sour

chapter 6

I was woken up by the frigid air that filled my room creeping under my sheets. I shivered and immediately bundled myself in every warm clothing article I owned.

"Why's it so cold in here?" I asked a tired Two-Bit who was laying on the couch.

"The heat's broke, it should be fixed in a couple of days."

"Days? I'll die."

"You and me both. Wanna head over to the Curtis's later with me? I'm pretty sure they have heat."

"Sure."

I went back to my room taking out some of my art supplies, not that I had much. I looked out of my bedroom window, admiring the way that the snow fell atop the tree branches. It was a pretty scene that I wanted to capture by a painting. I wish I could've played my records while trying to pass by time and beat staying in this freezing house. I envied my father for ridding me of my turn table. I painted for a bit until it was time to go over to Bev's. To my dismay Bev was not there when we arrived. She'd gone out with Dally and no one knew when she'd be back. Sodapop, Steve, Johnny, and Ponyboy were there though. Ponyboy stayed more quiet around me I noticed, I wonder what his issue was.

"I have a grand idea," Sodapop presented with his priceless smile, "let's go build a snowman."

Everyone seemed skeptical of the idea except for me.

"Sounds like fun! Come on Two-Bit," I said while yanking him up from his spot on the couch. He complained but shortly after everyone joined us, putting on their coats and boots.

We rolled the balls of snow and played around like children, but it was fun. Sodapop and I laid in the snow making snow angels next to each other when a hand full of snow came clobbering down on my face. I wiped it off to see Soda giving me a goofy smirk.

"You're dead Sodapop Curtis," I said while gathering snow into my hand.

"You gotta catch me first," he laughed and tried to hide.

I couldn't see where I was throwing the snowball I'd just made since it was dark now but I was trying to throw it at Soda.

"What was that?" I heard an annoyed Ponyboy complain. Welp I'm screwed.

"A snowball," I laughed approaching him.

"Well your stupid snowball just hit me in the face."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to." Does this kid have a stick up his ass or what?

"Just like you didn't mean to become friends with Cherry Valance or the socs?" he was raising his voice now, making me extremely uncomfortable. I responded in the only way I knew how, arguing back.

"Maybe I wouldn't have had to become friends with them if you didn't completely ignore my existence," Two-Bit placed his hand on my shoulder but I brushed it off, I was fed up with being treated like garbage and I wasn't going to stay somewhere I wasn't wanted. I rushed off down the street away from the Curtis's house. I noticed Bev and Dally's arrival as they watched the scene unfold. I walked in the opposite direction of them, not wishing to speak to anyone in my current state.

When I got home I went straight to my room, pulling my journal out from one of the drawers. I hadn't written in it in a while, probably since my last heated argument with my dad. But it's where I wrote when I was angry at the world, and right now I was beyond angry. I popped off the cap to my pen and immediately began scribbling down words.

I can't stand Ponyboy Curtis. He's a rude know-it-all control freak that I don't understand. He tells me who I can and can't be friends with and I don't even know him. He himself isn't even my friend so why does he think he gets a say? He flipped out on me because I hit him with a snowball, what a big baby. I can't tolerate being in the same room as him. Just as I think going to Tulsa can get me away from people treating me like garbage he proves me wrong. It feels like a huge punch in the gut. He will be the death of me.

My rant session was interrupted by a knock on the door, I quickly hid the journal and answered it. To my surprise it was Johnny.

JOHNNY'S POV

"Hi Natalia," I greeted, "mind if I come in? It's freezing out here."

"You can come in but it's not much better in here, our heat's broke."

"Are you okay?" I asked while walking through her doorway.

"Yeah I guess I just needed to cool off. I'm still mad that Ponyboy acted like that though."

"I would be too, I can't believe he got that pissed off. I've been friends with the kid for years and maybe I'd expect that from Dallas or Steve but not Ponyboy."

"Why has he been so rude to me," she asked and I could see the hurt in her eyes. I looked at her, admiring her features. I wondered why Ponyboy would treat a girl the way he did, especially one who was so pretty. She had kind eyes and seemed like she wouldn't even hurt a fly. I didn't want to tell her this though, didn't have the courage.

"I have no clue, maybe he felt upset by a new presence in the group, I don't think he likes change. But I don't think that has anything to do with you, there's no reason not to like you."

She gave me a hug, mumbling a "Thanks Johnny" into my arms.

"And if it makes you feel any better I think the gang takes a liking to you, with the exception of Ponyboy."

"That does make me feel better."

"I'll see ya around Nat. And maybe tomorrow if you want to. Pony's is gonna have to grow up sometime." She shook her acknowledging the offer.

"Bye Johnny."

THIRD PERSON POV

Soon after Johnny left, Two-Bit arrived home and Natalia was feeling a lot better about the whole situation. Two also apologized to her for Ponyboy's behavior and said he didn't mean it, pretty much the same thing Johnny said. What he didn't tell her was how he pretty much flipped out on one of his best friends. Of course it was nothing that could ruin their friendship and Two-Bit would be back to his old ways with the gang by tomorrow, although it might be in a slightly more awkward atmosphere.