Paparazzi (The outsiders ff)

Chapter 16

It was a fairly calm day, classes ran by smoothly and old friends greeted me with huge grins and slaps on the back. I grunt and nod, but that was enough to show them I was glad to see them too. The white boys kept their shoves and sneers, and the white girls continued their little looks and chatter but it was water off my back.

It felt good to be back, it did.

By the time lunch rolled around Zachary, Eduardo, and I were heading off to get a bite to eat. Our turf was way too far to walk to and back if we wanted to make it to class on time so our last option was to head to the DX for some candy and a soda. I had to say I was startled at the look Sodapop gave us. It wasn't one of hate, but he didn't look too happy to see us either,

"What can I do you for?"

I had to elbow Ed in the ribs in order to get him to stop snickering at the double meaning, "just some candy and a coke, if you don't mind." He gave a nod and we started our search.

"I don't want neither of you swiping anything, you hear? I'll pay for it."

"Yeah yeah."

The offhand tone in Ed's voice irked me, but I let that slide. I grabbed some snickers and a sprite and waited impatiently for the other two knob heads to gather their stuff and come over. Curtis tapped his fingers against the counter, waiting for a slip up and I could of whacked him across the face.

I never noticed how good he looks in this light.

I never really noticed how good he looked period. Even with his bored, annoyed expression he looked damn good.

"What're you looking at?"

The mutter startled me out of my thoughts, "nothin." I said, "why?"

"I don't feel comfortable with you gawking at me is all."

"I am not gawking at you, you cocky asshat." He gave a light hum and continued watching the other two.

We were quiet until he spoke again, "you know a guy named Jesse James?" I nearly choked on my own spit.

"Who?" He gave a light sigh,

"No one. He's new, I was wondering if you knew him."

"Why? Is...is he weird?" He gave a snort,

"Definitely, but he's a cool guy. You two look a lot alike and I thought you knew him."

"I don't."

"Good."

I was startled at this, "why good?"

"He's a good kid, I don't want him hanging around hoods like you."

I would of punched him, I swear I would. But I caught the tone he used, the light, teasing tone. He never ever did that before in my life to us, especially not me.

"Maybe I should sweep him off his feet, save him from you grease traps." And he laughed. Not a really for real laugh, but it was honest enough to calm me down.

"Not if I do it first."

"You wanna bet coke bottle?" He looked interested in this, "sure I do, I could use a good laugh."

The other two boys came over before anything official was said, but we knew it was on and it wasn't until I walked out of the gas station that I realized that I was supposed to charm myself into my side of the turf.

"Fucking Sodapop Curtis."