Chapter One
As I stepped out into the bright light from the darkness of the movie house, I had two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. I wished there was a man in Tulsa that looked half as good as Newman and with manners to back it up, but that wish was as good as dead if you lived on the east side with greasers like myself. Every boy was real tuff, and most had their noses healed crooked from whatever fight they had broken it in.
I sighed before starting my walk back home. I kicked a rock with Soda's ratty old sneakers that were a smidge too wide for my feet, my hands shoved in Momma's retired hoodie pockets. My eyes still watered at the thought of my late parents. I furiously rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. However, I couldn't stop my imagination from creating different universes. Universes where everything was okay. Because, maybe in another lifetime, I had both my parents with me and I could have my own clothes. Or maybe in another lifetime, I was a soc. I involuntarily shivered at the thought. I would rather be dead.
I hated socs, and despised the fear that would overtake my body when one was mentioned. That feeling just grew over time, especially when Johnny got beaten black and blue a few months ago. He is still scared of his own shadow sometimes.
My thoughts were cut short by a loud wolf whistle. My head turned and I cursed under my breath. A shiny red soc-y looking car that price tag would be sure to send my head spinning was creeping up behind me.
"Hey, girl! You sure are good lookin' for a greaser!" A boy a few years older than me yelled from the driver's seat, his grin mean as his eyes looked me up and down. I saw him before in school, I think his name was Josh Lenard. Several of his buddies in the back seat whopped and jeered as their gazes were locked on me.
"C'mon, why don't we take you for a spin, huh? I promise we're all real nice. How's that sound, baby?" His voice sounded buttery, like he was talking to a puppy. Yet, there was a certain edge to it that made my hands clam up.
I turned my head so that I was looking straight ahead, and I tried my best to broaden my shoulders to make myself look big and confident. Both of which I was not.
"I don't think my brothers will like that, they're comin' to meet me right now." I declared, and I desperately hoped my voice didn't sound as terrified as I felt right now. My eye twitched at the lie.
"Oh yeah? Where are they then?" I sucked in a breath. His voice dripped with the certainty that ain't nobody coming to pick stupid little Pony up. I walked a bit faster.
He and his friends laughed at me, their red car inching beside me to match my pace. "Y'know, I would never let a girl- especially with a face like yours- walk by her lonesome after catching a movie." Blood seeped from my face. They were watching me from all the way back then? Darry's right, I need to get my damn head outta the clouds.
"How about we catch a movie sometime, and we could have fun in the back row, dollface." His friends' jeers grew louder at that, and I risked a glance at his face. I saw his eyes trace my own green-grey eyes before dropping down to my exposed legs, and I suddenly regretted my decision to wear my Momma's old skirt today.
I felt a surge of hot shame and embarrassment being spoken to like that, and maybe that's what fueled my courage to say something.
"Yeah, like any girl would want to do that with you, keep on dreamin', soc." I rolled my eyes angrily and set out into a speed walk. His friends sure quieted down after that.
"Nah, baby, you don't speak to me that way. I'm being nice right now, but next time your pretty little tongue don't hold back it won't be too nice for you." Josh sneered at me, and one of his friends, I think his name was Bob, threw an empty coke bottle at me before their shiny red car drove off.
As I watched their car drive further away I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding. Even though socs generally didn't touch greaser girls, it was still a threat that loomed heavily over my head everytime one approached me. They just talk to me, but it still makes my heart race faster than when I sprint around the track. However, it was the only reason Darry let me out during the day by myself, and I couldn't sacrifice the only time I wasn't being babysat just because someone said something crude.
Albeit, I never tell him what socs say to me in detail. If he knew, or even Sodapop, they would be sure to lock me up in my room and only let me out with a personal bodyguard. So, despite the need to unburden myself of this, no word of this interaction would be spoken of to either of my brothers. At least I had Susie.
I practically jogged the rest of the way home, the fear still embedded into my body. I didn't daydream the whole way there, and my head kept whipping around at every car that whizzed past me.
As soon as I saw the familiar gate of my home I noticed the gang gathered around. Sodapop was in the middle of climbing the hood of a car and doing a backflip off of it when he noticed me. His eyes brightened and his grin got wider if that was possible. Sodapop is so jolly all the time, he gets a high off of life by itself.
"Hey, Pony!" He said, as he climbed down. However, when he got closer his eyebrows furrowed and his grin faltered.
"Why are you so pale? Are you feelin' alright?" The back of his hand touched my forehead and I nearly leaned into his touch. I was still shaken up and all I really wanted right now was a hug from my big brother. But I didn't want to be a baby, so I rolled my eyes with a faux annoyance and pushed his hand away. "I'm fine, just hungry from when you ate the last of the cereal this morning."
His lips stretched into another grin at my smart remark, and he looked over my face once more before he deemed I was fine and promptly had me in a headlock.
I laughed and giggled as we wrestled and tumbled on the ground together, and I even got a headlock in. However, I knew all the guys went easy on me when we wrestled, so it didn't mean much.
Once I was sure my cheeks were beet red from laughter we stopped.
Soda helped me back onto my feet. "C'mon, up you get, Giggles." I swatted at his arm for the nickname.
I saw Steve out of the corner of my eye, and as I turned to face him I recognized the familiar look of annoyance of his face. He thought I was Sodapop's tagalong kid sister, but it's not my fault my brother invites me to hang out with them.
I offered him a lazy grin, my previous tenseness gone. Soda has that effect on people. I watched his face contort into a sort of sneer. He was about to say something when I noticed someone leaning against the car.
My eyes widened for a moment, "Hey, Dally. How did you manage to escape the cooler early?"
He opened his mouth to respond when Two-Bit beat him to it, his signature bottle of beer clasped in his hand. "Used a spoon and dug his way outta there, and when he got out his good ol' pal Two-Bit was waitin' for him outside, and I held my arms open and-" Two-Bit didn't get to finish his story when Dally socked him in the shoulder.
I grinned and turned to Johnny for the answer as Two-Bit and Dally were fighting now.
He shrugged and spoke softly, "Apparently he got out for good behaviour." I laughed at the thought of Dallas Winston using his manners towards any cop, and I saw Johnny peek a small smile.
Dally socked Two-Bit one last time in the side of his head before they called it quits, both parties sporting new scrapes and angry splotches of skin. However, they looked flushed and excited. I never really understood why anyone would enjoy fighting. It looked scary.
"Where you comin' from, Pony? Ain't it gettin' a bit late to walk by your lonesome?" Leave it to Steve to remind my big big brother of the time, and successfully get me in trouble. Although, I couldn't disagree, the sun was just barely over the horizon and the street lamps were bound to come on in the next couple of minutes.
I glared at Steve anyway, who smirked in retaliation. I didn't exactly dig Steve Randle, and I swear he gets jealous that I'm stealing Sodapop away from him or something.
I almost groaned out loud as I saw Darry come down from our porch, the newspaper rolled up in his hand.
"The movie I caught went on for longer than I thought it would, and the street lights aren't even on yet!" I knew I sounded whiny, but I couldn't stand the feeling of being babied like a little kid.
Darry frowned, "I want you home before sunset next time, and I don't wanna hear no excuses next time either. And if you really need to go, get one of us to walk you." I felt my lower lip tremble and my fists clench, before sun down? Are you kidding me? What, is he gonna want me home by the afternoon next?
Ever since Momma and Daddy died Darry's been hounding me for anything he can. If I'm studying he'll tell me I ought to practice for track, and if I'm practicing for track he'll tell me I ought to be studying. It was impossible to please him these days, and aside from the resentment I felt for him I couldn't help the feeling that he hates me as well.
I was going to say something when Dally broke in, "Speakin' of movies," he yawned and flipped his cigarette butt away, "I'm walkin' over to the Nightly Double tomorrow night. Anybody wanna come and hunt some action?"
Dallas Winston was a hood through and through. He liked fighting to a fault, and enjoyed jumping kids. In my head I knew I should be more afraid of him than I actually was, but he was always pretty decent to me. However, I never made it a point to tease him like I do Two-Bit or anyone else for that matter. I always marveled at the fact that Darry let me hang around Dally, but I guess it didn't hurt that Dally looked out for me like he did Johnny. I supposed he did that because I was the youngest and a girl, but also that Darry would sock him in the jaw if he let something happen to me. I bet if I were a boy he wouldn't give two cents about me.
Steve shook his head, "Can't, me and Soda are takin' Evie and Sandy for the game." I felt his eyes bore into the side of my head, as if daring me to ask to go with them. I inwardly rolled my eyes. Sometimes, I really hate Steve Randle.
Darry sighed, he never had time for anything these days, not since Momma and Daddy died. "I'm workin' tomorrow night."
Dally looked at the rest of us, "What about the rest of y'all. Two-Bit? Johnny, you and Pony wanna come?"
"Me and Johnny'll come." I knew Johnny wouldn't open his mouth unless absolutely necessary, besides it's easier this way. "That okay, Darry?" I turned to him, eyes hopeful.
Darry nodded, "Yeah, since it's not a school night. I want you home by midnight, though." I nodded and nudged my shoulder against his arm as thanks, and he tousled my hair a bit before laying off.
Two-Bit grinned, "I was plannin' on gettin' boozed up tomorrow night, but if I don't I'll come and find y'all."
Steve started talking to Dallas about something I'm sure I didn't care about. I turned to Two-Bit, "Is Susie doin' anythin' tomorrow night?" I asked.
Sussanne is Two-Bit's kid sister, and she happened to be the same age as me. She's pretty cool, and she's funny just like her older brother. She's the closest person I got to having a sister, and she knows me inside and out.
Two-Bit took a swig of beer, "Nah, don't think so. I'll tell her to meet you after school tomorrow." I smiled and thanked him. I liked Two-Bit, he's funny and always knew how to make people laugh. He's a drunk, but I don't mind it. Besides, it helped my chances of winning against him in wrestling. He always looked out for me too, and I think that's why Darry lets me hang out with him so much.
I saw Johnny leaning against the car with Dally next to him, but he was still busy talking to Steve. I settled myself next to Johnny and nudged his shoulder with my own.
"Hey, Johnny. Wanna join us for dinner tonight? I can lend you a book and if you want and you can crash on the couch." I asked, and I tried not to look too hopeful. There was a nagging feeling that told me I was annoying the boy beside me and that no teenage boy would want to hang out with his friend's kid sister. I tried to dismiss the thought, but leave it to Steve to plant ideas like that in my head.
His big, puppy eyes looked at mine before speaking, "Nah, I think I might stay in the lot tonight. Besides, I'm not done The Great Gatsby yet."
I frowned a bit, "Okay, but if it gets too cold just come over, alright?" He nodded his head, and a few pieces of his greased fringe came loose. I dug Johnathan Cade. He's always real nice to me. I like talking about books with him, since no one else really dug books like we do. We always read a book together, before catching the movie of it the next day. He's quiet, and when I'm with him I tend to quiet down too, but our silence is never awkward. Besides, if we made eye contact we could somehow tell how the other was feeling anyway.
Most of the time, if I'm bringing someone to go out with I go with Johnny. Darry's fine with it, since Johnny carries a switchblade now and the fact that Johnny could look real mean if he wanted to.
After that, the gang started to disperse and I ate dinner with my brothers.
"I'm gonna take a shower now!" I yelled at my brothers in the kitchen as I picked up my towel and pj's from my room.
"Hey! Come and do the dishes, you rascal!" My ears perked at the sound of Soda's quick, thumping steps and I bee-lined it to the bathroom. I managed to slam the door shut right before Soda had the opportunity to manhandle me back into the kitchen. I laughed as I heard him whine to Darry.
I took off Momma's hoodie and winced as I felt the hoodie rub painfully against my right shoulder. I looked in the mirror and my eyes widened at the sight of the large, angry red splotch of skin on the ball of my shoulder. I had completely forgotten that the socs had thrown a bottle at me before they left, and I guessed I was too scared to register the pain at the time.
I grimaced as I saw the bruise starting to turn a nasty purple colour before I sighed and took a quick shower.
Once both my brothers got cleaned up for the night we said goodnight and I started on my homework. For the next half an hour I scribbled down answers to my functions homework I was sure weren't correct, and when Soda asked me for the second time to turn off the light and get to bed, I did.
I climbed under the sheets beside my big brother and barely stopped myself from groaning in pain as I accidentally shifted onto my right shoulder.
I laid awake for several minutes, and I kept shifting and turning around. I couldn't stop thinking about what the soc had said to me. "I'm being nice right now, but next time your pretty little tongue don't hold back it won't be too nice for you."
I knew Josh's threat wasn't an empty one, and the image of his eyes tracing down my legs and his menacing grin was more than enough to make me shiver.
"You cold, Shortcake?" I heard Soda's sleepy voice.
"Yeah, a little." I lied.
I felt him throw his arm over my right side and settle himself again. He mumbled something drowsily, "Listen, kiddo, when Darry hollers at you... he don't mean nothin'. He's just got more worries than somebody his age ought to. Don't take him serious... you dig, Shortcake? Don't let him bug you. He's really proud of you 'cause you're so brainy. It's just because you're the babygirl- I mean, he loves you a lot. Savvy?"
I half-listened to Soda's voice as I started to drop off when I relished in the comfort of my older brother's voice. It helped keep the socs in my head away.
"Mhm, I dig." I muttered drowsily, and by the time I finished I was asleep.