The Outsiders: Before My Time Part III

School Project

Goldie's POV
April 5, 1965

On Saturday morning I got up early and drove us to a truck stop so I could freshen up before my first day at the DX. I had to buy some deodorant, some soaps and shampoo, and I was able to take a shower. Just letting hot water run down my back and soak into my hair helped ground myself more into this new reality we were in.

Just as I had promised, I met Steve at the DX and he showed me the ropes. Dad had the day off, so he wasn't there. I got to talking a lot with Steve because the DX really wasn't that busy. He's really cool, and pretty funny. I didn't bring up Dad or Mom at all though, it didn't come up organically since I technically don't know them.

I went in on Sunday too just to pass the time, but Steve explained to me that he still has to talk with the manager to actually hire me so until then, this was the only weekend I could work. He paid me under the table, just giving me my earnings from the register. I'm not sure what Candy and Red did all weekend, my only rule was that they didn't go too far and they didn't get themselves into any sort of trouble.

I never told Steve about how the three of us were living in a car. Honestly for a short term situation, it wasn't that bad. I'd bring them back day-old donuts from the DX before my shift started, they'd get burgers for lunch from some nearby joint, and hangout with the other neighborhood kids until I was off work. Neither of them can drive, so they just stuck around.

Monday came along and Candy talked me into going to the school again. She thinks it's a good idea that we try to befriend our parents and see if there is a way to get home from them. It took a lot of convincing, because I think it's the worst idea since the invisible AirPods.

I thank the universe every day that Candy didn't buy her textbooks, because we would probably be living in a box if she had. Textbooks in 2038 are only online, but if you want the versions that the schools sell, you have to pay it directly through them. It's quite complicated.

Red is too young for high school, so I'm not sure what we should do with him. I guess we could sit him in a nearby diner until we are done with class... or keep him in the car with the windows rolled down low or put the top down.

On Sunday when my shift was over, we stopped at the clothing store again and we picked up a few more articles of clothing that we can mix and match to give the illusion that they are different outfits. We will probably be here longer than we originally anticipated. I noticed that a lot of boys around here wear denim pants with the bottoms rolled up slightly, so I grabbed Red and I a couple more pairs of those. Candy bought whatever she wanted, I didn't really pay attention.

I talked to Candy and we took a slightly different approach today. She was going to try to find Dad, since we haven't seen him at the school yet, and my focus was on Mom since I found a class with her.

We ended up sitting Red down in a nearby diner and asked the waitress to keep an eye on him. We told her to let him order whatever he wanted, and we promised to pay for it when we got back. I told her that if he gets bored, have him wash the dishes.

I sat in the only class I could sneak into, and the students filled up quickly. Ms. Valentine came in to greet us and she told us about a paper she made due at the end of the week. She told us the details of what she was expecting from us, but I let it go in one ear and out the other. It's not like I was going to be affected by a poor grade. It's not like it will stay on some sort of permanent record or anything. I will be getting back to 2038... right?

"And because of this strenuous paper, we are going to pair up," Ms. Valentine stated. She began listing off names, and I figured that she wouldn't call my name because I never went through the office for class or introduced myself, so you could imagine my disbelief when she said my name.