Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.
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I didn't get much sleep that night. That girl kept creeping up in my mind right after I'd forget about her. I wanted to know why she was crying and why she was so upset. I wanted to ask her but I didn't know how she'd respond. She wasn't like any of the girls I'd ever met. But as the night went on, I finally decided that I would confront her and demand to know what her problem was with me. I didn't do anything to her, so I don't know what'd she have against me.
I must of fell asleep because when I opened my eyes the sun was pouring through the window. I rolled over and picked up a soft pillow so I could put it over my face. I quietly groaned and tried hard to listen to see if anyone was wandering around out in the kitchen. I had no luck so I thought that Darry must of been gone out to his job interview and Ponyboy must of been gone to school. I released the pillow from my warm face and glanced at the clock. The clock wasn't there. When I leaned over I noticed that the clock was scattered on the floor and it was un-plugged. I wondered how it managed to get like that. I guess Ponyboy must of tripped up in it this morning while he was getting ready for school.
I hesitated a few times before I had the energy to get out of bed. I didn't get as much sleep and I would of liked last night, but when I tried to get back to sleep, I failed. Just like many tests that I'd done in school in the past. I slowly crawled out of bed and tripped over the clock. I fell into the door and couldn't help but laugh. I bent down and placed the clock on the nightstand and went out into the kitchen.
I was right, Ponyboy and Darry were both gone. I searched on the counter for some cereal and then raided the fridge for some milk. Luckily, there was some. When I finally found a bowl, I poured some cereal and milk into a bowl and dug in. I was still getting used to my new surroundings. It was only after I was done eating breakfast that I noticed a note on the counter addressed to me.
Soda,
I'm gone for a job interview. I should be back around 4 or 5 this evening. There's left-over chicken in the fridge if you want some. I didn't want to wake you when I left this morning. You looked pretty tired. Ponyboy will be home a little later today too. So don't get worried if he doesn't get home when he's supposed to.
Darry.
P.S.
Go and meet the people next door if you get bored. I didn't get the chance yet. I will soon though.
I didn't know how long I was staring at the note after that. 'Go and meet the people next door.' Yeah I was really going to go and do that. Last night I knew I was going to go and ask her what her problem was, but today I didn't know if I had the heart to or not. It took some time to decide but in the end I decided to go over and at least try to make peace. But I was honestly afraid of her.
I was just about to walk out of the house with just underwear on but I stopped myself just when I had my hand on the door knob. I sprinted to my room and got some jeans, and a white undershirt. Then I found a red and black flannel that would go over it. I thought that that was good enough so I just left my room and shut the wooden door behind me.
I was walking over towards the house next door when I noticed the girl sitting on the steps of her house. I took a deep breath and trudged over. "Hey," I said. My voice sounded shaky. She just looked over and quickly looked away. I got a little closer and said without thinking, "Look, what did I ever do to you?"
She just stood up from where she was sitting and walked over to where I was in four long strides. She looked up and me and a grim smile crossed her pale face. "Oh, not a lot." Her voice was solid like a rock as she spoke. I wasn't going to put up with this any longer.
"Then do you mind telling me what your problem is then?" My voice sounded more confident this time. She laughed and her lips went in a straight line. "I just moved here two days ago and I barely know you," I added. Her mouth opened but she closed it quickly.
"You won't get it," she said after minutes of silence.
"I won't get what?" I responded. "I might not be smart, but I think I might be able to keep up." I gave her the kind of look telling her to go on.
"Look, I don't really care if you're smart or not. I just don't like you. You look like the type of guy who thinks he can get any girl he wants. Oh, correction. You think you are the kind of guy who can get any guy he wants. Well listen here, you can't get any girl you want, and you certainly won't be getting me!" Her voice echoed through my head. I was glad that nobody was walking along the sidewalk because they would've enjoyed this.
I spoke up. "I don't know what you're getting on with," I began. "You don't even know anything about me. You might remember my name from the other day but that's it. I don't even know your name for crying out loud! I know nothing about you and you know nothing about me! So stop making these judgements." I usually didn't act like that around girls but I couldn't help it this time.
She looked down for the first time since our conversation. "Natasha," she whispered. "My name is Natasha and I'm 17 years old. My birthday is on May 26th and I don't like you!" she screamed. "So leave. me. alone." She turned around and bolted for her door. She slammed the door so hard that I thought the glass window in the door was going to shatter.