On The Outside (A The Outsiders FF) #Wattys2015

Chapter 1

As I examined myself in my new floor mirror in my bedroom, I noticed something strange: it wasn't my reflection I was seeing, it was a town. Well, I mostly saw a park. Tons of teenagers with greasy, slicked back hair and cigarettes settled between their fingers and lips strolled past. I also noticed some teenagers that walked by looked completely different than the grungy-looking ones. These teens had madras and khakis and a more fresher-cleaner look. I would find these teens jumping the grungy teens in the park or across the street.

I didn't know what this place was, but I was going to find out somehow.

I gingerly placed my fingers on the cold glass of the mirror, causing it to move like jelly. It startled me, but I kept my hand where it was. Suddenly, I was jerked toward the mirror, being pulled inside. My stomach lurched and twisted into a knot as I moved.

I landed in a tiny diner called, by what I read on the menu board, The Tasty Freeze. I glanced over at the window, and instead of seeing the outside, I saw my bedroom. This was strange and unusual. Could other people see what I'm seeing?

I looked to the first person I saw: a boy with dark slicked back hair sitting with a boy with a jean jacket on and a scar on his left cheek and another boy with a gray Mickey Mouse shirt and leather jacket on.

"Excuse me, but you can't see that, can you?" I asked, pointing towards the window. All three boys followed my gaze and looked confused.

"See what?" The boy with dark hair responded.

"Nevermind. I'm sorry, I know I sound crazy, but I don't know where I am." I said. They must think I'm insane. I mean, a random girl walks up to them, asks what something is that she might only see, and says she doesn't know where she is.

"Tulsa, Oklahoma." he stated.

"Year?"

"1983. What's your name?" he said.

"Dakota Edwards." I replied shortly.

"Well Dakota, I'm Ponyboy Curtis." he introduced.

"I'm Two-Bit Matthews." the boy in the Mickey Mouse shirt said.

"Johnny Cade." the boy with the scar said quickly and shyly. He had a defeated look to him, like an abandoned puppy. Although I had just met him, I felt like I wanted to help him, whatever it was that looked like it was killing him inside.

"Where are you from?" Two-Bit asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, um, Texas." I told them.

"Maybe we should take you back to my house and you could stay with my brothers and me." Ponyboy suggested, but Two-Bit gave him a skeptical look.

"I don't think Darry would allow it, Ponyboy." he said. Ponyboy just shrugged and got up, the boys doing the same.

"I guess I'll have to ask him when he comes home, then." Ponyboy said, walking towards the door behind Johnny. I figured I was supposed to follow, so I did.

On the way to Ponyboy's house, Two-But was telling a story about a guy who once took on for Socs - whatever those are - with only his bare hands and whatever junk was sprawled on the ground around him. Johnny was trailing behind with his fists jammed in his jacket pockets, staring down at the ground and kicking pebbles.

He looked lonely, so I walked beside him.

"Hey Johnny, you okay?" I asked. He looked up at me for a moment, then stared back down.

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine." he said, hesitant with his words. Anybody could tell he was lying, that nothing was fine; his eyes gave it away. They made him look so helpless, so broken.