𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠 // The Outsiders

Chapter 3 - Movies And Friends

I sit in science, listening to Randy rant about how his father wouldn't let him get a new car. I think it's ridiculous. He's only seventeen, a new car should be the least of his priorities. I just want this Friday to end.
"What are you doing tonight, Winnie?" He suddenly asks. I shrug.
"Probably staying at home," I say.
"You should come to the drive-in with us." He responds.

"Us?" I repeat.
"Yeah, me, my girlfriend Marcia, and our friends Bob Sheldon and Cherry Valance." He says. I think about it for a second. It's not like I have anything better to do. Plus getting out with some friends will probably do me some good.
"Sure." I agree. "Why not."

Randy smiles as I write down my address so he can pick me up. The rest of the day goes by slowly. Me and Sherri, who goes by Cherry, sit together at lunch and I get to meet Bob and Marcia. The boy, whose name is Two-bit, from math and history still talks like crazy but I've gotten used to it. Finally, as I get home, the person I'm greeted by is Ruth.

"Hi," I say as I step around her. Ruth doesn't say anything but follows me through the house and to my room.
"Where are you going?" She asks from the doorway as I pick out clothes for tonight.
"The movies, with some friends," I say. "Wait, why?" Ruth shrugs, looking at the worn jeans in my hands.
"Just wondering." There's a hint of sadness in her tone but before I can say anything she leaves.

I shrug the encounter off as I go to take a shower and get ready. I slip into a pair of worn jeans, a grey shirt, and my jean jacket. Just as I finish braiding my hair, the doorbell rings, and I sprint out of my room.
"Hey, Randy," I say as I open the door.
"Hey, you ready to go?" He asks. I nod, stepping out of the house and closing the door behind me.

I sit in the back seat with Cherry and Bob. The ride is short but I feel out of place. The whole time, they either slam me with questions or stay absorbed with their significant other. So when we finally pull up to the Nightly Double, I'm relieved we don't need to submit to a conversation and can instead watch the movie. However, my relief is short-lived because the second the movie starts, Bob pulls out a flask and starts drinking with Randy.

"Bob I told you, I'm not going out with you while your drinking," Cherry warns. Marcia looks between both the boys and then at me. Her face shows a sorry expression. Bob shrugs, taking another sip. "Bob." She says, her temper rising.
"Leave me alone, Cherry." He says. She scoffs.

"Oh, I'll leave you alone, Winnie, Marcia come on," Cherry says as she hurries the two of us out of the car.
"Cherry," Bob says as he and Randy jump out after us. "Just relax. I mean, just try it, you're supposed to be my girlfriend." He offers Cherry the drink as she pushes me and Marcia away.
"Don't ever pull anything like that again!" She hisses. "Winnie, Marcia come on."

I'm too nervous to say anything. So I just follow behind the girls as they lead the way up to the seats. I feel bad for Cherry. Bob's already a total idiot and Cherry's pretty nice. I think she should consider breaking up with him or something.

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Marcia asks as we sit down in front of a group of boys.
"I came here to see a movie and I'm gonna see a movie." She says, crossing her arms. I and Marcia look at each other for a second before shaking our heads and focusing on the movie. But we just can't seem to catch a break. One of the boys behind us starts talking loud enough for us to hear. He starts bad and gets worse.

I can feel my ears get hot as he whispers something awful in my ear and starts fiddling with the end of my braid.
"Leave her alone!" Cherry snaps, whipping around in her chair.
"Who's gonna make me?" He asks, still playing with my hair. I get a good look at him now, tall and muscular with brown wispy hair and cold dark eyes. He looks to be the bad boy of Tulsa, just my luck.

"You better leave us alone or I'll call the cops." Cherry threatens.
"Oh, my, my. You've got me scared to death." He says sarcastically, finally dropping my braid.
"Lay off, Dallas." Says a new voice. I turn to look at its owner and I instantly recognize him. It's the handsome boy from the DX. Soda, I think his name was. I think he recognizes me too.

"What'd you say to me?" Dallas asks.
"You heard him." Another familiar voice says. Steve appears next to Soda, carrying an arm full of cokes and popcorn. Dallas huffs, standing up he kicks my chair before leaving. I don't dare say anything. Instead, I turn my attention back to the movie, my face still hot from the encounter.

"You alright?" Cherry asks. I nod, not looking away from the screen.
"Sorry about him." One of the boys behind us says. It's not Soda or Steve but the voice still sounds familiar.
"Yeah, thanks." She says bitterly. I sigh, people are so odd. Suddenly someone pokes me in the back, I turn around, hoping Dallas didn't come back. Only it's not Dallas who greets me, it's a coke.

"Aren't you the girl from the DX?" Steve asks, handing me the drink. I nod. "What's your name?" He smiles.
"Winnie Cooper," I say, taking a sip of coke.
"Well, Winnie Cooper. I'm Steve, this is Two-bit, Sodapop, and you've already met old Dally." He says. "Welcome to Tulsa."