda while Maggie giggled and followed Cherry out the door. Soda smiled and nodded as the girls made their was to the car.
"I got my dress yesterday," Cherry said before turning into the street Maggie lived on. Maggie turned to look at Cherry, her hair falling in her face. Cherry smiled to herself remembering how wonderful it looked on her.
"Really? Is it beautiful?" Cherry nodded and turned to look at Maggie, waiting for her to say she had a dress, too, or a date. Maggie didn't say anything though, but she turned back to look out the window again. Cherry sighed and stopped the car in front of Maggie's white house. "Thanks," Maggie said quietly.
"Yeah, see you later," Cherry said and she watched Maggie open her front door. She turned around to head home, not making any stops along the way.
Cherry figured her parents probably hadn't called, so she went upstairs to her bedroom to try and start her essay again. She wrote her name on the top of the white lined paper, along with the date. There, she thought, that's a start. She sat in her room thinking of something to write until the phone rang. Cherry figured it was her mom or dad, but answered it anyway.
"Hello?" Cherry's voice said into the phone. She twisted the cord around her wrist, sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Sherri?" Cherry smiled excitedly at the sound of her grandmother's voice.
"Grandma! I haven't talked to you in so long!" Cherry's grandma laughed and then cleared her throat. Cherry stared at a poster on her wall while her grandmother spoke.
"I know, it's been a while. Are your parents home, sweetie?" She had such a soft, soothing voice, Cherry just wanted to hug her. She missed her grandmother, she lived in California, and Cherry never got to see her anymore.
"No, they went to Texas. I think they left yesterday." Cherry said trying to hide the hurt in her voice. She didn't want her grandmother to worry.
"Oh, well will you tell them I called?" Cherry's grandma didn't sound all that disappointed to hear that her parents weren't available. Cherry wondered if she had just expected it.
"Yeah, I will." Cherry sat in silence for a while, trying to think of something to tell her grandmother. "Grandma, I'm running for Homecoming Queen this year," Cherry said suddenly. She heard her laugh on the other end of the phone, causing to Cherry laugh as well. "I know, it was a pretty dumb idea."
"No, no, no, it was a great idea. You'd make a fine Homecoming Queen." Now it was Cherry's turn to laugh. She honestly couldn't see herself as the Homecoming Queen, it just didn't seem like her. But apparently she was the only one who thought that.
"Well, I better go, I have homework," Cherry said sighing into the telephone. She really didn't want to stop talking to her grandmother, she always made her laugh even when she didn't want to.
"Alright, tell your parents I called." Cherry hung up the phone and flopped back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was so white, so boring. She sighed and closed her eyes. It was only seven-thirty, but it was too cold to go anywhere. She slowly stood up and walked downstairs to pour herself a glass of milk, she loved milk. Maybe she'd go over to Marcia's house later, just so she didn't have to feel alone.
Hmm.. so this chapter was sort of a filler, I couldn't really think of an outstanding idea. The next chapter will be really good and long, though. Actually, I'm going to try to get the next chappie done today... please review!