I knew I wasn’t gonna like living in Tulsa, but the judge said jail for 5 years, or get out of town. I choose my mother’s home town. It was a small town, with the usual groups, the poor Leathers, and the rich, snooty, filthy Plaids. I had no place to live; I had no family in town that I’d ever be caught dead staying with. I had walked around the town that day with 2oo$ and my suite case. It was about 9:00 at night before I was sick of wandering and decided to take shelter in a park on the North side I had found earlier that day. But when I got there I could smell the strong scent of whisky and a blue mustang. My stomach sank. Plaids.
I could hear them laughing and a boy screaming in agony. One lifted his fist up high in the air to deliver a hard punch, and I could see about 3 rings glittering on his hand. That sick basterd. How could he do that, to what I could tell by the pitch of the screaming, a kid? I pulled my father’s old switchblade from my pocket “hay! Leave him alone.” I called out with disgust and hatred burning in my voice. They all stood in so I was able to count them. There were 5. Cowardly, sick, filthy white trash! They boy they had been beating up looked about 14. He was crumpled up in a heap moaning in pain. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here?” one slurred at me smoothly. I sighed. I hated being only 5’0. “I’m 17 kiddies” I replied stepping closer. I was close enough for them to tell I was Leather. Their eyes lit up with realization. “You may be a girl, but you are a greaser.” One of them hiccupped stepping forward; rings were glittering off of his hand. All 5 of them pulled out switchblades. I sighed; this was getting ugly and fast. I pulled the heater I kept in my bra out and pointed it. “This is loaded and I’m not gonna even blink if I shoot you pigs.” I replied calmly. They all ran drunkenly and peeled out dirt flinging behind the tiers.
The boy that they were beating up whimpered. I ran over, taking my metical kit out of my bag. He had a deep gash in the side of his face and it was bleeding pretty bad. I took the old bandana out of my hair and pressed it to the gash, the boy gasped in pain.” Shhh, I know it hurts but I need to stop the bleeding” I soothed gently. He stopped protesting but his eyes which had been closed, were leaking tears. I used my free hand to grab some disinfectant spray and some bandages. Just as I went to spray his cut I could hear a boy yell “Jonny! What happened to you? You! Get away from him!” I didn’t even look up. I just continued to keep working on the boy who I assumed had to be Jonny. When they got close enough Jonny spoke “guys she’s cool” he whimpered. Most of them backed off. One of them, with hateful black eyes, didn’t layup. He continued to glare at me when he wasn’t looking at Jonny.
“So what happened?” One of them asked. I looked up at him. He was pretty cute but way to young. “A few Plaids got a hold of him, and one of them had a s**t lode of rings” I explained placing the bandage on Jonny’s face. He hissed at the pressure. “Shhh” I soothed quietly. “What the hell is a plaid?” one of them asked. He had laughing eyes and the concerned / confused look on his face looked unnatural on his face. I wanted to ask if he was stupid or something. Everyone knew what a Plaid was. “You know the rich kid with all the money who is a** holes.” I responded. I leaned down over Jonny so I could whisper in his ear. “Dose anywhere other than you faces hurt real bad? I need to know if they broke anything,” I asked in a soft voice. He shook his head slightly. “Where you from toots?” the one who had glared at me asked with a cocky grin on his face. ” Chicago , and my named Lilly, go call you common whore toots, not me” I spat acidly. His eyes gleamed evil y. “well that explains it. “He said slowly as if putting two and two together. “In the big city we called them Plaids but out her theys is Socs” he explained. . I picked up Jonny gently. He was pretty light. “I’ll take him” one of them said. He was pretty ripped and not bad looking. “Alright” I shrugged handing him over. “I’m Darrel, but Darry for short and these are my brothers, Sodapop, and Ponyboy.” he said nodding to each one. “I’m Two-Bit “the one who had asked me what a Plaid was. He looked more natural with a big goofy grin on his face. “And I’m Dallas “the one who hit on me said with a wink. I rolled my eyes. “What a joke” I thought.
“So where are you staying?” Ponyboy asked. I bit my lower lip. Crap. “Err…well…I’m not staying anywhere. I was gonna sleep here tonight actually. “I said uncomfortably. All 5 of them looked at one another. Sodapop and Ponyboy were staring at Darry. I looked like they were having a silent argument. And Darry was losing. Finley he sighed and said “you two win”. Sodapop looked over at me and smiled. “Our house is open if you wanna stay.” He offered. Aw crap. It was the pity offering. I flustered for an excuse,” no, no it’s fine rely, what about your parents?” I asked quickly. All three of their faces fell. “They did not too long ago.” Darry said flatly. “Oh…” I said softly feeling like a jerk for bringing them up. “Sure” I said faking a smile on my face. I noticed Jonny was still being carried. “Here I got him” I said jerking my chin towards Jonny. “But your just a tiny little thing, hell Ponyboy is taller than you!” Soda exclaimed. I snorted. “Pshht, a lot of people are taller than me but very few are stronger than me.” I replied coolly. Darry cleared his throat, and flexed his muscles. “I bet I could pick you up on my shoulders no problem!” I exclaimed flashing a grin. .they all stared at me in disbelief. “Yeah when pigs fly” Two-Bit replied with a sarcastic grin. “20 bucks?” I said sticking my hand out. “20 bucks “he agreed shaking my hand. ‘”Jonny can stand by himself Darry” I informed Darry. He gently set Jonny down. I walked over and just barley bent my knees cus he was so tall. He hesitated but climbed onto my shoulders. I then stood up and began to walk around. HOLY CROW! This boy was heavy. Soda, Pony and Dally were all doubled over laughing. Two- Bit stared in disbelief. I set him down and walked over to Two-Bit hand out stretched. “You cheated!” he accused. “There aint no way to cheat on that kinda bet.” I replied, annoyed. “You don’t gotta pay but relies that when I say I can do something I can.” I said truing away from him.
“Come on Ponyboy you got school in the morning.” Darry said an odd look on his face. As I walked by, Dallas came up behind me. “So how’d a girl like you get so strong?” he asked me with a grin.” Throwing drunks out of the bar.” I replied loftily not rely noticing the look in his eyes. Then I felt his arm around my shoulders. I elbowed him in the ribs. He let go and grabbed his side. I whirled on him.” don’t you ever ******** touch me.” I hissed angrily. I then turned on my heel and walked up by Two-Bit, and Darry.
The walk to the Curtis home didn’t take long. The others had drifted away as we walked by their house. When we got near Jonny’s I could hear a women yelling drunkenly. Jonny cringed.” Jonny, stay at my place tonight man. I sounds like your ma is gonna go on one of her yelling sprees.” Dally offered Jonny in a kind tone. Ok so maybe Dallas Winston wasn’t such a bad guy after all. “And uh Lilly if you want to you can stay in my bed with me tonight to” he said with that cocky grin on his face. Ok so I spoke to soon. Just as I was about to slap that smart a** grin off of his face Darry put a well muscled arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him. “Dallas! Leave the damn girl alone” Darry ordered. He glared at Darry, but turned on his heel and stormed off in the other direction.
I didn’t relies that Derry’s arm was still around me until I could hear Soda trying not to laugh and whispering to Ponyboy. I felt my face get hot.” Darry” I nudged him softly.” Huh?” he grunted.” I think I’m safe from Dallas” I said with a smile. He grumbled and apology and pulled away embarrassed. Soda laughed harder. “Dude, shut up” I said to him rolling my eyes.
The Curtis home was messy. But I loved it. “It aint much” Darry said rubbing the back of his head. “I love it!” I smiled. He looked at like I was crazy. “Lilly you can have my bed I’ll take the couch.” Darry offered me. Now it was my turn to look at him like he was crazy. “I’m not kicking you out of your bed.” I replied incredulously. “you’re a girl” he said,” and from what I heard from soda you work your a** off!” I shot back “which reminds me I need to talk to you about money” I said, digging thru my bag.” What about it?’’ Darry asked getting defensive. “Relax cus I’m gonna pay you. “ I said grabbing my bank statement” No” he said instantly. “Look I have the money to be a Soc. But I choose to live like this. I’m helping you out! So don’t be so damn stubborn!” I yelled thrusting the paper into his hands. He glanced at it and his eyes widened. Soda looked over his shoulder” holy s**t that’s allot of zero’s!” he yelled. “Yeah I know now damn it I could help you!” I exclaimed. “Soda could get back into school; Darry, you wouldn’t have to work so hard! Just let me do this!” I pleaded. “How can I trust you? I just met you an hour ago!” he asked. And when you met me what was I doing?! I was helping out your friend the same way I would any of my girls back home! I aint about to leave three boys on their own always having to worry about one another, and whether they can pay the bills. I just can’t!” I said anger bubbling inside of me. I couldn’t let this boy s worry about things in life they didn’t need to be. “I can see it in your eyes and face Darry. You were forced to grow up to fast. It’s turned you cold. I’ve seen it happen right before my eyes in other people and you’re no different. I’m living in this town now and you guys are the people I’m gonna be seeing the most. I can’t runaway. I want you to look me in the eyes.” I said looking up at him. He looked at me with his chunks of ice for eyes. He looked into mine. “Darrel Curtis I swear to you on my life I will help you and I have the money. I won’t screw you over on this. That’s a solemn oath. “I said slowly and truthfully. His eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. Finley his face softened. “Welcome to the Curtis family Lilly. “He said with a small smile. And without another word Soda and Pony when into their room and Darry when to his room and I curled up and fell asleep on the couch
I could hear them laughing and a boy screaming in agony. One lifted his fist up high in the air to deliver a hard punch, and I could see about 3 rings glittering on his hand. That sick basterd. How could he do that, to what I could tell by the pitch of the screaming, a kid? I pulled my father’s old switchblade from my pocket “hay! Leave him alone.” I called out with disgust and hatred burning in my voice. They all stood in so I was able to count them. There were 5. Cowardly, sick, filthy white trash! They boy they had been beating up looked about 14. He was crumpled up in a heap moaning in pain. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here?” one slurred at me smoothly. I sighed. I hated being only 5’0. “I’m 17 kiddies” I replied stepping closer. I was close enough for them to tell I was Leather. Their eyes lit up with realization. “You may be a girl, but you are a greaser.” One of them hiccupped stepping forward; rings were glittering off of his hand. All 5 of them pulled out switchblades. I sighed; this was getting ugly and fast. I pulled the heater I kept in my bra out and pointed it. “This is loaded and I’m not gonna even blink if I shoot you pigs.” I replied calmly. They all ran drunkenly and peeled out dirt flinging behind the tiers.
The boy that they were beating up whimpered. I ran over, taking my metical kit out of my bag. He had a deep gash in the side of his face and it was bleeding pretty bad. I took the old bandana out of my hair and pressed it to the gash, the boy gasped in pain.” Shhh, I know it hurts but I need to stop the bleeding” I soothed gently. He stopped protesting but his eyes which had been closed, were leaking tears. I used my free hand to grab some disinfectant spray and some bandages. Just as I went to spray his cut I could hear a boy yell “Jonny! What happened to you? You! Get away from him!” I didn’t even look up. I just continued to keep working on the boy who I assumed had to be Jonny. When they got close enough Jonny spoke “guys she’s cool” he whimpered. Most of them backed off. One of them, with hateful black eyes, didn’t layup. He continued to glare at me when he wasn’t looking at Jonny.
“So what happened?” One of them asked. I looked up at him. He was pretty cute but way to young. “A few Plaids got a hold of him, and one of them had a s**t lode of rings” I explained placing the bandage on Jonny’s face. He hissed at the pressure. “Shhh” I soothed quietly. “What the hell is a plaid?” one of them asked. He had laughing eyes and the concerned / confused look on his face looked unnatural on his face. I wanted to ask if he was stupid or something. Everyone knew what a Plaid was. “You know the rich kid with all the money who is a** holes.” I responded. I leaned down over Jonny so I could whisper in his ear. “Dose anywhere other than you faces hurt real bad? I need to know if they broke anything,” I asked in a soft voice. He shook his head slightly. “Where you from toots?” the one who had glared at me asked with a cocky grin on his face. ” Chicago , and my named Lilly, go call you common whore toots, not me” I spat acidly. His eyes gleamed evil y. “well that explains it. “He said slowly as if putting two and two together. “In the big city we called them Plaids but out her theys is Socs” he explained. . I picked up Jonny gently. He was pretty light. “I’ll take him” one of them said. He was pretty ripped and not bad looking. “Alright” I shrugged handing him over. “I’m Darrel, but Darry for short and these are my brothers, Sodapop, and Ponyboy.” he said nodding to each one. “I’m Two-Bit “the one who had asked me what a Plaid was. He looked more natural with a big goofy grin on his face. “And I’m Dallas “the one who hit on me said with a wink. I rolled my eyes. “What a joke” I thought.
“So where are you staying?” Ponyboy asked. I bit my lower lip. Crap. “Err…well…I’m not staying anywhere. I was gonna sleep here tonight actually. “I said uncomfortably. All 5 of them looked at one another. Sodapop and Ponyboy were staring at Darry. I looked like they were having a silent argument. And Darry was losing. Finley he sighed and said “you two win”. Sodapop looked over at me and smiled. “Our house is open if you wanna stay.” He offered. Aw crap. It was the pity offering. I flustered for an excuse,” no, no it’s fine rely, what about your parents?” I asked quickly. All three of their faces fell. “They did not too long ago.” Darry said flatly. “Oh…” I said softly feeling like a jerk for bringing them up. “Sure” I said faking a smile on my face. I noticed Jonny was still being carried. “Here I got him” I said jerking my chin towards Jonny. “But your just a tiny little thing, hell Ponyboy is taller than you!” Soda exclaimed. I snorted. “Pshht, a lot of people are taller than me but very few are stronger than me.” I replied coolly. Darry cleared his throat, and flexed his muscles. “I bet I could pick you up on my shoulders no problem!” I exclaimed flashing a grin. .they all stared at me in disbelief. “Yeah when pigs fly” Two-Bit replied with a sarcastic grin. “20 bucks?” I said sticking my hand out. “20 bucks “he agreed shaking my hand. ‘”Jonny can stand by himself Darry” I informed Darry. He gently set Jonny down. I walked over and just barley bent my knees cus he was so tall. He hesitated but climbed onto my shoulders. I then stood up and began to walk around. HOLY CROW! This boy was heavy. Soda, Pony and Dally were all doubled over laughing. Two- Bit stared in disbelief. I set him down and walked over to Two-Bit hand out stretched. “You cheated!” he accused. “There aint no way to cheat on that kinda bet.” I replied, annoyed. “You don’t gotta pay but relies that when I say I can do something I can.” I said truing away from him.
“Come on Ponyboy you got school in the morning.” Darry said an odd look on his face. As I walked by, Dallas came up behind me. “So how’d a girl like you get so strong?” he asked me with a grin.” Throwing drunks out of the bar.” I replied loftily not rely noticing the look in his eyes. Then I felt his arm around my shoulders. I elbowed him in the ribs. He let go and grabbed his side. I whirled on him.” don’t you ever ******** touch me.” I hissed angrily. I then turned on my heel and walked up by Two-Bit, and Darry.
The walk to the Curtis home didn’t take long. The others had drifted away as we walked by their house. When we got near Jonny’s I could hear a women yelling drunkenly. Jonny cringed.” Jonny, stay at my place tonight man. I sounds like your ma is gonna go on one of her yelling sprees.” Dally offered Jonny in a kind tone. Ok so maybe Dallas Winston wasn’t such a bad guy after all. “And uh Lilly if you want to you can stay in my bed with me tonight to” he said with that cocky grin on his face. Ok so I spoke to soon. Just as I was about to slap that smart a** grin off of his face Darry put a well muscled arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him. “Dallas! Leave the damn girl alone” Darry ordered. He glared at Darry, but turned on his heel and stormed off in the other direction.
I didn’t relies that Derry’s arm was still around me until I could hear Soda trying not to laugh and whispering to Ponyboy. I felt my face get hot.” Darry” I nudged him softly.” Huh?” he grunted.” I think I’m safe from Dallas” I said with a smile. He grumbled and apology and pulled away embarrassed. Soda laughed harder. “Dude, shut up” I said to him rolling my eyes.
The Curtis home was messy. But I loved it. “It aint much” Darry said rubbing the back of his head. “I love it!” I smiled. He looked at like I was crazy. “Lilly you can have my bed I’ll take the couch.” Darry offered me. Now it was my turn to look at him like he was crazy. “I’m not kicking you out of your bed.” I replied incredulously. “you’re a girl” he said,” and from what I heard from soda you work your a** off!” I shot back “which reminds me I need to talk to you about money” I said, digging thru my bag.” What about it?’’ Darry asked getting defensive. “Relax cus I’m gonna pay you. “ I said grabbing my bank statement” No” he said instantly. “Look I have the money to be a Soc. But I choose to live like this. I’m helping you out! So don’t be so damn stubborn!” I yelled thrusting the paper into his hands. He glanced at it and his eyes widened. Soda looked over his shoulder” holy s**t that’s allot of zero’s!” he yelled. “Yeah I know now damn it I could help you!” I exclaimed. “Soda could get back into school; Darry, you wouldn’t have to work so hard! Just let me do this!” I pleaded. “How can I trust you? I just met you an hour ago!” he asked. And when you met me what was I doing?! I was helping out your friend the same way I would any of my girls back home! I aint about to leave three boys on their own always having to worry about one another, and whether they can pay the bills. I just can’t!” I said anger bubbling inside of me. I couldn’t let this boy s worry about things in life they didn’t need to be. “I can see it in your eyes and face Darry. You were forced to grow up to fast. It’s turned you cold. I’ve seen it happen right before my eyes in other people and you’re no different. I’m living in this town now and you guys are the people I’m gonna be seeing the most. I can’t runaway. I want you to look me in the eyes.” I said looking up at him. He looked at me with his chunks of ice for eyes. He looked into mine. “Darrel Curtis I swear to you on my life I will help you and I have the money. I won’t screw you over on this. That’s a solemn oath. “I said slowly and truthfully. His eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. Finley his face softened. “Welcome to the Curtis family Lilly. “He said with a small smile. And without another word Soda and Pony when into their room and Darry when to his room and I curled up and fell asleep on the couch
