Bound to the Stranger

On My Mind

I stumbled into my room, closing the door behind me, and then fell onto my bed with my feet dangling off. I was too tired at this point, but I sat up and untied my shoes, kicking them off on the way to turn the light off and locking the door. Buck wouldn't let anything happen to me, seeing as I am a fourteen-year-old girl who crashes at his place that is always filled with drunk people until closing time. I curled up into the bed, holding a pillow in my arms as my eyes shut. I fell asleep within minutes, the music from downstairs soothing me.

"Check my vital signs to know that I'm still alive, and I walk alone"

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P o n y b o y 

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock beeping for me to wake up, I looked over as it read 4:30 am. I sighed and got up, looking over at Soda to be sure I didn't wake him up. He didn't have to be up for work until later after I left for school. I always woke up early, so I was able to see the sunrise on my way to school once I was ready.

I quietly grabbed some clothes from Soda, and I's closet and quietly went downstairs to take a shower. As the water started to run, my mind went back to yesterday's events. The banging on the door had me assuming that it was Dally, but Dally never knocked on our door since it was always open, but I sure was surprised- and confused- that a beautiful girl was on my porch asking to come in. I never would have thought that any girl would be banging on my door to hide from the fuzz. When Two said her name, it stuck in my head all day, and it never left.

Melanie Roberts.

It was beautiful, like her. I had never seen her around until that day, but I sure have heard of her. I took off all of my clothes from last night and entered the shower, the warm water hitting my skin felt nice. I then started to wash my hair with the shampoo and conditioner I put in my hand, massaging it into my head.

I remember when I opened the door, instead of smelling cigarettes and booze like most Greasers usually smelt like, Robbie smelt like roses and strawberries even after running. Her face was a little sweaty, but she was glowing. And her eyes, they took my breath away with how green they are.

I finished my shower after washing my body and I dried myself off once I stepped out, being careful not to slip and fall again as I did a long time ago. The guys never let me forget that. I got dressed then started putting grease in my hair, slicking it back making sure that there weren't any hairs sticking up. Once I was satisfied with it, I brushed my teeth and walked out of the bathroom. I decided that I was going to skip breakfast today. I walked into the living room to put my socks and shoes on, seeing Darry in his chair reading the newspaper.

I sat on the couch with my socks and shoes in hand, starting to put them on. "Do you know that girl from yesterday?" Darry suddenly asked. I looked at him, he was still reading. "No, I ain't ever seen her until she was on the other side of the door. I've heard of her, though." I answered while looking as I tied my shoes.

"What is there to know about her?" My oldest brother inquired, now looking at me. I scratched the back of my neck and leaned forward, putting my arms on my knees.

"Uh, I know that she's been in trouble a couple of times at school for getting into fights with teachers and some Socs that mess with her, but she always did it, so they'd leave her alone." I told him as he nodded, "I do know that she's advanced in all of her classes, I heard some of my teachers talking about her in the hallway a couple of times, says she's one of the smartest kids they've had. She's got straight A's, all one hundred percent, and she has the best GPA in the school."

Darry nodded again with a little grin, he was like that in school. Had a scholarship and everything, but he turned it down after our parents died to take care of Soda and I. "She'll get a full ride to the college of her choice if she goes. Reminds me of this man that was at the school that the teachers talked about, Arthur Roberts." 

I looked at him to tell me who he was. "The principal said that Arthur graduated highest out of everyone in high school, even graduated early. Went to law school and even graduated top of his class then."

I nodded as I listened, amazed that someone can do that. "What was that girl's name, again?" Darry asked as he went back to reading. I smiled a bit before standing up to leave. "Melanie Roberts." I earned a nod and I walked outside, saying bye to Darry as I met Johnny at the metal gate.

"Hey, Ponyboy." Johnny greeted me as I came close to him. I nodded, "Mornin', Johnny." We started walking to school as I looked at the sky, admiring all the pretty colors as Johnny and I talked about life and anything that came to our minds. "Do you like anybody, Johnny?" I asked out of the blue, making the tan kid look at me. He thought for a moment, looking at his worn-out converse.

"I think that one broad in History is pretty." He answered. "Do you have the hots for someone?" I opened my mouth to speak before I heard the familiar rumble of a car and then someone yelling, followed by the voices of a group of guys. 

Johnny and I looked over our shoulders to see Bob Sheldon's blue mustang, his best friend, Randy Adderson, speeding towards someone on a skateboard in front of them. I tried to catch a glimpse of who it was before I figured it out, even though they were going fast down the hill we were on as they yelled at my best friend and I.

R o b b i e

I quickly turned on my skateboard down the road I was on yesterday as I was running from the fuzz, only this time Bob Sheldon was the one chasing me in the car his daddy bought him. I looked behind me to see he was starting to catch up, yelling at me from the inside of his prized possession. "We're gonna catch you, you're gonna regret what you did!" 

Let's just recap:

I was minding my own business riding my skateboard to school after I found it in my room at Buck's, I had gotten ready for school there. As I was riding, I had run into Bob and Randy. "Hey, Roberts, need a ride?" Bob sneered in my direction. I ignored him, taking a drink of the Coke in my hand- it was in a glass bottle, keep that in mind- I couldn't be bothered to give him a reply unless he was getting worse.

Bob then repeated himself. "No, Robert, I do not want a ride. I am just fine on my own." I replied coldly. I heard a scoff.

"Well, how 'bout I give you something better to ride, it'd be gooder than some Greaser." Bob suggested flirtatiously, earning a laugh from his best friend in the front seat. I rolled my eyes. "Gooder isn't a word, dumbass. I can't believe you've made it this far in life, and you think you're so smart." This pissed him off.

"You aren't even smart, you're failing all of your classes," He retorted in defense, "That's what happens with all you hoodlums." I looked over at him, then at the half-full bottle in my hand. The next thing I did was throw it at his head and booked it as fast as I could on my skateboard.

I was breathing heavily as I was going down the hill, seeing two familiar Greasers walking out of the Curtis' yard. I grinned. "Hey, Horseman! Johnny!" I yelled as I quickly passed them with a wave before turning my attention in front of me. I yelped as I dodged a car coming up the hill.