'Everything's changed..'

chapter 2

Date: November 7, 2024
Time: 12:15pm
Word Count: 710
As i stepped out of my house, i felt a bit nervous. It wasn't that Tulsa wasn't nice, it actually looked like a great place to live, i just didn't know anyone there. My grandma lives there, but she's 10 minutes away by car, so probably about 25 minutes on foot. even though i had a lot of time to kill, i really didn't feel like walking over there. Plus, my grandma was never as close to me as she was Addalyn, so it would probably be awkward if i walked over there.

i glanced around at the scenery, there were a few old houses and elm trees around myself. The air was crisp and the sky was a perfect blue, making it a great day for a walk. There also looked to be a gas station up ahead. i figured i'd head there and grab a few snacks and then continue walking around town to kill time.

as i walked up to the gas station, i caught a glimpse of two boys standing next to ear other by a car. the one on the right was tall and lean, with thick greasy hair kept combed back in complicated swirls. He looked quite cocky, and also looked close to the boy on the left.

the boy on the left was pretty handsome, not my
type, but definitely good looking. he wasn't like regular handsome, either. he looked movie-start kinda handsome. he was about as tall as the other boy, but a bit slimmer. he had a finely drawn, sensitive face that looked to be reckless and thoughtful at the same time. his hair was dark gold and combed back — long, silky, and straight — his eyes were dark brown, unlike the boy on the right's, who were a deep blue, eyes you could probably get lost in.

i was snapped out of my thoughts just before i got into the gas station by the boy on the left speaking.

"Hey! i ain't seen you around here before, you new here?"

i turned around and took a couple steps closer before replying.

"Yeah, i just moved here. My mom and dad got divorced, so i had to move here."

that's when the boy in the right spoke up:

"Why here of all places? why not anywhere else?"

"Well, my mom grew up here."

Both boys nodded, the boy on the right taking a quick glance down both sides of the road before the boy on the left spoke again.

"My name's Sodapop Curtis, and this here's-"he gestured to the boy on the right "my buddy Steve. Steve Randle. What's your name, kid?"

"The name's Alison. Alison Bennet."

"Ohhhh. You're a Bennet, huh? real rich stuff." The boy named Steve scoffed.

"Well, not really. My grandma's company went bankrupt years ago and she had to sell it, but she played it off by saying she went into retirement. My parents have been helping her pay bills for the past 15 years."

Both boys looked a bit shocked, before the one named Sodapop spoke up.

"Anyway, let's not get into family history. What grade are ya in, kiddo?"

"i'm in 9th grade, i know i look a bit young — i am — i skipped a grade, so i was the only 14 year old 9th grader back in Bixby."

Sodapop smiled a bit, looking somewhat like he had a plan.

"Well, you aren't the only one here. I've got a brother named Ponyboy. Same age, same grade. You should come over for dinner! Meet back here at 5 and we'll walk ya there." Soda spoke with a smile

Steve rolled his eyes at the mention of Ponyboy. he looked like he didn't like him, which i found strange because from the way Sodapop lit up when talking about him, Ponyboy seemed like a good kid. i decided not to dwell on it and spoke again.

"Sounds good. i'll see you later then."

both boys said goodbye and waved to me as i walked back home, i needed to find an outfit and i needed to look good. i didn't care if these boys were strange and probably didn't care. First impressions ALWAYS matter.