The Outsiders Fanfic: Where Does the Time Go?

Chapter 33: Meetin' the boys part 2

Arie's POV-

"I'mmmmm booooooored!" I shout to literally no one, as I'm alone at Johnny's house. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful Johnny has let me stay with him, but since I haven't spoken to Cherry or Marcia or the others, I've had nothing to do after school, after work. It's been super boring. Johnny disappears a lot, to what I assume is The Curtis' house, but I've never gone with him. I'm not sure why he hasn't invited me, probably because I'm a soc and he's a greaser, and it's probably complicated. I still don't really get that whole thing, but whatever. I also have to either hide or leave when his parents get home, which is normally when I'm at school anyway, but from what I've heard from Johnny, his dad is really mean. I don't really care to see that anyway, so it's no bother to me. I guess that's why Johnny is always gone. I noticed that he has a lot of bruises, they're hidden under his clothes. I don't think he has very good parents. I think his dad is a bad man. If only I could remember what my parents were like... I sit wondering to myself. There's nothing to do here. I'm at like a new level of boredom.

Finally I decide that I might as well go walk around; I could go to Emelie's, or the DX. Most of my clothes were still at Cherry's, I didn't have many clothes anyway and I couldn't take too much with me when I ran out the door. Guess I should go shopping eventually. I grab one of Johnny's jackets and head out the door.

About 10 minutes later I arrive at the DX; everything is so close by in this town. I walk inside, jingling my coins around in my pocket.

"Hey Arie!" Soda says, smiling.

"Hey!" I say.

"What're you doin' here?" he asks.

"Eh, I was really bored and I decided I'd stop by and see if you were here," I say.

"That's mighty fine," he says, "I only have like 20 minutes until my shift ends though."

"Oh," I say.

"But you're welcome to come home with me!" he says.

"Oh?" I say.

"That sounded weirder than it did in my head.. I just mean if you wanna you can come with me, I'm headin' home."

I laugh, "sure, ain't got nothin' else to do." Boy, livin' with greasers sure rubs off on ya, I'm talkin' like them already.

"Okay," he says. He looks at the door, "I'll see ya soon, there's a customer."

I roam around the DX, talking to customers, Steve, and when I can, Soda. I must've had about 6 colas, and a few candy bars too. Soda lets me have 'em for free, but I still give him a few coins cause he works there after all. Soon enough, Soda returns, grabs his things, and then looks my way.

"You ready to go?" he asks me.

"Yep!" I say. We walk a ways until we get to a small house, beaten up but glowing with light from the inside. Like Johnny's, the grass is brown and the siding is chipping, and the fence has holes in it. But unlike Johnny's, there is a warm glow, and the sound of laughter, coming from inside. Soda opens the door with a light tap and walks on in, me following behind. Inside is a group of awkwardly attractive boys, with slicked back hair and leather jackets. Among them is Johnny, who turns around in shock at my arrival.

"Everyone, this is Arie, she's a... friend!" Soda says.

"Oooooooo" all the boys holler. Soda blushes, but repeats, "a friend." I never really considered that he could be more than a friend, really. Maybe in the beginning but now that I really know him.. I dunno. I mean, sure he's good lookin' and sweet and caring and funny as hell, but I don't see how he could actually like me back, that is if I even liked him. Which I don't. Probably.