The radio on my nightstand was on, and was currently playing Elvis. Everyone thought he was out, but I enjoyed his work, especially his older songs. I was busy on my art project, and I was sketching out a stack of books with a vase of flowers on top. I was no artist, unless you put my artwork next to some other kids' work in my class. I seemed like a Picasso in that situation.

I was working on the details of the book covers, coloring one in with the different shades of reds I was given. Then I heard my name.

"Marcia, dear!" my mom called, "Can you come down here?"

"Coming!" I yelled. I hopped off my chair and ran (slowly) to my door and down the stairs. I was greeted with my mother's smiling face. "Yes?" I asked.

"Hon, do you mind running to the store?" I sighed and hung my head. Mom snapped her fingers. "Don't give me that. I need a few things for dinner but I have a few things in the oven, plus, I need to do the laundry. Unless you want to stay and do it yourself…"

"I'll go," I muttered. I love shopping but not grocery shopping. At least my sort of shopping had fun things like clothes and makeup. Groceries involves inspecting apples for thirty minutes to see what's not dead yet. Mom thanked me as I headed upstairs to grab my Mary Janes and jacket. I then grabbed my house keys, and left. I was walking since I didn't have a car. I asked mom and daddy about it, but daddy says I'm not responsible yet. He thinks I'd crash it. I hate to admit it, but I do too. Mom just plain says we don't have the money. Real original, mom, for a family whose breadwinner of the household owns a big company. I just walked to the store. I didn't mind.

On my side of town, it's quite nice. It's always clean and neat. People pick up after themselves and try very hard to keep the streets clean, even though it's full of a bunch of drug users and alcoholics. It may be confusing when I say 'my side of town.' It means I'm on the west side, full of the social elites, the high class. The other side, the east side of town, is always dirty and full of guys who jump others. They have fights and maybe kill one another. Everyone on my side of town despises them, but after meeting those three boys the other night, they changed my mind. Obviously not all of the boys there are bad. Some are kind and misunderstood or seen from the wrong direction, and it goes the same way for the socs. Some of them seem real nice, they always dress their best, are kind, and have tons of respect towards everyone, but truthfully, they get drunk and throw parties that have no meaning. They act like angels around adults but the minute they are around other kids my age, they are just horrible people.

My best friend, Cherry, her boyfriend was one of those people. He was real popular and everyone loved him, except for his girlfriend (ironically). Cherry hated that he always brought some sort of booze along for him and my boyfriend, Randy, and I sure was beginning to be disturbed by it. The other night when we left them because they were drinking, it was Cherry's last straw, but she didn't have to worry about breaking up with him because he was killed by that innocent looking boy I met at the drive in. His name was Johnny. He was real nice but quiet. I was at the court hearing about when Johnny killed Bob, and I believed Johnny. They wanted to kill Pony and Johnny for talking to us.

Anyways, Cherry was the one who got out of breaking up with her boyfriend; I didn't. I felt kind of bad telling him I didn't want to be together anymore with everything that happened to him, but I can't stand him. He's been a bit more rude and hasn't bothered to spend time with me in months.

I made it to the store and walked in. I was greeted at the entrance. The man smiled, and I smiled back. Everyone saw me as one of the 'popular' kids because I always hung out with Cherry Valance, so people were always waving to me. I just waved back, but I was no celebrity. The attention was quite annoying. At least I never received as much as Cherry.

I pulled out the list my mother gave to me. It had: Milk, eggs, vegetables, fruits, cereal, mouthwash, toothpaste, and a towel (since Daddy burned the old one to ashes).

I was right by the fruits so I started there. I picked up strawberries and apples, inspected them for a second, and when they looked good enough, I threw them into my shopping bag. I then I went to the vegetables and picked some carrots. I crossed those off my list then got the milk and eggs. I headed down to the cereal aisle and stared at all the different kinds for a hot minute, but then something caught my eye.

There was a man, putting some of the boxes on shelves. He looked really familiar. He had rusty red hair with sideburns. He usually had a grin on his face, but now, it looked upset or bored. I'd never thought I'd see him bored. It took me a minute to remember his name, but then it came to me: Two-Bit.

"Hey, Two-Bit," I said, and stood there with a smile on my face. He whipped his head toward me, and looked confused. He then smiled awkwardly as he tried to put a name to my face.

"Hey…uh…" Two-Bit began, but seemed clueless.

"Marcia," I helped. His smiled then looked like it turned into a genuine smile.

"I knew that," He said with a sly grin. I giggled. Then I remembered how he never called. I looked at him up and down then told him.

"You know, you never called…"

He looked upset. His happy face fell. "I'm sorry. I lost the number when I got home," He stopped for a second then looked at me and smiled. "Do you mind if I get your number again?"

I smiled a took a pen out. "Sure," then I grabbed his hand and begun writing my number again. "This is so you don't lose it."

We both laughed. "Don't forget to call," I reminded, then I walked away, waving, and so was he.

At the time, I forgot to buy the rest of the things I needed. I just paid for what I had, then walked back home. I felt better this time and had a true feeling he would call.

When I got home and was unpacking everything, my mom asked where half of the stuff was. I just simply said I forgot. She wasn't too happy but, I may have gotten out of grocery shopping for a while.

I was working on my schoolwork when the phone rang. I didn't bother. Also because my record player was turned up and the music was all I could hear.

"Marcia!" My mom yelled. I didn't answer the first time. "Marcia!" She yelled even louder.

"Coming!" I yelled back. I took the needle off of the record and ran downstairs. My mom handed me the phone letting me know its for me. I got real excited.

"Hey, is this Marcia?" The voice said.

"Yes, this is she," I responded.

There was a sigh of relief on the other side of the phone. "I got real nervous when your mom picked up because she gave me a bit of an attitude when I asked for you," Two-Bit blabbered. I just giggled.

"She can be like that. Sorry about it," I apologize. He said it was fine. We ended up talking for hours. Even I didn't know exactly what the conversation was about. It was everywhere, but it was fun. I stood by the phone for apparently 2 hours before my parents told me I had to stop the call 'cause I was going to skyrocket the phone bill.

"I'm sorry, Two-Bit, I have to go-" I began, but he stopped me.

"Wait! Are you busy Friday?" He asked. I knew where this was going.

"No…" I responded.

"Would you like to accompany me to the Drive-In on Friday?" Of course, I said yes, and he cheered. He told me he'd pick me up at 6. I told him that's a little early and he said, "I know." I could tell he smirked. I was excited.

I hung the phone back up then headed to my room, and once I got inside and closed the door, I cheered. I was thrilled! Two-Bit also sounded excited! But then one thing ran across my mind and I stopped celebrating.

Randy.

Then it came to me: I'd break up with Randy tomorrow. For sure. No ifs, ands, or buts. I was going to do it. I need to. All I had was tomorrow morning before I went with Two-Bit to the Drive-In. I'm pretty sure he was out of this relationship too.