Everyday Life

Leaving

After awhile Johnny and Malissa finally walked to the Curtis house. When they walked through the door, the three brothers were concerned. Malissa's arm was bleeding from where her Dad had cut her with that bottle, and their eyes were both a little red from crying.

"What happened?" Pony asked.

"Our parents," Was all Johnny said. "Come on, Mal. Let me get you cleaned up." Malissa followed her brother to the bathroom and got out the first-aid kit that Darry kept under the sink. She sat down on the toilet lid as Johnny rummaged through the kit.

"Hey...thanks for...ya know."

"Don't mention it. I wasn't going to let them hurt you." Malissa winced as Johnny dabbed alcohol on her cut.

"Sorry. I should have warned you first."

"It's fine," Was all she said before bringing up a different conversation. "We're staying here tonight. I don't want you going to the lot." She laid her head against the wall. "Man, I can't wait until I'm 18. I'm leaving this town. Getting away from our parents. And I'm taking you with me."

Johnny put a badge on her cut then looked at her. "I-I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave the guys. I don't want you to leave either."

Malissa was shocked by his comment. She thought Johnny would love to leave. To get away from everything in this town. His parents. The Socs. "But don't you want to get away? To get away from the Socs? To get away from our parents?"

"Of course I do. I always have. But I can't leave the guys. They're my family. One of the only family I have besides you."

Malissa nodded. "Looks like I'm not leaving Tulsa. But I don't want to continue living with the Curtis'. We need a place of our own. I've been saving up money from work. I doubt it's enough, though." Malissa has been working for almost a year, trying to save up enough money for a house and a car.

"It will be fine. We'll figure out something."

...

Malissa laid on the arm chair, thinking of what Johnny said earlier. Johnny didn't want to leave, but Malissa did. And she was going to. She was old enough to drive. She had her drivers license. Technically, she wasn't old enough leave. She didn't care though. She just wanted to get out. For how long, she didn't know. A few days? A week? A month?

She wasn't leaving forever, though. She couldn't. Her brother and the guys who she calls family are here. They will be worried sick about here. She hates the thought of worrying them, but this is something she has to do.

Is it though? I don't have to. She shook the thoughts away. Yes. Yes, she has to do this. It's the only freedom she will get from this town for a while. Maybe forever. She needs this.

Malissa stood up quietly and went into Ponyboy's room. She grabbed out a sheet of paper from the drawer of his desk. She then creeped out of the room and went into the kitchen. She didn't want to risk waking Ponyboy and Sodapop.

Dear guys,

By tomorrow you will probably be wondering where I am. Don't worry, I'm not going to be gone forever. I don't know how long I will be gone, though. All I know is that I have to leave. I have to get out for a little bit. To get away from this town. Tell Johnny that everything will be ok and that I will be back soon and that I love him. I love all you guys. See you all soon.

Malissa.

She set down her pencil and left the note on the kitchen table. She walked over to her brother and looked at him, a few tears fell from her eyes. "I love you, Johnnycake," She mumbled before walking out the door.