Jessie Winston

Chapter Nine

"Let's go, Darry!" Pony shouted.

"I'm coming!" Darry shouted back.

We headed out to Darry's truck. I had no idea where we were going. The last thing Pony said to me was that it was a surprise.

We pulled up to the Nightly Double. I haven't been here in forever. Darry parked outside of the entrance. We waited until he left, then snuck under the fence.

We sat down in the middle and behind a couple soc girls. I recognized both of them from school. It was Cherry Valance and Marcia. I was okay with both of them and I knew Pony was friends with Cherry.

The movie started and my stomach started to rumble. It was quite loud too. I started to stand up.

"Where ya going, Jessie Lynn?" Pony asked.

"I'm gunna go get a couple snacks and a coke. You want anything?"

"Yeah just a coke. I'm payin" he said, handing me a few quarters.

I went up to the concession stand. There was like a mile-long line. I was standing there for a while. I kept getting lustful looks from both greasers and socs. I ignored them.

"Hi ma'am. What can I getcha?"

"Hi. Can I have two cokes and a small popcorn?"

"Sure thing, dear! That'll be $0.50." I handed her the quarters and moved down the line to get my food.

Once I got my food and our cokes, I began toward my seat. It was a little bit of a walk since the concession stand was in the car parking area.

I was walking back to my seat when I saw something I wish I didn't. Cherry Valence, my friend, was sitting in my seat. Her hand was on the back of Ponyboy's head, rubbing his hair.

He turned to face her. I kept walking. They leaned in. I kept walking. He didn't pull back. I kept walking. He let her kiss him. I kept walking. It wasn't short either. They pulled away. They smiled. I approached my seat. My seat.

"What the hell?" I said. My voices cracked.

"Jessie Lynn. It's not what it looks like."

Cherry waved that little bitchy wave.

"Jessie Lynn. It's not what it looks like." I mocked, "Then what did I see? Huh? ANSWER ME!" At this point there were hot tears burning the corners of my eyes. I'm a Winston, we don't show emotion.

"I-I didn't think about it. I'm sorry." He said sadly.

"You never think. You never use your head. Sorry won't fix this. That's like putting a bandage on a gunshot wound." I turned to leave, "Oh! And here's your coke." I said throwing it at him. I watched as the lid flew off of the cup and the cold, sugary, liquid dripped down his face.

I turned and left. I heard him call my name. I ignored it. My eyes stung. I can't cry. Big girls don't cry. Winstons don't cry.

When I got out of there, I ran. I ran as fast and as hard as I could. I still had the popcorn and my coke in my hands. I spilled some but it didn't matter.

Next thing I knew, I was back at the Curtis house. My brother was here, my friends were here. Friends isn't the right word. Family. Yeah, that's better.

"Jessie?" Steve asked.
I sniffled in response.