✓ | falling ➝ j. cade

xvii. new years; 1968

❝IF YOU LET ME LOVE YOU,
IT'S FOR SURE I'M GONNA
LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY.❞
- FRANK SINATRA, ALL THE WAY

×

Theodosia had never enjoyed her birthday. She had never liked the season it fell in, either: winter. She used to celebrate it with Alexander with a meal at the Turn Around and a movie before he skipped town. The only person who Theodosia had solidly celebrated her birthday with for the past three years was James. They always hung out at the Turn Around until closing time since Theodosia's mother was never home for it. This year, however, a part of Theodosia was curious as to how that tradition would change.

As she approached the high school, the first person she saw was none of then James Lewis himself. He was standing outside of the front of the school with Johnny. Theodosia couldn't help but find the sight confusing. She wasn't sure she had ever seen the two talk before. Still, Theodosia quickened her pace out of newly found anticipation.

"Hi," Theodosia breathlessly greeted the boys with a smile.

James immediately picked the small girl up and spun her around in a backwards hug, making her laugh.

"Happy birthday, Theo," James grinned."Still on for the Turn Around tonight?"

Theodosia brushed some fallen strands of hair out of her eyes,"Just like always."

Johnny shuffled awkwardly at the exchange, his hands in his pockets. He almost seemed to shrink into his jean jacket because of the cold. Theodosia turned her attention to the dark haired boy,"Hi."

"Hey," Johnny awkwardly nodded."I, uh, didn't know it was your birthday."

Theodosia shook her head, dismissing it,"It's okay. I normally don't tell anyone. Should - should we all go inside? It's cold."

"Yeah," Johnny and James answered in unison.

So, the three walked into the building, greeted by warmth. Theodosia spotted Josiah, Bailey, and Lilli immediately. The three were sat on the staircase that resided in the middle of the common area. There were plenty of students surrounding the three, but she didn't see Two-Bit, Steve, or Ponyboy.

"Johnny," Theodosia started,"where're your friends?"

"Not here yet," Johnny answered, shaking his head."I came early."

"Oh. Well, come join us then," Theodosia offered with a smile, placing her hand on the boy's shoulder.

Johnny seemed to perk up a little,"You sure?"

"Yeah, c'mon."

And so, he did. Five turned into six. The boy was silent during his time there, but Theodosia didn't mind. Johnny was always quiet. For the most part, her friends had been friendly to him. The only one who was obviously off put by the Greaser's presence was Bailey, but Theodosia couldn't have cared less. The others had come to like Johnny.

The six were only broken up by the first warning bell of the morning, sending all six to their individual classes. Theodosia was one of the first ones to arrive to her science class, but even as it grew close to time for the bell that marked the start of class to ring, the seat next to the girl remained empty. What really struck Theodosia as odd, though, was the fact that Mrs. Jones was nowhere to be found. Two-Bit was typically strolling in at the last moment, but Mrs. Jones almost always in her classroom.