Summer Lovin' ✰ Ponyboy Curtis

Early Sunrises

The next morning, my eyes slowly opened and I stretched. I dragged myself out of bed and walked out to the kitchen. The wooden floorboards creaked as I stepped on them. My dad was still asleep, the sun was just rising. I shuffled through cardboard boxes to try to find cereal. I found a box of corn flakes and poured it in to a bowl with a chip on the rim. I searched around for a carton of milk, but I couldn't find any. I walked over to the couch and sat down with my dry cereal. I ate it, and then peered out the window. The sunrise was really pretty; the sky filled with pretty shades of pink and orange. I glanced at the clock, it was 7 o'clock in the morning. I really wanted to go outside and watch it. Luckily, there was a pad of paper and a pen on the counter. I jotted down a quick note for my dad, and grabbed my jacket, and ran out the door. I walked down the street, my eyes up towards the sky. I love sunsets, I always used to watch them at my old house.

"Jennifer?" I heard a voice call from behind me. I spun around and saw Ponyboy jogging towards me.

"Hey!" I exclaimed.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked me, concerned.

"Watching the sunrise. It sure is pretty, isn't it?" I asked him, gazing up at the sunset.

"Oh yeah. I love sunrises!" Ponyboy told me.

"Me too," I said, smiling at him.

"Hey, I know a perfect place!" Ponyboy exclaimed, grabbing my arm. He pulled me over to a spot down the road. It was a vacant lot with a perfect view of the sky.

"Woah," I muttered, amazed.

"I know. I come here a lot... I sneak out sometimes just to watch it. Darry doesn't like me out this late."

"Darry?"

"My older brother," he mumbled, kicking a rock.

"Not the best relationship, huh?" I assumed.

"No... do you have any siblings?" He asked.

"Nope. Just me and my dad," I told him.

Ponyboy nodded.

"Well, I better get back," Ponyboy said, "before Darry finds out I'm gone."

"Alright. Nice to run into you again!" I exclaimed.

Ponyboy ran off, and I watched the sunrise for a few more minutes.

I walked in the door, my dad was in the kitchen. "Hey," I said, taking my jacket off.

"Hey, Jen, where have you been?" He asked me.

"Watching the sunrise. It was really pretty," I replied.

"I know," he said, opening the fridge.

"We're out of milk," I informed him.

"Oh, thanks. I was going to go shopping or something later today, you seen any places?"

"I saw one," I told him, "U Tote 'Em, I think, or something."

"Great, thanks."

I sat down on the couch, turning on the television for the first time. I flipped through the channels and found the movie The Sound Of Music, which I remember seeing once.

"So, do you like the house?" Dad asked.

"Um, it's definitely... different..." I mumbled.

"Oh yes, it will certainly take some adjusting," Dad said, chuckling.

"Oh yeah," I giggled.

. . .

"Hey, do you want to go shopping, we need a lot of things?" Dad suggested.

"Oh sure. I'll be back in a little," I responded, putting my jacket on. I stumbled out the door and down the steps. I walked down the road, counting the money I had in my pockets. I didn't have much, I should have asked my dad for some more.

I heard footsteps behind me, and I turned around. None other than Dallas Winston was running up to me. I sighed and spun back around.

"Hey, babygirl, miss me?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?"

"You," he answered, quickly.

"Shut up," I said, annoyed.

"Hey, what did I do to you?"

"What didn't you do to me?" I asked, sarcastically.

"I was just trying to be nice. Help you feel welcome here," he said, smirking. He looked me up and down and I just rolled my eyes.

"Oh my God, will you just leave me alone?" I shouted.

He stepped back a little, intimidated. "Are you sure, princess? You might need someone to protect you."

"Protect me?" I asked, offended.

"Yeah. I mean, you're just a little ol' broad. Socs'll try to get you."

I slapped him right across the face and he looked at me, shocked. He rubbed the side of his face where I hit him, leaving a red mark.

"I don't need anyone to protect me. Now leave me alone," I spat.

"Alright, doll. But I'll be around, so come find me whenever you're ready," he said, smirking.

"Over my dead body," I muttered.

He smirked at me and ran off. I sighed and kept walking to the store.

. . .

As I walked around the store, I noticed a lot of guys arguing and fighting in the different aisles. I tried my best to stay away from the arguments. There was a ginger girl getting harassed by some guy. They seemed like they were together, but were just having a fight. I felt bad for her.

"That all?" The cashier asked, as I placed my items on the conveyor belt.

"Yeah," I mumbled.

The cashier rang up my groceries and bagged them. She reached over the counter and handed me my bags.

"Thanks," I said, smiling.

I walked out of the store, and strolled home. I like that the neighborhood is small, it has a nice, quiet vibe to it. I love being able to walk everywhere. I like walking, and the outdoors, especially sunrises.