Things Are Rough All Over

Chapter 2: The Gang Pt.2

Steve's POV

I was sitting at the table lecturing Eleanor about her grades when there was a knock at the door. The door opened soon after and Johnny, Charlotte and Raelynn walked in. "Hey are you guys ready for school yet?" Lottie asked. "Yeah let me grab my keys." I said standing up. 

We all walked out to my car and got in. I dropped Lottie and Rae off at school and started for the high school. When we got there, Johnny got out and I told him we would catch up in a minute. He spotted Two-bit, Audrey and Elena and walked over to them. I turned to Eleanor and sighed. 

"Ellie, I'm serious. Okay?" I said, she sighed and nodded, getting out of the car. I got out of the car and walked over to the others. I wrapped my arms around Elena's waist from behind and she jumped. 

"Hey, it's just me babe." I said, looking at her confused. She looked pale and like someone had just threatened her. I turned her to completely face me and looked at her closer. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked, she gave a small smile and nodded. "I'm fine, baby, you just startled me is all." she said, kissing my cheek. I looked at her for a minute but didn't press any further. We turned back to the others and talked for a little longer before splitting off. 

I took Elena's hand in mine and walked her to her locker. "How was cheer practice this morning?" I asked, grabbing her books as she took them out of her locker. "Tiring. We're working on a new routine for the game this weekend. Cherry is in freak-out mode because coach has been sick all week and hasn't been here. Some of the girls act like they don't know their left from their right and-" I cut her off by kissing her forehead. 

"Baby, it's going to be okay. Take a deep breath, you're gonna cause yourself to have a panic attack." I said, rubbing her back. She smiled at me and shut her locker. I held her books and my books in one hand, and her hand with the other. We walked to class, saying 'hi' to a few people as we did.

Jacob's POV 

My mom was rushing around trying to find her keys so she could drop us all off at school today. I looked in the fridge and got a bottle of water, from the corner of my eye, I saw my mom's keys. "Mom," I said and she turned to me. "Yes, honey?" she asked, turning back to look for her keys. "Mom, your keys were in the fridge." I said, she turned back to me and sighed with relief. Thank you Jake. Kids, c'mon lets go!" she called to my siblings. Alec, Lela and Adeline came out of the living room with their bags and we all headed out to the car.

We got in and mom started driving, lecturing Alec and Lela about not getting into trouble. Mom stopped outside the middle school and turned so she could see all of us. "Guys, I'm serious okay? No phone calls today, please." We all nodded and got out of the car, saying bye to our mom. We walked inside the school and I walked Lela to the 7th grade hall to her locker while Alec walked Adeline to the 6th grade hall. 

"Lela, please be good. For mom's sake. She has enough stress on her shoulders as is. She doesn't need anymore phone calls about you or Alec." I said, she nodded and I gave her a side hug before walking off to my locker in the 8th grade hall. I saw Raelynn standing by my locker. 

I walked up to her and smiled. "Hey, baby girl." I smiled, she looked at me and smiled. "Hi, baby." she said, moving aside so I could get into my locker. "Are you okay?" I asked, noticing that she looked like she was hurting. She blushed and looked down. "I- um. Yeah, I just.. started my first period today so I'm having some cramps." She said softly. I kissed her cheek and shut my locker. 

"I'm sorry baby. C'mon let's get to class." I said, taking her hand in mine.

Beth Anne's POV

After leaving Dally's house, I drove a few houses down back to my house and saw Seth sitting on the front porch. I honked my horn and he stood up, walking to the car. "Sorry it took longer than expected. Rae and Lottie needed some quick girl talk." I said, backing out of the driveway. 

"Hey, Beth Anne, can I go to the drive-in tonight with Johnny and Ponyboy?" he asked and I thought for a minute. "Well, it isn't a school night, so I don't see why not." I said and he grinned. "Thanks sis." I parked my car in front of the middle school. "I'll see you tonight. Here's some money for the drive-in. Don't spend all of it on candy." I said and he nodded, getting out of the car. 

I drove to the college campus and parked my car in my usual spot. I grabbed my books and got out, walking to my first class. I can already tell today is going to be a long day.

Cherry's POV

Marcia and I were standing by my locker when Randy and Bob walked up to us. "Heya girls. How was practice?" Bob asked, I sighed in frustration. "Don't even ask." Marcia said. Bob kissed my cheek and took my books from me. We began walking to class when I saw Elena and Audrey. I walked over to them real quick.

"Girls, I forgot to tell y'all to meet after school for a half-hour practice. When you see the other girls, make sure you tell them okay?" I said and they both nodded. "You got it Cherry." Audrey smiled, I looked at Elena and frowned. "Elena are you sure you're okay?" I asked, she nodded with a soft smile. "Yeah, I'm just a little tired today is all." she said. I looked at her, trying to figure out what was wrong, but I couldn't. "Okay, I'll see y'all in the gym after school." I said, walking back to Bob and the others. 

"Why do you talk to them Cherry? They're greaser girls." Bob said, I rolled my eyes. "Bob, they're nice girls and they're my friends." I said and Marcia agreed. We got to class and sat down, not long after, the bell rang and the teacher looked up from her desk.

Today is going to be a long day. I couldn't stop trying to figure out what was going on with Elena. And then it hit me. I have to talk to her after class.

A/N: Okay, hopefully the book will start speeding up and getting more interesting now. Sorry if it's boring so far, I just wanted to kind of introduce the characters a little before jumping into it.

~Tori