Tuesday October 6th, 10:25 am
Math has never been Ponyboy's favorite subject. It was always the one that gave him the most trouble, much to the dismay of Darry who had to check his math homework for him. And while Ponyboy had been put up a grade and placed in the advanced classes, math was the only one he wasn't in the advanced class for. But since it wasn't the advanced class, it meant the class wasn't overridden with socs, there were a handful of greasers mixed into the class too. A fact Pony was grateful for, considering the socs have seemed to have it out for him ever since the Bob Sheldon incident.
Just because there were other greasers in the class though, it didn't stop the socs from trying to hassle him. Even in class.
Ponyboy was bent over his notebook, trying to decipher the formula he copied from board when a bunched up piece of paper hit him in the back of the head. It bounced off his head and landed square in the middle of his desk.
Annoyed, but also slightly impressed with their aim, Pony opened the crumpled paper.
"Your dead greaser!" The note read.
Ponyboy scoffed, wishing he could correct the grammar mistake and throw it back at them but he figured that would probably make matters worse. Instead he just crumpled it back up and dropped it on the floor.
He didn't know which soc had thrown the note at him, and he really didn't care. He'd been getting notes like that ever since he got back from Windrixville. And aside from getting tripped in the hall and pushed into the lockers a few times, the socs hadn't done anything to him. He had been getting tripped and pushed into lockers by them before all the shit with Bob anyways, so this really wasn't anything new for him.
Two Bit and Steve had been real good about keeping an eye on him in the hallways. The one time Pony almost got into it with the soc who shoved him, Steve was there in an instant, shoving his way in between the two. Pony knew they mostly kept an eye on him for Soda and Darry's sake, but ever since Dallas and Johnny had died, the gang felt closer than ever, clinging to the few people they had left. So even though it kinda annoyed him that Two Bit and Steve were essentially babysitting him at school, he couldn't find it in himself to be too mad about it.
Another note hit him, this time bouncing off his shoulder and onto the floor. Pony just left it there, not bothering to open it up.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Pony slung his backpack over his shoulder and made his way into the hallway. Two Bit was making his way towards him from the other end of the hall. A goofy smile split his face when he saw Ponyboy. Pony saw it darken, and then felt someone shoulder into him hard, pushing him into the lockers.
"You're dead meat, grease" a voice hissed.
By the time Pony had righted himself, the soc who had bumped him had dissolved into the crowd of students filling the hallway. Two Bit was also at his side, smile gone, anger dancing in his normally mischievous eyes.
"You okay, kid?" He asked, a hand going to Pony's shoulder.
"Yeah I'm good. Just the socs being their usual friendly selves"
Two Bit laughed, "You dig okay kid" he said and tried to ruffle Pony's hair. Pony dodged out of the way, laughing.
Steve met up with them, his usual scowl adorning his face.
"You guys wanna get outta here for lunch after next period?" Steve asked.
Pony nodded as they weaved through the hall to their next classes. They hardly ever ate in the cafeteria. Too many socs.
"Y'all wanna grab some barbecue sandwiches?" Two Bit asked.
"Sure, but if either of you make a mess in my car, you're dead" Steve threatened.
'Yeah, yeah' Ponyboy thought 'I've heard that one before'.