I do not own the Outsiders!

Johnny's P.O.V

"Sure is cold out tonight Johnny, you got a light?"

"Yeah man, whose idea was it to go to the movies this late anyway?" Pony's my best friend and all but sometimes he just doesn't think. We could've called Dally for a ride home but it was too late for that now, at least I had a blade.

"Hey Pony, wanna check out the record store? I here they sell some books in there now, "Pony probably knew I was making lame excuses to not go home, but it was Friday night no doubt my parents were both boozed up.

"Sure man, why not."

…

I'd never actually been in this store before, I'm never at home enough to listen to any vinyl but I knew Pony did. The store was small, and rows of alphabetized records lined the walls. Pony levitated to the books, like girls to Sodapop and I loitered with my hands in my jeans jacket by the Elvis collection.

"Can I help you," I turned to see a red-headed girl smirking at me. Her smirk reminded me of Dallas's, the one I had tried to imitate over and over. She was a few inches shorter than me, and definitely grease. Her t-shirt was covered by a black leather jacket that was too big for her like it had been a hand-me-down and her jeans were covered in holes and grease stains.

"No, just here with my buddy I'm…uh Johnny Cade by the way and this here is Ponyboy." He swiveled around to her attention, and I felt like a toy soldier with the way her hands were on her hips and we lined up here.

"Well, hello Johnny I'm Jolene, Jo for short, find anything interesting Pony," as she shook our hands.

"Yeah, I gotta copy of Gone with the Wind here," he handed her a couple dollars that she shoved into the register and jumped off her stool.

"I know I just met you boys, but you think you could walk with me to my house? Friday nights ain't the best night alone."

"Yeah, sure," Pony shrugged.

"Thanks, be right back." When she returned we strolled out the door, and into the night which seemed to have gotten colder. Pony was shivering and I was chilled although Jolene didn't look fazed. She had a vague look on her face, as if she was angry but not sure how to handle it. This surprised me also the fact that she wasn't giggling or chattering away like most sixteen year old girls in town.

"Do you go to school around here," Pony questioned. I was willing to walk the whole way home without speaking a word and Jo looked intent at that too. But she answered almost bitterly.

"Yeah I go to the high school right around the corner just started today."

"Where'd you move from," Pony's curiosity was going to get the best of him one day even though I couldn't tell him that to his face.

"Bristow, but you probably shouldn't call it moving. I ran away. My mom passed away a year or two ago, and I can't stand my dad beating me every time he gets drunk." This girl had nerve, I would never tell a stranger that even though that was my situation at home. She seemed unmoved though, emotionless.

"Oh, so where are you staying and all that, "Ponyboy ventured.

"My aunt lives around the corner here; she never liked my dad anyway. But she's probably not the best…uh...parent figure either."

We stopped at the corner house, and I could see Pony's place and mine from here. So this is who lives here, I thought to myself until they were interrupted by the door being unlocked.

"You guys want a coke or something," it was more of a statement than a question but she looked uncomfortable letting two new greasers into her house even if she was one of us.

"Nah, but thanks we gotta run home," she looked surprised as I spoke up.

"Ok, I'll see you guys at school." She turned to step up the ledge but not quick enough and tripped. She caught herself laughing and waved goodnight.

…

"You wanna crash at our house buddy?"

"Yeah," I replied "it's too cold to sleep in the lot."

Jolene was barely in my mind, and as I fell asleep I remember thinking how familiar she had looked. She reminded me of Dallas no doubt, even her smirk. She should meet the boys, I mentally noted as I closed my eyes.