The day was my last. I sat beside Johnny, cuddling close to him. He seemed to be enjoying my company, yet uncomfortable. "What's wrong?", I asked. "Nothing", he said. "Come on", I pressed him. "You can tell me." "I'll tell you tomorrow", he said, dropping the subject. The cuddling conitnued when my brothers walked in. None of them would make eye contact with me. "Your stuff is all packed Win", Darry said. Then he went into the kitchen. "I'll miss you Win. I just want you to know that", Soda said. Pony said nothing, going back to his shared room. Johnny shifted underneath me, getting up. "I better be going", he said. I looked at him confused. "Where are you going?", I asked. He didn't look at me. He mumbled something before leaving the room and going out the door.
I had decided to come back to this place. Why? I have no idea. My brothers got some money together and took me out to the Dingo, my favorite place to eat before I left. They even invited Johnny along because they were just that happy that I was back. When the food arrived, I took a small bite, then dug in. I hadn't realized how hungry I really was.
Pony looked at me confused. "How have you survived Win? I can see your bones through your skin", he pointed out. That brought everyone's attention to me. "It wasn't easy", I said. "You need to gain some weight", Darry said. "You don't have the money to feed me", I dismissed, going back to eating. The boys all shared a glance. "What?", I asked. "We aren't poor anymore", Soda said. "What?", I asked. "Pony got a job at the hospital. He makes a good deal of money now. We were actually going to move soon", Darry explained. "Where?", I asked suspciously. I didn't like where this was going. "The West side", Pony coughed. "Why? So you could get closer to that ginger slut?", I asked angrily. I watched Pony's face turn bright red with anger. "She is not a slut", he growled, tension settling along the table.
I stood my ground, knowing that I was definitely street smarter than my big brother. "Yes she is! Don't you wonder why she is all over you now? Because you actually have money now!", I yelled. "Guys, come on...", Soda started to say, but Pony raised a hand to silence him, his eyes never leaving mine. "Cherry loves me for me. Not for my money", he said, losing his patience. "Why didn't she go out with you in high school then Pony? Oh, that's right. You were a good for nothing grease then!", I shouted.
His hand connected with my face quickly. I fell from the seat, the blow taking me back. Being a thin and weak as I was, my cheek started to bleed. Pony didn't bat an eye, no regrets in his eyes. Soda and Darry didn't look to shocked. Johnny was close by my side though, helping me up. I looked between my three siblings. I grabbed a napkin from the table and held it to my cheek. "I see. I no longer fit in here. I best be going now", I said. As I walked out, Johnny tailed me.
"Go away Johnny", I said. "I'm sorry", he started. "I should have told you on the way back..." "Save it Johnny! You brought me back to an alternate universe! Never in my life would Soda or Darry ever be ok with Pony dating a soc..." "Fiance actually", Johnny added. I whipped around to face him. "Even better", I said with a scowl. I continued along the road, no where to go. "Winter...", Johnny started, but I ignored him, continuing down an old familiar road that didn't seem so familiar anymore.
