ʜᴇʀᴏ

train tracks

i walked into school that day with johnny and ponyboy on either side of me.

as we walked down the hall, everyone's eyes seemed to follow us.

"just ignore it.."
ponyboy said under his breath.

i made my way to my first class of the day, world history. i sat down in my assigned seat, and even my teacher seemed to be staring at me. i almost gave him a dirty look before remembering the bruises and cuts that i wore on my face.

while mr. shelby lectured at the board, i stared down at my text book. the words and letters all jumbled together, so i just doodled in the margins.

the girl who sat behind me, vanessa white, leaned forward and whispered in my ear.

"betty's daddy works down at the police station.. told her that you got brought in the other night."

i turned my head to look at her.
"yeah?"

"they're saying you murdered jamie andrews..."
she said

"who's saying that?"
i asked.

"everyone."
she smirked.
"but i guess that's what he gets for dating a no good greaser whore like yourself."

when she said that, all i could see was jamie's face from that night at the drive in. then i saw red.

i picked up my textbook and closed it before slamming it into the side of her head.

this got the attention of everyone in the classroom. everyone reacted with shock, feeding into the drama.

vanessa fell back onto the ground with a thud. i stood over her and lifted my foot to kick her in the head before mr. shelby grabbed my arm and pulled me off of her.

"say it again, bitch. i dare you.."
i spat down at her.

"ms. curtis, that is enough!"
the old man said.
"collect your stuff and go to the office. now."

i snapped out of it and looked around at everyone in the room quickly before looking at mr. shelby.

"go."
he said firmly.

i hurriedly grabbed my things before rushing out of the room. my breathing became fast and unsteady, my chest rose and fell quickly as my hands began to shake.

what the fuck had i just done.

—————

"suspended for a week! unbelievable.."
darry yelled in my direction as he paced around.
"i had to leave work early for this. my boss is livid!"

i sat at the kitchen table silently, letting darry take out his frustration. i couldn't explain my actions to him because frankly, i didn't even know why i did it.

"that girl had to go to the er, fizzle. you're lucky she's okay. so fucking lucky."
he turned to look at me, his face red with anger.
"i didn't raise you to act like this. mom and dad didn't raise you to act like this. they'd be so disappointed in how you're turning out."

i had tuned out what he was saying for the most part but those words were a gut punch.

i looked up at him from the table and tears filled my eyes.

"okay.."
i nodded and stood up from the table.

i quickly walked upstairs and into my room. i grabbed my jacket and my bag before opening my bedroom window.