Begin [Ponyboy Curtis]

Don't Care to Understand

Playlist: Leave Me Alone - I Don't Know How But They Found Me | Using You - LO LA

We all hung out next to the corner store, leaning on Two-bit's car. The sun was high in the sky and the dark pavement was reflecting the warmth. I fanned myself with my class planner.

"It's going rain today," Two-bit retracted his arm back and forth, making his elbow pop.

"Shut up, Two-bit." Steve whacked his chest, causing him to spill the top off his coke, "you can't tell it's gonna rain just because you sprained your arm once."

"I broke it!" Two-bit shot back.

Steve glared at him and sat his drink down on the top of the car, "you didn't even get a cast."

Sodapop came walking out of the little shop and handed me a Sprite, Ponyboy a Pepsi, "so you gotta work tonight, Dot?"

I thanked him for the drink and nodded, "Yeah, will I see you there?"

"No, I just got off. I only work the morning on Monday. Steve will be there though."

"Ah," I nodded, "I can deal with Steve. I think I'd be nervous working with Bobby though."

"Nah," Sodapop shook his head, "Bobby really only works when one of us can't come or if we're having real bad problems with one of the cars. Besides, he's pretty cool. Back when I was still in school he'd help me with my homework if I was stuck on something... which was most of the time."

"We're allowed to do homework at work?"

"Oh yeah. You can pretty much do whatever you want if there aren't any customers."

"Yeah," Steve cut in, "Bobby won't be there today but I'm pretty good with Math and Science if you end up needin' some help."

"Thanks," I grinned at him, "It was way different at home. I worked at a bookshop and if there was nothing to do you had to find something to do. Ever mop a ceiling?"

Two-bit chuckled, "no but I prolly should."

"Yeah," Ponyboy teased him, "your ceilings are yellow from all that smoking in the house you do."

"Oh hush, you'd smoke in the house too if Darry would let you."

The mention of cigarettes was like a dog whistle, all of them pulled a pack out of their pockets and shared lighters around the group.

"Want one?" Ponyboy offered me.

"No thanks, it's an expensive habit." I declined. I figured if I wanted to start I could probably steal some off of my dad. He's always blown through his packs so fast I don't think he'd notice if some went missing.

The hot, motionless air finally got to me. I dropped my planner on the back of the car and pulled my sweater off over my head, then I tied it around my waist.

"Isn't she pretty?" Soda nudged Ponyboy's side. Pony shoved him in return.

"Shut up, man."

I started to make a comment on Sodapop being a terrible wingman until we were interrupted.

"Hey, grease!" A couple of guys got out of a bright red mustang. The indistinct chatter around the parking lot came to a halt as everyone turned to watch. I looked around and noticed Randy and his friends were part of the crowd.

We all tensed up, but Two-bit stepped in front of us, already knowing this was a fight he picked.

Two-bit took a dramatic drag off of his cigarette and flicked it to the side, "What duya want, Candyass?"