The house next door

Meet the Manchester's

I was blinded by the light after stepping out from the dark school house with only two goals on my mind. Get to me and the boys meeting spot and do it without running into Bob. All socs are a pain, but Bob is the biggest pain. Unfortunately for me he had found a new hobby of harassing me after school. I haven't made it a single day this week without running into him, I never tell the gang cause they're always letting their hearts think before their heads. My goal was not completed.
"Hey greaser" Bob yelled from the picnic table he was sitting on. I just pretend to not hear him and ignore him.
"Come on doll we do this everyday you know I'm talking to you" Bob said standing up for the table and walking closer.
"Hello" I said in a sarcastic tone
"Oh I see your the same as yesterday"
"And will continue to act this way intel you leave me alone" I said flashing a fake smile.
"It's a shame your not a soc"
"No not really"
"Yeah it is your real pretty, I would date you if you was a soc"
"Thank goodness I'm not" I said trying to walk away faster
"Ya know you could be thankful for the compliment" he said trying to touch my hair. I walked even faster.
"Oh my bad thank you" I said with an eye roll. Bad idea. Bob hated being talked to like this.
Bob grabbed my hair and pulled me close to him.
"You better watch your mouth you little greaser"
"You better wash yours" I said ripping his hand off my ponytail. I turned as fast as I could and started running, the meeting spot wasn't too far away and Bob wouldn't bug me there. I started slowing down as I saw Johnny and Ponyboy sitting under the big lilac tree.
"Hey guys!" I said only slightly out of breath
"Hey Kaylita" Ponyboy said using my horrid nickname
"Come on Pony just call me Kayla it sounds much nicer"
"Not a chance"
I turned over to Johnny since Pony was being annoying, "Hi Johnny how've you been?"
"Alright yourself?"
"Amazing per usual" I said giving a cheesy smile.
Johnny looked like something was on his mind.
"Hey Johnnyboy what's up?" I said looking him straight in the eyes.
"Nothing"
"You sure?"
"Don't lie to her Johnny" Pony warned
"Yeah don't lie to me I can tell something's bugging you"
"Yeah there is I guess" Johnny said picking at his nails
"Ok so are you going to tell me orrr"
"Yeah yeah whatever" he said sighing
"I saw you and Bob over there"
"You saw that?"
"Yeah are you ok"
"Yeah he's just messing around, he don't mean nothing you dig?"
"Sure" he said still seaming upset
"Now you two better stay out of this or i'll or i'll never invite you over for dinner again" this was a fake threat of course. If they didn't come over for dinner ever again I don't know what I would do.
"Kayla Mae Manchester you wouldn't" Pony said with a fake shocked look.
I laughed, I couldn't help it. "So on the topic of dinner" I paused for dramatic affect, "you guys wanna come to my place, tell Darry and Soda they're welcome to come" I like to invite them every school night. I know it's been hard since their parents died and it's one less meal they had to cook.
"Hmm I don't know" Pony said
"Whatcha having?" Johnny asked
"Burgers I think"
"Oh well me Darry and Soda are definitely in now what 'bout you Johnny?"
"Why not ain't like I got better things to do"
We all chatted a bit about school before we were in-front of me and Pony's houses. Mine on the left his on the right.
"I'll see you at dinner Hoarseman" I said jokingly to Ponyboy
"Alright Kaylita"
"Well played" I said pretending to tip a hat towards him.
"Bye" I waved to him and Johnny
"See you soon" Pony waved back as him and Johnny walked into his house.
Johnny never liked going to his house because his parents hit him. My parents hit me but not that bad, at least they try to hide it. They do a pretty good job too. None of the gang knows and if they did they don't care. This is part of the reason I'm always inviting people over for dinner. When people are over dinner is amazing. When dinner is just with them it is hell.
I looked at the time and sighed, my parents were definitely home. Maybe today they will be in a good mood. I knocked three times to let them know I was home. They told me to do this after I walked in on them doing some weird things. I will let you imagine what I'm talking about.
"Hey mom, hey dad I'm home from school"
"That's great" my dad said sarcastically from his spot on the couch
"The boys are coming over for dinner again"
"Good I like those boys they sure are tuff" my dad said
"You need any help with dinner?" I said turning to my mom
"If I wanted to poison the Curtis's I would ask you" my mom said coldly
"Oh sorry for asking" I said sadly, "I'm going to head up to my room, is it an open door or closed door day?"
"Did you have any test?"
"Nope"
"Well you didn't do good or bad so I guess you can shut it half way"
"Ok your the best"
The open door or shut door thing is the worse. If I failed a test I wasn't aloud to shut my door, and if I did it was a rough night. If I did good I could shut it. Sometimes on days I don't have tests I'm aloud to shut it half way. I hated it but it was the way things were. I sighed setting down my book bag. I pulled my books out and set them at my desk, I should probably get my homework done before dinner so I don't have to stay up too late. I have math and English homework. Easy enough, math is easy just one worksheet. English was just a composition about our upcoming Christmas break. Another easy day of homework, I thought as I pulled out my math. About an hour later I was finished with all my homework. I'll have to double check with Pony but I think there is a science test I should study for.
"Kay the boys are here" I heard my mom scream from the kitchen
"Comin" I shouted back
I ran down the stairs jumping over the last few.
"Hey guys how are you doing" my mom said
"Pretty good, how are you Mr and Mrs. Manchester?" Soda said politely
"Pretty good thanks for asking" my dad said
"Good" my mom said
"Thank you so much for inviting us over" Darry said handing over a container of cookies. He always brings something over even though we've told him he didn't have to.
"Thanks peach you didn't have to" my mom said to the sweet gesture, "Dinner is just about ready so you guys make yourself at home"
"Yes ma'am" said Pony.
"Where's Johnny?" I asked as we walked up to my room
"He went home to get something and didn't come back so I guess his folks were around"
"Do you know if he's ok?"
"No but I was going to go swing around there if I don't hear nothin"
"Good"
"Did you do the math homework" Pony asked
"Yeah need help?"
"No but I wanted to make sure you didn't"
"Thanks I'm ok"
"Yep"
"Do we have any tests tomorrow?" I said nervously blighting my nails
"A science one I think, and get your hands out of your mouth it ain't the end of the world if you fail"
If only he knew. There was more punishments then the door thing, if I failed. I had to sleep without my bed or without my blanket. I wasn't aloud to have dinner or breakfast. And I got the crap beat out of me. But Pony doesn't need to know this, so I'll pretend like he's right. I put my hand down, "yeah your right"
"I know" he said in his normal annoying manner
"Ya know you're real humble right?" I said sarcastically
"Did you want help studying from humble me?" Pony asks
"Sure"
"Ok you have your study guide?"
"Somewhere" I said heading over to my desk to look.
Around thirty minutes later we headed down to go eat.
"Thanks again for having us over"Darry said
"Anytime" my dad said. He really likes Darry
"We appreciate it it very much"
"Of course you guys are all doing ok?"
"Yeah I got a job of at the DX" Soda piped in
"That's nice hon" my mom replied.
The conversation went on as we finished our burgers. After dinner the boys decided to go back to their house.
"Thanks for coming!" I said as they were putting there shoes on
"Of course thanks for the invitation"
"Yep"
After they walked out I went back up to my room to study for science some more. I wasn't feeling to good about the test. I wanted to do good, but I don't think I will.