𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 , 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

twelve.

MADELINE WINSTON

"pony!" i yell, as i contemplate my outfit in the mirror.

it's my first day at school and i'm a nervous wreck on the inside.

quick footsteps come running up to my room before pony bursts through the door, "you okay?"

"is it alright? the outfit i mean."

pony smiles, coming to stand next to me.

"you look great, mad."

i'm wearing a dark green and black plaid skirt with a black long sleeve tucked in and cute little black shoes.

"but is it too ... soc-ey?"

pony chuckles, "no, it's perfect. come on, we gotta get goin'."

"aw, madeline. your first day of school." soda teases as he eats his breakfast in the kitchen.

i roll my eyes, "don't make a big deal outta it, i probably won't make it very far."

"oh, you're gonna make it far."

my head whips around to the stern voice belonging to darry who's coming down the stairs, "through the day and through the year."

"if you say so." i mumble sarcastically.

he gives me a small smile but pony breaks the brewing silence, "she thinks she looks like a soc with the skirt on."

"i do."

"hm, well you do need a jacket to wear. take mine." darry hands me his leather jacket.

"i—i have my own." i shake my head. "don't you need yours?"

"yours is practically worn to the threads. it'll be big but it'll keep you warm. and no one's gonna question if you're a soc with this thing on." darry smirks.

"thanks," i smile as i throw it over my shoulders, "i sure hope not!"

"let's go." pony says and then we walk out the door, heading to the bus stop.

•

once we make it to the school, pony walks me to the main office where they give me my schedule. my first class is biology and i'm making my way there now through the crowded hallways of unfamiliar faces.

i walk into the classroom, making a beeline for an empty stool at one of the lab tables. i take off darry's jacket, folding it over my legs once i sit down. a girl and two guys almost immediately join me.

the one guy has dark brown hair and light blue eyes. the other is blonde with green eyes. both are wearing their varsity football jackets. the girl with them is petite with blonde hair cut into a bob.

she's wearing a smile on her face as she sits next to me, "you're new."

"i am."

"i'm jill, this bobby," she points to the blondie, "and this is dean." she points to the brunette.

they smile at me quickly before resuming their conversation with each other.

"i'm madeline."

"did you just move here?" jill asks.

"yeah, from new york."

"oh wow. tough place." she sighs as she plays with the pencil in her hands, "what's your schedule?"