Let It Be Me

Part 3

The bell rang to get to third period and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I had been leaning against the lockers listening to Eva tell me all about Kansas and for the tenth time that day my mind had wandered back to the walk home with Ponyboy and Johnny. I was jolted back to reality just as Eva finished off her story with "I swear, Kansas boys are just horny assholes! Never again." A couple of Soc girls overheard as they walked by and shot us disgusted looks. Eva gave them the finger.

"What about you?" She asked pushing her locker closed and taking back the book I was holding for her. "What did I miss? I shrugged.

"Not much." This obviously wasn't a good enough answer for her. She tilted her head and made a face at me and I sighed and tried to come up with a better answer. "I don't know. Danny and I had a pretty big fight."

"Yeah?" I nodded and she looked apprehensive. "Did he..?"

"Nope. Didn't lay a hand on me."

"No shit? Those slap classes must really be doing something for him."

I glanced up at the classroom door in front of me just in time to see Ponyboy give me a small smile and head in.

"Yeah, I guess so" I said trying to sound interested. "Not like he's going by choice though. The judge is making him go."

"Speaking of criminals" Eva said cheerfully. "When are they letting your dad out?" I finally stopped trailing Pony with my eyes so I could shoot her a look.

"Eva, seriously?"

She laughed and popped the top off of a tube of lipstick. "What?" she asked defensively. "It's just a question." She gave me such a twisted smile that I had to laugh. Eva was the only person who knew my life and in a way I kind of liked the way she didn't take any of it too seriously.

"I don't know" I said peering back into the classroom. Pony was sitting at his desk scribbling something in his notebook. My desk sat empty next to his. "About a week I guess. Told the judge I'm staying with my aunt until then."

"Ah, back in the old westside neighborhood?" she joked.

"Right. Can you imagine? Spending my days with Bob Sheldon and Cherry Valance again? What a joy. I'd rather freeze my ass off alone on Clayborne."

"Won't they check to make sure you're really with her?" I shook my head.

"No. Never have before."

"You can come stay with me you know" she said as if I should have already thought of that.

"You're grounded" I reminded her. "Besides, I'm sick of asking people for favors. I can stay home. It's not that bad."

The late bell rang and the last few stragglers in the hall slid past us into Mr. Florio's class. I hugged my books closer to my chest and smiled at Eva.

"You're late." She finished applying the second coat of lipstick and pushed the cap back on with a pop of her hand.

"It's just home-ec. Why don't you skip with me?"

Mr. Florio stepped into the doorway before I could respond.

"Ms. Reese, will you be attending class today?" I smiled at Eva apologetically.

"Yes, Mr. Florio."

"Well, I suggest you attend from inside the classroom. You might learn more that way."

I held a few fingers up and gave Eva a small wave.

"I'll see you after."

"Ugh" she complained. "Whatever. I guess I can learn how to bake Baklava today."