𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠 // The Outsiders

Chapter 7 - Socs And Greasers

Monday I was out of school because I wasn't feeling the best. But I'm back at school on Tuesday. Cherry and I talk a little in first hour, but I hardly listen as she apologizes for Friday. My mind is in the clouds thinking about next hour, gym, which I share with Sodapop.

The bell rings and I'm off. In gym, Soda and I run laps together, though I can barely keep up with him. We divide into pairs for volleyball and me and Sodapop are on fire, getting serve after serve, bump after bump, and set over spike over the net. The gym teacher can barely keep up with us racking up points.

"That was so much fun!" Soda says as we leave. "Did you see the looks on their faces?"
I laugh, the image of everyone's bewilderment floating back in my head.
"Forget their faces, did you see the teacher?" I ask between giggles. Soda roars back into laughter, leaning on me to keep himself from falling. I can't help but join him, his energy is contagious.

However, our laughter is halted as someone blocks our way. Bob and a few of his friends, not Randy though.
"What are you doing Winnie?" He asks sternly. I look at him curiously, what did I do? "Why are you walking around with him?" Bob continues. I look over at Soda, his glowing smile has vanished and been replaced by a frown.

"I can't hang out with my friends?" I say, crossing my arms defensively.
"They're not your friends, we are. You are a soc whether you like it or not." He says. I'm taken aback. First off, who is he to tell me who my friends are and aren't? He only met me a few days ago. And second, he doesn't get to decide I'm a soc when I'm not. I'm not a soc or a greaser. I'm just Winnie. My friends can be greasers or socs for all I care, they could be neither.

"Excuse me?" I say.
"You heard me," Bob says. I scoff, taking Soda's hand I lead him away. I don't get why people always wanna get into others' business. Like it involves them in some way.
"Don't listen to them, okay," I say once we're far enough away. Soda finally looks up at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I won't." He says. We separate there, each of us going off to our next class.

I sit down in science in my usual spot next to Randy, who turns to me immediately.
"Winnie, I'm so sorry, I was drunk. I know that's not a good excuse but-"
"It's okay." I cut him off. "Forgiven and forgotten." Randy sighs a smile of relief.
"So... so we're cool, then?" He asks.
"We're cool," I confirm.

The rest of the class goes by quickly. At some point, I catch Steve's green eyes, passing him a smile which he returns. After class ends, we walk to lunch together, separating as we go to separate tables. I sit next to Marcia and across from Cherry and Randy. I spot Two-bit, Soda, and Steve on the other side of the lunchroom, they wave and I wave back. I guess it's nice to know I have friends on both sides, though I do wish there were no sides at all. Wouldn't that be so much simpler?

Math class goes by in another blur because all Steve, Two-bit, and I do is talk. And by the time last hour, history rolls in, I know today will be a day I'll remember forever. Half of my greaser friends and I were in one class, what could go wrong? Actually, not a lot. I already knew what the teacher was talking about, so I tried to help Sodapop as best I could with his math and English homework.

"Can't you just give me the answers?" Soda asks in a whisper.
"Then you wouldn't learn anything," I say.
"Soda has no brain." Steve whispers, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Only things he's passing is auto mechanics and gym." I roll my eyes, tapping Soda's head.
"At least he uses his head for one thing," I say.

"Oh yeah." Two-bit joins in. "What's that?"
"To grow hair on."
"Hey!" Soda says a little too loudly, but there's a slight chuckle in his voice.
"Is there something the four of you in the back would like to say to the class," The teacher asks. We all shake our heads and the teacher nods, but while his back is turned, Two-bit whispers, "Yeah, Soda has no brain."

After school, Steve, Soda, and I walk to the DX, talking about nothing in particular. The boys clock in and go right to work as I sit on the stool behind the counter with Sodapop. Girls, greasers, and socs alike seem to filter into the station like honey draws flies. Most don't even buy anything, they just sit, stare and drool over Sodapop. But once they leave, Soda and I break out into giggles at their attempts at flirting.

One girl walks in, with big blonde hair and azure-blue, doll-like glassy eyes. She's really pretty. She comes right around the counter and wraps Sodapop in a big hug.
"Hi, babe." She smiles.
"Hey, sweetheart." He replies, the biggest grin stretched across his face. He pulls back a little, placing a kiss on her forehead before wrapping an arm around her waist and turning to me.

"Winnie, this is my girlfriend Sandy." He introduces. "Sandy, this is Winnie, she and her family just moved here."
"Hi, Winnie." Sandy smiles.
"Hello," I say sheepishly. Awkward silence. The bell on the door rings, and I'm literally saved by the bell. But not for long. We all look over, watching as Dallas Winston stumbles in.

"Hey, Dally." Soda says as the garage door creeks open and in walks Steve, his hands covered in oil and grease.
"Car trouble?" He asks. We all know Dally doesn't own a car.
"Hey," Dallas smirks, striding over to the counter with confidence and leaning against it. "Nope. I'm just here to pick up Winnie for our date."

I know my face turns red as everyone in the store turns to look at me.
"Oh, I didn't know you two were a thing." Soda says, tightening his grip on his girlfriend.
"We're not," I speak up, hopping off my stool. Dallas chuckles tossing an arm around my shoulder as I come around the counter.
"Whatever you say doll." He says. I roll my eyes, pushing away his arm.
"We're just going to the Dingo for some cokes," I mumble, avoiding everyone's stares as I make my way to the door.

I barely hear Sandy saying, "Have fun," before the door shuts behind me and Dallas.
"I'm just joking around." He says with a smile.
"Yeah, 'couse embarrassing girls is real funny," I say. Dallas's face falls the tiniest bit, but he doesn't say anything.